Palace: Edsa Traffic Woes To Haunt Poe

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo chided Senator Grace Poe for her initial opposition on granting the executive branch emergency powers to solve the traffic woes in Metro Manila, particularly along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa). "Kasi nga (Because) from the very start -- obviously the grant of emergency powers would have helped a lot. Since kinontra niya iyon (she opposed it), it will haunt her when the time comes," the official said in a CNN Philippines interview. The remarks come after President Rodrigo Duterte thumbed down proposals to grant him the powers the executive branch had earlier asked when he…

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. signed an executive order creating the Iloilo provincial African Swine Fever (ASF) task force. The task force will carry out the proper implementation of the ASF Prevention and control measures in the province; conduct seminar to all concerned stakeholders on ASF awareness, prevention, preparedness and response in case of an outbreak; accomplish data gathering to establish the swine demographics and epidemiological profile. The task force will also identify high-risk areas based on swine demographics, enhance biosecurity practices in all ports of entry and swine production facilities, among others. Defensor will chair the task force and…

A city councilor is pushing for a ban on the selling of cosmetic products that had been found to contain mercury and related toxic substances. City Councilor Lourdes Casabuena filed a proposed resolution urging Congress and concerned government agencies to set proper regulations and prohibitions on the selling and distribution of cosmetic products, such as skin whitening creams, which are reportedly laced with mercury. Casabuena cited the need for the national government to look into the matter as it could pose serious health risks to consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), she said, should conduct appropriate actions and ensure…