Author: lucky88

The Iloilo City government, led by Mayor Raisa Treñas, launched on Tuesday the “Creek Cleaning Oplan Kontra Baha” initiative in Barangay Ticud, La Paz, to strengthen flood control and disaster preparedness in the city.

The city government partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 to carry out the clearing of key waterways aimed at preventing flooding in vulnerable communities.

Mayor Treñas personally led the launch of the program, joined by officials from partner agencies, including Engr. Johny Pura of the Iloilo City District Engineering Office, DPWH-6 Assistant Regional Director Ricardo Gutierrez, DOLE-6 Regional Director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, and Police Col. Alladin Dingal of Police Regional Office 6.

“This project is not just a clean-up activity but an investment in public safety, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness for our city,” Treñas said during the launch.

The initiative is being implemented through the DOLE Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, which tapped 70 residents from seven barangays in Iloilo City — Banuyao, Baldoza, Caingin, Hinactacan, Tabuc Suba, Ingore, and Ticud.

The Senate should continue holding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte even if she resigns from office as there are two possible penalties if she is convicted, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday.

In a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Luistro said that an impeachment trial carries two “principal penalties” — removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Should Duterte resign, only the first penalty will be rendered irrelevant.

“We need to continue the trial for the senator-judges to be able to determine whether they will impose as well the penalty of perpetual disqualification,” Luistro said.

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, an elected prosecutor for Duterte’s trial who was also present during the press briefing, agreed with Luistro’s opinion.

“It’s a very valid observation made by our chair,” he said.

House impeachment prosecutor, Rep. Joel Chua of Manila on Tuesday said the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will proceed even if she personally chooses not to appear before the Senate impeachment court.

Speaking in an interview on ANC’s “Headstart”, Chua explained that under impeachment rules, the Senate’s writ of summons primarily requires the vice president to submit her answer to the articles of impeachment and enter her plea before the court.

“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons because the writ of summons, there are two purposes for that. One is for the vice president to appear before the impeachment court and the other one for her to submit the answer within 10 days,” Chua said.

According to the impeachment prosecutor, Duterte may choose to personally appear, authorize her lawyers to appear on her behalf, or decline to participate altogether as part of her legal strategy.

“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. So that is not for us to decide. Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness,” he added.

A proposed measure seeking to shield Filipino families, workers, and businesses from the devastating effects of global fuel shocks gained momentum in the House of Representatives on Tuesday after House Ways and Means Chair Rep. Miro Quimbo formally sponsored the Kalinga bill on the plenary floor.

During his sponsorship speech, Quimbo described the proposed Komprehensibong Alalay sa Livelihood, Inflation, Negosyo at Goods Assistance (Kalinga) Act as a comprehensive national response framework designed to provide both immediate relief and long-term resilience against oil price spikes and energy-related crises.

The measure was originally filed by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinando “Alexander” Sandro Marcos.

Quimbo said the House moved quickly after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East triggered soaring global oil prices earlier this year, immediately convening briefings and marathon hearings to study the impact on Filipino households and industries.

“From March to May, upon the command of Speaker Dy, the House worked swiftly and exhaustively to understand the full extent of the crisis,” Quimbo said.

Easterlies and localized thunderstorms will bring isolated rain showers across the country on Wednesday, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the easterlies or warm and humid winds coming from the Pacific Ocean are affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

According to Pagasa weather specialist Chenel Dominguez, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which previously affected Southern Mindanao, has already moved offshore and is no longer directly affecting any part of the country.

MANILA, Philippines — Easterlies and localized thunderstorms will bring isolated rain showers across the country on Wednesday, the state weather bureau said.

In its latest forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the easterlies or warm and humid winds coming from the Pacific Ocean are affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas.

According to Pagasa weather specialist Chenel Dominguez, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which previously affected Southern Mindanao, has already moved offshore and is no longer directly affecting any part of the country.

“Our ITCZ, which previously brought rains over Southern Mindanao, has already moved downward and offshore, so generally fair weather is expected across Palawan, the Visayas, and Mindanao,” Dominguez explained in Filipino in Pagasa’s weather briefing.