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LP, NPC spokespersons: No rift within coalition

 News
Feb 192013
 
LP, NPC spokespersons: No rift within coalition

Spokespersons for the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition on Wednesday denied any rift in their coalition, following a newspaper report saying that the NPC cannot assure its support to all senatorial bets of the administration coalition. Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian, NPC spokesperson, said his party is not dissolving its partnership agreement with the LP. “The party is steadfast in working towards the electoral success of the coalition candidates. The NPC will continue to support the President and his reform agenda till his last day in office,” Gatchalian said in a text message. He added that none of the party’s officials have made a statement that the NPC will not endorse all of the ruling party’s senatorial candidates for the 2013 polls.  A report published on The Manila Bulletin, however, quoted former Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of NPC founder Eduardo Cojuangco, as saying that the party can guarantee its support to only three of the 12 senatorial bets of the LP-lead coalition. “Only two NPC senatorial bets, three including Chiz (Senator Francis Escudero), have a guarantee of our support,” the Manila Bulletin report quoted Cojuangco as saying.  But the NPC has only one candidate in the administration coalition, re-electionist Senator Loren Legarda. Another re-electionist, Senator Francis Escudero, was formerly aligned with the NPC, but decided to bolt the party in 2009. The administration coalition also includes candidates from the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the Nacionalista Party (NP), the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the Akbayan Read More …

Big waves, poor visibility hamper crane ship's work to salvage USS Guardian

 News
Feb 192013
 
Big waves, poor visibility hamper crane ship's work to salvage USS Guardian

Big waves and poor visibility are hounding the crew of a crane ship tasked to help in the salvage operation for the grounded US minesweeper USS Guardian, the Philippine Coast Guard said. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the JASCON 25 is still near Tubbataha Reef but is encountering big waves and strong winds, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. The report quoted Balilo as saying the continued bad weather conditions have so far prevented the ship’s crew from pushing through with salvage work. Earlier Wednesday, Task Force Tubbataha head and Coast Guard Palawan commander Commodore Enrico Evangelista said they may have to postpone salvage work due to bad weather. However, Evangelista said there is still no change so far in their timetable to remove the USS Guardian from the reef by March 23. On the other hand, the dzBB report quoted Balilo as saying that despite the bad weather conditions, JASCON 25 is not returning to Puerto Princesa City. Balilo said they are hoping that when Tropical Depression Crising leaves the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, the Coast Guard and the salvage team can finally get salvage work going. For now, he said the safety of those involved in the salvage work is their main concern. — LBG, GMA News

TD Crising slows down, but storm signals still hoisted

 News
Feb 192013
 
TD Crising slows down, but storm signals still hoisted

Predicted track for TD Crising as of 20Feb2013. TD Crising is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early morning tomorrow, Thursday, 21Feb2013. Weather Central Tropical Depression (TD) Crising slowed down as it crossed the Sulu Sea before noon Wednesday, even as two areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 11 a.m. advisory, said Tropical Depression Crising was estimated at 220 km northwest of Zamboanga City as of 10 a.m. It said Crising packed maximum winds of 45 kph near the center and is moving west-northwest at 19 kph. By Thursday morning, PAGASA said Crising is expected to be 280 km southwest of Puerto Princesa City. By Thursday evening, it estimated Crising to be 480 km southwest of Puerto Princesa City. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Southern Palawan and Zamboanga del Norte. Storm warning signals in other areas had been lowered, PAGASA said. It said Crising may bring rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 300-km diameter. “Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides,” PAGASA said.  PAGASA also reminded fishing boats and other small seacraft against going out into the northern, eastern and southern seaboards of Luzon, the central and eastern seaboards of Visayas and eastern seaboard of Mindanao. LPA off Puerto Princesa  Meanwhile, PAGASA said a low-pressure area northwest of Puerto Princesa City has dissipated. — TJD, GMA News

Comelec taps Boy Bawal to go after campaign violators

 News
Feb 182013
 
Comelec taps Boy Bawal to go after campaign violators

To effectively reach out to the public, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tapped “Boy Bawal” to inform both the electorate and the candidates the prohibited acts and materials during the campaign period and on Election Day. The two-minute video started with Boy Bawal, with this supporters carrying flaglets, reminding the candidates to follow the election rules or be reprimanded by him. Boy Bawal then showed the campaign DON’T’s such as oversized posters; campaign materials posted in public vehicles, trees and public structures; and vote-buying, among others. Other prohibited acts are listed on www.mycomelec.tv.    At the end of the video, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. urged the public: “Umpisa na ang kampanya, kapag may nakita kayong mga bawal, pakisumbong niyo sa amin dito sa Comelec.” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they decided to use a regular person as Boy Bawal “to make the advertisement more relatable, more entertaining and therefore more likely to be remembered and shared.” “Virality of the material was a major consideration,” he said in a text message to GMA News Online. The video was produced in-house by the Comelec’s Education and Information Department, which is under Jimenez. The poll body sent a request to all networks for the airing of the ‘Boy Bawal Ad’ as part of the Comelec space and time for the May 13 polls to be utilized exclusively for public information dissemination on election related-concerns as stated in Section 13 of Comelec Resolution No. 9615. The video can also be viewed on Comelec’s Read More …

LPA off Mindanao intensifies into Tropical Depression Crising

 News
Feb 182013
 
LPA off Mindanao intensifies into Tropical Depression Crising

At least four areas in Mindanao were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 after a low-pressure area off Mindanao intensified into a tropical depression Monday afternoon and was locally codenamed Crising. PAGASA forecaster Fernando Cada said Tropical Depression Crising may bring rain that could cause flash floods and landslides in parts of Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. “Inaasahan itong gumalaw west-northwest ng 19 kph. Sa ngayon, Davao region ang posibleng unang maapektuhan,” Cada said in an interview on dzBB radio. He also said Tropical Depression Crising may bring rain to parts of Mindanao that Tropical Cyclone Pablo devastated last December. Cada said that in the next 24 to 36 hours, Crising may affect Eastern Mindanao, including Davao and Compostela Valley. But he also said there is a chance Crising will not intensify much since it is moving quickly at 19 kph. “Sa bagyong ganoon kabilis ang takbo ng bagyo, hindi ito maka-generate ng masyadong lakas dahil mabilis ito at malapit sa kalupaan,” he said. Under Storm Signal No. 1 are: Davao del NorteDavao del SurDavao OrientalCompostela Valley PAGASA warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Storm Signal 1 to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. It said rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) may be expected from Crising’s 300-km diameter. As of 4 p.m., PAGASA said Tropical Depression Crising was estimated at 750 km east of General Santos City, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center. It said Crising is Read More …

SC upholds disqualification of 'nuisance' bet in Agusan del Sur

 News
Feb 182013
 
SC upholds disqualification of 'nuisance' bet in Agusan del Sur

The Supreme Court has upheld a Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling disqualifying Mauricio Plaza Jr. from joining the congressional race in Agusan del Sur in the coming May elections. In a full court decision, the high tribunal said Mauricio failed to “sufficiently show grave abuse of discretion” on the part of Comelec when it disqualified him and struck his name off the Candidates’ Profile System and Certified List of Candidates. Plaza was among the individuals declared by the Comelec as “nuisance” candidates through Comelec en banc Resolution 9610. “The procedures adopted by the Comelec in resolving petitions to deny due course to or to cancel certificate of candidacy, declare nuisance candidates, and disqualify candidates are consistent with its power to provide simplified procedural rules,” the high court said. This power is enshrined under Section 3, Article IX-C of the 1987 Constitution, which authorizes the Comelec to promulgate its rules of procedure in order to expedite the disposition of election cases. The case started when Plaza filed a petition for review with the SC, asking it to intervene and order the Comelec to include him in the list of candidates for the coming elections. “The records would show that… Plaza was afforded his right to prove the legitimacy of his candidacy [before he was declared a nuisanc candidate],” the high court said in its ruling. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News

Comelec employees want next commissioners to come from their ranks

 News
Feb 182013
 
Comelec employees want next commissioners to come from their ranks

Employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are urging President Benigno Aquino III to pick the next two commissioners from their ranks so that their rights and well-being will be championed. “We have earlier manifested our desire for the President to appoint commissioners from the ranks. Those that will work for the best interest of the rank and file,” said Mac Ramirez, Comelec-EU national president, in a media advisory Monday. The 6,000-strong Comelec Employees’ Union is set to name their bet Tuesday at a press conference. The two commissioners will replace Commissioners Armando Velasco and Rene Sarmiento, who both retired last February 2. Of the two, it was Velasco who rose from the ranks, starting as an election officer in Baguio City in 1991. He was the poll director in the Cordillera Administrative Region prior to his appointment as commissioner in November 2008 to fill in the unfinished term of Commissioner Moslemen Macarambon. Sarmiento, on the other hand, was a human rights lawyer. He worked for the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process before being appointed to the Comelec in 2006 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He replaced former Commissioner Rufino Javier. Sarmiento earlier said he has been hearing the names of former Lanao del Norte Macabangkit Lanto; Legal Network for Truthful Elections executive director lawyer Louie Guia; lawyer Angelina Santiago, daughter of a former justice; Comelec law department director lawyer Esperanza Ladra; Comelec planning department director lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan; and acting deputy director for administration lawyer Adolfo Ibanez as possible Read More …

Despite incident involving armed Pinoys, Malacañang won't reopen Sabah claim

 News
Feb 182013
 
Despite incident involving armed Pinoys, Malacañang won't reopen Sabah claim

Malaysian cops, troops surround Filipino armed group in Sabah . Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib (center) leaves after a meeting at a police base near Lahad Datu on Borneo island on Sunday. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in Sabah, Malaysia refuse to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army troops have surrounded the village, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad Malacañang remained adamant that despite the incident involving some 400 people including 20 gunmen who have crossed over to the Malaysian state of Sabah, the Aquino administration will not revisit the country’s claim to the disputed land. “From what I understand, the claim is there and it hasn’t moved for quite some time. I also remember that the President did mention that it’s been dormant. Let’s leave it at that for the moment,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a briefing. In the 1960s, the Philippine government laid claim over Sabah based on historical and legal data, but later suspended its claim and instead forged close cooperation with its neighbor Malaysian. Valte added that more than any claim over Sabah, the administration is more concerned about the safety of those involved in the standoff. “The main concern really is the safety of the people who are there. So ‘yun po muna ‘yung pinag-uusapan at ‘yung sinesentruhan natin,” Valte said. “[We want] Read More …

FDA warns public vs buying medicines from sari-sari stores

 News
Feb 132013
 
FDA warns public vs buying medicines from sari-sari stores

Buying medicines from sari-sari stores and other unlicensed drug outlets may pose risks to health, the Food and Drug Administration warned. In an advisory, the FDA also warned against self-medication, saying the public should “seek professional health care before taking any medicine.” “The FDA cannot assure the consumers that the medicines sold from these illegal outlets were manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice. Contaminated or adulterated medicines may result to unexpected secondary effects or side effects,” FDA acting director Kenneth Hartigan Go said. He added improperly handled and stored medicines may become ineffective when exposed to humidity and extreme temperatures. Worse, consumers who buy prescription drugs from sari-sari stores may suffer from adverse drug reactions and put their lives in danger, he said. “Patients may unknowingly buy a counterfeit product containing inert ingredients or genuine medicine that are expired and have been resold by unscrupulous peddlers,” he added. The advisory dated Jan. 25 was posted on the FDA website only on Feb. 13. Hartigan-Go advised patients who have taken medicines bought from sari-sari stores and unlicensed drug outlets to contact the FDA Adverse Drug Reaction Unit in case they suffer from adverse reactions. The FDA Adverse Drug Reaction Unit may be contacted at 165-332 or (02) 857-1900 local 2221. Meanwhile, he said FDA drug inspectors will coordinate with local government units in calling the attention of sari-sari stores and other illegitimate drug outlets to refrain from selling drug products. —KG, GMA News

For the first time, media will be allowed to vote ahead of Election Day

 News
Feb 132013
 
For the first time, media will be allowed to vote ahead of Election Day

For the first time, media personnel who will not be able to vote on election day due to work will now be allowed to cast their votes ahead of the elections. In Resolution 9637, the Commission on Elections said media practitioners, even the technical and support staff who are actively engaged in information gathering and news reporting, are now entitled to avail of the local absentee voting. The resolution was promulgated on February 13. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they will be coming out with application forms soon, adding that they expect between 10,000 to 20,000 media workers to avail of the local absentee voting. Among those who can avail of the local absentee voting are print journalists, television journalists, photojournalists, online journalists, radio journalists, documentary makers and those in television/ radio production who are duly registered voters. For the May 13 polls, the local absentee voters can only vote for 12 senators and  a party-list group.  In the past, only government officials and employees, members of the National Police and Armed Forces who are temporarily assigned to perform election duties in places where they are not registered voters, are allowed to participate in local absentee voting. The voting will be held from April 28, 29, 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the media can vote at the Comelec office where they filed their applications while for the others, the AFP and PNP, head of office, supervisor or commander should designate the place of voting not later Read More …

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