National

Fight against corruption, mere political move

The group Volunteers against Crime and Corruption believes that DILG Secretary Mar Roxas is only using the issue of fight against corruption to campaign early for the 2016 elections. According to VACC Chairman Dante Jimenez, Roxas is losing his direction since he started mixing the fight against corruption with his personal ambition. Secretary Roxas is yet to react to the allegations of Jimenez.

France supports Philippines in West Philippine Sea

French President Francois Hollande supports Philippine’s position in West Philippine Sea, in the face of rising tensions between Philippines and China. In a bilateral meeting between President Aquino and the French President, they agreed that international law should be prevail, especially the UN Charter for the peace and stability of the region. They also ratified the advancement of maritime security, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea according […]

European Commission praises OFWs

European Commission President Herman van Rompuy recognized and praised overseas Filipino workers in Europe. Rompuy acknowledged the economic contributions of Filipino migrant workers in Europe. OFWs send 2.3 billion euros worth of remittances to the Philippines while Europe is the largest employer of Filipino seafarers.

COMELEC on online voting

According to COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes, this is conditioned on the Congress passing a law regarding online voting. Brillantes is confident that this system will increase the number of voters that will participate in the election as well as exercise their right to vote. According to estimates made by the COMELEC, the number of overseas voter that will participate in the 2016 elections may reach 1.5 million.

Emergency powers vs. electricity bill

Malacañang cannot say that there will be no increase in the price of electricity once President Aquino is given emergency powers. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that it is DOE Secretary Jericho Petilla who knows the mechanism on how the electricity industry will run under the emergency powers of the President. Lacierda added that the government’s main concern is to ensure that there will be no shortage in the energy supply come summer of 2015.

Miriam on emergency power

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is in favor of giving emergency powers to President Aquino to resolve the looming energy crisis. She made the statement after the Senate received the Aquino’s letter, asking Congress to pass a joint resolution regarding his emergency powers. Santiago believes that it is necessary to give the President emergency powers to quickly resolve the energy crisis. But she also added that 6 months of emergency powers is more than enough.

Mayon, dangerous

The local government of Albay continues to warn tourists to stay away from Mayon Volcano. Albay Governor Joey Salceda reminds everyone, especially tourists to stay away from the volcano and its danger zones. Mayon continues to exhibit abnormal activity while the local government conducts forced evacuation of residents in areas near the volcano. In the past 24 hours, PHIVOLCS recorded more rockfall incidents and volcanic earthquakes.

Malacañang will let Congress decide

Malacañang will let Congress decide scope and term of the emergency powers to be given to the President. Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa said that what is important is to resolve the energy crisis. He further added that they will submit a draft on said emergency powers which will include all details, including how to spend the 6 billion peso fund.

Evacuation, almost complete

Almost 94% of the residents in the areas surrounding Mayon volcano have been evacuated. Albay Governor Joey Salceda assures resident that their temporary shelter is more than adequate. According to Salceda, there are no more residents left inside the 6-8km permanent danger zone. According to PHIVOLCS, Mayon Volcano may explode this week or within the month.

VP Binay on Makati building probe

Vice President Jejomar Binay said that he is willing to face the controversy of the overpriced Makati buildings but he will not be swayed by calls to face the Senate. He added that he will push through with his prepared speech which was cancelled due to rampage of “Luis”. He will make the statement this Thursday, 2 in the afternoon.

LPA intensifies into tropical depression “Mario” — PAGASA

MANILA, Sept. 17 (PNA) -– The low pressure area located southeast of Luzon has intensified into tropical depression “Mario,” the third for this month and 13th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday. PAGASA weather forecaster Connie Dadivas said that as of 4:00 p.m., tropical depression “Mario” was located at 740 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar (12.2°N, 132.8°E) packed with maximum […]

DILG and BIR to do lifestyle check on PNP personnel

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas admitted that he had asked the assistance of Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner  Kim Henares to enforce lifestyle check for the entire police force. According to Roxas, he spoke with Henares to ask  her help in observing the assets of the PNP personnel.  The probe will begin with the policemen with a star rank level. Income tax returns will be just one of the possible targets of BIR in […]