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(PhilStar) MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should not provide candidates the topics and questions for the presidential debates this month in advance so candidates could be as truthful as possible during discussions, presidential candidate Sen. Manny Pacquiao said yesterday.

Pacquiao said voters should get candid responses from candidates, saying “on-the-spot” questions bring out the “pure” character of a candidate.

“Maybe (the Comelec decided to give questions in advance) so that candidates can study. But it would be better if the questions are on-the-spot so candidates can be on their toes. You can see the purity of candidates, what their heart contains. If their (intentions) are true or not,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao also hit candidates who ask for questions in advance and those who shun public debates, saying those kinds of candidates are “obviously not ready to lead the country.”

“I don’t ask for questions in advance. I’m ready. There should be no asking for questions in advance,” he added, saying debates are meant to provide voters an informed choice about their candidates.

“You’re running for President and you’re asking for questions in advance? You should be ready for questions; you shouldn’t be picky. As much as possible, all questions should apply to you because you are applying to be the country’s leader. You should not pick the questions you will be asked,” Pacquiao said.

While he did not name candidates, presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – son of the late dictator – was not present during CNN Philippines’ presidential debates, as well as GMA News’ presidential interviews hosted by broadcaster Jessica Soho who Marcos insisted was “biased.”.. Read More

(The Manila Times) VIENNA: The UN nuclear watchdog on Sunday expressed “deep concern” over reports that communication from Europe’s largest nuclear power plant seized by Russia in Ukraine has been disrupted.

Invading Russian forces attacked and seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Friday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that Ukraine informed it that the plant management is now under orders from the commander of the Russian forces.

Ukraine has also reported that the Russian forces have switched off some mobile networks and the internet, and that telephone lines, emails and fax were not functioning anymore.

They said mobile phone communication was still possible with poor quality, the IAEA said.

“I’m extremely concerned about these developments that were reported to me today,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

“In order to be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure,” he added.

He expressed “deep concern” over “the deteriorating situation regarding vital communications between the regulator and the Zaporizhzhia NPP (nuclear power plant).”.. Read More

(PhilStar) CMANILA, Philippines — State-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has beefed up its investment book to P891 billion by growing its share in the equities and infrastructure markets in foreign currencies.

GSIS president and general manager Rolando Macasaet said that the provident fund’s investment portfolio widened by more than five percent to P890.59 billion last year from P846.4 billion in 2020.

Macasaet reported that GSIS grew its investment book last year due to its new placements in equity and infrastructure resources in foreign currencies.

The 40 percent jump in foreign currency assets to P257.26 billion of the pension fund manager wiped out the four percent decline in peso-denominated investments to P633.31 billion.

Likewise, its equity investments jumped by more than four-fold to P69.58 billion, while infrastructure assets went up by over half to P26.34 billion.

It also tripled its short-term deposits in foreign currencies to P22.17 billion, from P6.6 billion. This despite the four percent decline in only fixed-income assets to P139.17 billion that accounted for the bulk of foreign currency investments… Read More

(SunStar) WITH just over two months before Election Day, a group of Ilocanos pressed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Friday, March 4, to resolve its petition to disqualify presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from running in the May 9 polls.

In a four-page Urgent Motion to Resolve, the petitioners, composed of members of Pudno Nga Ilokano (pure Ilocanos), asked the Comelec 2nd Division to resolve the disqualification case, which was filed last December 7.

“Petitioners implore the Honorable Commission to resolve the petition with utmost urgency given its impact on the coming national elections,” said the petitioners.

“Wherefore, petitioners most respectfully pray that this Honorable Commission resolve the petition in this case soonest,” the group added.

The Ilocanos said this is because Comelec rules provide that if the petition cannot be decided before the completion of the canvass, the votes cast for the respondent may be included in the counting and in the canvassing… Read More

(GMA News) Several presidential candidates have joined radio, online forums, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s e-rally channel to discuss their campaign platforms ahead of May 2022 polls.

According to Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report, labor leader Leody de Guzman participated in a radio and online forum to discuss his platforms on Friday.

Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. attended a worship service in Pampanga on Thursday. He also filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the mandatory vaccination and “no vaccine, no ride policy” before the Angeles City Council.

Montemayor’s running mate and vice presidential candidate Rizalito David joined Comelec e-rally and explained the powers of corporations, which can also be done by the local government units (LGUs).

“Napakarami pong magagawa kung ang mga LGUs ay matututo na isagawa yung corporate powers nila by putting up local government corporations,” David said.

(There is so much that can be done if LGUs learn to exercise their corporate powers by putting up local government corporations.)

Former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said quality education system would lead to the betterment of the country… Read More

(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said it will temporarily suspend applications to its scholarship program for incoming first-year college students due to “budget inadequacy.”

In a memorandum dated Feb. 21 and released to the public on Thursday, CHED relayed that it had to halt applications to the CHED Scholarship Program for academic year 2022-2023 since its 2022 budget for student financial assistance programs (StuFAPs) was not enough.

CHED chair Prospero De Vera also instructed regional offices to disseminate the information to prevent the spread of fake news that would confuse applicants.

The memorandum refers to the full and half scholarships under the State Scholarship and Private Education Student Financial Assistance.

They are intended for students entering first year college with a general weighted average of at least 96%, or its equivalent, for full merit program and 93% to 95%, or its equivalent, for half merit program.

These students must enroll in private higher education institutions, state universities and colleges or accredited local universities and colleges.

The assistance covers tuition and other school fees, a stipend and book/connectivity allowance per semester… Read More

(BusinessWorld) OVER 47,000 tourists arrived in the Philippines since the reopening of borders on Feb. 10, with foreigners comprising more than half, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT).

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a briefing on Thursday that 47,715 international visitors were recorded to have entered the country as of Feb. 28.

Of the total, 45% or 21,409 were balikbayans or returning Filipinos, and 55% or 26,306 were foreign tourists.

“We didn’t expect that there would be (foreign) tourist arrivals because normally, the tourists would arrive during the winter months or school break in their countries,” Ms. Puyat said.

Americans topped the list, followed by nationals from Canada, United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, Vietnam, and Germany.

The tourism chief added that many hotels are already fully-booked and have been rehiring former employees who were laid off due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We talked with different hotels and local government units of various tourist destinations. They said that many employees are being rehired because many tourists are already going to the destinations or the hotels. Many hotels are fully-booked already. This is a good sign, and they are rehiring,” Ms. Puyat said… Read More

(GoodNewsPilipinas) Filipina health scientist Lorie Neuberger-Castillo has been featured in Research Luxembourg’s “Be brave: Women [& girls] in Science” campaign as a microbiome specialist who works with the genetic material of all the microbes that live on and inside the human body.
Neuberger-Castillo is among the six women of science in Luxembourg whose inspiring stories were showcased in the video series to inspire young girls to pursue their passion for science.

The inspiring women in the video series are working across various fields in science and are Ph.D. candidates, science communicators, lab specialists, professors, and more.

The Filipino scientist’s story is the second video in the series launched by the institutions of Research Luxembourg in collaboration with the Ministry for Equality (MEGA) in Luxembourg in February 2022.

Neuberger-Castillo started her professional career in the Philippines 16 years ago. Now a microbiome specialist at the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL) of the Luxembourg Institute of Health, she is responsible for microbiome DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.

An alumna of the University of Santo Tomas, Neuberger-Castillo graduated with honors from Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia with a Masters in Clinical Microbiology… Read More