By Junex Doronio
Despite the devastating earthquake in Morocco that claimed the lives of 2,901 people, it’s noteworthy that none of the approximately 400 Filipinos working in the Mediterranean country expressed a desire to return to the Philippines.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Paul Cortez said that no Filipino has ever expressed intention to get repatriated from Morocco.
“The earthquake hit the central part of Morocco or south of Casablanca and Rabat where most Filipinos are. The estimate is around 350 to 400 affected Filipinos in that central part, the Marrakesh area,” Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said in an ANC interview.
Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Morocco said that no Filipinos were reported hurt or killed following the strong earthquake.
However, Cacdac clarified that the DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the labor attaché on the ground are still monitoring the situation of Filipinos in the North African country that was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake last week.
“We hope that no Filipinos will indeed be affected and no further Moroccan citizens will be affected,” the DMW acting chief said. (ai/mnm)
Photo Courtesy: Britannica
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE THE CONSTANT BULLYING OF CHINA, Taiwan has remained unfazed and even looking for some 800,000 workers come December, with job openings for Filipino teachers who can teach English to receive P100,000 up to P150,000 monthly salary.
This was announced on Wednesday, September 13, by former Labor Secretary and now Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, who said that aside from teachers Taiwan needs , hospitality workers, caregivers, and more.
“Sa ngayon pa lang ang kailangan nila ay 28,000 workers pero by December they will officially announce na nangangailangan sila ng 800,000 workers – hospitality workers, caregivers, teachers, farmers, construction workers,” Bello said in his interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
He disclosed that teachers in Taiwan earn as much as P100,000 a month even before passing the board.
“Kung certified ka na is P150,000,” Bello said.
It was learned that the teacher’s salary in the Philippines generally falls between P27,000 and P31,320 by 2023.
A Teacher I, for example, receives only
P27,000, while for the more experienced Teacher III, the salary goes up to P31,320.
“Ang mga benefits sa Taiwan ay napakaganda. ‘Yung treatment ng mga Taiwanese employer sa kanilang workers ay napakaganda,” Bello stressed.
Meanwhile, China’s “bullying” on democratically-ruled Taiwan which is considered a “renegade province” by the communist government in the mainland continues.
On Wednesday, September 13, Taiwan said it had detected 35 Chinese warplanes around the island in a few hours, with some flying to the Western Pacific to join China’s Shandong aircraft carrier for a “joint sea and air training.” (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
CEBU CITY — In strictly implementing the guidelines on the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has continued its “Oplan Katok” that resulted in the seizure of 48 loose firearms and 86 ammunition in just a span of three days.
During the “Oplan Katok” operations launched from September 8 to 10, police said the surrendered weapons include 9mm pistols, .45 caliber pistols, .40 caliber pistols, .380 calibers, 38 revolvers, .22 calibers, M16 rifles, and shotguns.
“As part of our in-depth preparations for the upcoming elections, your PRO-7 will not hesitate to implement the anti-criminality campaign with the aid of our security allies, the AFP and PCG, in this entire duration of the election period,” Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, regional director of the PRO-7, told reporters.
He said police officers conducted house-to-house visits of those who reportedly own firearms, including public officials who failed to renew their permits and licenses.
Aberin further said that at least 18 unrenewed weapons consisting of .45 caliber pistols, .357, .22, and 38 revolvers, .22 rifles, and shotguns were turned over by their owners to the police stations.
Two armed individuals, whose names were withheld, are now in police custody and are scheduled to be charged. (ai/mnm)
MALABON CITY — Mayor Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon City spearheaded the planting of 300 mangroves on Tuesday (12 Sept 2023) as part of the International Coastal Clean-Up initiative along the Megadike in Barangay Dampalit, this city.
Nearly 700 personnel from various sectors of the city government actively participated in the extensive International Coastal Clean-Up effort along the lengthy stretch of the Malabon Megadike.
The participating teams included City Hall employees, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Notably, students from the College of Malabon University also joined in the endeavor, playing a crucial role in planting 300 mangroves along Malabon’s coastal areas. (Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna (middle) was conferred on Tuesday (12 September 2023) with an “Adaptive
Lakan Award” by the Philippine National Police Academy Association Inc. (PNPAAAI).
Manila Police District (MPD) Director PBGEN Andre Dizon and PNPAAAI President, LT COL John K. Guiagui led the awarding ceremony during the district’s inauguration of the Lakan Lounge at its headquarters along United Nations Avenue in Malate, Manila. (Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
REFUTING THE CLAIM of Defense and Coast Guard officials that the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) is not civilian in nature but operates under the Chinese military, Senator Robinhood Padilla has maintained that under international law, coast guards are supposed to be civilian in nature.
Throwing in his “two-cents worth” that seemed to favor the Chinese Coast Guard, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said it is a “universally accepted concept” that the Coast Guard is not part of the military.
However, Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga explained that the CCG is under the Central Military Commission, the highest national defense organization in the People’s Republic of China.
“Sa depinisyon ng PLA Navy, ‘yung Coast Guard po is under po ng [People’s Liberation Army] pati po ‘yung Chinese militia vessels. So technically speaking, hindi po civilian ‘yung nature ng Chinese Coast Guard na nandun,” Madriaga pointed out during the Senate hearing on Tuesday, September 12.
To which the erstwhile popular action star exclaimed: “Huwag natin ibahin ang international law. Ang Coast Guard ay civilian in nature. Pulis nga lang ‘yan. Pulis ng karagatan,” Padilla said.
But the defense official firmly stood that only in the Philippines that the Coast Guard is civilian in nature.
“Ang sinasabi po ba natin ang Chinese Coast Guard ay hindi civilian in nature?” Padilla asked. “Ang ibig niyong sabihin ang Coast Guard, iba ang depinisyon ng China?”
“Opo,” Madriaga said.
“Wow, ha. Talaga lang, ha,” Padilla quipped, seemingly unconvinced.
For his part, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Artemio Abu told the senator that “there is no exact and precise definition that the Coast Guard… is a civilian [force]. It depends on how the country, the administration attaches through legislation the coast guard of its particular country.”
Padilla also wondered aloud why a US Navy plane was present in the West Philippine Sea when it was the Philippine Coast Guard going up against its Chinese counterpart during a recent resupply mission.
A US Navy Poseidon plane – typically used for maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions – was flying over the West Philippine Sea in the two most recent resupply missions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s commissioned civilian boats escorted by the PCG. (AI/MNM)
MANILA – A judge who presided over one of the three drug-related charges against former Senator Leila de Lima is currently under an administrative complaint before the Supreme Court (SC) for a delayed recusal from her case.
De Lima’s legal team submitted the complaint against Judge Romeo Buenaventura of the Muntinlupa court to the SC’s Judicial Integrity Board.
The complainants were represented by attorneys from the Movement Against Disinformation, led by Dean Tony La Viña, who argued that Buenaventura failed to remove himself from the case promptly when a conflict of interest became apparent.
De Lima’s co-defendants—Ronnie Dayan, Joenel Sanchez, and Franklin Bucayu—requested Buenaventura’s withdrawal, citing his failure to disclose his familial relationship with Emmanuel Buenaventura.
They pointed out that Emmanuel Buenaventura had represented Dayan and acted as a legal adviser to Congressman Rey Umali during House hearings on the illegal drug trade in Bilibid.
Lawyer Maria Christina Yambot explained that according to ethical guidelines for judges, they should either recuse themselves at the outset or, at the very least, disclose such relationships to address potential conflicts of interest.
In response, Judge Buenaventura asserted in his order that he saw no reason to disqualify himself or disclose his brother’s professional engagements with Dayan or Umali.
However, Yambot emphasized that it was their responsibility to bring Buenaventura’s case to the judiciary’s attention “for the greater good of public administration of justice.”
“The delayed recusal resulted in case delays,” Yambot noted. “We all know that (former) Sen. Leila de Lima has been in detention for years without even the opportunity for bail. Therefore, we argue that Judge Buenaventura played a significant role in the continued detention of (former) Sen. Leila de Lima.”
Buenaventura had previously denied De Lima’s request for bail.
(Benjie Cuaresma/AI/MNM)
13 September
On September 13, 1907, Macario Sakay, a revolutionary leader and one of the last Filipino resistance fighters to surrender to the Americans, was executed by hanging inside the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila. He was executed alongside Col. Lucio de Vega.
In the photograph below, Macario Sakay is seated (left to right) alongside Julian Montalan, Francisco Carreon, and Leon Villafuerte, while standing (left to right) are Benito Natividad and Lucio de Vega. This photo was taken in 1907.
Born on January 3, 1870, in Tondo, Manila, Sakay was a close confidante of Andres Bonifacio and one of the early members of the Katipunan.
During the Filipino-American War, General Sakay fled to the mountains, where he organized revolutionary forces in Bulacan, Pampanga, Morong (now Rizal), Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas. He later proclaimed what he called the Tagalog Republic.
The Tagalog Republic had its own flag, and Sakay served as its president, with Francisco Carreon as vice president. They drafted a Constitution largely based on Bonifacio’s Katipunan creed and issued a warning to all Filipinos not to pledge allegiance to the United States.
Sakay became a significant threat to the Americans. However, they refused to recognize his government and labeled him an outlaw through the Bandolerism Act passed by the Philippine Commission. This act proclaimed all captured resistance fighters as bandits, ladrones, and robbers.
Despite this, Sakay and his men enjoyed widespread popular support, particularly in rural areas. The countryside residents provided them with food, refuge, and shelter and contributed 10 percent of their income to the revolutionary cause. Sakay even became the subject of a popular song.
Sakay’s popularity among the people forced the Americans to use deception to capture him. They persuaded Sakay to disarm in the name of peace, allowing Filipino delegates to be appointed to the new legislative body, the Philippine Assembly.
In July 1906, after receiving a letter from the American governor-general promising amnesty for him and his men in exchange for surrender, Sakay finally surrendered. However, upon surrender, he was arrested and imprisoned.
On Friday the 13th of September 1907, Sakay was hanged on charges of banditry and armed rebellion, alongside Lucio de Vega.
His final words were as follows:
“Death comes to all of us sooner or later, so I will face the Lord Almighty calmly. But I want to tell you that we are not bandits and robbers, as the Americans have accused us, but members of the revolutionary forces that defended our mother country, Filipinas! Farewell! Long live the republic, and may our independence be born in the future! Farewell! Long Live Filipinas!”
(Filed by Jr. Amigo/ai/mnm)
A man in his 30s from Texas has tragically passed away after consuming raw oysters that were contaminated with a flesh-eating bacterial infection.
According to local health authorities, the individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, contracted a Vibrio vulnificus infection, which occurs when the bacteria present in warm coastal waters enters the body through the consumption of oysters.
Medical experts have noted an increase in Vibrio infections throughout the United States, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue an alert earlier this year. Regrettably, at least 12 Americans have lost their lives to Vibrio infections in the current year.
Dr. Philip Keiser, representing the Galveston County Health Department, which reported this tragic incident, remarked to ABC13, “These infections, once they take hold, can spread extremely rapidly—like a fire.”
The victim, already facing health challenges with a liver condition and taking immunosuppressant drugs, was particularly susceptible to severe illness from the infection.
Typically, the county records five to 10 Vibrio infections annually, with fatalities occurring “every few years.”
It remains unclear when the man passed away or where he obtained the raw oysters.
Vibrio vulnificus thrives in warm coastal waters and can contaminate shellfish, including oysters, as it infiltrates them during the filtration of surrounding water. Humans may be exposed to the bacteria by consuming contaminated seafood or by swimming in infected waters with open cuts or wounds.
When ingested, Vibrio vulnificus is not easily neutralized by stomach acid and can make its way to the small intestine, where it rapidly multiplies and attacks the surrounding tissues. The infection progresses swiftly, potentially leading to septic shock and fatality within a matter of days.
Approximately one in three patients diagnosed with a Vibrio infection do not survive, according to the CDC. Symptoms of infection from food consumption manifest within hours and may include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. As the infection advances, individuals may experience a high fever, chills, and sepsis—a severe and potentially life-threatening response to infection.
Treatment for Vibrio vulnificus infection involves the use of antibiotics and, in some cases, surgical removal of infected tissue.
Tragically, the Texas man’s passing marks the twelfth known Vibrio infection-related death in the United States this year. (ai/mnm/Source:MailOnline)
Stephen Curry (left) and LeBron James
LOS ANGELES — NBA icons LeBron James and Stephen Curry, among other elite players, are considering representing the United States at the upcoming Paris Olympics, as per reports from The Athletic and ESPN on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
LeBron James, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA champion, has been actively recruiting fellow NBA stars to join the U.S. team’s quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal in France next year, according to sources cited by The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion point guard with the Golden State Warriors, has expressed his desire to be part of the Olympic roster led by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, as reported by ESPN.
This news follows a recent disappointment for a youthful U.S. team at the Basketball World Cup, where they finished without a medal after losses to Canada in the bronze-medal match and to eventual champions Germany in the semi-finals.
Although LeBron James, a 38-year-old forward, last competed in the Olympics in 2012 in London, he has continued to pursue international success. He was part of the 2004 Athens Olympics team that secured a bronze medal and the 2006 Basketball World Cup squad that also claimed bronze. James not only aims to compete for Olympic gold in Paris but has reached out to former NBA Most Valuable Players Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant in an effort to entice them to participate in the 2024 Olympics.
Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA champion and a forward for the Phoenix Suns, who turns 35 later this month, has already contributed to the USA’s gold-medal campaigns in London, Rio in 2016, and Tokyo in 2021. (ai/mnm/Sourced online)
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa (CNN Ph photo courtesy)
MANILA — A Pasig court handed down an acquittal verdict for Nobel Peace Prize laureate and CEO of Rappler, Maria Ressa, as well as Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC) in their tax evasion case on Tuesday, 12 Sept 2023.
The ruling, delivered by Presiding Judge Ana Teresa Cornejo-Tomacruz of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 157, declared in its 18-page decision: “In light of the circumstances, both Rappler Holdings Corporation and Maria A. Ressa are hereby cleared of any wrongdoing in Criminal Case No. R-PSG-18-02983-CR, which pertained to the alleged violation of Section 255 of the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Additionally, the civil aspect of the case has been dismissed.”
The Pasig court justified the acquittal by stating that RHC had not functioned as a securities dealer when it issued PDRs (Philippine Depositary Receipts) to North Base Media. Instead, it emphasized that the PDR transactions were in accordance with RHC’s role as a holding company.
“The issuance of PDRs to NBM was not carried out by RHC as a means to generate profit in its regular business operations. Rather, it was part of a larger strategy aimed at legally raising capital for its subsidiary. Therefore, RHC is not liable for VAT on these transactions under Section 105 of the Tax Code,” clarified the court. (ai/mnm)
According to national coaches Isidro del Prado and Dario De Rosas, the Philippines’ best chance to break a three-decade-long medal drought at the upcoming Asian Games lies with Filipino Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.
EJ Obiena, a 27-year-old athlete, has been a standout in various track and field events this season, including clinching a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Hungary.
Currently ranked as the world’s second-best pole vaulter, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) is placing its hopes on his shoulders.
Speaking in Filipino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Del Prado expressed confidence in EJ’s potential for a gold medal: “EJ is our top contender for the pole vault gold.”
Since long jumper Elma Muros secured a bronze medal in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, no Filipino track and field athlete has claimed a medal in the competition.
De Rosas, who coaches long jumper Janry Ubas, triple jumper Ronnie Malipay, and heptathlete Sarah Dequinan, added, “We are prepared for the Asiad, and we’re optimistic about winning a medal. Hopefully, [Ubas] can secure another medal in the long jump, possibly a bronze.”
In the 4×400 meter relay event, Umajesty Williams, Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Squita, and Michael Carlo Del Prado, Isidro’s son, are set to represent the Philippines. Del Prado expressed, “India, Japan, China, and Sri Lanka are formidable competitors in the 4×400 meter event. I’ve urged them to give their all in an attempt to break the Philippine record of 3:06.47. We’re hopeful of reaching the finals.”
The Filipino quartet had previously clinched gold at the recent Southeast Asian Games held in Cambodia.
Other notable members of the Philippine delegation include hurdlers Robyn Brown, Eric Cray, and John Tolentino, sprinter Kristina Knott, and shot putter William Morrison. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
DESPITE CRITICISMS AND UNFOUNDED FEARS, the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will actually spur the country’s economic advancement.
This was the fearless forecast of the Department of Finance (DOF) which said the MIF can generate a 0.07-percentage point economic growth annually in the first 10 years of operation and generate about 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Philippines’ first-ever Sovereign Investment Fund (SB 2020 and HB 6608) was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law at the Rizal Hall, Malacañang Palace on July 18, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of the Treasury issued the law’s IRR a little over a month after President Marcos signed the MIF Act into law on July 18.
It was subsequently published in the Official Gazette and 15 days after its publication, the IRR’s effectivity begins today, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023,
“It is a crucial undertaking. It will support our overall goal of 6.5 to 8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the medium term. And through the fund, we will accelerate the implementation of the 194 NEDA Board-approved flagship infrastructure projects,” PBBM said.
“When the full PHP125 billion initial capitalization has been fully paid over the first 10 years of operations, the MIF can generate a 0.07 (percentage point) contribution to Philippine growth annually over the same period,” the DOF said in a statement.
The DOF also pointed out that the MIF will likely produce thousands of jobs.
“Due to spillover effects, the value added generated through investment activities in the first 10 years of the Fund is expected to still contribute 0.01 (percentage points) annually to growth over the next 11-20 years,” the finance department further said.
Some critics maintained that by creating the MIF, the funding for some projects could bypass the normal budget process, which could decrease Congress’ power to scrutinize them. (ai/mnm)
“A fully operational MIF, coupled with an ideal economic backdrop to attract more investors will definitely be major factors that will increase job creation in the country, consequently accelerating the Philippines’ economic growth,” the DOF maintained.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin clarified that her scrutiny of Dr. Anthony Leachon’s qualifications was not a personal attack.
When questioned about Leachon’s resignation, she emphasized, “This is not a personal matter concerning Leachon.”
Leachon had recently submitted his resignation as the Department of Health’s (DOH) special adviser on non-communicable diseases to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
Garin, a former Health Secretary, defended her stance by stating, “However, I remain steadfast in holding Secretary Herbosa accountable for not allowing the DOH to be utilized as a platform for individuals lacking expertise.”
She voiced her concern that the statements and opinions of non-experts could mislead the general public, potentially posing significant public health risks.
Garin highlighted the growing issue of an “infodemic,” a man-made virus infecting public health and science, and emphasized that combatting misinformation was part of her advocacy.
She cautioned against self-proclaimed experts who might cause harm, particularly if granted access to the government’s platform.
Garin also mentioned the importance of partnering with Quad Media to counter fake news, as misinformation could lead to outbreaks, epidemics, and complications in addressing illnesses.
She noted that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had taken a public stance against fake news.
In her closing remarks, Garin acknowledged the vast field of medicine and the absence of doctors who are experts in every aspect.
She criticized individuals who falsely claimed expertise and sought media attention, stating, “#stopthedrama #katotohanandapatmanaig.”
Furthermore, a previous report by Maharlika NuMedia had alleged that Leachon did not possess a doctorate degree.
Tony Leachon tendered his resignation as the Department of Health’s special adviser for non-communicable diseases, just one month after his appointment.
Leachon cited personal reasons for his resignation in a letter addressed to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
(ai/mnm)
PHILADELPHIA — Aerosmith has had to reschedule several performances on their farewell tour due to lead singer Steven Tyler’s recent vocal cord injury, as Tyler himself revealed on Instagram.
The injury, sustained during a performance, has necessitated a 30-day period of vocal rest, prompting the band to postpone a number of tour dates. In his Instagram post, the 75-year-old Tyler expressed his disappointment and commitment to providing fans with the high-quality performances they deserve.
The band, renowned for hits like “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “Sweet Emotion,” kicked off their “Peace Out” farewell tour on September 2 with a memorable show in Philadelphia.
The affected performance took place on Long Island, New York, last Saturday. Originally, the 40-date tour was set to conclude with a New Year’s Eve show in their hometown of Boston and a final performance scheduled for January 26 in Montreal.
The rescheduled dates are as follows: January 29 in Detroit, February 14 in Chicago, February 17 in Washington D.C., February 21 in Toronto, February 26 in Raleigh, North Carolina, and February 29 in Cleveland, as stated in the Instagram announcement. (ai/mnm/Sourced online)
Photo courtesy of Makapili_TV
By Junex Doronio
IF FORMER PRESIDENT and Deputy House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo succeeds in convincing fellow ex-Chief Executive Rodrigo Roa Duterte to take a crack at the Senate in 2025, then most likely the feisty former Commander-in-Chief will become Senate President and it’s going to be an exciting presidential ballgame in 2028.
This developed as Senator Imee Marcos sharply questioned the necessity of having 433 security personnel for her perceived “bff” (best friends forever) Vice President Sara Duterte who is anticipated to run for president in 2028, most likely against presidential cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Senator Bong Go on Tuesday, September 12, revealed that Macapagal-Arroyo has urged former president Duterte to return to politics during a brief talk between the two former presidents at Cardinal Santos Hospital over the weekend.
Go said he accompanied Duterte on a scheduled routine check-up when the Arroyo-Duterte talks happened.
The senator further said that after the annual medical check-up, Duterte and Go were invited by the former president for a dinner.
They met with Arroyo, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“Doon ko po nasaksihan at nagusap sila na hinihikayat ni dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo si dating Pangulong Duterte na maging active muli sa pulitika, maybe by running for national office bilang isang senador ngunit ang sagot naman ni Pangulong Duterte ay nag smile lang po siya tulad ng dati kokunsultahin niya po ang kanyang pamilya,” said Go.
He added that the talk between Arroyo and Duterte only lasted about 15 minutes. (AI/MNM)
Photo courtesy: Earth.Org
By Junex Doronio
TO REALIZE HIS DREAM for small nuclear power plants, billionaire Manny V. Pangilinan has revealed that Meralco has launched a scholarship program that will send Filipinos abroad to study nuclear energy.
At the same time, the visionary entrepreneur on Monday, September 11, assured the public that safety is a priority hence the need for a study as he also brushed off fears of nuclear accidents.
“Chernobyl doesn’t help, Fukushima didn’t help, but we have to consider that because we also are sensitively active archipelago,” stressed Pangilinan who chairs the Meralco, Metro Manila’s only electric power distributor.
It can be recalled that on April 26, 1986, the Number Four RBMK reactor at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, Ukraine, went out of control during a test at low-power, leading to an explosion and fire that demolished the reactor building and released large amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.
The official death toll directly attributed to Chernobyl that is recognized by the international community was only 31 people although the United Nations expressed belief that it could be 50 individuals.
On the other hand, Wikipedia said the Fukushima nuclear disaster was a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan which began on March 11, 2011.
The cause of nuclear accident was the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in grid failure and damaged nearly all of the power plant’s backup energy sources.
A total of 19,759 people reportedly died, majority of whom were drowned by tsunami waves, while 6,167 were injured.
At Meralco-organized Giga Summit in Rockwell in Makati, Pangilinan also disclosed that they would conduct a feasibility study to venture into micro modular reactors (MMR), which are essentially smaller nuclear plants that only need a smaller area and usually are for targeted areas.
“It’s anywhere between 5 to 15MW (megawatts). So if you want a big plant like 150 [MW] you need several of their reactors in one place. It’s really meant for island provinces or island cities, data centers, for desalination,” Pangilinan bared.
He added that since it is modular, it’s much smaller and it is also scalable.
It was learned that scalability refers to the ability of an organization to perform well under an increased or expanding workload.
Pangilinan, however, admitted that he still doesn’t know the investment price tag and how much the electricity rate will be.
He hastened to add that it will depend on the feasibility study. (ai/mnm)
Student leaders gathered at the University of the Philippines to vehemently express their opposition to the proposal aimed at restricting or abolishing the policy of providing free education.
They symbolized their strong dissent during the protest rally by encircling a large placard with lighted candles adorned with the message “FIGHT FOR FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL.”
In response to this, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno offered clarification regarding eligibility criteria, proposing a comprehensive examination as a means to determine who qualifies for the benefits of the Commission on Higher Education program on free education.
(CHED) Chairman Prospera de Vera III defended the free college tuition initiative as he reiterated that it is a valuable investment of state funds. (Benjie Cuaresma/AI/MNM)
STO TOMAS City, Batangas – Nadakip na ang dalawang indibidwal na pinaniniwalaang sangkot o nagsilbing lookouts sa pagpatay sa punong-bayan ng isang baryo sa Taal, Batangas noong Setyembre 5, 2023, ayon kay Brig. Gen. Carlito Gaces, ang direktor ng pulisya para sa Calabarzon.
Hindi pa naibunyag ang kanilang mga pangalan ngunit ang kanilang pagkaaresto ay naganap kaagad pagkatapos ng krimen dahil nakuha ng pulisya ang kanilang motorsiklo, helmets, at mga personal na gamit sa isang sabungan sa Barangay Halang.
Sinabi ni Col. Samson Belmonte, ang direktor ng pulisya ng Batangas, na nakuhanan ng footage ng mga security camera ang mga suspek na tumakas sa isang motorsiklo matapos ang pagpatay at pumasok sa nabanggit na sabungan.
Naghahanda na ng mga legal na kaso para sa paghadlang sa hustisya at pakikipagtulungan sa krimen laban sa mga naarestong indibidwal.
Si Erasmo Hernandez, ang chairman ng Barangay Poblacion Zone 10, ay binaril ng ilang beses ng mga hindi pa nakikilalang lalaki na lulan sa isang motorsiklo habang ang biktima ay nasa harap ng barangay hall mga bandang 7:20 ng umaga.
Si Hernandez ay naghain diumano ng re-eleksyon sa nalalapit na barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections na nakatakdang gawin sa ika-30 ng Oktubre.
Kasalukuyan nang isinasagawa ang manhunt para sa iba pang mga salarin. (OpBats/IAm)
Philippines
On September 12, 1896, 13 Filipinos, the “13 martyrs” of Cavite were executed by Spanish authorities at Plaza de Armas near Fort of San Felipe, Cavite City, for joining the Katipunan revolution.
With reports of an impending plot against the government, the Spaniards reacted swiftly and harshly resulting in the mass execution of the “13 martyrs”.
The ages of the 13 martyrs ranged from 31 to 64 years. They were rounded up, jailed, tortured, and sentenced to die by firing squad to cow the people to submission.
Ten of them were masons.
They were:
Mariano Inocencio, 64, a rich proprietor;
Jose Lallana, 54, a tailor, former Corporal in the Spanish Army and a Spanish Mason;
Eugenio Cabezas, 41, a watchmaker and member of the Katipunan;
Maximo Gregorio, 40, a clerk of the Cavite Arsenal;
Hugo Perez, 40, a physician and member of the Katipunan;
Severino Lapidario, 38, Chief Warden of the Provincial Jail and member of the Katipunan;
Alfonso de Ocampo, 36, a Spanish mestizo and member of the Katipunan;
Luis Aguado, 33, an employee of the Cavite Arsenal;
Victoriano Luciano, 32, a pharmacist and poet; and
Feliciano Cabuco, 31, an employee of the Navy Hospital in Cavite.
The three non-masons were:
Francisco Osorio, 36, a Chinese mestizo and contractor;
Antonio de San Agustin, 35, a surgeon and businessman; and
Agapito Concio, 33, a teacher, musician and painter.
However, the deaths of the 13 martyrs, along with many others in the provinces who joined the revolution, fueled the revolution leading to June 12, 1898, with General Emilio Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence.
In memory of the 13 martyrs, in 1906, a monument was erected at the place where they were executed. Their families reinterred their remains at the foot of the monument.
The capital of Cavite was also renamed Trece Martires in their honor and its 13 villages were named for each of the martyrs.
Now, we know where the name of Trece Matires City was coined.
Source: Philippines News Agency archives
Filed by Jr. Amigo/ai/mnm