HEADS UP: How Presidential Candidates Plan to Lead the Philippines (Jan. 24)

Here’s a Heads Up from reportr on news you need to know today, Jan. 24:

2022 ELECTIONS

• Four presidential candidates sat in an interview with GMA News’ Jessica Soho to discuss their platforms, including how they would lift the country from COVID-19.
• The presidential bets also presented their plans to eradicate poverty and fight fake news, as well as their stand on the war on drugs and on the West Philippine Sea issue.
• Vice President Leni Robredo addressed criticisms against her, saying that bravery knows no gender.
• Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also defended himself against accusations that he was a “trapo”.
• Which past president does Sen. Panfilo Lacson admire the most?
• Sen. Manny Pacquiao would be Robredo’s bet for the presidency if she weren’t running.
• Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos declined to participate in the presidential interview, claiming that Soho was “biased” against him.
• GMA Network defended Soho against Marcos’ claims, saying tough questions must be asked “because the job of the presidency is tough.”

COVID NEWS

• The Philippines is one of the 105 low- to middle-income countries to receive a more affordable version of Merck’s anti-COVID pill, molnupiravir.
• The PITX in Parañaque City adds to the growing number of sites where COVID-19 booster jabs can be availed.
• Workers infected with COVID-19 who are in home confinement may avail of the Social Security System sickness benefit.
• Should you take an antibiotic if you are infected with COVID-19?
• COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continued to have very high efficacy against the Omicron variant, according to U.S. CDC study.
• People who were unvaccinated but survived the Delta variant surge in the U.S. were better protected than those who were vaccinated and not previously infected, a study showed.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• When should you change your face mask? Here are the guidelines from DOH.
• Need to open a savings account? Here are some banks that allow you to do it online.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio was adopted by her father’s PDP-Laban party, widening the alliance that supports her bid.
• Despite hits like "Squid Game" and "Money Heist, Netflix reported a slow subscriber growth.
• Rock star Meat Loaf, who sang the hit song ‘I Would Do Anything for Love,’ has died at the age of 74.