News

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said an ethics complaint may be filed against some colleagues if a probe on Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s arrest-attempt shows a plot to stop him from attending the session.  In a media briefing on Wednesday, May 13, Cayetano said the decision will be entirely up to Dela Rosa who was chased in the Senate premises as National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents attempted to serve him a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).  “That’s up to Sen. Bato dahil siya naman ang involved,” the Senate president said.  Cayetano added that no one knew that Dela Rosa would show up to vote in the session to oust then Senate President Tito Sotto.  He said he only confirmed Dela Rosa’s attendance Monday morning.  Sotto earlier said the NBI informed him about a warrant for Dela Rosa, but he did not expect…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Mayon Volcano had an episode called “uson,” an avalanche of a fast-moving, ground-hugging ot gas, ash, and rock fragments rushing down volcanic slopes triggered by a lava flow collapse late morning on Wednesday, May 13, authorities said. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, characterized by the possibility of hazardous eruptions.  Camalig, Albay Mayor Caloy Baldo advised the public to wear face masks, stay indoors as much as possible, and follow all safety advisories issued by the government to minimize exposure to volcanic ash and other hazards. Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President-Bicol Satellite Office said it distributed food packs to 841 farmers affected by Mayon Volcano’s ongoing activity during a relief operation held at the Camalig Bungkaras Gymnasium in Barangay 2.

Metro Manila, Philippines – Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa called for “peaceful support” from his alma mater – the Philippine Military Academy – against his possible arrest and to stand against the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).  Facing the media from the Senate – which has given him protective custody – on Wednesday, May 13, Dela Rosa sang the PMA hymn in a bid to seek sympathy from the PMA alumni as he faces an arrest warrant as chief implementer of the bloody drug war when he was national police chief.  “Ang apila ko sa aking mga ka-baro sa (My appeal to colleagues from the) PMA, remember our song,” he said, singing the line “When bells for us are rung and our last taps are sung, let generations see our country free.” “I am not appealing for violent support. I am appealing for peaceful support,” the lawmaker…

Metro Manila, Philippines – Chief drug war implementer Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he has “no regrets” over how the campaign was carried out, while refusing to comply with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigating the controversial policy. “No, why will I regret?” Dela Rosa told the media on Wednesday, May 13, when asked about his sentiments.   “Nagsisisi ata ako kung bakit ako nagpaka-loyal sa aking serbisyo kung marami naman diyang mga police na nagretire na pa-easy easy lang,” he added. [Translation: I regret why I was loyal to my service when there are many police officers who have an easy retirement.] The senator also said he does not regret enforcing the campaign as some Filipinos thanked him for making the streets safer.  Dela Rosa was Philippine National Police chief at the height of the drug war where suspects were killed with impunity. An infamous…

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a one-and-a-half-centavo per kilowatt-hour (kWh) decline in electricity rates for May as a result of lower charges in a number of billing items, foremost of which is the transmission cost. The power distributor announced on Wednesday, May 13, that the ₱0.0151/kWh reduction brought the overall rate for a typical household to ₱14.334/kWh from ₱14.3496/kWh in the April billing statement. Meralco said the slight reduction was a result of Energy Regulatory Commission-approved measures that offset higher generation charges. “Despite initial indications of an increase, Meralco power rates this May had a modest reduction,” said Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications . The lower rates were a result of Meralco’s refund for residential customers, lower transmission charges, and reduced taxes and other charges. The generation charge, which has a 55 percent share in the billing statement, was at…