National

More than Php 6 billion for additional power capacity

The government must spend more than 6 billion pesos to provide for the additional 300 megawatts capacity. According to House Energy Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali, each 100 megawatts is valued at 1 billion pesos. But the price would double since the government will have to enter a two-year contract since no business entity will enter into a short-term contract with the government. The contracting of additional power capacity is the last resort of the emergency […]

Senator blames President Aquino regarding energy crisis

Senator Serge Osmeña blames President Aquino regarding the energy crisis. According to Osmeña, he warned President Aquino about possible electricity supply shortage since the start of Aquino’s term, but the Palace did not heed his warnings. He added that giving emergency powers to the President is not a light matter, saying that this will only add to the worries of consumers. He said that the public should be consulted on how much will the increase […]

Joint resolution on emergency powers

House Energy Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali assured that they could approve the joint resolution giving emergency powers to President Aquino by the end of October. Umali said that even if the Congress is in recess, his committee can still hold hearings to hurry up the process. But he admitted that they can only start the hearings after the Department of Energy has submitted the information that they need. To alleviate fears of abuse of emergency […]

Emergency powers for President Aquino

Malacañang is confident that Congress will approve the proposed bill giving President Aquino emergency powers to avert the looming power crisis. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that there is still ample time for Congress to approve said bill. She added that there is still 6 months before the country feels the effects of energy shortage. She further said that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla is the one who knows the process on how to resolve […]

LPA trough to bring rains over E. Visayas, parts of Mindanao

MANILA, Sept. 17 —  Eastern Visayas, CARAGA and the Davao region will still experience cloudiness and some rains Wednesday as a low pressure area or LPA still hovers about a thousand kilometers east of the Visayas region,  according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as of 4 a.m .today, the LPA was estimated based on all available data at 1,070 km east of Visayas (13.2°N, 136.3°E). Because of this Eastern Visayas, Caraga and […]

Funds for Yolanda not given

(BY Christine Herrera, MANILA STANDARD) THE Aquino government has not released a single peso for victims of typhoon Yolanda because Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman resorted to “double accounting” and claimed credit for P779 million in foreign donations released by the World Food Programme, lawmakers said Sunday. Reps. Jonathan dela Cruz of Abakada and Terry Ridon of Kabataan demanded that Soliman reveal exactly how much in government funds had been released following a report by the Commission […]

PNOY dropping hints for 2nd term again

(BY Joyce Panares, C/O Manila Standard TODAY) FOR the nth time, President Benigno Aquino III played coy on whether he will seek a term extension or not, throwing the question instead to the public, whose sentiments, he said, will shape his final decision. Aquino, in an interview en route to Belgium aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, said if majority of the Filipinos want a fresh mandate for him, then there has to be a […]

Corona link seen at ‘Sanitized’ DAP list

The Aquino administration released P78.38 billion from the Disbursement Acceleration Program over a period of three months that coincided with the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona, with senators who sat as judges in his trial and lawmakers who acted as prosecutors getting huge sums for undisclosed projects, according to Congress. This said by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco on. That on the first day of the plenary debate on the P2.6 trillion national budget for 2015, […]

Malacañang respects court’s decision

Malacañang respects the Malolos Regional Trial Court’s decision to transfer Palparan, saying that the court has ample reasons to do so. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the court must ensure the safety of Palparan. Judge Teodora Gonzales cited Palparan’s security as well as the other inmates in the Bulacan provincial jail, including offices at the provincial capitol. Palparan first made a statement saying that he is not looking for special treatment, instead he fears […]

Thailand bags contract for rice supply

After 20 years, Thailand once again secured the bigger contract of supplying rice to the Philippines. According to National Food Authority spokesman, Rex Estoperez, Thailand offered the lowest price for 300, 000 metric tons of rice, with $475 per metric ton. The first 200, 000 metric tons will arrive in October 15, with the second 200, 000 metric tons to follow on November 15, and the last 100, 000 metric tons to arrive in December […]

Israel strengthens agriculture technology transfer to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Israel, known for its expertise in agricultural technology, continues to share its knowledge in the field of agriculture with the Philippines. No less than the Israel Embassy in Manila hosted a roundtable discussion on agricultural knowledge transfer last Monday, Sept. 15, particularly in the field of integrated pest management and post harvest management of fruits and vegetables. Israeli embassy officials said this is just the start of efforts to strengthen their agicultural […]