News Roundup 17 September 2022
Sep 17, 2022 • 5 min Read
‘Museo ng Pag-asa’ showcasing items from Robredo campaign to open Sept. 20 | PHILSTAR.COM – Memorabilia, artwork and other items from former Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential campaign have found a home — and it is set to open soon. Robredo announced Saturday that the “Museo ng Pag-asa” will be opening to the public on Tuesday, September 20. “This museum houses the memories of our people’s campaign—the hope, love, and creativity that continues to inspire our work. But more than this, it stands as yet another proof of generosity and bayanihan,” Robredo said on Facebook. She added, “During the course of our people’s campaign, we received many, many gifts and tokens from you—most of which represented your hometowns and cities. We have dedicated an area to showcase these via a rotating exhibit.” She said that her non-government organization, Angat Buhay, did not have to spend anything for the museum as the Rodriguez family offered their home to house these and their office. Those who wish to visit the museum must secure a free ticket from ticket2me.net/e/35595. Guests must present a booking confirmation which will be sent to their email, identification card, vaccination card and filled-out health declaration form which can be accessed at bit.ly/MuseoHealth. Visitors to the museum must wear face masks at all times and are not allowed to bring food and drinks inside. Robredo had been eyeing putting up a museum, which she previously dubbed a “pink museum,” to display all the gifts and artworks she and her team received during the campaign.
Seven-hour power outage disrupts operations at NAIA Terminal 3 | PHILSTAR.COM – A power outage that lasted for seven hours disrupted operations at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, affecting 16 international and 15 domestic flights. Power went out at 11 p.m. on Friday which the Manila International Airport Authority said was “traced to the Terminal 3 power substation” and was only restored at 6 a.m. on Saturday. “The power outage disrupted airport operations as the airlines had to resort to manual check-in and loading of baggage while processing of passengers at immigration took longer than usual,” the MIAA said in a statement. The MIAA apologized to passengers and other stakeholders over the power interruption. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong assured that actions are being taken to prevent this from happening again.
Vic Rodriguez resigns as Executive Secretary | INQUIRER.NET – Executive Secretary Victor “Vic” Rodriguez has resigned from his post, but will continue to serve as chief of staff to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “I have asked permission to step down as Executive Secretary,” Rodriguez said in a statement on Saturday. “I thank the President for his continuing trust and his sincere understanding of my decision. “To the Filipino people, I shall continue serving you and the country as the Presidential Chief of Staff,” Rodriguez added. Rodriguez added: “There is nothing more rewarding than answering the call to serve the country, a rare privilege not extended to all but was given to me by the President.” However, he said he also needs to focus on this family. “The work of an Executive Secretary is a 24/7 job with myriad topics expected to be attended to every day. It demands a sense of urgency which essentially requires almost all of a public servant’s time to ensure that services are met and delivered.” “Equally valuable, however, is to witness firsthand your young family grow and evolve into how every parent would wish them to become and they most need me too,” he added. Malacañang also confirmed Rodriguez’s resignation as Executive Secretary. “We confirm reports that Atty Vic Rodriguez has stepped down as Executive Secretary,” according to the Office of Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. Rodriguez was earlier linked to the sugar importation mess.
Comelec sees 70% voter turnout in Maguindanao split referendum | INQUIRER.NET – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday said voter turnout in the Maguindanao plebiscite may reach more than 70 percent, its spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said. Laudiangco said the projected number is “historic” as the general voting average in plebiscites is only at around 28 to 30 percent. The Comelec earlier reported that voter turnout in the referendum as of Saturday noon is at around 56 percent. “This time po para sa Maguindanao, inaasahan po namin na hihigit pa yung 56 percent voter turnout. Sa katunayan po, kanina ring tanghali ang ating conservative estimates ay lalampas tayo ng 70 percent voter turnout,” Laudiangco said in a press briefing. (This time for Maguindanao, we expect that we would exceed the 56 percent voter turnout. In fact, our conservative estimate is that we will reach a 70 percent voter turnout.) “Ngunit ngayon po pumapasok unti unti sa lahat ng munisipyo, mukhang lalampas pa rin po tayo ng 70 percent and we’re optimistic na malalampasan natin to,” he added. (But now that the results are coming from all municipalities, we might exceed the 70 percent mark and we are optimistic that we could do it.) Meanwhile, Laudiangco said no untoward incidents were reported during the conduct of plebiscite. The Comelec has deferred until Sunday the canvassing of votes in the plebiscite, but assured that the Provincial Board of Canvassers could proclaim the result before Sunday noon. The plebiscite seeks to determine if the people of Maguindanao will accept Republic Act No. 11550, a law that will divide the province into Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.
