Offshore
Considering the time required to plan energy projects, the targets for raising the share of RE in our energy mix may be considered ambitious. Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) axed about 100 renewable energy projects. The solution to land scarcity, it appears, is to push RE projects offshore. Recently, the DOE awarded Certificates of Confirmation of Commerciality to three offshore wind projects. The consortium’s 1,650-MW wind power project will be included in the country’s first Green Energy Auction for Offshore Wind to be held next year.
Source:Philippine Star
November 04, 2024 16:11 UTC
Why I fear Trump will win
I think Trump will win, with 320 electoral votes, far more than the magic 270 that would constitute 50.2 percent. Trump is a wandering and disjointed speaker, but Harris is squeaky, doesn’t sound commanding. The Democrats failed to capitalize on the Puerto Rico/floating garbage gaff. Trump was even able to get some spin after Biden’s own “garbage” statement (which no one believes an apostrophe can correct). Trump’s “I will protect women, whether they like it or not” did not win any hard-core Democrats’ hearts.
Source:Philippine Star
November 04, 2024 16:00 UTC
Sandro Marcos calls out VP Sara Duterte: ‘You crossed the line’
Rep Marcos called out Duterte on Tuesday (Oct 22), days after Duterte threatened to dig up the body of his grandfather, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr, if the political attacks on her continue. However, as a son, I cannot stay silent while she threatens to exhume a former president and behead an incumbent one,” Rep Marcos’ statement read. According to Rep Marcos, his father did not say anything against Duterte that could be construed as even a mild rebuke of her outbursts. According to the Vice President, she told the President’s sister, Sen Imee Marcos, about her threat to exhume the body of Marcos Sr.“I don’t know. Marcos Jr was the running mate of Vice President Duterte.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 22, 2024 17:38 UTC
Party-list system: What to know ahead of 2025 polls
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) subsequently issued the required rules and regulations for the party-list system in June 1996. As a result, party-list groups took part in the 1998 elections, aiming to secure seats in Congress. Of the number, 113 are existing party-list groups, 42 are newly registered organizations, and one secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court. READ: LIST: 42 party-list groups fail to qualify for 2025 electionsAccording to Republic Act No. Familiar, notable namesSeveral party-list groups that have consistently made an impact in previous elections are back on the ballot for the 2025 polls.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 22, 2024 14:09 UTC
Government work in Catanduanes suspended due to TD Kristine
LEGAZPI CITY — The provincial government of Catanduanes has ordered the suspension of work on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in all government offices due to the threat of Tropical Depression Kristine. Joseph Cua said the suspension is in effect until the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal in the province is lifted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Cua said the suspension of work in the private sector and other establishments would be left to the discretion of their respective heads. Article continues after this advertisementHowever, offices delivering basic and health services, disaster management, and vital services were exempted from the order. Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao and Burias islands, were under the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 22, 2024 02:09 UTC
Debt issues bug emerging nations
"It's a challenge in the sense that for many, debt service has grown, borrowing has become more expensive, and external sources [have become] less certain," said Christian Libralato, portfolio manager with RBC BlueBay. The US Treasury's top economic diplomat has called for new ways to provide short-term liquidity support to low- and middle-income countries to head off debt crises. Advertisement"Countries are avoiding... education, health and infrastructure expenditures to service their debt," Songwe said. Fresh funding from the IMF, the World Bank, and other multilaterals failed to compensate for the rising costs, he said. The World Bank aims to boost lending capacity by $30 billion over 10 years.
Source:Manila Times
October 21, 2024 22:17 UTC
Over 5,000 POGO workers must downgrade visas or face deportation
Over 5,000 POGO workers must downgrade visas or face deportationJustice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in an ambush interview with reporters on Oct. 21, 2024. MANILA, Philippines — More than 5,000 foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) have yet to downgrade their visas, a requirement mandated by the government, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. On October 15, the Bureau of Immigration said that 12,000 foreign POGO workers have voluntarily applied for the downgrade of their visas. This policy followed the Department of Justice’s announcement that, beginning October 16, all specialized visas issued to foreign POGO workers would be downgraded to tourist visas, giving them 60 days to leave the country. The crackdown on foreign POGO workers is a response to allegations of illegal activities linked to POGO hubs in areas like Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
Source:Philippine Star
October 21, 2024 20:37 UTC
Chanel to 'shed jobs' as China luxury goods market slumps
Chanel has 18 stores in the mainland, with plans to open more announced earlier, but for now those expansion plans are on hold, according to a source. BLOOMBERGCici CaoLuxury fashion brand Chanel is said to be laying off employees in the China market, with some departments shedding as much as 50 percent of their workforce, mainland media report. Chanel announced last month that a fashion show of its 2024/25 Early Spring Resort Collection will be held at the Hong Kong Design Institute on November 5. China's luxury market recorded an accelerated decline in the second and third quarters after the company's release. In February, French luxury brand Dior postponed its Hong Kong fashion show, one of 80 mega events slated for the first half of the year by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, amid China's economic uncertainties.
Source:The Standard
October 21, 2024 19:22 UTC
Gunmen kill 7 people working on a strategic tunnel project in Indian-controlled Kashmir
A bus carrying journalists takes a tour of the under-construction Z-Morh tunnel in Sonamarg, northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. (Reuters)Gunmen fatally shot at least seven people working on a strategic tunnel project in Indian-controlled Kashmir and injured at least five others, officials said on Monday. Police said at least two gunmen fired “indiscriminately” at officials and workers associated with the construction, leaving two dead on the spot. Experts say the tunnel project is important to the military, which will gain significantly improved capabilities to operate in Ladakh. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989.
Source:The Standard
October 21, 2024 18:52 UTC
WATCH: Quad panel submits documents to OSG
The House of Representatives' quad committee on Monday handed over documents to the Office of the Solicitor General for it to look into the alleged acquisition of land by Chinese who fraudulently acquired Filipino citizenship. Among those in the video are quad committee leaders Reps. Dan Fernandez, Robert Ace Barbers, and Joseph Stephen Paduano as well as Assistant Solicitors General Hermes Ocampo and Gilbert Medrano. Video by Reina C. Tolentino
Source:Manila Times
October 21, 2024 15:51 UTC
Black Caps end 36 years of Test pain in India
Will Young's helmet is hit by a ball bowled by Ravindra Jadeja during New Zealand's second innings. APWill Young and Rachin Ravindra put on an unbroken 75 to guide New Zealand to a first cricket Test win in India for 36 years on day five of the rain-hit match in Bengaluru. Chasing 107, New Zealand lost captain Tom Latham without scoring and Devon Conway for 17. But Young and Ravindra guided the visitors to 110 for two in the first session and a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. It was New Zealand's third Test victory in India after their wins in 1969 at Nagpur and at Mumbai in 1988.
Source:The Standard
October 21, 2024 04:48 UTC
The undying dynasties
There is significant evidence to suggest that Philippine political dynasties use their political dominance over their respective regions to enrich themselves, using methods such as graft or outright bribery of legislators. Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”But Congress has failed to pass an enabling law against dynasties over the past 37 years. “This is not a surprise since both the House of Representatives and the Senate are dominated by political dynasties. Gains and losses in regulating political dynasties in the Philippines,” Gacayan illustrates that the victory of the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the (2022) polls is an epitome of the continuing dominance of political dynasties — where dynasties are not only deeply entrenched but also capable of self-perpetuation amidst good governance reforms (Ibid.) Like in Mafia organizations, political dynasties are made up of family, friends, and supporters.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 21, 2024 04:06 UTC
BOC: Over P72B smuggled goods seized from Jan to Oct 2024
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscated a total of P72.091 billion worth of smuggled goods from January to October 2024, surpassing its total haul of P43.29 billion in 2023. Article continues after this advertisementAccording to the BOC, counterfeit goods in October are trailed by commodities worth P2.3 billion, cigarettes worth P22.3 million, rice sacks worth P323 million, and a vessel carrying smuggled petroleum products. Illegal drugs worth P42.16 million were also intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport this year, the BOC added. He also stressed that the BOC must employ traditional and modern approaches to effectively combat smuggling in the country. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPREAD: BOC: Intel units seize over P30B contraband from January-August 2023, exceeded 2022 figures
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 21, 2024 00:36 UTC
WATCH: Vengeful Mapua finally takes down San Beda
Mapua University channeled all its previous heartaches to prevail against finals tormentor San Beda University, 58-55, in the second round of the NCAA 100 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Sunday, Oct. 20. Chris Hubilla made a double-double performance and put up 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. Video by Nicole Anne D.G.
Source:Manila Times
October 20, 2024 19:17 UTC
Chinese drone maker DJI sues Pentagon over blacklisting
Chinese drone maker DJI sues Pentagon over blacklistingThis photo taken on July 12, 2022, shows a drone flying at a DJI store in Shenzhen, in China's southern Guangdong province. SHANGHAI, China — Chinese drone maker DJI on Saturday said it was suing the US Department of Defense, complaining that Washington had "erroneously" included the company on a Chinese military company blacklist. "On October 18, DJI filed a lawsuit to challenge the Department of Defense's (DoD) erroneous designation of the company as a 'Chinese Military Company,'" DJI said in a statement sent to AFP. The Pentagon added DJI to its list of Chinese military-linked companies in 2022. DJI said it had attempted to "engage with the DoD for more than sixteen months" and had now "determined it had no alternative other than to seek relief in federal court."
Source:Philippine Star
October 20, 2024 17:14 UTC