Power interruptions continue in NCR as NGCP maintains power supply back to normal

A day after a massive power outage hit Luzon, some areas in Metro Manila were still experiencing power interruptions early Thursday morning. 
 

The affected areas include parts of Quezon City where power was restored Wednesday night but went out again before dawn Thursday, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

However, the Department of Energy maintained power had been restored as of Wednesday night, and the Thursday morning outages could be "localized."

 

"Baka 'yan ay localized. Baka within the distribution system," DOE Electric Power Industry Management Bureau Director Mylene Capongcol said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

She said that as of 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, power had been restored and the yellow notice reflecting a deficiency in reserve power had been lifted.

 

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said that as of 6 a.m., there was a reserve of 262 megawatts for Luzon, whose system capacity outlook for Thursday was at 8,567 megawatts.

 

For Visayas, it said the system capacity outlook was at 1,803 megawatts, with reserves of 359 megawatts.

 

Investigation

 

Capongcol said their initial investigation showed a failure in the special protection system of the Calaca Unit 2 and the Calaca Biñan line that eventually cascaded and resulted in the loss of 3,500 megawatts.

 

She said the DOE has tasked the NGCP to complete its evaluation.

 

Also, she said the DOE asked the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association to submit logs of the generation facilities involved. —KG, GMA News

SPORT Andrew Bogut's Golden State Warriors lose NBA thriller to Spurs

 

Chicago Bulls stun Miami Heat in game one

Chicago Bulls stun defending champions Miami Heat on the road in game one of their second round playoff series.

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Golden State centre Andrew Bogut, right, and San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard go after the ball during game one of their NBA playoff series. Picture: Darren Abate Source: AP

GOLDEN State suffered a heartbreaking 129-127 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the second round of the Western Conference playoffs today.

A three-pointer by Manu Ginobili with 1.2 seconds left proved to be the game-winner, finishing off a Warriors squad that led by as much as 18.

The Warriors got 44 points and 11 assists from Stephen Curry, who played 58 minutes. But the Warriors' defence couldn't stop the Spurs onslaught. San Antonio point guard Tony Parker scored 16 of his 28 points after the third quarter to lead the Spurs to the come-from-behind victory.

The Spurs closed the fourth quarter on an 18-2 run to send the game to overtime.

In today's other game, Nate Robinson led the injury-hit Chicago Bulls to a stunning 93-86 upset win over reigning champions Miami Heat in the opening game of their NBA second round series.

"We've been hit all year with a lot of different things, but I like the mental toughness of our team," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "This is just one game."Robinson finished with 27 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who snapped the Heat's 27-game winning streak during the regular season and have now handed them their first loss in their last 13 games.

Robinson played with 10 stitches in his mouth after hitting his face on floor. He left the game to get medical attention but returned later.

"It was just a hustle play that went wrong," Robinson said. "You have to play through it."

James had 22 of his 24 points in the second half for Miami, which lost its third game in its last 44 going back to February 3.

Miami will also host game two on Wednesday in the best of seven series.

The Heat, who had been idle for the past week, looked rusty down the stretch and the Bulls scored the last 10 points.

The Heat's superstar trio of James, Wade and Chris Bosh combined for just 12 points in the opening half, their lowest first-half total of the season.

The Bulls bottled up James late in the fourth as they appear to have developed a formula this season for beating the mighty Heat.

"Our offence was not as fluid and efficient as it normally is, and you have to give credit to their defence for that. We need to show more poise, patience and aggressiveness," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said.

After Chicago ended Miami's 27-game winning streak during the regular season, James complained about the Bulls physical play, especially the defence of Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson.

James didn't have to contend with injured Hinrich on Monday, but he did have his hands full with the rest of the Bulls' balanced attack.

On top of missing Hinrich and injured former MVP Derrick Rose, Luol Deng also didn't play against Miami with complications from a spinal tap procedure.

Deng, 28, underwent the spinal tap last week to rule out meningitis.

The complications from the procedure led to further problems. Deng reportedly had to return to a Chicago emergency room on Sunday morning after being released from the hospital Saturday.

Injuries aside, the Bulls showed their depth as five players finished in double figures, including forward Gibson who came off the bench to score 12 points.

Jimmy Butler had 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Joakim Noah added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who held a commanding 46-32 advantage on the glass and a 17-8 edge in second-chance points.

Since the 2005-06 season, the teams have met in the playoffs four times, including a Chicago series sweep in 2007. The Heat won in 2006 and 2011.

AFP

INC says it still has no list of senatorial bets to endorse (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) still has no list of senatorial candidates it intends to endorse.

The office of INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago said as of yesterday afternoon, the INC has not made any announcement as to the names of senators to be supported.

However, it is still possible executive minister Eduardo Manalo would make an announcement within the week.

The INC has reportedly between three million to 10 million members worldwide.

A radio station has reported that the INC has thrown its support behind seven members of Team PNoy and five from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

The seven Team PNoy candidates are reportedly Aurora Rep. Edgardo Angara, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Grace Poe, Senators Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Alan Peter Cayetano, and former lawmaker Cynthia Villar.

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The five UNA candidates are reportedly San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, former senator Richard Gordon, Nancy Binay, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, and Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile.

The INC reportedly prefers former President Joseph Estrada for mayor of Manila, over Mayor Alfredo Lim.

In Quezon City, the INC reportedly picked the six lawmakers running under the Liberal Party.

Ejercito remains hopeful that he would get the endorsement of the influential INC.

“I fervently hope and pray for the INC’s endorsement,” he said.

Angara said he would wait for the official announcement from the INC.

“One thing for certain is that all 33 candidates for the Senate are hoping for their endorsement,” he said.

UNA senatorial candidate Jack Enrile appealed yesterday to the “conscience and independent” voters as the campaign ends this week.

“Our voters are becoming more intelligent, independent and conscience-led because of the advance of education, the expanded coverage of social and professional media, and the growing patriotism among our young voters,” he said.  – Evelyn Macairan, Paolo Romero

Mother Lily’s children out of wedlock FUNFARE By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) |

Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde with Pres. Noynoy ‘P-Noy’ Aquino…

Unless somebody surfaces at the last minute and waves a “birth certificate” claiming that he or she is,ehem, “one of them,” as of press time yesterday (6:30 p.m.), Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde has publicly recognized 15 “children” out of wedlock (as in mga anak sa labas) in addition to her and (Father) Remy Monteverde’s five legitimate children (Winnie, Roselle, Meme, Dondon and Goldwyn).

No, Mother Lily didn’t give birth to her other children; she very simply claims them as her own.

You guessed it: All 15 are running in the May 13 elections and they swear by Mother Lily’s legendary “Magic Touch” — you know, that her anointed ones believe in their hearts that they are assured of victory. Mother Lily’s “regal” batting average is beyond reproach.

As I was saying, it was Mother Lily who recognized the power of the movie press in spreading the platform of candidates because, as you must have known by now, movie stories are read by people from both the AB and CD crowds, even by those in far-flung places. Mother Lily first did it in 1992 for then presidential candidate Fidel V. Ramos for whom she hosted a movie presscon and a victory dinner for President-Elect FVR. Other candidates followed suit, all of whom Mother Lily has embraced as her children.

During the campaign season, the children seek out their adoptive mother for help, as children of any color, any race and any belief usually do in times of need. Mother knows best.

She could win hands down if ever she run for a public office but Mother Lily would rather stay in the background, acting as the wind beneath her children’s wings, basking in their victory and without expecting anything in return. It’s a mother’s unconditional love.

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What makes Mother Lily an effective endorser, with the highest credibility quotient among showbiz endorsers (bar none!), doing so without being paid (unlike star endorsers who earn millions by simply raising the hand of a candidate…easy does it, see?) and, in fact, spending her own money by hosting movie presscons for them, gratis et amore?.

And what are her criteria in taking a candidate under her wings?

“I only support senatoriables who I believe can help the country. I endorse only those whose values and principles are remarkable. Some of them have approached me, some are truly good friends. I like to help that’s why I am doing this,” said Mother Lily who calls every one of her (political/adoptive) children “anak.”

Here are Mother Lily’s mga anak sa labas (at random, since she plays no favorites):

• Pres. Noynoy “P-Noy” Aquino who touched Mother Lily’s heart when he visited her at home after she was diagnosed with an early-stage lung cancer.
• Sen. Loren Legarda (consistent topnotcher in surveys): An original anak way back when, who remembers Mother Lily even in off-campaign seasons.
• Former Sen. Dick Gordon: He’s Mother Lily and her daughter Roselle’s partner in Red Cross projects.
• Grace Poe: Mother Lily has known her since she was a child because Grace’s parents did movies for Regal.
• Bam Aquino: “A goal-oriented person who lets his work speak for itself.”
• Risa Hontiveros: Whose initials are stamped on the widely-debated RH Bill that she helped pass.
• Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte: Whose family is the Monteverdes’ long-time friends.
• Sen. Chiz Escudero: As far as Mother Lily is concerned, he can’t go wrong.
• Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar: The “wonder woman” who has initiated innovative projects with Water Lily (made into bags, baskets, etc.).
• Nancy Binay: Said to be the silent political strategist of her father, Vice Pres. Jojo Binay.
• Sen. Antonio Trillanes: Mother Lily would love to film his colorful life story.
• Former Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile: “I believe he can put food on every Filipino family’s table.”
• Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano: “I will never forget when he brought me a bouquet of get-well-soon flowers.”
• Sen. Koko Pimentel: At yesterday’s presscon, he served fresh buko, as if to say, “Drink coco, think Koko!”
• Sen. Gringo Honasan: Like Father Remy, a proud native of Sorsogon (where Father Remy’s dad was known as Copra King).

Cavite bet's nephew shot, in critical condition ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA -- A nephew of a vice mayoral candidate in Bacoor, Cavite is in critical condition after he was shot by unidentified men in Barangay Aniban.

Bacoor police chief Col. Ronaldo Mendoza identified the victim as Ferdinand Malvar, nephew of vice mayoral bet Edwin Malvar.

Initial investigation showed that Ferdinand, who was on board his vehicle, confronted a group of motorcycle-riding men who were taking out the campaign posters of his uncle.

The still unidentified suspects then suddenly shot Ferdinand.

Police are still Investigating the incident. -- Report from Eric Dastas, dzMM

Embassy warns Filipinos against camping out RIYADH: ABDUL HANNAN TAGO

 The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has delivered a stern warning to Filipinos residing in the Kingdom to refrain from public rallies and protests, as they are a violation of Saudi laws and an impediment to the embassy’s ability to deliver services to community members.
In a text message, Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said: “We did not authorize anyone to call on our behalf,” in reference to advice given from unofficial sources encouraging OFWs to rally near embassy premises.
The embassy had earlier received inquiries from Filipinos regarding whether they could camp on embassy premises and in areas adjacent to the Philippines Overseas Labor Office (POLO) and the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in order to seek repatriation.
In a statement issued yesterday, the embassy made it clear that it had not authorized any person or group regarding such action, nor had it received consent from the Saudi government for camp arrangements.
Filipinos with irregular status who are affected by the recent developments regarding labor and immigration law violations need only visit the embassy or POLO to have their respective cases documented and enable them to be given appropriate advice or assistance, the ambassador explained.
At present, the embassy is recording information on the status of overstaying Filipinos for documentation purposes and these cases are forwarded to Saudi authorities for consideration and resolution in accordance with existing regulations.
In a related development, families of stranded OFWs in Jeddah were unhappy with the outcome of the dialogue with Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario recently.
According to Garry Martinez, chairperson of the group advocacy group Migrante International, the dialogue was just a repeat of the Department of Foreign Affairs' promises since the Jeddah tent city was set up.
“Insofar as demand for free, immediate and mass repatriation is concerned, no commitment was made by the DFA,” he said.
Martinez, along with Migrante Middle East Coordinator John Leonard Monterona and some of the OFWs’ relatives, held talks with DFA officials recently. The talks were a result of negotiations with the DFA following the OFW families’ decision to camp out in solidarity with workers outside DFA gates yesterday.
Martinez said that all the DFA offered were piecemeal solutions and token actions with the hope of appeasing families who are already into day two of the solidarity camp-out.
“They promised to prioritize the cases of OFWs whose families joined in the dialogue. But the families were not appeased. Like their relatives at the tent city, they are united in the demand for free, immediate and mass repatriation of their loved ones,” he said.
After the dialogue, Migrante and the families decided to pack up camp at the DFA and proceed to set up camp at Mendiola. “We’ve been to the DFA but received no commitment from them. It’s time to bring our demands to President Aquino.”
“We want to hear what the president has to say. It’s been 24 days since the Jeddah tent city was established and we haven’t had any statement from him. If he’s still too busy campaigning for his candidates, then we hope that this could finally get his attention,” Martinez said.

Aid supporting Bangsamoro hailed

By John Unson 

(philstar.com) | Updated April 30, 2013 - 1:31pm

COTABATO CITY, Philipppines --- Officials  see as “vote of confidence” to the on-going talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Monday’s launching of the World Bank and United Nations’ joint on-demand technical support to the setting up of the Bangsamoro region.

The Facility for Advisory Support to Transition Capacities (FASTRAC), was launched in nearby Camp Darapanan by  WB and  UN representatives  and the MILF’s chieftain, Al-Haj Murad.

“What else can be the best indication that the government-MILF talks are gaining headway? This cooperation between the World Bank, the United Nations and the MILF indicates that the Mindanao peace process, under the Aquino administration, is indeed gaining headway,” said Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.

Camp Darapanan, the MILF’s main headquarters, is located in Sultan Kudarat town in the first district of Maguindanao. The MILF has dozens of guerrilla camps in the province.

The FASTRAC, whose implementation will start next week, will provide expertise and intervention that can hasten and transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangsamoro political entity the government and MILF panels  will establish under the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro.

UN resident Director Luiza Carvalho, who attended  the launching rite at Camp Darapanan, said the FASTRAC will provide on-demand advisory services and access to the most relevant national and international expertise needed in the Basic Bangsamoro Law, which will legitimize the ARMM’s replacement with a new autonomous government.

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World Bank’s sector manager for sustainable development, Ousmane Dione, said FASTRAC will support the initiatives of the MILF and government’s peace panel, and the TransCom in furthering an inclusive Mindanao peace process.

The Murad-led MILF central committee agreed to the implementation of the FASTRAC early this month after a series of brainstorming sessions with representatives of the World Bank and the United Nations.

ARMM Gov Mujiv Hataman, chairman of the regional peace and order council, said the FASTRAC can be a showcase of international cooperation in pushing the Southern peace process forward.

“We in the ARMM regional cabinet see that as a `vote of confidence’ to the government-MILF talks,” Hataman said.

The ARMM covers Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, which are both in Central Mindanao, the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

The MILF wants these areas grouped together into a new governing mechanism that has more administrative, fiscal and political powers.