Author: Izel Abanilla

MANILA, Philippines – A man died after falling from the still under construction new Senate building in Taguig City. The incident happened Thursday and was only confirmed by the Senate on Friday. According to the report, the victim was a 23 year old male Philippine Navy cadet. “It is with deep sorrow and concern that we confirm the tragic incident that occurred last night involving an individual who fell from the construction site of the new Senate building,” Senate spokesperson Arnel Bañas said in a statement. According to Bañas, the victim tried to sneak in at about 9 p.m. when…

MANILA, Philippines – Education secretary Sonny Angara said opening of classes on July 29 in seriously damaged schools will be postponed due to needed clean-up operations and fixtures following the aftermath of the typhoon-enhanced rains that massively flooded the capital region this week. “We will have to postpone the opening of classes for some schools that suffered serious damage because of Typhoon Carina. My gratitude and appreciation to the teachers and principals who are working hard for our children. Godbless you,” Angara said in a Facebook post. The newly-installed education chief personally inspected the condition of Masambong High School in…

AKLAN, Philippines – A saltwater crocodile was caught by residents and authorities on the shores of Boracay Island Thursday. The reptile was believed to have drifted to the popular tourist destination after Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon Habagat dumped rains in many parts of the country. The Philippine Coast Guard rescued the crocodile at around 3 p.m. and turned it over to the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources shelter in Malay. According to Manocmanoc village councilor Ernesto Cruz, the reptile was first spotted swimming near Sinagpa beach Thursday noon. It was later caught in Diniwid beach. Reports say the…

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Robin Padilla is now officially the party president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) ten months ahead of the 2025 midterm elections replacing Palawan Rep. Jose Chaves Alvarez, who resigned from the position. The PDP released a statement about Padilla’s assumption of the presidency expressing confidence about the actor-turned-politician’s leadership. “As the new PDP president, Sen. Padilla will continue to consolidate the party membership and prepare for the 2025 midterm elections, which Rep. (Jose) Alvarez started,” the PDP said in a statement. “We are confident that under Sen. Padilla’s leadership, the party is in good hands and…

MANILA, Philippines – A report of global human rights watch group Amnesty International quashed the supposed achievement of President Marcos Jr. ‘s bloodless anti-drug drive as unlawful killings was said to still be prevalent in his administration’s campaign. According to its 2023-2024 report, extrajudicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” unfortunately continued until Marcos’ second year – a contrast to the state chief’s pronouncement in his recent State of the Nation Address that his government adhered to the eight Es of an effective anti-drug fight and sealed his position in a resounding quote, “Extermination was never one…

MANILA, Philippines – After being impassable to motorists due to chest-high floods, Lagusnilad underpass in the city of Manila is now open to motorists, cleared of flood water and debris, a day after the combined wrath of Super Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon Habagat ravaged the country’s capital region. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna personally announced that the underpass is now officially back in business. “Bukas na po muli ang Lagunislad! Siniguro po naming ligtas na madaraanan ng ating mga motorista. Ingat po sa byahe!” Lacuna said in a Facebook post. Cleaning operations at the Lagusnilad Pedestrian Underpass are still ongoing…

MANILA, Philippines – Singer Ronnie Liang turned real-life-hero yet again when he joined the ranks of celebrities who braved the floods that ravaged Metro Manila during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and Habagat. On Instagram, Liang posted photos and videos of himself assisting in the relief and rescue operations of typhoon victims in Barangay Roxas, Quezon City. “Answering the call of duty as a reservist of the Philippine Army, together with 1302 Ready Reserve Battalion,” he said. “Rescuing the typhoon #CarinaPH victims here at Barangay Roxas, Quezon City,” he said. On Wednesday, actor Gerald Anderson showed no qualms in swimming…

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Rosanna Roces also did not escape the devastation of Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon Habagat. On Tiktok, the “Pamilya Sagrado” star filmed her experience walking through knee-high floods in her residence in Antipolo City. In her caption, she wrote, “Tama na po. Lubog na kami, Lord.” Despite walking through floods the actress was still caught smiling. She said, ““Nilikas na namin ‘yung kotse. Lubog na dito.” Other celebrities also experienced the wrath of Carina and Habagat. Veteran actor Michael de Mesa got stranded for 22 hours on the road without food when tried to brave the…

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actor Michael de Mesa too did not escape the combined wrath of Typhoon Carina and southwest monsoon Habagat and got stranded for over 22 hours on the road. On Wednesday, at the height of the devastation of Carina and Habagat, the actor and director shared his ordeal that began at about 2:30 p.m. when they were packed up from taping in Cainta because the situation wasn’t getting any better. “I’m stranded, I’ve been here for five hours,” he said in the last slide of his Instagram post. “And there’s no sign of the flood receding, oh…

MANILA, Philippines – Have floods and rains failed to wash “sibling rivalry?” SEN. Imee Marcos on Thursday criticized the current administration’s flood control projects, or lack of it, following the massive flooding in the country’s capital region as an aftermath of Typhoon Carina and Habagat. In an interview, Senator Marcos seemed to pull a slight jab at her brother, President Marcos, for what seems to be failure of flood control efforts which the latter laid as among the successful projects of his administration in his recent State of the Nation Address last July 22. The eldest of the Marcos siblings…