BMI Online Editor

Energy restoration in Yolanda-hit provinces to cost P1-B

Nov 292013

The Tacloban City public market bustles with activity on Thursday (November 21, 2013) as residents were deprived of decent food for many days after super typhoon Yolanda devastated the city last November 8. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Energy said around P1 billion will be needed in the restoration of energy in Yolanda-hit areas. Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said some of the vital parts of the power grid in the Visayas region, which brings electricity to Samar and Leyte, were damaged at the height of the super typhoon. “In the initial stage, when you look at the place, it’s like an atomic bomb was dropped in the area and restoring it is almost impossible. I heard from the reports that 200 plus, 240 NGCP transmission line towers were down,” he said. But Petilla is confident they will be able to bring energy back in almost all areas in eastern Visayas by December 24. “Power is going to be restored in the heart of the city or the poblacion of the town, including majority of the barangays. The only ones that will be left behind will be the isolated ones where some barangays are 10 kilometers away and have major damage. They’re going to be put on the back burner,” he said. “Even with all these typhoons, we will restore. I am putting my job on the line but at the same time. Ang tanong ko lang sa lahat, what are you actually putting on the table? Because Read More …

DOJ to subpoena anew daughter of Janet Lim Napoles

Entertainment

Nov 292013

DOJ to subpoena anew daughter of Janet Lim Napoles

Really?: An alleged photo of Jeane Napoles, daughter of Janet Lim-Napoles who is at the center of the pork barrel scam that involves lawmakers in the Philippines, as she is supposedly “bathing” in a tubful of money that has been circulating on the internet. This one was posted in en.wordpress.com. MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) will again send subpoena to Jeane Napoles to appear in the conduct of the hearing this Dec. 10 on the P32.06-million tax evasion case filed against her. Jeane is the daughter of Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged “brains” behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam and the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam. This was because Jeane did not appear during the first hearing of the case on Tuesday. Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela earlier ordered Atty. Francisco Tolentino, counsel of Janet and Jimmy Napoles, to inform the daughter of his client to submit a counter-affidavit. Tolentino is the second lawyer who appeared during the hearing last Nov. 5 as counsel of the Napoles couple in their P60-million tax evasion case. During the hearing Tuesday, a certain Atty. Ian Dela Cruz Encarnacion appeared before the DOJ to submit the counter-affidavit of the Napoles couple. However, the panel of prosecutors rejected the counter-affidavit because it was only notarized instead of subscribed before a public prosecutor which is contrary to the existing rules. (MNS)

Congress leaders agree to extend P20.8-B calamity funds’ validity

Entertainment

Nov 292013

Congress leaders agree to extend P20.8-B calamity funds’ validity

Senate President Franklin Drilon supports the enactment of a supplemental budget to fund disaster rehabilitation in the wake of supertyphoon “Yolanda” which heavily damaged a vast area of the Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013. “We urge the President to certify the supplemental budget as urgent to look for resources to support the typhoon victims,” Drilon said in a media interview on Tuesday (Nov. 19) at the Senate Bldg. in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Congress leaders have agreed to extend the validity of the 2013 calamity-related funds in various agencies amounting to P20.8 billion to aid disaster relief and rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Sunday. This is apart from the supplemental budget, he said. “The proposed resolution will extend for one more fiscal year the authorization to spend the appropriations for calamity fund and other disaster and relief-related programs in the budgets of selected line agencies estimated to be around P20.8 billion,” Drilon said. He said the Senate along with the House of Representatives will file a joint resolution seeking to extend the validity of funds in the 2013 national budget related to calamity response. “Speaker Sonny Belmonte and I have agreed to file a joint resolution to extend until December 31 of next year the authority to spend the funds intended for calamity response before the current General Appropriations Act expires on December 31, 2013, so that the funds can be used by agencies dealing with disaster relief and rebuilding activities,” explained Read More …

Lawmaker wants next Pacquiao fight in PHL

Entertainment

Nov 282013

Lawmaker wants next Pacquiao fight in PHL

Manny Pacquiao (right) of the Philippines lands a punch on Brandon Rios of the U.S. during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) International 12-round welterweight boxing title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 24, 2013. Pacquiao registered a decisive, unanimous decision win against American Rios to clinch the vacant WBO International welterweight title on Sunday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – House Games and Amusements Committee chairman Elpido Barzaga wants the next fight of Filipino boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to be held in the Philippines, noting the benefits for the economy and tourism. “I wish the next fight (of Pacquiao) will be in the Philippines,” Barzaga said. “If a small country like Macau can host, why not the Philippines? We were able to sponsor the NBA games.” Pacquiao dominated Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in a 12-round welterweight showdown in Macau on Sunday to stop a two-fight losing streak Barzaga said he intends to discuss the matter with Pacquiao once he returns. “It’s doable. We have big corporations,” he said. The congressman is also expecting a lot of speeches and resolutions honoring Pacquiao for his unanimous decision victory over Rios in Monday’s session. Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, who was not among those who watched the fight in Macau, said he does not expect any more congressional awards for Pacquiao since the boxer has already been given the highest awards in the past. Meanwhile, Monday’s briefing of Barzaga’s committee ended with a virtual solicitation from the congressman Read More …

Coco dedicates best actor award to ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Entertainment

Nov 282013

Coco dedicates best actor award to ‘Yolanda’ survivors

Coco Martin (MNS photo) Coco Martin dedicated his best actor award from the PMPC Star Awards for TV to the survivors of super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan), which battered the Visayas last November 8. Martin won the award for his performance in the Filipino superhero series “Juan dela Cruz,” in a tie with Richard Yap of “Be Careful With My Heart.” In an interview with ABS-CBN News right after accepting his latest recognition, Martin said his award symbolizes the hero in every Filipino in times of calamity. “Sobrang sarap. Nakaka-inspire lalo na napakaespesyal ng proyektong ito. Sabi ko nga, lahat ng tao ngayon para sa akin is a hero. ‘Yung mga Pilipino, lahat ng tao na tumulong sa sakuna na nangyari sa ating bansa. Inaalay ko ito para sa kanila,” he said. Sharing his inspirational message to the typhoon survivors, Martin said: “Mga kababayan ko, huwag na huwag po tayo susuko at bibitiw dahil lagi po tayong may pag-asa. Nandiyan po ang Panginoon.” Meanwhile, Martin announced that he won’t be doing any television projects anytime soon. “Baka next year na. Medyo matagal ako nawala sa pelikula. Gusto ko bumalik doon para kahit paano fulfilled naman. Mabalik ko naman ang mga proyektong gusto kong gawin,” he said. Without disclosing details about the movies which he will be working on, Martin said: “Marami [akong gagawin] pero ngayon nandoon pa lang sa meeting lahat.” As of the moment, Martin said he spends his time with his family and doing relief operations for Read More …

PNP cadaver recovery team continues efforts in Yolanda-hit areas

Entertainment

Nov 282013

PNP cadaver recovery team continues efforts in Yolanda-hit areas

Rescue workers carry a body bag containing the body of a five-year-old boy as they walk past houses destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan in the town of Tanauan November 20, 2013. The Philippines and international armed forces and aid agencies are struggling to get help to devastated areas due to the extent of the destruction, which has left four million people displaced, threatening Aquino’s reforms that have helped transform the country into one of Asia’s fastest-growing emerging economies.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippine National Police is still on full-operation mode in disaster-hit areas after Typhoon Yolanda brought wide devastation in the Visayas region, PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima said on Saturday. “The Cadaver Recovery Team of PNP Special Action Force Search and Rescue (SAF SAR) Team, continuously exert efforts in recovery of casualties in the Visayas,” said Purisima, citing reports coming from the PNP sub-committee on disaster management. He added that the search, retrieval, relief, law enforcement, security and other police operations of the 1,157 PNP personnel are continuously conducted in the provinces of Leyte and Samar to assist local police units. “This is the time for solidarity amongst us along the spirit of Serbisyong Makakatohanan. Together, we will rise and recover soon from the tragedy,” the Chief PNP said in a statement. Meanwhile, in a phone interview, Task Force Cadaver Commander Senior Supt. Pablito Corbeta said they had recovered a total of 1,841 bodies since Nov. 15 up to Nov. 22 of retrieval operations in Tacloban City. He Read More …

Binay appeals: Stop mudslinging amid relief efforts

Entertainment

Nov 282013

Binay appeals: Stop mudslinging amid relief efforts

An aerial view of houses devastated by Typhoon Haiyan is seen at Barangay San Antonio, Basey Samar November 25, 2013. Typhoon Haiyan, the biggest storm ever to make landfall, struck the central Visayan islands on November 8, killing more than 5,200 people, displacing 4.4 million and destroying about 12 billion pesos in crops, property and infrastructure.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay appealed for a stop to the mudslinging amid the relief and rehabilitation efforts being done for the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda. “This is not the time for disunity and mudslinging. Let us not allow selfish personal agenda from tainting our efforts to help the affected families. Likewise, let us rise above partisanship and the narrow, emasculating confines of politics, and render service to those in need, regardless of political affiliations,” Binay told the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate during their induction ceremonies in Bacolod City. Binay was earlier lambasted for distributing packs with his office’s stickers on them. He denied, however, that he had approved it. In his speech, he asked that the public instead focus on the issue at hand. “Yolanda has issued the sternest and most tragic of warnings. And the chilling truth is that it may only herald the coming of larger and fiercer typhoons. We cannot change the whims of weather, at least not overnight. But we can change the way we build, the way we live, and the way we move after the winds and the waves calm down,” the Read More …

Richard Gutierrez gears up for 2014

Entertainment

Nov 232013

Richard Gutierrez (MNS Photo) RICHARD Gutierrez said he’s ready to work again after taking a short break from the entertainment business. After his 11-year contract with GMA-7 ended a few months back, the actor decided to give time for himself and unwind a little with close friends and family members. He even disclosed his interest in going back to school and to study short courses in filmmaking. In an interview, the 29-year-old said he realized that sometimes stepping back wouldn’t hurt one’s focus and drive at work “It’s the best decision that I’ve done in life. It kind of slowed me down, it kind of get my bearings right and it ignited again a fire inside of me kung ano talaga ang gustong gawin ko and I think next year is the right time to reconnect with my audience,” said Richard. He added, “(Now I know how) to pick and choose the right projects. Yung 11 straight years ko I didn’t slow down. I think it’s important to take a vacation once in a while or a long break.” Richard said he also enjoyed his short absence in the business because he got to spend a lot of time with girlfriend Sarah Lahbati and his immediate family. “Enjoy ‘yung buong vacation ko not only because of Sarah, but also I was with my family. I spend time with them, with my friends, wala akong pressure or responsibility to beat my schedule. It just kind of going back to my roots,” Read More …

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to PHL

Entertainment

Nov 232013

Japan medics bring high-tech fixes to PHL

Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan carry fuel, which they bought at double the regular price, on a motorcycle in the typhoon devastated town of Palo, near Tacloban November 16, 2013. (MNS photo) TACLOBAN (AFP) – Japanese medics working to help victims of the Philippines typhoon have deployed wireless mobile X-ray kits using tablet computers, a world first in a disaster zone, a team spokesman said Saturday. The technology, which was developed after the huge tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, allows doctors to take a look inside patients instantly, and even lets them enlarge the image with familiar iPad gestures. Joji Tomioka, coordinator of the Japan Medical Team for Disaster Relief, said the system had been created in response to what doctors needed in the aftermath of the Japanese disaster. “This is the first time that we are deploying it in a disaster situation,” Tomioka told AFP at a modern tent medical clinic put up by the Japanese government to help victims of typhoon Haiyan, which crashed through the central Philippines more than a week ago. At the partly air-conditioned clinic in the ruined city of Tacloban on Leyte island, a radiologist placed a camera on the chest of 72-year-old Carlos Llosa as he sat in his wheelchair. The X-ray image was instantaneously transmitted through a wireless router to an iPad and to a nearby laptop. With a thumb and a finger, the doctor was able to zoom in for a more detailed view of the problem area. “It looks like Read More …

Vision of hell in Tacloban’s ‘Divine’ hospital

Entertainment

Nov 232013

Vision of hell in Tacloban’s ‘Divine’ hospital

By Cecil MORELLA Residents, who survived Super Typhoon Haiyan, receive holy communion during Sunday mass inside the Redemptorist Church in Tacloban city, central Philippiness November 17, 2013. Survivors of Typhoon Haiyan flocked to ruined churches on Sunday, kneeling in prayer under torn roofs as the Philippines faced an enormous rebuilding task from the storm that killed at least 3,681 people and displaced 4 million. The Philippines is facing up to an enormous rebuilding task from Typhoon Haiyan, with many isolated communities yet to receive significant aid despite a massive international relief effort.(MNS photo) TACLOBAN (AFP) – Jennifer Purga tearfully pumped air into her critically ill husband’s lungs, willing his sepsis-ravaged body to respond as he lay in a roofless hospital, with no water or power. The Divine Word Hospital in the typhoon-wrecked Philippine city of Tacloban was the vision of a world without redemption Friday, as exhausted hospital staff struggled to provide basic care to patients – some with horrific injuries. Part of the ceiling had caved in, exposing now-useless electrical wires that dangled harmlessly towards the ground. Despite the lack of electricity, Divine Word is the only truly functioning hospital left in Tacloban, a once-bustling city of 220,000 people that was utterly devastated by one of the most powerful typhoons ever to make landfall. “We lost nine patients during the typhoon, when a power cut affected those who were on life support,” Valentina Gamba, the director of nursing, told AFP. The storm surge inundated the ground floor of the Read More …

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