Duterte: No money for trolls, rigged surveys | ABS-CBN

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Duterte: No money for trolls, rigged surveys

Duterte: No money for trolls, rigged surveys

Dharel Placido,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday denied that his administration was shelling out money to hire online trolls and rig results of popularity surveys.

“I don’t need to defend myself from attacks. I stated my piece during my inauguration and during my campaign. I’m not anymore eligible for reelection,” Duterte said in a news conference after his 2-hour State of the Nation Address.

Duterte said this in response to a question about the results of an Oxford University study, which claimed that his team employed “keyboard trolls” during the May 2016 electoral campaign and has kept them on the payroll after his victory.

“[In] the Philippines, many of the so‐called ‘keyboard trolls’ hired to spread propaganda for presidential candidate Duterte during the election continue to spread and amplify messages in support of his policies now he’s in power,” the study said.

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Duterte, a reluctant presidential candidate, had been swept to power partly by strong support from social media users.

The study also claimed that Duterte’s team spent at least $200,000 and employed a staff of 400 to 500 people to defend the President from his critics online.

The administration has been accused of employing online trolls to silence critics, with some issuing threats of violence and rape to those opposed to the tough-talking President's policies and statements.

Meanwhile, the President also said his government was not involved in any rigging of the results of popularity surveys by major pollsters Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.

“So itong Pulse Asia, itong Social Weather, iyan man dapat gastusan ko para magtaas ang rating ko? Tanungin mo sila ma’am kung nagbigay ako, I will resign tomorrow,” he said.

“Sabihin mo lang [ang SWS at Pulse Asia], was there a time na pumunta dito si Mayor Duterte at kinausap kayo or even offered 20 pesos to write a word that is good for him?”

Despite the numerous issues thrown his way, President Duterte continues to enjoy high popularity ratings.

The June 23 to 26 SWS survey showed 78 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with the President's performance compared to the 12 percent dissatisfied and 10 percent undecided. The figures gave Duterte a net satisfaction rating of +66, his new personal record.

In Pulse Asia’s June survey, meanwhile, Duterte received an approval rating of 82 percent and a trust rating of 81 percent.

His approval rating jumped 4 percentage points from 78 percent in March 2017. The 81 percent he notched for his trust rating, meanwhile, was an increase of 5 points from 76 in March 2017.

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Unlocking the future of cancer care with Next-Generation Sequencing: Why the Philippines must keep up

Unlocking the future of cancer care with Next-Generation Sequencing: Why the Philippines must keep up

ABS-CBN News,

Catherine SC Teh,

MD,

MSc,

FPCS,

FRCSEd,

(Hon)FACS,

G.CIEHF

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Photo courtesy of the Makati PIO, file

In the last decade, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) has transformed cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide, offering deeper insights into tumor biology, treatment resistance, and personalized therapy. This technology allows for rapid sequencing of DNA and RNA, paving the way for more precise, effective, and individualized cancer treatment strategies.

However, in the Philippines, access to comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis remains limited, often delaying optimal cancer management.

As we push for world-class cancer care, integrating genomic profiling into standard practice is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

Understanding genomic testing: Comprehensive vs. Targeted Analysis

Cancer is a genetic disease, and molecular profiling is crucial in understanding its behavior. NGS-based testing can be categorized into:

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1) Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP):

• Analyzes hundreds of cancer-related genes simultaneously.

• Detects single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions/deletions, copy number variations (CNVs), gene fusions, and microsatellite instability (MSI).

• Ideal for hard-to-treat cancers, double primaries, and recurrent disease.

2) Targeted or Focused Genetic Analysis:

• Examines only a select number of genes known to drive specific cancers.

• Used for single mutations like EGFR in lung cancer or BRCA1/2 in breast/ovarian cancers.

• Limited in scope but useful for quick decision-making when a specific mutation is suspected.

The role of ctDNA and cfDNA in precision oncology

1) Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA): Fragments of DNA released into the bloodstream by both normal and cancer cells.

2) Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA): A subset of cfDNA derived specifically from cancer cells, carrying tumor-specific mutations.

These liquid biopsy techniques have transformed oncology by providing real-time tumor profiling without the need for invasive biopsies.

Their applications include:

✔ Early Detection – Identifying molecular changes before a tumor is visible on imaging.


✔ Monitoring Treatment Response – Tracking tumor evolution in real-time and detecting resistance mutations.


✔ Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Detection – Identifying microscopic cancer cells post- treatment to predict recurrence.


✔ Guiding Therapy Selection – Identifying actionable mutations for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.


✔ Surveillance – Early detection of metastasis or recurrence in high-risk patients.

Why these technologies must be accessible in the Philippines

Despite its clinical value, comprehensive genomic profiling and liquid biopsy remain out of reach for most Filipino cancer patients due to:   

1) High cost and limited insurance coverage

2) Lack of local laboratories offering high-throughput NGS 3) Limited awareness among healthcare providers

4) Data accessibility and integration challenges

Given the high prevalence of hard-to-treat cancers like lung and ovarian cancers, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and rare gastrointestinal malignancies, access to genomic technologies is critical in improving survival rates.

Using genomic data for risk assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic impact

1. Risk Assessment

• Identification of hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g., Lynch syndrome, BRCA mutations, APC

for colorectal cancer).

• Early intervention and cancer screening programs for high-risk individuals.

2. Precision Diagnosis

• Differentiating primary vs. metastatic cancers for double primaries.

• Classifying tumors based on molecular subtypes, ensuring correct treatment selection.

3. Therapeutic Impact

• Identifying targetable mutations for personalized therapy (e.g., FGFR inhibitors for

cholangiocarcinoma, IDH1 inhibitors, immunotherapy biomarkers).

• Predicting response to chemotherapy, avoiding unnecessary toxic treatments.

4. Surveillance & Recurrence Detection

• ctDNA monitoring allows early detection of recurrence, often before it is visible on scans.

• Liquid biopsies provide a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsies in monitoring cancer

progression.

Building a genomic-ready cancer care system in the Philippines

To integrate genomic medicine into mainstream cancer care, we must:

🔹 Expand local NGS and ctDNA testing facilities to lower costs and increase accessibility.


🔹 Advocate for PhilHealth and private insurance coverage for genomic testing in oncology.


🔹 Strengthen clinician education on the utility of CGP and liquid biopsy in decision-making.


🔹 Develop national cancer genomic databases for better data sharing and patient stratification.


🔹 Foster research collaborations to establish Filipino-specific genomic data for cancer risk profiling.

A call to action

Cancer care is rapidly evolving, and genomic medicine is the future. As Filipino cancer specialists, we must push for broader access to NGS and liquid biopsy technologies to bring global standard cancer care to our patients.

The time to act is now. We must bridge the gap in precision oncology, empower Filipino patients with genomic-driven treatments, and improve survival outcomes across all cancer types.

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Established in September 1936, the Philippine College of Surgeons is the country's premier organization of surgical professionals.

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