POOLED DRUG PURCHASES SET AS GOV'T ENFORCES PRICE CAPS: TRADE CHIEFMANILA -- The government will pool the procurement of some medicines tocomply with a new directive from President Rodrigo Duterte that capped drugprizes, his trade secretary said Wednesday.Buying breast cancer medicine through a pool can bring down the price toP13,000 per piece from P38,000 if drug store chains ordered separately, saidTrade Secretary Ramon Lopez.An agency under the DTI's Philippine International Trading Corp will poolthe orders in coordination with the trade and health departments, Lopez toldANC's Early Edition."Pooled procurement will hopefully make the reduction in prices sustainableand viable for all. This is already a go," he said.Unlike other countries, the Philippines can't subsidize drug prices to keepthem low. Manila has to spend at least P4 trillion, or roughly the size ofthe annual national budget, for medicine subsidies, he said.SUPREME COURT ORDERS ABS-CBN TO ANSWER SOLGEN'S GAG ORDER PLEAMANILA - The Supreme Court en banc on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN Corp and itsunit ABS-CBN Convergence to respond to Solicitor General Jose Calida's pleafor a gag order pending his petition to invalidate their franchises.In a press briefing, the high court's spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka said theSC gave ABS-CBN and its subsidiary 5 days within notice to answer Calida'svery urgent motion to stop the network from issuing statements on the meritsof the case."Now in accordance with the due process requirement of the law, the SupremeCourt has ordered the respondents ABS-CBN Corp and ABS-CBN Convergence tofile their respective comments to the motion filed by Office of SolicitorGeneral within a non-extendible period of 5 days of notice," said Hosaka.He said the high court should hear both sides as part of due process."After ma-file ng ABS-CBN 'yan eh (After ABS-CBN files its response), thecourt will decide on the matter," he said.

HOUSE REPS ASKED TO WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR ABS-CBN RESOLUTION, SOLON SAYSMANILA — Amid a quo warranto petition seeking to revoke the franchise ofbroadcast giant ABS-CBN, members of the House of Representatives haveallegedly been asked to withdraw their support for a resolution urging theHouse Committee on Legislative Franchises to act on bills for the renewal ofthe network's franchise.This was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay),who said that the claim was corroborated by "verified reports."Lagman said that at least 91 congressmen had already signed on Monday HouseResolution 639, which urges the panel to "report out without further delayfor plenary action" a consolidated version of the pending bills proposingthe renewal of ABS-CBN's legislative franchise."The freedom of the press is corollary to the people's right to informationand the decimation of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people'sright to know," the resolution read.MAKATI TO GIVE FREE HERITAGE WALKING TOURSMANILA— Makatizens, or residents of Makati City, may get to know their cityin a different light when the local government provides free heritagewalking tours daily.Tourists may also join the walking tour.In a Facebook post, the Makati City government said it would feature adifferent site everyday to give residents and tourists a chance to explorethe city’s history, culture and rich traditions.It also released eight types of tours that would run from Tuesday untilSunday.Museums and tours are usually closed on Mondays.These tours usually begin in the morning although there are tours scheduledin the afternoon.The free walking tours feature St. Alphonsus Mary de Ligouri Church’s GardenWay of the Crosss, Poblacion and the Central Business District as well asSalcedo and Legaspi Market.Some of the tours such as the Poblacion Walk Tour, Central Business Districtand the Walkway Tour with Salcedo and Legaspi Markets are already available.JASMINE GETS MUSHY IN BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FOR SISTER ANNEMANILA – Jasmine Curtis-Smith penned the sweetest message for her sisterAnne who is celebrating her birthday on Monday.On Instagram, Jasmine began by sharing why she thinks her sister would bethe best mom once she gives birth to her baby girl.“Knowing your love as an Ate, daughter, friend, and wife, it's a guaranteethat bubba girl will have the best mum,” she isad.She continued by telling Anne her wish for her now that she’s 35.“You have always given your best self and love to me and everyone youencounter, so I wish that life continues to shower you with100000000000xxxxx more love and happiness because we all know that youdeserve all of it,” she said.“You keep growing into a spectacular woman and with that always bring somuch inspiration to me as your little sestra and soon to be babysitter (aswill no longer be your only bb girl anymore!),” Jasmine added.To end her post, Jasmine expressed how much she loves Anne.“Cheers to seeing the world together and now seeing your world and love growbigger. I love you so much and always, and am so so excited to see you andyour newest bb girl soon!!!!!!” she said.THIS IS THE REASON WHY PACQUIAO SIGNED PARADIGM DEALMANILA—World champion boxer Sen. Manny Pacquiao wants to maximize hisopportunities in his remaining years, which is why he has partnered withParadigm Sports, the same group that handles the career of MMA superstarConor McGregor.In a press conference held on Tuesday, Pacquiao’s legal team, includingbusiness manager Arnold Vegrafia and the boxer’s associate Jayke Joson, saidPacquiao is free to sign a non-exclusive contract with Paradigm despite anexisting contract with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).The press conference was also attended by lawyers Brando Viernesto and BongGacal.Aside from allowing Paradigm to negotiate fights for Pacquiao, the“partnership” also authorizes the management to handle endorsements,marketing and other media deals for the boxer in the United States.“PBC can still negotiate if they have an existing agreement,” said Vegafria.“In behalf of paradigm they’re negotiating now for the July fight. I don’tknow what the PBC is doing right now, if they can deliver, whatever the bestnegotiation, the best deal, we’ll get it.”When asked about the much-talked about mega-fight between Pacquiao andfellow Paradigm fighter McGregor, Vegafria said the bout is now very muchpossible.“Because they have the same management, the bottom line there’s apossibility that they have a fight together. That’s a marketing strategy forSen. Manny Pacquiao. What is the best strategy that we could help him salast 2 years niya? That’s why we thought of the idea of partnering withParadigm Sports Management,” he said.Joson said Pacquiao is just opening himself to other opportunities.“Ano na lang ba ang natitirang mega-fight na pupwedeng mangyari before heretires? Mayweather and possibly, McGregor,” Joson said.“Para kay Senator MP, ‘yung potential ng McGregor-Pacquiao mega-fight ay masmalaki ang possibility na mangyayari kung sa Paradigm kami pipirma. KungMayweather, kay Al Haymon. Parehong may kontrata, parehong mega-fight.Sino’ng panalo doon? Si Senator Pacquiao.”Vegafria said they have been in talks with Paradigm president Audie Attarfor the past 2 years. The signing took place 2 weeks ago.Viernesto said that whatever legal concerns Pacquiao will have to deal withPBC will be handled by Paradigm.Pacquiao signed with PBC two years ago with hopes of landing that elusiverematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., which has not yet materialized.“His last fight was in July and until now he has not fought. So we have tomove on. That’s what we’re saying here,” Viernesto said.