Typhoon Karen intensifes into super typhoon (as of September 15)
Storm passing near the Philippines, Karen, has now grown into a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds packing at more than 277 kilometer per hour, twice stronger than any typhoon that battered the Philippines in history, with gusts of up to 333 kph. Even saying area hit will reach signal no. 5 is an understatement. Karen is expected to spare the nation from its devastating force and will hit South Korea on Sunday tracking its path towards Japan.
Photo Courtesy: Join Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
Its strength is barely felt in the country, however, will pull the southwest monsoon winds to the western part of Luzon. Metro Manila may experience cloudy skies and scattered rain showers over the weekend.
Child death rate in the Philippines halved
According to a UNICEF report, "Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed", the Philippines's child death rate has been reduced by more than half in the past 20 years to a level lower than those posted by many other countries, placing the country 83rd out of 169 countries monitored. From 57 under-five deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990, the mortality rate has gone down to 25 under-five deaths per 1,000 infants born in 2011. In the ASEAN, the Philippines now has the sixth lowest child death rate, outpaced by Singapore (3rd), Malaysia (7th), Brunei (7th), Thailand (12th), and Indonesia (22nd).
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Philippines debt up
Philippines debt up
The total outstanding debt of the national government, which could be translated to public debt, rose by 8.65 percent (or P410.51 billion) to P5.156 trillion as of July 2012, according to a report. This means, currently each Filipino owes P54,581 to creditors (foreign and domestic). Domestic debt accounted for 60.45 percent of the total debt (or roughly P3.12 trillion), while foreign debt amounted to P2.039 trillion. A double digit increase was seen in the government's debt to domestic creditors, while a single digit increase registered in the foreign debt category.
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From South China Sea to West Philippine Sea
On September President Aquino has signed Administrative Order No. 29, "Naming the West Philippine Sea of the Republic of the Philippines, and for other purposes", which renames South China Sea waters and other areas it encompasses like the Luzon Sea, Kalayaan Group of Islands, and Bajo de Masinloc, within the country's exclusive economic zone.
In a recent news, Taiwan voiced out its opposition on the renaming move. China then responded saying it;s claim over the South China Sea is indisputable.
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Senate coup plan unveiled
Senate President Enrile has foiled a plot of a number of Senators to oust him saying that there "are always people who are unhappy with the leadership of anybody." He then brushed off the idea that the plan was political; he did mention that the move was not initiated from the Liberal Party (LP) or the Nacionalista Party (LP), whom Senator Lacson thought of as possible root.
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Puno for new post, scheduled for hearing; Senator Miriam decries possible sabotage by Senate members
Despite the scandals his shooting partner - recently resigned DILG Undersecretary Puno - was involved in, President Aquino still eyed him for a "nice, quiet" government post. What could this be?
Senator Miriam Santiago will be holding a hearing Friday evaluating the performance of Puno as the assistant head of DILG. She later publicized the possibility of the hearing (an act of investigating Puno's alleged involements in imminent "jueteng" activities and questionable firearms deals) not attaining a quorum due to the lack of support from her co-Senators and their absence on that day itself for many reasons.
Senator Miriam Santiago will be holding a hearing Friday evaluating the performance of Puno as the assistant head of DILG. She later publicized the possibility of the hearing (an act of investigating Puno's alleged involements in imminent "jueteng" activities and questionable firearms deals) not attaining a quorum due to the lack of support from her co-Senators and their absence on that day itself for many reasons.
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