Today on Rappler – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
- PH eyes clinical trials for Russian COVID-19 vaccine as safety concerns raised. The Department of Health assures the public that Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine will be subject to a rigorous review and regulatory protocols before possible use in the Philippines.
- PhilHealth justifies biggest COVID-19 reimbursement for Davao City hospital. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) defended its decision to give the lion’s share of the reimbursement for coronavirus treatments to a hospital in Davao City – even if cases there are far fewer than in Metro Manila, the epicenter of the pandemic in the country.
- Cebu artist Bambi Beltran charged with cyber libel again. Meanwhile, novelist Lualhati Bautista threatens to press cyber libel charges against a Facebook user –
for red-tagging her in a comment.
- Biden taps Kamala Harris to be first Asian, Black woman VP. White House hopeful Joe Biden named Kamala Harris as his running mate Tuesday, August 11, a landmark pick that puts the senator from California in contention to become America’s first female, first Black, and first Asian vice president.
- FALSE: Hontiveros ‘confirmed’ to have stolen P15 billion from PhilHealth. The P15-billion corruption issue in PhilHealth took place in 2019 – long after Senator Risa Hontiveros stepped down from her directorial post in 2015
