MANILA, Philippines – In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno Aquino III will be revealing “a minimum of five anomalies” the previous administration committed that he said will shock the public.
Speaking to reporters after the change-of-command ceremonies at the Philippine Army Friday, Aquino said the anomalies that he and his Cabinet have uncovered will be “shocking” and “without sense, without rhyme and without reason, but which we have to fix.”
“Pati kayo na sanay na sanay na, ma-sha-shock pa rin kayo (Even you who are used to this, will still be shocked),” he said.
Giving a glimpse of his speech, Aquino said one of the irregularities discovered by Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad was the alleged misuse of calamity funds, which benefitted a particular district not hit by a typhoon.
Aquino said the calamity funds have already been “depleted.”
“It seems there was a particular district that benefitted and that is not affected by typhoon Basyang or even typhoons Ondoy or Pepeng. But 20% of the [calamity] funds allegedly went…to that district,” Aquino said.
He declined to provide more details as it would pre-empt his speech.
Asked what the overall message of his first speech would be, Aquino said, “As I said in the beginning, you have to ascertain what the problems are. The problems will point to certain solutions that would be best to solve all of these problems you have identified.”
“In the reverse side of that, we are very, very hopeful of the developments with regards to fulfilling the wants and needs of our state,” he added.
Aquino said his SONA speech is still in the process of re-writing, noting that he and his speech writers were already on the fifth rewrite. The first draft, he said, was 24 pages long, single-spaced and with a font size of 16 points.
“I said this is too much and I have to be very, very careful of what I say because it might create the wrong impression,” he added.
Source: Inquirer
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
List of QC schools with no classes on July 26
(Updated 11:35 a.m.) The Department of Education released on Friday a list of Quezon City schools that will suspend classes on Monday, when President Benigno Aquino III delivers his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The decision was made by the Division of Quezon City Schools in coordination with the Quezon City local government.
"Usually, nire-request itong mga paaaralan na magsuspend ng klase kasi ang dami-daming sasakyan sa area, ang daming rally. Makakadagdag pa sa traffic, so nagsususpend po kami sa classes (Usually, we request these schools to suspend classes because of the traffic and rallies that are expected in the area. We don't want to aggravate the traffic situation, so we just suspend classes)," explained Dr. Corazon Rubio, officer-in-charge of the division of Quezon City schools.
The schools are as follows:
Source: GmaNews
The decision was made by the Division of Quezon City Schools in coordination with the Quezon City local government.
"Usually, nire-request itong mga paaaralan na magsuspend ng klase kasi ang dami-daming sasakyan sa area, ang daming rally. Makakadagdag pa sa traffic, so nagsususpend po kami sa classes (Usually, we request these schools to suspend classes because of the traffic and rallies that are expected in the area. We don't want to aggravate the traffic situation, so we just suspend classes)," explained Dr. Corazon Rubio, officer-in-charge of the division of Quezon City schools.
The schools are as follows:
- Batasan Elementary School
- Payatas A, B, and C Elementary School
- Payates B Annex Elementary School
- San Diego Elementary School
- Bagong Silangan Elementary School
- Bagong Silangan High School
- Dona Juana Elementary School
- Commonwealth Elementary School
- Commonwealth High School
- Commonwealth Annex
- Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School
- Culiat Elementary School
- Culiat High School
- New Era Elementary School
- New Era High School
- Batasan Hills National High School
- Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma High School
- Holy Spirit National High School
- J.F. Belmonte High School
Source: GmaNews
Senator regrets hurting ‘meganiece’ over Senate presidency
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Vicente "Tito'' Sotto III said on Friday he was sorry to hear that his niece, singer and movie actress Sharon Cuneta was hurting over his decision not to support her husband, Senator Francis Pangilinan, in his bid for the Senate presidency.
"I am sorry if Sharon is hurting but the Senate presidency transcends family ties. The Senate should remain independent and should not be pressured even with family concerns,'' Sotto said in a press statement he issued in the wake of Cuneta's statements on television that she was hurt that her own uncle was not supporting her husband in the Senate.
Cuneta made the statement after administration allies and partymates of Pangilinan decided to junk him as the administration candidate for Senate president and were now pushing for the retention of Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate president.
Pangilinan and his main rival, Nacionalista Party president Senator Manuel Villar Jr., have been unable to muster the minimum 13 votes needed to get elected Senate president, triggering fears that the top Senate would be left vacant when Congress opens its sessions on Monday.
"I hope that in due time she would understand my decision. Whatever my decision will be will not change my feelings toward her,'' Sotto said of Cuneta.
Sotto last week said he could not support Pangilinan because he belonged to the administration's Liberal Party, which did not support him when he ran for senator last May.
Aside from his party, the Nationalist People's Coalition of tycoon Eduardo "Danding'' Cojuangco, Sotto was also supported by the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino of Senator Edgardo Angara.
Angara is counting Sotto as part of his bloc in the Senate. Sotto had said he and good friend Senator Gregorio Honasan have agreed to support a common candidate in the Senate presidency race.
Honasan stated that he would support Enrile if the he ran for the top Senate post.
Enrile declared the other day that he was willing to be Senate president again if the interested parties were unable to muster the required 13 votes.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who had backed Pangilinan for Senate president, said on Friday he was now also for Enrile.
Estrada said Cuneta had texted him Friday morning to say she and Pangilinan would be "forever grateful'' to him even if he was now supporting Enrile.
"You tell Kiko that you will support him unless JPE runs,'' Cuneta said in Filipino, in her text message to Estrada.
"Thank you, whatever happens,'' Cuneta added.
Estrada said that Cuneta understood the situation. He pointed out that when he signed the resolution supporting Pangilinan's bid for the Senate presidency, it was on the condition that Enrile would not go for it himself.
Source: Inquirer
"I am sorry if Sharon is hurting but the Senate presidency transcends family ties. The Senate should remain independent and should not be pressured even with family concerns,'' Sotto said in a press statement he issued in the wake of Cuneta's statements on television that she was hurt that her own uncle was not supporting her husband in the Senate.
Cuneta made the statement after administration allies and partymates of Pangilinan decided to junk him as the administration candidate for Senate president and were now pushing for the retention of Juan Ponce Enrile as Senate president.
Pangilinan and his main rival, Nacionalista Party president Senator Manuel Villar Jr., have been unable to muster the minimum 13 votes needed to get elected Senate president, triggering fears that the top Senate would be left vacant when Congress opens its sessions on Monday.
"I hope that in due time she would understand my decision. Whatever my decision will be will not change my feelings toward her,'' Sotto said of Cuneta.
Sotto last week said he could not support Pangilinan because he belonged to the administration's Liberal Party, which did not support him when he ran for senator last May.
Aside from his party, the Nationalist People's Coalition of tycoon Eduardo "Danding'' Cojuangco, Sotto was also supported by the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino of Senator Edgardo Angara.
Angara is counting Sotto as part of his bloc in the Senate. Sotto had said he and good friend Senator Gregorio Honasan have agreed to support a common candidate in the Senate presidency race.
Honasan stated that he would support Enrile if the he ran for the top Senate post.
Enrile declared the other day that he was willing to be Senate president again if the interested parties were unable to muster the required 13 votes.
Meanwhile, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who had backed Pangilinan for Senate president, said on Friday he was now also for Enrile.
Estrada said Cuneta had texted him Friday morning to say she and Pangilinan would be "forever grateful'' to him even if he was now supporting Enrile.
"You tell Kiko that you will support him unless JPE runs,'' Cuneta said in Filipino, in her text message to Estrada.
"Thank you, whatever happens,'' Cuneta added.
Estrada said that Cuneta understood the situation. He pointed out that when he signed the resolution supporting Pangilinan's bid for the Senate presidency, it was on the condition that Enrile would not go for it himself.
Source: Inquirer
DepEd suspends classes in 21 public schools near Batasang Pambansa for SoNA
MANILA (PNA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Friday the suspension of classes in 21 public schools in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa Complex and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City when President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III makes his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA) during the opening of the 15th Congress on Monday.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the class suspension will be in effect at the Batasan Elementary School, Payatas A, B and C Elementary Schools, Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and High School, Doña Juana Elementary School, Commonwealth Elementary School and High School, Commonwealth Annex, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, Culiat Elementary School and High School, New Era Elementary School and High School, Batasan Hills National High School, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma High School, Holy Spirit High School and the J.F. Belmonte High School.
Private school owners in the area are also expected to make their own announcement on whether to suspend their classes or not on the same day.
The DepEd said the temporary suspension would ensure the safety of students who may get caught in the planned demonstrations and rallies by various civil society and cause-oriented groups during the President’s SoNA.
At the same time, students will also not get caught in traffic jams due to the rallies and the rerouting of vehicles which will be implemented by the Quezon City government for the duration of the SoNA.
Luistro said there is no reason to cancel the classes in the entire metropolis as the rallies will only be limited to several sites such as near the Batasan Complex and Mendiola in Manila.
Several militant teacher and student organizations have declared their intention to participate in the protest rallies.
The authorities have drawn up elaborate security measures during the event, with some 8,000 police and military personnel tasked to guard the Batasan’s premises, the routes that officials and dignitaries are going to take and vital installations all over the metropolis.
Checkpoints have also been set up in strategic sites to prevent any sabotage or terror attacks. (PNA)
Source: MB
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the class suspension will be in effect at the Batasan Elementary School, Payatas A, B and C Elementary Schools, Payatas B Annex Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School and High School, Doña Juana Elementary School, Commonwealth Elementary School and High School, Commonwealth Annex, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, Culiat Elementary School and High School, New Era Elementary School and High School, Batasan Hills National High School, Justice Cecilia Munoz Palma High School, Holy Spirit High School and the J.F. Belmonte High School.
Private school owners in the area are also expected to make their own announcement on whether to suspend their classes or not on the same day.
The DepEd said the temporary suspension would ensure the safety of students who may get caught in the planned demonstrations and rallies by various civil society and cause-oriented groups during the President’s SoNA.
At the same time, students will also not get caught in traffic jams due to the rallies and the rerouting of vehicles which will be implemented by the Quezon City government for the duration of the SoNA.
Luistro said there is no reason to cancel the classes in the entire metropolis as the rallies will only be limited to several sites such as near the Batasan Complex and Mendiola in Manila.
Several militant teacher and student organizations have declared their intention to participate in the protest rallies.
The authorities have drawn up elaborate security measures during the event, with some 8,000 police and military personnel tasked to guard the Batasan’s premises, the routes that officials and dignitaries are going to take and vital installations all over the metropolis.
Checkpoints have also been set up in strategic sites to prevent any sabotage or terror attacks. (PNA)
Source: MB
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Catholic, Muslim educators to talk peace
Catholic and Muslim educators will launch a series of discussions on the peace problem in Mindanao.
Jesuit-run Ateneo University School of Government and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), are hosting the talks featuring experts on the issue.
Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Vina said the discussions are taking place “outside the peace process" between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators.
In a report of the Union of Catholic Asian News, he expressed hope that some sessions could tackle issues raised during formal negotiations.
The new administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is preparing to resume peace talks that broke down in August 2008.
IBS is a non-stock, non-profit private institution begun in 2001 to undertake independent and collaborative research on Bangsamoro society, history, education, culture, politics, economic, and contemporary affairs.
IBS Executive Director Abhoud Syed Lingga said the Mindanao conflict stems from the struggle of the Bangsamoro people against "domination" by the Philippine state.
“The conflict is rooted in the [government's] assertion of its sovereignty and the assertion of the Bangsamoro people of their right to self-determination," he said.
Peace in Mindanao can be achieved primarily through formal peace negotiations at the national level, Lingga wrote.
Only the involvement of high-level officials of both parties will enable a formula to be found for an acceptable treaty, he added.
However, historian Rudy Rodil, the former vice-chairman of the government panel negotiating peace with the MILF, disagrees with Lingga's statement.
He said the centuries-old hostilities between the government and Muslims and "non-Islamized" indigenous people lie at the root of the peace problem.
The solution lies in successful “practical, grassroots, community level" dialogue since the high-level peace talks alone can never bring lasting peace, Rodil argued.
Source: GmaNews
Jesuit-run Ateneo University School of Government and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), are hosting the talks featuring experts on the issue.
Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Vina said the discussions are taking place “outside the peace process" between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators.
In a report of the Union of Catholic Asian News, he expressed hope that some sessions could tackle issues raised during formal negotiations.
The new administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is preparing to resume peace talks that broke down in August 2008.
IBS is a non-stock, non-profit private institution begun in 2001 to undertake independent and collaborative research on Bangsamoro society, history, education, culture, politics, economic, and contemporary affairs.
IBS Executive Director Abhoud Syed Lingga said the Mindanao conflict stems from the struggle of the Bangsamoro people against "domination" by the Philippine state.
“The conflict is rooted in the [government's] assertion of its sovereignty and the assertion of the Bangsamoro people of their right to self-determination," he said.
Peace in Mindanao can be achieved primarily through formal peace negotiations at the national level, Lingga wrote.
Only the involvement of high-level officials of both parties will enable a formula to be found for an acceptable treaty, he added.
However, historian Rudy Rodil, the former vice-chairman of the government panel negotiating peace with the MILF, disagrees with Lingga's statement.
He said the centuries-old hostilities between the government and Muslims and "non-Islamized" indigenous people lie at the root of the peace problem.
The solution lies in successful “practical, grassroots, community level" dialogue since the high-level peace talks alone can never bring lasting peace, Rodil argued.
Source: GmaNews
New Army chief sets policy for appointments
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Newly-installed Army chief Major General Arturo Ortiz made a strong stance on meritocracy on Friday, stressing the importance of merits and credentials on appointments at the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In his speech, the bemedalled Army chief said, "I would rather stay low brought about by my own efforts than to stay high without striving for it."
Ortiz also did not hesitate to state that although he would respect his upperclassmen in the Army, "I alone am responsible for the Philippine Army."
Ortiz said he was expecting "quality leadership" from his ground commanders and said that those who could not show this should "make way" for those who can.
Working on his statement on meritocracy, Ortiz said selection process on ground commanders would be based on "character, competence, and track record."
Ortiz also gave two orders to his men: First is that every soldier should protect democracy and Constitution and second, to run after terrorist groups that are threats to democracy.
"We will not stop at going after armed groups that threaten democracy," he said, while at the same time stressing the importance of protecting human rights and avoiding collateral damage.
Ortiz, recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military award and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979, replaced Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu, who has been promoted as vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
A native of Bautista, Pangasinan, Ortiz served as Commander of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of the Philippine Army. He also served in other sensitive posts in the AFP, including Regiment Commander of the Special Forces Regiment and Chief of the AFP Command Center, among others.
Aside from the Medal of Valor award, Ortiz is also a recipient of four Distinguished Service Stars, three Gold Cross medals, four Bronze Cross medals, and four Military Merit medals, among others.
Ortiz was awarded the Medal of Valor by then president Corazon Aquino after he led five teams of the 606th Special Forces Company and militiamen in a raid against 300 rebels in Negros Occidental in 1990. The raid led to the death of 84 rebels.
Source: Inquirer
In his speech, the bemedalled Army chief said, "I would rather stay low brought about by my own efforts than to stay high without striving for it."
Ortiz also did not hesitate to state that although he would respect his upperclassmen in the Army, "I alone am responsible for the Philippine Army."
Ortiz said he was expecting "quality leadership" from his ground commanders and said that those who could not show this should "make way" for those who can.
Working on his statement on meritocracy, Ortiz said selection process on ground commanders would be based on "character, competence, and track record."
Ortiz also gave two orders to his men: First is that every soldier should protect democracy and Constitution and second, to run after terrorist groups that are threats to democracy.
"We will not stop at going after armed groups that threaten democracy," he said, while at the same time stressing the importance of protecting human rights and avoiding collateral damage.
Ortiz, recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military award and a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979, replaced Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu, who has been promoted as vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
A native of Bautista, Pangasinan, Ortiz served as Commander of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of the Philippine Army. He also served in other sensitive posts in the AFP, including Regiment Commander of the Special Forces Regiment and Chief of the AFP Command Center, among others.
Aside from the Medal of Valor award, Ortiz is also a recipient of four Distinguished Service Stars, three Gold Cross medals, four Bronze Cross medals, and four Military Merit medals, among others.
Ortiz was awarded the Medal of Valor by then president Corazon Aquino after he led five teams of the 606th Special Forces Company and militiamen in a raid against 300 rebels in Negros Occidental in 1990. The raid led to the death of 84 rebels.
Source: Inquirer
Laguna lake tapped for Metro water
The water shortage in parts of Metro Manila affecting millions of residents could be eased after water from the nearby Laguna Lake is processed for consumption by household and commercial establishments, thus beefing up the water coming from Angat Dam in Bulacan.
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has approved the water permit of Maynilad Water Services to allow the West Zone concessionaire to draw and process 100 million liters lake water per day for domestic consumption.
In an interview, LLDA General Manager Edgardo C. Manda said he expects that by September, the concessionaire can produce at least 100 million liter per day (MLD) using the surface raw water from the lake.
Manda said the LLDA had approved Maynilad’s water permit on August 7, 2009, to supply the needs of Metro Manila, including the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas, using water from Laguna lake.
Maynilad had already started the production of 25 MLD last June, he said.
The lake has an average of 2,900 billion liters of freshwater recharged daily by more than 100 major and minor river systems around the Laguna watershed.
Around 13 billion liters of untapped water resource is spilled from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay through the Pasig River.
Manila Bulletin learned that 40 percent of the freshwater recharge of the lake comes from the various river systems that produce waterfalls like the Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Nagcarlan's Bunga, Kalayaan's Twin, and Tanay's Daranak.
At the same time, Manda enjoined communities to replicate the bamboo reforestation efforts in Pangil, Laguna, to minimize the erosion of top soil from the mountains to the lake.
Top soil and other debris accumulated through the years made the Laguna Lake more shallow. The average depth of Laguna Lake now is 2.5 meters. This silt and debris dramaticall contributed to the recent fish kill when typhoon "Basyang" hit Laguna.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways ()DPWH suggests that prayers can help bring on rains to replenish water supplies.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson revealed that when he was president of Maynilad, the "Oratio Imperata" was prayed before the start of management meetings.
"You know that prayer, Oratio Imperata has always been there. In Maynilad, every mangement committee training, before we start, wwe say it," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said when asked at the Malacañang press briefing if the church could issue a prayer for the rain.
Source: MB
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) has approved the water permit of Maynilad Water Services to allow the West Zone concessionaire to draw and process 100 million liters lake water per day for domestic consumption.
In an interview, LLDA General Manager Edgardo C. Manda said he expects that by September, the concessionaire can produce at least 100 million liter per day (MLD) using the surface raw water from the lake.
Manda said the LLDA had approved Maynilad’s water permit on August 7, 2009, to supply the needs of Metro Manila, including the cities of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas, using water from Laguna lake.
Maynilad had already started the production of 25 MLD last June, he said.
The lake has an average of 2,900 billion liters of freshwater recharged daily by more than 100 major and minor river systems around the Laguna watershed.
Around 13 billion liters of untapped water resource is spilled from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay through the Pasig River.
Manila Bulletin learned that 40 percent of the freshwater recharge of the lake comes from the various river systems that produce waterfalls like the Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Nagcarlan's Bunga, Kalayaan's Twin, and Tanay's Daranak.
At the same time, Manda enjoined communities to replicate the bamboo reforestation efforts in Pangil, Laguna, to minimize the erosion of top soil from the mountains to the lake.
Top soil and other debris accumulated through the years made the Laguna Lake more shallow. The average depth of Laguna Lake now is 2.5 meters. This silt and debris dramaticall contributed to the recent fish kill when typhoon "Basyang" hit Laguna.
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways ()DPWH suggests that prayers can help bring on rains to replenish water supplies.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson revealed that when he was president of Maynilad, the "Oratio Imperata" was prayed before the start of management meetings.
"You know that prayer, Oratio Imperata has always been there. In Maynilad, every mangement committee training, before we start, wwe say it," Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said when asked at the Malacañang press briefing if the church could issue a prayer for the rain.
Source: MB
Makati condo shut down, cordoned off
After evacuating its tenants and shutting it down, Makati City officials have cordoned off a condominium after a gasoline leak in its pipes.
Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported that as of early Friday, Makati City police and fire officials declared the West Tower Condominium off-limits to all.
The report said the mayor's office ordered all authorities concerned to ensure public safety while the investigation into the cause of the leak is ongoing.
As of Friday morning, the city government posted special rescue unit teams around the condominium.
For its part, the First Philippine Industrial Corp. stopped digging in near the condominium area.
Evacuation of some 400 tenants started late Wednesday, even as authorities got samples of the leaking flammable liquid.
The 22-story West Tower condominium is located at the corner of Osmeña Highway and P. Garcia Street in Bangkal village in Makati City.
Source: Gmanews
Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported that as of early Friday, Makati City police and fire officials declared the West Tower Condominium off-limits to all.
The report said the mayor's office ordered all authorities concerned to ensure public safety while the investigation into the cause of the leak is ongoing.
As of Friday morning, the city government posted special rescue unit teams around the condominium.
For its part, the First Philippine Industrial Corp. stopped digging in near the condominium area.
Evacuation of some 400 tenants started late Wednesday, even as authorities got samples of the leaking flammable liquid.
The 22-story West Tower condominium is located at the corner of Osmeña Highway and P. Garcia Street in Bangkal village in Makati City.
Source: Gmanews
Pacquiao makes 'surprise visit' at Army turnover rites
Philippine boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao made a surprise appearance at the turnover ceremony for the new commanding general of the Philippine Army, Major Gen. Arturo Ortiz.
Pacquiao, a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army's 15th Ready Reserve Division, attended the ceremony Friday with his wife Jinkee.
Outgoing Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu announced the presence of Pacquiao after delivering his speech, eliciting gasps and applause from the crowd.
Ortiz, a recipient of the Medal of Valor award, was installed as the 53rd commanding general of the Philippine Army in a ceremony led by President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, the military commander-in-chief.
In his speech, Mapagu thanked his men for their role in the success of the automated elections last May. "When I assumed office, I said I will be focused on achieving results," he said.
A classmate of former military chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, Mapagu assumed the post of Army chief in March. Before that, he was chief of the military's National Capital Region Command.
Both Bangit and Mapagu are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978. Ortiz is from PMA Class 1979.
Source: GmaNews
Pacquiao, a military reservist with the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army's 15th Ready Reserve Division, attended the ceremony Friday with his wife Jinkee.
Outgoing Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu announced the presence of Pacquiao after delivering his speech, eliciting gasps and applause from the crowd.
Ortiz, a recipient of the Medal of Valor award, was installed as the 53rd commanding general of the Philippine Army in a ceremony led by President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III, the military commander-in-chief.
In his speech, Mapagu thanked his men for their role in the success of the automated elections last May. "When I assumed office, I said I will be focused on achieving results," he said.
A classmate of former military chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, Mapagu assumed the post of Army chief in March. Before that, he was chief of the military's National Capital Region Command.
Both Bangit and Mapagu are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978. Ortiz is from PMA Class 1979.
Source: GmaNews
Militants start 'protest' as cops, soldiers heighten alert for SONA
Even as police and military forces in Metro Manila raised their alert levels early Friday ahead of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, militants started to grumble over the restrictions on protest actions.
Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan started chiding Aquino and his administration, protesting about the restrictions on their protest actions, including Aquino’s reported statement that the SONA rally should be held inside Quezon Memorial Circle.
"We are dismayed by this initial reaction of the President. We had hoped the new administration would be more flexible in listening to the peoples clamor for change. His predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during her first SONA, allowed rallyists to march as far as the Sandiganbayan and Batasan Road," Bayan said on its website Thursday night.
"We had hoped the new administration would be more open to people peacefully expressing their views. Our issues include human rights, jobs, land, social services and justice and the various problems left behind by the Arroyo regime," it added.
While the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) went on heightened alert, the Armed Forces' Metro Manila command went on red alert starting 6 a.m. Friday.
Battalions of soldiers, each battalion composed of 500 personnel, were to be deployed to secure the Batasan area in Quezon City where Aquino will deliver his SONA.
Some 4,000 police will be on hand to guard the area near the Batasan complex while some 6,000 will guard other areas of Metro Manila.
On the other hand, Bayan said the desire to march as near as possible to Batasan was even endorsed by the Commission on Human Rights Metro Manila during the stakeholders dialogue with the PNP and the Quezon City government.
It said the PNP did not immediately object to the idea of marching as close as possible to the Batasan.
"The SONA [protest] activity has a long tradition of being held in the streets. No president after Marcos has ever imposed on demonstrators to do the SONA protest inside Quezon Memorial Circle. Rally organizers have repeatedly assured government authorities that the activity will be peaceful and organized," it said.
"Is this a prelude of things to come? Is this an indicator of the level of tolerance of this government towards those that do not necessarily agree with it 100%?" it added.
Source: GmaNews
Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan started chiding Aquino and his administration, protesting about the restrictions on their protest actions, including Aquino’s reported statement that the SONA rally should be held inside Quezon Memorial Circle.
"We are dismayed by this initial reaction of the President. We had hoped the new administration would be more flexible in listening to the peoples clamor for change. His predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during her first SONA, allowed rallyists to march as far as the Sandiganbayan and Batasan Road," Bayan said on its website Thursday night.
"We had hoped the new administration would be more open to people peacefully expressing their views. Our issues include human rights, jobs, land, social services and justice and the various problems left behind by the Arroyo regime," it added.
While the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) went on heightened alert, the Armed Forces' Metro Manila command went on red alert starting 6 a.m. Friday.
Battalions of soldiers, each battalion composed of 500 personnel, were to be deployed to secure the Batasan area in Quezon City where Aquino will deliver his SONA.
Some 4,000 police will be on hand to guard the area near the Batasan complex while some 6,000 will guard other areas of Metro Manila.
On the other hand, Bayan said the desire to march as near as possible to Batasan was even endorsed by the Commission on Human Rights Metro Manila during the stakeholders dialogue with the PNP and the Quezon City government.
It said the PNP did not immediately object to the idea of marching as close as possible to the Batasan.
"The SONA [protest] activity has a long tradition of being held in the streets. No president after Marcos has ever imposed on demonstrators to do the SONA protest inside Quezon Memorial Circle. Rally organizers have repeatedly assured government authorities that the activity will be peaceful and organized," it said.
"Is this a prelude of things to come? Is this an indicator of the level of tolerance of this government towards those that do not necessarily agree with it 100%?" it added.
Source: GmaNews
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Commissioners' resignation sought for letting Mikey sit in House
A coalition of leftist groups demanded the resignation of the election commissioners who allowed Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, son of former President Gloria Arroyo, to sit in the 15th Congress and represent security guards.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) said on Wednesday allowing Mikey to sit as the representative of the “Ang Galing Pinoy" (AGP) party-list is a "gross violation" of the party-list law.
On Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowed Mikey to be the nominee of AGP in the House of Representatives.
The four Comelec commissioners who allowed Mikey to represent AGP were: Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco and Elias Yusoph. Those who dissented were Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Gregorio Larrazabal.
"With its decision, the four Comelec commissioners who voted in favor of Mikey have shown utter incompetence and even partiality towards the previous appointing power," said Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bayan.
"These commissioners cannot be trusted to carry out their mandate of ensuring that the laws related to the elections are correctly upheld," Reyes said in a statement on the Bayan website.
“They appear incapable of understanding the law. They have lost the trust of the electorate. They must resign," he said.
Reyes singled out Ferrer, whom he accused of allegedly "accrediting en masse dubious party-list groups."
He claimed that Ferrer is also allegedly responsible for accrediting the Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA), an entity funded by the Phillippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
The funding allegedly given by Pagcor to BIDA is now the subject of a government investigation, he noted.
"It is a basic tenet of the party-list system, as articulated by the Supreme Court, that a partylist group cannot be an entity funded by government. Yet Ferrer chose to look the other way and accredited BIDA," Reyes said.
On the other hand, Reyes said Mikey’s attendance at the opening of the 15th session of congress, when President Aquino delivers his first State of the Nation Address, is "meant to insult the Filipino people and taunt the new administration."
"It is a grim reminder that the much-despised Arroyos are still very much in power," he said.
Reyes said the Aquino administration should now exert efforts to block the return of Mikey to the House of Representatives.
"There can be no ‘daang matuwid (righteous path)' if Mikey makes a mockery of election laws, the party-list system and the House of Representatives," he said.
Source: GmaNews
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) said on Wednesday allowing Mikey to sit as the representative of the “Ang Galing Pinoy" (AGP) party-list is a "gross violation" of the party-list law.
On Tuesday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowed Mikey to be the nominee of AGP in the House of Representatives.
The four Comelec commissioners who allowed Mikey to represent AGP were: Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco and Elias Yusoph. Those who dissented were Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Gregorio Larrazabal.
"With its decision, the four Comelec commissioners who voted in favor of Mikey have shown utter incompetence and even partiality towards the previous appointing power," said Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bayan.
"These commissioners cannot be trusted to carry out their mandate of ensuring that the laws related to the elections are correctly upheld," Reyes said in a statement on the Bayan website.
“They appear incapable of understanding the law. They have lost the trust of the electorate. They must resign," he said.
Reyes singled out Ferrer, whom he accused of allegedly "accrediting en masse dubious party-list groups."
He claimed that Ferrer is also allegedly responsible for accrediting the Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA), an entity funded by the Phillippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).
The funding allegedly given by Pagcor to BIDA is now the subject of a government investigation, he noted.
"It is a basic tenet of the party-list system, as articulated by the Supreme Court, that a partylist group cannot be an entity funded by government. Yet Ferrer chose to look the other way and accredited BIDA," Reyes said.
On the other hand, Reyes said Mikey’s attendance at the opening of the 15th session of congress, when President Aquino delivers his first State of the Nation Address, is "meant to insult the Filipino people and taunt the new administration."
"It is a grim reminder that the much-despised Arroyos are still very much in power," he said.
Reyes said the Aquino administration should now exert efforts to block the return of Mikey to the House of Representatives.
"There can be no ‘daang matuwid (righteous path)' if Mikey makes a mockery of election laws, the party-list system and the House of Representatives," he said.
Source: GmaNews
Filipina maid inherits millions from Singaporean employer
SINGAPORE-- A devoted Filipina maid inherited six million Singapore dollars (more than four million US) from her late employer after more than 20 years of service, a newspaper report said Wednesday.
"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.
The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.
The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.
The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.
"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.
"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.
"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.
"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."
The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.
"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.
"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."
Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.
Source: Inquirer
"I am the luckiest maid in Singapore, with or without the money," the 47-year-old single woman -- identified only by the pseudonym "Christine" -- told the Straits Times in an interview.
The maid refused to be named in public for fear of possible threats to her life in the impoverished Philippines, where wealthy people have been kidnapped for ransom and some killed by their abductors.
The windfall, including cash and a luxury apartment near the Orchard Road shopping belt, came from the estate of her employer Quek Kai Miew, a medical doctor and philanthropist who died last year at 66.
The maid had also taken care of the doctor's late mother, and was told that she would be a beneficiary of her employer's will when it was drawn up in 2008.
"There were no secrets between us. I was not surprised at all when she told me how much I was going to get," the maid recalled.
"Christine" was devastated when Quek died a year ago, as the two were inseparable, and temporarily moved in with the doctor's nephew for solace.
"It was heartbreaking for me as I saw more years with Doctor Quek than with my own mother. I would break down every time I thought about her. I could not be by myself," she said.
"I was always beside her. Wherever she went, I was with her."
The maid, who is now applying for permanent residency in Singapore, said her newfound wealth had not changed her lifestyle.
"I do not really think much about the money I got. I just live my life as I did before, and not as a rich person," the maid, dressed simply in a blouse and slacks with short-cropped hair, was quoted as saying.
"I am still who I was before. I cannot behave differently because I have money now. Even my Filipino maid friends here still treat me the same."
Nearly 200,000 foreign maids, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia, work in affluent Singapore, which has a population of five million.
Source: Inquirer
Honda will bring plug-in hybrids, full EVs to United States in 2012
Though they probably won't look anything like Honda's adorable EV-N, the Japanese automaker's got some new technological vehicles up its sleeves -- in a speech today, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito formally announced plans to produce a plug-in hybrid competitor for Toyota's flashy new PHEV Prius by 2012, which rumor has it will sport an estimated fuel economy (when it's using fuel, we assume) of roughly around 140 miles per gallon. Better still, a completely battery-powered electrical vehicle will also go on sale by 2012, and you won't have to fly to Japan to try them out, as they're slated for the States as well. Hydrogen fuel cells are apparently still Honda's long-term solution, though the FCX Clarity received only a passing mention. In the short term, Honda's still circling the wagons around part-gasoline systems like the Civic (which will receive a Li-ion battery pack) and the Fit Hybrid, destined for Japan this fall.
Read more @ Engadget
Read more @ Engadget
Obama set to sign finance reform bill
WASHINGTON-- US President Barack Obama claims a moment of history Wednesday as he signs into law the most sweeping finance reform since the 1930s Great Depression.
The legislation, which some Republicans have already pledged to repeal if they regain power in Washington, will fundamentally overhaul the US government's regulation of Wall Street and create a political legacy for Obama.
Obama says the bill will cut down on a culture of greedy risk-taking and "shadowy deals" that triggered the worst financial crisis in generations.
His opponents though argue that the legislation punishes the whole banking industry for the sins of the few, and is another example of government intervention in the economy that will choke growth.
The administration touts the new law as an example for the rest of the world, as top global economies seek to flush out the causes of the crisis, from which they are now only slowly emerging.
"We reaffirmed our commitment to fiscal responsibility and reform," Obama said on Tuesday after his first White House talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
He called the bill "the toughest financial reforms since the aftermath of the Great Depression" and said it was part of a global effort to rebuild economic confidence since the economic crisis that erupted in 2008.
"And I commend David (Cameron) for his leadership in Europe to rebuild confidence in the financial sector," Obama said. "Together, we're determined to make sure the financial catastrophe that we are emerging from never happens again."
Obama was due to sign the financial reform legislation at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, and in the process bolster his claims as a significant reformer, following his health care reform law passed this year.
However, despite passing more significant legislation than any Democratic president in decades, Obama has yet to enjoy much of a political boost from fulfilling campaign promises.
His approval ratings are now between the mid 40s and 50 percent in most polls -- dangerous territory for a first-term president facing mid-term congressional elections in November in which Democrats fear heavy losses.
Many analysts put Obama's political woes down to the economy, and the slowing rebound -- with unemployment still at 9.5 percent, as many Americans feel pessimistic about their futures.
The financial reform bill may eventually become popular with everyday Americans, but much of it, like the health care bill, is so complicated that it will not come into force for months.
For instance, it will be up to 12 months before a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is set up to protect American consumers from hidden fees, and deceptive lending practices when they get a new mortgage or credit card.
Similarly, it will take up to 18 months to set up new regulations to stop banks from engaging in impermissible proprietary trading and investment in hedge funds -- a new system known as the Volcker rule after former Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker.
The legislation also closes loopholes in regulations and requires greater transparency and accountability for hedge funds, mortgage brokers and payday lenders, and arcane financial instruments called derivatives.
Just three Republicans -- Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Scott Brown of Massachusetts -- backed the bill in the Senate, where it squeaked through last week after passing the House of Representatives in June.
Source: Inquirer
The legislation, which some Republicans have already pledged to repeal if they regain power in Washington, will fundamentally overhaul the US government's regulation of Wall Street and create a political legacy for Obama.
Obama says the bill will cut down on a culture of greedy risk-taking and "shadowy deals" that triggered the worst financial crisis in generations.
His opponents though argue that the legislation punishes the whole banking industry for the sins of the few, and is another example of government intervention in the economy that will choke growth.
The administration touts the new law as an example for the rest of the world, as top global economies seek to flush out the causes of the crisis, from which they are now only slowly emerging.
"We reaffirmed our commitment to fiscal responsibility and reform," Obama said on Tuesday after his first White House talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron.
He called the bill "the toughest financial reforms since the aftermath of the Great Depression" and said it was part of a global effort to rebuild economic confidence since the economic crisis that erupted in 2008.
"And I commend David (Cameron) for his leadership in Europe to rebuild confidence in the financial sector," Obama said. "Together, we're determined to make sure the financial catastrophe that we are emerging from never happens again."
Obama was due to sign the financial reform legislation at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, and in the process bolster his claims as a significant reformer, following his health care reform law passed this year.
However, despite passing more significant legislation than any Democratic president in decades, Obama has yet to enjoy much of a political boost from fulfilling campaign promises.
His approval ratings are now between the mid 40s and 50 percent in most polls -- dangerous territory for a first-term president facing mid-term congressional elections in November in which Democrats fear heavy losses.
Many analysts put Obama's political woes down to the economy, and the slowing rebound -- with unemployment still at 9.5 percent, as many Americans feel pessimistic about their futures.
The financial reform bill may eventually become popular with everyday Americans, but much of it, like the health care bill, is so complicated that it will not come into force for months.
For instance, it will be up to 12 months before a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is set up to protect American consumers from hidden fees, and deceptive lending practices when they get a new mortgage or credit card.
Similarly, it will take up to 18 months to set up new regulations to stop banks from engaging in impermissible proprietary trading and investment in hedge funds -- a new system known as the Volcker rule after former Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker.
The legislation also closes loopholes in regulations and requires greater transparency and accountability for hedge funds, mortgage brokers and payday lenders, and arcane financial instruments called derivatives.
Just three Republicans -- Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Scott Brown of Massachusetts -- backed the bill in the Senate, where it squeaked through last week after passing the House of Representatives in June.
Source: Inquirer
Water level at Angat Dam rises
MANILA (PNA) — The water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan is rising, officials of the Manila Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) reported Wednesday.
MWSS Deputy Administrator Macra Cruz said in a text message to the Philippines News Agency that the water level at Metro Manila's main reservoir continues to rise due to continuous rains pouring in the area.
Cruz said said the water level rose from 157.63 to 158.20 meters above sea level on Wednesday.
The MWSS expects the water level at the dam to continue to rise in the coming days.
“We cannot totally solve this problem of water supply unless the water level in Angat Dam normalizes. We will start cloud seeding over it today to increase water level,” Cruz said.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, on the other hand, said the water shortage problem in areas being serviced by Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) is already "in crisis proportions."
Singson said 50 percent of the nine million residents in the MWSI areas of Metro Manila are affected by the water crisis.
Local governments in these areas have utilized firetrucks to augment Maynilad's 30 water trucks in delivering free water to the affected residents. (PNA)
Source: MB
MWSS Deputy Administrator Macra Cruz said in a text message to the Philippines News Agency that the water level at Metro Manila's main reservoir continues to rise due to continuous rains pouring in the area.
Cruz said said the water level rose from 157.63 to 158.20 meters above sea level on Wednesday.
The MWSS expects the water level at the dam to continue to rise in the coming days.
“We cannot totally solve this problem of water supply unless the water level in Angat Dam normalizes. We will start cloud seeding over it today to increase water level,” Cruz said.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, on the other hand, said the water shortage problem in areas being serviced by Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) is already "in crisis proportions."
Singson said 50 percent of the nine million residents in the MWSI areas of Metro Manila are affected by the water crisis.
Local governments in these areas have utilized firetrucks to augment Maynilad's 30 water trucks in delivering free water to the affected residents. (PNA)
Source: MB
Dummy texts bug DOH's new anti-smoking website
Despite the President’s well-known habit, health authorities launched Wednesday an intensified anti-smoking program in Metro Manila, using short messaging system (SMS) and the Internet.
But the website of the Health Department's Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) appeared half-baked as several of its sections contained dummy text as of Wednesday morning.
DOH-CHD NOSI website's vision and mission statements showing dummy texts. GMANews.TV
Read more @ GmaNews
But the website of the Health Department's Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) appeared half-baked as several of its sections contained dummy text as of Wednesday morning.
DOH-CHD NOSI website's vision and mission statements showing dummy texts. GMANews.TV
Read more @ GmaNews
Teams to fix open hydrants, leaking water pipes
With a water crisis hovering over Metro Manila, Maynilad water has mobilized teams to locate and fix open fire hydrants and leaking water pipes.
Maynilad Water instructed its contractors to be on alert 24/7 to respond to reports of open fire hydrants or leaking water pipes.
"Naka-standby ang team namin. Kame-meeting namin sa aming contractor para magkaroon ng 24/7 response (Our teams are on standby. We have also met and instructed our contractors to ensure 24/7 response)," said Yolly Lucas, head of the Maynilad engineering and construction department in an interview on dzBB radio Wednesday.
Lucas made the assurance amid reports of leaking pipes and open hydrants in parts of Metro Manila.
In Manila, dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported water had been flowing from a leaking pipe since Tuesday morning at the corner of Tayuman Street and Rizal Avenue, Manila.
The leak prompted local residents to line up and get their water supply there. Tricycle drivers also took advantage of the leaking water and washed their vehicles there.
Initial investigation showed the pipe leaked when a local contractor accidentally damaged it with a jackhammer.
Meanwhile, in Valenzuela City, water sprang from a fire hydrant left open by Malabon City firefighters after refilling their tanker at midnight Tuesday. The hydrant is located at the corner of MacArthur Highway and Pio Valenzuela Street.
Local residents are angry over the incident, saying they had already been suffering from water service interruptions.
Manila Water to help Maynilad
Manila Water, the other concessionaire for Metro Manila, said within this week, it will start supplying Maynilad with 36 million liters of water a day.
Manila Water spokesman Jeric Sevilla said they are deploying 10 tankers to affected areas.
"Any day this week maari na natin simulan ang paglipat ng 36 million liters per day sa cross-boundary (Any day this week we can start giving 36 million liters per day)," he said on dzBB radio.
Source: GmaNews
Maynilad Water instructed its contractors to be on alert 24/7 to respond to reports of open fire hydrants or leaking water pipes.
"Naka-standby ang team namin. Kame-meeting namin sa aming contractor para magkaroon ng 24/7 response (Our teams are on standby. We have also met and instructed our contractors to ensure 24/7 response)," said Yolly Lucas, head of the Maynilad engineering and construction department in an interview on dzBB radio Wednesday.
Lucas made the assurance amid reports of leaking pipes and open hydrants in parts of Metro Manila.
In Manila, dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported water had been flowing from a leaking pipe since Tuesday morning at the corner of Tayuman Street and Rizal Avenue, Manila.
The leak prompted local residents to line up and get their water supply there. Tricycle drivers also took advantage of the leaking water and washed their vehicles there.
Initial investigation showed the pipe leaked when a local contractor accidentally damaged it with a jackhammer.
Meanwhile, in Valenzuela City, water sprang from a fire hydrant left open by Malabon City firefighters after refilling their tanker at midnight Tuesday. The hydrant is located at the corner of MacArthur Highway and Pio Valenzuela Street.
Local residents are angry over the incident, saying they had already been suffering from water service interruptions.
Manila Water to help Maynilad
Manila Water, the other concessionaire for Metro Manila, said within this week, it will start supplying Maynilad with 36 million liters of water a day.
Manila Water spokesman Jeric Sevilla said they are deploying 10 tankers to affected areas.
"Any day this week maari na natin simulan ang paglipat ng 36 million liters per day sa cross-boundary (Any day this week we can start giving 36 million liters per day)," he said on dzBB radio.
Source: GmaNews
China flooding kills 701 in worst toll in a decade
BEIJING — Flooding this year has killed 701 people, left 347 missing and caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, the worst toll across the board that China has seen in a decade, a senior Chinese official said Wednesday.
Three-quarters of China's provinces have been hit by flooding and 25 rivers have seen record-high water levels, Liu Ning, general secretary of the government's flood prevention agency, told a news conference.
Aside from the 701 dead and 347 missing, 645,000 houses were toppled and overall damage totaled 142.2 billion yuan. All the figures, Liu said, were the highest China had seen since 2000.
With the flood season far from over, this year is shaping up to be one of the most devastating since 1998, which was the worst in 50 years.
Flooding, particularly along the Yangtze River Basin, has overwhelmed reservoirs, swamped towns and cities, and broken off hillsides causing landslides that have smothered communities.
Soldiers used bulldozers to plow through debris Tuesday in search of survivors from separate landslides in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, while workers in other parts of the country scrambled to drain overflowing reservoirs and pile up sandbags to prevent further flooding, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Three people were killed late Sunday night by landslides in Lingao county in Shaanxi province that also left 17 missing, Xinhua reported. In all, flooding and landslides from rain-soaked hillsides in Shaanxi have killed 37 and left another 97 missing.
In nearby Sichuan province, rescuers searched for 13 missing people after a landslide hit Xujiaping Village on Tuesday morning, burying homes and blocking roads, Xinhua reported.
Xinhua and state broadcaster China Central Television reported the Three Gorges Dam was dealing with its highest water levels ever when a flood crest passed the dam Tuesday morning.
The government cited flood control along the Yangtze as one of the main reasons for the $23 billion dam project that forced the relocation of 1.4 million people.
Source: GmaNews
Three-quarters of China's provinces have been hit by flooding and 25 rivers have seen record-high water levels, Liu Ning, general secretary of the government's flood prevention agency, told a news conference.
Aside from the 701 dead and 347 missing, 645,000 houses were toppled and overall damage totaled 142.2 billion yuan. All the figures, Liu said, were the highest China had seen since 2000.
With the flood season far from over, this year is shaping up to be one of the most devastating since 1998, which was the worst in 50 years.
Flooding, particularly along the Yangtze River Basin, has overwhelmed reservoirs, swamped towns and cities, and broken off hillsides causing landslides that have smothered communities.
Soldiers used bulldozers to plow through debris Tuesday in search of survivors from separate landslides in Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces, while workers in other parts of the country scrambled to drain overflowing reservoirs and pile up sandbags to prevent further flooding, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Three people were killed late Sunday night by landslides in Lingao county in Shaanxi province that also left 17 missing, Xinhua reported. In all, flooding and landslides from rain-soaked hillsides in Shaanxi have killed 37 and left another 97 missing.
In nearby Sichuan province, rescuers searched for 13 missing people after a landslide hit Xujiaping Village on Tuesday morning, burying homes and blocking roads, Xinhua reported.
Xinhua and state broadcaster China Central Television reported the Three Gorges Dam was dealing with its highest water levels ever when a flood crest passed the dam Tuesday morning.
The government cited flood control along the Yangtze as one of the main reasons for the $23 billion dam project that forced the relocation of 1.4 million people.
Source: GmaNews
Two charged with stealing Neil Armstrong customs form
BOSTON-- Two US men were charged Tuesday with stealing a customs document from Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, with the goal of selling the former astronaut's autograph.
The pair, who were charged in Boston federal court, attempted to sell the form Armstrong filled out at the city's Logan International Airport on March 13, legal documents said.
Defendant Thomas Chapman, a customs official, offered Armstrong help with his luggage as he arrived back in the United States after visiting US troops stationed overseas.
But instead of submitting the former astronaut's customs form to the Department of Homeland Security, Chapman pocketed the document signed by Armstrong, who made history with Apollo 11 comrade Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin when they stepped on the moon 41 years ago.
Chapman and co-defendant Paul Brickman then allegedly approached an online memorabilia auctioneer with the signed document, hoping to make some money from the "autographed" form.
If convicted of stealing and conveying an official document they both face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 250,000, the prosecutor's office in Boston said.
Source: Inquirer
The pair, who were charged in Boston federal court, attempted to sell the form Armstrong filled out at the city's Logan International Airport on March 13, legal documents said.
Defendant Thomas Chapman, a customs official, offered Armstrong help with his luggage as he arrived back in the United States after visiting US troops stationed overseas.
But instead of submitting the former astronaut's customs form to the Department of Homeland Security, Chapman pocketed the document signed by Armstrong, who made history with Apollo 11 comrade Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin when they stepped on the moon 41 years ago.
Chapman and co-defendant Paul Brickman then allegedly approached an online memorabilia auctioneer with the signed document, hoping to make some money from the "autographed" form.
If convicted of stealing and conveying an official document they both face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 250,000, the prosecutor's office in Boston said.
Source: Inquirer
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Militants to deliver own SONA on July 26
When President Benigno Aquino III delivers his first State of the Nation Address next Monday, militant groups will be outside the Batasan Complex, delivering their own version of the state of the nation.
But Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said they will also listen to President Aquino's SONA to see if his and their assessments of the state of the nation match.
"Meron din po kaming SONA. Bahagi yan ng pagpapahayag ng kababayan natin. Pero makikinig kami sa SONA ng pangulo, gusto namin pakinggan ano sasabihin ng pangulo sa problema ng taumbayan para masukat natin (We will have our own SONA. That is part of freedom of expression. But we will listen to Aquino's first SONA and see if his assessments of the problems affecting the nation are similar to what we are seeing)," Reyes said in an interview on dwIZ radio Monday.
He said militant groups will also submit to the Office of the President a list of "issues and demands," which he said will also be the theme of their own SONA.
Reyes hinted these issues include a P125 across-the-board wate hike, an added budget for social services such as health and education, and genuine land reform.
The militants' SONA will also touch on the rejection of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement and Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, he said.
Peaceful SONA rallies
And even as they promised their rallies on the occasion will be peaceful, militants branded as overkill the Philippine National Police's preparations for Aquino's first SONA.
Bayan said the preparations, including plans to deploy 10,000 personnel for the event, smacked of paranoia.
"Our focus will be the people’s demands and challenges for the new administration. The people would like to know the response of the current administration to the problems of the economy, sovereignty, landlessness, unemployment, lack of social services and escalating human rights violations. These are major challenges for the new government that require immediate attention. The SONA will be an indicator of which part of the promised ‘change’ is real and what part is just illusion," Reyes said on the Bayan website.
Bayan had held protest actions during the previous SONAs of then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It assured the public their SONA protest actions under the new administration will be peaceful and organized.
"It is strange that the PNP seems to be caught up in the previous administration’s paranoia that it wants to deploy so many cops all over Quezon City and Commonwealth Avenue. Didn’t Mr. Aquino say that we have seen the end of a government that is insensitive towards the people’s plight? Isn’t this new government willing to listen to the calls of the people from the streets? Why deploy so many policemen? Is this part of the psychological warfare to deter people from joining peaceful protest actions?" Reyes said.
Reyes also said the recent spate of extrajudicial killings will be among the main issues of the demonstrators on July 26.
Bayan said the venue of the protest will also be symbolic of how the present government deals with people’s demands.
"It would be good to be able to hold the protest closer to the Batasan Pambansa. It would be a positive symbolic gesture on the part of the new administration. During Arroyo’s first SONA, right after EDSA 2, demonstrators were allowed as far as the Sandigan Bayan and Batasan Road. Later years saw the protester driven farther and farther away from Batasan. The SONA demonstration should not be seen as a security threat, in the same way the previous administration saw protest actions," Reyes said.
Authorities have said that a meeting between law enforcers, local officials and militant groups will be held to ensure a peaceful SONA.
Source: GmaNews
But Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said they will also listen to President Aquino's SONA to see if his and their assessments of the state of the nation match.
"Meron din po kaming SONA. Bahagi yan ng pagpapahayag ng kababayan natin. Pero makikinig kami sa SONA ng pangulo, gusto namin pakinggan ano sasabihin ng pangulo sa problema ng taumbayan para masukat natin (We will have our own SONA. That is part of freedom of expression. But we will listen to Aquino's first SONA and see if his assessments of the problems affecting the nation are similar to what we are seeing)," Reyes said in an interview on dwIZ radio Monday.
He said militant groups will also submit to the Office of the President a list of "issues and demands," which he said will also be the theme of their own SONA.
Reyes hinted these issues include a P125 across-the-board wate hike, an added budget for social services such as health and education, and genuine land reform.
The militants' SONA will also touch on the rejection of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement and Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, he said.
Peaceful SONA rallies
And even as they promised their rallies on the occasion will be peaceful, militants branded as overkill the Philippine National Police's preparations for Aquino's first SONA.
Bayan said the preparations, including plans to deploy 10,000 personnel for the event, smacked of paranoia.
"Our focus will be the people’s demands and challenges for the new administration. The people would like to know the response of the current administration to the problems of the economy, sovereignty, landlessness, unemployment, lack of social services and escalating human rights violations. These are major challenges for the new government that require immediate attention. The SONA will be an indicator of which part of the promised ‘change’ is real and what part is just illusion," Reyes said on the Bayan website.
Bayan had held protest actions during the previous SONAs of then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It assured the public their SONA protest actions under the new administration will be peaceful and organized.
"It is strange that the PNP seems to be caught up in the previous administration’s paranoia that it wants to deploy so many cops all over Quezon City and Commonwealth Avenue. Didn’t Mr. Aquino say that we have seen the end of a government that is insensitive towards the people’s plight? Isn’t this new government willing to listen to the calls of the people from the streets? Why deploy so many policemen? Is this part of the psychological warfare to deter people from joining peaceful protest actions?" Reyes said.
Reyes also said the recent spate of extrajudicial killings will be among the main issues of the demonstrators on July 26.
Bayan said the venue of the protest will also be symbolic of how the present government deals with people’s demands.
"It would be good to be able to hold the protest closer to the Batasan Pambansa. It would be a positive symbolic gesture on the part of the new administration. During Arroyo’s first SONA, right after EDSA 2, demonstrators were allowed as far as the Sandigan Bayan and Batasan Road. Later years saw the protester driven farther and farther away from Batasan. The SONA demonstration should not be seen as a security threat, in the same way the previous administration saw protest actions," Reyes said.
Authorities have said that a meeting between law enforcers, local officials and militant groups will be held to ensure a peaceful SONA.
Source: GmaNews
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