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Explain why you availed of 'pork,' Palace urges militant solons

 News
Aug 042013
 
Explain why you availed of 'pork,' Palace urges militant solons

Malacañang on Sunday challenged militant lawmakers who are calling for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel, to explain why they availed of their share in the first place. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte gave this reply to the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc, which called for the unconditional abolition of the pork barrel. “They should be the ones to explain why they are calling for abolition yet they avail of the funds under PDAF,” she said on government-run dzRB. She also said there is no need for the lawmakers to plead with the Palace to give their share of the pork barrel funds to them. “I don’t think pleading is needed considering most of it has been released in the past year,” she said. A report on the Philippine Daily Inquirer cited documents from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showing five members of the bloc have received P481 million since President Benigno Aquino assumed office in 2010. — LBG, GMA News

PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

 News
Aug 042013
 
PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

The Philippine government has intensified intelligence-gathering and target-hardening efforts against terrorism in the wake of a new worldwide alert issued by the US over possible attacks by the al Qaeda terror network. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday said the National Security Adviser has told the Palace that such efforts are focused on the targets of these alerts. “We take into consideration the alert that has been issued. According to the National Security Adviser, we are intensifying our intelligence-gathering to address the issues raised in the alert,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Asked if the Philippines has adopted the proper security measures, she said, “Opo, opo, certainly (Yes, yes, certainly).” However, Valte declined to comment for now on questions on whether a bombing that killed at least eight people in Cagayan de Oro City last July 26 was related to the US worldwide alert. She also noted the US alert indicates the threat is “directed to western targets.” “I would not comment on that considering the investigation is still ongoing,” she said. Valte would also not give details of the security measures. “We cannot divulge security measures, it’s like telling those who want to do harm, these are the things you should go against,” she said. On August 2, the US State Department issued a travel alert warning about the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. It said its current information Read More …

Navy: BRP Ramon Alcaraz now anchored at Subic Bay

 News
Aug 032013
 
Navy: BRP Ramon Alcaraz now anchored at Subic Bay

PHL’s new warship sails along Aurora coast . The BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails off the coast of Aurora province on Friday, August 2, after it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday. Filipino fishermen greeted the crew as it journeyed for Subic Bay. The 115-meter Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy is expected to be welcomed by President Benigno Aquino II on August 4. Ronald Leander The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s second warship, is now anchored at Subic Bay after a two-month journey from the United States, the Philippine Navy said Sunday. In a radio interview, Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the ship docked at about 7 a.m. Sunday. “Nakaankla ang Alcaraz sa Subic Bay, nag-a-undergo siya ng quarantine Immigration and Customs procedures,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the vessel’s crew members, which include 14 officers under Capt. Ernesto Baldovino and 74 enlisted personnel, are in high spirits. Fabic said the vessel’s crew are excited to meet their loved ones in the Philippines again. “Sa ngayon high morale sila (crew members) after nakarating ng Pilipinas after almost dalawang buwan ng paglalayag mula US…,”  he said. The BRP Alcaraz will be formally welcomed Tuesday in ceremonies led by President Benigno Aquino. — LBG, GMA News

LPA nears Cebu; floods, landslides threaten Palawan, Vis-Min

 News
Aug 032013
 
LPA nears Cebu; floods, landslides threaten Palawan, Vis-Min

Rain clouds over much of the Visayas, Mindanao and Bicol. “Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao region will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said in its 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin Saturday. PAGASA added that “Palawan, Bicol region and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.” PAGASA Residents in parts of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao were advised before noon Sunday to brace for possible flash floods and landslides as a potential cyclone moved near Cebu. State weather forecasters said the potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, was estimated in the vicinity of Mactan, Cebu as of 8 a.m. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the LPA is embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone. “These weather systems are expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in Palawan, Visayas and regions of Zamboanga Peninsula Northern Mindanao, ARMM and SOCCSKSARGEN which may trigger flash floods and landslides,” it said. “Residents in these areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures,” it added. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Joey Figuracion said the LPA has a low chance of becoming a cyclone. But if it does, it will be codenamed Kiko. — LBG, GMA News

DOTC: Bad weather forces 2 flight cancellations

 News
Aug 032013
 
DOTC: Bad weather forces 2 flight cancellations

Bad weather in Bohol prompted the cancellation of at least two domestic flights Sunday, the Department of Transportation and Communications said. In a post on its Twitter account, the DOTC said the affected flights, between Manila and Bohol, belonged to air carrier Cebu Pacific. The canceled flights included: – 5J-617: Manila to Tagbilaran– 5J-618: Tagbilaran to Manila Earlier, state weather forecasters warned of rain over Visayas and parts of Mindanao as a low-pressure area neared Surigao City. PAGASA said Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao “will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.” — LBG, GMA news

PAGASA employees renew call for benefits

 News
Aug 022013
 
PAGASA employees renew call for benefits

State weather forecasters on Friday renewed their call for the release of their long-overdue benefits worth about P40 million that have been pending since last year, a television report said. “Kaya nakapagtitiis kami, alam naming within that span [of time] wala kaming makukuhang benefits, however, after nung June we expect na makukuha na namin dahil naiutang na po namin,” Mon Agustin, head of the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association (PWEA), said in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras.” The report said two PAGASA employees had died without receiving their cash benefits. One of them, identified only as 64-year-old Lola Baby, died from stroke at the agency’s comfort room, while a PAGASA weather observer, Mike Lariza, had succumbed to cancer. “Pambili niya sa gamot niya [yung perang makukuha]. Siguro hindi na rin niya masustentuhan [ang pagbili ng gamot] dahil nga halos walang take home ‘yun, P1,500, at ang ATM niya naman nakasangla,” said Noli Lopez, Lola Baby’s cousin, in the same report. Aqustin said Lariza could have discovered his cancer at an earlier time if only he had received the promised benefits. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had promised the release of P39.5 million fund that would cover the unpaid benefits of PAGASA employees August last year. The television report noted that only about a third of PAGASA’s 900 employees have health cards, which they have paid voluntarily. “Baka mamaya sumunod na ako sa dalawang ‘yan, because of the pressure. Ang gusto lang po sana ay pagrespeto sa aming Read More …

LPA moves closer to south Mindanao, rain expected over parts of Luzon Saturday

 News
Aug 022013
 
LPA moves closer to south Mindanao, rain expected over parts of Luzon Saturday

Rain may fall over parts of Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon as well as Mindanao on Saturday, as a potential cyclone—a low-pressure area (LPA)—moved closer to southern Mindanao Friday afternoon, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 960 km east of southern Mindanao as of 4 p.m., even as a weak southwest monsoon will affect the western section of Luzon. “The provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, Surigao, and Davao Oriental will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,” PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin. It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.” Earlier, PAGASA said there is still a chance the LPA may intensify into a cyclone as it is still at sea and can gather strength. Saturday outlook PAGASA said moderate to strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and the coastal waters along this area will be moderate to rough. Light to moderate winds coming from the southeast to south will prevail over the rest of Luzon and from the northeast to northwest over Visayas and Mindanao with slight to moderate seas. Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds associated with the southwest monsoon may affect the western seaboard of northern and Central Luzon. “Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels Read More …

605 of 940 pass Nutritionist-Dietitian Licensure Exam — PRC

 News
Aug 022013
 
605 of 940 pass Nutritionist-Dietitian Licensure Exam — PRC

A total of 605 out of 940 passed the Nutritionist-Dietitian Licensure Examination given in Manila and Zamboanga last month, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Friday. [Click here for the complete list of passers.] The PRC said registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on August 22 and 23, 2013.   The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees, however, will be announced later. — KBK, GMA News

PHL senators: No need to follow US lead in passing resolution vs. China

 News
Aug 022013
 
PHL senators: No need to follow US lead in passing resolution vs. China

The United States Senate may have done it, but at least two Philippine senators do not see the need to pass a resolution expressing concern about China’s actions in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who held backchannel talks with Chinese officials last year, said passing a resolution similar to the one approved by the US Senate’s foreign relations committee is “unnecessary” because the matter has already been brought to a United Nations (UN) arbitration tribunal. “It [A resolution] will be redundant since our President, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, have already articulated our foreign policy on the matter,” Trillanes, who chairs the Senate national defense committee, said in a text message. The US Senate passed on Monday a resolution listing several worrying Chinese behavior, including Beijing’s move to issue an official map defining the contested West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as within its national border. On Friday, China opposed the passing of the US Senate resolution, and announced that it has filed a formal complaint against the US for the action of its legislature. ‘No difference’ Last January, the Philippines brought its territorial dispute with China before the UN tribunal, asking Beijing “to desist from unlawful activities that violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China is asserting its historial claim on the entire West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Philippines, however, is claiming its ownership Read More …

Palace exec: Lawmakers should make SALNs available

 News
Aug 022013
 
Palace exec: Lawmakers should make SALNs available

Senators and congressmen should make their State of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) available instead of hiding them, a Malacañang spokesperson said Friday. “Depende po kung sino ‘yung hinihingan nung SALN because if Commissioner Kim [Henares] has the list, then these lawmakers should be aware that they can and should make their SALNs available,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press conference. Valte issued the statement after Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Kim Jacinto-Henares was quoted by Radyo Inquirer as saying that they have made several requests to lawmakers but that they have not yet released their SALNs to them. This development came amid the alleged involvement of some lawmakers in the funneling of state funds to bogus groups. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News

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