Palace: Govt a step closer to acquiring korean jet fighters

 News
Feb 212014
 
The Philippines is one step closer to beefing up its air defense capability following Malacañang’s approval of the payment mode for them, a Palace official said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace’s approval usually means President Benigno Aquino III’s questions about the transaction had been addressed.

“Usually po ‘pag ganyan, that means na-iron out na po ‘yung mga kinks or at least the President’s questions had been sufficiently answered by the department,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

Earlier reports indicated the Philippine government is seeking to acquire 12 fighter jets from South Korea.

The Philippines had been trying to improve its military capability in the wake of territorial disputes in parts of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

In past months, Philippine forces had figured in tense moments with Chinese vessels in some of the disputed areas.

Manila has sought arbitration and a rules-based approach to settle the row. — LBG, GMA News

DepEd tells school heads: Keep JS prom simple

 News
Feb 082014
 
DepEd tells school heads: Keep JS prom simple

As high school students prepare for their Junior-Senior Prom, the Department of Education over the weekend reminded schools to keep the event simple but meaningful. The DepEd stressed it does not want parents and students to worry about spending much for the event, radio dzBB reported early Sunday. Officials of public schools were particularly instructed to ensure the simplicity of the yearly tradition, the report added. If possible, the DepEd suggested that the prom be held inside the school premises, instead of at a fancy venue. The report also said the DepEd urged school administrators not to encourage parents and students to spend much for outfits. Students and parents are in the middle of preparations for the yearly prom, many of them spending on gowns and outfits and other arrangements. — LBG, GMA News

DOH: Number of revelry-related injuries nears 1k, 5% increase noted

 News
Jan 032014
 
DOH: Number of revelry-related injuries nears 1k, 5% increase noted

The number of injuries related to the recent holiday revelry inched closer to 1,000 as of Saturday morning, the Department of Health said. National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said that as of 6 a.m., there were at least 962 revelry-related injuries recorded. Of these, 943 were fireworks-related, while two were caused by fireworks ingestion. At least 17 were due to stray bullets, he said on his Twitter account. He added that of the 943 fireworks-related injuries, 359 or 38 percent were due to piccolo. In the same period in 2012, Tayag said there were 929 revelry-related injuries, including 902 from fireworks and two from fireworks ingestion. Tayag also noted that in the same period in 2012, there were 25 injuries from stray bullets. The DOH will continue its tally of revelry-related injuries until Sunday. — LBG, GMA News

LTFRB to start processing applications for Xmas special permits

 News
Nov 302013
 
LTFRB to start processing applications for Xmas special permits

Starting Monday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will open the door to applications by public utility vehicle operators for special permits plying popular routes during the Christmas season. LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez on Saturday said his office expects to accept and process applications from Dec. 2 to 9. “Kahit another probinsya ito from Metro Manila, para makabyahe sa probinsya na nangangailangan (The permits will allow public utility vehicles to ply routes from Metro Manila to provinces where there may not be enough PUVs),” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. The special permits allow PUVs to ply routes outside the areas specified by their franchises, but for a limited time. Filipinos are expected to flock to their home provinces in the second half of December, to spend the holidays with their families. Ginez said they will check the applicants to see if their units are roadworthy, and take added steps to ensure passengers’ safety. “Maaga kami magbibigay ng special permit (We want to give the special permits early),” he added. — LBG, GMA News

'The Filipino Flash' Donaire's pregnant wife saves child from drowning

 News
Jul 062013
 
'The Filipino Flash' Donaire's pregnant wife saves child from drowning

The wife of Filipino boxing icon Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. is a now certified hero, too, having saved a drowning child despite being nine months pregnant last July 4. Donaire, in a post on his Twitter account, said his wife Rachel was admitted to a hospital for fetal monitoring after saving the child. “Wifey admitted into ER for fetal monitoring.  Shes full term but not due for another 17 days.  Praying things are ok,” he said in a post with times tamp 4:24 a.m. The administrator of Donaire’s Twitter account said Mrs. Donaire was admitted in a hospital for fetal monitoring after saving a drowning child. “During 4th of July, a friend’s son disappeared underneath the water. Rachel didn’t hesitate to jump in to save the child but injured herself in the process. Nonito said she ‘moved so quickly it scared me,’” the administrator of Donaire’s account tweeted. Rachel woke up with sharp pain and was admitted in the hospital where she was monitored for over an hour and was diagnosed with a strained ligament. But doctors said the baby in her womb is unaffected, and ordered bed rest for her “for a couple days.” Mrs. Donaire is on her ninth month this July with their first child – they are expecting a boy, Donaire’s Twitter account administrator added. The feat earned Mrs. Donaire praises from tweeps. “The wife of Nonito The @filipinoflash Donaire saves a drowning boy while 9 months pregnant! Mabuhay! #Respeto #Bayani,” tweeted IamSuperPupung. Another Read More …

VP Binay eyes Germany's dual vocational system vs unemployment

 News
Jun 152013
 
VP Binay eyes Germany's dual vocational system vs unemployment

The Philippines could learn from Germany’s  use of a dual vocational system to help address the problem of unemployment, Vice President Jejomar Binay said. Binay, who recently returned from a working visit in Germany, said the dual vocational system is reason for the relatively low unemployment among German youths. “We hope we can apply a similar scheme in the Philippines especially with the implementation of the K-12 program and we look forward to a possible cooperation with Germany on this in the future,” he said. Binay, the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker concerns, discussed the matter with German Labor Minister Dr. Ursula von der Leyen during his recent working visit to Germany. He said von der Leyen, who talked about the dual education system with the chief executive officer of Ayala Corp., “expressed her interest to return to the Philippines to speak more about the dual vocational system of training.” Also, he said Germany is offering to help the Philippines integrate the K-12 basic education system to the dual vocational system. Under the German dual vocational system, students take apprenticeships in a company and vocational education at a vocational school. The training at the firm lasts two to three-and-a-half years, with the trainees getting a certificate at the end of the training. Binay also noted those taking the vocational courses are treated like professionals. “Isa ‘yan sa ipinagmamalaki nila. That is giving dignity doon sa mga vocational courses,” he added. Equivalency of academic degrees Meanwhile, Binay said he and Read More …

Brillantes: Random manual audit spotted 'variances' not discrepancies

 News
May 292013
 
Brillantes: Random manual audit spotted 'variances' not discrepancies

Poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr. on Wednesday said “variances” is a better term for the disparities spotted in the random manual count of votes instead of “discrepancies.” In a newspaper report, Brillantes was quoted as saying there were “discrepancies” between the random manual count and the machine-generated election results. The poll body has reportedly received 167 of the 234 randomly chosen precincts for the manual audit. “The correct term should have been, there were variances, which would actually be a toning down of a discrepancy,” Brillantes corrected himself at a press briefing on Wednesday. He added that his earlier statements were based on initial reports. Brillantes noted, too, that a random manual count is not expected to perfectly match the machine-generated results. He said the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine still reads the ballots even when the shading only covers 20 percent of the oval. Meanwhile, the auditors have their own “discretion” whether or not to audit the partially shaded ballots, Brillantes added. In the 2010 elections, the PCOS was programmed to read ovals shaded only 50 percent. “It could not be a perfect thing between the manual count and the machine count…  Ang tao hindi na-poprogram ang mata niyan, may kanya kanyang discretion, iba-iba ang assessment,” he said. “Pero talaga namang alam nila na hindi magta-tally ang machine count sa human visual count, may thresholding ‘yan eh,” Brillantes added, referring to the incomplete shading of the ballot. Still, Brillantes maintained the result of the manual audit so far Read More …

DOTC: 8 domestic flights canceled due to aircraft situation

 News
May 052013
 
DOTC: 8 domestic flights canceled due to aircraft situation

At least eight domestic flights were canceled Sunday, six of them due to “aircraft situation,” the Department of Transportation and Communications said. In posts on its Twitter account, the DOTC said four of the flights belonged to air carrier Cebu Pacific, while the other four belonged to Zest Air. Two of the canceled Cebu Pacific flights included 5J-919: Manila to Caticlan and  5J-920: Caticlan to Manila The other two were 5J-341: Manila to Kalibo and 5J-342: Kalibo to Manila Meanwhile, the canceled Zest Air flights were: – Z2-202: Manila to Marinduque– Z2-203: Marinduque to Manila– Z2-412: Manila to Busuanga– Z2-413: Busuanga to Manila The DOTC did not give further details on the “aircraft situation” that caused the cancellations. Caticlan is a gateway to world-famous Boracay, while Busuanga and Marinduque are also popular tourist attractions. — LBG, GMA News

Report: 6 PHL ships deployed to prevent spillover of Sabah standoff

 News
Feb 222013
 
Report: 6 PHL ships deployed to prevent spillover of Sabah standoff

At least six Philippine Navy ships have been deployed to the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi area to prevent a possible spillover of the standoff between a group of armed Filipinos and Malaysian authorities in Sabah. The ships are patrolling the waters of Tawi-Tawi, which is near Tandau village where the group involved in the standoff has been staying since Feb. 9, according to a report Friday on Malaysia’s The Star online. Malaysian security forces had cordoned off the area where the group is staying but is awaiting efforts to resolve the standoff peacefully. Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic was quoted in the report as saying the vessels have no instructions to evacuate the group led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. “We are hoping that this will be resolved peacefully. If they are retreating, we are not there to help them because we need instructions if they can be picked up,” The Star online quoted Fabic as saying. The standoff in the eastern state of Sabah has threatened to spark tension between thePhilippines and Malaysia, whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems along their sea border, a Reuters report said, citing security analysts. Security analysts had warned that the historic peace deal signed by the Philippine government and Moro rebels last October to end 40 years of conflict in the Philippine south risked stirring instability by alienating powerful clan leaders. Jamalul Kiram III, 74, a former sultan of Sulu in Read More …

Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

 News
Feb 132013
 
Lolong buried in Agusan Sur; bones to be exhumed for museum

Less than a week after it died, Lolong  which held the world record as the largest saltwater crocodile – was buried at an eco park in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur province Wednesday. But local residents plan to exhume Lolong’s bones and reassemble as part of their plan to set up a memorial for the crocodile, radio dzBB reported early Thursday. Lolong’s skin will be stuffed and displayed in the “Lolong Museum” in the area. Presently, local government officials are looking for a top-notch taxidermist who can create a life-size replica. A replica made out of resin is also being planned, according to a separate report on “Saksi.” On Wednesday, workers wrapped Lolong’s body in a fish net and placed the body in a one-meter-deep grave. Many residents were sad at Lolong’s death last Sunday, since their Lolong-related businesses had to shut down for now. They voiced hopes that once the Lolong Museum is set up, their businesses – ranging from souvenir shops to habal-habal rides – can be revived as well. Other businesses included bakeries that made bread in Lolong’s image. — LBG, GMA News

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