French President Francois Hollande supports Philippine’s position in West Philippine Sea, in the face of rising tensions between Philippines and China. In a bilateral meeting between President Aquino and the French President, they agreed that international law should be prevail, especially the UN Charter for the peace and stability of the region. They also ratified the advancement of maritime security, freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea according […]
Other News
European Commission praises OFWs
European Commission President Herman van Rompuy recognized and praised overseas Filipino workers in Europe. Rompuy acknowledged the economic contributions of Filipino migrant workers in Europe. OFWs send 2.3 billion euros worth of remittances to the Philippines while Europe is the largest employer of Filipino seafarers.
COMELEC on online voting
According to COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes, this is conditioned on the Congress passing a law regarding online voting. Brillantes is confident that this system will increase the number of voters that will participate in the election as well as exercise their right to vote. According to estimates made by the COMELEC, the number of overseas voter that will participate in the 2016 elections may reach 1.5 million.
Emergency powers vs. electricity bill
Malacañang cannot say that there will be no increase in the price of electricity once President Aquino is given emergency powers. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that it is DOE Secretary Jericho Petilla who knows the mechanism on how the electricity industry will run under the emergency powers of the President. Lacierda added that the government’s main concern is to ensure that there will be no shortage in the energy supply come summer of 2015.
Miriam on emergency power
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is in favor of giving emergency powers to President Aquino to resolve the looming energy crisis. She made the statement after the Senate received the Aquino’s letter, asking Congress to pass a joint resolution regarding his emergency powers. Santiago believes that it is necessary to give the President emergency powers to quickly resolve the energy crisis. But she also added that 6 months of emergency powers is more than enough.
Mayon, dangerous
The local government of Albay continues to warn tourists to stay away from Mayon Volcano. Albay Governor Joey Salceda reminds everyone, especially tourists to stay away from the volcano and its danger zones. Mayon continues to exhibit abnormal activity while the local government conducts forced evacuation of residents in areas near the volcano. In the past 24 hours, PHIVOLCS recorded more rockfall incidents and volcanic earthquakes.
Malacañang will let Congress decide
Malacañang will let Congress decide scope and term of the emergency powers to be given to the President. Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa said that what is important is to resolve the energy crisis. He further added that they will submit a draft on said emergency powers which will include all details, including how to spend the 6 billion peso fund.
Evacuation, almost complete
Almost 94% of the residents in the areas surrounding Mayon volcano have been evacuated. Albay Governor Joey Salceda assures resident that their temporary shelter is more than adequate. According to Salceda, there are no more residents left inside the 6-8km permanent danger zone. According to PHIVOLCS, Mayon Volcano may explode this week or within the month.
Singer Taylor Swift leads People Magazine’s best-dressed list
Wed Sep 17, 2014 4:05pm EDT (Reuters) – Pop star Taylor Swift, who has adopted a sexier look on red carpets, was named People magazine’s best-dressed celebrity of the year on Wednesday. Swift led the annual unranked list of the top 10 best-dressed celebrity style icons that also included Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o, singers Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna and actresses Emma Stone and Emma Watson. Rising starlets Chloe Grace Moretz and “Mad Men” actress Kiernan Shipka […]
A Minute With: Ethan Hawke on lessons from Robin Williams
By Solarina Ho TORONTO Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:29am EDT (Reuters) – It has been more than 25 years since a young Ethan Hawke stepped on his desk to salute his teacher, portrayed by Robin Williams, in “Dead Poets Society.” Hawke, 43, has taken on some 50 roles since and this year received his third Oscar nod for best adapted screenplay for “Before Midnight,” shared with Richard Linklater and Julie Delpy. His 12-year “Boyhood” project […]
U.S. to begin Ebola hospital equipment lift to Liberia
By David Morgan WASHINGTON Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:25pm EDT (Reuters) – The first planeload of hospital equipment in the U.S. military’s battle against West Africa’s deadly Ebola outbreak will arrive in Liberia on Friday, a senior administration official said on Wednesday. The United States hopes its expanded effort to contain the spread of the virus will help rally other countries in ramping up the global response to the epidemic, U.S. aid official Nancy Lindborg […]
Ukraine PM tells army to be on full battle alert despite ceasefire
By Richard Balmforth KIEV Wed Sep 17, 2014 4:57pm EDT (Reuters) – Ukraine’s prime minister told government forces to remain on full battle alert on Wednesday as fighting in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk killed at least two civilians and further strained a ceasefire with Russian-backed separatists. “Russia definitely will not give us either peace or stability. It is not their goal. So I am asking the defense minister for full battle readiness,” Arseny […]
