Day: July 31, 2024

MANILA: Divers working on the sunken Motor Tanker (MT) Terra Nova have continued to work on sealing 24 valves that were found to be leaking oil. In a situation update on Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the operation was done by divers of Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. – the contracted salvor for the sunken tanker. The PCG deployed BRP Boracay and BRP Malawi to help Bataan Governor Jose Enrique ‘Joet’ Garcia III and other government officials in an after-sea survey. The survey found minimal oil sheens/oil slicks in the vicinity waters of Bataan. On the other hand,

MANILA: Secretary Alfredo Pascual has stepped down as head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Wednesday. In a statement posted on social media, the PCO said Pascual’s resignation will take effect on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has met with Pascual at Malacañan Palace to accept his resignation, the PCO said. Pascual will return to the private sector, it said. ‘His focus on MSMEs was absolutely correct, and we are beginning to see the fruits of that policy. We are sorry to lose him, but we respect his

MANILA: Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile scored the delays in the resolution of cases pending against him before the courts. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a legislative hearing at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Enrile said he welcomes the Supreme Court decision to allow the Sandiganbayan to proceed with the pending charges against him. “Let them decide. Until now, they are not deciding. Mahigit sampung taon na ‘yan, walang ebidensya na ipinipresenta sa akin (It has been pending for more than 10 years. No evidence against me has been presented),” he said. “Hindi lang yun,