ELECTION PROTESTS. Pangasinan election supervisor, lawyer Ericson Oganiza, during an interview with the media. Oganiza said Tuesday (May 10, 2022) Comelec welcomes protests after the proclamation of winners. (Photo courtesy of Jerick James Pasiliao) MALASIQUI, Pangasinan - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said non-winning candidates or anyone who are unsatisfied with the election results are free to file complaints or protest after the formal proclamation of winning candidates. This following a press conference of officials of the Abante Ilocano Pangasinan (API) Party-list whose founder is former Governor and Representative Amado Espino Jr. on the alleged irregularities in the May 9 polls. In a phone interview on Tuesday, provincial election supervisor lawyer Ericson Oganiza said they may file their election protest for revision of ballots, but they have to wait for the formal proclamation of winners as there is no longer pre-proclamation controversy due to the automation of the e
(PNA file photo) MANILA-The hardship being experienced by members of the New People's Army (NPA) inside the organization is one of the reasons why more are surrendering to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). "The hardships inside the NPA organization are now taking their toll on its members, leading them to return to the folds of the law. The AFP welcomes them and is willing to offer them assistance in line with our government local integration programs," AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino said in a statement Monday night. He made this comment after meeting his long-time enemy, Maximo Catarata alias Datu Makatindog, the former highest-ranking leader of the weakened Guerrilla Front 3 of the NPA during his visit to the 10th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro last April 23. Catarata surrendered along with his M16 rifle to government forces at the 60th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Asuncion, Davao del Norte on
CAPIZ FLOODS. Flooding hits an area in Capiz on Saturday (April 16, 2022) after the onslaught of Tropical Storm Agaton. President Rodrigo Duterte conducted an aerial inspection of the province to assess damage from the storm. (Photo Courtesy: Rey Baniquet/ Presidential Photo) MANILA - The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Monday increased damage and losses to the agricultural sector amounting to PHP725.2 million in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agaton's onslaught. The latest bulletin showed it has affected 19,424 farmers thus far, particularly in Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Caraga, with 17,925 hectares of agricultural lands damaged. This equates to 41,580 metric tons of total volume loss, with rice production worst hit, reaching 92.68 percent or 40,122 metric tons of loss, amounting to PHP672.2 million Moreover, loss to high-value crop production was estimated at PHP24.7 million; loss to corn production at PHP21.1 million; and loss
(Courtesy of PAGASA-DOST) MANILA - Tropical Depression Agaton will continue to bring rains over parts of the country as it is now moving slowly northward over Basey, Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday night. In its 8 p.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said the center of "Agaton" was spotted in the vicinity of Basey, Samar with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph. Moderate to heavy, with at times intense rainfall will be experienced over Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, the northern and central portions of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Antique, Guimaras, and the northern and central portions of Negros Provinces. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Dinagat Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Quezon, and the rest of Bicol Region and Visayas. "
NPA surrenderers in Agusan del Norte (Photocourtesy of4ID Philippine Army) MANILA - Around 266 New People's Army (NPA) rebels, majority from its units in Eastern Mindanao, have returned to the fold of the law for the first three months this year. Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said 114 were from Eastern Mindanao, 58 from Western Mindanao, 37 from Southern Luzon, 36 in the Visayas, 20 in Northern Luzon and one from Palawan. Baclor said the most recent was the surrender of Maximo Catarata, Secretary of Guerilla Front 3 in Davao del Norte on March 31, leading to the dismantling of the NPA unit. Authorities also recorded 37 NPA members killed and 29 apprehended in operations nationwide for the same period. Among the most wanted rebels who died in a firefight was Menardo Villanueva in Barangay Libudon, Mabini, Davao de Oro on January 12. Villanueva is the commander of the NPA's national operations command and a long-time secretary of th