PAGASA: Signal 1 over Batanes; Huaning effects expected starting Thursday

 News
Jul 102013
 
PAGASA: Signal 1 over Batanes; Huaning effects expected starting Thursday

Typhoon Soulik enters PAR, codenamed Huaning. Tropical Storm Soulik, visible as a white circular cloud formation in the upper righthand portion of this image, passed into the Philippine Area of Responsibility at around 10am (PHT) on July 10. It has been given the local codename, Huaning. GMA News The Batanes islands were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 Wednesday afternoon as Typhoon Huaning (Soulik) continued moving toward Northern Luzon, state weather forecasters said. But PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said their models indicate Huaning may still not make itself felt until at least Thursday or Friday. “Hindi tatama sa Pilipinas ang bagyong si Huaning,” Loiz said in an interview on dzBB radio. Loiz said their models indicate Huaning may eventually head for Taiwan, though it may enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rain over parts of the Philippines. The typhoon is still likely to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by early Saturday, he added. “Ang pag-ulan sa habagat maaring Friday afternoon or Saturday,” he said. Advisory In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Huaning was estimated at 1,150 km east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m. According to PAGASA, Huaning packed maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. By Thursday afternoon, it is expected to be 720 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. By Friday afternoon it is expected to be 380 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. On Saturday afternoon, it is expected to Read More …

Palace doubts NSCB report on growing income inequality

 News
Jul 102013
 
Palace doubts NSCB report on growing income inequality

Malacañang on Wednesday expressed doubts on a report by National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showing growing inequality between the rich and the poor in the Philippines in terms of income. At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda maintained that “real growth” is being experienced by Filipinos in the low income level. “I’m not sure if that [report] is correct. There has been a growth even in the lowest levels and if you notice the growth, for instance, there’s a growth of eight percent in the lowest level,” he said. Lacierda was reacting to an NSCB study that revealed that Filipinos from the high-income class enjoyed a 10.4-percent growth in income in 2011, while those in the low-income group only experienced an 8.2-percent growth. Lacierda pointed out that these figures are still above the 3.2-percent inflation rate, which means that growth is being experienced in all levels of society in the Philippines. He added that the Aquino administration is determined to achieve inclusive growth before Aquino’s term ends in 2016. “From the very start of our administration, we have said that we are going to bat for inclusive growth and it’s not gonna happen overnight.  We are continuously doing and making sure that no one would be left behind,” Lacierda said. Last April, the NSCB reported that poverty incidence in the country during the first half of 2012 was at 27.9 percent, which was almost the same rate six years ago. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News

Businesswoman's illegal detention case pits NBI vs. DOJ

 News
Jul 102013
 
Businesswoman's illegal detention case pits NBI vs. DOJ

A case of a businesswoman accused of illegally detaining a possible witness in a government anomaly has pitted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the agency that supervises it, the Department of Justice (DOJ). This was after the NBI asked the DOJ to reverse its decision clearing Janet Lim-Napoles, who is linked to the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, for the alleged illegal detention of Benhur Luy, a probable witness in the case. In a 16-page motion for reconsideration he personally filed with the DOJ, NBI director Nonnatus Rojas questioned why the prosecutors gave more weight on a supposed letter from Luy to his parents saying that he was not taken against his will. “The letter is not a document which was made under oath. Assuming that the letter should be made admissible, the same does not bear any exculpatory nature as to relieve the respondents of their guilt for the felony of serious illegal detention nor is it fatal to the complaint against them,” Rojas argued. But in its resolution, the DOJ said that contrary to Luy’s family’s claim in their complaint, the victim’s letter did not say he was being taken against his will. The NBI has charged Napoles and her brother Reynaldo Lim for the alleged illegal detention of Luy, lead employee of JLN Group of Companies, which has been linked to several anomalies involving government projects. “The categorical statements made by Benhur should therefore prevail over the bare assertions of respondents… Without a doubt, the respondents Read More …

OCD in 7 regions on alert as 'Soulik' nears PHL; Coast Guard warns fishermen

 News
Jul 092013
 
OCD in 7 regions on alert as 'Soulik' nears PHL; Coast Guard warns fishermen

Tropical Storm Soulik forecast track as of 8Jul2013. The Weather Central forecast track for Soulik as of 8am Monday shows that the tropical storm may enter the northeastern corner of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday. GMA News As Typhoon Soulik continued to approach the Philippines Wednesday morning, officials of the Office of Civil Defense in seven regions, including Metro Manila, were instructed to adopt the needed precautions. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had the OCD prepare for the possibility of heavy rain from Soulik, which would be codenamed “Huaning” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). OCD regional units placed under alert included Metro Manila, Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa, radio dzBB reported. PAGASA earlier said Soulik had intensified into a typhoon and continues to gain strength while approaching Northern Luzon, and may enhance the southwest monsoon. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard placed its units in Northern Luzon on alert, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the units in Northern Luzon are to go around coastal areas and dissuade fishermen from going out to sea at this time. PAGASA said Soulik is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility as early as 10 a.m. Wednesday. — LBG, GMA News

PAGASA: Typhoon Soulik may enter PAR before noon, landfall not discounted

 News
Jul 092013
 
PAGASA: Typhoon Soulik may enter PAR before noon, landfall not discounted

Tropical Storm Soulik forecast track as of 8Jul2013. The Weather Central forecast track for Soulik as of 8am Monday shows that the tropical storm may enter the northeastern corner of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday. GMA News Typhoon Soulik intensified further as it moved closer toward Batanes in extreme northern Luzon, and may enter the Philippine area of responsibility before noon Wednesday, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran also said Soulik, to be codenamed Huaning once it is inside the PAR, also slightly changed course and is now moving west-northwest. “Babantayan natin kung sakali, baka sumubsob [sa kalupaan] dahil may lumalakas na high-pressure area na nakatuntong sa kanya kaya nahirapan siya mag-northward,” Duran said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said their models indicate the possibility of Soulik – now with an 800 km diameter – making landfall over the Batanes area in extreme northern Luzon. Duran said their models also indicate Soulik may enter the Philippine area of responsibility between 10 and 11 a.m. While he said Soulik is not likely to affect Metro Manila, it may make itself felt by enhancing the southwest monsoon. “Expect natin kung magtuloy-tuloy si Soulik, by tomorrow afternoon maranasan natin ang pag-ulan,” he said. He added Soulik is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by early Saturday. As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said Soulik was estimated at 1,365 km east of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of Read More …

Lone winner lands Lotto 6/42  jackpot worth P17.093M

 News
Jul 092013
 
Lone winner lands Lotto 6/42  jackpot worth P17.093M

A lone bettor is now P17.093 million richer after winning the jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s Lotto 6/42 draw Tuesday night. The PCSO said the winner got the correct combination of 29-39-11-15-07-21. But the PCSO, as in the past, did not identify the winner. On the other hand, the PCSO said no one won the Superlotto 6/49 jackpot. The combination of 46-49-15-16-35-18 would have meant a prize of P80,918,896. Last July 1, a lone lotto bettor became P178.849 million richer after hitting the jackpot of the PCSO Grand Lotto draw. The PCSO said the bettor got the combination of 09-21-43-35-54-12 to win the night’s jackpot worth P178,849,233.20. On June 28, a lone lotto bettor became P54.988 million richer after hitting the jackpot in the Megalotto 6/45 draw. The PCSO said the bettor got the correct combination of 20-19-42-18-32-01 to win the night’s jackpot worth P53,987,876. On June 4, a lone lotto bettor became P90.996 million richer after hitting the jackpot in the PCSO Superlotto 6/49 draw. But the biggest lotto prize ever won was the November 2010, when a lone bettor won some P741.176 million for getting the winning combination 11-16-42-47-31-37. — DVM, GMA News

Gamma Epsilon Fraternity/Gamma Lambda Epsilon Sorority Golden Anniversary Celebration Aug. 24

 Entertainment
Jul 092013
 

One of Philippines’ largest fraternities/sororities – Gamma Epsilon Fraternity/Gamma Lambda Epsilon Sorority – with chapters from all over the archipelago and international chapters all over the world is celebrating its Golden Anniversary this year with members on the west coast holding its Southern California gathering in the City of Riverside. Hosted by Brod Jerry Corrales, […]

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