News Roundup 23 December 2023
Dec 23, 2023 • 4 min Read
No merry Christmas: Hefty oil price hike seen next week | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Hefty price increases at the pumps await motorists for the final week of 2023.
Department of Energy (DOE) Oil Industry Management Bureau assistant director Rodela Romero said results of four-day trading showed potential increases of over P1 per liter for diesel, gasoline and kerosene next week.
Specifically, prices of gasoline and diesel are both expected to rise by P1.40 to P1.60 per liter, while that of kerosene could go up by P1.60 to P1.80 per liter.
Romero said these come as oil prices surge amid growing avoidance of the Red Sea by oil companies and tanker owners, as a rebel group ramped up attacks on vessels in the region.
“Said adjustments were tempered by signs of unexpected buildup in US crude stockpiles and talks over a potential ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war,” she said.
The final price adjustments will be announced by oil companies on Monday, which will take effect the next day.
Story at: No merry Christmas: Hefty oil price hike seen next week | Philstar.com
Graft charges filed vs Baguio Mayor Magalong over housing project land purchase | PHILSTAR.COM – BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City is facing legal action after a graft and corruption complaint was filed against him at the Office of the Ombudsman.
The complaint, filed by Baguio City Councilor Mylen Yaranon, accuses the mayor of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards (RA 6713).
This comes in relation to the purchase of a lot in a Benguet town purportedly meant for a socialized housing project.
According to the complaint, Magalong is accused of unauthorized land acquisition in Sitio Topinao, Poblacion, Tuba, which was not included in the City Council’s approved plans.
The controversy arose when Magalong sought City Council’s authorization to engage in a Deed of Absolute Sale for a lot offered by William Tan and his daughter.
While the land was originally priced at P1,500 per square meter, Baguio City reportedly acquired it for a significantly higher amount of P95,377,000.
Yaranon said that the City Council never sanctioned Mayor Magalong to proceed with this particular land deal.
A subsequent inquiry conducted by the City Council revealed that the purchase wasn’t part of Baguio’s long-term development plans. Other potential offers for housing purposes from various lot owners within Baguio were purportedly disregarded.
Full Story at: Graft charges filed vs Baguio Mayor Magalong over housing project land purchase | Philstar.com
14 van passengers hurt after crashing into parked truck in Quezon | INQUIRER.NET – LUCENA CITY — At least 14 motorists were injured Saturday, Dec. 23, after their vehicle accidentally bumped into a parked truck in Gumaca town in Quezon province.
Quezon police reported that a Toyota Hi-Ace commuter van driven by Junard Moreno accidentally bumped the rear section of a parked truck in Barangay (village) Casasahan Ilaya around 3:30 p.m.
With the impact, the front passenger of the van suffered a serious injury while 13 other passengers sustained minor wounds. Moreno was unhurt in the incident.
They were taken to a hospital in the town center for treatment.
The report did not specify if the parked truck, which was left unattended, had an early warning device to alarm approaching vehicles.
Story at: 14 van passengers hurt after crashing into parked truck in Quezon (inquirer.net)
After 6 years, rail trips resume in Bicol | INQUIRER.NET – LIGAO CITY — After six years, Bicolanos will once again enjoy the convenience of rail trips as the Philippine National Railways (PNR) is reopening the route connecting the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay after Christmas.
In a statement on Thursday, the PNR said that four trips are available daily in the 100-kilometer route between Naga City and Legazpi City and vice-versa starting Dec. 27. The trip, which takes about two hours, is faster as compared to taking a bus which covers the same route in two and a half hours.
“This was made possible with the restoration of tracks and the clearing of vegetation, obstructions and dangling wires,” said Dathan Dario, the PNR information officer.
Stops
Part of the Bicol Commuter service, the Naga-Legazpi line will have 16 stops, with fares ranging from P15 for the shortest distance to P155 for end-to-end travel. Students, seniors, and persons with disability are eligible to a 20-percent fare discount.
Full Story at: After 6 years, rail trips resume in Bicol | Inquirer News
