Thirty-eight out of 51 passed the Dental Hygienist Licensure Examination given this 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 July 11, 2013. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees will be announced later, the PRC added. — KBK, GMA News
PNP designs new uniforms for its personnel. Five designers helped the PNP Directorate for Research and Development in creating these proposed police uniforms which will replace the current ones being worn by PNP personnel in various fields. Ian Cruz After 17 years, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will have new designs for its uniforms, which would be distributed before the year ends. “Hopefully lang matapos ang research pero depende pa rin sa availability sa fabric, manufacturing and distribution… In six months siguro may bago ng uniform. Siguro before December,” Gil Hitosis, police director for PNP’s research and development, told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Thursday. “[The uniform] should answer the needs of the police officer. We weigh and assess the design based on comfort, protection and better aesthetic,” he noted. The new designs will be unveiled in “Cop Walk… PNP on the Ramp” an event organized by the PNP which aims to showcase the evolution and future design of police uniforms in the country. “Cop Walk” will be staged at Camp Crame’s Multipurpose Hall on Thursday evening, Ian Cruz reported on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali.” In a statement, the PNP said the show “will feature creations of Filipino fashion icons like Rene Salud, Eddie Baddeo and other independent designers who will help provide the PNP with essential inputs in coming up with the best quality and comfortable PNP uniform and paraphernalia by making use of the creativity of students from fashion designer schools and manufacturers of suppliers Read More …
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has promised a “thorough and conclusive” investigation — with the help of foreign experts — on the deadly May 31 Serendra blast that claimed its fourth fatality Thursday morning. Angelito San Juan, occupant of the condominium unit where the explosion occurred, perished Thursday morning at the hospital without giving a statement that could have helped investigators get a clear picture on the incident. “Our sympathies go to the family and loved ones of Angelito San Juan for their grievous loss,” Roxas said in a statement as he appealed for calm amid the ongoing probe. “Dapat siguro magpakahinahon tayo dahil hayag po at transparent ang ginagawa ng gobyerno dito,” he added. Roxas said foreign experts have already been tapped to help in the investigation. “Kumuha pa tayo ng foreign experts dahil kulang tayo sa karanasan at kaalaman sa pag-imbestiga ng pangyayaring ito,” he said. Prior to San Juan, three workers from an appliance distributor firm were killed when their vehicle was crushed by a concrete slab that fell from the condominium unit following the explosion. Initial investigation said the blast was caused by a leak from condominium unit’s centralized LPG system, although Roxas said there are still many questions that need answers. “Malinaw na gas explosion. Ang tanong, saan ba pumalpak ang sistema? Mali ba ang design? Yung mga sensor at saka yung mga automatic na shutoff ay pumalya ba? Yung installation sa unit ginalaw ba o hindi? Hindi natin masabi kaya kumuha tayo Read More …
The Philippine government on Thursday described as a “forward step” China’s decision to discuss a code of conduct on the South China Sea with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines is ready to discuss its draft of the code with Chinese officials to try to diffuse tension at the South China Sea. “We have already drafted the code of conduct, and we have asked them to discuss it with us. China has already said that they are discussing with us, so this is a step in the right direction,” Lacierda said. The President’s spokesperson refused to “speculate” when asked if the Philippine government thinks China is only using talks on the code as a delaying tactic. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his country has agreed to hold “official consultations” on a proposed code of conduct on the South China Sea with Southeast Asian nations. Sea dispute China is asserting its historial claim on the entire South China Sea. The Philippines, however, is claiming its ownership of some parts of the South China Sea—which it calls the West Philippine Sea—under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims over parts of the South China Sea. Lacierda said that the Philippines will continue to seek international arbitration on its territorial dispute with China while talks on the sea code are ongoing. “We have used the proper approaches, Read More …
A weather disturbance, a low-pressure area, off Mindoro has a slim chance of becoming a cyclone, at least while it is inside the Philippine area of responsibility, state weather forecasters said Thursday. PAGASA forecaster Alvin Pura said the LPA, which is 170 km west of Calapan in Mindoro Oriental, is moving away from the Philippines. “Hindi ito inaasahang maging bagyo sa loob ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),” Pura said in an interview on dzBB radio. But should the LPA become a cyclone within the PAR, it will be locally codenamed “Huaning,” he said. In the meantime, Pura said the LPA may bring light to moderate rain. Earlier, PAGASA said the LPA may enhance the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone now affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas. — LBG, GMA News
The BRP Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s newest warship, is due to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In an article posted on its website July 3, the DFA mentioned the expected arrival date after the BRP Alcaraz reached San Diego last June 29. “BRP Alcaraz is expected to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, 2013,” it said. Last June 29, the BRP Alcaraz arrived at the 52nd US Naval Base in San Diego, California, while en route to the Philippines. Its crew received a warm welcome from Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Maria Hellen de la Vega and the Filipino community, the same article said. De la Vega said the BRP Alcaraz is “a fitting acquisition for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.” She added it “will enhance the Philippines’ naval assets, adding the Philippines must attach greater focus and attention to maritime security.” BRP Alcaraz (PF-16) is the Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class cutter and sister ship of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15). The BRP Alcaraz has 14 officers and 74 crew members led by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino. “(It) is capable of conducting patrols for long periods of time and can withstand heavy weather and rough sea conditions,” the DFA said. BRP Alcaraz was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Philippine Navy officer, who commanded a patrol boat that shot down three Japanese aircraft. — RSJ, GMA News
The remains of the Filipina who was executed in China Wednesday morning arrived in Manila in the evening of that same day, a television report said. The body of the 35-year-old arrived in Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at around 8 p.m. via Philippine Airlines flight PR337, which departed from Shanghai, China, Jam Sisante reported during GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho”. The remains of the Filipina drug mule were accompanied by her daughter and mother. The relatives of the deceased refused to make any statements upon their arrival, the television report said. As of this posting, it was not yet certain whether the body of the deceased was cremated or not. The family earlier requested the body be cremated. The relatives of the convicted drug courier had been in China since Sunday. They were given 30 minutes to see their loved one to bid farewell. Despite the country’s pleas, the Filipina was finally executed on Wednesday morning, the Foreign Affairs Department revealed. The Filipina was sentenced to death in 2011 for carrying at least six kilos of heroin into China from United Arab Emirates. In China, possession of at least 50 grams of illegal drugs is enough to warrant the death penalty, which is usually done via lethal injection. The Filipina was the fifth Filipino drug courier to be executed in China since 2011. The family of the 35-year-old drug courier will seek the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation in arresting the Read More …
Top officials of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Interior and Local Government on Wednesday convened to discuss reforms in the country’s justice system that would help decongest Philippine courts and jails. SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas led the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), the first of such meeting since 2011. Te said the officials discussed a “wide range of topics affecting the judiciary,” including case congestion and prison congestion caused by overstaying detainees. Te could not immediately give further details of the meeting, saying a joint statement would be released on Thursday. In a chance interview, however, Roxas said they discussed ways to expedite the resolution of cases of detainees who have already been incarcerated for too long. “Kami naman sa Philippine National Police at Department of Interior and Local Government ay gagawin namin lahat para malutas o matanggal ang mga balakid na ito para sa mabilisang paglitis o mabilisang pagbigay ng hustisya sa ating mga kababayan,” Roxas said. The Philippine National Police is under the DILG. Roxas noted that detainees are the ones who suffer the most from the country’s snail-paced justice system. 15 detainees He said he had recently ordered a census of all inmates under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which is also under the DILG, and found out that at least 15 detainees who have Read More …
The family of the Filipina drug courier who was executed in China today is determined to seek the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in nabbing the Nigerian who recruited her as a drug mule. In an exclusive report by John Consulta on “24 Oras” Wednesday, the family of the executed Filipina said they are planning to approach the NBI to make an artist’s sketch of the Nigerian recruiter who they only know by the name “Jarius.” The family members said they still recall what Jarius looks like even though they last saw him in 2008, when he recruited the Filipina. The Filipina’s family has left their home to grieve privately following the Department of Foreign Affairs’ announcement, also on Wednesday, that the Filipina has been executed. The father of the 35-year old Filipina said their family is especially protective of her 9-year old daughter, who is unaware that her mother is already dead. The father said the Filipina’s daughter only knows her mother is working abroad. The father added that the family is waiting for updates from the Filipina’s mother and younger sibling as to when her remains will be brought back to Manila. Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday told the media that the family wants the Filipina’s remains to be cremated immediately after the execution. — VC, GMA News
Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Wednesday defended Interior Undersecretary Rafael Antonio Santos against those criticizing his bid to become the next Sandiganbayan presiding justice. In an interview with reporters at the Supreme Court, Roxas said Santos has performed well both when he was still at the Department of Transportation and Communications, which Roxas used to head, and now at the Department of Interior and Local Government. “Maayos ang kanyang trabaho. Sa haba ng aming pagsasama sa DOTC at saka sa DILG ay wala kang masasabi. Walang mantsa, walang bahid ang kanyang pagserbisyo,” Roxas said. Roxas said he did not necessarily give his “blessings” to Santos, but said he “supported” Santos’ decision to leave the executive branch and return once again to law practice. “Hindi ko maaaring hadlangan ang kanyang pangarap o kagustuhan na bumalik na sa kanyang propesyon sa pagiging abugado. Sinusuportahan ko siya,” Roxas said. “Sabi niya, pagod na rin siya. Nagsilbi na rin siya. Kaya maaari daw bang mag-apply. Oh di sabi ko, okay naman na mag-apply,” he added. Asked what he wanted to tell Santos’ detractors, Roxas said: “Well, hayaan mo sila.” United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) Secretary General Toby Tiangco earlier expressed doubt about Santos’ “agenda” for joining the Sandiganbayan race. Tiangco said: “[But e]ven if he has the blessing of Mar Roxas, Usec. Santos is not exempted from the ‘Tuwid na Daan.’” According to Tiangco, Santos served as undersecretary of Department of National Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz from 2004 to 2006, before being personally handpicked by Roxas Read More …