by magnolia_eic | Mar 22, 2010 | Announcements, Election 2010, Headlines, National News
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) advised on Sunday the voters to verify their registration records at local Comelec offices to avoid confusion in finding their names and precinct numbers on Election Day.
“We encourage people to visit the Comelec offices in different cities and municipalities to just verify their records,” Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said.
He said that with seven weeks left before the May 10 elections, voters should allot some time to verify their records so as to know if they are in the Comelec watchlist or not.
The Comelec came up with the watchlist to prevent suspected double or multiple registrants from voting more than once in the country’s first automated national and local elections. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 22, 2010 | Headlines, National News
A Filipino woman was found dead in her apartment in Singapore, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Wednesday.
In a report to the Foreign Affairs department, Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. Nathaniel Imperial said that the Filipino woman died of unnatural causes.
The DFA in a statement said an autopsy has been conducted on the Filipina and the embassy has requested a copy of said autopsy report which it will provide to the deceased’s next of kin.
Singapore authorities are still investigating the cause of Filipino woman’s death. A coroner’s Inquiry will also be conducted to determine the COD.
“The embassy is assisting in the ongoing police investigation and will provide assistance to the family including the early repatriation of the Filipina’s remains,” the department added. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 22, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Palace, concerned over rising fuel prices which may put pressure on rising consumer prices due to the impact of the dry spell, has cautioned against overpricing of the commodity.
Presidential Spokesman Ricardo L. Saludo has issued a call for the Energy department to ensure that oil companies are not overpricing their products to protect consumers from unnecessary rate spikes.
He said that the Department of Energy (DoE) should ensure that hikes made by oil companies will not be excessive and within the bounds of movements in the global market.
Saludo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to see “action coordination” between the Energy department and the oil firms.
Major oil companies raised pump prices by 50 centavos per liter on gasoline, diesel and kerosene on Tuesday – the third time this month – to track higher global prices.
While the impact of El Niño on farm output has not yet resulted in higher food prices, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier said it is continually monitoring developments as the dry spell poses a risk on inflation outlook.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council said in a damage report dated March 13 that the dry spell has cost nearly P8.1 billion. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday assured her government’s resolve to broker peace in the strife-torn southern Philippines, citing that it has “taken heavy political risks” to achieve lasting peace in the region, as she also encouraged fellow NAM member-states to pursue interfaith dialogue to promote peace and development globally.
But the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said it is not likely to sign a peace deal with President Arroyo, who is to step down in May when her term ends, Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF’s deputy chieftain, said.
Speaking before the 123 foreign and local delegates participating in the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development (SNAMMM), including 83 foreign ministers from the influential group, Mrs. Arroyo laid down her government’s relentless peacekeeping initiatives in the South, as she noted that interfaith dialogue has been substantial element to the Mindanao peace process.
President Arroyo explained that her government is not just resorting into military solution in addressing armed conflict in Mindanao, but also sticking with “a solution of dialogue, a solution of community development, a solution of talking peace.”
Jaafar said there is not enough time to strike a final peace deal with the present dispensation, but he expressed optimism the next president will honor all agreement signed under the outgoing leadership. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
CHIEF Justice Reynato Puno has designated Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as acting chief justice while he is on sabbatical leave from March 18 to 30.
Carpio, as acting chief justice, is authorized “to exercise the powers and prerogatives of and pertaining to the position of chief justice on matters that cannot wait for the chief justice, effective March 18 until the undersigned reports back to work.”
Among the functions that Carpio is expected to perform is to sit as ex-officio chair of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is expected to deliberate on the next moves it will take following the high court’s ruling on the appointment of Puno’s successor.
Carpio will also temporarily assume the position of chairman of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal during Puno’s absence.
The SC on Wednesday upheld the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of Puno, who will be retiring on May 17 at the age of 70. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Mar 19, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Department of Energy (DoE) hopes to snowball a plan for all power consumers to join in observing Earth Hour 2010.
And by voluntarily turning off their lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on March 27, the government wishes to increase awareness on climate change issues.
There is more to it than just switching off the lights for an hour once a year, says Lou Arciaga, DoE Science and Research specialist and Public Information Officer-designate as quoted in reports.
The explained that just as the Earth Hour 2010 puts up a global call for action to every individual, business and community throughout the world, It’s also about giving people a voice in the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future.”
Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when 2.2 million homes and business firms turned their lights off for an hour to make a stand against climate change.
In 2008, it became a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. (PIA)
