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Headlines for Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Palace: Tensions between PH, Taiwan 'eased a bit'
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang claimed on Wednesday that the tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan have slightly subsided nearly two weeks after a suspected Taiwanese poacher was shot dead in waters off Batanes. “So far, sa ating nakikita medyo bumababa na nang kaunti,” said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. Valte has spoken to Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo Perez Jr., who said that Taiwanese officials appreciated President Benigno Aquino III’s word of thanks for assuring the safety of Filipinos there.
Taipei releases satellite record, claims fishing boat not in PHL waters
TAIPEI - Taiwan on Tuesday released a satellite record of the route of a fishing boat fired on by Philippine coastguards, flatly rejecting Manila's allegations that the boat intruded into Philippine waters. The killing of crew member Hung Shih-cheng, 65, sparked outrage in Taiwan, which has announced a series of economic sanctions against the Philippines.
China sends ships to another Phl shoal
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has filed a protest against what it describes as the “provocative and illegal” deployment of Chinese ships around Ayungin Shoal, which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group off Palawan. “On May 10, 2013, we filed with the Chinese embassy in Manila our protest on the provocative and illegal presence of Chinese government ships (two CMS and one warship) around Ayungin Shoal,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said yesterday.
Drilon noncommittal on Senate presidency
Sen. Franklin Drilon is noncommittal on Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago's statement that either him or Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano will take over the reins of the Senate in the 16th Congress. In an interview on GMA News TV’s “News to Go” on Monday, Drilon, the administration coalition's campaign manager in the recently concluded midterm elections, said the Senate presidency is not about rewards but the concensus of majority of the senators.
Communist rebels extort P26M during election period—AFP
MANILA, Philippines— The New People’s Army were able to extort as much as P26 million nationwide during the election period, the military claimed. Major Ramon Zagala, Public Affairs Office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, noted however that the amount was lower than the communist rebels’ target of P500 million.
Navy expects delivery of 3 new helicopters in December
FORT SAN FELIPE, Cavite, Philippines – The Navy is expected to receive in December three new helicopters that are seen to boost its maritime security capabilities. The second Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Philippines, on the other hand, began its sea trials in preparation for its journey to the Philippines next month.
Villars richest, Chiz poorest senator
MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Sen. Manny Villar and his wife, Senator-elect Cynthia Villar, remain as the richest couple in the Senate after they posted about P1.45 billion in total net worth for 2012, making them the only billionaire lawmakers. Based on their joint statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 2012, the Villar couple’s net worth reached P1.453 billion, with no liabilities.
61,510 Teachers needed; many found unqualified — DepEd
Manila, Philippines --- The Department of Education (DepEd) is having difficulty filling new teacher positions, especially for kindergarten, because “many of the applicants were simply not qualified,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said yesterday. Luistro said there are 61,510 vacancies needing to be filled for school year 2013-2014.
Estrada to support Binay even if Grace Poe makes a run for presidency
MANILA, Philippines—Grace Poe for president? “Why not?” her godfather, former President Joseph Estrada, said Wednesday, welcoming a possibility that surfaced after Poe topped this year’s senatorial election. But Estrada, now the mayor-elect of Manila, made it clear that he would still throw his support behind Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had long expressed his desire to run for president in 2016.
Gov't warns Mancao coddlers: 'You will not be spared'
Malacañang has apparently become annoyed by the publicity antics of fugitive Cezar Mancao but is not about to resort to wiretapping to locate the elusive murder suspect. Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said authorities continue to hunt down Mancao without using illegal wiretaps, adding that those coddling the suspect behind the Dacer-Corbito murder case will also be held accountable.
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