MANILA, Philippines – A traffic rerouting in Quiapo, Manila will be implemented during the 404th celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene this Sunday, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported today.
The Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit of the MPD released a traffic advisory detailing the traffic scheme that will be implemented on January 9.
The MPD said the following routes will be closed to traffic: Quirino Grandstand going to Katigbak Drive, P. Burgos, MacArthur Bridge; right Palanca thru under Quezon Bridge; left Quezon Boulevard; Arlegui; right Fraternal; right Vergara; left Duque de Alba; left Castillejos; left Farnecio; right Arlegui; left Nepomuceno; left Aguila; right Carcer; right Hidalgo through Plaza Del Carmen; left Bilibid Viejo thru Puyat; left Guzman; right Hidalgo; left Barbosa; right Globo de Oro through Quezon Bridge; right Palanca; right Villalobos through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church.
The MPD advised the motorists to expect heavy traffic in areas during the procession of the Black Nazarene.
These include the stretch of Roxas Blvd., Bonifacio Drive, Anda Circle, T.M. Kalaw, Quezon Blvd., Recto, Palanca, Taft Ave. westbound lane, Lagusnilad, P. Burgos, Villegas, N.A. Lopez, and 25th Street at Port Area.
The MPD said closure of roads to traffic will take effect prior to the approach of the procession to the areas.
From 5 a.m. onwards, the southbound of Quezon Blvd. from Andalucia, Fugoso to Plaza Miranda and the stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd. will be closed to traffic to all types of vehicles.
The rerouting plan directs all vehicles from Quezon City using España to turn right to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, and left to Mapua.
All public utility jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España bound for the Port Area are to turn left at Nicanor Reyes, right to Rector, straight to JAS, left to Reina Regente, take Jones Bridge, and right to Magallanes Drive.
Vehicles from northern Manila intending to use the southbound stretch of Bonifacio Drive shall turn right to Roberto Oca St., left to Delgado, left to Bonifacio Drive or turn right to A. Soriano, to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, straight to Lagusnilad and to Taft Ave.
All vehicles coming from southern Manila intending to use the northbound stretch of Roxas Blvd. from P. Ocampo to P. Burgos are to turn right at T.M. Kalaw and left to Taft Ave while vehicles from south intending to use P. Burgos should take T.M. Kalaw and left to Taft Ave. then turn right to A. Villegas, then right to Quezon Bridge.
Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying Monumento-Gasak-Recto intending to use Andalucia through Recto are to turn right Fugoso then right to Oroquieta while PUJs coming from Legarda shall turn right to Recto or left Mendiola to point of destination.
Those using northbound stretch of Taft Ave. are to turn right at A. Villegas and right to Quezon Bridge.
Heavy vehicles such as cargo trucks coming from the south shall take Pres. Osmena, right Pres. Quirino to Nagtahan via A.H. Lacson to Capulong.
Motorists intending to proceed to northern and southern Manila are advised to use the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan and vice-versa or utilize the stretch of Road 10 to Roxas Blvd.
Buses coming from southern Manila using Taft Avenue will be denied entry from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they may only go as far as President Quirino and Remedios Street.
Eastern-bound buses, on the other hand, using Legarda after Ayala Bridge shall turn right N.A. Lopez, left San Marcelino, left Ayala Boulevard.
Buses going to fairview shall turn right to UN Avenue up to Otis then may turn left to Nagtahan going straight to Lacson then turn right to Espana.MPD head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said his men will be on alert at the two sites as well as on key points of the procession on Saturday night. (report from Sandy Araneta, Philstar.com)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Task group formed to probe Masbate vice mayor's slay
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has formed a special task group that will probe into the killing of Masbate vice mayor Arturo Vicente Maristela in the city.
QCPD director Benjardi Mantele has designated Superintendent Antonio Yarra, QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief, to lead the task group Maristela.
Mantele ordered Task Group Maristela to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation and to consider all possible motives in the shooting to death of the Aroroy, Masbate vice mayor.
The task group is now interviewing witnesses who were at the crime scene that could give vital information leading to the identity of the suspects.
Initial report showed that around 2:40 p.m. yesterday, Maristela and wife Digna were on board a black Chevrolet Trailblazer (ZAE-708) cruising along Francisco St., near Mary Homes Subdivison, Brgy. Sauyo, Novaliches, when two motorcycle-riding suspects blocked their path then fired shots at the public official.
Maristela succumbed to three gunshots wounds to the body. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)
QCPD director Benjardi Mantele has designated Superintendent Antonio Yarra, QCPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief, to lead the task group Maristela.
Mantele ordered Task Group Maristela to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation and to consider all possible motives in the shooting to death of the Aroroy, Masbate vice mayor.
The task group is now interviewing witnesses who were at the crime scene that could give vital information leading to the identity of the suspects.
Initial report showed that around 2:40 p.m. yesterday, Maristela and wife Digna were on board a black Chevrolet Trailblazer (ZAE-708) cruising along Francisco St., near Mary Homes Subdivison, Brgy. Sauyo, Novaliches, when two motorcycle-riding suspects blocked their path then fired shots at the public official.
Maristela succumbed to three gunshots wounds to the body. (report from Dennis Carcamo, Philstar.com)
Gov't questions Garcia plea bargain
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government's chief lawyer filed an urgent motion today with an anti-graft court asking it to void a plea bargain agreement between state prosecutors and a former senior general accused of plunder.
Under the deal, former Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was accused of amassing P303 million while serving as armed forces comptroller, pleaded guilty to a lesser offense. Plunder is punishable by up to 40 years, while the lesser offense has a minimum of six years.
He was freed by the court on Dec. 16 after he posted bail, pending sentencing. Officials say that the time Garcia served while awaiting trial will likely cover any sentence.
Solicitor General Joel Cadiz said the anti-graft court ignored strong evidence against the ex-military officer when it approved the deal in May.
Corruption is an explosive issue in the 120,000-strong military and has sparked several rebellions by disgruntled troops in recent years. Soldiers have been struggling with a dearth of weapons and equipment while dealing with communist and Muslim insurgencies and terror threats.
As the gatekeeper of the military's funds, Garcia handled the military budget and procurement as well as funds from the United Nations for Filipino troops serving as peacekeepers in troubled areas and money for joint exercises with US troops, said President Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
Cadiz said his office normally is not involved in trials before the anti-graft court, so he filed a motion asking the court "to allow us to come in and stop the plea bargaining agreement."
He noted that it was irregular for the agreement to be approved without notice to the offended party — the military.
Allegations of Garcia's illicit assets became known in 2003 after US Customs informed the Philippines that his sons had been caught trying to enter the United States with $100,000 in undeclared funds. (report from Philstar.com)
Under the deal, former Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was accused of amassing P303 million while serving as armed forces comptroller, pleaded guilty to a lesser offense. Plunder is punishable by up to 40 years, while the lesser offense has a minimum of six years.
He was freed by the court on Dec. 16 after he posted bail, pending sentencing. Officials say that the time Garcia served while awaiting trial will likely cover any sentence.
Solicitor General Joel Cadiz said the anti-graft court ignored strong evidence against the ex-military officer when it approved the deal in May.
Corruption is an explosive issue in the 120,000-strong military and has sparked several rebellions by disgruntled troops in recent years. Soldiers have been struggling with a dearth of weapons and equipment while dealing with communist and Muslim insurgencies and terror threats.
As the gatekeeper of the military's funds, Garcia handled the military budget and procurement as well as funds from the United Nations for Filipino troops serving as peacekeepers in troubled areas and money for joint exercises with US troops, said President Aquino spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
Cadiz said his office normally is not involved in trials before the anti-graft court, so he filed a motion asking the court "to allow us to come in and stop the plea bargaining agreement."
He noted that it was irregular for the agreement to be approved without notice to the offended party — the military.
Allegations of Garcia's illicit assets became known in 2003 after US Customs informed the Philippines that his sons had been caught trying to enter the United States with $100,000 in undeclared funds. (report from Philstar.com)
Measles outbreak hit flooded Davao towns
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) -- At least three children have died in a measles outbreak that hit two towns in southern Philippines, local authorities today said.
The measles epidemic that hit Talaingod and Kapalong towns in Mindanao's Davao del Norte province came as the region is still reeling from rain-induced flooding and landslides that have already killed at least 15 people.
Over thirty people are also hospitalized due to the viral disease, and eight of them were confirmed to have contracted the disease, according to Basilio Libayao, mayor of the upland Talaingod town.
"What alarmed us was that even our town physician was not spared from the disease although he was lucky to have recovered from it," Libayao said.
The continuous rains and landslides hampered medical teams from reaching far-flung communities of this landlocked town, where most of the 20,000 inhabitants belonging to the Ata-Manobo tribe rely on crude farming and occasional hunting for subsistence, according to municipal health officer James Ian dela Cruz.
"We are expecting this number to increase as our medical teams reach other far-flung affected areas," Doctor Dela Cruz told Xinhua.
Libayao said he has declared the town under state of calamity so funds from the local and provincial government could be used to buy more vaccines and other medical supplies for the victims.
A similar outbreak of the disease was also reported in nearby Kapalong town, but according to Kapalong Mayor Edgardo Timbol, only about five patients are still undergoing treatment at the local hospital. (report from Philstar.com)
The measles epidemic that hit Talaingod and Kapalong towns in Mindanao's Davao del Norte province came as the region is still reeling from rain-induced flooding and landslides that have already killed at least 15 people.
Over thirty people are also hospitalized due to the viral disease, and eight of them were confirmed to have contracted the disease, according to Basilio Libayao, mayor of the upland Talaingod town.
"What alarmed us was that even our town physician was not spared from the disease although he was lucky to have recovered from it," Libayao said.
The continuous rains and landslides hampered medical teams from reaching far-flung communities of this landlocked town, where most of the 20,000 inhabitants belonging to the Ata-Manobo tribe rely on crude farming and occasional hunting for subsistence, according to municipal health officer James Ian dela Cruz.
"We are expecting this number to increase as our medical teams reach other far-flung affected areas," Doctor Dela Cruz told Xinhua.
Libayao said he has declared the town under state of calamity so funds from the local and provincial government could be used to buy more vaccines and other medical supplies for the victims.
A similar outbreak of the disease was also reported in nearby Kapalong town, but according to Kapalong Mayor Edgardo Timbol, only about five patients are still undergoing treatment at the local hospital. (report from Philstar.com)
1 in Idaho, 1 in Washington state win $355M jackpot
PHOENIX (AP) – At least two people are waking up to find themselves millions of dollars richer.
The holders of a ticket sold in Idaho and another in Washington state will be sharing Mega Millions' $355 million jackpot from Tuesday night's drawing, lottery officials said Wednesday.
The prize is the fourth-largest in US history and the second-largest in Mega Millions' history, said Arizona Lottery spokeswoman Cindy Esquer. The lottery's prize of $390 million in March 2007 remains the nation's richest on record.
The two winners from Tuesday will each get $177.5 million. Besides the jackpot, prizes range from $2 to $250,000.
The princely sum drew huge interest across the country as thousands of people lined up to buy tickets in 41 states and Washington, DC, where the game is available.
Hundreds of people poured into the tiny Arizona towns of Littlefield and Beaver Dam, crossing into the state from Nevada and Utah, where Mega Millions tickets are not sold.
At Rosie's Cafe on US 93 north of Kingman near the Nevada line, hundreds drove in over the weekend to buy tickets for the game.
"The line was going out the door," with 500 or more in line at times on Saturday and Sunday, said waitress and cashier Christine Millim.
Jackpot winners for the Mega Millions game have to match five regular numbers plus the "Mega ball." The winning numbers were 4, 8, 15, 25 and 47, with 42 being the "Mega ball" number.
One dollar was all it took to buy a chance at millions of dollars — and a lofty dream.
"I'm going to take care of my family — buy them new houses, new cars and travel a little bit," said Larry White, who bought a ticket in Atlanta.
Others said they would use the money to start foundations, retire or take vacations.
Sheila Twine, in Atlanta, said she would pay off her and her daughter's bills and help people in need.
"With all this money, I could help a lot of people," she said. (report from Philstar.com)
The holders of a ticket sold in Idaho and another in Washington state will be sharing Mega Millions' $355 million jackpot from Tuesday night's drawing, lottery officials said Wednesday.
The prize is the fourth-largest in US history and the second-largest in Mega Millions' history, said Arizona Lottery spokeswoman Cindy Esquer. The lottery's prize of $390 million in March 2007 remains the nation's richest on record.
The two winners from Tuesday will each get $177.5 million. Besides the jackpot, prizes range from $2 to $250,000.
The princely sum drew huge interest across the country as thousands of people lined up to buy tickets in 41 states and Washington, DC, where the game is available.
Hundreds of people poured into the tiny Arizona towns of Littlefield and Beaver Dam, crossing into the state from Nevada and Utah, where Mega Millions tickets are not sold.
At Rosie's Cafe on US 93 north of Kingman near the Nevada line, hundreds drove in over the weekend to buy tickets for the game.
"The line was going out the door," with 500 or more in line at times on Saturday and Sunday, said waitress and cashier Christine Millim.
Jackpot winners for the Mega Millions game have to match five regular numbers plus the "Mega ball." The winning numbers were 4, 8, 15, 25 and 47, with 42 being the "Mega ball" number.
One dollar was all it took to buy a chance at millions of dollars — and a lofty dream.
"I'm going to take care of my family — buy them new houses, new cars and travel a little bit," said Larry White, who bought a ticket in Atlanta.
Others said they would use the money to start foundations, retire or take vacations.
Sheila Twine, in Atlanta, said she would pay off her and her daughter's bills and help people in need.
"With all this money, I could help a lot of people," she said. (report from Philstar.com)
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