Marcos wants postponement of 2016 barangay elections

MANILA, Philippines - Vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R Marcos Jr. has called on Congress to approve a measure to postpone the barangay elections scheduled on October this year.

Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, made the call in Malolos, Bulacan during his Unity Caravan. He said approval of such measure can still be done since the current 16th Congress still have sessions from May 23 to June 10, 2016.

"Kapag nakapag-approve na ang House of Representatives, sasalubungin ko agad sa senado at wala na akong babaguhin aaprubahan ko agad at paaaprubhan ko sa aking mga kasamahan para mabilis," he said.

There are two bills in the House of Representatives seeking to postpone the 2016 barangay elections.

The Liga ng mga Barangay has been lobbying for a change of the term of officer of barangay captains to 5 years per term and a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. Currently, they have 3 years per term with a maximum of 3 consecutive terms.

He said the postponement is necessary to give time for the next Congress to make a thorough study of the proposal.

"Tulad ng ginawa namin sa Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) na nagpasa kami ng batas na nag-postponed ng October, 2014 SK eleksiyon. 'Tapos habang walang eleksiyon, trinabaho namin 'yung SK reform hanggang sa naging batas nga itong SK Reform Law," he said.

Full Power at NAIA Terminal 3 restored after 5-hour brownout- MIAA

MANILA, Philippines - Full power has been restored to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Sunday morning, April 3, after more than 5 hours of brownout.

In an official statement posted on Facebook, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the terminal started operating on full power as of 2:00 AM, Sunday, following a technical glitch with the airport's electric source.

RELATED STORY: IN PHOTOS: Brownout hits NAIA Terminal 3

A substation of Meralco at NAIA tripped causing Terminal 3 to lose power at 8:45 PM, Saturday.

The substation was able to relay stable power to the terminal starting 12:30 AM.

Terminal facilities were fully functional an hour and half later.

Passengers with affected flights were advised to get in touch with their airlines.

Meanwhile, the Airport Authority has apologized for this inconvenience.

"Measures are now being worked out to make sure that a power outage does not occur again in the future," MIAA said.

IN PHOTOS: Brownout hits NAIA Terminal 3

MANILA, Philippines - The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 experienced power outage on Saturday night, April 2 causing delay of flights and disruption in the processing of passengers.

Power outage hits NAIA 3. Photo Credit: Twitter/iambryanbanquil

"Terminal 3 is currently experiencing a power outage. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our terminal team is currently assessing the situation to have the power back on. Thank you for your patience," the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) posted on Facebook.

Reports say that the blackout started at around 8:45 p.m. As of press time, the power outage persists with some people outside NAIA Terminal 3 are already sleeping on the floor.

Look owhhh there sleeping na on the floor!! #naiafail #naiaproblem @gmanews @YouScoop @MovePH pic.twitter.com/Z5I95QpkmF

— thegr3atbryan (@iambryanbanquil) April 2, 2016

Several international and local flights were affected by the brownout.

Tingnan: mga flights na nadelay dahil sa brownout sa NAIA T3 @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/jwa8HSFwze

— Junry Hidalgo (@junryRP31DZMM) April 2, 2016

Netizens on microblogging site Twitter shared their photos, videos and reactions on the incident.

To all first-time Manila visitors haplessly stuck in NAIA Terminal 3 or the runway now, on behalf of our country, I'M SO SORRY. We all are.

— Chiki (@chikinonymous) April 2, 2016

And here's what you get for the continued effort of our #DaangMadilim program @ NAIA Terminal 3 https://t.co/4yVEqAAGDs

— excel cuenca (@ExcelCuenca) April 2, 2016

NAIA Terminal 3 nakakaranas ngayon ng brownout @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/bzWg9EUzXo

— Junry Hidalgo (@junryRP31DZMM) April 2, 2016

Seriously NAIA!! Sobrang tagak na to ahh.. Mga 3 hours na kami dito!! #naiafail #naia @gmanews @YouScoop @MovePH pic.twitter.com/df0GtM4yVK

— thegr3atbryan (@iambryanbanquil) April 2, 2016

In May 2012, a similar incident that disrupted operations happened at NAIA Terminal 3 where the cause was the failure of electric sensor that supplies electricity to the terminal a day before the scheduled maintenance checkup.
This is a developing story. Refresh page for the updates.

VIDEO: Ryan Gallagher sings "Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan" on I Love OPM

MANILA, Philippines - American Touristar Ryan Gallagher has once again captivated the hearts of Filipinos as he sang Gary Valenciano's "Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan" during the Gate 3 round of ABS-CBN's music competition "I Love OPM" on Saturday, April 2, 2016.

The 27-year old artist was able to impress the judges called "Himig-gration Officers" and the "100 Kababayans" on his heartfelt rendition. Ryan received 95 Love Hearts from the latter and was the "Judges Choice" as key to enter Gate 4 round.

Judges Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha picked Ryan to move to the Gate 4 of the competition.

WATCH: I Love OPM: Ryan Gallagher - "Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan" by Gary Valenciano (video courtesy of ABS-CBN)

In the Gate 3 round, the top 12 artists were divided into groups of 3. Gallagher was grouped with Yohan Hwang and Daniel Herrington.

The studio audience served as the fourth 'Himig-gration Officer' as they will give Love Hearts or Broken Hearts. At the end of the round, only two Touristars will move on to the next phase of the competition.

"Intensity is like the 'big one,' said one of the Kababayan to Gallagher.

What did you think of Ryan's performance? Express your thoughts in the comment section below.

VIDEO: Korean Yohan Hwang sings "Gusto Kita" on I Love OPM Gate 3

MANILA, Philippines - Korean heartthrob Yohan Hwang was named "Kababayan's Choice" as he sang Ronnie Liang's "Gusto Kita" in the Gate 3 round of ABS-CBN's music competition "I Love OPM" on Saturday, April 2, 2016.

Yohan toppled American contestants Ryan Gallagher and Daniel Herrington with the latter being eliminated in the competition.

Yohan received praises from the judges called "Himig-gration Officers" and the "100 Kababayans" who gave him 98 'Love Hearts.'

WATCH: I Love OPM: Yohan Hwang -"Gusto Kita" by Ronnie Liang (Video courtesy of ABS-CBN)


In the Gate 3 round, the top 12 artists were divided into groups of 3. The studio audience served as the fourth 'Himig-gration Officer' as they will give Love Hearts or Broken Hearts. At the end of the round, only two Touristars will move on to the next phase of the competition.

What did you think of Yohan's performance? Express your thoughts in the comment section below.

Kidapawan Massacre: A sequel to Yolanda?

MANILA, Philippines - A multi-sectoral coalition denounced President Aquino and heads of concerned cabinet departments and agencies not only their failure to address the issues raised by peasants and Lumads but also for the violent dispersal in Kidapawan City last Thursday.

The result of violent dispersal vs. law enforcement in Kidapawan.
Photo Credit: Kidapawan City Government Facebook page

The police dispersal claimed three lives so far from the ranks of the farmers and dozens more injured and unaccounted for by their families after protesting the lack of government support in face of the impacts of the El Nino phenomenon.

Violent Dispersal vs. Law enforcementNaging madugo ang nangyaring dispersal ng mga pulis laban sa mga raliyesta matapos...
Posted by Kidapawan City on Thursday, March 31, 2016

Sanlakas said in an e-mailed statement that the much-delayed statements of condemnation from Malacanang spokespersons and it Liberal Party bets and pledges of sanctions for those accountable on the ground is “rubbing salt into the wounds inflicted on the hapless bodies of the starving farmers”.

“The President and national government officials are washing their hands and pinning the blame on the local government. It is the responsibility of government at all levels – but the national government especially - to address the impacts of El Nino and the state of climate-induced calamity. ” said Lidy Nacpil, Sanlakas chairperson.

The group deplored the inadequate preparations made by the government despite the fact that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had foreseen its impacts as early as March 2015.

“The incompetence, insensitivity and gross neglect of responsibility on the part of the Aquino administration is condemnable,” Nacpil said.

Meanwhile Roldan Gonzales, chair of Sanlakas Mindanao called on the government to declare all 68 provinces affected by El Nino in a “state of calamity” to avert any more violence that may ensue between starving farmers and security forces.

RALLYISTA VS KAPULISAN(c) LykFM Teleradyo
Posted by Kidapawan City on Friday, April 1, 2016

He asserted that the government should not wait for the El Nino impacts to be fully felt before declaring a ‘state of calamity.’ “The government has to cushion impacts by ordering a price freeze on basic commodities, expedite the release of financial aid, provide immediate employment, and ensure proper management of water resources among others”.

As of January 2016, PAGASA studies established that El Niño phenomenon will likely cause meteorological drought to as much as 85 percent of the Philippines by April this year, affecting 68 provinces. Of the 68 provinces, Mindanao will suffer the most with 22 provinces to experience drought up to June or July 2016

“The protests in Kidapawan will soon spread to other places in Mindanao. Our members in Mindanao are talking about hunger and worsening water crisis in Bukidnon, the Lanao and Davao provinces,” he warned.

Roldan, who also is an active leader in the campaign for climate justice and in the struggles of Mindanao communities against the impacts of mining, says that the water crisis is the combined impacts of El Nino as well as massive mining activities in Mindanao.

He also cautioned against the use of social services by state relief agencies to promote administration candidates.

“The farmers maybe hungry and desperate but they are wise enough to distinguish public service from political patronage, the Ozamis City native said.

NOT POSTPONED! PRC moves venue of April 3-5, 2016 ECE, ECT board exam

MANILA, Philippines - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced today the new examination venues for the April 3 and 4 Electronics Engineers (ECE) and April 5 Electronics Technicians (ECT) board exam for Manila examinees.

There's no news of postponement of licensure exam contrary to some inquiries and reports due to huge fire that hit University of the East (UE) in Manila, the supposed venue of the board exam starting Sunday.

The new examination venues include the Marychiles College, Central Colleges of the Philippines, College of the Holy Spirit, and the Southeast Asian College, Inc.

The change of examination venue came after a fire hit the College of Arts and Sciences and the Engineering Buildings of the UE-Manila at around 9:30AM today.

Here's the updated room assignment for Metro Manila examinees for April 2016 ECE, ECT board exam:

ECE Board Exam Room Assignment Manila Complete

ECE Board Exam Room Assignment Manila Removal

Updating for Electronics Technician (ECT) new room assignment.

Examinees are advised to check their room and seat assignments HERE.

The Electronics Engineers and Electronics Technicians licensure exam will be held simultaneously in Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.

VIDEO: Mary Gidget Dela Llana, Maricel Callo enter 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' Grand Finals

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN's noontime show 'It's Showtime' has named the first-ever two grand finalists of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on Saturday, April 2.

Mary Gidget Dela Llana, Maricel Callo are first-ever grand finalists of  It's Showtime "Tawag ng Tanghalan."

Mary Gidget Dela Llana and Maricel Callo emerged as victorious as they got the highest combined scores from the judges and the madlang people’s text votes during the weeklong semi-finals round, 86.53% and 93.45% respectively.

Mary Gidget from Luzon and Mindanao contender Maricel Callo edged out other semifinalists Dominador Alviola Jr. (85.63%), Rachel Gabreza (78.53%) and Jaime Navarro (64.41%).



Watch the full announcement of first grand finalists here.

The Quarter Two of 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' will start on Monday, April 4.