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Davao City bags PSL Global Challenge division crown

Jasmine Payo

21/07/2024 20:06

CHAMPS. Players of the Philippines-Davao City NTB Wolves celebrate after winning the championship in the PSL Global Championship Challenge U20 division. Pilipinas Super League MANILA, Philippines – John Rodulfa stood tall among towering foes, powering the Philippines-Davao City NTB Wolves past North America, 94-77, to rule the under-20 (Born 2004 division) of the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Global Championship Challenge on Sunday, July 21, at the FilOil EcoOil Sports Centre. Rodulfa erupted for 31 points on top of 6 rebounds and 3 assists to lead Davao City, while Karl Benedict Wood also notched 19 points and 8 rebounds in the  hard-fought win. It was a neck-and-neck battle until Davao City asserted its offensive might in third quarter, with a Shem Joshua Bayate triple putting the Philippine squad ahead of North America, 68-57. Despite North America’s comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, Davao’s defensive pressure and Rodulfa’s timely layup proved to be decisive to expand their lead to nine, 81-72, with 6:23 remaining. As time expired, the Davao City players gathered in the center court to celebrate their accomplishment as the last Philippine team standing in all divisions – from winning the national competitions to the global challenge – of the league’s inaugural youth tournament. “As a leader, as a captain, I must be the one who is composed every time we have possession on the court,” Rodulfa said in Filipino during a post-game interview. “I always try to keep myself calm because it is hard if I am the first to have lapses on the court.” Richmond Casino led North America with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. North America, however, dealt the Philippines a heartbreaker in the U16 (Born 2008 division), escaping with a 67-66 nail-biter against Pampanga-Luid. The Kampampangans led by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, but North America’s Jagger Verzosa showed the way and rallied his squad to a comeback victory with a 23-point performance. In a display of dominance in the other match, Trail International School-Thailand demolished GIGG Canada, 120-83, to bag the U18 (Born 2006 division) title. Jespher Kurihara took charge for Thailand, dropping a triple-double of 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, Don Wayde Basadre also starred in the brutal beatdown with 35 points, 6 rebounds, and 14 assists for the Thais. – Jorge Marion Dionisio, Eugero Vincent Liberato, Niño Dominic Ronquillo/Rappler.com Born 2008 Division North America 67 – Verzosa 23, Bungar 18,  Tuason 12, Albano 8, Cuevas 4, Joaquin 2, Corcuera 0, Telan 0, Tiu 0. Philippines 66 – Peña 13, Tulabut 12, Zapata 11, Canapi 10, Lagman 8, Sundiang 6, Hilot 4, Castro 2, I. Pineda 0, T. Pineda 0. Quarters: 23-15, 40-37, 56-60, 67-66. Born 2006 Division Trail International School Thailand 120 – Kurihara 38, Basadre 35, Soriano 18, Jenodia 14, Lahoylahoy 7, Relente 3, Aban 2, Tadeo 2, Baltazar 1, Villegas 0, Rangel 0, Navales 0. GIGG Canada 83 – Belen 34, Palacol 17, Agua 15, Matibag 9, Quintos 8, Lee 0, Ladines 0, Montero 0, Borreta 0. Quarters: 40-15, 61-38, 92-68, 120-83. Born 2004 Division Davao City-Philippines 94 – Rodulfa 31, Wood 19, Albiendo 15, Lulab 12, Marquez 7, Balansag 5, Bayate 3, Adabo 2, Ambuat 0, Uy 0. North America 77 – Casino 23, Brucal 11, Santos 11, Hines 7, Merchan 7, Obukwelu 4, Alonzo 2, Javier 2. Quarters: 19-20, 43-46, 70-59, 94-77. Jorge Marion Dionisio, Eugero Vincent Liberato, and Niño Dominic Ronquillo are Rappler interns. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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[The Wide Shot] Peace be with China

Paterno Esmaquel II

21/07/2024 18:15

“Naiyak ako sa image of Mary (I was teary-eyed at the image of Mary),” our foreign affairs reporter Bea Cupin told me on Telegram the other day. Bea and I were talking about the Marian peace voyage led by Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Tuesday, July 16. The sea procession off Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan, traversing part of the West Philippine Sea, was part of a prayer campaign for peace in these troubled waters. Villegas, the 63-year-old former secretary of Jaime Cardinal Sin, wore a red-and-black life vest as he prayed the rosary and led the singing of songs in a boat during the procession. The archbishop, who was seated at first, later moved to the front of the boat where an image of Our Lady of Fatima stood firm, supported by ropes. This image of a Catholic archbishop standing beside Mary in the West Philippine Sea left an imprint in me — a symbol of religion’s role as peacemaker. It is, however, a complicated image that we first need to unpack before we proceed to its core message. Our Lady of Fatima, as Villegas himself said, is symbolic of the Philippines’ cause. He described the reported apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children in 1917 as “the most political” among Marian apparitions. Mary was believed to have called for the conversion of communist and atheist Russia. Like the reported apparition of Mary in Fatima, the Marian prayer voyage on Tuesday sent a strong message to a foreign power — this time, China. In a Mass before the maritime procession, Villegas said: “We pray for our country but we also pray for brother China. Yes, brother China. It has thousands of years of civilization in the vast continent of Asia. May it use its civilization to preserve peace and harmony among nations according to the ancient teachings of Chinese wise men.” Three weeks earlier, Villegas launched a 50-day rosary campaign “to protect the Philippines from atheist China.” Villegas, in a pastoral letter about the rosary campaign, cited evidence of “insidious attempts” to trample on “our sacred shores.” He attributed these to “a foreign powe,” China, “that governs by an ideology that recognizes no God and keeps all religion and the practice of faith under the heavy heel of its totalitarian boot.” The complication here is subtle: the reference to China as atheist. As a Catholic, I hope to share my faith to as many people as possible. I also hold that faith in God can make us more fully alive. Like many devotees, I believe that Our Lady of Fatima showed herself to three shepherd children in 1917, and that she sought the conversion of Russia — a country for which I continue to pray, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine. We need to be careful, however, not to discriminate against “atheist countries” in the process of praying for them. Globally, the problem of atheist discrimination is real, reported The Guardian in 2020, citing data from Humanists International. One of the countries where atheist discrimination exists is the Philippines, the group said. We need to understand that morality is not exclusive to people who worship divine beings. It’s a challenging proposal for a country where 96% of people, according to a 2019 Pew Research survey, link belief in God to good values. But for believers like myself, we need only to look at the mirror to realize that religion cannot guarantee good behavior. So when we Catholics pray for China, I hope we consider that Chinese leaders violate the rule of law, harass our ships, and bully the Philippines not primarily because they are atheists, but because they choose to be evil. (On a side note, we should disabuse ourselves of the notion that “atheist” China has no faith of any kind. In a February 2024 explainer, I discuss the uniqueness of Chinese Religion — and how they combine elements from religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Did you know that in the Philippines, Chinese religion even mixed with Christianity? Read about it here.) A sign of hope Having said this word of caution, let us turn to the power of the Marian voyage itself. This power is evident, first of all, in the numbers. The video of the Marian voyage has gained at least 12,000 views on Rappler’s YouTube channel and 45,000 on our Facebook page. A separate Rappler story page containing the video now has 2,500 likes and more than 200 shares on Facebook — significant figures considering that Facebook has deprioritized journalistic content on our news feeds. I think the Marian voyage responds to a need for symbols of peace — and for peacemakers, such as the Catholic Church — at a time when wars and conflicts ravage different parts of the globe. Despite its own history of violence, such as during the time of the Crusades, the contemporary Catholic Church is known for its role as peacemaker on the global stage. The recent trip to the Philippines by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister, gave me a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church’s role as peacemaker. I attended his lecture about the Holy See’s role in international diplomacy at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pasay City — which also served as an opportunity for me to visit my former beat. The diplomatic service of the Holy See, of course, plays by different rules because they act more as diplomats — not as preachers, activists, or politicians as many bishops and priests do. But we can learn a thing or two from their governing principles. A seasoned diplomat, 70-year-old Gallagher said that the Holy See insists on “positive neutrality in state affairs and international relations,” as it “occupies a distinctive and unparalleled position on the global stage.” “Unlike conventional states, its mission transcends temporal, political, or material interests, focusing on profound religious and moral matters that transcend national and transnational concerns,” Gallagher said. The Vatican diplomat noted how “today, there seems to be a lack of trust particularly in international law and the institutions that uphold it.” In this context, he said that when addressing conflicts, “it is essential to understand that defense is not solely about military might but also about fostering institutions and promoting agreements between peoples.” “The Church, the Holy See and the Pope are dedicated to working for peace and advocating for peaceful resolutions. In today’s world, achieving a clear solution through victory or defeat is unrealistic. As Pope Francis has said, ‘With war, everything is lost, everything. There is no victory in a war. Everything is defeated,’” he said. Gallagher said the Holy See and the structures of diplomacy “are united by the same task to be a sign of hope — a sign, that is, that conflicts are not inescapable, but rather can be overcome through dialogue.” The aspiration, he said, is “stability, security, and peace — a peace, however, that is not a mere balance of forces, but a true peace founded on justice.” “True peace founded on justice” — justice for fisherfolk, coastal communities, and future generations — was the same aspiration of Filipinos who joined or supported the Marian peace voyage. This, too, was the longing of our foreign affairs reporter Bea Cupin, as tears welled up in her eyes while watching the sea procession. In our Telegram exchange, Bea said she grew up Catholic, with her family going to Mass every Sunday and even praying the rosary every day when she was around 10 years old. While her practice of faith has evolved, Bea said that “I still hold close to my heart the core values and even the symbols I grew up with.” “I suppose seeing the image of Mama Mary on the boat reminded me of the faith Filipinos share and the community we belong to — and that’s a moving sight to see, especially because the Philippines’ problems in the West Philippine Sea are that daunting and that much bigger than any and all of us,” she told me. “I think it’s also heartwarming to see Filipinos come together for an issue that’s so daunting – whether it’s through a fun run in Pasay, a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, or a maritime procession in Pangasinan,” she added. We all hope for peace and — while working for a just world — we take refuge in symbols of hope. May peace be with us, and may peace be with China. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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‘A big F’: LGBTQ+ groups disappointed with Marcos SONA

Russell Ku

23/07/2024 12:34

In celebration of Pride Month, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with allies and supporters in Cebu, gather for the Mandaue City Pride March on June 15, 2024. Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – LGBTQ+ groups are disappointed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he did not mention equal rights as a priority issue of his administration. In his speech that clocked over an hour, Marcos did not mention anything about the LGBTQ+ community or a measure that would prohibit discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE). “We are disappointed that once again, the equality agenda has been set aside in the State of the Nation Address despite it being a basic human right. We firmly believe and maintain that equality and non-discrimination ought to be staples in the national agenda,” PANTAY national convenor Vince Liban said in a statement. PANTAY is part of over 200 organizations under The Equality Alliance that signed an open letter in June urging Marcos to certify the SOGIE equality bill as urgent. The proposed measure has been languishing in Congress for over two decades. As part of The Equality Alliance’s efforts, lawmakers including Senator Risa Hontiveros, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro wore rainbow pins from Bahaghari Love Bands at the Batasang Pambansa on SONA day. According to pin creator Dennis Corteza, it symbolizes “love, allyship, and solidarity” and was inspired by parents of a queer kid who lost their kid due to mental health problems caused by discrimination. Meanwhile, progressive group Bahaghari gave Marcos “a big F” for ignoring the state of LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. “LGBTQ+ Filipinos do not deserve a president who will have us beg and grovel at his feet just to be recognized as Filipinos with rights worth protecting,” the group said in a statement. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus executive director Ryan Silverio shared the same sentiment, telling Rappler, “It was quite disheartening that despite the visibility of our sector, and our direct and deliberate contributions to the country’s development, we remain invisible in his development agenda.” Meanwhile, gender rights group EnGendeRights said prioritizing the passage of the SOGIE equality bill is urgent as it would address issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. “LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and queer) people suffer discrimination in the streets, workplaces, online, and other public spaces and in access to services and legal protection afforded to heterosexual Filipinos,” said EnGendeRights executive director Clara Rita Padilla. Toni Gee Fernandez, president of Mindanao-based LGBTQ+ group Mujer-LGBT Organization, said she remains “hopeful…for the release of a concrete plan for the LGBTQ+ [community]” despite the lack of action from the Marcos administration for the last two years. OutRight Action International project coordinator Ging Cristobal told Rappler that Marcos’ snub of LGBTQ+ rights in his SONA is “a reminder that we have to educate everyone about the need for respect and equality,” adding that queer people are only in the mind of politicians during celebrations such as Pride month. A 2023 Social Weather Stations survey showed that while most Filipinos find gays and lesbians as trustworthy as any other person, some respondents said that they would like their queer family members to change and become straight. The SOGIE equality bill is not among the priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council as of June 25. Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, the Philippines’ first transgender woman to be elected to Congress, said on the SONA red carpet that she does not take it against Marcos for not including the bill as a priority measure. The country's first-ever transgender lawmaker, Representative Geraldine Roman of Bataan's 1st District, says delays in the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) Bill is largely the fault of Congress, particularly the Senate. President Ferdinand… pic.twitter.com/Xi7AUdEcjr “I think the problem lies in the Senate. So it is up to them on the problem and they should also respond to this issue,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino. Hontiveros earlier said during the 2024 Quezon City Pride march and festival that she was working with Senate leaders to bring the measure back to plenary discussions after it was reverted to the Senate committee on rules by Senator Joel Villanueva in February 2023. In December 2023, Marcos signed Executive Order 51 that would create a special committee on LGBTQ+ affairs. It aimed to strengthen “existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against the community and provide them an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government.” However, LGBTQ+ organizations not aligned with the Marcos administration said that they have not felt the effects of the order or were not included in conversations to participate in the committee. – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Veteran workers’ rights activist Jude Rimando dies in detention

jsitchon0312

23/07/2024 21:34

REST IN PEACE. Ernesto Jude Rimando Jr. is survived by his wife, his children and siblings. Karapatan CEBU, Philippines – Ernesto Jude Rimando Jr., a political prisoner and veteran labor organizer, died from Stage 4 liver cancer inside the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Tuesday morning, July 23, while still in detention. He was 58. Rimando was known for his efforts in documenting cases of labor rights violations and assisting labor unions and peasant communities when he started as a researcher and development worker of the Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo (AMA Sugbo) in Cebu in 2001. When he was a student, he had been an activist at the Philippine Science High School and University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he took mechanical engineering. Rimando was also an organizer of the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Negros. His friends called him Jude or “Bogchi” but Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of the AMA Sugbo – Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo – KMU), told Rappler that Rimando was a “revolutionair.” “Outside of giving ideas to reach reforms for the demands of workers regarding living wage, regularization at work, right to organize and right to strike, he made the masses understand programs meant for real development, real land reforms, rural development, national industrialization and most importantly, what a government of the people should be,” Paglinawan said in Cebuano. Despite his efforts to organize impoverished communities, Rimando faced difficult challenges in the form of alleged trumped-up charges and more than three years of detention amid serious health complications. “In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Jude had to seek medical treatment in Metro Manila for liver cirrhosis and sepsis. But before he could commence treatment, he was arrested on January 6, 2021 by six armed men in civilian clothes who failed to present a warrant and refused to identify themselves,” a statement from rights group Karapatan read. According to the group, Rimando was blindfolded and tortured on the spot. The arrest took place at his apartment in Quezon City, and state agents allegedly planted firearms and a grenade in his bag. On January 8, 2021, Rimando was brought to court for inquest proceedings on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The case was dismissed but other charges were still filed against him. “He was not released after his acquittal because several cases under the name ‘Allan Morales’ were attributed to him. He was never known to be Allan Morales,” human rights lawyer Maria Sol Taule said in a Facebook post dated July 16. Taule shared that Rimando’s legal counsels did not give up and tried to file a petition for habeas corpus. However, the petition was denied and, according to Taule, the court said that Rimando had not proven that he did not use the alias “Allan Morales.” “But that should not be our problem, it is the burden of those who alleged him to be Allan Morales. Why is it his fault?” the lawyer asked. On May 17, Rimando was brought to the PGH for tests and it was soon discovered that his liver cirrhosis had developed into cancer. “Unfortunately, after about a week, his treatments had to be stopped because the medications worsened his liver ailment. He was already in palliative care weeks before his death,” Karapatan said in its statement. Rimando’s legal counsel reportedly filed a motion for release on recognizance, and a hearing on the motion was scheduled for July 30, but it had already been too late. Karapatan commended Rimando for his devotion to the labor sector and poor communities, stating that his service and sacrifice would forever be cherished by the countless lives he touched. “As he became progressively weaker, he reminisced on his past and said, ‘I am happy with the life I led and the rich experiences I gained in the struggle,’” its statement read. Paglinawan lamented that Rimando was not given temporary freedom in spite of his medical condition. Karapatan said that political prisoners who were situated in the Negros Occidental District Jail attended a mass in honor of Rimando. A tribute was also conducted among friends and activists in Metro Manila. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Sara Duterte says PNP removes 75 cops from her security detail

Bonz Magsambol

23/07/2024 19:40

File photo of Vice President Sara Duterte Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Tuesday, July 23, that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has removed 75 of its personnel from her security detail. “I confirm that on 22 July 2024, an order was issued by the Chief of the Philippine National Police relieving all of the 75 PNP Police and Security Group personnel that were previously assigned for my protection,” the Vice President said in a statement. Duterte said that the removal of the PNP personnel from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) security detail will not affect her work as the second highest official of the land. “I do hope, however, that with this latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear less cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,” Duterte said. In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that the removal of the PNP personnel from the Vice President’s security was not for political reasons. He said that the PNP lacked personnel to do ground duties, forcing others to do overtime work. “What we’re doing now, especially sa [National Capital Region] na kulang kulang mga tao natin, nagbawas kami ng mga tao na hindi naman nila kailangan,” he said. (What we’re doing now, especially in the National Capital Region, which lacks personnel, we removed people that they don’t need.) Marbil clarified that the cops were not removed from the PNP, but were only reassigned. He added that the order was also released after discussion with Duterte’s chief of staff. The PNP chief said that the security detail of the vice president comes from the Presidential Security Command, previously known as the Presidential Security Group (PSG). “Kasi marami sila, hindi naman used. Kasi ang presidential security, ang nagbabantay sa president and sa [vice president] (They are many, and not all being used. Because the presidential security is the one in-charge for the protection of the president and the vice president. It’s more of the military,” he said. In 2022, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) activated for Duterte the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), which is a separate unit from the PSG. Duterte then thanked the AFP for activating VPSG, saying that it “may be expected to solve the challenges if, in future elections, the vice president and the president face the misfortune of having strained relations.” A Commission on Audit Report in 2022 showed that Duterte had 433 personnel for VPSPG – which was 63% of the total number of OVP staff. Her predecessor, former vice president Leni Robredo, only had 78 detailed military personnel assigned for her security. Duterte then defended the VPSPG’s numbers, saying that additional security was needed for her roles in the Marcos Cabinet, such as the education secretary and co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The Vice President resigned from the Marcos Cabinet, effective July 19. Reporters have reached out to OVP to get the current number of personnel under the VPSPG, but it has yet to respond as of this posting. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that the removal of PNP personnel from the Vice President’s security was not for political reasons. However, the order was released after a discussion with Duterte’s chief of staff without direct consultation with VP Sara. This event adds to the excitement in our political circus. How does this make you feel?

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 20:15

MANILA, Philippines – Some areas suspended classes for Wednesday, July 24, due to heavy rain from either the enhanced southwest monsoon or Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). This list will be updated once local or national authorities make announcements. Malacañang suspended classes at all levels (public and private) and work in government offices in Metro Manila, as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Not included in the suspension are “agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services.” Prior to the Palace decision, the following cities had announced suspensions: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Beyond loss and damage, no mention of reducing emissions in SONA

Iya Gozum

23/07/2024 19:00

ENTERING YEAR 3. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on July 22, 2024. Lisa Marie David/Reuters MANILA, Philippines – In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s environmental agenda focused on adapting to the impacts of climate change and the fund to help vulnerable countries when these efforts come short. Marcos took the opportunity to instruct Congress during the first half of his SONA to work on an enabling law “to confer the legal personality and capacity” to the Loss and Damage Fund board, which the Philippines will host. (READ: PH is host of Loss and Damage Fund board: Why does it matter?) Marcos also reported on the state of the country’s disaster response and infrastructure: the Disaster Response Command Center, flood control projects, and “almost a hundred evacuation centers” built. In climate parlance, these are adaptation measures supposed to help people adjust to impacts, while the loss and damage fund would address the unavoidable impacts of climate change or those that cannot be mitigated or adapted to anymore. Not fleshed out in the President’s third SONA is how the Philippines would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Again, in climate parlance, this is called mitigation and could include, among others, cutting back reliance on fossil fuels and addressing widespread deforestation. He did mention mitigation one time when he was talking about hosting the fund. “This welcome development shall complement all our climate adaptation and mitigation measures, and give us a strong voice to access the needed financial assistance for climate-related initiatives and impacts,” said Marcos on Monday, July 22. It was not mentioned again after that, nor other concrete actions that could contribute to the country’s mitigation plans. The Philippines has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75%. A huge chunk of this target is reliant on international community’s help. Only 2.71% of this target is unconditional, prompting the Philippine government to allot its resources and efforts to reach this without aid. Nongovernment organization Greenpeace said that Marcos did indeed “put the Philippines in a good place” by securing a seat and the hosting duties of the Loss and Damage Fund board. However, the next step was to make fossil fuel companies responsible. “The President should lead the call for a full, fast, fair, and funded fossil fuel phaseout, and payment for climate damages from oil and gas companies,” said Jefferson Chua, Greenpeace’s climate campaigner. The group said Marcos could prioritize the passage of the climate accountability bill, which would hold corporations accountable for their contributions to climate change. Greenpeace also pointed to the possibility of litigating carbon majors, making corporations pay climate damages tax, and stopping nuclear energy and fossil gas expansion. In this regard, policy group Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) doubled down on the call to decarbonize energy sources. “While the ambition to increase renewable energy in the mix, as indicated in the Philippine Energy Plan, looks promising, the continued prevalence of fossil fuel operations can still drive up the cost of electricity and set back true progress,” said Angelo Kairos dela Cruz, executive director of ICSC. Another thing not mentioned during Marcos’ SONA was the plight of environmental defenders, national coalition Environmental Defenders Congress pointed out. “Marcos Jr.’s total silence on these deadly attacks is a grave human rights violation in itself and an affront to ecological justice,” Jonila Castro, one of the environmental activists abducted in Bataan in 2023, said in a statement. Castro joined the groups that protested along Commonwealth Avenue on Monday, holding the banner along with human rights activist Neri Colmenares, lawyer Cristina Palabay, and former Kabataan representative Sarah Elago, among others. Meanwhile, advocacy group Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center raised their concerns about infrastructure and energy projects that could undermine indigenous peoples’ free, prior, and informed consent. (READ: Indigenous people, groups seek ‘genuine consultations’ on revision of FPIC rules) During his SONA, Marcos boasted about the implementation of green lanes “to create an environment conducive for businesses to thrive.” “As a result, we have ‘green-lane certified’ around a hundred projects with a total investment of about three trillion pesos across the sectors of renewable energy, digital infrastructure, food security, and manufacturing,” the President said. For LRC, indigenous peoples are critical in climate action. Projects that encroach on territories of indigenous peoples may only “worsen land and environment conflicts.” “The earnest rhetoric of the President to champion climate change can only be made real with his championing of indigenous peoples,” Mai Taqueban, executive director of LRC, said. “They are, after all, responsible for protecting 75% of our remaining climate-critical forests. There can be no climate solution without indigenous recognition.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Akari import drops 38 in 5-set Choco Mucho reversal; Capital1 shocks champ Petro Gazz

jisaga0269

23/07/2024 22:28

HEROES. Capital1's Leila Cruz (left) and Akari's Oly Okaro in action in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference PVL Images MANILA, Philippines – It was an underdog’s special day at the PhilSports Arena, as multiple favored teams either struggled or lost altogether in a rainy Tuesday, July 23 PVL triple-header, highlighted by Akari’s stunning reversal over contender Choco Mucho from two sets down, 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13. Import Oly Okaro barged into the history books with a heroic 38-point explosion on 33 attacks, 3 aces, and 2 blocks, marking the fifth-highest scoring output in league history and the most for an Akari player since Olympian Prisilla Rivera set the top PVL mark with 44 in the 2022 Reinforced Conference. Coincidentally, both scoring explosions happened at the Flying Titans’ expense, and both in five-set decisions. Between Rivera’s history-making game on November 3, 2022, and Okaro’s masterful Tuesday showcase, Akari did not even win a set against Choco Mucho, losing all its three matches in sweeps. “I was still in destroy mode, because I was just thinking even if we lost the first two sets, it didn’t mean anything to me. I just really wanted to win. I just wanted to do everything that we could to win,” Okaro said, as Akari rose to a 2-0 slate while dropping Choco Mucho to a 0-2 hole in Pool B. “We wanted to fight. I just reminded the team to stay focused and patient because it was going to be a long game.” Kamille Cal set up Okaro and the rest in the winning cause with 22 excellent sets, while Grethcel Soltones scattered 12 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 9 excellent digs. Former Akari star Dindin Santiago-Manabat led the Titans’ losing cause with 16 as import Zoi Faki scored 14. Continuing the underdogs’ momentum, the Capital1 Solar Spikers nabbed only their second franchise win in shocking fashion: a 26-24, 25-20, 25-18 blowout of the defending champion Petro Gazz Angels. Import Marina Tushova shone brightest in the Pool B win, squeezing out a game-high 24 points in just three sets, while returning Fil-Am setter Iris Tolenada commanded the offense with 15 excellent sets. Captain Jorelle Singh added 9 points, same as middle blocker Des Clemente, who excelled at the nets with a game-best 5 blocks as the Roger Gorayeb-coached Capital1 tied Petro Gazz with a 1-1 record. Reigning All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle went down swinging with 19 points in the loss, while import Wilma Salas only scored 7 on a 7-of-39 attack clip. The Angels also missed the services of captain middle blocker Remy Palma and two-time PVL MVP-turned-reserve Myla Pablo. Kickstarting the stormy afternoon, the Cignal HD Spikers fended off a valiant four-set challenge from the upstart ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22, to keep a spotless 2-0 hold atop Pool B alongside Akari. Import MJ Perez led the winning charge with 30 big points, backstopped by 16 from former MVP, captain Ces Molina. PVL champion spiker Asaka Tamaru led ZUS Coffee’s descent to a 0-2 slate with 23 points, and had ample help in the encouraging loss with 14 and 13 points, respectively, from youngsters Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Cadiz’s legless swimming sensation aims for international glory

Herbie G

23/07/2024 10:59

SWIMMING SENSATION. Cadiz City's Zach Lucas Obsioma with his coach Max Fermales, international swimming champ and Eric Buhain, and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in Cebu City. courtesy of Ma. Evita Obsioma and Cadiz LGU BACOLOD, Philippines – Ten-year-old Zach Lucas Obsioma dreams of joining the Philippine paralympic team and, ultimately, competing in an international swimming event. The stamina and determination of the legless swimmer from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, caught the attention of international swimming champ-turned-coach Eric Buhain, who saw a bright future for him following the boy’s impressive performance during the just-held Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City. He went home with two gold medals and a silver after competing in the 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, and 50-meter breaststroke, which left spectators in awe during the Palaro’s para swimming events. Max Fermales, Obsioma’s coach, said he was astonished at the boy’s victories. “He’s gutsy. And we can really sense his will to win,” Fermales said. “We told Zach to stay focused as he is not yet at the top of his journey. There are still more battles to fight.” Fermales said the boy has been following his advice diligently. After the Palaro in Cebu, he resumed swimming training in preparation for future competitions. “We want to prepare him every day for much bigger competitions,” Fermales said. The para athlete’s daily routine now includes 5 am to 8 am practices, and he maintains a strict diet of fruits and vegetables. While the young Obsioma has emerged as an emblem of resilience and inspiration, his condition broke the heart of his mother when she gave birth to him on August 16, 2013. The boy was born with Phocomelia syndrome, a rare condition resulting in severely shortened or absent limbs. His mother, Evita, told Rappler that her initial reaction to his condition was heartbreak. “It felt as if my heart would explode. Daw indi ko gid siya mabaton (It was like I can’t accept him),” she said. For three months, Evita confessed, the boy was kept away from public view until a pediatrician advised against it. Evita said seeing her husband’s unwavering support and love for their son began to change her heart. It was her husband, she said, who always cheered her up by reminding her that despite the boy’s condition, “Gwapo ni ‘ya bata ko (My son is handsome).” Little did the parents know that the boy was a hidden sports gem who was destined to shine. Now, Evita said she has become his son’s cheerleader. “I have mixed emotions – happy, excited, and, at the same time, also nervous – whenever Zach competes, considering his situation,” she said. Evita said her son’s journey as a para athlete began by “accident” as he was initially fond of badminton, football, and volleyball. “His father and I discouraged him because of his physical condition. But Zach is not a quitter,” Evita said. Undeterred, he eventually found his calling in swimming, thanks to a woman who first encouraged and coached him. While enrolled at the Special Education (SPED) Cadiz Center, Zach was spotted by the late Cherill Ducay, who encouraged him to try swimming, and later coached him. Just two weeks after starting swimming lessons at Laura’s Resort in Cadiz, Zach was found himself competing in the Palarong Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental in March 2023. He won gold in three events and then qualified for the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Meet (WVRAA) in Aklan, and then the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City the same year. Last May, he did it again at WVRRA Meet in Bacolod where he emerged as a swimming sensation and source of inspiration for many who watched his performance. Arlene Bermejo, Cadiz schools division superintendent, was all praises for the boy’s stamina and determination. “He is someone who never worries about his physical condition. Instead, he just goes on swimming without minding what people are saying about his disability,” she said. Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. also expressed pride in Zach’s accomplishments, calling him their “hero” and pledging the city government’s support for his future competitions. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Filipinos online welcome Marcos’ POGO ban in SONA 2024

Vixey Marie

23/07/2024 9:00

MANILA, Philippines – “Effective today, all POGOs are banned.” These were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s words towards the end of his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech on Monday, July 22, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Filipinos online welcomed the President’s pronouncements, with POGO ranking third on Philippine trends on X (formerly Twitter). A strong unequivocal stance on PH rights in the WPS + a total ban on POGOs.I have to reluctantly admit, that was a pretty powerful SONA. Prior to the SONA, the banning of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) was among the issues that Filipinos hoped President Marcos would address. Marcos also declared a strong stance on the West Philippine Sea dispute, saying “Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip lamang. Ito ay atin.” (The West Philippine Sea is not a mere figment of our imagination. It is ours.) However, some Filipinos online felt this was not enough to resolve the issue. They believe that actions are needed, not just statements. bare minimum na sabihin ng pangulo na atin ang west philippine sea. it wont make a move. ilahad mo ang mga plano mo laban sa mga makapangyarihang bansa ng tsina, pangulo. #SONA2024 After these announcements, SONA attendees gave a standing ovation and chanted in support of Marcos. Filipinos online quickly attributed the President’s decision on POGO to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ efforts and persistence, especially during the Senate probes on Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who has now been ordered arrested by the Senate. POGOS are now banned! Everybody says THANK YOU, Sen Risa Hontiveros. 🫡💅🏻 #SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/u7cje48XEE I just want to thank this woman who always stands up and looks deeper into what's more to investigate about POGOS. She deserves my praise for what she has done to awaken the minds of many people.SALAMAT SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS AND YOU ARE A TRUE LEADER. 🇵🇭#SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/nC5XM0ET4G lol they chanted his name after he announced that POGOs are now banned 🤡 this probably won’t even happen if it was not addressed and exposed by we all know who 😙💅 #SONA2024 Sen. Risa also ranked fifth on X Philippine trends. (WATCH: Who gave Marcos a standing ovation over POGO ban announcement?) Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno emphasized that the ban should be accompanied by holding accountable those involved in these illegal operations. Maraming salamat Sen Risa! Kung di nyo inungkat ang mga POGO malamang di pa siya na-ban. Dapat may kasabay ang ban– pagpapanagot sa mga salarin AT mga government officials na kakonchave at kumita sa kanila. Some social media users also highlighted the senators who enabled POGO operations in the country. POGOs banned, effective today. Never forget these senators who voted YES to POGO operation.#SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/g2jfaNIm3G not lawmakers clapping for a total ban on pogo when they legalized it in the first place #sona2024 Some netizens recalled how former vice president Leni Robredo, who was the closest rival to Marcos in the 2022 elections, strongly advocated for the ban on POGOs in the country. everyone clapping when Jr announced the total ban of POGO but we know sen. risa is the person who brought light to this issue. madam leni robredo is the only candidate who said “no” to POGO operation.time proves that WOMEN are ALWAYS right. #SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/d8eVSSVqxE A social media user expressed appreciation for journalists and activists who are fact-checking and providing context to the issues addressed by Marcos during the SONA. i just love it when activists and journalists fact-check and put context about what marcos has been saying in this year's SONA like EXACTLYYY!!! keep showing us receipts please!!! #SONA2024 Sociologist Ash Presto noted that Marcos made no mention of LGBTQ+ rights during his address. No mention of gender-oriented policies like the SOGIE Equality Bill & the divorce bill in #SONA2024.This signals that gender is not prioritized at the highest levels of government. Pay more attention to how politicians position themselves on these issues in the 2025 elections. Others pointed out that Marcos’ address is far from the realities still faced by ordinary Filipinos at present. All these seemingly glamorous plans then again, yet if you ask the masses, they won't feel even an ounce of improvement in their lives #SONA2024 ang daming standing ovations. yet almost no real data and no significant improvements were mentioned. everything is a work in progress (with the least progress possible), and they giving him standing ovations and applause? 🤷‍♀️#SONA2024 Some users criticized the government’s misplaced priorities, noting that the P20-million budget allocated for the SONA could have been used to address more pressing issues. Although Vice President Sara Duterte did not attend the SONA, she made her presence felt through a series of statements leading up to the event. She initially announced that she would be the “designated survivor” by not attending the SONA. When asked for further clarification, she stated she had no obligation to elaborate. On SONA day, she released another statement explaining that she was neither watching nor monitoring the SONA, whether on television or through livestream. This response has left social media users disappointed. At the end of Marcos’ third SONA, Filipinos find themselves caught in the middle of the fractured “unity” between Marcos and Duterte. What are your thoughts on the President’s SONA? — Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Things to know about diabetes

Ailla Dela Cruz

23/07/2024 21:40

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2023, killing 37,633 Filipinos, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported that 1 in 15 adult Filipinos has it, comprising about 4 million adults. This Diabetes Awareness Week, here’s what you need to know about this killer disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes diabetes mellitus (more commonly known as diabetes) as a chronic, metabolic disease caused by the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body not being able to use this insulin. Insulin, according to the WHO, is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. The insufficient or inefficient use of this hormone can lead to a build-up of sugar in the blood. In 2021, the IDF reported in their 10th Diabetes Atlas that 537 million adults were living with diabetes around the world, with over 3 in 4 adults living in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines. “Limited resources in food choice, tendency toward obesity and physical inactivity, and detrimental psychosocial pressures, such as occupational stress and lack of social support, are often found to be unfavorable intermediate factors inherent in disadvantaged economic situations and serve as a link to the high incidence of diabetes,” a 2012 study of the American Diabetes Association found. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes happens when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas, according to Diabetes UK. While less prevalent than the other type of diabetes, 9 million people were still living with type 1 diabetes in 2017, according to WHO reports. At least 96% of people with diabetes fall under type 2, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 Diabetes Collaborators’ study. This type of diabetes stops the body from properly using the insulin it produces. Other types of diabetes include gestational diabetes which occurs during pregnancy when blood sugar levels are above normal but below those diagnosed with diabetes. Meanwhile, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glycaemia (IFT) are “intermediate conditions in the transition between normality and diabetes.” The Department of Health (DOH) identified the following factors that can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes: But studies show that people of normal weight can still develop the disease. The 2024 National Diabetes Statistics Report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 10.2% of diabetes patients in the US were not overweight or obese. Diabetes symptoms are often mild and manifest years after the disease’s onset, according to the WHO. The DOH identifies these symptoms as the following: WHO urges early diagnosis. Regular check-ups and blood tests with a healthcare provider are recommended. While type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, type 2 diabetes can. The DOH says that “healthy habits” can help reduce the risk of diabetes, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. If not managed, diabetes can result in complications. According to Diabetes UK, there are two types of diabetes complications: chronic complications that build up over time, and acute complications that can happen at any time. Chronic complications include: Acute complications include: Diabetes UK says there is no existing cure for diabetes. It can be managed thorugh monitoring and treatment of complications, according to WHO. But the disease can go into remission, or “the body does not show any signs of diabetes, although the disease is technically still present.” The DOH says that the goal for treatment should focus on keeping blood glucose amounts at normal levels (READ: Diabetes is not a life sentence: How Filipinos can manage the ‘lifestyle disease’ from home). Other things that could be done, according to DOH: While Filipinos do face high costs for non-communicable diseases like diabetes, the government provides several programs to help unburden patients. According to the DOH’s FAQ page, it has been offering an Insulin Access Program under the Medicine Access Program since 2009. The program partners with pharmaceutical companies to provide affordable insulin at 22 access sites nationwide. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) also has benefits for diabetes, including coverage for hospitalization and Konsulta packages for diabetes confirmatory tests and selected medications. Patients may also avail of other medical assistance programs offered by different government agencies depending on their eligibility. These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis, the Office of the Vice President’s medical assistance program, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. – Shay Du/Rappler.com Shay Du is a Rappler intern. She is an incoming fourth-year mass communication student at Silliman University. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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RESULTS: July 2024 Landscape Architecture Licensure Examination

pfkahanap0307

23/07/2024 16:06

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 91 out of 142 passed the Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects given by the Board of Landscape Architecture in NCR and Cebu this July 2024. The members of the Board of Landscape Architecture who gave the licensure examination are Hon. Paulo G. Alcazaren, chairman; and Hon. Cecilia H. Tence, member. Starting September 2, 2024, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later. The top performing school in the July 2024 Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects as per Commission Resolution No. 1814 series of 2024: The successful examinees who garnered the eight (8) highest places in the July 2024 Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects are the following: Here’s the full list of passers: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 20:15

MANILA, Philippines – Some areas suspended classes for Wednesday, July 24, due to heavy rain from either the enhanced southwest monsoon or Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). This list will be updated once local or national authorities make announcements. Malacañang suspended classes at all levels (public and private) and work in government offices in Metro Manila, as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Not included in the suspension are “agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services.” Prior to the Palace decision, the following cities had announced suspensions: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Sara Duterte says PNP removes 75 cops from her security detail

Bonz Magsambol

23/07/2024 19:40

File photo of Vice President Sara Duterte Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Tuesday, July 23, that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has removed 75 of its personnel from her security detail. “I confirm that on 22 July 2024, an order was issued by the Chief of the Philippine National Police relieving all of the 75 PNP Police and Security Group personnel that were previously assigned for my protection,” the Vice President said in a statement. Duterte said that the removal of the PNP personnel from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) security detail will not affect her work as the second highest official of the land. “I do hope, however, that with this latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear less cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,” Duterte said. In a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that the removal of the PNP personnel from the Vice President’s security was not for political reasons. He said that the PNP lacked personnel to do ground duties, forcing others to do overtime work. “What we’re doing now, especially sa [National Capital Region] na kulang kulang mga tao natin, nagbawas kami ng mga tao na hindi naman nila kailangan,” he said. (What we’re doing now, especially in the National Capital Region, which lacks personnel, we removed people that they don’t need.) Marbil clarified that the cops were not removed from the PNP, but were only reassigned. He added that the order was also released after discussion with Duterte’s chief of staff. The PNP chief said that the security detail of the vice president comes from the Presidential Security Command, previously known as the Presidential Security Group (PSG). “Kasi marami sila, hindi naman used. Kasi ang presidential security, ang nagbabantay sa president and sa [vice president] (They are many, and not all being used. Because the presidential security is the one in-charge for the protection of the president and the vice president. It’s more of the military,” he said. In 2022, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) activated for Duterte the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), which is a separate unit from the PSG. Duterte then thanked the AFP for activating VPSG, saying that it “may be expected to solve the challenges if, in future elections, the vice president and the president face the misfortune of having strained relations.” A Commission on Audit Report in 2022 showed that Duterte had 433 personnel for VPSPG – which was 63% of the total number of OVP staff. Her predecessor, former vice president Leni Robredo, only had 78 detailed military personnel assigned for her security. Duterte then defended the VPSPG’s numbers, saying that additional security was needed for her roles in the Marcos Cabinet, such as the education secretary and co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The Vice President resigned from the Marcos Cabinet, effective July 19. Reporters have reached out to OVP to get the current number of personnel under the VPSPG, but it has yet to respond as of this posting. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that the removal of PNP personnel from the Vice President’s security was not for political reasons. However, the order was released after a discussion with Duterte’s chief of staff without direct consultation with VP Sara. This event adds to the excitement in our political circus. How does this make you feel?

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Romualdez orders House leaders to introduce measure enabling POGO ban

Kaycee

23/07/2024 16:14

COUSINS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez during a roundtable meeting with heads of the Malaysian Chambers of Commerce in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 2023. House website MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Martin Romualdez has given marching orders to House leaders and top secretariat officials to introduce a measure that would enable President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country. “This, however, will not stop the ongoing House investigation on the criminal and other illegal activities linked to POGO,” Romualdez said. “Hopefully, the House can learn from the hearings – on their modus operandi and the brains behind these activities – as part of inputs for the proposed measure that we will be crafting,” he added. This all comes after Marcos, in his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22, ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) “wind down and ‘cease’ the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.” Romualdez said he has already met with House leaders and top secretariat officials, who told him there are already measures filed at the House of Representatives targeting to halt POGO operations in the country. “I am requesting all the committee chairs concerned to give this a priority,” Romualdez said. “For the House Committee on Public Order and Security to submit their comprehensive report and recommendations to the Committee on Games and Amusement as soon as possible,” he added, saying that he expects the games and amusement panel to come up with a committee report soon for plenary deliberation. Romualdez wants that the enabling law should cover “all bases” of the total ban on POGOs. “Gusto naming maging legacy ito ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. (We want this to be the legacy of President Marcos Jr.),” said Romualdez, who initially did not favor a total ban on POGOs. As early as September 2022, Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. filed a bill seeking to ban and declare POGOs illegal in the country. Abante, who also chairs the human rights panel, noted that POGOs are a “social menace that dissipates the energy and resources of the people.” Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed in August 2023 a resolution urging Pagcor to ban POGOs. Rodriguez cited the proliferation of POGO-related crimes such as kidnappings, reports of illegal detainment, human trafficking and prostitution. In House Resolution 1197, Rodriguez said that “the country should not sacrifice the welfare and safety of its citizens for revenue” and that “these POGOs do not contribute anything else to the Philippines and they only operate here because they are banned in their own countries.” Both are pending before the House games and amusements committee. In June 2024, Makabayan bloc lawmakers also filed a bill seeking to ban and criminalize POGOs, ordering government agencies to stop issuing work permits to anyone engaged in POGOs. The bill also seeks to categorize employment of POGOs as a human trafficking offense. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Tax court junks SolGen’s move to reverse Maria Ressa’s acquittal

Glenda Gloria

23/07/2024 15:28

NOT GUILTY. Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, along with lawyers, speaks to the media after the Pasig Regional Trial Court handed a not guilty verdict from tax evasion charges filed against Rappler Holdings Corporation, on September 12, 2023. Jire Carreon/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) on July 16 junked for “lack of merit” a plea by the solicitor general to reverse a Pasig court’s acquittal of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC) in a tax case. In a 15-page decision written by Associate Justice Belen Ringpis-Liban of the CTA’s 2nd Division, the court denied the petition for certiorari filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on December 29, 2023, against Pasig Regional Trial Court 157 Judge Ana Teresa Cornejo-Tomacruz, who had acquitted Ressa and RHC of tax evasion charges in September last year. The acquittal pertained to the fifth tax case filed by the Duterte government against Rappler and Ressa. Prior to this, in January 2023, the CTA also cleared both of a set of four tax evasion charges. The OSG has questioned the two decisions that favored Ressa and Rappler, for supposed grave abuse of discretion on the part of the courts. It was the OSG’s petition against Pasig Judge Tomacruz, that also called for a mistrial, that the CTA ruled on last July 16. “Records show that [the OSG] was given an ample opportunity to present its case” and was able to “present and formally offer its evidence,” the CTA said, adding there was also no basis to call for a mistrial. Still pending with the CTA is the OSG’s other petition before the CTA en banc to nullify the 1st division’s acquittal of Ressa and RHC in January 2023 from four tax evasion charges. The tax cases stemmed from the OSG’s claim that RHC acted as a “dealer in securities” when it issued Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to investors. The CTA ruled that the transactions were in line with the RHC’s purpose as a holding company. The legal cases against Ressa and Rappler, as of July 2024, are down to three from a high of at least a dozen under the previous Duterte regime: Rappler and Ressa have said the cases were motivated by former president Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks against the news organization for its critical reporting. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Undeterred by downpour, groups march to reject Marcos’ Bagong Pilipinas

Iya Gozum

23/07/2024 13:56

ANTI-SONA. Despite heavy rain, protesters march along Commonwealth Avenue while police and fire trucks were on standby during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 3rd State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2024. Alecs Ongcal MANILA, Philippines – As Philippine lawmakers and officials enjoyed the comfort and security of the P20-million event held in Batasang Pambansa, protesters endured heavy downpour in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Rallies on the day the President delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) were par for the course and everyone had a role to play. On Monday, July 22, groups marched on the streets to reject the administration’s slogan Bagong Pilipinas or New Philippines. At the center of the protest was an art piece depicting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte engaged in a brawl, both wearing a sash of different foreign powers, a dig at the Uniteam’s breakup and contrasting allegiances. “Walang Bagong Pilipinas,” said Kej Andres of Student Christian Movement of the Philippines. “Bigo ang Pilipinas.” (There is no new Philippines. The Philippines was let down.) Andres was the last to speak during the afternoon program. By that time, the crowd that gathered had stood under the rain for more than two hours, not counting the intermittent rain the whole morning. In a standoff with the police, a protester shouted: “Mga kababayan, ang dami-daming pulis dito sa Commonwealth. May mga magnanakaw ba dito? May mga mamamatay-tao ba dito?” (There are so many policemen here in Commonwealth. Are there thieves here? Are there murderers here?) Along the first row of activists facing the police were journalists trying to get their money shots. While the protester was working the crowd, some policemen smirked, others bowed their heads as raindrops trickled down their anti-riot helmets. Everyone had a role to play. But even in a yearly gathering of calculated risks, the tension between camps did not fade. In a standoff, anything could happen. This time, as in recent years, there was a peaceful retreat. “Amid the worsening cost of living crisis, politicians are callously maneuvering for power and influence ahead of the 2025 and 2028 elections,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said in a statement on Monday. (READ: Inflation still top urgent concern for majority of Filipinos – survey) “The feud of the Marcos and Duterte political dynasties reflects the country’s bankrupt politics. Their shameless and petty infighting further infuriates the people who are already outraged by the incompetence and indifference of elected officials.” The resounding victory of Marcos and Duterte in the 2022 elections was built, among other things, on the promise of unity. But this slogan has taken a downward trajectory in the past two years. Prior to Marcos’ third SONA, the upper chamber elected Francis “Chiz” Escudero as new Senate President, ousting Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri after drug war hearings in the Senate under the latter’s leadership also linked the President. A month later, Duterte stepped down as chief of the Department of Education. Unlike last year, activists did not stage their SONA rallies together. Sanlakas, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, and other allied groups held their protest earlier in the morning and wrapped up before lunch. But their sentiment was similar. Asked to describe the first two years of Marcos, Aaron Pedrosa of Sanlakas said: “Bigo (Fail).” “We think what the State of the Nation Address will contain are embellishments, the deodorization of this government amid the crises in livelihood, economy, and climate,” said Pedrosa in Filipino. The program in Commonwealth ended as Marcos delivered his speech in the joint session of Congress in the Batasang Pambansa. In previous years, activists staged their protests nearer Batasan Road and held their programs concurrently with the SONA. The crowd dispersed at around 5 pm. Then a brawl broke out as some activists tackled a man in black polo shirt, who they alleged was a mole taking photos and videos of the protest. In his third SONA, Marcos ended his speech with a directive to ban Philippine offshoring gaming operators. “The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop,” the President said. Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Cagayan de Oro protesters disrupt traffic, tell LWUA men to keep off water district

Herbie G

23/07/2024 16:34

PROTEST. Bantay Tubig Movement members stage a protest on Tuesday, July 23, in front of the Cagayan de Oro Water District’s main office. courtesy of Angie Alsado, Magnum Radio CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Tensions further escalated on Tuesday, July 23, as a group led by local politicians staged another street protest, disrupting the flow of vehicular traffic in downtown Cagayan de Oro, to pressure the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to keep off the local water district. Angry protesters also demanded the rescinding of a 2017 contract between the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and its primary supplier of treated water. The street demonstration, organized by the Bantay Tubig Movement (BTM), caused a section of Corrales Avenue to be closed to vehicular traffic. The street protest came barely a week after sidelined COWD General Manager Antonio Young took back control of the water utility firm after a contentious LWUA takeover last May. “The Bantay Tubig Movement is not limited to the interim officers. No matter who is managing it, until the contract is voided, we will continue protesting,” former Cagayan de Oro councilor and BMT lead convenor Enrico Salcedo told Rappler. Salcedo’s group has questioned the 2017 contract between COWD and the Manny V. Pangilinan-controlled Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), which allows the supplier to adjust water rates every three years. The group said the provision in the contract meant rate increases every three years, seen as very disadvantageous to water consumers in the city. The BTM also supported the COWD workers’ call for the removal of the interim officers following the issuance of a Department of Justice (DOJ) legal opinion about the LWUA takeover last May. Marlo Tabac, a barangay chairman serving as BMT co-convenor, cautioned the LWUA-installed COWD interim general manager, Fermin Jarales, against attempting to enter the COWD’s main office again, saying his group was prepared to guard the establishment 24 hours a day. Jarales and members of the COWD interim board recognized by the LWUA have been ordered barred from the COWD offices by Young. Salcedo issued a veiled threat. He said, “If Jarales doesn’t insist on entering the COWD office, he can leave unscathed.” The ex-councilor, who serves as head of city hall’s night market team, also called on LWUA officials to withdraw the interim officers’ appointments to avoid further confusion and resolve the issues caused by the 2017 contract, an agreement made when Salcedo was a member of the city council. Jarales has criticized Young, saying he and his supporters “resorted to illegal measures” last Thursday, July 18, by forcing their way into the COWD office he (Jarales) was using. The office was Young’s before the LWUA takeover. The act, according to Jarales, was a display of “mismanagement and disregard for legal processes.” “Their refusal to provide necessary documents to LWUA and obstruction of the interim management’s efforts raise serious questions about their commitment to consumer welfare. What are they trying to hide?” read a statement released by Jarales on Monday, July 22. Jarales also asserted that Young’s reliance on a mere DOJ opinion “will not shield him from accountability,” warning that there would be legal repercussions. For his part, Young said he was prepared to face a potential case against him even as he questioned the legal basis of Jarales and other LWUA-installed interim officers in taking over the water district. “We are not hiding anything,” Young said, responding to Jarales’ statement. He said they have been asking Jarales to show a written order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which Jarales supposedly cited in previous interviews. Young said he and other COWD officials would comply if there was an order from Marcos, but the LWUA has yet to show that there was. During his last visit to Cagayan de Oro, Marcos directed the LWUA to look into the possibility of a takeover following a brief water supply crisis in the city which resulted from the COWD’s unresolved debt dispute with COBI. The supplier has been trying to collect more than P400 million from COWD, a debt Young and the regular COWD board has repeatedly refused to acknowledge. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Marawi group to Marcos: Focus on displaced families, not just infrastructure

Herbie G

23/07/2024 15:27

MARAWI PROTEST. Marawi civic leader Drieza Lininding speaks during a gathering organized in Marawi to protest Israel's airstrikes in Gaza, on October 10., 2024. courtesy of Drieza Lininding CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A Marawi-based civil society group, which advocates for effective rebuilding and fair compensation for those displaced by the 2017 Marawi siege, has called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to do better in the government’s rehabilitation efforts for the city. The Moro Consensus Group (MCG) expressed disappointment with Marcos’ brief mention of Marawi during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, criticizing him for not providing a more detailed plan on expediting aid for thousands of displaced Marawi residents. During the SONA, Marcos said, “In Marawi, the rehabilitation and rebuilding continue – now, under the supervision of the Office of the President. Our focus remains on restoring energy, water, and livable communities.” MCG convenor Drieza Lininding told Rappler they were disappointed because they had waited for Marcos to say how the government would help the families who were displaced when the government launched extensive military operations against extremists attempting to establish a caliphate in Marawi seven years ago. “It’s frustrating because we wanted him to say exactly how the government would make us, the families who lost their homes, rebuild,” Lininding said. Last May, Lininding said many of the more than 200,000 displaced residents were still living in temporary shelters and villages outside Marawi, unable to return and rebuild. Worse, many of the displaced families were already being asked to pay for their continued use of parcels of private land after contracts between the government and land owners expired. He told Rappler on Monday afternoon that Marcos was focused on the number of government-undertaken infrastructure projects completed in Marawi rather than on how these benefited families displaced as a result of the five-month-long fighting between government forces and the Maute Group seven years ago. “The buildings are empty. What are they for when they are not being used by people who have not yet returned to rebuild their homes?” said Lininding. He said the Marcos Jr. administration should shift its focus from mere infrastructure projects to the families still living miserable lives and in abject poverty in temporary shelters. Government rehabilitation efforts were meaningless with many families still homeless and unable to return and rebuild, he said. He added, “The government counts the buildings, but there is no power and water there. How would the government restore energy, water, and rebuild livable communities? The President did not say how and when. It’s ironic to see that just beside a new building constructed by the government is a bullet-riddled home destroyed in 2017.” Lininding said fair compensation from the government remains a “big problem” that has yet to be resolved, leaving displaced families struggling as the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022 falls short of meeting their needs. A congressional oversight committee has been reviewing the compensation law and the system’s inadequacies for possible reforms to effectively support the displaced Marawi population. The government offers P35,000 per square meter for damaged concrete buildings and half that for wooden houses. Those who lost relatives in the fighting are entitled to receive P350,000 each. The government has been criticized for inadequate compensation amounts given through the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB), which have been further undermined by inflation and rising construction material costs. This has resulted in several heavily damaged areas of Marawi remaining uninhabited. As of May, the MCB has processed more than 20,000 claims and distributed more than P175 million since January. However, numerous victims find these amounts insufficient for rebuilding their homes. The government has set aside around P2 billion for reparations, according to Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong. Critics of the compensation package said the MCB’s use of outdated real estate assessments from the Lanao del Sur local government – rather than more recent evaluations – has led to insufficient payouts for many victims. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Gilas Pilipinas Women hope to ride rise of WNBA popularity

jisaga0269

23/07/2024 16:19

VETERAN. Philippine team star Jack Animam in action against Japan in the 2023 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. FIBA MANILA, Philippines – With the phenomenal rise in popularity of women’s basketball in the United States, key figures of the sport in the Philippines hope to experience the same boost. Gilas Pilipinas head coach Pat Aquino is adamant that women ballers in the nation ride on the wave of momentum by constantly lifting their brand of basketball to new heights. “[Players] have to show up every time. You have to play the game itself,” Aquino told reporters during the viewing of the WNBA All-Star Game in Pasig City. “I think we have the talent and it’s just a matter of looking forward of having them in a big environment, and we need the help of media to foster this kind of environment to have more basketball for the women’s program,” he added. Gilas Women is experiencing a period of sustained success, as both the seniors and girls’ teams have secured a spot in the FIBA Asia Division A. The Under-18 program is currently on a seven-game win streak after sweeping the SEABA qualifiers, and the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B tournament, where the team consistently dumped its opponents. Moreover, several talents from the team were included in the main squad during its recent foray in the William Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. “Now with the youth program having to have that kind of experience, we’re having more members in the pool, and eventually they’ll be the next generation of Gilas players,” remarked Aquino. “They’re the future of women’s basketball.” Jack Animam, who is currently playing for the Ringwood Hawks in Australian NBL 1 South, is elated that the premier basketball league on earth is now being shown consistently in the country through TAPDMV. Most members of the team, along with fans and members of the media were present during the television network’s watch party, co-organized with NBA Philippines at Buffalo Wild Wings in Estancia. The All-Star Game, which pitted a WNBA selection against Team USA, saw the former win in an entertaining contest, 117-109. All-Star MVP Arike Ogunbowale set a new league record for most points in the exhibition contest, firing 34 points, all in the second half. The team also featured prized rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, while A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Diana Taurasi led the way for the Paris Olympics-bound squad. “Women’s basketball is slowly rising in the Philippines, I mean, look at the national team, from the seniors team where you know we really have to work our way up. And we already have youth teams, the U16, U18, all of them are in Division A,” said the former UAAP MVP. “Looking back, I wish I was already playing then. I ask myself like what was I doing when I was at their age? And looking at them, like they’re just 13 years old, and they can do so many things already,” she added. Up next for Gilas Women is the inaugural FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Rwanda from August 19 to 25. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Where to watch Paris Olympics in the Philippines?

delfin.dioquino editor

23/07/2024 17:13

ELITE. Paris Olympians (from left) boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, fencer Samantha Catantan, rower Joanie Delgaco, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and John Ceniza. adidas MANILA, Philippines – All eyes will be on the 22 athletes representing the Philippines in the Paris Games as the country marks its 100th year of participating in the Olympics. The hope is for Team Philippines to exceed its historic campaign in the previous Tokyo Olympiad, where it won a breakthrough gold thanks to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and boxing medals courtesy of Nesthy Petecio (silver), Carlo Paalam (silver), and Eumir Marcial (bronze). While Diaz missed this year’s Olympic cut, the boxing trio returns alongside pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe as they lead the biggest Philippine delegation to the Summer Games in over three decades. Here is how to watch the Paris Olympics, which comes off the wraps on July 26, in the Philippines: Filipinos have two options to catch Olympic action on free television as One Sports and RPTV broadcast Team Philippines’ competitions and select games in various sports. As one of the official broadcast partners of the Olympics in the Philippines, Cignal TV offers three 24/7 channels dedicated to the Paris Games to its subscribers. Cignal subscribers can also watch the Olympics on One Sports+. For those without television access, online streaming is the way to go. Pilipinas Live, which is available through its app and website for a monthly fee, is set to stream all of the Filipino athletes’ events. Another option is the Smart Livestream App, which offers free 24/7 streaming of the Olympics to subscribers of all networks. Select competitions will be streamed on the social media pages of Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas. Follow Rappler Sports’ running coverage by bookmarking this page: Paris Olympics 2024: Games, results, latest updates The Olympics will run until August 11. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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SALN TRACKER: Marcos, Sara Duterte, and the Cabinet

Jodesz Gavilan

23/07/2024 13:37

MANILA, Philippines – Government officials and employees are required to submit their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs). Journalists have always engaged in a back and forth with public officials to obtain copies of their SALNs. This is because “the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests,” according to Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The Rappler research team has sent official letters requesting copies of these SALNs, and we want to take readers every step of the way. On this page is a tracker on the status of each SALN request that the Rappler research team submitted to the offices of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and Cabinet secretaries. As of July 25, none of them has released their SALNs to Rappler. Each status refers to the following: This story page will be updated every time Rappler receives a response to each of its request. Track Rappler’s request for the SALN of other officials: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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[Just Saying] SONA 2024: Some disturbing points

Chay Hofilena

23/07/2024 14:24

President Marcos Jr. started his speech correctly stating, in effect, that positive data does not matter if the people are hungry. He ended it remarkably by announcing the closure of POGOs. It was a classic “sandwich speech.” A good-to-hear beginning and ending. But what about the content in between?  Here are some of my observations: Regarding rice harvest, the President said: “Sa kabila ng mga hamon na ating kinakaharap, nasaksihan natin ang pinakamataas na ani ng palay sa bansa nitong nakalipas na taon. Pumalo ito sa lagpas dalawampung milyong tonelada — ang pinakamataas na ani mula pa noong 1987.”  Hearing the information alone, without context leads one to be elated. Was the comparison in the increase in rice harvest really spectacular? I do not think so. The 1987 Philippine population was 57,420,000 compared to 117,337,368 in 2023. Most likely, the 1987 rice harvest was lower because the population then was doubly lower. Or if there were a 1987 shortfall, was it proportionally comparable to what President Marcos admitted to be the shortfall now? Was the Philippines in 1987 the world’s largest rice importer just like it is today? The President should not have preened over that comparison because it might not be a valid juxtaposition, but a misleading one. On education, he said: “Thus, for consecutive years, we have prioritized an increase in budget for the inclusive development of Filipinos. Not just in food, nutrition and health, but MORESO, in their education and training.” That is outright misleading. The 1987 Constitution prioritized education. Article 14  Section 5 Item 5 expressly provides:“The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education”. The word “shall” connotes a command. No president can change that order. The people do not owe anything to President Marcos Jr. for prioritizing education. It is his constitutional obligation. He also said: “Last year, we reported that our system of higher education was gaining international recognition for all the right reasons. As further evidence, eighty-seven of our Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) have now made it into various world university rankings. Fifty-one of them are public universities or colleges.” Any notion that President Marcos’ administration was chiefly responsible for this rise in recognition should not be entertained. The real reason for improvement was  because of the hard efforts made by the HEIs in the exercise of their academic freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. By academic freedom, HEIs are left to determine for themselves, without substantial intrusion from the government: (1) who may teach, (2) who may be taught, (3) how lessons shall be taught, and (4) who may be admitted to study. As an expression of gratitude, President Marcos could have announced that all state universities and colleges shall have further substantial increase in their budgetary allotment, perhaps tripling that of the 2024 budget increase. Regarding the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), he declared that his administration will give “karagdagang tulong pinansyal” (additional financial assistance) for pregnant women. 4Ps involves cash transfers. There was, however, no mention at all of the amount of increase. Generalities without detail. Nice-to-hear plans but no specification. On the West Philippine Sea, he said among others: Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip natin lamang. Ito ay atin. At ito ay mananatiling atin, hangga’t nag-aalab ang diwa ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas. (The West Philippine Sea is not a product of our imagination. It is ours. It will remain ours until the spirt of our beloved Philippines lives on.) That declaration must be made, but where is the beef, so to speak? On foreign relations, a firmer statement — without being war-like, enough to make China think twice before doing anymore intrusions or damages to our territory — must be expressed. And since his message was directed against China, a mighty adversary, he should have also made a statement alluding to the United States, a mighty ally, pursuant to the possibilities under the Mutual Defense Treaty. But there was none. Patently omitted in the SONA was a detailed report on the developments of the P500-billion Maharlika Investment Fund Act. This was the fund he was determined to institutionalize by law and was criticized by many as a possible source of gross corruption. This smacks of non-transparency. Then the President finished, unoriginally, quoting John Stuart Mill: “….Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name.” President Marcos did not, however, finish the quote. The omitted part says: …  “and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”  That “he” may very well refer to a leader of a country who tolerates unaccountability, impunity and corruption. President Marcos may very well be advised to always remind himself of that last omitted part to maintain honesty, decency and modesty in government. – Rappler.com Mel Sta. Maria is former dean of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law. He teaches law at FEU and the Ateneo School of Law, hosts shows on both radio and YouTube, and has authored several books on law, politics, and current events. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. In his third SONA, President Marcos Jr. was characterized by lying through disinformation and omitting some issues through silence. These lies and omissions made up “some disturbing points,” which likely originated from a disturbed mind. How does this make you feel?

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FACT CHECK: Male sexual enhancement pill Japan Tengsu not FDA-approved

jpcruz0306

23/07/2024 13:30

Claim: The product Japan Tengsu, which claims to boost stamina and increase the sex drive and sperm quality of men, is approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Why we fact-checked this: The claim was made in a July 2 Facebook post, which has 312 reactions, 83 comments, and one share as of writing. The post features a graphic showing a logo with the words “FDA Approved.” It was posted by a page that misuses the name and photo of cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, and also claims that Ong endorses the product. The facts: Japan Tengsu is not listed in the FDA’s approved food and drug products. In August 2020, Japan Tengsu was specifically mentioned in the FDA’s advisory warning about unregistered drug products. The agency advised the public to avoid purchasing and using unregistered drug products due to potential health risks, as these have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and efficacy. In April 2019, the Australian government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration also released a safety advisory saying that Japan Tengsu tablets “pose a serious risk” to health as the capsules contain the undeclared substance Sildenafil. Sildenafil is a drug used for erectile dysfunction, as well as pulmonary hypertension, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service reported. Some of its side effects include headaches, nausea, indigestion, and dizziness. Safety not guaranteed: Men’s sexual health supplements are marketed to enhance libido and performance, but their safety is not guaranteed. Many of these products lack scientific evidence to support their claims. Some may even cause side effects or contain unsafe ingredients. It is essential to consult a doctor before using these supplements to avoid potential health risks. Prescription medication for sexual issues, like Viagra, should be used under medical supervision. Sexual health: Men’s sexual health supplements claim to address issues such as erectile dysfunction and changes in libido. According to Harvard Health Publishing, lifestyle changes such as exercise, a healthy diet, and limiting alcohol intake can help improve sexual activity without the use of medication. Addressing underlying conditions can also help in improving sexual well-being. Previous false claims: Rappler has debunked products not listed on the FDA-approved drug and food list: – Chinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza/Rappler.comChinie Ann Jocel R. Mendoza is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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RESULTS: July 2024 Landscape Architecture Licensure Examination

pfkahanap0307

23/07/2024 16:06

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 91 out of 142 passed the Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects given by the Board of Landscape Architecture in NCR and Cebu this July 2024. The members of the Board of Landscape Architecture who gave the licensure examination are Hon. Paulo G. Alcazaren, chairman; and Hon. Cecilia H. Tence, member. Starting September 2, 2024, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later. The top performing school in the July 2024 Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects as per Commission Resolution No. 1814 series of 2024: The successful examinees who garnered the eight (8) highest places in the July 2024 Licensure Examination for Landscape Architects are the following: Here’s the full list of passers: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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SCHEDULE: Team Philippines in 2024 Paris Olympics

delfin.dioquino editor

22/07/2024 21:24

MANILA, Philippines – Twenty-two brave athletes represent the Philippines in the Paris Games as the country celebrates its 100th year of participation in the Olympics. Sending its biggest Olympic delegation in over three decades, the Philippines hopes to exceed its historic campaign in the previous Tokyo Games, where it won a breakthrough gold on top of two silvers and one bronze. Here is the schedule of Filipino Olympians, Philippine time: Joanie Delgaco (women’s single sculls) Carlos Yulo (men’s artistic gymnastics) Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, Levi Jung-Ruivivar (women’s artistic gymnastics) Aira Villegas (women’s 50kg) Nesthy Petecio (women’s 57kg) Eumir Marcial (men’s 80kg) Hergie Bacyadan (women’s 75kg) Carlo Paalam (men’s 57kg) Samantha Catantan (women’s individual foil) Kiyomi Watanabe (women’s -63kg) Kayla Sanchez (women’s 100m freestyle) Jarod Hatch (men’s 100m butterfly) EJ Obiena (men’s pole vault) Lauren Hoffman (women’s 400m hurdles) John Cabang Tolentino (men’s 110m hurdles) Bianca Pagdanganan, Dottie Ardina (women’s individual stroke play) John Ceniza (men’s 61kg) Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg) Vanessa Sarno (women’s 71kg) – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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French restaurant Metronome to close permanently

jreyes0314

23/07/2024 13:00

Metronome's Instagram MANILA, Philippines – Metronome is closing its doors permanently, the French fine dining restaurant announced “with deep regret” in an Instagram post on Monday, July 22. The Makati City restaurant said that the facilities are “fully intact and ready to operate,” and interested parties may get in touch for inquiries. “It was a fun five years and we thank everyone for being a part of that,” Metronome added, not disclosing the reason behind its permanent closure. On May 16, the restaurant said it was closing “indefinitely.” Commenters then expressed concern over the restaurant’s resident cat named Nome nome, who the restaurant said has been adopted by one of Metronome’s former chefs. “Not to worry, she has been adopted by one of our staff. She’s in good hands,” the restaurant wrote in its reply to a customer. The restaurant also posted a statement about Nome nome on the cat’s Instagram account. The restaurant’s closure comes a few months after Metronome’s executive chef Miko Calo officially stepped down from her post on April 18. She tendered her resignation on March 18. “For the past several months, the direction regarding Metronome’s future has led to divergent opinions among its leadership team. This situation had created a climate of unease and doubt,” Calo said in a press statement. Located in Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metronome is a modern French restaurant known for its dégustation menus and collaborations with other notable chefs, such as Margarita Forés, Johanne Siy, Metiz’s Stephan Duhesme, Toyo Eatery’s Jordy Navarra, and Mōdan’s Jorge Mendez. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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More than half of Northern Mindanao villages at risk of landslides, flooding – MGB

Herbie G

23/07/2024 12:03

CALAMITY. A landslide incident occurs in one of the areas in San Fernando, Bukidnon. San Fernando Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Over a thousand barangays in Northern Mindanao are at risk of landslides, flooding, and rain-induced debris flow whenever there is excessive rainfall, environment officials in the region warned. Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Northern Mindanao showed that 1,390 or 69% of the barangays are exposed to geological hazards out of the region’s 2,022 villages. A geological hazard map identifies the areas susceptible to earthquakes, flooding, landslides, rock slides, sinkholes, and other geological processes that can affect the safety of people and the environment. The maps used a 50-millimeter-per-hour rainfall threshold to indicate areas vulnerable to rainfall-related hazards. The 1,390 villages prone to disasters are in Bukidnon with 294, Camiguin with 13, Lanao del Norte with 372, Misamis Occidental with 474, and Misamis Oriental with 237. Geohazard maps are crucial for creating comprehensive land-use plans, said Osin Sinsuat Jr., MGB-Northern Mindanao geologist. On Friday, July 12, Northern Mindanao’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported that 14 landslides occurred in Bukidnon alone due to heavy rain triggered by a southwest monsoon weather system. The same weather system also resulted flooding and landslides, and forced families to flee in many areas in other Mindanao regions. The RDRRMC said 23 barangays in four towns and two cities in Bukidnon, along with two others in Lanao del Norte, were flooded, forcing over 7,000 people to evacuate and seek temporary shelters. In Cagayan de Oro, authorities have identified 26 of the city’s 80 barangays as landslide-prone, according to Nick Jabagat, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD). Jabagat told reporters on Wednesday, July 17, that the DENR-MGB’s geohazard map provided to the city government in 2018, was based on data from 2015 and lacked details, including levels of vulnerability. To address this, the CDRRMD developed its own City Environment Disaster Risk Assessment (CEDRA), considering existing land-use plans of each barangay and providing details at the sitio level not found in DENR-MGB geohazard maps. Jabagat said they have been helping communities by institutionalizing Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, training and equipping village-based responders and monitoring the optimal utilization of calamity funds. Armen Cuenca, head of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), said landslides are often caused by human activities that disturb the environment, such as road widening, land conversions from agricultural use, and improper disposal of solid waste, which clogs canals and creeks. Both Jabagat and Cuenca noted that Cagayan de Oro serves as a catch-basin for the effects of upstream human activities, with rivers and excess rainfall flowing downstream from Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, and Talakag in Bukidnon. They have included Opol and Tagoloan in neighboring Misamis Oriental in their disaster resilience plans in anticipation of Cagayan de Oro’s official metropolitan launch next year. Sinsuat said the region’s geohazard maps have been continuously revised since 2015, with recent updates for Baroy in Lanao del Norte, Talakag in Bukidnon, and Claveria in Misamis Oriental. DENR-Northern Mindanao Director Henry Adornado said they have been coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional and district offices when new roads are proposed or when constructing public buildings and facilities. Adornado noted instances where they advised the DPWH to avoid constructing in highly vulnerable areas for landslides and flooding, including those within declared sanctuaries and protected areas. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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‘A big F’: LGBTQ+ groups disappointed with Marcos SONA

Russell Ku

23/07/2024 12:34

In celebration of Pride Month, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with allies and supporters in Cebu, gather for the Mandaue City Pride March on June 15, 2024. Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – LGBTQ+ groups are disappointed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he did not mention equal rights as a priority issue of his administration. In his speech that clocked over an hour, Marcos did not mention anything about the LGBTQ+ community or a measure that would prohibit discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE). “We are disappointed that once again, the equality agenda has been set aside in the State of the Nation Address despite it being a basic human right. We firmly believe and maintain that equality and non-discrimination ought to be staples in the national agenda,” PANTAY national convenor Vince Liban said in a statement. PANTAY is part of over 200 organizations under The Equality Alliance that signed an open letter in June urging Marcos to certify the SOGIE equality bill as urgent. The proposed measure has been languishing in Congress for over two decades. As part of The Equality Alliance’s efforts, lawmakers including Senator Risa Hontiveros, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro wore rainbow pins from Bahaghari Love Bands at the Batasang Pambansa on SONA day. According to pin creator Dennis Corteza, it symbolizes “love, allyship, and solidarity” and was inspired by parents of a queer kid who lost their kid due to mental health problems caused by discrimination. Meanwhile, progressive group Bahaghari gave Marcos “a big F” for ignoring the state of LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. “LGBTQ+ Filipinos do not deserve a president who will have us beg and grovel at his feet just to be recognized as Filipinos with rights worth protecting,” the group said in a statement. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus executive director Ryan Silverio shared the same sentiment, telling Rappler, “It was quite disheartening that despite the visibility of our sector, and our direct and deliberate contributions to the country’s development, we remain invisible in his development agenda.” Meanwhile, gender rights group EnGendeRights said prioritizing the passage of the SOGIE equality bill is urgent as it would address issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. “LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and queer) people suffer discrimination in the streets, workplaces, online, and other public spaces and in access to services and legal protection afforded to heterosexual Filipinos,” said EnGendeRights executive director Clara Rita Padilla. Toni Gee Fernandez, president of Mindanao-based LGBTQ+ group Mujer-LGBT Organization, said she remains “hopeful…for the release of a concrete plan for the LGBTQ+ [community]” despite the lack of action from the Marcos administration for the last two years. OutRight Action International project coordinator Ging Cristobal told Rappler that Marcos’ snub of LGBTQ+ rights in his SONA is “a reminder that we have to educate everyone about the need for respect and equality,” adding that queer people are only in the mind of politicians during celebrations such as Pride month. A 2023 Social Weather Stations survey showed that while most Filipinos find gays and lesbians as trustworthy as any other person, some respondents said that they would like their queer family members to change and become straight. The SOGIE equality bill is not among the priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council as of June 25. Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, the Philippines’ first transgender woman to be elected to Congress, said on the SONA red carpet that she does not take it against Marcos for not including the bill as a priority measure. The country's first-ever transgender lawmaker, Representative Geraldine Roman of Bataan's 1st District, says delays in the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) Bill is largely the fault of Congress, particularly the Senate. President Ferdinand… pic.twitter.com/Xi7AUdEcjr “I think the problem lies in the Senate. So it is up to them on the problem and they should also respond to this issue,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino. Hontiveros earlier said during the 2024 Quezon City Pride march and festival that she was working with Senate leaders to bring the measure back to plenary discussions after it was reverted to the Senate committee on rules by Senator Joel Villanueva in February 2023. In December 2023, Marcos signed Executive Order 51 that would create a special committee on LGBTQ+ affairs. It aimed to strengthen “existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against the community and provide them an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government.” However, LGBTQ+ organizations not aligned with the Marcos administration said that they have not felt the effects of the order or were not included in conversations to participate in the committee. – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Face-swapped? Deepfake detector flags alleged Marcos video as ‘suspicious’

INT-gem.bmen

23/07/2024 10:03

FACE-SWAPPED? A screenshot of Sensity's analysis of the alleged video of President Marcos. MANILA, Philippines – Deep fake detection tool Sensity flagged as “suspicious” a video released by Pro-Duterte personalities at the Hakbang ng Maisug event in California hours before the 3rd State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The grainy video depicted a person who was putting something in his mouth before appearing to inhale deeply. The video appeared to resemble a younger Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with a fuller face. The tool, however, indicated with a confidence rate of 81.8% that a potential “faceswap” may have been done in the video. The automated report generated by Sensity noted that “the submitted file is not camera original.” It adds that “the presence of FFmpeg, EvidenceLibrary.com, Evidence.com, Shutter Encoder, Deepfakes Web, Runway, Faceswap, Reface, Deepbrain AI, HeyGen, and Hedra in the generation history for this structural signature indicates that this file is not consistent with a camera original file.” Faceswap and Reface are generative artificial intelligence tools that are used to artificially replace the face of an individual in a video or photo. Traces of various devices were also detected in the file format. It must be noted that AI detection tools sometimes do result in false positives. For this reason, according to Sensity, “further manual analysis is required for additional insight.” It is difficult to make a final judgment on the authenticity of the video, however, because none of the key personalities present at the event where it was released appears to have posted the video directly on any of their social media pages. Most of the versions of the video that were circulated were merely videos taken from the screen on the stage as the organizers of the California event were looping the “original” video. A number of pro-Duterte vloggers circulated these grainy versions of the video on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Even former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was present at the event, only posted a video recording of the video itself on his TikTok and Facebook accounts. Roque captioned his post “HUSGAHAN SI VANGAG!” Roque’s post included an initial zoomed out version of the video which had a label “RAW VIDEO” as well as a version that is labeled “ENHANCED VIDEO.”  Both versions were blurred and grainy, indicating that neither were originals. From examining various videos circulating on social media, Rappler found that the video appears to have been presented by pro-Duterte vlogger “Maharlika” at the Hakbang ng Maisug event in California. Other pro-Duterte personalities shown to be present at the event included Roque and former senatorial candidate Glenn Chong. In comments she made before the video was shown, Maharlika described it as the “polvoron movie.” “Polvoron” is a rather crumbly pastry made from a mixture of powdered milk, flour, butter, and sugar. Following the split between the Duterte and Marcos camps, pro-Duterte social media influencers have been accusing President Marcos of abusing illegal substances in posts which liberally used the term “polvoron” as a euphemism for such a substance. At a protest rally held in Davao City in January 2024, former president Rodrigo Duterte himself accused Marcos of being a drug addict. This prompted Marcos to strike back, blaming Duterte’s foul-mouthed tirade on the latter’s use of fentanyl, an opioid prescribed for patients who suffer from chronic pain. As the video was being played at the California event, people could be heard shouting, “Marcos resign!” A number of the event’s attendees appear to be members of preacher Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ, showing placards bearing the text “Justice of KOJC victims.” Quiboloy is a fugitive with standing warrants of arrest for trafficking, child and sexual abuse, and is on the FBI’s most wanted list. Some attendees of the event also wore statement shirts that say “Justice for Apollo Quiboloy.” Shortly after the supposed Marcos video was circulated, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos held a press conference announcing the creation of a task force that will be investigating the “malicious” circulation of the alleged video ahead of the President’s SONA. Video from the presscon is embedded below. Abalos said he does not believe that the person in the video is Marcos. “Those are not his features.” During the press conference, Abalos presented a comparison of screenshots of the individual in the viral video and compared them with a photograph of the President. The screenshots zoomed in on the ears of the individual in the alleged Marcos video and compared it with the President’s ears. “Look at his ears and judge by yourselves.” Abalos also questioned the reason why the video was circulated abroad and not in the Philippines. “You tell me, why did they have to do that abroad?” Police General Francisco Marbil for his part said that the task force will look into gadgets that were used in the distribution of the “malicious” video as well as the liability of the individuals who circulated the video. The Department of National Defense also posted a statement on X calling the circulation of the video a “maliciously crude attempt to destabilize the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.” It also described the release of the video in the US as “a cowardly attempt to escape Philippine criminal jurisdiction.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. 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COA dismisses state auditor over unauthorized allowances from gov’t agencies

Mia Gonzalez

23/07/2024 10:39

COA BUILDING. The facade of the Commission on Audit building. COA photo MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit has ordered dismissal of a state auditor for grave misconduct after she was found to have claimed unauthorized allowances from government agencies that she audited. The auditor, who was not named as provided under COA rules, served the commission for 31 years and was a former audit team leader assigned to three Bulacan towns. The decision ordering the auditor’s dismissal was signed by COA Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba and commissioners Roland Café Pondoc and Mario Lipana. The COA en banc perpetually disqualified the respondent from holding public office while her retirement benefit was forfeited. The commission created an investigating team to look into various complaints against the auditor in 2015 and 2016, including allegations of issuing checks with insufficient funding, asking fellow employees to invest in lotto and off-track betting stations that did not materialize, and also getting cash and gifts from agencies that she audited. During the investigation, a municipal accountant of one of the Bulacan towns she audited confirmed to COA that the auditor received P400 per day travel allowance from August 2014 to September 2016, amounting to P192,800, as well as P61,897 in medical assistance. Investigators also discovered that the municipal accountants in the two other Bulacan towns assigned to the auditor released to her P10,000 and 15,000, respectively, in medical assistance. “Claiming unauthorized allowances and collecting travel allowance from the agency while being aware of the prohibition showed the intent to violate the law and the rules and regulations,” COA said. In responding to the allegations, the auditor had claimed that she was not aware of the rule against engaging in personal business but admitted that she obtained financial and medical assistance from the audited agencies to help pay the hospital bills of some family members. To this, the COA en banc said: “Respondent apparently failed to grasp the gravity of her transgression which not only impacts negatively on the image of this Commission but also reflects the depravity of her character, Thus, we cannot consider in her favor, her 3 1 years in government service.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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French restaurant Metronome to close permanently

jreyes0314

23/07/2024 13:00

Metronome's Instagram MANILA, Philippines – Metronome is closing its doors permanently, the French fine dining restaurant announced “with deep regret” in an Instagram post on Monday, July 22. The Makati City restaurant said that the facilities are “fully intact and ready to operate,” and interested parties may get in touch for inquiries. “It was a fun five years and we thank everyone for being a part of that,” Metronome added, not disclosing the reason behind its permanent closure. On May 16, the restaurant said it was closing “indefinitely.” Commenters then expressed concern over the restaurant’s resident cat named Nome nome, who the restaurant said has been adopted by one of Metronome’s former chefs. “Not to worry, she has been adopted by one of our staff. She’s in good hands,” the restaurant wrote in its reply to a customer. The restaurant also posted a statement about Nome nome on the cat’s Instagram account. The restaurant’s closure comes a few months after Metronome’s executive chef Miko Calo officially stepped down from her post on April 18. She tendered her resignation on March 18. “For the past several months, the direction regarding Metronome’s future has led to divergent opinions among its leadership team. This situation had created a climate of unease and doubt,” Calo said in a press statement. Located in Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metronome is a modern French restaurant known for its dégustation menus and collaborations with other notable chefs, such as Margarita Forés, Johanne Siy, Metiz’s Stephan Duhesme, Toyo Eatery’s Jordy Navarra, and Mōdan’s Jorge Mendez. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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‘Reach for the stars’: Marcos boasts PH space projects in 2024 SONA

lfangeles0309

23/07/2024 8:30

A screenshot of a sketch of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment satellite. Philippine Space Agency MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines’ satellites have generated thousands of maps, images, and other data for several purposes, during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22. “[Satellites] now provide us with vital information that guides our country’s… decision-making in agricultural development, urban planning, and environmental management, including the strengthening of our maritime domain awareness,” the President said. The Philippines has launched eight satellites – two microsatellites Diwata-1 and Diwata-2, and six cube satellites Maya-1 to -6. The Diwata satellites focus on Earth observation, capturing images of the Philippines from the atmosphere. Diwata-1, launched in 2016, was decommissioned or had its mission ended in 2020. Meanwhile, the Maya satellites have returned to Earth, but their models are still being studied for future satellite projects. Diwata-2 was launched in 2018 and is the lone satellite from the Philippines currently in orbit. The President also mentioned the 16 engineers from the Philippine Space Agency who are currently working on the Multi-Spectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite in the United Kingdom. “Once completed, the MULA satellite will be our largest earth observation satellite to be launched into space so far,” the President said. “May they inspire the next generation of Filipino students to follow in their footsteps and reach for the stars.” MULA, like Diwata-1 and Diwata-2, will also be an Earth observation satellite but bigger, targeted to be launched in 2026. The Diwata satellites were a little over 50 kilograms each, while MULA will weigh around 130 kilograms. MULA will also capture more data with just one camera. To compare, one of the cameras of the Diwata satellites has a swath width of around 4 kilometers. Swath width refers to the horizontal distance that a satellite can capture. MULA’s swath width is around 120 kilometers. Images captured by Earth observation satellites are used by agencies for disaster assessment and environmental monitoring. On Facebook, a social media user looks forward to the launch of MULA. However, science advocates group AGHAM Youth National previously called out the lack of support from the Marcos administration for the country’s science and technology sector. “Sa nakalipas na taon ay makikitang walang direkta at aktibong suporta mula sa rehimeng Marcos para sa pagpapalaganap ng sektor ng Agham,” AGHAM Youth National said in a social media post on Saturday, July 20. (In past years, there has been no direct and active support from Marcos’ regime for the advancement of the science sector.) “Bagkus ay mas pinalaganap ng kanyang rehimen ng anti-mamamayan na mga polisiya. Patuloy pa rin ang pag-usbong ng samu’t saring mga reklamasyon na sumisira sa ating kapaligiran.” (On the contrary, Marcos’ regime advances anti-people policies. Reclamation projects continue to prosper and destroy the environment.) In both his 2024 and 2023 SONAs, the President briefly made mention of the relevant scholarships and research and development grants that continue to be available for students, and was mum about the several controversial reclamation projects in the country. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Cadiz’s legless swimming sensation aims for international glory

Herbie G

23/07/2024 10:59

SWIMMING SENSATION. Cadiz City's Zach Lucas Obsioma with his coach Max Fermales, international swimming champ and Eric Buhain, and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in Cebu City. courtesy of Ma. Evita Obsioma and Cadiz LGU BACOLOD, Philippines – Ten-year-old Zach Lucas Obsioma dreams of joining the Philippine paralympic team and, ultimately, competing in an international swimming event. The stamina and determination of the legless swimmer from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, caught the attention of international swimming champ-turned-coach Eric Buhain, who saw a bright future for him following the boy’s impressive performance during the just-held Palarong Pambansa 2024 in Cebu City. He went home with two gold medals and a silver after competing in the 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, and 50-meter breaststroke, which left spectators in awe during the Palaro’s para swimming events. Max Fermales, Obsioma’s coach, said he was astonished at the boy’s victories. “He’s gutsy. And we can really sense his will to win,” Fermales said. “We told Zach to stay focused as he is not yet at the top of his journey. There are still more battles to fight.” Fermales said the boy has been following his advice diligently. After the Palaro in Cebu, he resumed swimming training in preparation for future competitions. “We want to prepare him every day for much bigger competitions,” Fermales said. The para athlete’s daily routine now includes 5 am to 8 am practices, and he maintains a strict diet of fruits and vegetables. While the young Obsioma has emerged as an emblem of resilience and inspiration, his condition broke the heart of his mother when she gave birth to him on August 16, 2013. The boy was born with Phocomelia syndrome, a rare condition resulting in severely shortened or absent limbs. His mother, Evita, told Rappler that her initial reaction to his condition was heartbreak. “It felt as if my heart would explode. Daw indi ko gid siya mabaton (It was like I can’t accept him),” she said. For three months, Evita confessed, the boy was kept away from public view until a pediatrician advised against it. Evita said seeing her husband’s unwavering support and love for their son began to change her heart. It was her husband, she said, who always cheered her up by reminding her that despite the boy’s condition, “Gwapo ni ‘ya bata ko (My son is handsome).” Little did the parents know that the boy was a hidden sports gem who was destined to shine. Now, Evita said she has become his son’s cheerleader. “I have mixed emotions – happy, excited, and, at the same time, also nervous – whenever Zach competes, considering his situation,” she said. Evita said her son’s journey as a para athlete began by “accident” as he was initially fond of badminton, football, and volleyball. “His father and I discouraged him because of his physical condition. But Zach is not a quitter,” Evita said. Undeterred, he eventually found his calling in swimming, thanks to a woman who first encouraged and coached him. While enrolled at the Special Education (SPED) Cadiz Center, Zach was spotted by the late Cherill Ducay, who encouraged him to try swimming, and later coached him. Just two weeks after starting swimming lessons at Laura’s Resort in Cadiz, Zach was found himself competing in the Palarong Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental in March 2023. He won gold in three events and then qualified for the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Meet (WVRAA) in Aklan, and then the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City the same year. Last May, he did it again at WVRRA Meet in Bacolod where he emerged as a swimming sensation and source of inspiration for many who watched his performance. Arlene Bermejo, Cadiz schools division superintendent, was all praises for the boy’s stamina and determination. “He is someone who never worries about his physical condition. Instead, he just goes on swimming without minding what people are saying about his disability,” she said. Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. also expressed pride in Zach’s accomplishments, calling him their “hero” and pledging the city government’s support for his future competitions. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Here’s how Filipinos can achieve ‘Freedom’ to build their future savings

gbarrientos0280

19/07/2024 15:41

In this day and age, the effects of inflation are palpable from month to month. It hits every aspect of our lives, from food costs, to housing, to utilities, down to transport. As these rising costs of living continue to pile up, how are you preparing for the future? According to the 2024 Manulife Asia Care Survey, 58% of Filipinos surveyed are planning to delay their retirement because of familial financial responsibility. 43% of Filipinos also shared that having passive income after retirement is their top financial goal. All while thinking about their futures, 81% of Filipinos are burdened in the present with worries about inflation. It’s clear that to navigate an economy like this, it’s wise to start planning for 20 years from now, today. To help reach these goals, Manulife designed an insurance plan built to help protect your health, and provide guarantees that can help you save up for the future. The Manulife Asia Care Survey revealed that Filipinos’ financial goals are security after retirement, savings for healthcare needs, and freedom from debt. Manulife’s Freedom and Manulife China Bank Life (MCBL)’s Assure Max are built with Filipinos’ stability in mind. Manulife’s plans are designed to help make your dreams become a reality. Whether it’s helping to sustain your growing family or building financial freedom to pursue your passions, Manulife’s insurance with investment plans can be your long-term partner for financial preparedness. Manulife’s Freedom lets you build a stable financial investment despite life’s unpredictability. It’s available in two models: a 20-year length or until age 65. It also has flexible payment terms, available in five or 10-year payment plans. With this plan, there are guarantees. First, it protects you through life insurance coverage during your chosen plan’s length that will provide 200% of your plan’s face amount. Second, it guarantees long-term savings through a lump-sum cash benefit released upon plan maturity, helping secure your life after retirement. It also provides cash payouts equal to 10% of the face amount given every two years after full payment of the plan. This can help you keep up with the costs of your child’s growth or even go on your dream travels every other year. Alternatively, you can opt to reinvest these payouts for bigger lump-sum benefits at plan maturity. Want more out of Freedom? You can also boost your plan to secure supplementary benefits for health emergencies, accidental death, or disability. For China Bank and China Bank Savings customers, Manulife has made it more convenient to enjoy Freedom’s similar features with the MCBL Assure Max plan. It also serves as a reliable savings fund to help you with your expenses, while kick-starting your journey towards a rewarding retirement. With your goals in mind, do you want to find out where ‘better’ can take you? Visit the Manulife website or the MCBL website, and talk to a financial advisor today. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Which POGOs are affected by Marcos’ ban?

gdecastro0289

23/07/2024 11:36

Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Which gaming operators are to wind down their operations until end of the year and how many Filipino workers will have to start looking for new jobs? Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chief Alejandro Tengco wants clarification on this given that the state gaming regulator no longer has any Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) on its list. Was President Marcos referring to what Pagcor now calls Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs)? Tengco told radio DZBB on Tuesday, July 23, that he had yet to discuss with the President his directive to Pagcor to ban POGOs, but clarified that he only has jurisdiction over gaming enterprises that are operating legally, not those underground, so he assumed the president was referring to the 43 IGLs. “Hindi ko naman pwede i-wind down ang mga ilegal na yun e dahil ang Pagcor ay walang jurisdiction sa mga ilegal,” he said. “I suppose he was referring to yung may lisensya sa kasalukuyan.” (I cannot wind down the illegal because I have no jurisdiction over them. So, by winding down, I suppose he’s referring to those who have licenses.) He said the POGO ban is more a challenge to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. than to Pagcor since the only act of the regulator to implement the ban is to not renew the licenses of IGLs. Pagcor’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department has a list of 45 IGLs, two of which are suspended (Gambol Leisure and Amusement Inc. and Tritech Technology Corporation), for a total of 43 operating as of July 16. These are: Tengco said these 43 IGLs employ 31,000 Filipinos directly. Another 9,800 Filipinos are part of the special class of business process outsourcing (BPO), meaning they are not involving in gambling, but are BPOs whose clients are gaming companies in places such as the US and Europe. Thus, he said the total number of workers affected by Marcos’ POGO ban is around 40,000. This figure excludes workers such as drivers, security guards, messengers, and helpers who are indirectly employed by the 43 IGLs. Tengco said he will meet with these IGLs since there has to be due process, but added they have no choice but to follow the President’s order. He said these IGLs have the option of putting up land-based casinos or integrated gaming resorts but these require big investments. Pagcor will license them if they choose to venture into these areas, he said. Tengco lamented that the legal work of IGLs will now be affected by the criminal activities of illegal POGOs. He reiterated his fear that many of the 250 POGOs he banned last year are now operating underground, adding that the challenge of shutting down POGOs now lies with law enforcers. “Case in point yung Bamban [POGO in Tarlac] at Porac [POGO in Pampanga], wala na naman pong lisensya yung mga yan nung nakaraang taon pero nakita naman po natin na nagpatuloy sila ng hanapbuhay,” he said. (Case in point is Bamban and the one in Porac. They had no licenses last year but we saw they continued to operate.) “Masakit man sabihin, ang paniwala ko po, hanggang ngayon naghahanapbuhay pa rin ng ilegal at patuloy pa rin ang criminal activities. Natitiyak ko po yun na hindi na nag gagaming operation yung mga yun,” he said. (It’s painful to say, but I believe that up to this day, the illegal POGOs are still operating and continuing their criminal activities. I am sure that they are no longer in gaming operations.) Tengco said shutting down illegal POGOs could be done if local government units (LGUs) helped law enforcers. “Papaano natin ngayon imomonitor? Ang kailang natin ang tulong ng LGUs, they are the ones on the ground. Sila ang makaaalam on the ground. Sila ang magsumbong at saan nagpapatuloy,” he said. (How will we now monitor? We need the help of LGUs, they are the ones on the ground. They know what’s happening on the ground. They will be the ones to squeal and tell us where.) Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio told Rappler on Tuesday that Marcos “banned offshore gaming, be they POGOs or IGLs,” and clarified that both of these entities are the same. PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz told Radyo 630 on Tuesday that based on an intelligence report they submitted to the DILG, there are around 400 POGOs operating illegally nationwide, but most of these are in Metro Manila. These are POGOs whose licenses were no longer renewed by Pagcor. He said the government has held seminars with local officials to help them “detect” possible POGO operations. One sign is the presence of many foreigners who work at night in buildings protected by high walls and barbed wires. He said the DILG has already cascaded the intelligence report to the LGUs concerned, and they expect LGUs to go after these POGOs. If they do not, Cruz said the PAOCC will prod them to move. Cruz said some POGOs are now operating in luxury reports, no longer in large hubs like the one in Bamban, Tarlac since the latter are now easily detected. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been leading the Senate’s probe on POGOs, said she believes the President’s order banning POGOs covers IGLs. “Pati IGL wala na, actually bagong insturmento yan ng Pagcor kasunod ng mga license ng POGO, but with the president’s pronouncement yesterday, dapat pati yan wala na,” she told GMA’s Unang Hirit. Meantime, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto disclosed on Tuesday the cost-benefit analysis which his department submitted to the President showing that the cost of having POGOs outweighs the revenues they bring to the country. According to a study by the DOF, Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) bring in about P166 billion a year in economic benefits, but their economic costs reach more than P265 billion. In effect, it leads to a “net cost” or a loss of P99.52 billion every year. Here’s what that cost-benefit analysis looks like: Some of the biggest economic costs come from what Recto would classify as “reputational risks,” such as the estimated decrease in foreign direct investments due to crime (P39.94 billion) and corruption perception (P15.42 billion), and estimated decrease in inbound tourism revenues due to crime (P28.62 billion). Letting POGOs operate in the country makes the Philippines highly vulnerable to money laundering, which could dissuade foreign investors from the country, the DOF said. The more substantial hit actually comes from indirect economic costs. The DOF estimates the foregone investments due to crime, foregone revenues from tourism, among others, cost the economy P111.83 billion, while the negative effect to the tourism industry could reach P69.04 billion. And it gets worse. The cold, hard economic figures used by the DOF in its cost-benefit analysis doesn’t even include the social costs yet, which the DOF considers “unquantifiable.” “We note that the estimated economic costs exclude the social costs of POGOs,” the DOF states in its position paper. “This includes the loss of life, physical and psychological harm to victims, and the impact on the communities such as an increased sense of fear and anxiety associated with illegal POGO activities, the perception that groups conducting illegal or criminal activity have significant economic influence in certain areas, and the negative impact this may have on institutional integrity.” What about the impact of a POGO ban on employment? Based on the latest 2023 figures gathered by the DOF, there are a total of 66,547 employees working in the POGO sector, with 25,200 of them being Filipinos while the rest are foreign nationals. Still, the DOF is not too concerned about the possible impact to employment that such a ban would have. “We find this fear unfounded as other similar sectors are more than capable of accommodating them given their technical skills, particularly in the business process outsourcing industry,” the DOF said. “Maraming pondo pa naman ang DOLE ngayon (The Department of Labor and Employment has a lot of funds now),” Recto said in a chance interview on Tuesday. “One job is one. Tulungan natin ‘yung (Let’s help the) 25,000. I’m sure they can get employment elsewhere.” The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) likewise also believes that the “benefits of banning POGOs outweigh the costs.” “The President would like to see legitimate businesses, businesses that give good reputation to our country as investment destination, as tourist destination, not ones that encourage criminalities or negative things,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a chance interview also on Tuesday. The country’s chief economist also estimated that POGOs only contributed “less than one half of one percent” to the gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2022. That 0.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) already takes into account the properties that cater to POGOs, according to Balisacan. In the past, the properties sector thrived on POGO money. For instance, POGOs used to make up a quarter of the demand for office space in 2019, but that has since dwindled to just about 11% of demand, according to Leechiu Property Consultants. In its study, the DOF also asserted that banning POGO operations would “not derail the real estate industry.”(READ: Can the property market survive a ban on POGOs?) – With a report from Lian Buan/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Credible

Signal No. 2 up as Typhoon Carina slightly intensifies

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 12:35

CARINA. Satellite image of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) as of July 23, 2024, 11 am. JMA MANILA, Philippines – Signal No. 2 was raised due to Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) for the first time on Tuesday morning, July 23, as the tropical cyclone slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea. Carina’s maximum sustained winds increased from 130 kilometers per hour to 140 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 11 am bulletin on Tuesday. The typhoon’s gustiness is now up to 170 km/h from the previous 160 km/h. PAGASA reiterated that Carina has yet to reach its peak intensity, and rapid intensification remains likely. As of 10 am on Tuesday, the typhoon was located 320 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, or 405 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan. It is now moving north or upward at 15 km/h, after earlier moving north northwest at only 10 km/h. Carina is not expected to make landfall in the Philippines, but it is affecting parts of Luzon. Below are the areas under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 11 am on Tuesday. Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property Rain from Carina will also continue in several provinces in Northern Luzon, with floods and landslides possible. Tuesday noon, July 23, to Wednesday noon, July 24 Wednesday noon, July 24, to Thursday noon, July 25 Thursday noon, July 25, to Friday noon, July 26 Carina also continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat. In a separate advisory at 11 am on Tuesday, PAGASA updated its rainfall forecast for the enhanced southwest monsoon, covering these areas: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Strong to gale-force gusts from the enhanced southwest monsoon will also be felt in these regions and provinces: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Meanwhile, the gale warning issued at 5 am on Tuesday remains in effect for the coastal waters of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Travel is risky for small boats due to rough to very rough seas (waves 2.8 to 4.5 meters high). Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon will also cause rough seas on Tuesday in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon outside the areas covered by the gale warning and in the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon (waves 2.5 to 4 meters high). PAGASA added that moderate to rough seas are expected in the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon (waves 2 to 3 meters high), western seaboards of Luzon (waves 2 to 3.5 meters high), southern seaboards of Southern Luzon (waves 2 to 3.5 meters high), western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas (waves 2 to 3.5 meters high), and eastern seaboard of Mindanao (waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high). The weather bureau advised small boats not to venture out to sea. PAGASA sees Carina making landfall in the northern part of Taiwan — which is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) — between Wednesday evening, July 24, and Thursday morning, July 25. Then just hours later, it may exit PAR, cross the Taiwan Strait, and again make landfall in southeastern China on Thursday afternoon or evening. “Its landfall over northern Taiwan will trigger a weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period,” the weather bureau said. Carina is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2024 and the second for July. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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‘A big F’: LGBTQ+ groups disappointed with Marcos SONA

Russell Ku

23/07/2024 12:34

In celebration of Pride Month, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, along with allies and supporters in Cebu, gather for the Mandaue City Pride March on June 15, 2024. Jacqueline Hernandez/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – LGBTQ+ groups are disappointed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he did not mention equal rights as a priority issue of his administration. In his speech that clocked over an hour, Marcos did not mention anything about the LGBTQ+ community or a measure that would prohibit discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE). “We are disappointed that once again, the equality agenda has been set aside in the State of the Nation Address despite it being a basic human right. We firmly believe and maintain that equality and non-discrimination ought to be staples in the national agenda,” PANTAY national convenor Vince Liban said in a statement. PANTAY is part of over 200 organizations under The Equality Alliance that signed an open letter in June urging Marcos to certify the SOGIE equality bill as urgent. The proposed measure has been languishing in Congress for over two decades. As part of The Equality Alliance’s efforts, lawmakers including Senator Risa Hontiveros, Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro wore rainbow pins from Bahaghari Love Bands at the Batasang Pambansa on SONA day. According to pin creator Dennis Corteza, it symbolizes “love, allyship, and solidarity” and was inspired by parents of a queer kid who lost their kid due to mental health problems caused by discrimination. Meanwhile, progressive group Bahaghari gave Marcos “a big F” for ignoring the state of LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. “LGBTQ+ Filipinos do not deserve a president who will have us beg and grovel at his feet just to be recognized as Filipinos with rights worth protecting,” the group said in a statement. ASEAN SOGIE Caucus executive director Ryan Silverio shared the same sentiment, telling Rappler, “It was quite disheartening that despite the visibility of our sector, and our direct and deliberate contributions to the country’s development, we remain invisible in his development agenda.” Meanwhile, gender rights group EnGendeRights said prioritizing the passage of the SOGIE equality bill is urgent as it would address issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. “LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and queer) people suffer discrimination in the streets, workplaces, online, and other public spaces and in access to services and legal protection afforded to heterosexual Filipinos,” said EnGendeRights executive director Clara Rita Padilla. Toni Gee Fernandez, president of Mindanao-based LGBTQ+ group Mujer-LGBT Organization, said she remains “hopeful…for the release of a concrete plan for the LGBTQ+ [community]” despite the lack of action from the Marcos administration for the last two years. OutRight Action International project coordinator Ging Cristobal told Rappler that Marcos’ snub of LGBTQ+ rights in his SONA is “a reminder that we have to educate everyone about the need for respect and equality,” adding that queer people are only in the mind of politicians during celebrations such as Pride month. A 2023 Social Weather Stations survey showed that while most Filipinos find gays and lesbians as trustworthy as any other person, some respondents said that they would like their queer family members to change and become straight. The SOGIE equality bill is not among the priority measures of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council as of June 25. Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman, the Philippines’ first transgender woman to be elected to Congress, said on the SONA red carpet that she does not take it against Marcos for not including the bill as a priority measure. The country's first-ever transgender lawmaker, Representative Geraldine Roman of Bataan's 1st District, says delays in the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) Bill is largely the fault of Congress, particularly the Senate. President Ferdinand… pic.twitter.com/Xi7AUdEcjr “I think the problem lies in the Senate. So it is up to them on the problem and they should also respond to this issue,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino. Hontiveros earlier said during the 2024 Quezon City Pride march and festival that she was working with Senate leaders to bring the measure back to plenary discussions after it was reverted to the Senate committee on rules by Senator Joel Villanueva in February 2023. In December 2023, Marcos signed Executive Order 51 that would create a special committee on LGBTQ+ affairs. It aimed to strengthen “existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against the community and provide them an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government.” However, LGBTQ+ organizations not aligned with the Marcos administration said that they have not felt the effects of the order or were not included in conversations to participate in the committee. – with reports from Jairo Bolledo/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Shinjuku’s Tongara Ramen returns to Metro Manila, now open at Estancia Mall

Steph Arnaldo

22/06/2024 19:45

TONGARA RAMEN. The ramen joint from Shinkuju, Tokyo, opens its flagship branch at Estancia Mall. Paul Fernandez/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Seeking comfort in the rain? A steaming bowl of ramen from Tokyo’s bustling streets may be the best rainy-day remedy, especially if you’re strolling around Estancia Mall in Pasig City. Shinjuku’s beloved Tongara Ramen – the culinary brainchild of Japanese ramen master Chef Makoto Okazaki – is back in Metro Manila with a new flagship branch at the third level of Estancia’s East Wing. The ramen joint, which started in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in 2013, opened its first branch outside Japan in Cebu in 2015, followed by Tacloban, and then in Marikina in 2018. The latter branch closed in 2023, but its Cebu and Tacloban branches are still operational. Chef Makoto Okazaki is renowned for his unique tongara broth, a combination of tonkotsu (pork bone stock) and torigara (chicken bone stock), crafted for hours to achieve a rich yet balanced flavor profile. He has spent over a decade cooking and three years perfecting this trade-secret broth. Key to the authenticity of Tongara Ramen is its hand-mixed seafood paste, prepared by Chef Makoto and air-flown to the Philippines weekly. All ingredients and sauces come directly from Japan, ensuring each bowl of ramen is fresh, organic, and true to traditional Japanese techniques. Tongara Ramen’s modern flagship branch imbibes the Japanese dining experience with interiors inspired by Tokyo’s cozy alleyways and traditional woodworking. The timber centerpiece above the restaurant oversees elements such as the private room shoji doors and charcoal-stained chairs, making for a casual but classy dining atmosphere. The booth seating is comfortable for groups, but solo diners are also welcome at the ramen bar up front. Tongara’s signature offering – the Tongara Ramen (P460) – balances the subtlety of chicken bone broth with the rich and hearty tonkotsu broth. Thin and chewy ramen noodles pair well with the umami-rich broth, which did get a bit too heavy for me after several spoonfuls – but adding a few splashes of vinegar for some acidity did the trick. The green onions also add a welcome zingy bite. Each ramen bowl includes either torched chashu (marinated pork belly) or ebi (shrimp), fresh vegetables, ajitama (marinated boiled egg), menma (bamboo shoots), and negi (green onion). Other ramen offerings include Tantan Ramen (P645): spicy broth with minced pork and Japanese vegetables; Tongara Seafood Ramen (P475): signature tongara broth mixed with seafood broth, topped with chashu or ebi; Tongara Ebi-Miso Ramen (P645): tongara broth with shrimp, chashu, and bean sprouts; Shoyu Ramen (P525): light and clear seafood broth with chashu or ebi; and Tongara Paco Ramen (P525): signature broth topped with breaded porkchop. Tongara Ramen also offers the “dry ramen” Tsukumen (P525): cold ramen noodles dipped in a rich, complex broth. There are Junior Bowls for Tongara (P325), Shoyu (P375), and Tongara Ebi Miso (P375) Ramen. Ramen is best paired with hot and crispy side dishes, such as: A restaurant in the Philippines isn’t complete without rice, so Tongara Ramen ensured that donburi (rice bowls) were available on the menu: Expect to spend around P400 to P600 per person here, excluding the side dishes. Tongara Ramen is located at 3F Estancia East Wing, Capitol Commons, Pasig City. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Batchoy meets ramen: Margarita Forés collabs with Ramen Ron’s Hiroyuki Tamura

Steph Arnaldo

11/05/2024 10:00

MANILA, Philippines – Ever had batchoy ramen? Neither have I, until just a few days ago when Chef Margarita Forés of Cibo fame launched the Batchoy Ramen at Ramen Ron, in collaboration with the Japanese restaurant’s executive chef Hiroyuki Tamura. The first of its kind, the favorite batchoy now takes on the form of Japan’s famous noodle soup dish. It’s a collaboration like no other, the Filipino chef told Rappler, as batchoy is her “most favorite dish” from her hometown and seeing Chef Hiroyuki merge it into his own ramen made for “a super heartwarming collaboration.” Hiroyuki is very protective of the precision and standards of his recipe, as most Japanese chefs are, so Chef Margarita and her son Amado Forés, owner of Ramen Ron, were grateful for the trust. “He trusts us that we won’t touch the things he wants to keep sacred,” Amado said. “The batchoy ramen is not too fusion-y. It’s about being respectful – using the best ramen techniques in treating batchoy,” he said. It’s novel to hear of a Filipino version of the Japanese dish, but with Chef Margarita’s powers and Amado’s realization that both dishes had similarities, it has been done! A personal ode to Fores’ favorite Negrense delicacy, the Ilonggo classic sticks true to its roots, but using the proper noodles-to-broth ratio of Chef Hiroyuki. Upon first sip, it tastes just like the comforting batchoy, using thin and chewy ramen noodles, and a Ukokkei Batchoy-based broth loaded with the indulgent works (and all of Chef’s favorite ingredients) – pork liver, torched bone marrow, crushed chicharon, a jammy shio tamago, and super tender house-made chashu. Mix it all together and you have a powerhouse of authentic and nostalgic flavors, made with three key batchoy ingredients flown in from Iloilo, including the native guinamos (shrimp paste) from Negros. “We had to temper the guinamos because it’s so strong, more than what Chef Hiroyuki is used to. But I think we got the perfect balance,” Chef Margarita said. Amado even flew in one of Iloilo’s best chefs – Chef Tibong Jardeleza – to work with Hiroyuki. Interestingly enough, both chefs are purists, so this respectful collaboration is one everyone is proud of. “The product itself is a result of taking what the essence of batchoy is and using ramen’s sensibility and philosophy,” Amado said. Amado also came up with a Soft Shell Crab Bun – crispy fried soft shell crab with talangka fat mayo in a bao bun. Taba ng talangka (crab fat) is one of Chef Margarita’s favorite ingredients. Mimicking Japanese pickles, the bao comes with a crunchy and tangy atchara made of carrots, green papaya, daikon radish, and onions. There are more Filipino-inspired dishes in the pipeline, said Amado, who is excited to collaborate with other notable chefs. Ramen Ron’s limited edition Set Menu of Batchoy Ramen and the Soft Shell Crab Bun costs P890. Only 20 sets are available per day for dine-in at Ramen Ron’s Rockwell and Central Square, BGC branches, to ensure the quality of the “lengthy labor of love.” It will be available from May 9 to June 9, but it may extend further depending on customers’ feedback. For more information on Ramen Ron, you can visit the Instagram here. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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In major change, PBA adds 4-point line starting next season

delfin.dioquino editor

22/07/2024 22:56

BIG SHOT. Robert Bolick in action for Team Mark in the 2024 PBA All-Star Game. PBA Images MANILA, Philippines – The PBA is bringing a major change as it adopts a four-point line starting in the 49th season, with hopes of luring back fans into the games. League commissioner Willie Marcial said on Monday, July 22, that the board of governors agreed to add the four-point arc, which is 27 feet from the basket, during its planning session in Osaka, Japan. The PBA implemented the four-point line in the last two All-Star Games, with Robert Bolick completing a historic five-point play that allowed Team Mark to force a draw with Team Japeth in the previous Bacolod City edition. “It has been successful in the All-Star and the governors decided to make it a new innovation,” said Marcial in a mix of Filipino and English. “We’ll see.” As the last All-Star Game showed, the four-point line allows teams to build big leads, as well as come back from huge deficits in a short span of time. Making it rain from the four-point stripe, Team Japeth mounted a lead as big as 32 points before Team Mark fought back as the All-Star Game ended in a 140-140 tie, with Bolick knocking down a pair of four-pointers in the final minute as part of a personal 9-0 run. The two teams combined for 21 four-pointers. But it is expected to be different in an actual game as teams play defense more seriously and employ schemes to deny shooters. In the previous Philippine Cup, only two teams shot at least 35% from the three-point line: San Miguel with 35.5% and Terrafirma with 35.1%. Marcial said the four-point arc will encourage players to extend their range. “It will help the development of our shooters, especially when it comes to those who play for the national team,” said Marcial. Back to a three-conference format, the league returns to action in August as it stages the import-flavored Governors’ Cup. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Which POGOs are affected by Marcos’ ban?

gdecastro0289

23/07/2024 11:36

Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Which gaming operators are to wind down their operations until end of the year and how many Filipino workers will have to start looking for new jobs? Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chief Alejandro Tengco wants clarification on this given that the state gaming regulator no longer has any Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) on its list. Was President Marcos referring to what Pagcor now calls Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs)? Tengco told radio DZBB on Tuesday, July 23, that he had yet to discuss with the President his directive to Pagcor to ban POGOs, but clarified that he only has jurisdiction over gaming enterprises that are operating legally, not those underground, so he assumed the president was referring to the 43 IGLs. “Hindi ko naman pwede i-wind down ang mga ilegal na yun e dahil ang Pagcor ay walang jurisdiction sa mga ilegal,” he said. “I suppose he was referring to yung may lisensya sa kasalukuyan.” (I cannot wind down the illegal because I have no jurisdiction over them. So, by winding down, I suppose he’s referring to those who have licenses.) He said the POGO ban is more a challenge to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. than to Pagcor since the only act of the regulator to implement the ban is to not renew the licenses of IGLs. Pagcor’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department has a list of 45 IGLs, two of which are suspended (Gambol Leisure and Amusement Inc. and Tritech Technology Corporation), for a total of 43 operating as of July 16. These are: Tengco said these 43 IGLs employ 31,000 Filipinos directly. Another 9,800 Filipinos are part of the special class of business process outsourcing (BPO), meaning they are not involving in gambling, but are BPOs whose clients are gaming companies in places such as the US and Europe. Thus, he said the total number of workers affected by Marcos’ POGO ban is around 40,000. This figure excludes workers such as drivers, security guards, messengers, and helpers who are indirectly employed by the 43 IGLs. Tengco said he will meet with these IGLs since there has to be due process, but added they have no choice but to follow the President’s order. He said these IGLs have the option of putting up land-based casinos or integrated gaming resorts but these require big investments. Pagcor will license them if they choose to venture into these areas, he said. Tengco lamented that the legal work of IGLs will now be affected by the criminal activities of illegal POGOs. He reiterated his fear that many of the 250 POGOs he banned last year are now operating underground, adding that the challenge of shutting down POGOs now lies with law enforcers. “Case in point yung Bamban [POGO in Tarlac] at Porac [POGO in Pampanga], wala na naman pong lisensya yung mga yan nung nakaraang taon pero nakita naman po natin na nagpatuloy sila ng hanapbuhay,” he said. (Case in point is Bamban and the one in Porac. They had no licenses last year but we saw they continued to operate.) “Masakit man sabihin, ang paniwala ko po, hanggang ngayon naghahanapbuhay pa rin ng ilegal at patuloy pa rin ang criminal activities. Natitiyak ko po yun na hindi na nag gagaming operation yung mga yun,” he said. (It’s painful to say, but I believe that up to this day, the illegal POGOs are still operating and continuing their criminal activities. I am sure that they are no longer in gaming operations.) Tengco said shutting down illegal POGOs could be done if local government units (LGUs) helped law enforcers. “Papaano natin ngayon imomonitor? Ang kailang natin ang tulong ng LGUs, they are the ones on the ground. Sila ang makaaalam on the ground. Sila ang magsumbong at saan nagpapatuloy,” he said. (How will we now monitor? We need the help of LGUs, they are the ones on the ground. They know what’s happening on the ground. They will be the ones to squeal and tell us where.) Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio told Rappler on Tuesday that Marcos “banned offshore gaming, be they POGOs or IGLs,” and clarified that both of these entities are the same. PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz told Radyo 630 on Tuesday that based on an intelligence report they submitted to the DILG, there are around 400 POGOs operating illegally nationwide, but most of these are in Metro Manila. These are POGOs whose licenses were no longer renewed by Pagcor. He said the government has held seminars with local officials to help them “detect” possible POGO operations. One sign is the presence of many foreigners who work at night in buildings protected by high walls and barbed wires. He said the DILG has already cascaded the intelligence report to the LGUs concerned, and they expect LGUs to go after these POGOs. If they do not, Cruz said the PAOCC will prod them to move. Cruz said some POGOs are now operating in luxury reports, no longer in large hubs like the one in Bamban, Tarlac since the latter are now easily detected. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been leading the Senate’s probe on POGOs, said she believes the President’s order banning POGOs covers IGLs. “Pati IGL wala na, actually bagong insturmento yan ng Pagcor kasunod ng mga license ng POGO, but with the president’s pronouncement yesterday, dapat pati yan wala na,” she told GMA’s Unang Hirit. Meantime, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto disclosed on Tuesday the cost-benefit analysis which his department submitted to the President showing that the cost of having POGOs outweighs the revenues they bring to the country. According to a study by the DOF, Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) bring in about P166 billion a year in economic benefits, but their economic costs reach more than P265 billion. In effect, it leads to a “net cost” or a loss of P99.52 billion every year. Here’s what that cost-benefit analysis looks like: Some of the biggest economic costs come from what Recto would classify as “reputational risks,” such as the estimated decrease in foreign direct investments due to crime (P39.94 billion) and corruption perception (P15.42 billion), and estimated decrease in inbound tourism revenues due to crime (P28.62 billion). Letting POGOs operate in the country makes the Philippines highly vulnerable to money laundering, which could dissuade foreign investors from the country, the DOF said. The more substantial hit actually comes from indirect economic costs. The DOF estimates the foregone investments due to crime, foregone revenues from tourism, among others, cost the economy P111.83 billion, while the negative effect to the tourism industry could reach P69.04 billion. And it gets worse. The cold, hard economic figures used by the DOF in its cost-benefit analysis doesn’t even include the social costs yet, which the DOF considers “unquantifiable.” “We note that the estimated economic costs exclude the social costs of POGOs,” the DOF states in its position paper. “This includes the loss of life, physical and psychological harm to victims, and the impact on the communities such as an increased sense of fear and anxiety associated with illegal POGO activities, the perception that groups conducting illegal or criminal activity have significant economic influence in certain areas, and the negative impact this may have on institutional integrity.” What about the impact of a POGO ban on employment? Based on the latest 2023 figures gathered by the DOF, there are a total of 66,547 employees working in the POGO sector, with 25,200 of them being Filipinos while the rest are foreign nationals. Still, the DOF is not too concerned about the possible impact to employment that such a ban would have. “We find this fear unfounded as other similar sectors are more than capable of accommodating them given their technical skills, particularly in the business process outsourcing industry,” the DOF said. “Maraming pondo pa naman ang DOLE ngayon (The Department of Labor and Employment has a lot of funds now),” Recto said in a chance interview on Tuesday. “One job is one. Tulungan natin ‘yung (Let’s help the) 25,000. I’m sure they can get employment elsewhere.” The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) likewise also believes that the “benefits of banning POGOs outweigh the costs.” “The President would like to see legitimate businesses, businesses that give good reputation to our country as investment destination, as tourist destination, not ones that encourage criminalities or negative things,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a chance interview also on Tuesday. The country’s chief economist also estimated that POGOs only contributed “less than one half of one percent” to the gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2022. That 0.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) already takes into account the properties that cater to POGOs, according to Balisacan. In the past, the properties sector thrived on POGO money. For instance, POGOs used to make up a quarter of the demand for office space in 2019, but that has since dwindled to just about 11% of demand, according to Leechiu Property Consultants. In its study, the DOF also asserted that banning POGO operations would “not derail the real estate industry.”(READ: Can the property market survive a ban on POGOs?) – With a report from Lian Buan/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Ocampo, Castro, 11 others appeal child abuse conviction

Herbie G

23/07/2024 9:30

PROTEST. Former Bayan Muna partylist representative Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro, join the indignation protest organized by various multi-sectoral groups following their conviction by Tagum City Regional Trial Court, at the Commission on Human Rights office on July 15, 2024 Ocampo, Castro and other accused individuals were found guilty violating the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. The charges stemmed from a 2018 incident in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, where Castro and Ocampo were accused of kidnapping 14 minors, whom they claimed they were rescuing from paramilitaries harassing them at the Salugpongan Community Learning Center. Jire Carreon/Rappler CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Former Bayan Muna representative Saturnino Ocampo, ACT Teachers party list Representative France Castro, and 11 others appealed on Monday, July 22, a court decision that convicted them of child abuse. They filed a notice of appeal with the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, asking it to elevate the case to the Court of Appeals (CA). The move, once given due course, would allow the transmittal of court records pertaining to the case to the appellate court. Early this month, they were convicted by the regional court of child abuse over a 2018 incident which the military alleged was the abduction of minors from the Davao region. They were sentenced to four to six years in prison, a ruling human rights advocates called a “miscarriage of justice.” Ocampo and Castro are likely candidates for Senate seats in 2025. The others who appealed the conviction are as follows: The notice was submitted on their behalf by lawyers Manuel Quibod, Rachel Pastores, Maneeka Asistol Sarza, and Felimon Nolasco. The case involved indigenous people in Mindanao fighting to run their own schools. Human rights groups said the incident was a rescue of children and teachers from military harassment, but the court saw it as child abuse. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Biggest pro win: Alex Eala sweeps W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz singles, doubles titles

delfin.dioquino editor

21/07/2024 21:44

FOCUSED. Alex Eala readies to return a serve in the ITF W100 Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain. RAFA NADAL ACADEMY MANILA, Philippines – In the biggest singles finals of her pro career against a foe who came in with impressive pedigree, Alex Eala stepped up to the plate and delivered a clinical display of relentless aggression combined with patient execution. The fifth-seeded Eala won her first-ever W100-level event when she disposed of Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva of Andorra, 6-4, 6-4, in a battle between two hard-hitting, left-handed teenagers in the women’s singles final of the ITF Vitoria-Gasteiz on Sunday, July 21. Eala’s title romp came just a day after the Filipina teen standout also bagged the doubles championship with French partner Estelle Cascino after warding off Lia Karatancheva of Bulgaria and Diana Marcinkevica of Latvia, 6-3, 2-6, 10-4, in the finale. “This win means the world to me, it even made me ugly cry,” Eala posted on her social media accounts on Monday, July 22. “I am so proud because this represents the culmination of so much hard work. Securing my biggest tittles yet in both singles and doubles is a fairytale finish, and I’m overwhelmed with emotion.“ “This will always have a special place in my heart, and I leave here with a pocket full of great memories and the will to work harder,” added Eala. The singles final matchup at the Peña Vitoriana Tenis Club in Spain between the two former junior standouts who have had similar career trajectories has long been awaited by hardcore tennis fans. World No. 155 Eala, who turned 19 last May, captured the US Open girls’ singles title in 2022 and was ranked the No. 2 junior player in the world. Jiménez Kasintseva, who will turn 19 years old in August, was the 2020 Australian Open girls singles champion and became the No. 1 junior player in the world when she was 14. The title match delivered the anticipated fireworks, with Eala matching her foe’s powerful groundstrokes while pushing Jiménez Kasintseva to be constantly on the move. The Filipina sent a strong message right off the bat when she broke Jiménez Kasintseva in the very first game of the opening set, then opened a 2-0 lead. She broke Jiménez Kasintseva anew in the fifth game and went up 5-2, but the Andorran managed to claim the next two games to inch closer at 4-5. Eala, though, made sure that was the nearest Jiménez Kasintseva would get, with the Filipina closing the opening set in the 10th game after going up 40-15 on her serve. The second set saw Eala once again erecting an early 2-0 advantage. But Jiménez Kasintseva found her groove and secured the next three games for her first taste of the lead at 3-2. Eala then showed her composure and maturity. Not only did she tie the count on her serve the very next game, but she broke Jiménez Kasintseva in the seventh game to regain the lead at 4-3. Although she lost her serve in the eighth game, Eala answered back in the ninth with her own service break, then held serve after to finish the final in 1 hour and 34 minutes. Both Eala and Jiménez Kasintseva were seeking their fifth career singles title in the pro tour, although their previous high title conquests were in W25-level events. Both were coming off impressive semifinal victories the previous day, with Eala blasting Maria Jose Portillo Ramirez of Mexico, 6-2, 6-1, and Jiménez Kasintseva making short work of second seed Jessika Ponchet of France, 6-2, 6-2. This week marked the best week of Eala’s pro career as she achieved the rare feat of winning both the singles and doubles titles. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Filipinos online welcome Marcos’ POGO ban in SONA 2024

Vixey Marie

23/07/2024 9:00

MANILA, Philippines – “Effective today, all POGOs are banned.” These were President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s words towards the end of his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech on Monday, July 22, at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Filipinos online welcomed the President’s pronouncements, with POGO ranking third on Philippine trends on X (formerly Twitter). A strong unequivocal stance on PH rights in the WPS + a total ban on POGOs.I have to reluctantly admit, that was a pretty powerful SONA. Prior to the SONA, the banning of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) was among the issues that Filipinos hoped President Marcos would address. Marcos also declared a strong stance on the West Philippine Sea dispute, saying “Ang West Philippine Sea ay hindi kathang-isip lamang. Ito ay atin.” (The West Philippine Sea is not a mere figment of our imagination. It is ours.) However, some Filipinos online felt this was not enough to resolve the issue. They believe that actions are needed, not just statements. bare minimum na sabihin ng pangulo na atin ang west philippine sea. it wont make a move. ilahad mo ang mga plano mo laban sa mga makapangyarihang bansa ng tsina, pangulo. #SONA2024 After these announcements, SONA attendees gave a standing ovation and chanted in support of Marcos. Filipinos online quickly attributed the President’s decision on POGO to Senator Risa Hontiveros’ efforts and persistence, especially during the Senate probes on Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who has now been ordered arrested by the Senate. POGOS are now banned! Everybody says THANK YOU, Sen Risa Hontiveros. 🫡💅🏻 #SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/u7cje48XEE I just want to thank this woman who always stands up and looks deeper into what's more to investigate about POGOS. She deserves my praise for what she has done to awaken the minds of many people.SALAMAT SEN. RISA HONTIVEROS AND YOU ARE A TRUE LEADER. 🇵🇭#SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/nC5XM0ET4G lol they chanted his name after he announced that POGOs are now banned 🤡 this probably won’t even happen if it was not addressed and exposed by we all know who 😙💅 #SONA2024 Sen. Risa also ranked fifth on X Philippine trends. (WATCH: Who gave Marcos a standing ovation over POGO ban announcement?) Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno emphasized that the ban should be accompanied by holding accountable those involved in these illegal operations. Maraming salamat Sen Risa! Kung di nyo inungkat ang mga POGO malamang di pa siya na-ban. Dapat may kasabay ang ban– pagpapanagot sa mga salarin AT mga government officials na kakonchave at kumita sa kanila. Some social media users also highlighted the senators who enabled POGO operations in the country. POGOs banned, effective today. Never forget these senators who voted YES to POGO operation.#SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/g2jfaNIm3G not lawmakers clapping for a total ban on pogo when they legalized it in the first place #sona2024 Some netizens recalled how former vice president Leni Robredo, who was the closest rival to Marcos in the 2022 elections, strongly advocated for the ban on POGOs in the country. everyone clapping when Jr announced the total ban of POGO but we know sen. risa is the person who brought light to this issue. madam leni robredo is the only candidate who said “no” to POGO operation.time proves that WOMEN are ALWAYS right. #SONA2024 pic.twitter.com/d8eVSSVqxE A social media user expressed appreciation for journalists and activists who are fact-checking and providing context to the issues addressed by Marcos during the SONA. i just love it when activists and journalists fact-check and put context about what marcos has been saying in this year's SONA like EXACTLYYY!!! keep showing us receipts please!!! #SONA2024 Sociologist Ash Presto noted that Marcos made no mention of LGBTQ+ rights during his address. No mention of gender-oriented policies like the SOGIE Equality Bill & the divorce bill in #SONA2024.This signals that gender is not prioritized at the highest levels of government. Pay more attention to how politicians position themselves on these issues in the 2025 elections. Others pointed out that Marcos’ address is far from the realities still faced by ordinary Filipinos at present. All these seemingly glamorous plans then again, yet if you ask the masses, they won't feel even an ounce of improvement in their lives #SONA2024 ang daming standing ovations. yet almost no real data and no significant improvements were mentioned. everything is a work in progress (with the least progress possible), and they giving him standing ovations and applause? 🤷‍♀️#SONA2024 Some users criticized the government’s misplaced priorities, noting that the P20-million budget allocated for the SONA could have been used to address more pressing issues. Although Vice President Sara Duterte did not attend the SONA, she made her presence felt through a series of statements leading up to the event. She initially announced that she would be the “designated survivor” by not attending the SONA. When asked for further clarification, she stated she had no obligation to elaborate. On SONA day, she released another statement explaining that she was neither watching nor monitoring the SONA, whether on television or through livestream. This response has left social media users disappointed. At the end of Marcos’ third SONA, Filipinos find themselves caught in the middle of the fractured “unity” between Marcos and Duterte. What are your thoughts on the President’s SONA? — Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Jones Cup MVP Chris McCullough refutes game-fixing claims in Strong Group title game

delfin.dioquino editor

22/07/2024 13:02

SOAR. Chris McCullough in action for Strong Group in the 2024 William Jones Cup. Strong Group Athletics Facebook page MANILA, Philippines – Strong Group import Chris McCullough called allegations of game-fixing “ridiculous” after receiving criticism for his struggles in the virtual championship match for the William Jones Cup crown. The former NBA player finished with a tournament-low 12 points on a cold 4-of-16 shooting in an 83-79 overtime win over Chinese Taipei-Blue that allowed Strong Group to deliver the Philippines its seventh Jones Cup title. It was a showing that proved to be a far cry from his previous performances as McCullough led Strong Group in scoring in each of its first seven games, averaging 22.4 points. But McCullough said he simply had an off night. “I always rep the flag wherever I played so for some of you fans who’s saying all of this nonsense is ridiculous,” McCullough wrote on X. “Because I didn’t have the best game in a championship game, now I fix games? Come on now. It happens and it is what it is. It’s always the next man up.” With McCullough firing blanks, fellow import Tajuan Agee rose to the occasion for Strong Group, churning out a team-high 21 points with 9 rebounds as he steadied the ship late in regulation and in the extra period. Agee went a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. “T stepped up big tonight! That’s next man up mentality. He picked up my slack and got the job done!” said McCullough. Despite his struggles in the final game, McCullough still earned tournament MVP honors as he powered Strong Group to an unbeaten run with averages of 21.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. McCullough also bannered the Mythical Team that included Brandon Gilbeck and Ying-Chun Chen of Chinese Taipei-Blue, Mouhamed Mbaye of Chinese Taipei-White, and former Ateneo player Joseph Obasa of Malaysia. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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SM Prime bolsters MSME growth and boom in the Philippines

cmorales0331

22/07/2024 10:45

SM Supermalls continues its commitment to empower and enrich the growth of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by building a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. “MSMEs are our local partners in generating value across all the communities we operate in,” said Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls. “With 99.59% of the local economy composed of MSMEs, the persistence and vibrancy of local trade as well as the generation of jobs on the micro, small, and medium scale hinges on their success.” In line with this, SM Supermalls continues to implement various programs and plan opportunities for MSMEs to grow their customer base through the vast network of SM malls in the country. With 67% of its tenants being MSMEs, these programs empower entrepreneurs by providing them with accessible and affordable prime retail spaces in SM’s high-foot traffic malls, as well as helpful packages to support their growth. “Because SM has been an established brand for over three decades, perhaps people have forgotten that we started out as a small enterprise ourselves,” said Tan. “Our own experience emphasizes the value in supporting our MSMEs and has given us valuable insight we can use to further support this crucial sector in line with the government’s efforts.” Last May, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) introduced the fourth iteration of the national MSME Development Plan geared to reduce operational costs and eliminate barriers for new entrepreneurs. Through the plan’s implementation, the DTI hopes to grow the number of registered MSMEs, improve their contribution to the larger local economy, and support continual job creation. The “SM for MSMEs” program supports budding entrepreneurs in overcoming three key challenges they usually face: access to a diverse group of customers, the high cost of traditional operational requirements like rent, and competition with established brands for attention and patronage. Serving as a marketplace for entrepreneurs facing difficulties finding the right venue and market, SM aims to be the incubator of the country’s next big brands. “SM for MSMEs offer scalable packages to businesses in the communities around SM malls. For as low as P500 per day, small scale businesses can rent a booth in SM’s high-foot traffic venues during regular exhibits and special events. The program currently has 633 purveyors nationwide, providing an affordable and strategic platform for entrepreneurs to sell their products and reach the right market. SM initiated its “StartUp Package” in 2021 to assist MSMEs in opening their first brick-and-mortar stores. The package provides startup-friendly rental rates within SM malls along with the free usage of kiosks and carts. Marketing assistance is also provided through free exposure in SM online assets and ad spaces within the malls with valuable mentorship from its experts on operations and marketing. SM also offers financial assistance with BDO network bank. This program is currently running across five malls with 30 purveyors as of writing. Earlier this year, 44 startup market purveyors successfully transitioned to SM tenants. On top of these, SM helps support rural communities through opportunities for fair trade that also preserve its cultural heritage. The SM Sunday Market bazaar has been running since last year across 23 active and participating SM malls. Among its 135 purveyors are graduates of SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan program farmers who are local food and produce suppliers. “Throughout SM’s decades of growth, we are familiar with the work and effort it takes to build a business from the ground up. Thus, with these programs, SM aims to be a catalyst for the success of local MSMEs through support and tailored offers that further foster economic vitality and social wellbeing across all communities we operate in,” said Tan. “Because of the success we’ve been met with, not just on our own operations but with the programs and efforts we have initiated, we continue to pay it forward by supporting this crucial, underserved sector in the local economy.” – Rappler.com PRESS RELEASE Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 5:40

MANILA, Philippines – Some areas suspended classes for Tuesday, July 23, due to rain from the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). This list will be updated once local or national authorities make announcements. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Marcos spotlights Davao Oriental, Ilocos Norte 4Ps beneficiaries-turned-topnotchers

Herbie G

23/07/2024 8:00

SPOTLIGHT. Government aid beneficiaries-turned-topnotchers Alexis Alegado and Khane Cervantes listen as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognizes them during his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22, 2024. Screenshot from RTVM CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. turned the spotlight on two achievers from Davao Oriental and Ilocos Norte whose journeys from poverty to topnotchers in two different licensure exams showed how the government’s aid program transformed lives. During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, Marcos recognized Khane Jevie Cervantes from Davao Oriental, who ranked first in the licensure examination for professional teachers last March, and Alexis Alegado, who topped the civil engineering board exam in April 2023. He said Cervantes and Alegado were members of families, among 420,000, who graduated from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the past year. Cervantes, one of the former 4Ps beneficiaries acknowledged by the President, was among the 20,890 of 44,764 examinees who became licensed teachers early this year, securing the top spot with an average of 92.40%. On its website, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Cervantes comes from a large and impoverished family in Cateel, Davao Oriental. She is one of 10 children of a farmer and caretaker, and an animal keeper, whose combined income was insufficient to meet their needs. The DSWD said the family’s situation began to improve when they became 4Ps beneficiaries. The program provided education and cash grants that eased their financial burdens, funding Cervantes’ school allowances and other academic expenses. With such support, Cervantes pursued a degree in education at the Davao Oriental State University-Cateel Extension Campus. As a 4Ps beneficiary, she also received a P40,000 annual tertiary education subsidy (TES) from the Commission on Higher Education’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST). Cervantes graduated magna cum laude in 2023 and went on to secure the top spot in elementary education during the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) early this year. Meanwhile, Alegado, a former 4Ps beneficiary from Paoay, Ilocos Norte, topped the 2023 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination with a rating of 92.10%. According to the DSWD, Alegado graduated cum laude from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte. At 22, he was one of the 32 MMSU engineering graduates who passed the Civil Engineering Licensure Exams in April 2023. There were 77 in the batch who took the exam. The DSWD said Alegado also benefited from the Expanded Student’s Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA), which qualified him for a tertiary education subsidy under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. “With the noble aim of breaking the cycle of poverty across the country, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has not only consistently accomplished its annual targets – it has also proven its efficacy over the years,” Marcos said. He said over 4,000 4Ps graduates are now licensed teachers, and 35 topnotchers from various board exams held in the past two years come from families who benefited from the aid program. “Ibig sabihin, sa tulong ng 4Ps, mas gumanda na ang kanilang kalagayan at kakayahang makipagsapalaran sa laban ng buhay,” Marcos said. (This means that, with the help of 4Ps, their situation and ability to face life’s challenges have improved.) – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Typhoon Carina, enhanced southwest monsoon bring moderate to intense rain

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 7:00

CARINA. Satellite image of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) as of July 23, 2024, 5 am. JMA MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) maintained its strength in the early hours of Tuesday, July 23, and continued to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat. Carina was last spotted 380 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, at 4 am on Tuesday. It slowed down, moving north northwest at only 10 kilometers per hour from the previous 15 km/h. The typhoon still has maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gustiness of up to 160 km/h. But the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Carina has yet to reach its peak intensity, and rapid intensification remains likely. Although the typhoon is expected to stay offshore, its outer rainbands are affecting parts of Northern Luzon. Winds also “extend outwards up to 560 kilometers” from its center, hitting the eastern side of Luzon. Floods and landslides are possible in these areas seeing rain from Carina: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 For strong winds, the same areas are still under Signal No. 1 as of 5 am on Tuesday: Carina also continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat. Rain from the enhanced southwest monsoon will persist in the next three days, with floods and landslides likely. Here is PAGASA’s rainfall forecast released at 11 pm on Monday, July 22: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Strong to gale-force gusts from the enhanced southwest monsoon will also be felt in these regions and provinces: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Meanwhile, PAGASA issued a gale warning at 5 am on Tuesday for the coastal waters of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Travel is risky for small boats due to rough to very rough seas (waves 2.8 to 4.5 meters high). Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon will also cause moderate to rough seas on Tuesday in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon outside the areas covered by the gale warning (waves 1.5 to 4 meters high), eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon (waves 1.5 to 3 meters high), and western seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon (waves 1.5 to 3.5 meters high). The weather bureau advised small boats not to venture out to sea. PAGASA added that moderate seas are expected in the southern seaboard of Southern Luzon (waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high), western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas (waves 1.5 to 2 meters high), and eastern seaboard of Mindanao (waves 1.5 to 2 meters high). Small boats must take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible. PAGASA sees Carina making landfall in the northern part of Taiwan — which is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) — between Wednesday evening, July 24, and Thursday morning, July 25. Then just hours later, it may exit PAR, cross the Taiwan Strait, and again make landfall in southeastern China on Thursday afternoon or evening. “Its landfall over northern Taiwan will trigger a weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period,” the weather bureau said. Carina is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2024 and the second for July. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 5:40

MANILA, Philippines – Some areas suspended classes for Tuesday, July 23, due to rain from the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). This list will be updated once local or national authorities make announcements. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Manila to host PH-US joint foreign, defense meet

Bea Cupin

22/07/2024 22:45

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Manila on Tuesday, March 19. US State Department MANILA, Philippines – Manila will host on Tuesday, July 30, the fourth 2+2 joint ministerial meeting between the defense and foreign ministers of the Philippines and the United States. In a statement on Monday, July 22, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and their US counterparts, US State Secretary Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, are expected to talk about “how to further enhance our two countries’ ironclad commitment to this alliance” during the joint ministerial dialogue. The secretaries are also expected to talk about the Philippines and United States’ “support of the rules-based international order, enhanced economic ties, broad-based prosperity, and solutions to evolving regional and global security challenges,” according to the DFA. “The Philippines-US alliance has contributed to the maintenance of peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years,” the DFA said. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in a statement released early Tuesday, July 23 in Manila (July 22 in the US), said the four secretaries will “discuss ways to deepen coordination on shared challenges, including in the South China Sea, and advance our bilateral economic agenda.” Miller added that in the meeting with Marcos, Blinken and Austin hope to “explore additional ways to capitalize on the unprecedented momentum in the United States-Philippines alliance.” Blinken and Austin, who’ve visited the Philippines in the past, are also set to call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their July trip here. The last 2+2 dialogue was hosted in Washington DC back in April 2023. Teodoro had yet to be appointed to the post then, since the Philippine ban on appointing losing candidates from the 2022 polls had not yet lapsed. Blinken and Austin, who’ve visited the Philippines in the past, are also set to call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during their July trip here. The meeting comes as Marcos and his administration try to bring down tensions in the West Philippine Sea, following a June 17 resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal that went awry. China Coast Guard personnel attacked Filipino soldiers already moored beside the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting warship that was ran around in the shoal back in 1999. The incident — the most violent yet between the Philippines and China — led to the destruction of Navy boats, the seizure of Philippine Navy riffles, and one Filipino soldier losing his right thumb. The US, bound to the Philippines by the Mutual Defense Treaty, reiterated in the incident’s aftermath that the pact applies to attacks on Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Bilateral ties between the Philippines and its former colonizer, the United States, have been on “hyperdrive” under the Marcos administration. In the first two years of the administration, the Philippines agreed to giving the US access to four more military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), while the US released new bilateral defense guidelines following Marcos’ urging. Washington DC also recently played host to a trilateral leaders summit between US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Marcos. On the sidelines of Marcos’ visit to Washington for the trilateral leaders summit, the Philippines and the United States held a 3+3 meeting, which involved the foreign affairs, defense, and national security chiefs of the two countries. It’s a stark contrast from bilateral ties under former president Rodrigo Duterte – under whose term no 2+2 meeting took place. The second 2+2 joint ministerial meeting happened in January 2016 under the late Benigno Aquino III’s administration, with the late foreign affairs chief Albert del Rosario and former defense chief Voltaire Gazmin representing Manila. Before its ministers’ Manila visit, the US will also be conducting a 2+2 meeting with Japan on July 28. The talks will cover extended deterrence, a term used to describe the US commitment to use its nuclear and conventional forces to deter attacks on allies, Japan’s foreign ministry said on Monday. Blinken will hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa during the visit, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will hold three-way talks with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea. Aside from stops in Japan and the Philippines, Blinken will also be visiting Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and Mongolia. Blinken will be in Vietnam for the funeral of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng. Laos will host the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings from July 24 to 28. The US will be joining the ASEAN-US Post Ministerial Conference, the 14th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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In major change, PBA adds 4-point line starting next season

delfin.dioquino editor

22/07/2024 22:56

BIG SHOT. Robert Bolick in action for Team Mark in the 2024 PBA All-Star Game. PBA Images MANILA, Philippines – The PBA is bringing a major change as it adopts a four-point line starting in the 49th season, with hopes of luring back fans into the games. League commissioner Willie Marcial said on Monday, July 22, that the board of governors agreed to add the four-point arc, which is 27 feet from the basket, during its planning session in Osaka, Japan. The PBA implemented the four-point line in the last two All-Star Games, with Robert Bolick completing a historic five-point play that allowed Team Mark to force a draw with Team Japeth in the previous Bacolod City edition. “It has been successful in the All-Star and the governors decided to make it a new innovation,” said Marcial in a mix of Filipino and English. “We’ll see.” As the last All-Star Game showed, the four-point line allows teams to build big leads, as well as come back from huge deficits in a short span of time. Making it rain from the four-point stripe, Team Japeth mounted a lead as big as 32 points before Team Mark fought back as the All-Star Game ended in a 140-140 tie, with Bolick knocking down a pair of four-pointers in the final minute as part of a personal 9-0 run. The two teams combined for 21 four-pointers. But it is expected to be different in an actual game as teams play defense more seriously and employ schemes to deny shooters. In the previous Philippine Cup, only two teams shot at least 35% from the three-point line: San Miguel with 35.5% and Terrafirma with 35.1%. Marcial said the four-point arc will encourage players to extend their range. “It will help the development of our shooters, especially when it comes to those who play for the national team,” said Marcial. Back to a three-conference format, the league returns to action in August as it stages the import-flavored Governors’ Cup. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Typhoon Carina to affect more areas in Luzon, keep enhancing southwest monsoon

Acor Arceo

23/07/2024 1:30

CARINA. Satellite image of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) as of July 22, 2024, 11 pm. NOAA MANILA, Philippines – Several other areas in Luzon are now expected to feel the effects of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi), which continued to strengthen over the Philippine Sea on Monday evening, July 22. Carina’s maximum sustained winds increased from 120 kilometers per hour to 130 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a briefing past 11 pm on Monday. The typhoon’s gustiness is now up to 160 km/h from the previous 150 km/h. PAGASA said Carina may reach its peak intensity within two days, and rapid intensification within the forecast period remains likely. At 10 pm on Monday, the typhoon was located 375 kilometers east northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 375 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan. It slightly sped up, heading northwest at 15 km/h. While Carina is not projected to hit land in the Philippines, it is still affecting parts of Luzon. Here are the areas under Signal No. 1 as of 11 pm on Monday, where strong winds are expected: Carina’s outer rainbands are bringing rain to some northern provinces, too. Monday evening, July 22, to Tuesday evening, July 23 Tuesday evening, July 23, to Wednesday evening, July 24 Wednesday evening, July 24, to Thursday evening, July 25 Floods and landslides are possible. Carina also continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat. Rain from the enhanced southwest monsoon will persist in the next three days, with floods and landslides likely. Here is PAGASA’s updated rainfall forecast: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Strong to gale-force gusts from the enhanced southwest monsoon will also be felt in these regions and provinces: Tuesday, July 23 Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 For coastal waters, Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon will cause moderate to rough seas in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon (waves 2 to 4 meters high), as well as the western seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Western Visayas (waves 1.5 to 3 meters high) on Tuesday, July 23. PAGASA advised small boats not to venture out to sea. The weather bureau added that moderate seas are expected in the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao (waves 1.5 to 2 meters high) on Tuesday. Small boats must take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible. PAGASA now sees Carina making landfall in the northern part of Taiwan — which is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) — between Wednesday evening, July 24, and Thursday morning, July 25. Then just hours later, it may exit PAR, cross the Taiwan Strait, and again make landfall in southeastern China on Thursday afternoon or evening. “Its landfall over northern Taiwan and subsequently over southeastern China will trigger a weakening trend,” the weather bureau said. Carina is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2024 and the second for July. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Marcos orders total POGO ban | The wRap

Jaira Roxas

22/07/2024 22:21

Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. caps off his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22, with the bombshell announcement of a complete ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs. In his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22, President Marcos sends a strong message on the West Philippine Sea. “The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver,” he says. US President Joe Biden abandons his floundering reelection bid and endorses Vice President Kamala Harris as nominee to face Republican Donald Trump in the November election. K-pop girl group 2NE1 is reuniting ahead of its 15th anniversary. YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun-suk announces the news in a video posted on Sunday, July 21. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel?

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RESULTS: July 2024 Licensure Examination for Interior Designers

lfangeles0309

22/07/2024 21:06

The following is a press release from the Professional Regulation Commission. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 119 out of 400 passed the Licensure Examination for Interior Designers given by the Board of Interior Design in NCR and Cebu this July 2024. The members of the Board of Interior Design who gave the licensure examination are Hon. Sonia Santiago Olivares, Chairman; Hon. Maria Carlota D. Hilvano and Hon. Vincent Louie V. Tan, Members. The results were released in twelve (12) working days after the last day of examination. Starting September 9, 2024, registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be done on-line. Please go to www.prc.gov.ph and follow instructions for initial registration. Those who will register are required to bring the following: downloaded duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, notice of admission (for identification only), 2 pieces passport sized pictures (colored with white background and complete name tag), 2 sets of documentary stamps and 1 piece short brown envelope. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination will be announced later. None qualified to be included in the top performing schools. Here’s the full list of passers: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Canceled flights due to Typhoon Carina, southwest monsoon: July 25, 2024

Bonz Magsambol

24/07/2024 19:16

CONGESTED AIRPORT. Passengers queue at the immigration area of NAIA Terminal 1 on June 16, 2023. Jire Carreon/Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Various airlines have canceled flights due to unfavorable weather conditions brought about by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). Here is a list of the latest canceled flights on Thursday, July 25. We will update this page as we receive more reports. Domestic International Domestic International – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon: Weather updates, effects, relief efforts

No author found

28/07/2024 21:25

Parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, have been seriously flooded due to the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). Carina itself was felt in areas in Northern Luzon even though it did not make landfall in the Philippines. What is the situation of affected communities, and how can we help? Bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest weather updates, as well as information on relief efforts and the damage wrought by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Quezon City government employees affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon will be granted special emergency leave, Mayor Joy Belmonte confirmed. This is in accordance with Civil Service Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16, series of 2012. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering an emergency loan for members affected by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon in Metro Manila, Batangas, and Rizal. Starting Friday, July 26, until October 28, members can apply for the emergency loan through the GSIS Touch mobile app, GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosks at all GSIS branches, major government offices, provincial capitols, city halls, municipal offices, and selected Robinsons and SM malls. The maximum loan amount is P20,000, payable in three years with an interest rate of 6% per annum. The local governments of Rodriguez and San Mateo in Rizal province are the latest to declare a state of calamity. See the full list here. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the opening of classes on Monday, July 29, will push through “as much as possible,” in the wake of the onslaught of the enhanced southwest monsoon in parts of Luzon. “If the school buildings are in a condition to take classes, they will do it,” Marcos said in Filipino on Friday, July 26. “Maybe others will be left with no choice and they will conduct classes outside of the school building. Let’s see,” he added. The Department of Finance (DOF) said on Friday, July 26, that the Bureau of the Treasury will file a claim under the National Indemnity Insurance Program for the repair and reconstruction of damaged public schools. The Department of Education will be able to use the insurance payout for 45 public schools in eight regions that sustained damage worth at least P308.5 million, added the DOF. The La Mesa Dam’s water level was at 79.79 meters as of 8 am on Friday, July 26, below its spilling level of 80.15 meters. The dam had breached its spilling level last Wednesday, July 24, due to rain from the enhanced southwest monsoon. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said in an advisory at 9 am on Friday that only light rain is expected over La Mesa in the next 24 hours. Water from the dam no longer poses a threat to low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Malabon City.

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LIST: Areas under state of calamity due to southwest monsoon enhanced by Carina

Dwight de Leon

24/07/2024 23:18

FLOODED. Residents of Miranda Compound in Zapote, Las Piñas City, bear the brunt of the flood brought by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina, on July 24, 2024. Mishiwa Gallardo/PonD News Asia MANILA, Philippines – The nonstop rain in various parts of Luzon due to the effects of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Super Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) has resulted in state of calamity declarations by various local government units (LGUs). The declaration would allow local governments to tap into their calamity funds for faster relief operations. The following areas have been placed under a state of calamity as of Friday evening, July 26: A freeze on the prices of basic necessities is also imposed in areas under a state of calamity. It also compels government financing or lending institutions to grant no-interest loans to the most affected groups through their cooperatives or people’s organizations. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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La Niña: What ought to be done to be better prepared?

Chay Hofilena

22/04/2024 19:30

Alyssa Arizabal/Rappler Part 1 | La Niña may happen in 2024. Here are the flood-risk areas in Metro Manila. To avoid another Ondoy, a disaster resilience warned that interventions need to be customized according to each city’s needs. There is no “one size fits all” solution. Guillermo Luz, chief resilience officer of non-profit Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), said that measures could be a combination of engineering interventions, infrastructure upgrades, or nature-based solutions to avoid runoffs from Sierra Madre. The so-called evacuation centers in the Philippines are facilities that are not originally designed to be evacuation centers. Schools, basketball courts, and government buildings become evacuation centers when disasters hit. “It’s important to kind of look at alternative sites and build evacuation centers – not always using our schools.… You don’t want to evacuate people into another area that’s still at risk. So we have to identify and build centers in areas which are low for hazards,” Luz said. Metro Manila also faces earthquake-related hazards aside from flooding, as the West Valley Fault runs under the metropolis. In March, the House of Representatives had submitted to the Senate the third reading copy of House Bill (HB) No. 7354, which, if passed into law, would mandate every city and municipality to have a permanent evacuation center. Thirteen cities in Metro Manila currently do not have one. According to a discussion paper by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department at the Lower House, one evacuation center that meets all the requirements of the bill would cost each Metro Manila local government unit (LGU) at least P65.7 million ($1.16 million)*. If a structure were to be upgraded to be a permanent evacuation center, the cost starts at P49.3 million ($870,000). While Metro Manila has some of the wealthiest cities in the Philippines, the price tag is considerably high. If lawmakers get their way, construction of, and upgrade to, permanent evacuation centers would be shouldered by the national government. Apart from evacuation centers, Luz said that addressing drainage problems in the metropolis is of paramount importance. Metro Manila also needs more pumping stations to move water from submerged areas to prevent or reduce flooding faster. “Floods occur not only during a typhoon, but during actual heavy rainfall now without having to hit typhoon status. I think one of the root problems is the drainage situation within Metro Manila,” Luz said. At present, if another Ondoy struck the capital, Manila would turn into a “river.” The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) runs 71 pumping stations to reduce flooding. The city of Manila houses the highest number of pumping stations at 27, followed by Malabon City at 16. But it is not enough. The MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with a loan from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, are building 20 new pumping stations and rehabilitating 36 existing ones through the $500-million Metro Manila Flood Management Project. It also aims to clean waterways and drainage channels, build new drains if needed, and introduce solid waste management programs in barangays. Some 2,500 families living near waterways will be relocated. The project is set to close in November, six years after it became effective. But as of February, only three of 36 pumping stations have completed upgrades and 10 are ongoing rehabilitation. Four of the 20 new ones are set to be bidded out. In a message, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said that “the loan facility will probably be extended for another two years.” Artes had previously said that the loan has to be restructured and that the government was also proposing that the World Bank fund a 50-year drainage system master plan. In a congressional oversight hearing on March 12, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called out MMDA and DPWH, saying that the agencies need to play catch up given the prospect of La Niña in the latter half of the year. Gatchalian pointed out that low-lying Navotas City has recently inaugurated new pumping stations built using its own funds. He asked DPWH: “If a local government can implement pumping stations right away, what seems to be the bottleneck in implementing pumping stations related to this project?” DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain responded that under the restructured program, the department will rehabilitate a total of 26 pumping stations and build only four – as opposed to the initial target of 36 and 20 pumping stations, respectively. Only 600 of the targeted 2,500 families will be relocated. In effect, the Philippine government reduced its targets to reach them. Sadain explained that the coronavirus pandemic was among the reasons why the loan-funded project was delayed. “We can still catch up the 30 (sic) pumping stations that are actually targeted for completion within the next two years,” the public works official said, giving assurances. In the meantime, according to Sadain, the DPWH has built nine pumping stations using its budget. Since Ondoy and Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), Luz said Metro Manila has seen a lot of progress in terms of disaster prevention. But a lot still needs to be done. “I think one of the lessons we all learned as a country after that is the investment in preparedness and prevention. Right now, we have a lot less human lives lost since Yolanda. And there are many times actually that we have storms where zero lives are lost and I think that’s a good sign of progress,” Luz said. The disaster resilience expert said that local governments have started investing in emergency operations and command centers, but at some point, there will be too many. “To really kind of feel the full benefit of these centers, they should be connected to each other.… If you have connectivity to another network or sister center (in another city), then at least you still have your information intact, then you can somehow figure out a way to tap into the information,” Luz said. “So I think the next big [step] is really sharing all the information. In disaster response and even in preparedness and prevention, it’s important that everyone sees the same picture,” he added. He also said that mayors should invest in updated hazard maps and look at flood models to determine the most vulnerable areas and ensure that “those are always free and clear” of risks. Since Ondoy, damage to houses and infrastructure has significantly gone down but thousands of people remain affected, disrupting livelihood and schooling. On an individual level, Luz said that Filipinos only have to do the bare minimum as citizens. First is to pay attention to weather reports and second is to be mindful of their trash. To prepare households for floods or disasters, Luz suggested using PDRF’s PH72 as a guide, a simple tool adapted from San Francisco’s SF72, which details how people can prepare for the first 72 hours of a disaster. It includes information on what supplies to prepare and planning how to meet your family should you get separated during an emergency. Similar to PH72, the Torreses of Marikina have devised their own system during disasters. For them, one can never be too complacent. “Be ready at all times. Don’t ever think that your area will not be flooded,” Reizan said. “Each family member should know what to do. Prepare your documents. Ready your clothes and belongings. Save some money. You can never really rely on anyone but yourself.” – Rappler.com *$1 = P56.60 All quotes were translated into English. Vianca Jasmin Anglo is a data analyst pursuing a postgraduate degree in Human Development and Services. She was part of the public health, pandemic management, and response in the Philippines. Her years of experience in social development demonstrate her commitment to human well-being through data analysis. Reporting for this story was supported by the Environmental Data Journalism Academy – a program of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and Thibi. METHODOLOGY This data story examined the link between evacuation centers and flood risk in Metro Manila. We obtained the latest evacuation center data from the DILG – which appeared incomplete – and supplemented it with 2021 data from the OCD. Capacity information from these lists are incomplete, limiting our analysis to the evacuation center-to-population ratio. Using spatial software and Google Sheets, spatial analysis was conducted to pinpoint the intersection between evacuation centers and their corresponding flood susceptibility category from HazardHunterPH. For the full description of our methodology, please read it here. Data cleaning and analysis can be accessed here. This story was a result of collaboration between the author, and the data and story mentors from Thibi, Thet Win Htut, and Aika Rey, respectively. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Face-swapped? Deepfake detector flags alleged Marcos video as ‘suspicious’

INT-gem.bmen

23/07/2024 10:03

FACE-SWAPPED? A screenshot of Sensity's analysis of the alleged video of President Marcos. MANILA, Philippines – Deep fake detection tool Sensity flagged as “suspicious” a video released by Pro-Duterte personalities at the Hakbang ng Maisug event in California hours before the 3rd State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The grainy video depicted a person who was putting something in his mouth before appearing to inhale deeply. The video appeared to resemble a younger Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with a fuller face. The tool, however, indicated with a confidence rate of 81.8% that a potential “faceswap” may have been done in the video. The automated report generated by Sensity noted that “the submitted file is not camera original.” It adds that “the presence of FFmpeg, EvidenceLibrary.com, Evidence.com, Shutter Encoder, Deepfakes Web, Runway, Faceswap, Reface, Deepbrain AI, HeyGen, and Hedra in the generation history for this structural signature indicates that this file is not consistent with a camera original file.” Faceswap and Reface are generative artificial intelligence tools that are used to artificially replace the face of an individual in a video or photo. Traces of various devices were also detected in the file format. It must be noted that AI detection tools sometimes do result in false positives. For this reason, according to Sensity, “further manual analysis is required for additional insight.” It is difficult to make a final judgment on the authenticity of the video, however, because none of the key personalities present at the event where it was released appears to have posted the video directly on any of their social media pages. Most of the versions of the video that were circulated were merely videos taken from the screen on the stage as the organizers of the California event were looping the “original” video. A number of pro-Duterte vloggers circulated these grainy versions of the video on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X. Even former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was present at the event, only posted a video recording of the video itself on his TikTok and Facebook accounts. Roque captioned his post “HUSGAHAN SI VANGAG!” Roque’s post included an initial zoomed out version of the video which had a label “RAW VIDEO” as well as a version that is labeled “ENHANCED VIDEO.”  Both versions were blurred and grainy, indicating that neither were originals. From examining various videos circulating on social media, Rappler found that the video appears to have been presented by pro-Duterte vlogger “Maharlika” at the Hakbang ng Maisug event in California. Other pro-Duterte personalities shown to be present at the event included Roque and former senatorial candidate Glenn Chong. In comments she made before the video was shown, Maharlika described it as the “polvoron movie.” “Polvoron” is a rather crumbly pastry made from a mixture of powdered milk, flour, butter, and sugar. Following the split between the Duterte and Marcos camps, pro-Duterte social media influencers have been accusing President Marcos of abusing illegal substances in posts which liberally used the term “polvoron” as a euphemism for such a substance. At a protest rally held in Davao City in January 2024, former president Rodrigo Duterte himself accused Marcos of being a drug addict. This prompted Marcos to strike back, blaming Duterte’s foul-mouthed tirade on the latter’s use of fentanyl, an opioid prescribed for patients who suffer from chronic pain. As the video was being played at the California event, people could be heard shouting, “Marcos resign!” A number of the event’s attendees appear to be members of preacher Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ, showing placards bearing the text “Justice of KOJC victims.” Quiboloy is a fugitive with standing warrants of arrest for trafficking, child and sexual abuse, and is on the FBI’s most wanted list. Some attendees of the event also wore statement shirts that say “Justice for Apollo Quiboloy.” Shortly after the supposed Marcos video was circulated, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos held a press conference announcing the creation of a task force that will be investigating the “malicious” circulation of the alleged video ahead of the President’s SONA. Video from the presscon is embedded below. Abalos said he does not believe that the person in the video is Marcos. “Those are not his features.” During the press conference, Abalos presented a comparison of screenshots of the individual in the viral video and compared them with a photograph of the President. The screenshots zoomed in on the ears of the individual in the alleged Marcos video and compared it with the President’s ears. “Look at his ears and judge by yourselves.” Abalos also questioned the reason why the video was circulated abroad and not in the Philippines. “You tell me, why did they have to do that abroad?” Police General Francisco Marbil for his part said that the task force will look into gadgets that were used in the distribution of the “malicious” video as well as the liability of the individuals who circulated the video. The Department of National Defense also posted a statement on X calling the circulation of the video a “maliciously crude attempt to destabilize the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.” It also described the release of the video in the US as “a cowardly attempt to escape Philippine criminal jurisdiction.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. 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SSS to offer calamity loan to members affected by Typhoon Carina

Kaye Cabal

24/07/2024 22:34

The following is a press release from the Social Security System. The Social Security System (SSS) is set to provide calamity loan assistance to members who have been affected by Typhoon Carina in the National Capital Region and in areas that may soon be declared under state of calamity. SSS President and chief executive officer Rolando Macasaet said that members in typhoon-stricken areas can borrow a loan equivalent to their one monthly salary credit or up to a maximum of P20,000. “SSS will always be ready to assist our members in typhoon-affected areas. We want to assure them that, in times of calamities, they can rely on SSS to provide them the needed financial assistance as they recover from Typhoon Carina,” Macasaet said. To qualify, typhoon-affected members must: Macasaet said that interested members can apply for the calamity loan using their My.SSS account via www.sss.gov.ph. “Once approved, the loan proceeds will be credited to the member’s registered Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID)-ATM Card or their active accounts with a Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating bank,” Macasaet explained. He said members could pay the calamity loan in two years or 24 equal monthly installments with an annual interest rate of 10%. “We hope that through the calamity loan assistance, we may be able to help typhoon-affected members as they recover from the adverse effects of Typhoon Carina,” Macasaet concluded. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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La Niña may happen in 2024. Here are the flood-risk areas in Metro Manila.

Chay Hofilena

22/04/2024 13:36

MARIKINA FLOODING. In this file photo, Marikina Disaster Response team members and residents monitor the water level marker at the Marikina Riverbanks, after it rose to second alarm due to the continuous monsoon rains as Typhoon Egay exits the country, on July 27, 2023. Jire Carreon/Rappler The Philippines can expect more storms in the latter half of this year due to La Niña, according to state weather forecasters. For several areas in Metro Manila, a heavy downpour means there will be floods. In the Philippines’ densest region, analysis of government data showed that barely one in 100 evacuation facilities are permanent shelters. At least 60 in every 100 of Metro Manila’s “evacuation centers” are schools and basketball courts. Rappler mapped the evacuation centers in the capital region and looked at the facilities’ and people’s exposure to floods. In our months-long investigation, we found that one-fifth of Metro Manila’s land area are high-risk flood zones. Several evacuation centers are built in these areas and there is not enough space for the surrounding community. According to a disaster resilience expert, the Philippines has made significant strides since strong typhoons battered the country in recent decades. But Metro Manila still has a long way to go. In the past three decades, nearly 107,000 Filipinos in Metro Manila have been affected by typhoons each year.  Among cities in the metro, Marikina City has always been the hardest hit, where nine in 100,000 Metro Manila residents have died from typhoons since 2003. Flooding is a fact of life in Marikina City. Essentially a catch basin, it lies in the Marikina Valley, bound by the Sierra Madre mountain range to the east and the hills of Quezon City to the west. The Marikina River cuts through the western portion of the city. The Torres family lived near the Marikina River for as long as they can remember. Arlene, 33, and Reizan, 31, grew up in houses apart from each other when they were young. When they got married, Reizan moved into his wife’s house. Just like the Torreses, their home has endured tough times. Repeated flooding has stained the wall and left a musty smell inside. From blue and green walls, they have since repainted them to white. Of all the typhoons she has lived through, Arlene said Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009 and Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in 2020 were the ones she could not forget. “I remember it very well. It was on September 26, [2009],” she said. Within six hours from landfall, Ondoy brought a deluge of rain equivalent to a month’s volume in the country. Arlene, a high school student at the time, was left stranded at her school due to Ondoy’s downpour. She said the students were asked to go home because the flood had been rising, but they were unable to leave the premises. “It was my older sister who rushed home. The water was already so high that she had to use a boat to reach our parents. They made a hole in the roof on the second floor of our house to avoid the flood,” Arlene recalled. “We laid our father on a table to prevent him from getting wet again,” she said. But because of runoffs from the mountains and the trash that blocked access to roads, we could not get anyone to bring him [to the hospital]. He was cold and was coughing up blood. Days later, when we finally arrived at the hospital, he was declared ‘dead on arrival.’” Ondoy was the deadliest typhoon that Metro Manila had faced in recent decades, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) data showed. At least 464 people were killed due to the onslaught of the typhoon, and more than half of them were from Metro Manila. For many Filipinos, Ondoy was a turning point. It exposed Metro Manila’s vulnerabilities and lack of preparedness. A year later, lawmakers passed Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The Torreses are among millions of Filipinos who face the risk of having their homes flooded during typhoons or heavy downpours. According to government data, at least eight in 10 Manileños live in flood zones. More than a decade since Ondoy, Arlene and Reizan still live in the same house where the latter survived the deadly typhoon. Having lived through strong storms, the Torreses knew what they had to do when Ulysses made landfall – get all the essential items and documents, prepare for evacuation when the Marikina River reaches 15 meters above sea level, and move their appliances and furniture to the second floor. Living near the river, Reizan had to regularly monitor the updates on the city government’s social media feeds during Ulysses. He knew that once the river’s water level rose to 15 to 16 meters, his wife and children had to evacuate to his in-laws. So they did. Arlene and the children went to her sister’s house but Reizan was left at home to guard their belongings. Then, the flood reached the second floor. Reizan said he was fortunate that rescuers went to their area. “When the water reached the second floor, the refrigerator was knocked over. I lost the will to guard our things. There was no use in staying. I just left,” he recalled. Ulysses made landfall in the middle of the pandemic, in November 2020, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometer per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 205 kph as it crossed Central Luzon. During Ulysses, the Marikina River’s water level rose to 22 meters, breaching Ondoy’s record of 21.5 meters. While Ondoy brought more rain than Ulysses, PAGASA noted that it was possible that Sierra Madre was unable to absorb them – three storms had hit the country within three weeks before Ulysses – resulting in a runoff. According to UN OCHA [United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs],, over 40,000 houses in Marikina were partially and fully submerged under flood water. All evacuation centers were packed, leaving residents to seek temporary shelter in the homes of their families and friends. Evacuation centers are supposed to provide refuge from disasters. However, not all evacuation centers in Metro Manila are located in safe areas. They are not enough for everyone. Analysis of the data from government hazard portal HazardHunterPH showed that one-fifth of Metro Manila’s land area is at high or very high risk of floods. Among cities in Metro Manila, Navotas will be the most affected when flooding hits. About two-thirds of Navotas’ land area will be submerged by floods, while half of Malabon, Marikina, and Pasig will be swamped with water. Latest shelter data from OCD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government showed that over 1,300 evacuation centers were listed as evacuation centers in the capital region. Rappler mapped these facilities to see which of them are in high- and very high-risk flood zones. Areas with a high risk of flooding may be under one to two meters of water for over three days, according to the environment department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau, one of the government offices involved in the creation of HazardHunterPH. For an average Filipino, this depth is already waist- to chest-deep. Those with a very high flood risk may face over two meters of flooding. This height is taller than the average Filipino. According to our analysis, one in five evacuation centers in the metro are built in high-risk areas. Several of them are in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Pasig. Aside from the risk, the designated evacuation centers in the metro could not possibly cater to every resident. Small cities San Juan and Navotas have the lowest evacuation center-to-population ratio in Metro Manila. San Juan has one evacuation center for every 2,200 residents, while Navotas has one for every 5,600 residents. In the capital Manila, only two evacuation centers were in official government lists for a population of over 1.8 million people. According to OCD, the Delpan and Baseco evacuation centers can fit 3,700 people. (To be concluded) – Rappler.com NEXT: La Niña: What ought to be done to be better prepared *$1 = P56.60 All quotes were translated into English. Vianca Jasmin Anglo is a data analyst pursuing a postgraduate degree in Human Development and Services. She was part of the public health, pandemic management, and response in the Philippines. Her years of experience in social development demonstrate her commitment to human well-being through data analysis. Reporting for this story was supported by the Environmental Data Journalism Academy – a program of Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and Thibi. METHODOLOGY This data story examined the link between evacuation centers and flood risk in Metro Manila. We obtained the latest evacuation center data from the DILG – which appeared incomplete – and supplemented it with 2021 data from the OCD. Capacity information from these lists are incomplete, limiting our analysis to the evacuation center-to-population ratio. Using spatial software and Google Sheets, spatial analysis was conducted to pinpoint the intersection between evacuation centers and their corresponding flood susceptibility category from HazardHunterPH. For the full description of our methodology, please read it here. Data cleaning and analysis can be accessed here. This story was a result of collaboration between the author, and the data and story mentors from Thibi, Thet Win Htut, and Aika Rey, respectively. Error. 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Metro Manila flood due to habagat brings back memories of Ondoy, Ulysses

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 12:17

FLOOD. Commuters were forced to walk through flooded streets after continuous rains due to habagat inundated Taft Avenue in Manila, on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) caused widespread flooding in parts of the Philippines’ capital region and nearby provinces on Wednesday, July 24. The developing situation brought back memories of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in September 2009, one of the worst floods to hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon with 464 people killed and over 500 injured. Online users have compared flooding in their areas to what they experienced during Ondoy. Meteorologist BA Racoma said that compared to Ondoy’s 455 millimeters (mm) of total rainfall over a 24-hour period, the enhanced southwest monsoon intensified by Carina brought 217 mm of rainfall within the same period. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sent SMS alerts in the middle of the night of orange and red rainfall warnings for Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon due to heavy rainfall and told citizens to be prepared for floods and landslides. Maging alerto, mga lalawigan ng #Cavite at #Bataan, at #MetroManila!NDRRMC(3:38AM, 24Jul24)Red Rainfall Warning sa Metro Manila, Cavite, at Bataan. Asahan ang matinding pag-ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa.#CarinaPH pic.twitter.com/Ui5gNYIS59 The situation was particularly worrisome in Marikina City, east of Manila. As of 10:40 am, water level in Marikina River rose to 18.4 meters. It earlier triggered the highest alarm (3rd) when it reached 18 meters prompting forced evacuation, and the level was still rising as of posting. In a radio DZBB interview on Wednesday, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said he had not seen this situation since Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in November 2020. He said around 10,000 people were already in evacuation centers of the city as of 10 am. “Parang Ondoy na ang nararanasan namin dito (What we’re experiencing is like Ondoy),” he also said. “Nabigla ang lahat…Sana tumigil na ang ulan (We were all surprised…We hope the rain will stop).” He said this habagat has so far dumped 205 millimeters of rain in six hours. In regular tropical cyclones, he said the rainfall volume is just between 60 to 90 millimeters for a couple of hours. “Iba na ang new normal, iba yung volume, rainfall count natin ngayon (It’s now a new normal as well as rainfall count),” he said. Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped around 445 millimeters of rainfall while Typhoon Ulysses recorded 150 millimeters. Footage shown by radio DZBB shows water from the overflowing Marikina River reaching one of the Marikina’s main roads, Gil Fernando Avenue, and even portions of Marcos Highway near Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta in mid-afternoon. Teodoro said the rising flood was again happening despite the dredging that has been done in Marikina River. People living in at least six villages beside the river as well as those living next to creeks had to be evacuated. Teodoro said on Wednesday night that a total of 5,845 families or around 29,000 individuals have been evacuated in the city, similar to the numbers during Ondoy. Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City currently houses the most number of evacuees . However, he said the flooding this time was not as bad since the city has been dredging Marikina River for the past four years, which increased the carrying capacity of the river. During Ondoy, he recalled that the first floor of Marikina City Hall was inundated, but this time, the flood was outside the building. Provident Village was also hard hit during Ondoy and Ulysses, but it wasn’t as bad this time around, he said. So far, there have been no casualties, although at least 7 rescuers were still missing after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters, Teodoro added. Later Wednesday evening, however, all the missing rescuers were found, radio DZBB reported. In flood-prone Malabon City, north of the capital, almost all barangays are already inundated, according to Mayor Jeanie Sandoval. “Lahat halos ng barangay dito lubog na rin po,” Sandoval said in a separate radio interview. “Nagsasagawa na po kami ng rescue operations, naka-ready na po ang evacuation centers.” (Almost all villages here are flooded. We’re already undertaking rescue operations, evacuation centers are ready.) Annabelle Bersabe, a resident from West Riverside, Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, appealed for rescue to Quezon City Councilor Peachy de Leon on radio DZBB, adding there were also two children and one senior citizen in their household. Bersabe said that their car was already submerged and the water had reached the second floor of their house. De Leon, spokesperson for the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, told Bersabe to standby for rescue. She added that there were many residents seeking evacuation as rains persisted on Wednesday afternoon. The spokesperson said all their rescue teams have been deployed, and around 1,500 families in Quezon City have been evacuated. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Pacquiao works out in Tokyo, prepares for tallest foe ever

Jasmine Payo

24/07/2024 20:51

BACK AT IT. Manny Pacquiao trains at Kyokuto Gym in Tokyo for his exhibition match against Japanese Rukiya Anpo. Wendell Alinea/MP PROMOTIONS MANILA, Philippines – Legendary Manny Pacquiao sweated it out on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, in preparation for his exhibition bout against Japanese Rukiya Anpo on Sunday, July 28, at the Saitama Super Arena. Pacquiao, accompanied by his wife, Jinkee, and children, arrived in Japan late Tuesday, July 23. Though the fight, set at a catchweight of 152 pounds, is only for three rounds, Pacquiao trained on and off for two months in General Santos City. In his workout with head trainer Buboy Fernandez at the Kyokuto Gym in Tokyo, Pacquiao flashed the speed and power that made him boxing’s only eight-division world champion. Pacquiao will be tackling his tallest opponent in the 6-foot Anpo, a 28-year-old former K-1 super lightweight champion and the 2021 K-1 welterweight Gran Prix runner-up. Anjo, who trained in karate before concentrating on kickboxing, is an inch taller than Antonio Margarito, whom Pacquiao dominated for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight crown in 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Plas Fernandez, who’s assisting his older brother Buboy in preparing the former senator for his return to the ring, told Rappler that Pacquiao will still do a light workout on Thursday. Now 45 years old, Pacquiao retired in August 2021 after losing by unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas. Pacquiao last fought in the ring in December 2022 when he beat South Korean martial artist DK Yoo via a lopsided unanimous decision. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Colliding barges on Marikina River hit Pasig bridge

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 17:41

COLLISION. Barges collide with a bridge in Pasig City around 4 pm on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Pushed by strong current, several barges on Marikina River hit the F. Manalo bridge in Pasig City on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, as heavy rain continues to pour down due to the enhanced southwest monsoon. The bridge goes over Marikina River and connects Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig and Calle Industria in Quezon City. Both lanes of F. Manalo Bridge were temporarily closed in light of the barge collision, the local government said in an announcement posted at 7 pm Wednesday. The barges, flat-bottomed vessels that carry cargo through rivers and canals, were pushed by the strong current of Marikina River, which, as of 4.40 pm, has reached a water level of 20.7 meters. Local governments surrounding the river have imposed a forced evacuation of residents. The Pasig government had advised residents of low-lying areas including Santolan, Dela Paz, Maybunga, and parts of Manggahan, to evacuate. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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How prone is your area to flooding? Check UP NOAH’s website.

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 19:21

MANILA, Philippines – To check how susceptible an area is to flooding, you can visit the website of Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards of the University of the Philippines, better known as UP NOAH. Heavy rain due to the enhanced southwest monsoon intensified by Super Typhoon Carina have caused flooding in parts of Luzon on Wednesday, July 24. Knowing an area’s susceptibility to flooding and other hazards would help people prepare accordingly, the UP Resilience Institute said in a post on Wednesday. Upon landing on the website, a user can type a location or click “Your Current Location.” The site then generates a map of the selected location and boxes that tell the user the flood, landslide, and storm surge hazard levels of the area. For instance, as of writing, if the user typed Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina City, the Flood Hazard Level would show “High” and “Little to None” for Landslide Hazard Level and Storm Surge Level, reflecting the actual situation on the ground. On mobile, the website easily loaded on Wednesday afternoon. The map appears on the upper screen while hazard levels appear below. According to UP NOAH, the hazards included in the map’s database are: These are based on flood simulations and satellite and historical data. (READ: Gov’t should use scientific data in hazard maps – Lagmay) Under hazard levels is a list of critical facilities near the location inputed such as hospitals, health stations, and public schools. There are also instructions on what to do during a flooding event, how to prepare for landslides and storm surges, as well as what to include in survival kits. UP NOAH evolved from Project NOAH, designed to integrate disaster data across the Philippines to help communities prepare. This worthy project was established in 2012 during the time of former president Benigno Aquino III but stopped during the Duterte administration in 2017 due to lack of funds. The UP NOAH Center in UP Diliman campus is now under the UP Resilience Institute starting 2017. The institute is headed by geologist Mahar Lagmay. In a post early Wednesday night, the institute predicted that rains would continue to generate hazards. “Based on my observations the past Habagat flooding events in Metro Manila, hangga’t hindi nawawala iyang pula na iyan kung saan nakaturo ang blue arrow ay may source pa rin ng ulan dito sa Metro Manila, (unless those red spots pointed by the blue arrow disappear, there will still be a source of rain here in Metro Manila),” said the institute. Bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest weather updates, as well as information on relief efforts and the damage wrought by Carina and the southwest monsoon. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Pangasinan braces for more rain, floods: No classes, work

Herbie G

24/07/2024 19:50

A landslide at Sitio Pacalbo has been cleared and Villa Verde Road (Pangasinan-Nueva Vizcaya) is now open, but motorists are advised to be cautious due to light to moderate rains in San Nicolas. Santa Fe MDRRMO PANGASINAN, Philippines – The provincial government of Pangasinan and the city government of Dagupan ordered the suspension of classes at all levels, along with work in government offices, on Thursday, July 25, due to inclement weather brought about by Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. Fernandez declared the suspension first through a Facebook video, followed by a statement from the Facebook page of the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. According to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the province is forecast to experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rain, classified as heavy to intense. Vincent Chiu, Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) operations head, said that as of the latest monitoring, water levels in major rivers and tributaries in the province of Pangasinan remained at relatively normal levels. All major roads in the province are passable. In Calasiao town, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) spokesperson Kristine Joy Soriano said that as of 1 pm, the Marusay River was at 1.5 feet above normal level. Soriano said a higher volume of water from upstream was expected to be on its way, and the level of the Marusay River could increase over the next 24 hours. She said she hoped that the water does not reach the eight-foot critical level. The Marusay River leads straight to the Pantal River in Dagupan City before flowing towards the Lingayen Gulf. In Dagupan, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Ronald de Guzman said they were expecting much floodwater from 42 to 78 hours. To prepare for possible flooding, Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez, along with the City Health Office (CHO), distributed prophylaxis in the form of doxycycline to prevent or help minimize leptospirosis cases. Among those prioritized to receive prophylaxis are market vendors, tricycle drivers, and jeepney drivers. Meanwhile, in San Fabian town, a fisherman was rescued by members of the Coast Guard. The fisherman, a resident of neighboring San Jacinto town, was unable to notice the sudden increase in water level while fishing in the Binday Dam and was eventually trapped. In San Nicolas town, entry to the Villa Verde Road has been prohibited. Shallom Balolong of the San Nicolas MDRRMO said the mountain pass leading to Barangay Malico and eventually exiting to Santa Fe in Nueva Vizcaya province has been experiencing numerous landslides, making it difficult or even impossible for travelers to traverse.The road is only open to locals and residents of Barangay Malico. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Colliding barges on Marikina River hit Pasig bridge

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 17:41

COLLISION. Barges collide with a bridge in Pasig City around 4 pm on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Pushed by strong current, several barges on Marikina River hit the F. Manalo bridge in Pasig City on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, as heavy rain continues to pour down due to the enhanced southwest monsoon. The bridge goes over Marikina River and connects Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig and Calle Industria in Quezon City. Both lanes of F. Manalo Bridge were temporarily closed in light of the barge collision, the local government said in an announcement posted at 7 pm Wednesday. The barges, flat-bottomed vessels that carry cargo through rivers and canals, were pushed by the strong current of Marikina River, which, as of 4.40 pm, has reached a water level of 20.7 meters. Local governments surrounding the river have imposed a forced evacuation of residents. The Pasig government had advised residents of low-lying areas including Santolan, Dela Paz, Maybunga, and parts of Manggahan, to evacuate. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Guide to Marikina River’s alarm level system

Raisa Marielle Serafica

24/07/2024 13:59

(Editor’s Note: This story was first published on September 12, 2017.) MANILA, Philippines – When heavy rain hits Metro Manila, the water level along the Marikina River is one of the things closely monitored by local officials. In the past, the bursting of the river banks not only caused massive flooding in Marikina City and other parts of Metro Manila but also displaced hundreds of families living near the river. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), water from the Marikina River flows to the Pasig River and Laguna de Bay when it rains. When areas around the Marikina River experience flooding, the floodwater also flows to other parts of Metro Manila. To prevent heavy flooding in Metro Manila, the MMDA would directly divert water to the Laguna de Bay through the Manggahan Floodway. Marikina City has a three-stage alarm level system for the Marikina River, based on the depth of water in the river below the Sto. Niño Bridge: There are at least two river monitoring sensors from the Department of Science Technology along the Marikina River to forecast and monitor flooding. The sensors are installed at the Tumana Bridge and the Sto. Niño Bridge. These sensors are able to “accurately measure and determine the floodwaters in real time.” When the river’s water level rises, the local disaster risk reduction and management office in Marikina uses a siren to alert surrounding communities of the current alarm level. The 27-kilometer river connects to a number of tributary waterways which drain into four municipalities and one city in Rizal province, and three cities in Metro Manila. – Laurice Angeles/Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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UP unveils UAAP Season 87 logo, theme: ‘Stronger, Better, Together’

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24/07/2024 17:00

HOSTING TIME. The University of the Philippines presents its UAAP Season 87 logo 'Hands In Huddle' with the theme 'Stronger, Better, Together' UP OASD MANILA, Philippines – UAAP Season 87 host University of the Philippines officially unveiled its logo and theme – “Stronger, Better, Together” – for the upcoming sports calendar year on Wednesday, July 24. Called “Hands in Huddle,” the logo calls for all eight member schools “to constantly look forward, be relevant, and achieve collective greatness by working together,” according to UP’s press release. The statement also notes the logo’s hand figures, each bearing the eight universities’ primary colors, including human-like shapes. A notable number 87 is also blended within the first two letters of the theme. “The clenched fist in the UP Fighting Maroons team logo has transformed into an open hand that reaches out to every one in a spirit of cooperation and partnership,” said UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol, also the former men’s basketball head coach. “It says the best way to be strong, productive, and relevant is to encourage participation from everyone, be it as a league, as a community, or as a nation.” UAAP Season 87 officially opens on September 7 with a traditional opening ceremony preceding the flagship men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. With UP’s colors on top, the logo also follows the UAAP hosting order, with the gold-clad University of Santo Tomas up next in Season 88. Following UST for the subsequent seasons are the Far Eastern University, National University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Adamson University, and University of the East, then UP again. “Host school UP, with its colors, maroon and green, is at the top and invites the league, the community, the general public, and the country to come together and do great things as one,” Perasol continued. “When we work as a team, in and out of sports, we can reach great heights and accomplish much.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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LIST: How to help communities affected by Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon

Waya Lao

24/07/2024 15:37

MANILA, Philippines – Several areas in Northern and Central Luzon are still experiencing heavy rain and intense flooding, Wednesday July 24, as Typhoon Carina continues to strengthen, enhancing the southwest monsoon. To help affected communities, organizations have launched donation drives and relief operations. Here is a running list of donation drives you can support: ADRA Philippines is accepting monetary donations to support victims. The three groups are seeking donations for communities in Commonwealth, Payatas, and Montalban. AHON San Juan is conducting a donation drive to aid affected communities in Luzon. They are accepting monetary and in-kind donations. More information below. Akbayan’s Akbayanihan Foundation is accepting monetary and in-kind donations for communities in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Bulacan. All About Mental Health is calling for in-kind and monetary donations to help families affected in Bulacan. The Alliance of Public Administration Students is calling for in-kind and monetary donations for affected communities in Bulacan. Anakbayan Pasay is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for communities in Pasay City. More details below. Angat Buhay on Wednesday, July 24, reopens the Bayanihan E-Konsulta for leptospirosis prophylaxis and general medical cases. Muling binubuksan ang Bayanihan E-Konsulta para sa mga general medical cases, kasama ang pagpapakonsulta para sa leptospirosis prophylaxis. Para magregister, sagutan ang mga katanungan sa link na ito: https://t.co/HYMHr2LHq0. Please text 09688990719 for further questions. pic.twitter.com/vX0eiJZdHG ANGAT Iskolar PUP is spearheading a donation drive for families and affected communities. Angat Kalikasan Pilipinas calls for in-kind and monetary donations to aid affected Dumagats in Tanay, Rizal. Angat San Mateo is calling for in-kind and monetary donations for families and communities in San Mateo, Rizal. Angat Taytay is calling for in-kind and monetary donations for residents in Taytay, Rizal. Logistics volunteers with utility vehicle or pickup trucks are also welcome to help deliver relief goods to different evacuation centers in the area. More information here. The Association of Law Students of the Philippines-National is leading a donation drive for communities in Meycauayan, Bulacan, and Valenzuela City. The Assumption College San Lorenzo Center for Social Involvement is spearheading a donation drive for those affected. They are accepting both in-kind and cash donations. The Ateneo Employees and Workers Union is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected union members and their families. Awra Marikina is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for affected barangays in Marikina City. They’re referring inquiries to Barangay Fortune Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Cedie Balagasay. More information below. Balay Rehabilitation Center is calling for donations to help at least 200 families affected by severe flooding in North Caloocan. These families are part of the human rights organization’s community of drug war survivors and alternative learning system learners. Bayanihan Youth Movement is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected residents affected in Cainta, Rizal. The Benilde Center for Social Action, of De La Salle University College of St Benilde, is calling for cash donations for families and communities. The assistance will be given to the center’s Kapitbahayan Partners. GCash donations can be coursed via the QR code below. A post shared by CSB Center for Social Action (@benildecsa) Balai Obrero Foundation Inc. accepts monetary and in-kind donations to send immediate assistance to workers and their families in Marikina and nearby areas. Cash donations may be sent through: In-kind donations may be dropped-off at the Balai Obrero Foundation headquarters in #63 Narra Street, Project 3, Quezon City. Barefoot Philippines is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for #HabagatPH victims in Barangay Sapang Uwak, Porac, Pampanga, and Barangay Looc, Cardona, Rizal. Donations will be accepted until August 3. The Batibot Early Learning Center in Marikina is calling for volunteers and cash donations to assist communities near the Marikina River affected by intense flooding brought by enhanced southwest monsoon. Kindly send your cash donation on GCash via 0998-534-2526. Volunteers who wish to assist in soup kitchens, rescue operations, and relief efforts may sign up here. They are also seeking volunteers for its clean-up drive at Industrial Valley and Tumana in Marikina. Bayan Muna Partylist is accepting food packs and monetary donations in support of its community kitchen for affected families in Quezon City, Antipolo, and Rizal. Cash donations may be sent on GCash via 09235354319 For more information, contact 09321175586 and look for Ms. Vienna or Ms. Sarah. BLOOM Philippines, comprised of fans of P-pop group BINI, is accepting monetary donations for affected communities. Collected funds will be donated to Angat Buhay. BSP Navotas City Council, in collaboration with SALAD Navoteños, is calling for in-kind and monetary donations to support residents and communities affected by #HabagatPH in Navotas City. BrandBuzz PH is seeking monetary and in-kind contributions to support families and communities affected by #HabagatPH across Metro Manila. Bulacan Help is seeking donations to help affected communities in Hagonoy, Calumpit, and Bulakan. Bulacan State University Local Student Council-Sarmiento Campus launched a donation drive for residents affected by #HabagatPH in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Bulacan State University Student Government is calling for in-kind and monetary donations to help #HabagatPH victims. Caritas Manila is calling for donations to support families in Metro Manila affected by flooding. The College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines is calling for cash and in-kind donations for affected communities. Community Pantry PH is accepting cash donations that will be distributed to various community kitchens in Metro Manila in support of affected families. They have also released a suggested market list of ingredients that can be cooked and served in evacuation centers. You may access the market list below, as well as the GCash QR code for cash donations. The Couples for Christ ANCOP is calling for monetary donations for families in Metro Manila and Luzon. You may send your donations through the following bank accounts with the account name: CFC ANCOP GLOBAL FOUNDATION INC.: For proper acknowledgement and issuance of O.R., kindly email the photo/screenshot of the transaction or deposit slip to: postmaster@cfcancop.org Center for Filipino Youth Volunteers is calling for in-kind and monetary donations to assist children and the elderly in affected communities in Luzon. Meanwhile, Center for Filipino Youth Volunteers-Sinag is also seeking in-kind and monetary donations to assist affected communities hit in Manila, Quezon City, Marikina City, and Rizal. The City Schools Division of Bacoor is accepting in-kind donations to help families who are currently sheltered in their evacuation areas. CORA Nonprofit is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for families staying at evacuation centers in Manila. DAKILA, in partnership with Tara Kabataan, Partido Manggagawa, and ispace organize relief operations for heavily affected in Manila, Quezon City, and Rizal. More details below. Defend Camanava-Human Rights Network is calling for monetary and in-kind donations to help those staying at evacuation centers in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela. De La Salle Araneta University’s Lasallian Mission and Formation Office is calling for donations to help their community members and adopted communities from July 26 to August 9. De La Salle University opens applications for financial assistance to affected students, faculty, and staff. Applications are open until Monday, July 29. Divine Grace Center of Studies is currently accepting in-kind and monetary donations for families and affected communities. Ecowaste Coalition is calling for in-kind donations to support their partner communities in Luzon. Donation period will run from July 26 to August 2. Far Eastern University is spearheading a donation drive and relief operation to help affected communities in Rizal and Metro Manila. The Far Eastern University Junior Marketing Association is supporting affected communities through a cash donation drive. For our Farmers PH, Inc. is seeking donations to help affected farmers, fisherfolk, and communities in Luzon. Frontliners’ Kitchen is seeking donations for evacuated families in Marikina City and Valenzuela City. They are accepting both cash and in-kind donations, including assistance with transporting relief goods. Gabriela Youth is accepting cash and in-kind donations for families in Quezon City, Marikina City, and other parts of Luzon. Volunteers are also welcome to help distribute donations. Gawad Kalinga is calling for monetary donations for families in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. GCash has partnered with several nongovernment organizations in setting up donation drives for Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon. You can support affected communities by sending cash donations to your preferred NGO. Gulay Drive PH and Trining’s is carrying out a drive in which every donation of P50 sponsors a bowl of soup for people in evacuation centers in Marikina and Pasig. They are targeting a collection of at least P36,000 that will cover 720 bowls of soup. GCash number accepting donations: 09178777177. Heritage Homes Youth Organization, in collaboration with Pag-asa Youth Organization, is leading a donation drive for affected families in Barangay Lambakin, Marilao, Bulacan. The group will accept donations until Saturday, July 27. Holy Family Parish Roxas is accepting in-kind and monetary donations to assist more than 1,000 evacuees currently staying in their church in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 24. Ina ng Lupang Pangako Parish is accepting in-kind and cash donations for residents of Barangay Payatas B, Quezon City, staying in evacuation centers. The Institute of Internal Auditors Student Chapter-FEU Manila is accepting cash donations to help evacuees staying at H. Bautista Elementary School in Marikina City. Integrated Community Extension Services-SAVE of Adamson University is calling for cash and in-kind donations to support students and community partners in Manila, Bulacan, and Rizal. iVolunteer Philippines is raising funds to bring food and aid to affected residents in Quezon City, Tondo, Manila, Marikina City, and Masbate. JCI Olongapo, in partnership with Araneta Brew Coffee House – Olongapo City, is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected communities in Olongapo City. The donations will be used to provide essential goods for displaced families in evacuation centers. JCI Baras, through its “Oplan Kaagapay” initiative, is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for residents affected in Baras and Tanay, Rizal. JCI Marikina Marikit is looking for volunteers and donations for their relief efforts for affected communities in Marikina. JCI Taytay, on Wednesday, July 24, opened the Oplan Kaagapay initiative to help affected families affected in Taytay, Rizal. Cash and in-kind donations are welcome. JK Philippines, comprised of fans of BTS member Jungkook, launches a donation drive for affected communities. Jose Rizal University is seeking in-kind donations from July 26 to July 27 to help affected communities in Luzon. KBI, a youth group based in Bulacan, is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for residents of their province. Kabataan sa Kartilya ng Katipunan is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for affected families and individuals in Marikina. Kabataan Partylist is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected communities Quezon City. Kabataan Partylist Marikina, in partnership with Sangguniang Kabataan of Kalumpang, Fortune, and Parang, is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for affected communities in Marikina City. They are also in need of volunteers to help in relief operations. Kabataan Partylist-Pasay is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help communities in Maricaban, Malibay, Rotonda, and other flooded areas in Pasay City. They are also looking for volunteers and partners in relief efforts. Kabataan Partylist-Pasig is initiating a community kitchen for families in Barangay Manggahan and Barangay Santolan, Pasig City. Donors are encouraged to send monetary and in-kind donations. Kabataan Partylist Rizal is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected communities in Rizal. Kadamay is calling for in-kind and cash donations to assist families affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon in Metro Manila. For in-kind donations, the drop-off address is 12-A Kasiyahan St., Don Antonio Heights, Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City. Kadamay is also open for reports on communities that are in need of help and rescue. For more information, you may check their Facebook page. Kalikasan and the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines are accepting cash donations in support of a community kitchen that will feed families in Commonwealth, Payatas, and Montalban. Kamanggagawa Partylist is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for affected families in Luzon. Kaya Natin Youth-Trece Martires is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for affected residents in Cavite. K- COOP calls for monetary and in-kind donations to help affected urban poor families in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. Kids for Kids Philippines seeks monetary and in-kind donations to communities in Luzon affected by floods. Lasallian Formation and Social Action calls for monetary donations to aid affected communities in Luzon. Lasallian Medic Society-Red Cross Youth is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for affected communities in Cavite. The League of Filipino Students is calling for cash and in-kind donations for affected communities. The group is also accepting volunteers interested in assisting in relief drives. They are also looking for volunteers and donations for its community kitchen at Bagong Silangan Elementary School in Payatas, Quezon City. LoveYourself Inc. is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for affected communities in Luzon. Lingkod Katribu is seeking for in-kind, Halal food, and monetary donations for affected Moro communities and other indigenous people. More details below. Mana Town Center-Cavite is accepting in-kind donations for the affected towns in Cavite. Manila Red Cross Youth is spearheading an in-kind donation drive for evacuees across Manila. More details below. Manila Science High School’s Supreme Secondary Learner Government is organizing a donation drive to help communities affected by #HabagatPH in Baseco, Parola, Tondo, Quiapo, and Binondo. Manila Water Foundation on Wednesday, July 24, activated “Agapay: Wash in Emergencies,” where donors can send cash donations to help sponsor potable water gallons that will be distributed to various evacuation centers in Luzon. More details below. Mary Help of Christians School – Pampanga is calling for donations to support displaced families staying at Don Bosco School Sta. Mesa. Metro Valenzuela Leo Club is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for evacuees in Valuenzela City. Meycauayan College is seeking in-kind and monetary donations and pet essentials for families and affected communities in Meycauayan, Bulacan. The MC Maryknoll-Miriam, Identity, Spirituality, and Mission Office is accepting both in-kind and cash donations for affected Miriam College employees, students, and outsourced personnel. Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance is calling for monetary and Halal food donations for Moro communities. Mother of Divine Providence Parish is calling for in-kind and cash donations for evacuees from Barangay Payatas, Quezon City. Mu Relief is accepting monetary and in-kind donations for displaced families in Marikina, Quezon City, and Manila. The National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates Youth is calling for in-kind and cash donations to aid farmers and fisherfolk communities affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon in Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal. For in-kind donations, kindly message their Facebook page for assistance. Cash donations may be sent through GCash by scanning the QR code below. The National Union of Students of the Philippines-National Capital Region is calling for volunteers to help assist its food relief operation “Kusinang Bayan,” which aims to feed several barangays in Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Manila. The National University Community Extension Office is calling for in-kind donations to help affected communities in Sampaloc, Tondo, and Baseco, in Manila. They are asking for hygiene kits, medicine, and food donations which can be dropped off at NU Manila, 3F Community Extension Office, Annex Building starting this Friday, July 26. Only Bangtan PH, in partnership with Angat Buhay, is accepting cash donations to provide essential supplies and mobile load assistance to affected communities. Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, Inc. is calling for in-kind and monetary donations for affected communities. The first batch of donations is now bound for Lemery, Batangas, on Wednesday, July 24. Our Lady of Fatima Quezon City’s KASAMA HSL is accepting monetary and in-kind donations for the affected residents in Barangay Greater Lagro, Quezon City. Pamalakaya and Concerned Artists of the Philippines are seeking monetary and in-kind donations for coastal communities and fisherfolk families along Manila Bay who were affected by flooding. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Physical Therapy Student Council and PLM Center for University Extension are calling for in-kind and monetary donations to help affected citizens. The donation drive will run until August 15, 2024. Panday Sining UST is calling for monetary and in-kind donations to help affected Thomasian community members and residents within the vicinity of the university. PARA-Advocates for Inclusive Transport is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected jeepney drivers and operators in Quezon City and San Juan. The group is also calling for volunteers to repack relief goods and document the impacts of #HabagatPH on jeepney operators and drivers. Parish of the Holy Cross Valenzuela City is seeking in-kind donations to help affected communities in Valenzuela. Philippine Normal University’s Community Partnership and Extension Office is calling for in-kind donations to help affected communities around PNU Manila. This chapter of Red Cross is appealing for cash and in-kind donations to assist families in Rizal. Volunteers are also welcome to assist in distributing supplies. PISTON, a transport workers’ advocacy group, is asking for cash and in-kind donations for public transport workers, including jeepney drivers and their families, affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon. More information here. ⚠️CALL FOR DONATIONS⛈️Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) has been devastating southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, in the northern Philippines since the morning of July 24, 2024. We urgently call for collective action to support the backbone of our urban mobility:… pic.twitter.com/1b3lqZOntn Plushies for Hope is seeking in-kind and monetary donations to help flooded communities in Bulacan. Project ALAB is calling for cash donations to support over 150 families in Barangay 58, Zone 5, Tondo, Manila. Project Kapwa is urgently seeking monetary and in-kind donations for communities in Laguna, Cavite, and Metro Manila. Project Pearls is raising funds to provide meals and clean water to affected families in evacuation centers across Metro Manila. Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bataan’s Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral launched a donation drive for affected residents in Mariveles, Bataan. Polytechnic University of the Philippines Quezon City’s Supreme Student Council is accepting cash and in-kind donations for their community members and fellow students. Quirino High School Supreme Secondary Learner Government is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for families in Barangay Claro, Duyan Duyan, Amihan, and Botocan, Quezon City. Rotaract Club of Caloocan Stellar is accepting monetary and in-kind donations to help affected residents in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. Rotaract Club of Manila Metro is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for residents affected by #HabagatPH in Baseco, Manila. Donations will be distributed to beneficiaries on July 30. Rotaract Club of San Mateo and Innovative Youth Movement-Philippines are seeking monetary and in-kind donations for residents in Malabon and San Mateo, Rizal. Monetary assistance can be sent to the GCash and Paymaya number below. Rotary Club of Quezon City Central together with God Will Provide Christian Fellowship International Inc. and Sugod Mission GWPCFII are urgently seeking donations for affected families in Malabon. The Rotaract Clubs of Rotary International District 3790 is seeking donations to help individuals in northern and central Luzon. The Rotary Club of University of Caloocan City is organizing a donation drive for communities in North Caloocan. Cash and in-kind donations are accepted. Rural Women Advocates and Amihan Women, in partnership with Sagip Kanayunan, are organizing a donation drive to help peasant communities affected in Laguna and Cavite. Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Batasan Hills is calling for in-kind and monetary donations for families in evacuation centers in Quezon City. Sangguniang Kabataan Barangay Commonwealth is calling for in-kind and cash donations to help communities in their area. The Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Novaliches Proper is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for affected barangay residents. The Sangguniang Kabataan Fortune in Marikina is looking for volunteers to help repack and distribute relief goods on Wednesday, July 24. Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila is calling for student volunteers and in-kind donations to assist communities in Luzon. Relief packing and operation will run from July 26 to 29. San Isidro Labrador Parish-San Guillermo Morong Rizal is calling for cash and in-kind donations to help families staying in evacuation centers in Rizal. They also welcome volunteers interested in helping pack donations. Senator Robinhood Padilla has set up hotlines to help those affected by #HabagatPH and #CarinaPH, in coordination with NDRRMC and other concerned agencies. These are the hotlines: Those interested to send non-monetary donations for affected communities may drop them off at Museo de Padilla, 6 Maple St, Novaliches, Quezon City, starting Thursday, July 25. Serve the People Corps Laguna is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for affected residents near Laguna Lake and other surrounding areas. Sip & Smile is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for affected communities in Rizal. Socially United for Sustainable Initiatives, in partnership with the SK Federation of Bulakan, is raising funds for flood victims in Bulakan, Bulacan. The Society of Public Administration Students-PUP QC is accepting relief donations for affected Polytechnic University of the Philippines Quezon City students. Sorok Uni Foundation is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for affected families in Manila. Southern Tagalog Serve The People Corps is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for affected residents and communities in CALABARZON. The Student Alliance of Philippine Science High School-Calabarzon is accepting monetary donations to support the Angat Buhay Foundation and aid affected Pisay Calabarzon students. Student Christian Movement of the Philippines is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for its new community kitchen in Bagong Silangan Elementary School, Quezon City. Volunteers are also welcome to assist in relief efforts. Sugarfolks’ Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform – Batangas is seeking donations for families affected in Calaca, Balayan, and Lemery. Sulong Kabataan Movement is calling for monetary and in-kind donations to provide hot meals to affected communities in Calumpit, Bulacan. The Philippine Animal Welfare Society is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for affected pets and pet owners in Marikina. Tabang Ta Bai is accepting in-kind and monetary donations to assist victims in Metro Manila. Donations can be sent until Thursday, August 1. Tanging Yaman Foundation is seeking cash and in-kind donations like food packs, hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats, slippers, and towels to help families in Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Rizal. In-kind donations can be brought to this address starting Friday, July 26: SJ Covered Court, Wellness Drive, Ateneo De Manila University, Quezon City (in front of Jesuit Wellness Center). More information in the post below. Tara Kabataan is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for residents in Baseco, Parola, Isla Puting Bato, Pandacan, and other affected communities in Manila. Task Force Children of the Storm is accepting donations to provide hot meals to children and their families in Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, and Tondo. You may send monetary donations to BPI account number 3180-0086-07, under Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns Inc. In-kind donations may be dropped off at #90 J. Bugallon Street, Barangay Bagumbuhay, Project 4, Quezon City. The Philippine Artisan is accepting monetary and in-kind donations for affected students, families, and pets of TUP Manila. Tier One Entertainment launched a donation drive for affected families, including pets, in Malabon and Marikina. They are accepting in-kind and cash donations from July 26 to 28, between 10 am and 7 pm. Tulong Kabataan PH Disaster Response Center is calling for cash and in-kind donations to help several barangays in Marikina and affected areas in Quezon City and Manila. Volunteers are also welcome to help distribute relief goods. You may click this link to sign-up as a volunteer. Tulong Kabataan-Parañaque is calling for volunteers to help affected communities in Parañaque City. The group is also accepting monetary and in-kind donations. The Technological University of the Philippines – Manila University Student Government is accepting in-kind and monetary donations for affected students and families in Metro Manila. UGATLahi Artist Collective is seeking in-kind and monetary donations for families affected by #HabagatPH in Metro Manila. They are also in need of volunteers for their relief operations. U Lead Pilipinas is organizing a relief operation for the affected residents in Bulakan, Bulacan. Unison-Youth Organization is calling for monetary and in-kind donations for affected residents in the coastal barangays of Julugan in Tanza, Cavite. University of Rizal System-Cainta’s University Supreme Student Government is seeking cash donations to help evacuees and on-duty guards staying in their campus. University of the East-Manila’s University Student Council is calling for in-kind donations for affected communities in Manila. UP Visayas University Student Council and the Tulong Kabataan Panay and Guimaras are calling for volunteers and donations to help victims in Iloilo. UP Padayon Public Service Office is asking for prepared meals to distribute to UP Diliman students and staff. Donations can be brought to the UP Diliman Police Station at E. Delos Santos Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, in front of the UPD College of Architecture. The office can be contacted via their Facebook messenger or at padayon@up.edu.ph. Urban Chick Maginhawa organizes an initiative where donors can sponsor a bowl of lugaw (porridge) for P25 to be distributed to evacuees in Quezon City. Victory is accepting in-kind and cash donations for affected families currently staying in the church’s evacuation centers in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Pampanga. Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines is accepting cash and in-kind donations to help communities in Commonwealth, Payatas, and Montalban. For those whose international payments can’t go through PayPal, the group says to reach out to climate activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan. More details below. Youth for Better Baseco is raising funds to repair destroyed fishing boats owned by artisanal fishermen in Baseco, Tondo. 18 Donation Drive Team, comprised of fans of P-pop group SB19, is accepting monetary donations. GCash number below. 🚨📢Calls for Donations!18 Donation Drive is now accepting cash donations to help communities affected by #CarinaPH.@SB19Official #SB19 pic.twitter.com/6s61zpjqmV Mountaineers for Good Governance is seeking donations for their community kitchen. – with reports from Viancé Redoblado and Hailie Tolentino/Rappler.com Viancé Redoblado is a Rappler intern from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. She is an incoming senior taking up Bachelor of Arts in Communication. At present, she is serving as a Feature Writer of Ang Pamantasan, the official student publication of PLM.Hailie Tolentino is a Rappler Intern from Far Eastern University. She is an incoming senior taking up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Currently, she is a News and Editorial writer for IAS Paragon, the official student publication of the FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Newsbreak Chats: POGO ban — making it happen

Jodesz Gavilan

25/07/2024 16:00

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ended his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) with an unexpected but not surprising announcement: a complete ban of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). He ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to “wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.” This move came as controversies after controversies surrounding POGOs continue to surface, including allegations of money laundering, human trafficking, torture, and illegal recruitment, among others. On Thursday, July 25, Rappler managing editor Miriam Grace Go sits down with multimedia reporters Dwight de Leon and Jairo Bolledo, and Rappler resident economist JC Punongbayan to discuss the POGO ban and the possible challenges it could face. De Leon covers the Marcos presidency while Bolledo follows justice and crime. How will the transition towards a complete POGO ban look like? How will it impact the economy? Catch the discussion on Thursday, July 25, at 4 pm! – Rappler.com Watch other Newsbreak Chats episodes in 2024: How does this make you feel?

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Carina intensifies into super typhoon; monsoon rain not yet over

Acor Arceo

24/07/2024 18:45

CARINA. Satellite image of Super Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) as of July 24, 2024, 5 pm. NOAA MANILA, Philippines – Carina (Gaemi) intensified from a typhoon into a super typhoon on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, ahead of its expected landfall in Taiwan. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 pm bulletin on Wednesday that Carina now has maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour from the previous 165 km/h. Its gustiness is now up to 230 km/h from 205 km/h. The super typhoon was last spotted 380 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwest toward Taiwan at a slightly faster 20 km/h from 15 km/h. Taiwan is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Carina is projected to make landfall in the northern part of Taiwan on Wednesday evening, then exit PAR on Thursday morning, July 25. While Carina did not make landfall in the Philippines, it has been affecting parts of Northern Luzon and enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat. PAGASA said the super typhoon will still bring moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters) to Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next 24 hours. Several areas also remain under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 5 pm on Wednesday. Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property Meanwhile, PAGASA warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon, which led to the declaration of a state of calamity for Metro Manila, will bring more rain to parts of Luzon in the next two days. Metro Manila has been dealing with heavy to intense rain nonstop since early Wednesday, and could still have moderate to heavy rain on Thursday. Massive floods have hit the capital region, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. Here is PAGASA’s latest rainfall forecast: Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Friday, July 26 Strong to gale-force gusts from the enhanced southwest monsoon will persist in these regions and provinces as well: Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Friday, July 26 For coastal waters, a new gale warning was released at 5 pm on Wednesday for Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the northern part of Ilocos Norte, and the northern part of Cagayan. Travel remains risky for small boats due to rough to very rough seas (waves 2.8 to 4.5 meters high). Aside from areas under the gale warning, the seaboards listed below will continue to be affected by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. It is also not advisable for small boats to venture out to sea. Carina’s upcoming landfall in Taiwan “will trigger a weakening trend” due to the “rugged terrain” there, according to PAGASA. Once Carina leaves PAR, it will “cross the Taiwan Strait and make its final landfall over southeastern China” on Thursday afternoon or evening. Carina is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2024 and the second for July. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Philippines says it has ‘arrangement’ with Beijing on South China Sea, but no ship inspections

Victor Barreiro Jr.

24/07/2024 17:41

STAKING CLAIMS. A Philippine flag flutters from BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999 and became a Philippine military detachment on the disputed Ayungin Shoal, on March 29, 2014. Erik de Castro/Reuters MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has reached an agreement with Beijing on its resupply missions to soldiers aboard a grounded naval vessel in the South China Sea, but will not submit to inspections from China, a top security official said on Wednesday, July 24. The Philippines and China, which have sparred repeatedly at sea this past year, have reached a “provisional arrangement” on resupply missions to the ship at the Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin Shoal), as both sides agreed to ease tensions and manage differences. Philippine national security adviser Eduardo Ano said, however, the arrangement does not include agreeing to Chinese vessels conducting “on-site” inspections. China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has long been irked by the Philippine missions to its small contingent of troops aboard the rusty ship Sierra Madre, which was intentionally run aground in 1999 to try to reinforce Manila’s territorial claim to the remote shoal. “There’s no such kind of on-site inspection. What the two sides agreed are really a common understanding,” Ano told a forum. Details of the arrangement would be kept confidential unless both parties consent to make them public, Ano added. “Both sides agreed the tension will be reduced… to prevent skirmishes, anything that may lead to injury, harm to soldiers or to anyone,” Ano said. “We did not agree on anything that will undermine our position,” he added. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including territory in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. In 2016, a Hague-based tribunal said China’s sweeping claims had no basis under international law, a decision Beijing has rejected. With the backing of defense treaty ally the United States, the Philippines has been bolder in its asserting itself in the South China Sea, engaging in joint patrols and training exercises and deploying vessels to areas of its EEZ where China has long maintained a heavy coast guard presence. Rival vessels have clashed in the past year and heated diplomatic rows have ensued with growing frequency, prompting regional concern that an incident could escalate and trigger conflict in the important trade route. The Philippines and United States have accused China of unlawful aggression, while Beijing has been outraged over what it sees as deliberate provocations, territorial encroachments and US interference. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Colliding barges on Marikina River hit Pasig bridge

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 17:41

COLLISION. Barges collide with a bridge in Pasig City around 4 pm on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Pushed by strong current, several barges on Marikina River hit the F. Manalo bridge in Pasig City on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, as heavy rain continues to pour down due to the enhanced southwest monsoon. The bridge goes over Marikina River and connects Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig and Calle Industria in Quezon City. Both lanes of F. Manalo Bridge were temporarily closed in light of the barge collision, the local government said in an announcement posted at 7 pm Wednesday. The barges, flat-bottomed vessels that carry cargo through rivers and canals, were pushed by the strong current of Marikina River, which, as of 4.40 pm, has reached a water level of 20.7 meters. Local governments surrounding the river have imposed a forced evacuation of residents. The Pasig government had advised residents of low-lying areas including Santolan, Dela Paz, Maybunga, and parts of Manggahan, to evacuate. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon: Weather updates, effects, relief efforts

No author found

28/07/2024 21:25

Parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, have been seriously flooded due to the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). Carina itself was felt in areas in Northern Luzon even though it did not make landfall in the Philippines. What is the situation of affected communities, and how can we help? Bookmark and refresh this page to get the latest weather updates, as well as information on relief efforts and the damage wrought by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Quezon City government employees affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon will be granted special emergency leave, Mayor Joy Belmonte confirmed. This is in accordance with Civil Service Memorandum Circular Nos. 2 and 16, series of 2012. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is offering an emergency loan for members affected by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon in Metro Manila, Batangas, and Rizal. Starting Friday, July 26, until October 28, members can apply for the emergency loan through the GSIS Touch mobile app, GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosks at all GSIS branches, major government offices, provincial capitols, city halls, municipal offices, and selected Robinsons and SM malls. The maximum loan amount is P20,000, payable in three years with an interest rate of 6% per annum. The local governments of Rodriguez and San Mateo in Rizal province are the latest to declare a state of calamity. See the full list here. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the opening of classes on Monday, July 29, will push through “as much as possible,” in the wake of the onslaught of the enhanced southwest monsoon in parts of Luzon. “If the school buildings are in a condition to take classes, they will do it,” Marcos said in Filipino on Friday, July 26. “Maybe others will be left with no choice and they will conduct classes outside of the school building. Let’s see,” he added. The Department of Finance (DOF) said on Friday, July 26, that the Bureau of the Treasury will file a claim under the National Indemnity Insurance Program for the repair and reconstruction of damaged public schools. The Department of Education will be able to use the insurance payout for 45 public schools in eight regions that sustained damage worth at least P308.5 million, added the DOF. The La Mesa Dam’s water level was at 79.79 meters as of 8 am on Friday, July 26, below its spilling level of 80.15 meters. The dam had breached its spilling level last Wednesday, July 24, due to rain from the enhanced southwest monsoon. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said in an advisory at 9 am on Friday that only light rain is expected over La Mesa in the next 24 hours. Water from the dam no longer poses a threat to low-lying areas along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela City, and Malabon City.

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Heavy downpour causes landslides, power outages, road closures in Cordillera

Herbie G

24/07/2024 16:50

TIRESLIDE. A disaster responder checks out tires that fell and the mess caused by a heavy downpour along Alfonso Tabora Road in Baguio. Baguio Public Information Office BAGUIO, Philippines – Heavy rain brought by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon made several key roads impassable, caused landslides and power outages, and forced families to flee their homes in Baguio and other areas in the Cordillera region. From 8 am on Tuesday up to Wednesday, July 23 and 24, Baguio had 294 millimeters (mm) of rain, the second-highest 24-hour rainfall rate recorded during that period by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). It trailed only Calayan in Cagayan at 342.8 mm. The heavy downpour triggered at least a dozen landslides, downed trees, clogged drains, caused blackouts, and rendered major roads impassable in Baguio, authorities said. The Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported 12 landslides, fallen trees, and three clogged drainage systems. There were also eight instances of sparking wires and fallen posts that led to power interruptions. Baguio’s roads bore the brunt of the continuous heavy rain. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR), three sections of Kennon Road, including two areas in Camp 6 and one in Camp 4, became impassable due to mudslides. The Itogon-Dalupirip Road in Sablan, Benguet, also became impassable because of a road slip at Sitio Yagyagan. The Sayangan-Atok section of the Halsema Road is still being cleared, while the Governor Bado Dangwa National Road in Poblacion, Kibungan, was closed to vehicular traffic due to landslides. However, one of the lanes of the Asin-Nangalisan-Pascual Road has been passable since Wednesday afternoon after government workers cleared two sections. The Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya and Baguio-Bauang Roads were also cleared on Wednesday morning. All national roads in Baguio and Apayao are passable, though some sections in the rest of the region are either impassable or only open for one lane. The DPWH-CAR released this road advisory as of 2 pm on Wednesday to identify two-lane roads that were already passable: Meanwhile, the Mountain Province Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported the normal status for river basins, including Chico River, Mallig River, Sifu River, Tanudan River, Abit River, and Layaen River, as of 11 am on Wednesday. There were no reported power interruptions in the province. In Benguet, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that at least 15 families, or about 72 people, have been evacuated due to the effects of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. The evacuees, from the municipalities of Atok, Tuba, and La Trinidad, either sought shelter with neighbors and relatives or have been moved to evacuation centers within their municipalities. Several major and minor road networks have also been affected, including the Baguio-Bontoc Road, due to landslides in Paoay, Sayangan, and Atok, as well as Kennon Road, due to landslides in Camp 6, Tuba. Clearing operations are actively being conducted by the DPWH, the provincial government, and private contractors on the affected roads. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Here’s how Filipinos can achieve ‘Freedom’ to build their future savings

gbarrientos0280

19/07/2024 15:41

In this day and age, the effects of inflation are palpable from month to month. It hits every aspect of our lives, from food costs, to housing, to utilities, down to transport. As these rising costs of living continue to pile up, how are you preparing for the future? According to the 2024 Manulife Asia Care Survey, 58% of Filipinos surveyed are planning to delay their retirement because of familial financial responsibility. 43% of Filipinos also shared that having passive income after retirement is their top financial goal. All while thinking about their futures, 81% of Filipinos are burdened in the present with worries about inflation. It’s clear that to navigate an economy like this, it’s wise to start planning for 20 years from now, today. To help reach these goals, Manulife designed an insurance plan built to help protect your health, and provide guarantees that can help you save up for the future. The Manulife Asia Care Survey revealed that Filipinos’ financial goals are security after retirement, savings for healthcare needs, and freedom from debt. Manulife’s Freedom and Manulife China Bank Life (MCBL)’s Assure Max are built with Filipinos’ stability in mind. Manulife’s plans are designed to help make your dreams become a reality. Whether it’s helping to sustain your growing family or building financial freedom to pursue your passions, Manulife’s insurance with investment plans can be your long-term partner for financial preparedness. Manulife’s Freedom lets you build a stable financial investment despite life’s unpredictability. It’s available in two models: a 20-year length or until age 65. It also has flexible payment terms, available in five or 10-year payment plans. With this plan, there are guarantees. First, it protects you through life insurance coverage during your chosen plan’s length that will provide 200% of your plan’s face amount. Second, it guarantees long-term savings through a lump-sum cash benefit released upon plan maturity, helping secure your life after retirement. It also provides cash payouts equal to 10% of the face amount given every two years after full payment of the plan. This can help you keep up with the costs of your child’s growth or even go on your dream travels every other year. Alternatively, you can opt to reinvest these payouts for bigger lump-sum benefits at plan maturity. Want more out of Freedom? You can also boost your plan to secure supplementary benefits for health emergencies, accidental death, or disability. For China Bank and China Bank Savings customers, Manulife has made it more convenient to enjoy Freedom’s similar features with the MCBL Assure Max plan. It also serves as a reliable savings fund to help you with your expenses, while kick-starting your journey towards a rewarding retirement. With your goals in mind, do you want to find out where ‘better’ can take you? Visit the Manulife website or the MCBL website, and talk to a financial advisor today. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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UP unveils UAAP Season 87 logo, theme: ‘Stronger, Better, Together’

jisaga0269

24/07/2024 17:00

HOSTING TIME. The University of the Philippines presents its UAAP Season 87 logo 'Hands In Huddle' with the theme 'Stronger, Better, Together' UP OASD MANILA, Philippines – UAAP Season 87 host University of the Philippines officially unveiled its logo and theme – “Stronger, Better, Together” – for the upcoming sports calendar year on Wednesday, July 24. Called “Hands in Huddle,” the logo calls for all eight member schools “to constantly look forward, be relevant, and achieve collective greatness by working together,” according to UP’s press release. The statement also notes the logo’s hand figures, each bearing the eight universities’ primary colors, including human-like shapes. A notable number 87 is also blended within the first two letters of the theme. “The clenched fist in the UP Fighting Maroons team logo has transformed into an open hand that reaches out to every one in a spirit of cooperation and partnership,” said UP Office of Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol, also the former men’s basketball head coach. “It says the best way to be strong, productive, and relevant is to encourage participation from everyone, be it as a league, as a community, or as a nation.” UAAP Season 87 officially opens on September 7 with a traditional opening ceremony preceding the flagship men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. With UP’s colors on top, the logo also follows the UAAP hosting order, with the gold-clad University of Santo Tomas up next in Season 88. Following UST for the subsequent seasons are the Far Eastern University, National University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Adamson University, and University of the East, then UP again. “Host school UP, with its colors, maroon and green, is at the top and invites the league, the community, the general public, and the country to come together and do great things as one,” Perasol continued. “When we work as a team, in and out of sports, we can reach great heights and accomplish much.” – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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#WalangPasok: Class suspensions, Thursday, July 25, 2024

Acor Arceo

24/07/2024 16:15

MANILA, Philippines – Some areas suspended classes for Thursday, July 25, after the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat brought intense rain that triggered massive floods and landslides. The southwest monsoon is being enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). This list will be updated once local or national authorities make announcements. Malacañang suspended classes at all levels (public and private) and work in government offices in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon. Not included in the suspension are “agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services.” Prior to the Palace decision, the following cities and provinces had announced suspensions: – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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DOLE to help find jobs for displaced POGO workers

Michelle Abad

24/07/2024 13:58

JOB FAIR. People attend the Toril District Jobs Fair at Crossing Bayabas Gym, Toril, Davao City, on February 9, 2024. City Government of Davao MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is in the process of finding jobs for the thousands of workers expected to be displaced from the total ban President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. imposed on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Marcos announced the ban in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, and directed the DOLE to assist workers who will be displaced. In the session of the post-SONA discussions on education and workers on Wednesday, July 24, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma elaborated on the DOLE’s plans in carrying out the President’s order. Laguesma explained that the first order of business for the DOLE was to conduct “profiling” of the affected workers, which means finding out what skills they have, their current positions, current salaries, preferred work, and possible interventions. The process of profiling involves asking for a list of workers from their employers, POGOs, or what were rebranded as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), Laguesma said. Regional DOLE implementors are in charge of collecting submissions from the IGLs. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (Pagcor) Offshore Gaming Licensing Department has a list of 45 IGLs, of which 43 were operating as of July 16. (READ: Which POGOs are affected by Marcos’ ban?) Laguesma said the department’s initial information so far is from Metro Manila, where most of the POGOs have transitioned into IGLs, as well as in Calabarzon or the Southern Luzon region and Central Luzon. A total of 34 IGLs reported least 15,000 workers in Metro Manila. Other IGLs reported another 5,000 in Calabarzon. Laguesma said the number of affected workers is “moving.” “Noong tiningnan ng DOLE-NCR (National Capital Region) ‘yung listahan ng mga manggagawa na ipinagkaloob ng mga kumpanya, malaking bahagi doon ay nandodoon sa encoders. Ibig sabihin, puwede talagang i-link up sa ating IT (information technology), BPO (business process outsourcing) management sector,” said Laguesma. (When the DOLE-NCR looked at the list of workers from the companies, many of them were encoders. This means there is an opportunity to link them up to the IT and BPO management sector.) Possible interventions include referral to existing vacancies for those who have skills that match these, or job fairs. But if skills are lacking in the job market’s vacancies, the DOLE has upskilling programs and job-hunting guidance. Laguesma also mentioned a DOLE program that allows workers to start businesses instead of going back to being employees, if this is their preference. “DOLE will always be seriously concerned, even if just one job is lost… Other than job creation, we would also like to emphasize job preservation,” Laguesma said in a mix of English and Filipino. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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FACT CHECK: Post warning of tropical cyclone ‘Duterte’ is fake

Ailla Dela Cruz

24/07/2024 14:54

Claim: A satellite image shows a new tropical cyclone about to hit the Philippines after Butchoy and Carina. It will be named “Duterte.” Why we fact-checked this: The post came from the Facebook page “Philippine Weather Alert,” which has over 1,000 followers and 174 likes. As of writing, the July 20 post has received 28 reactions and 81 shares. With a screenshot of the supposed satellite image of tropical cyclone “Duterte,” the post’s caption states: “Alert! Panibagong malakas na bagyo ang namumuo at pinangalanan itong Duterte na magdudulot ng matinding pagbaha — PAGASA nagbabala na maging handa!” (Alert! A new strong tropical cyclone is forming and has been named Duterte, and it will cause severe flooding — PAGASA warned the public to be prepared!) It also contained a link allegedly listing possible areas at risk of flooding. The facts: Using Google reverse image search, Rappler found that the supposed satellite image used in the misleading Facebook post shows Super Typhoon Ferdie (Meranti), which hit the Philippines in 2016. The original screenshot of the image was published in an article on the website “The Weather Company” on September 13, 2016. According to the article, the satellite image was taken after Ferdie developed into a super typhoon, the highest in the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s tropical cyclone categories. The link in the Facebook post is also clickbait and redirects users to products in an e-commerce site, not to any credible references about the supposed typhoon warning. Not on PAGASA’s list: Additionally, “Duterte” is not on the list of local names that will be assigned to tropical cyclones that form within or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in 2024. After Aghon, Butchoy and Carina, the next tropical cyclone will be named “Dindo.” Latest weather update: Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) is the second tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this July and the country’s third for 2024. While PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month, the state weather bureau’s 11 am bulletin on July 24 did not mention any low pressure area inside or outside the PAR that could potentially develop into a tropical cyclone after Carina. According to the latest bulletin, Carina was located 345 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. Signal No. 2 remains up over Batanes, while Signal No. 1 is raised over Babuyan Islands, the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte. The state weather bureau is also not ruling out the possibility of Carina strengthening into a super typhoon before it makes landfall in Taiwan. The typhoon, which further intensified on Wednesday morning, has been affecting parts of Northern Luzon and enhancing the southwest monsoon. Previous fact-checks: Several weather-related claims have been debunked by Rappler in the past: Official accounts: For legitimate weather updates, visit PAGASA’s official website, X (formerly Twitter) page, and YouTube channel. Get updates too via Rappler’s Philippine weather page. – Larry Chavez/Rappler.com Larry Chavez is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Metro Manila under state of calamity due to enhanced southwest monsoon

Jairo Bolledo

24/07/2024 14:57

RESCUE. Rescuers assist residents along a flooded street in Sta. Mesa, Manila, after heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon on July 24, 2024. Lisa Marie David/Reuters MANILA, Philippines – The entire Metro Manila has been placed under a state of calamity due to heavy rain and flood brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi). Department of the Interior and Local Government chief Benhur Abalos made the announcement during the Metro Manila Council’s meeting on Wednesday, July 24. Metro Manila mayors moved for the declaration, which was later approved by the council. The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the government to use its quick response funds to respond to the effects of Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Abalos met Metro Manila mayors on Wednesday to discuss the status of their respective cities and constituents. Among the most affected cities were Manila, Marikina, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Malabon, and Navotas, among others. In Navotas, a flood-prone area, Mayor John Rey Tiangco said at least 80% of the city was affected by flooding. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Negros Occidental farmers seek help over P2-billion palm oil project threat

Herbie G

24/07/2024 12:29

NURSERY. A nursery for palm tree seedlings in Barangay Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental. courtesy of Leoly Catacata BACOLOD, Philippines – Farmers cried out for help on Tuesday, July 23, as a P2-billion palm oil plantation project threatened to displace them and their families in three villages in Negros Occidental. The Gatuslao Agro-Forestry, Banana, and Sugarcane Farmers Association (GABASFA) said about 100 farming families in Candoni town, Negros Occidental, were adversely affected when ground works for the project commenced, destroying several farms in the villages of Agboy, Gatuslao, and Payawan. Carlito Catacata, GABASFA president, said heavy equipment from the Consunji group’s Hacienda Asia Plantation Incorporated (HAPI) are destroying farms planted with corn, pineapple, sugarcane, and vegetables. In 2023, Candoni Councilor Dember Catipunan said there were plans to convert around 6,000 hectares of forest land in the town into a palm oil plantation, with the Consunji group entering into an Integrated Forest Management Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the project. Catacata said the ongoing project could displace over 1,000 farmers and their families, including members of indigenous communities, living in the three barangays. GABASFA said HAPI started developing 6,652 hectares for its palm oil plantation, comprising forest lands regarded as public domain, based on a 25-year IFMA with the DENR. An IFMA is a contract entered into by the DENR to give an applicant the exclusive right to develop, manage, protect, and use a specific area of forestland and its resources for 25 years. The agreement can be renewed for another 25 years, following sustainable development principles and an approved community-based development and management program (CDMP). The IFMA was first granted to former Bacolod representative John Orola for cassava and jatropha plantations more than 20 years ago. It was later transferred to the Araneta family and eventually to HAPI. Catacata said the company’s executives, along with Candoni Mayor Rey Ruiz and other local officials, had promised not to destroy or intrude upon the areas the farmers have cultivated for decades during a public consultation in May 2023, acknowledging that the pieces of land they occupy were passed on to them by their ancestors. Many of the families, he said, have been living and cultivating farms in the villages for 60 to 70 years already. “DENR officials in the province and Kabankalan City promised to give us an IFMA to legitimize our farming ventures in the area. This has not happened,” Catacata said. Rappler reached out to Ruiz on Tuesday evening, but he said he was not ready to comment yet. HAPI has also yet to issue a statement as of posting time. This report will be updated once they issue statements. Ruiz, however, is set to meet with the affected farmers at the town hall on Friday, July 26. Catacata said the farmers have sought legal aid so they could petition for the immediate revocation of the IFMA between HAPI and the DENR. GABASFA and the affected farmers have found an ally in the environmental watchdog Negros Initiatives for Climate and Environment (NICE). The group’s convenor, Joshua Villalobos, said they were opposed to the project in Candoni, saying it would lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and cause landslides, flooding, and other natural calamities. Candoni, one of the smallest and poorest localities in Negros Occidental, located about 147 kilometers from Bacolod, was one of the worst-hit towns when Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) battered the southern part of the province on December 16, 2021. Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said the project promises to be a game changer for Negros Occidental’s economy. Villalobos, however, disagreed, saying the palm oil plantation project could be a bane for the local economy in the long run. “We maintain our position that we must not over-glamorize this big-ticket project, and we need to ensure that it complies with regulations and does not sacrifice environmental integrity and the rights of people in the communities,” he said. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Metro Manila flood due to habagat brings back memories of Ondoy, Ulysses

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 12:17

FLOOD. Commuters were forced to walk through flooded streets after continuous rains due to habagat inundated Taft Avenue in Manila, on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) caused widespread flooding in parts of the Philippines’ capital region and nearby provinces on Wednesday, July 24. The developing situation brought back memories of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in September 2009, one of the worst floods to hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon with 464 people killed and over 500 injured. Online users have compared flooding in their areas to what they experienced during Ondoy. Meteorologist BA Racoma said that compared to Ondoy’s 455 millimeters (mm) of total rainfall over a 24-hour period, the enhanced southwest monsoon intensified by Carina brought 217 mm of rainfall within the same period. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sent SMS alerts in the middle of the night of orange and red rainfall warnings for Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon due to heavy rainfall and told citizens to be prepared for floods and landslides. Maging alerto, mga lalawigan ng #Cavite at #Bataan, at #MetroManila!NDRRMC(3:38AM, 24Jul24)Red Rainfall Warning sa Metro Manila, Cavite, at Bataan. Asahan ang matinding pag-ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa.#CarinaPH pic.twitter.com/Ui5gNYIS59 The situation was particularly worrisome in Marikina City, east of Manila. As of 10:40 am, water level in Marikina River rose to 18.4 meters. It earlier triggered the highest alarm (3rd) when it reached 18 meters prompting forced evacuation, and the level was still rising as of posting. In a radio DZBB interview on Wednesday, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said he had not seen this situation since Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in November 2020. He said around 10,000 people were already in evacuation centers of the city as of 10 am. “Parang Ondoy na ang nararanasan namin dito (What we’re experiencing is like Ondoy),” he also said. “Nabigla ang lahat…Sana tumigil na ang ulan (We were all surprised…We hope the rain will stop).” He said this habagat has so far dumped 205 millimeters of rain in six hours. In regular tropical cyclones, he said the rainfall volume is just between 60 to 90 millimeters for a couple of hours. “Iba na ang new normal, iba yung volume, rainfall count natin ngayon (It’s now a new normal as well as rainfall count),” he said. Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped around 445 millimeters of rainfall while Typhoon Ulysses recorded 150 millimeters. Footage shown by radio DZBB shows water from the overflowing Marikina River reaching one of the Marikina’s main roads, Gil Fernando Avenue, and even portions of Marcos Highway near Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta in mid-afternoon. Teodoro said the rising flood was again happening despite the dredging that has been done in Marikina River. People living in at least six villages beside the river as well as those living next to creeks had to be evacuated. Teodoro said on Wednesday night that a total of 5,845 families or around 29,000 individuals have been evacuated in the city, similar to the numbers during Ondoy. Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City currently houses the most number of evacuees . However, he said the flooding this time was not as bad since the city has been dredging Marikina River for the past four years, which increased the carrying capacity of the river. During Ondoy, he recalled that the first floor of Marikina City Hall was inundated, but this time, the flood was outside the building. Provident Village was also hard hit during Ondoy and Ulysses, but it wasn’t as bad this time around, he said. So far, there have been no casualties, although at least 7 rescuers were still missing after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters, Teodoro added. Later Wednesday evening, however, all the missing rescuers were found, radio DZBB reported. In flood-prone Malabon City, north of the capital, almost all barangays are already inundated, according to Mayor Jeanie Sandoval. “Lahat halos ng barangay dito lubog na rin po,” Sandoval said in a separate radio interview. “Nagsasagawa na po kami ng rescue operations, naka-ready na po ang evacuation centers.” (Almost all villages here are flooded. We’re already undertaking rescue operations, evacuation centers are ready.) Annabelle Bersabe, a resident from West Riverside, Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, appealed for rescue to Quezon City Councilor Peachy de Leon on radio DZBB, adding there were also two children and one senior citizen in their household. Bersabe said that their car was already submerged and the water had reached the second floor of their house. De Leon, spokesperson for the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, told Bersabe to standby for rescue. She added that there were many residents seeking evacuation as rains persisted on Wednesday afternoon. The spokesperson said all their rescue teams have been deployed, and around 1,500 families in Quezon City have been evacuated. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Students use viral ‘Danas’ memes to renew calls for increase in PUP budget

Chito de la Vega

24/07/2024 13:49

UNITED. Militant student groups from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines lead the youth sector action protests ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third state of the nation address at Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City on July 22, 2024. CHRIS BURNET RAMOS/RAPPLER. MANILA, Philippines — Students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) posted on social media meme videos of their experiences encountering brownouts during classes, using floor tiles as whiteboards, and other funny campus moments revealing their academic obstacles. This memes triggered the school’s progressive groups and student leaders to decry the deep budget cuts in the country’s most populated university. They said the current state funds allocated to PUP limit the quality of their educational facilities as can be seen on the online craze. As students continue to hop on the trend, PUP student regent and central student council president Kim Modelo said that the meme exposed the real situation in the state-owned school as the inadequate budget results in numerous protests. “Nitong mga nagdaang taon, talagang makikita ‘yung pag-tapyas sa budget ng PUP. Talagang mababa siya […] Ine-expose nila ‘yung tunay na kalagayan ng mga estudyante. ‘Yun ‘yung mga isyu na nagpapakilos sa mga estudyante na nagreresulta talaga sa mga protesta at even pag-e-expose online,” said Modelo. (These past few years, one can really see the budget cuts in PUP. The budget allocated is really insufficient. The memes expose the real conditions of the students. Those are the situations that make students act, which results in protests and even exposing it online.) Popularized by content creator and PUP student Ice Neo (@iceeneoo), the TikTok trend started with Ice singing Nora Aunor’s 2005 classic “Kahit Konting Awa.” Ice was singing the chorus like in a choir with fellow ‘mga iskolar ng bayan’ and jiving to the lyrics about mercy—a double entendre to the challenges the students face. It was followed by the rest of TikTok contents using that audio and other social media users sharing “normal days” in the school, highlighting their “danas” or experiences studying in PUP. These included untimely brownouts, flooded pathways, congested and hardly-ventilated classrooms, and students renting educational materials. Student groups believe they are in this blight because of the budget cuts sustained by PUP. In one video, students were seen using their classroom’s floor tiles and glass windows as an alternative for a whiteboard. Another upload showed students taking an examination at night, in the middle of a power outage, while using their phone’s flashlight to see the words on the test paper. With a lone laptop, students in one clip were doing a presentation in the dark due to a short brownout while fanning themselves to ease the humidity the classroom. The brownouts in PUP, which started in April 2023, were caused by development projects inside the campus. Generator sets are being used by the main campus. “Kawawa. Parusa. ‘Puksaan’ ‘yung budget ng SUCs (state universities and coolleges) natin. Saan ka makakakita ng state university na may window hour ang kuryente? Pinapabayaan ni Marcos Jr. ang mga estudyante at ‘yun ang tunay na state of the nation,” said League of Filipino Students (LFS) chairperson Elle Buntag. (Pitiful. Punishing. The budgets of SUCs are like killings. Where will you find a state university where the power services have window hours? [President] Marcos Jr. neglects the students and that is the true state of the nation.) Despite the trend, PUP was awarded “most preferred school of Filipino employers” in 2023 by employment platform JobStreet and ranked 551-600 on 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings in Asia. Weeks after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved a P6.3-trillion budget proposal for 2025, student groups from PUP, marched along Commonwealth Avenue during his third state of the nation address to push for an increase in their funds. In November 2023, Modelo and other representatives from other SUCs filed a 250-page petition paper to Senate minority leader Senator Koko Pimentel urging a restoration of the P6.1-billion budget cut to 30 Philippine SUCs, under the approved P5.7-trillion budget in September. The General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, has only allocated PUP a budget of P3.1 billion—only half of its proposed budget of P6.9 billion, which is “extremely insufficient” for the university to cater thousands of enrollees, said the student leaders. Modelo told Rappler that the PUP Board of Regents has already approved an P11-billion budget proposal for next year. The executive branch targets to submit the proposed 2025 national budget to Congress this coming July 29. This is not the first time the government has withdrawn supposed budgets for PUP. In February 2024, the House committee on higher and technical education deliberated three bills, including House Bill No. 8860, which seeks to revise the charter of PUP and elevate its status to being the country’s national polytechnic university (NPU). The NPU House bills were immediately protested by its students as some of its provisions are furthering the commercialization and privatization of services inside the campus. These proposals, however, would also benefit PUP’s stakeholders as it would provide appropriations of P8 billion to the university. This provision is one of the sections which made student groups support the bills. PUP President Manuel Muhi also requested a higher budget of P10.5-billion during the hearings for the subsumption of 11 PUP campuses currently funded by local governments. This May 2024, however, a committee report for the bills’ Senate version slashed these numbers and no summed amount of the budget was provided, unlike the House of Representative version. This was sponsored by the Senate committee on higher, technical and vocational education chairman and Senate president Chiz Escudero. With more than 20 campuses serving around 84,000 students, PUP is the Philippines’ largest university in terms of population. – Rappler.com Chris Burnet Ramos was an Aries Rufo fellow. A graduating journalism student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, he writes for ‘The Communicator,’ the student publication of the PUP College of Communication. Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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‘Itauli’: New book, exhibit reframe narratives of Cordillera women

Herbie G

24/07/2024 13:45

HARVEST. The image of a Cordillera woman harvesting crops, featured in the Itauli exhibit. Mia Magdalena Fokno/Rappler BAGUIO, Philippines – In an event that marries art, history, and advocacy, the book, Itauli: Reframing Cordillera Women Through Photographs, was launched at the Museo Kordilyera Plaza, University of the Philippines Baguio on Monday, July 22. The launch featured a compelling photo exhibit that shows the historical and contemporary representations of Cordillera women, challenging and expanding the narratives that have long been associated with them. The book highlights how Cordillera women have often been the subject of photographs that define the identity and status of their communities. Historically, these images emerged from the governance techniques of the American colonial government, which used photography to catalog and control the bodies and narratives of colonial subjects. While photography was initially seen as a tool for truth, it was often used for political ends, shaping perceptions of ethnic groups in ways that served colonial interests. Itauli, a Kankaney word meaning “to return,” aptly frames the intent of the project. It is an effort to return the photographs to their rightful place – both physically and in the broader cultural narrative. The book, co-authored by Grace Celeste T. Subido and Ruth M. Tindaan, delves deep into these themes. Subido, an associate professor at UP Baguio, specializes in literature and critical theory. Tindaan, also an associate professor at UP Baguio, focuses her research on the representation of Indigenous Peoples in media and literature, Indigenous diaspora, and language documentation. Both have a long history of collaboration, bringing a rich blend of scholarly rigor and personal insight to their work. Their shared academic pursuits and engagement with the Cordillera community underpin the book’s critical perspective. “We were initially called to help in putting up the exhibit with the framework of decolonization,” Subido said. “It was about creating a space that goes beyond mere spectatorship, urging a deeper engagement with the narratives of Cordillera women.” For Tindaan, the project offered a personal reflection on her identity as a Cordillera woman. “It was a chance to rethink how we perceive Cordillera women and to interrogate the discourses that shape these perceptions. It was a time for rigorous debate and introspection,” she said. The exhibit features photographs by Marleen de Kover and Gerry Atkinson. De Kover, a web designer and trainer with a background in art history, graphic design, and photography, captures the stories and emotions of the people she encounters. Atkinson, a photographer and photojournalist, volunteered with the Cordillera Women’s Education Action Research Center in the early 1990s, documenting the lives of indigenous women in the region. Their photographs from the 1990s, taken in Kalinga, Benguet, and other parts of the Cordillera, offer a visual history that connects to today’s efforts to identify the women in these images. Although time has passed and memories have faded, work is ongoing to recognize these women before their photos are returned to their communities. The exhibit challenges the male-dominated field of photography and the traditional portrayals of indigenous women. Rather than static images confined to traditional garb and rituals, these photographs show women at work, breaching boundaries of space and identity. The exhibit and book advocate for a more nuanced understanding of Cordillera women, urging ongoing conversations about their roles and representations. “Rather than static imagery that limits the range of vision, these photographs – in the spirit of itauli – urge a return to the continuing conversations that must ensue through time, beyond geographical boundaries, and across cultures to carve out spaces of equity and justice,” the authors wrote in their description of the exhibit. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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​​What is leptospirosis and why you should be careful treading in flooded areas

Kaycee

24/07/2024 14:13

FLOODING. Commuters are forced to walk through floodwaters along Taft Avenue in Manila after the enhanced southwest monsoon brought continuous rain on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – As government offices and classes were suspended Wedensday, July 24, due to Typhoon Carina (Gaemi), the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against treading flooded areas as this increases the risk of getting leptospirosis. Leptospirosis can be contracted via exposure to waters contaminated with the waste of infected animals, notably rats. “Mas mabuti pong umiwas sa baha at putik para makaiwas magka-Lepto (It’s better to avoid flooding and muddy areas to avoid getting Lepto),” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement on Wednesday, July 24. “Sa mga kailangang lumusong, gumamit ng bota hanggang tuhod. Hugasan agad ang katawan ng malinis na tubig at sabon pagkatapos. Kumonsulta agad sa doktor, wag maging kampante kasi matagal lumabas ang sintomas (For those who need to tread flood water, use knee-high boots. Immediately wash with clean water and soap right after. Consult a doctor promptly, don’t be complacent because the symptoms for the infection take a while to show up.)” Parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, have been flooded due to Typhoon Carina. According to the Philippine Society of Nephrology, people are at risk of getting infected with Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in the urine of infected animals, when they tread through flooded waters. People with open wounds and scars are at high risk of getting infected, although the bacteria can still enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that Leptospirosis infection can further spread during hurricanes or if an area is experiencing heavy rains as the urine of infected animals can seep through soil and other water sources. “Without access to running water, people may drink or bathe in contaminated water,” the CDC said. “They may also wade in flood waters with cuts in their skin.” The DOH lists the following symptoms of infection: Signs of severe cases: Symptoms may take a while to appear with some taking as long as one month after exposure, although some can start showing within 2 days. Leptospirosis infections can lead to further complications such as kidney failure, meningitis, and even death. “Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases; some people have no symptoms,” the DOH said. The DOH has advised the public to immediately consult a doctor after exposure. There are available preventive antibiotics, but these would require a doctor’s prescription. The Philippine Society of Nephrology emphasized that antibiotics (doxycycline) are not foolproof against Leptospirosis, and avoiding exposure would still be the best preventative solution. Herbosa said the government has enough supply of doxycycline but noted it should only be given to high- or medium-risk individuals. “‘Pag lahat ng tao mag-doxycycline, lalakas ‘yung leptospira bacteria, magiging resistant dito. Hahanap na naman tayo ng ibang antibiotic, sigurado ako ‘yung mahahanap natin mas mahal (If everyone were to take doxycycline, the leptospira bacteria would become resistant to it. We would have to find another antibiotic, which I’m sure would be more expensive),” Herbosa said in a press conference on Thursday, July 25. The DOH has declared a Code White Alert in its regional offices nationwide, including the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This means medical personnel and municipal health offices are on standby and ready to provide necessary services to the affected public. The department noted that the following regions had increases in Leptospirosis cases, based on June 2 to July 13 data: As of July 13, there have been 1,258 cases of Leptospirosis this year, 41% lower compared with the 2,150 cases logged in the same period in 2023. Deaths due to the infection have totaled 133 in 2024 so far. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Metro Manila flood due to habagat brings back memories of Ondoy, Ulysses

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 12:17

FLOOD. Commuters were forced to walk through flooded streets after continuous rains due to habagat inundated Taft Avenue in Manila, on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) caused widespread flooding in parts of the Philippines’ capital region and nearby provinces on Wednesday, July 24. The developing situation brought back memories of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in September 2009, one of the worst floods to hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon with 464 people killed and over 500 injured. Online users have compared flooding in their areas to what they experienced during Ondoy. Meteorologist BA Racoma said that compared to Ondoy’s 455 millimeters (mm) of total rainfall over a 24-hour period, the enhanced southwest monsoon intensified by Carina brought 217 mm of rainfall within the same period. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sent SMS alerts in the middle of the night of orange and red rainfall warnings for Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon due to heavy rainfall and told citizens to be prepared for floods and landslides. Maging alerto, mga lalawigan ng #Cavite at #Bataan, at #MetroManila!NDRRMC(3:38AM, 24Jul24)Red Rainfall Warning sa Metro Manila, Cavite, at Bataan. Asahan ang matinding pag-ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa.#CarinaPH pic.twitter.com/Ui5gNYIS59 The situation was particularly worrisome in Marikina City, east of Manila. As of 10:40 am, water level in Marikina River rose to 18.4 meters. It earlier triggered the highest alarm (3rd) when it reached 18 meters prompting forced evacuation, and the level was still rising as of posting. In a radio DZBB interview on Wednesday, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said he had not seen this situation since Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in November 2020. He said around 10,000 people were already in evacuation centers of the city as of 10 am. “Parang Ondoy na ang nararanasan namin dito (What we’re experiencing is like Ondoy),” he also said. “Nabigla ang lahat…Sana tumigil na ang ulan (We were all surprised…We hope the rain will stop).” He said this habagat has so far dumped 205 millimeters of rain in six hours. In regular tropical cyclones, he said the rainfall volume is just between 60 to 90 millimeters for a couple of hours. “Iba na ang new normal, iba yung volume, rainfall count natin ngayon (It’s now a new normal as well as rainfall count),” he said. Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped around 445 millimeters of rainfall while Typhoon Ulysses recorded 150 millimeters. Footage shown by radio DZBB shows water from the overflowing Marikina River reaching one of the Marikina’s main roads, Gil Fernando Avenue, and even portions of Marcos Highway near Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta in mid-afternoon. Teodoro said the rising flood was again happening despite the dredging that has been done in Marikina River. People living in at least six villages beside the river as well as those living next to creeks had to be evacuated. Teodoro said on Wednesday night that a total of 5,845 families or around 29,000 individuals have been evacuated in the city, similar to the numbers during Ondoy. Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City currently houses the most number of evacuees . However, he said the flooding this time was not as bad since the city has been dredging Marikina River for the past four years, which increased the carrying capacity of the river. During Ondoy, he recalled that the first floor of Marikina City Hall was inundated, but this time, the flood was outside the building. Provident Village was also hard hit during Ondoy and Ulysses, but it wasn’t as bad this time around, he said. So far, there have been no casualties, although at least 7 rescuers were still missing after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters, Teodoro added. Later Wednesday evening, however, all the missing rescuers were found, radio DZBB reported. In flood-prone Malabon City, north of the capital, almost all barangays are already inundated, according to Mayor Jeanie Sandoval. “Lahat halos ng barangay dito lubog na rin po,” Sandoval said in a separate radio interview. “Nagsasagawa na po kami ng rescue operations, naka-ready na po ang evacuation centers.” (Almost all villages here are flooded. We’re already undertaking rescue operations, evacuation centers are ready.) Annabelle Bersabe, a resident from West Riverside, Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, appealed for rescue to Quezon City Councilor Peachy de Leon on radio DZBB, adding there were also two children and one senior citizen in their household. Bersabe said that their car was already submerged and the water had reached the second floor of their house. De Leon, spokesperson for the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, told Bersabe to standby for rescue. She added that there were many residents seeking evacuation as rains persisted on Wednesday afternoon. The spokesperson said all their rescue teams have been deployed, and around 1,500 families in Quezon City have been evacuated. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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PVL postpones July 25 triple-header amid heavy monsoon rain

jisaga0269

24/07/2024 14:18

HALTED. PLDT stars Kianna Dy (left) and Savi Davison observe the action in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. PVL Images MANILA, Philippines – The PVL has postponed its Thursday, July 25 triple-header game slate at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City as the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) continues to batter Metro Manila and surrounding provinces on Wednesday, July 24. In the official league website, the PVL said it’s “prioritizing the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans.” PLDT was set to take on Farm Fresh at 1 pm Thursday, followed by Creamline clashing with Nxled at 3 pm, and Galeries Tower battling Chery Tiggo at 5 pm. No new date has been announced for the three matches, although the rescheduling may likely happen at the back end of the pool-based elimination round sometime in August. All six involved teams are part of Pool A, with PLDT and Chery Tiggo holding a top record share at 2-0. Contender Creamline is at 1-1 alongside upstart Nxled, while Farm Fresh and Galeries both seek a breakthrough win at 0-2. The PVL was able to push through its last triple-header on Tuesday, July 23, without incident despite the stormy weather, as Pool B teams Cignal, Akari, Capital1 respectively won against ZUS Coffee, Choco Mucho, and champion Petro Gazz. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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DOLE to help find jobs for displaced POGO workers

Michelle Abad

24/07/2024 13:58

JOB FAIR. People attend the Toril District Jobs Fair at Crossing Bayabas Gym, Toril, Davao City, on February 9, 2024. City Government of Davao MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is in the process of finding jobs for the thousands of workers expected to be displaced from the total ban President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. imposed on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). Marcos announced the ban in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 22, and directed the DOLE to assist workers who will be displaced. In the session of the post-SONA discussions on education and workers on Wednesday, July 24, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma elaborated on the DOLE’s plans in carrying out the President’s order. Laguesma explained that the first order of business for the DOLE was to conduct “profiling” of the affected workers, which means finding out what skills they have, their current positions, current salaries, preferred work, and possible interventions. The process of profiling involves asking for a list of workers from their employers, POGOs, or what were rebranded as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), Laguesma said. Regional DOLE implementors are in charge of collecting submissions from the IGLs. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (Pagcor) Offshore Gaming Licensing Department has a list of 45 IGLs, of which 43 were operating as of July 16. (READ: Which POGOs are affected by Marcos’ ban?) Laguesma said the department’s initial information so far is from Metro Manila, where most of the POGOs have transitioned into IGLs, as well as in Calabarzon or the Southern Luzon region and Central Luzon. A total of 34 IGLs reported least 15,000 workers in Metro Manila. Other IGLs reported another 5,000 in Calabarzon. Laguesma said the number of affected workers is “moving.” “Noong tiningnan ng DOLE-NCR (National Capital Region) ‘yung listahan ng mga manggagawa na ipinagkaloob ng mga kumpanya, malaking bahagi doon ay nandodoon sa encoders. Ibig sabihin, puwede talagang i-link up sa ating IT (information technology), BPO (business process outsourcing) management sector,” said Laguesma. (When the DOLE-NCR looked at the list of workers from the companies, many of them were encoders. This means there is an opportunity to link them up to the IT and BPO management sector.) Possible interventions include referral to existing vacancies for those who have skills that match these, or job fairs. But if skills are lacking in the job market’s vacancies, the DOLE has upskilling programs and job-hunting guidance. Laguesma also mentioned a DOLE program that allows workers to start businesses instead of going back to being employees, if this is their preference. “DOLE will always be seriously concerned, even if just one job is lost… Other than job creation, we would also like to emphasize job preservation,” Laguesma said in a mix of English and Filipino. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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LIVESTREAM: Marcos, NDRRMC hold briefing on Typhoon Carina, southwest monsoon

Dwight de Leon

24/07/2024 11:03

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a situation briefing on Wednesday, July 24, at the headquarters of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on the impact of Typhoon Carina. The storm and the enhanced southwest monsoon have brought heavy rains in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, resulting in widespread flooding. Earlier Wednesday, Marcos said in a statement that government agencies have been directed to “provide swift assistance” to Filipinos impacted by the weather disturbance. Malacañang said that P43.15 million in assistance has been given to more than 770,000 Filipinos affected by the southwest monsoon in the Visayas and Mindanao last week. Bookmark and refresh this page for the livestream of the situation briefing at 11 am on Wednesday. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel?

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PAGASA not ruling out super typhoon status for Carina before landfall in Taiwan

Acor Arceo

24/07/2024 13:05

CARINA. Satellite image of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) as of July 24, 2024, 11 am. NOAA MANILA, Philippines – The weather bureau is not ruling out the possibility of Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) strengthening into a super typhoon before it makes landfall in Taiwan, which is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Carina further intensified on Wednesday morning, July 24, with its maximum sustained winds increasing from 155 kilometers per hour to 165 km/h. Based on the classification of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), a super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h or above. Carina’s gustiness also increased from 190 km/h to 205 km/h. As of 10 am on Wednesday, the typhoon was located 345 kilometers north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It slowed down, moving north northwest toward Taiwan at 15 km/h from the previous 25 km/h. At its current speed, Carina could make landfall in the northern part of Taiwan on Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, July 25. It will cross Taiwan then leave PAR also by Thursday morning. Carina did not make landfall in the Philippines, but it has been affecting parts of Northern Luzon and enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat. Batanes and Babuyan Islands are still seeing moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters) from the typhoon on Wednesday. Tropical cyclone wind signals remain raised for these areas as of 11 am: Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property Meanwhile, the enhanced southwest monsoon continues to trigger intense rain in parts of Luzon, including in Metro Manila, where classes, work in most government offices, work in all courts, and stock trading have been suspended amid serious flooding on Wednesday. Below is PAGASA’s updated rainfall forecast for the enhanced southwest monsoon, issued at 11 am. Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Friday, July 26 Strong to gale-force gusts from the enhanced southwest monsoon will also be felt in these regions and provinces: Wednesday, July 24 Thursday, July 25 Friday, July 26 PAGASA also issued another gale warning at 11 am on Wednesday for the coastal waters of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern part of Ilocos Norte, and northern part of Cagayan. Travel is risky for small boats due to rough to very rough seas (waves 2.8 to 4.5 meters high). Aside from coastal waters under the gale warning, the seaboards listed below are affected by Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon on Wednesday, too. It is also not advisable for small boats to venture out to sea. Once Carina leaves PAR, it will “cross the Taiwan Strait and make its final landfall over southeastern China” on Thursday afternoon or evening, PAGASA said. “Its landfall over northern Taiwan will trigger a weakening trend for the rest of the forecast period,” the weather bureau added. Carina is the Philippines’ third tropical cyclone for 2024 and the second for July. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Negros Occidental farmers seek help over P2-billion palm oil project threat

Herbie G

24/07/2024 12:29

NURSERY. A nursery for palm tree seedlings in Barangay Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental. courtesy of Leoly Catacata BACOLOD, Philippines – Farmers cried out for help on Tuesday, July 23, as a P2-billion palm oil plantation project threatened to displace them and their families in three villages in Negros Occidental. The Gatuslao Agro-Forestry, Banana, and Sugarcane Farmers Association (GABASFA) said about 100 farming families in Candoni town, Negros Occidental, were adversely affected when ground works for the project commenced, destroying several farms in the villages of Agboy, Gatuslao, and Payawan. Carlito Catacata, GABASFA president, said heavy equipment from the Consunji group’s Hacienda Asia Plantation Incorporated (HAPI) are destroying farms planted with corn, pineapple, sugarcane, and vegetables. In 2023, Candoni Councilor Dember Catipunan said there were plans to convert around 6,000 hectares of forest land in the town into a palm oil plantation, with the Consunji group entering into an Integrated Forest Management Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the project. Catacata said the ongoing project could displace over 1,000 farmers and their families, including members of indigenous communities, living in the three barangays. GABASFA said HAPI started developing 6,652 hectares for its palm oil plantation, comprising forest lands regarded as public domain, based on a 25-year IFMA with the DENR. An IFMA is a contract entered into by the DENR to give an applicant the exclusive right to develop, manage, protect, and use a specific area of forestland and its resources for 25 years. The agreement can be renewed for another 25 years, following sustainable development principles and an approved community-based development and management program (CDMP). The IFMA was first granted to former Bacolod representative John Orola for cassava and jatropha plantations more than 20 years ago. It was later transferred to the Araneta family and eventually to HAPI. Catacata said the company’s executives, along with Candoni Mayor Rey Ruiz and other local officials, had promised not to destroy or intrude upon the areas the farmers have cultivated for decades during a public consultation in May 2023, acknowledging that the pieces of land they occupy were passed on to them by their ancestors. Many of the families, he said, have been living and cultivating farms in the villages for 60 to 70 years already. “DENR officials in the province and Kabankalan City promised to give us an IFMA to legitimize our farming ventures in the area. This has not happened,” Catacata said. Rappler reached out to Ruiz on Tuesday evening, but he said he was not ready to comment yet. HAPI has also yet to issue a statement as of posting time. This report will be updated once they issue statements. Ruiz, however, is set to meet with the affected farmers at the town hall on Friday, July 26. Catacata said the farmers have sought legal aid so they could petition for the immediate revocation of the IFMA between HAPI and the DENR. GABASFA and the affected farmers have found an ally in the environmental watchdog Negros Initiatives for Climate and Environment (NICE). The group’s convenor, Joshua Villalobos, said they were opposed to the project in Candoni, saying it would lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and cause landslides, flooding, and other natural calamities. Candoni, one of the smallest and poorest localities in Negros Occidental, located about 147 kilometers from Bacolod, was one of the worst-hit towns when Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) battered the southern part of the province on December 16, 2021. Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said the project promises to be a game changer for Negros Occidental’s economy. Villalobos, however, disagreed, saying the palm oil plantation project could be a bane for the local economy in the long run. “We maintain our position that we must not over-glamorize this big-ticket project, and we need to ensure that it complies with regulations and does not sacrifice environmental integrity and the rights of people in the communities,” he said. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Metro Manila flood due to habagat brings back memories of Ondoy, Ulysses

Iya Gozum

24/07/2024 12:17

FLOOD. Commuters were forced to walk through flooded streets after continuous rains due to habagat inundated Taft Avenue in Manila, on July 24, 2024. Rappler MANILA, Philippines – Heavy rain due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) caused widespread flooding in parts of the Philippines’ capital region and nearby provinces on Wednesday, July 24. The developing situation brought back memories of Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) in September 2009, one of the worst floods to hit Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon with 464 people killed and over 500 injured. Online users have compared flooding in their areas to what they experienced during Ondoy. Meteorologist BA Racoma said that compared to Ondoy’s 455 millimeters (mm) of total rainfall over a 24-hour period, the enhanced southwest monsoon intensified by Carina brought 217 mm of rainfall within the same period. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sent SMS alerts in the middle of the night of orange and red rainfall warnings for Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon due to heavy rainfall and told citizens to be prepared for floods and landslides. Maging alerto, mga lalawigan ng #Cavite at #Bataan, at #MetroManila!NDRRMC(3:38AM, 24Jul24)Red Rainfall Warning sa Metro Manila, Cavite, at Bataan. Asahan ang matinding pag-ulan, pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa.#CarinaPH pic.twitter.com/Ui5gNYIS59 The situation was particularly worrisome in Marikina City, east of Manila. As of 10:40 am, water level in Marikina River rose to 18.4 meters. It earlier triggered the highest alarm (3rd) when it reached 18 meters prompting forced evacuation, and the level was still rising as of posting. In a radio DZBB interview on Wednesday, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said he had not seen this situation since Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) in November 2020. He said around 10,000 people were already in evacuation centers of the city as of 10 am. “Parang Ondoy na ang nararanasan namin dito (What we’re experiencing is like Ondoy),” he also said. “Nabigla ang lahat…Sana tumigil na ang ulan (We were all surprised…We hope the rain will stop).” He said this habagat has so far dumped 205 millimeters of rain in six hours. In regular tropical cyclones, he said the rainfall volume is just between 60 to 90 millimeters for a couple of hours. “Iba na ang new normal, iba yung volume, rainfall count natin ngayon (It’s now a new normal as well as rainfall count),” he said. Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped around 445 millimeters of rainfall while Typhoon Ulysses recorded 150 millimeters. Footage shown by radio DZBB shows water from the overflowing Marikina River reaching one of the Marikina’s main roads, Gil Fernando Avenue, and even portions of Marcos Highway near Sta. Lucia Mall, Cainta in mid-afternoon. Teodoro said the rising flood was again happening despite the dredging that has been done in Marikina River. People living in at least six villages beside the river as well as those living next to creeks had to be evacuated. Teodoro said on Wednesday night that a total of 5,845 families or around 29,000 individuals have been evacuated in the city, similar to the numbers during Ondoy. Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City currently houses the most number of evacuees . However, he said the flooding this time was not as bad since the city has been dredging Marikina River for the past four years, which increased the carrying capacity of the river. During Ondoy, he recalled that the first floor of Marikina City Hall was inundated, but this time, the flood was outside the building. Provident Village was also hard hit during Ondoy and Ulysses, but it wasn’t as bad this time around, he said. So far, there have been no casualties, although at least 7 rescuers were still missing after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters, Teodoro added. Later Wednesday evening, however, all the missing rescuers were found, radio DZBB reported. In flood-prone Malabon City, north of the capital, almost all barangays are already inundated, according to Mayor Jeanie Sandoval. “Lahat halos ng barangay dito lubog na rin po,” Sandoval said in a separate radio interview. “Nagsasagawa na po kami ng rescue operations, naka-ready na po ang evacuation centers.” (Almost all villages here are flooded. We’re already undertaking rescue operations, evacuation centers are ready.) Annabelle Bersabe, a resident from West Riverside, Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, appealed for rescue to Quezon City Councilor Peachy de Leon on radio DZBB, adding there were also two children and one senior citizen in their household. Bersabe said that their car was already submerged and the water had reached the second floor of their house. De Leon, spokesperson for the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office, told Bersabe to standby for rescue. She added that there were many residents seeking evacuation as rains persisted on Wednesday afternoon. The spokesperson said all their rescue teams have been deployed, and around 1,500 families in Quezon City have been evacuated. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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LIVESTREAM: Marcos, NDRRMC hold briefing on Typhoon Carina, southwest monsoon

Dwight de Leon

24/07/2024 11:03

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. holds a situation briefing on Wednesday, July 24, at the headquarters of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on the impact of Typhoon Carina. The storm and the enhanced southwest monsoon have brought heavy rains in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, resulting in widespread flooding. Earlier Wednesday, Marcos said in a statement that government agencies have been directed to “provide swift assistance” to Filipinos impacted by the weather disturbance. Malacañang said that P43.15 million in assistance has been given to more than 770,000 Filipinos affected by the southwest monsoon in the Visayas and Mindanao last week. Bookmark and refresh this page for the livestream of the situation briefing at 11 am on Wednesday. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel?

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Canceled flights due to Typhoon Carina, southwest monsoon: July 24, 2024

lkyu0285

24/07/2024 8:03

NAIA. The facade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Shutterstock MANILA, Philippines – Various airlines have canceled flights on Wednesday, July 24, due to unfavorable weather conditions brought about by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Here is a list of the latest canceled and diverted flights. We will update this page as we receive more reports. Canceled flights The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 is closed and inaccessible due to flooding. All arriving Cebgo (DG) flights will be diverted to NAIA Terminal 3. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Cebgo (DG) Cebu Pacific (5J) Philippine Airlines (PR) PAL Express (2P) Diverted flights Royal Air (RW) Air Asia CebGo China Eastern Airlines Disruption to regional airport operations Basco Airport San Jose Airport Iba Airport Sangley Airport Tacloban Airport Lubang Airport Palanan Airport Laoag International Airport Vigan Airport Cauayan Airport Lingayen Airport San Fernando Airport Baguio Airport Bicol International Airport Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Sandiganbayan: Shares of firms owned by Imelda Marcos’ brother remain with PCGG

Dwight de Leon

24/07/2024 8:43

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan ruled that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will keep custody of shares of stocks and funds of sequestered companies owned by the family of the late Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos and father of current House Speaker Martin Romualdez. A 2014 Supreme Court ruling ordered the release of the assets of Palm Avenue Holding Companies Incorporated (Palm Companies) and Palm Avenue Realty Development Corporation, but because the firms filed a motion for execution only in April 2024, it was deemed too late. “The Palm Companies had only until February 10, 2020 — the last day of the five-year period, February 9, being a Sunday — within which to file their motion for execution,” the six-page resolution of the Sandiganbayan 6th Division on Friday, July 19, read. The assets in contention were among the subjects of Civil Case 0035, a government lawsuit seeking forfeiture of real properties valued at P10.34 billion, and shares of stocks in various companies worth P164 million. In November 2010, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division rejected government lawyers’ argument that the shares of stocks and funds of the Palm Companies were ill-gotten. Maintaining that the assets belong to the family of former ambassador Romualdez, the anti-graft court ordered the lifting of government sequestration over the assets of the two companies. The PCGG, the agency tasked to recover the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth, knocked on the Supreme Court’s doors in 2011, seeking a reversal of the Sandiganbayan ruling, but the High Court upheld the anti-graft court’s findings in 2014. The Supreme Court decision became final and executory in February 2015, but the Palm Companies only filed their motion for execution nine years later. Based on the Rules of Court of the Supreme Court, “a final and executory judgment or order may be executed on motion within five years from the date of its entry.” The Sandiganbayan asserted that the Palm Companies failed to justify the delay in the filing of the motion for execution. “Outside the said five-year period, any writ of execution issued pursuant to a motion is null and void. However, the Supreme Court held that an executory judgment or order may still be executed on motion even after the lapse of the said five-year period under exceptional circumstances or meritorious grounds,” the ruling read. The resolution was written by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez; Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Kevin Narce Vivero concurred. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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Sandiganbayan: Shares of firms owned by Imelda Marcos’ brother remain with PCGG

Dwight de Leon

24/07/2024 8:43

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan ruled that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) will keep custody of shares of stocks and funds of sequestered companies owned by the family of the late Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez, brother of former first lady Imelda Marcos and father of current House Speaker Martin Romualdez. A 2014 Supreme Court ruling ordered the release of the assets of Palm Avenue Holding Companies Incorporated (Palm Companies) and Palm Avenue Realty Development Corporation, but because the firms filed a motion for execution only in April 2024, it was deemed too late. “The Palm Companies had only until February 10, 2020 — the last day of the five-year period, February 9, being a Sunday — within which to file their motion for execution,” the six-page resolution of the Sandiganbayan 6th Division on Friday, July 19, read. The assets in contention were among the subjects of Civil Case 0035, a government lawsuit seeking forfeiture of real properties valued at P10.34 billion, and shares of stocks in various companies worth P164 million. In November 2010, the Sandiganbayan 5th Division rejected government lawyers’ argument that the shares of stocks and funds of the Palm Companies were ill-gotten. Maintaining that the assets belong to the family of former ambassador Romualdez, the anti-graft court ordered the lifting of government sequestration over the assets of the two companies. The PCGG, the agency tasked to recover the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth, knocked on the Supreme Court’s doors in 2011, seeking a reversal of the Sandiganbayan ruling, but the High Court upheld the anti-graft court’s findings in 2014. The Supreme Court decision became final and executory in February 2015, but the Palm Companies only filed their motion for execution nine years later. Based on the Rules of Court of the Supreme Court, “a final and executory judgment or order may be executed on motion within five years from the date of its entry.” The Sandiganbayan asserted that the Palm Companies failed to justify the delay in the filing of the motion for execution. “Outside the said five-year period, any writ of execution issued pursuant to a motion is null and void. However, the Supreme Court held that an executory judgment or order may still be executed on motion even after the lapse of the said five-year period under exceptional circumstances or meritorious grounds,” the ruling read. The resolution was written by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez; Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Kevin Narce Vivero concurred. – Rappler.com Error. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation. How does this make you feel?

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