Authorities raided five pharmacies in Cebu yesterday and seized boxes of what the National Bureau of Investigation described as counterfeit pharmaceutical products of Unilab.
The pharmacies were identified as Twin Star and ERX in Cebu City; Lodith in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City; T and A in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City; and Purchaser in Barangay Poblacion, Naga City.
The search warrant listed the fake products as Alaxan FR, Inoflux, Solmux, Solmux Broncho, Aspilets, Alaxan, Calcibloc, Biogesic, Diatabs, Ceelin, Enervon-C, Revicon, Tuseran, Neozep, Medicol Advance, Decolgen, Dolfenal, Bioflu, Skelan, Myra-E, Kremil S, Amoclav, Qinolon, Disudrin, Decilone, and Neo-Pyrazon, Sun.Star Cebu reported.
The raid was spurred when Unilab complained that counterfeit products carrying their brand were sold in Cebu. NBI 7 assistant director Augusto Eric Isidoro said they bought drugs from 23 pharmacies in Metro Cebu and had these examined by Unilab employees, which pointed out the counterfeit products.
The owners of the pharmacies explained that they bought the drugs from a supplier in downtown Cebu City, who is listed as an authorized Unilab distributor.
READ MORE
- Sun.Star Cebu: Fake meds seized
- The Freeman: Fake meds seized from 5 pharmacies in Cebu
- Cebu Daily News: NBI seizes fake drugs
Flooding at SRP hurting development, FLI tells Mayor Rama
Flooding at the SRP is hurting all development in the area, Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) warned the Cebu City Government. The developer said City Hall should immediately come up with a drainage master plan and implement it.
This is the third time that FLI has complained about flooding with City Hall, Sun.Star Cebu said in its report.
“We call on our leaders, both local and national, in collaboration with the private sector, to seriously address the issue and come up with a truly problem-solving Drainage Master Plan.” — FLI vice president Allan Go Alfon said in a company statement.
Mayor Michael Rama told Sun.Star Cebu that the city cannot solve the problem by itself and the Department of Public Works and Highways needs to play its part.
“We are not taking this concern for granted… We have set aside something for that. Let’s see if the funds are still available. But you know, the City has limited capability, that’s why the investors will also have to come in with their contractors and their ideas.” — Mayor Michael Rama, according to Sun.Star Cebu.
READ MORE:
- Sun.Star Cebu: FLI asks Rama anew: Solve flooding at SRP
EXPECT HEAVY TRAFFIC when the DPWH closes the Marcelo Fernan Bridge for repairs. (Creative Commons Photo on Flickr by Jeff Secondes)
Marcelo Fernan bridge to be closed for repairs
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will close the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in the coming days to replace its rubber expansion joints.
Eda de Guzman, of the DPWH 6th Engineering District Office, said they might start the project this week or next, to finish it in time for the start of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu starting August 22.
DPWH will close each lane for seven days.
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At least we didn’t steal, Mayor Rama says on audit report
Despite the violations pointed out by the Commission on Audit (COA) on how the Cebu City Government spent its funds, what is important is that there was no mention of corruption, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said.
COA had pointed out violations in audit roles when the City spent P203.7 million intended for the building of the Cebu City Medical Center to give aways as cash assistance to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Auditors said this imperiled the construction of the hospital, which the mayor had deemed urgent.
“We thank them for their findings and for giving us the opportunity to explain. What is important is that there was no mention of corruption.” — Mayor Michael Rama
READ MORE
- Sun.Star Cebu: Despite negative observations, Rama says ‘thank you’
…but Tomas will use audit report to sue Rama on CCMC fund realignment
Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmena will use the Commission on Audit report on Cebu City’s finances as basis to file criminal and administrative charges against Mayor Michael Rama, The Freeman reports today.
“Ang COA gud bisan og makadiskobre sila og mga anomalies sa government transactions dili man sila mo-file og kaso mao nga as a taxpayer, ako na lang maoy mo-file og kaso in behalf of the people.” — Tomas Osmena, as quoted by The Freeman (Even if COA uncovers anomalies in government transactions, it doesn’t file charges. That is why as a taxpayer, I will be filing the case on behalf of the people.)
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The Freeman: Osmeña to sue Rama
COA questions Cebu City over P685 million in unliquidated cash advances
Capitol share in joint venture with FLI ‘just enough to pay realty tax,’ auditors point out; not so, says official
Government auditors said that the income the Cebu City Provincial Government will get from its joint venture with Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) is just enough to pay the realty tax that will be imposed on Capitol. A Capitol official, however, pointed out the deal was changed in the province’s favor.
Capitol and FLI have gone into a joint venture to build a business process outsourcing (BPO) building in Barangay Apas.
“The benefit that the Cebu Provincial Government would derive from the build-transfer-and-operate (BTO) agreement with Filinvest Land Inc., may just be sufficient to pay realty taxes.” — the Commission on Audit said in its annual report.
Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, however, said the agreement was amended and the change made the COA observations moot. FLI will pay the taxes.
READ MORE
- Sun.Star Cebu: Capitol share in joint venture questioned
- The Freeman: Capitol to update COA on FLI contract
The front pages today of The Freeman and Sun.Star Cebu.
Other Cebu Headlines
» DILG 7 prevents suspended mayor Nelson Garcia from reassuming Dumanjug post, says they still need order from office of DILG secretary
» 2 drug raids in Cebu City net P210,000 in shabu, catch 12 people linked to drugs
» Laglag-barya gang members arrested after victimizing nursing student inside jeepney
“If a coin is dropped, ignore it and keep hold of your phone or anything that has value.” — Chief Insp. David Señor, Cebu City Police Office theft and robbery section chief.
» Endangered shells, reported to have been from Tubbataha reef, seized from boats in Olango Island
» Veco on Tinago accident: Utility post wasn’t ours
“But the public must know that the real culprit of the incident is the truck van that hit the cables that caused the post to fall. The problem is that the truck driver escaped. This is a case of hit and run. Ma-karma din ang driver na ‘yon.” — Elmer Lintag, PLDT head of operations for Cebu, Bohol, Samar and Leyte, as quoted in Sun.Star Cebu
