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10 frat members ordered arrested over death of San Beda law student Marc Andre Marcos

 News
Jun 122013
 
10 frat members ordered arrested over death of San Beda law student Marc Andre Marcos

(Updated 2:53 p.m.) A Cavite trial court has ordered the arrest of 10 members of San Beda-based Lex Leonum fraternity over the hazing rites that led to the death of first year law student Marc Andre Marcos on July 30 last year. In an order by Executive Judge Perla Cabrera-Faller, the Cavite Regional Trial Court Branch 90 ordered the arrest of the following for alleged violation of Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law: Jenno Antonio Villanueva Emmanuel Jefferson Santiago Richard Rosales Mohamad Fyzee Alim Chino Daniel Amante Julius Alcancia Edrich Gomez Dexter Circa Gian Angelo Veluz Glenn Meduen “Finding probable cause to sustain the prosecution of the above-mentioned accused for the crime charged in the criminal information, let a warrant for their arrest be issued,” said Judge Faller in her order dated June 3. “[I]n the meantime send the entire records of this case to the archives until the said accused shall have been arrested,” she added. In October last year, the San Beda College of Law, through its Committee on Student Conduct, approved the penalty of exclusion against 27 of its students found to be members of the Lex Leonum fraternity. The committee also suspended eight other Bedans who “have shown remorse” after violating the College’s students’ code of conduct. The committee came out with the list dated October 23, in relation to an administrative investigation on the violation of the college’s students’ code of conduct. Marcos died from extensive traumatic injuries in his upper and lower extremities Read More …

PAGASA: Monsoon rain over Luzon, Visayas on June 12

 News
Jun 112013
 
PAGASA: Monsoon rain over Luzon, Visayas on June 12

Southwest monsoon to bring rain to western side of PHL. PAGASA satellite image shows the southwest monsoon affecting the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas PAGASA Rain from the southwest monsoon may fall over parts of Luzon and Visayas on Wednesday, even as state weather forecasters continued to monitor a potential low-pressure area off Palawan. PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier also said the Mindanao area may expect partly cloudy weather due to the inter-tropical convergence zone. “Ang potential low-pressure area sa may Palawan at Mindoro (The potential low-pressure area is near Palawan and Mindoro),” Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Earlier, PAGASA had said the potential LPA may bring rain but is not likely to become a cyclone. For Wednesday, PAGASA said Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 33 degrees Celsius, while Angeles and Olongapo may expect temperatures of 23 to 33 degrees Celsius. But it will still be hot in Tuguegarao City, which PAGASA said may expect temperatures of 26 to 37 degrees Celsius. Wednesday outlook PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the southwest monsoon is affecting the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. “Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms,” it said. It added moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to Read More …

BRP Ramon Alcaraz stops at Florida to test-fire cannon

 News
Jun 112013
 
BRP Ramon Alcaraz stops at Florida to test-fire cannon

BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails for PHL. The newest warship of the Philippine Navy, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16) with 14 officers and 74 enlisted personnel lead by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino, departs on Monday, June 10 from Charleston, South Carolina bound for the Philippines. The ship is expected to arrive in August after making port visits to San Diego, Hawaii and Guam for reprovisioning. The BRP Alcaraz will test fire its main gun off the coast of Florida. PN/DFA/Elmer Cato The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the the Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class ship, made a stop at Mayport, Florida in the US Tuesday evening (Philippine Standard Time), the Philippine Embassy in Washington said. In posts on its Twitter account, the embassy said the Ramon Alcaraz was to load and test-fire its 76-mm Oto Melara cannon while in Mayport. According to Italian manufacturer Oto Melara, the 76-mm compact naval gun is a rapid-fire cannon that can be installed on relatively small warships. It shoots 76-mm, 62-caliber shells at selectable rates of either one round or a full rate of fire of 80 rounds per minute. The embassy also said that Florida was the Alcaraz’s first stop in its voyage to the Philippines. It would also pass through the Panama Canal. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz started its journey to the Philippines from the United States Monday night (Philippine Standard Time). It was given an emotional send-off by the Filipino community of Charleston, South Carolina. — DVM, GMA News

Ashes of Pinay who died in US limousine fire, now with her family in Tarlac

 News
Jun 112013
 
Ashes of Pinay who died in US limousine fire, now with her family in Tarlac

The ashes of Neriza Fojas, the Filipina who died when she got trapped inside a burning limousine in San Francisco, California, was brought home to her family in Tarlac, GMA News TV’s flagship newscast reported Tuesday evening. The victim’s husband, Carlo Moya, brought the ashes from the United States to the Philippines, a report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho said. Moya and Fojas were married in a civil ceremony last year. They had planned to have a church wedding in the Philippines on June 19. Fojas was having a celebration with eight of her girl friends inside the limousine, when it caught fire on the night of May 5.  They were heading across the San Mateo-Hayward bridge in San Francisco for a bachelorette party at a hotel.  Aside from Fojas, four of her friends also died, while the other four survived. Mechanical failure has loomed as a probable cause of the limousine fire, according to a Reuters report on June 7.  — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/ELR, GMA News

Aquino allies among 'most tardy' in Senate

 News
Jun 112013
 
Aquino allies among 'most tardy' in Senate

Senators allied with President Benigno Aquino III’s Liberal Party (LP) were the “most tardy” during the 15th Congress. A report on GMA News TV’s “Balitanghali” on Tuesday said based on the Senate Journal Service, the following senators had the most number of session where they failed to arrive in time for the roll call: Serge Osmena III Francis Pangilinan Ralph Recto Manny Villar Alan Peter Cayetano Pangilinan and Recto are LP members while Osmeña, an independent, is a known Aquino ally. Villar and Cayetano are members of the Nacionalista Party, which allied itself with the LP for the 2013 midterm elections. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro-Tempore and now acting Senate President Jinggoy Estrada and former majority leader Vicente Sotto were not only the most punctual senators, they also had a perfect attendance during the 15th Congress, or from July 26, 2010 to June 8, 2013. Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, meanwhile, had incurred the most number of absences due to her bone marrow condition. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KBK, GMA News

NBI report on Taiwanese fisherman's death now with De Lima

 News
Jun 112013
 
NBI report on Taiwanese fisherman's death now with De Lima

The report of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the May 9 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters has already been submitted to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. De Lima, however, refused to disclose the contents of the report, saying it will be forwarded immediately to President Benigno Aquino III. “Yes. Might submit it to the President today,” said De Lima in a text message to reporters when asked if the report has already been submitted to her. De Lima had earlier said once she gets a copy of the report, it would be submitted to Aquino first before it will be released to the public. NBI deputy director Virgilio Mendez has earlier confirmed to GMA News Online the transmission of the report to De Lima. “Per my information, it will be delivered now to the DOJ,” Mendez said earlier in the day. Two weeks ago, eight NBI agents flew to Taiwan to conduct their probe on the incident. The team inspected the fishing vessel of the victim and interviewed his companions when the shooting happened. The NBI also interviewed the medico-legal expert that autopsied the victim. The team were also allowed to view the video of the autopsy. A seven-man Taiwanese team also went to the Philippines for a four-day parallel investigation on the incident. The fatal shooting of the 65-year-old fisherman had caused a rift between the Philippines and Taiwan. Both the Philippines and Taiwan insisted that the incident happened within their respective territories. — Read More …

Southwest Monsoon to bring rain to SLuzon, Visayas

 News
Jun 112013
 
Southwest Monsoon to bring rain to SLuzon, Visayas

A weak southwest monsoon may bring rain to parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas in the next 24 hours, state weather forecasters said Tuesday afternoon. PAGASA, in its 5 p.m. bulletin, said the southwest monsoon is affecting the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas. “Mimaropa, Bicol region, (and) Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,”it said. It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.” For Wednesday, PAGASA said Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius, while Tuguegarao City may expect temperatures of 25 to 36 degrees Celsius. Angeles and Olongapo Cities may expect temperatures of 24 to 32 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southwest to west will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to opcassionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest with slight to moderate seas, it said. — TJD, GMA News

Rainy Independence Day in SLuzon, Visayas – PAGASA

 News
Jun 112013
 
Rainy Independence Day in SLuzon, Visayas – PAGASA

Filipinos going outdoors to take part in the celebration of Independence Day may have to bring umbrellas and rain gear, state weather forecasters said Tuesday afternoon. In its special weather forecast for Independence Day, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring rain particularly to Southern Luzon and Visayas. “Bicol region, MIMAROPA and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rains and thunderstorms,” it said. It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.” Independence Day is considered a regular holiday. President Benigno Aquino III is to lead Independence Day rites at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Wednesday morning. On the other hand, the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit will offer free rides at 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reminded motorists the number coding scheme is lifted for Wednesday. — TJD, GMA News

Philippines to destroy 5 tons of seized ivory tusks

 News
Jun 112013
 
Philippines to destroy 5 tons of seized ivory tusks

A government official said Tuesday that five tons of confiscated elephant tusks will be destroyed as part of a global campaign to raise awareness against the illegal trade of so-called “blood ivories.” The seized tusks represent a portion of the 13.1 tons of Tanzanian elephant tusks seized in 2005 and 2009 that are kept in a government vault, said Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau head Theresa Mundita Lim. “This action is meant to send a message that the Philippines is against the illegal trade of ivory and the merciless massacre of elephants,” Lim told AFP. She said the haul will be crushed using a road roller and burned in front of anti-ivory trade advocates next week as the country works to shed its image as a major transport hub for illegal ivories. The rest of the seized ivory will remain under lock and key and will be used as evidence against illegal traders or as educational materials. The Philippines is a signatory to the Geneva-based Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), which bans the trade of ivory in a bid to combat drastic declines in the numbers of elephant populations in Africa. It cited the Philippines as among nine countries considered as “priority concerns” because they were used as a smuggling hub for illegal ivories, Lim said. The maximum penalty for possessing illegal ivory in the Philippines is four years in jail. Authorities last year launched an investigation into religious icons made from ivory Read More …

PHL Navy's 2nd Hamilton-class ship begins journey to new home port

 News
Jun 102013
 
PHL Navy's 2nd Hamilton-class ship begins journey to new home port

The Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class warship on Monday night (Philippine time) started its journey to the Philippines from Charleston, South Carolina in the United States. The Philippine Embassy in Washington tweeted that the BRP Ramon Alcaraz began its journey to the Philippines at 10 p.m. Monday. “BRP Ramon Alcaraz gets ready for voyage to the Philippines. Fair winds, blue skies and following seas!” the embassy said. Before their departure, the warship’s Filipino crew got what the embassy called “emotional farewells” from members of the Filipino community in Charleston. “Filipinos in Charleston served as foster families of officers and crew of Alcaraz during (their) 13-month stay in South Carolina,” the embassy explained. Sea trials The BRP Ramon Alcaraz started sea trials last May as part of preparations for its service in the Philippine Navy. Since it was acquired by the Philippines in May 2012, the ship had been refurbished and refitted at a cost of $15.15 million. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz is the second Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippines from the US under the Excess Defense Article and Military Assistance Program. The first ship, the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15), was turned over to the Philippine Navy in May 2011. The 378-foot-long BRP Ramon Alcaraz was originally commissioned in 1968 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard as the USCGC Dallas. The ship was named after a Philippine Navy officer who commanded a patrol boat that shot down three Japanese aircraft during World War 2. — DVM, GMA News

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