Author: Jericho Zafra

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Thursday that she and her family flew to Germany, amid horrendous floods caused by “Carina” and southwest monsoon rains, but she said her office was “always ready” to assist the affected families of the typhoon. “The Vice President is on a personal trip with her family overseas. Her departure received the necessary approvals, as evidenced by the travel authority issued by the Office of the President dated 09 July 2024,” a statement issued by the Office of the Vice Duterte said. Although the timing of the trip is “unfortunate,” the Disaster…

MANILA, Philippines — Should the industrial fuel oil from the sunken tanker in Limay, Bataan spill, there is a huge possibility that it could reach the Manila shore, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Thursday. “There is a significant danger that Manila could be affected, including the shoreline, if the fuel leaks, because it is within Manila Bay,” PCG spokesman Armando Balilo told reporters in Filipino during a press briefing following the incident. Currently, only the tanker’s working fuel is reportedly spilling according to Balilo. The official said the PCG was now preparing in case the oil spill reached the Manila…

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed several government agencies to assess the environmental impact of the oil spill after an oil tanker capsized during the dead of Thursday night in Limay, Bataan. The President specifically instructed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to take charge of the assessment. “Can we add an instruction to the DENR to make an assessment on the environmental impact of this?,” Marcos said during a situation briefing at the Presidential Security Command compound. According to President Marcos,…

MANILA, Philippines — A tanker carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil has sunken off the coast of Limay Bataan in the wee hours of Thursday, the Philippine Coast Guard said. At a press briefing, PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo said that Philippine-flagged motor tanker Terra Nova capsized and eventually submerged 3.6 nautical miles east off the coast of Lamao Point, Limay, Bataan, at around 1:10 AM today, 25 July 2024. There was no weather disturbance in the vicinity waters when the maritime incident occurred and has issued warning to mariners to avoid the area where the tanker sank, according…

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has given marching orders and told all workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) to leave the country within 60 days. This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a total ban on POGOs in the country during his third State of the Nation Address. During his speech, Marcos said illegal activities related to POGOs must stop. “Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder,” Marcos said.…

MANILA, Philippines — Around 44 roads in the country have either remained closed or have limited access due to monsoon rains and effects brought by Typhoon Carina in the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In its 3:00 p.m. bulletin released Wednesday, the DPWH said 24 roads remain closed while 20 roads have limited access due to monsoon rains and typhoon Carina. According to DPWH, as of 12:00 noon the following national road sections are closed to traffic, with mostly flooded roads in Metro Manila: National Capital Region 1) España Boulevard, A. M. dela Fuente to AH…

MANILA, Philippines — A business group composed of Filipino-Chinese moguls has supported the decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country. In a statement, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Cecilio K. Pedro said that it supports the decision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to ban POGOs in the Philippines, adding that it hopes to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between China. “It is hoped that this will improve the Philippines’ international public image, enhance peace and order, and help strengthen our country’s bilateral relations with China, as the Chinese government…

MANILA, Philippines — As Typhoon Carina intensifies, work operations in the private sector are also now suspended, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday. An earlier announcement from Malacañang only suspends classes at all levels and work in government offices within the National Capital Region and it is only upon the discretion of private companies to suspend their operations. In a memorandum, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma clarified that, according to the law, employees are entitled to their regular pay even if they do not work, except in cases where there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective…

MANILA, Philippines — Transgender women’s rights advocates have spoken up on the viral “sir” video that has taken the social media space thrashing out over the past few days. Several days ago, a viral video of Jude Bacalso had the social media space abuzz after netizen John Calderon posted a lengthy account showing a waiter and Bacalso. In the post, Calderon said the waiter was made to stand in front of Bacalso for nearly two hours after the waiter addressed Bacalso as “sir.” Bacalso had already apologized for the incident but she remains in the face of criticism for her…

MANILA, Philippines — Work operations in government offices and classes at all levels within the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday have been suspended due to continuous rainfall brought by severe tropical storm Carina, the Office of the President said. According to Memorandum No. 57 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the announcement is due to the continuous rainfall brought about by the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Carina. The suspension is effective at 2:00 p.m. today, July 23. Meanwhile, agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other…