Maniolas

The prosecution panel handling the plunder case of Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete blocked her application for bail late Wednesday, saying a hearing has to take place before any bail can be set. “It is only after the prosecution shall have presented its evidence and the court shall have made a determination that the evidence of guilt is not strong that Lanete [ask the court] to fix the amount of bail. Until then, the court is not duty-bound to accede to Lanete’s prayer,” the prosecutors said. In the same comment-opposition, the prosecutors also reminded the court of the criminal information filed against Lanete, and that even prior to a bail hearing, the evidence presented by the Commission on Audit against the former lawmaker appears to be strong. “A very strong case against the accused exists warranting the denial of her prayer that she be freed on bail,” government lawyers said. Meanwhile, prosecutors noted that the severity of the potential penalty of the crime of plunder automatically makes Lanete a flight risk, despite her claims otherwise. “Contrary to the accused’s contention that she is not a flight risk, the severity of the penalty of reclusion perpetua for plunder provides her a great incentive to flee,” they added. Lanete was among the second batch of lawmakers recently charged by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan for their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. The other lawmakers were former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa, former Cagayan De Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraulla, former Read More …

Typhoon Maysak’s eye as seen from space. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoferetti tweeted a photo from the International Space Station showing typhoon Maysak over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, March 31, as it heads towards the Philippines. Cristoferetti said Maysak “commands respect even from space.” Samantha Cristoferetti via Twitter The Philippines issued warnings of possible landslides and storm surges, with Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) set to strike eastern coastal areas, where many resorts are located, over the Easter weekend. Chedeng, initially a top-rated category 5 typhoon, has weakened to category 4 as it lost strength over the water. It is expected to further lose strength as it hits the mountains of northeastern Philippines on Saturday or Sunday, the weather bureau said. But authorities are concerned foreign and Filipino tourists spending the long Easter weekend on the beaches along the eastern coasts of the main Luzon island may ignore warnings. The typhoon is expected to make landfall within 72 hours. The Easter holidays began on Thursday in the Philippines. “This will bring waves which our surfers really like. But this is a typhoon we are facing, even if we say it may become just a storm… The waves will be strong and it will be dangerous for our fellowmen in the eastern coasts,” Esperanza Cayanan, an officer at the weather bureau, said in a televised disaster briefing. Officials of Aurora province northeast of Manila estimate about 10,000 tourists were expected to troop to its Baler Bay, a popular spot for surfers. Storm surges Read More …

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas encouraged those who are going out of town to reconsider their travel plans, especially if their destination is one if the areas that will be  affected by Typhoon Chedeng during the long weekend. “Please adjust your travel plans… Tatama siya sa may Isabela-Aurora-Northern Quezon areas anytime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Mag-ingat po tayo,” he said. The DILG secretary also urged those who are already in these areas to return home by Friday before Chedeng is expected to make its landfall. According to PAGASA’s 11 a.m. weather bulletin, the typhoon is estimated to make landfall over eastern coast of Aurora or Isabela by late Saturday to early Sunday. “We can’t afford to risk the safety of the residents and an estimated 10,000 tourists in the various towns on the Eastern seaboard,” Roxas said. The DILG has already alerted the different government agencies to relay pertinent information, offer assistance to stranded travelers, as well as to ensure the safety of all people in the identified areas. “Listo lang po lagi tayo, and should you need any assistance, the whole of government is at your service,” Roxas said. According to PAGASA’s latest update, Typhoon Chedeng was located 930km East of Catarman, Northern Samar or 975 km East Southeast of Virac Radar Catanduanes as of 3 p.m. It has a maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is also expected to bring Read More …

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn will visit the Philippines April 6 to 7, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. In an announcement, the DFA said this will be the Thai deputy prime minister’s first official visit to the Philippines. During his visit, Patimapragorn will meet DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario to “discuss the progress of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand,” the DFA said. “The two ministers will also discuss issues of mutual concern in the fields of economy, trade and investments, agriculture, education, defense, technical cooperation, as well as relevant developments in the region,” the DFA added. Patimapragorn served as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces and was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in September 2014. The DFA said Thailand is one of the Philippines’ “long-standing friends and closest partners in the region.”  Engagement and cooperation between the two countries in various areas spanned 67 years. “Formal bilateral relations between the Philippines and Thailand were established with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship on 14 June 1949,” it said.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR) will have limited operations during Holy Week, a report on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” said on Tuesday.    The MRT, which travels along EDSA Taft Avenue to North Avenue, will halt its operations from Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday.  LRT-1, which covers stations from North Avenue to Baclaran, and LRT-2, which runs from Recto to Santolan, will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Both will be closed from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.  The PNR, which travels from Manila to Calamba, will be open only from 5:30 a.m. to 12 nn on Holy Thursday. The railway system will be closed from Good Friday to Black Saturday. It will then have limited operations on Easter Sunday.  PNR general manager Engr. Joseph Allan Dilay said that they will also use the long weekend to do some maintenenace work.  “We will likewise take this opportunity, while our operations are suspended, to do some additional maintenance work for our trains and tracks,” he said.  All operations of MRT, LRT-1 and LRT-2, and PNR will be back to normal on April 6, Monday. — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News