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LTFRB issues 30-day preventive suspension on 228 Florida bus units

 News
Feb 072014
 
LTFRB issues 30-day preventive suspension on 228 Florida bus units

14 dead, 32 hurt in Bontoc bus accident . Rescuers attend to the injured and dead passengers of a Florida bus that plunged into a 116-meter ravine in Sitio Paggang, Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province on Friday, February 7. Cordillera PNP The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board has issued a 30-day preventive suspension order on a bus firm whose unit figured in an accident that killed 14 people and injured 32 others in Bontoc, Mt. Province early on Feb. 7. In a phone-patch interview on “Balitanghali” on Saturday, LTFRB chairman Atty. Winston Ginez said the preventive suspension is ordered against the Florida Transport, owner of the bus that plunged into a 116-meter-deep ravine in Barangay Talubin. Fourteen people, including comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez, musician David Sicam, leader of the Kinaiya Band, and visual artist Gerard Baja, were killed and 32 others hurt. The order came after the LTFRB discovered that the license plate (TXT-872) was issued to a bus from Mountain Province Cable Tours, owned by a certain Norberto Cue, Sr. Ginez said on Saturday, the LTFRB will confiscate the yellow plates of all 228 Florida Transit bus units with Nueva Viscaya, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Bataan routes. The Florida bus crash and license-plate fraud came just two months after a horrific fall from the Skyway in Metro Manila of a Don Mariano Transit bus that also had fraudulent identification on its chassis, belonging to another vehicle. After the Skyway crash, the LTFRB vowed to impose Read More …

All 228 Florida buses ordered off the streets after fatal Bontoc crash

 News
Feb 072014
 
All 228 Florida buses ordered off the streets after fatal Bontoc crash

14 dead, 32 hurt in Bontoc bus accident . Rescuers attend to the injured and dead passengers of a Florida bus that plunged into a 116-meter ravine in Sitio Paggang, Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province on Friday, February 7. Cordillera PNP (Updated 4:30 p.m.) All 228 buses in the Florida Transport fleet were ordered off the nation’s highways for at least 30 days, after one of its buses fell over a hundred meters into a ravine in the Mountain Province on Friday morning. In a phone-patch interview on “Balitanghali” on Saturday, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Winston Ginez said during the 30-day preventive suspension, the agency will conduct an investigation to determine if the franchise license of the bus company needs to be revoked, suspended or canceled. Fourteen people, including comedian Arvin “Tado” Jimenez, musician David Sicam, leader of the Kinaiya Band, and visual artist Gerard Baja, were killed and 32 others hurt. The order came after the LTFRB discovered that the ill-fated bus’s license plate (TXT-872) was issued to a different bus from Mountain Province Cable Tours. Ginez said on Saturday, the LTFRB will confiscate the yellow plates of all 228 Florida Transit bus units with Nueva Viscaya, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Bataan routes. The Florida bus crash came just two months after a horrific fall from the Skyway in Metro Manila of a Don Mariano Transit bus that also had fraudulent identification on its chassis, belonging to another vehicle. After the Skyway Read More …

Nancy Binay hits back at criticism about sister’s condo win

 News
Feb 042014
 
Nancy Binay hits back at criticism about sister’s condo win

People will turn anything into an issue against the Binay family. This was Senator Nancy Binay’s response to criticism about her sister’s winning a posh condominium unit in a raffle draw at the Power Plant Mall. “Ang kinakagulat ko kasi pati ba naman yung pagkapanalo sa raffle ginagawan ng issue?…  Siguro lesson ito sa family namin na kahit ano talaga magagawan ng issue kung gusto nila gawing issue,” the senator told reporters Tuesday. Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay has been drawing flak online for winning a multimillion-peso unit at The Grove condominium in Pasig City. It was raffled off by Power Plant Mall, which announced that Binay was the winner last Sunday. “Sinuwerte lang talaga na siya ‘yung nanalo… Wala namang restriction dun na kapag government official ka or anak ka ng Vice President, bawal ka na sumali sa raffle,” Sen. Binay said. Rep. Binay also attributed her win to “sheer luck,” saying it was “not based on [her] financial status or stature as a politician.” Sen. Binay further said that the raffle was “legitimate,” “above board” and was supervised by a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representative. Another Binay sibling, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, also recently came under fire after the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported last month that he ordered the arrest of three security guards last November 30 after they supposedly prevented his convoy from passing through a restricted gate in Dasmariñas Village. — BM, GMA News

Palace to Duterte: Uphold rule of law

 News
Feb 042014
 
Palace to Duterte: Uphold rule of law

Duterte: Davidson Bangayan is David Tan. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte shows a photo of alleged rice smuggler David Tan during a Senate inquiry on rice smuggling on Monday, February 3, where he told senators that Tan and businessman Davidson Bangayan are one. Bangayan has repeatedly denied that he is David Tan. Benjie Castro Malacañang on Tuesday reminded government officials that it is their duty to uphold the law after a mayor’s statement suggested he would take the law into his own hands to stop rice smuggling in his city. “All government officials whether local or national have the basic responsibility to uphold the rule of law,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a press conference. Coloma made the statement after Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he would “gladly kill” alleged rice smuggler Davidson Bangayan if the trader is caught smuggling in his city. “Sabi, may bumaba ditong smuggled goods. Sabi ko pagbababarilin ko kayo. If this guy goes, I will gladly kill him. I will not hesitate. I will do it for my country,” Duterte told the Senate agriculture committee during a hearing on rice smuggling. Aside from this, the mayor had also lamented the slow pace of justice in going after rice smugglers. Systemic reforms On Tuesday, Coloma said the government has already instituted several revamps within the Bureau of Customs but that this is not enough to solve the problem of smuggling. “Pero hindi pa sapat yan, kinakailangan yung mga systemic reforms,” Read More …

Palace: No reason to impeach PNoy over smoking

 News
Feb 042014
 
Palace: No reason to impeach PNoy over smoking

President Benigno Aquino III has never violated any rules on smoking which may be grounds for impeachment, a Palace spokesman said Tuesday. “The President is following all of the laws of the land regarding this matter. Batid naman natin na kailanman hindi siya lumalabag sa mga batas hinggil diyan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters during an ambush interview. He issued the statement after Civil Service Commission Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo was quoted as saying that the President is violating the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which disallows smoking in government premises. He added that the only way to discipline Aquino was to file an impeachment case against him. Coloma, however, said Aquino has never violated this. “Sa lahat ng pagkakataon na nakasama ko siya sa pagpupulong o anumang function ay hindi ko siya nakitang nagsigarilyo,” he said. The Palace official added that the President has always been supportive of measures seeking to reduce the hazards of smoking, like the Sin Tax Reform Law. —KG, GMA News

Palace probe vs ERC chief ongoing, says spokesman

 News
Feb 042014
 
Palace probe vs ERC chief ongoing, says spokesman

Malacañang announced Tuesday that the investigation against Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) chairperson Zenaida Ducut is now ongoing. During a press conference, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Investigative and Adjudicatory Division of the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs under the Office of the President is handling the administrative complaint filed against Ducut for her supposed dereliction of duty on the power rate hike. “Ayon sa kanila, natanggap na nila ang complaint mula sa Akbayan at sinimulan na nila ang kanilang pagsisiyasat [sa kaso] na inihain sa kanila. So ‘yun ang status ng iyong tinatanong kahapon,” he said. The Palace official made the announcement after Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said the Palace seems hesitant to process the complaint and penalize Ducut, which Coloma denied.  But asked when the probe will probably be completed, he said it will depend on the turnout of events. “Pinag-aaralan pa nila then siguro may processes ‘yun na pasasagutin si Chairman Ducut kung ano din ‘yung side niya para macomplete ‘yung inquiry,” he said. —KG, GMA News

Two bettors win P27.893M Lotto 6/42 jackpot

 News
Feb 012014
 
Two bettors win P27.893M Lotto 6/42 jackpot

Two bettors will share a P27.893 million prize after winning the jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s Lotto 6/42 draw Saturday night. In a post on its website, the PCSO said the winners got the correct combination of 11-21-12-04-20-08 to win the night’s jackpot. The winners were not identified. Just a day earlier, Friday, a bettor won P78,792,744 in the PCSO’s Megalotto 6/45 draw after getting the combination of 38-16-32-07-19-14. Last Jan. 20, a single lotto bettor got the combination of 02-38-32-19-08-03 to win the Grand Lotto jackpot worth P155,401,636. On Jan. 12, a lone bettor won the jackpot in the PCSO’s Superlotto 6/49 draw by getting the combination of 09-21-14-27-06-19 to win P24,816,752. Last Jan. 9, a  bettor got the combination of 21-13-19-27-20-23 to win P22,425,340 in the PCSO’s Lotto 6/42 draw. The biggest lotto prize ever won was the November 2010 Grand Lotto jackpot worth P741.176 million,  won with the winning combination 11-16-42-47-31-37. — DVM, GMA News

Palace condemns IED attack in Maguindanao

 News
Jan 312014
 
Palace condemns IED attack in Maguindanao

Datu Piang residents evacuate as clashes rage . Residents of Datu Piang town in Maguindanao evacuate on Thursday, Januarey 30, along with their livestock, as clashes between soldiers and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rage. At least 52 rebels and one soldier were reported killed. Mark Navales Malacañang on Saturday condemned the use of an improvised explosive device in an attack that injured at least 12 people in Maguindanao province. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also urged the media to coordinate with officials on the ground especially in areas where fighting is likely to take place. “Hindi maganda ang balitang ‘yan at hindi tayo natutuwa,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Initial reports of Saturday’s incident showed at least 12 people were injured in an IED explosion in Maguindanao. Two were from TV5. Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the blast occurred in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. Hermoso was quoted in the GMA News Online report as saying they suspect the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters to be behind the attack. The BIFF is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and had been linked to recent attacks in Mindanao following the signing between the government and MILF of an annex that would pave the way for a comprehensive peace pact. In the meantime, Valte appealed to media agencies to abide by a safety protocol and to cooperate with government representatives such as the police and the military, especially in controlled areas. Chino Gaston Read More …

DepEd Cebu boosts gender sensitivity info drive to combat child cyber porn

 News
Jan 312014
 
DepEd Cebu boosts gender sensitivity info drive to combat child cyber porn

Education officials in Cebu province are implementing a strengthened education drive on gender sensitivity to combat the child cybersex problem. This is among the measures the Department of Education in Cebu has adopted to help elementary and high school students do their part to fight the problem. “DepEd Cebu strengthens information and education on gender sensitivity to elementary and high school students to counter the cybersex problem,” state-run Philippine Information Agency reported. Also, the PIA said the DepEd has intensified its moral values formation in public elementary and secondary schools to address the issue. In Cordova town, meanwhile, Councilor Angeles Gairanod said the town has launched the “Save the Child” program to further counter child cybersex. The program aims to educate children on their rights and train children to become child rights advocates. Other measures taken by the town to combat the problem include: An anti-money transfer ordinance requiring money transfer firms to report questionable transactions. Barangay visitation, promoting child rights advocates. Requiring those with computers to register at the local government unit. 47 minors in child cyberporn cases continue schooling despite trauma Meanwhile, the PIA said the Department of Social Welfare and Development said at least 47 minors who are victims of child cyber pornography in Central Visayas are continuing with their schooling. The DSWD in Central Visayas said the 47 are among the victims rescued between 2010 and 2013. “DSWD-7 says all 47 minors in cyber sex case(s) continue schooling despite trauma,” the PIA said. Also, the PIA Read More …

Gloria Arroyo eats tikoy, prays with nuns on Chinese New Year

 News
Jan 312014
 
Gloria Arroyo eats tikoy, prays with nuns on Chinese New Year

Even while in hospital detention, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo got to celebrate Chinese New Year with an afternoon of tikoy (glutinous rice cake) and pancit shared with several Roman Catholic nuns. In a phone interview, Arroyo’s legal spokesman, lawyer Raul Lambino, said 12 nuns from Bulacan visited the detained former President at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Friday afternoon. Arroyo and the nuns talked about her “faith” and “pro-life stance” while eating Chinese delicacies, Lambino said. “Alam niyo namang Assumptionista rin si former President. Laking kumbento kaya maraming napag-usapan. Napagkwentuhan ang kanyang student life,” Lambino, who was present during the nuns’ visit, said over the phone. The nuns prayed for Arroyo’s well-being and immediate recovery before leaving the hospital, he added. The nuns were not the first religious workers to visit Arroyo this week. Last Sunday, five Catholic bishops also paid visit to the former President. Last week, former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos also spent time with Arroyo at the VMMC. Earlier this month, Arroyo was also visited by former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Fidel V. Ramos, fuelling talks that they are forming an alliance in preparation for the 2016 national polls. Asked if Arroyo will host more high-profile personalities from her hospital suite in the coming weeks, Lambino said, “Medyo ganoon,” but refused to elaborate. Arroyo, incumbent congresswoman of Pampanga’s second district, is currently detaine while facing the plunder case. She also has a pending poll sabotage case before a Pasay court, Read More …

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