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MANILA — Malacañang defended the honorary Doctor of Laws degree conferred by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following criticism over the recognition.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the public should first understand that an honoris causa is an honorary degree and is not earned through traditional academic study, law school attendance or passing the Bar examinations.
“Ang titulong honoris causa ay isang honorary degree. Ito ay isang pagkilala o parangal para sa taong mataas ang naabot na posisyon, may mga mahahalagang naiambag sa komunidad o mga nagawa para sa bansa,” Castro said.
Marcos received PLM’s highest honorary degree during the university’s 58th commencement exercises on August 27. PLM said the recognition was given for his efforts related to the rule of law, economic development, access to education, public health services and social equity.
Castro cited several actions by the President that she said supported the conferment, including his administration’s position on the West Philippine Sea, the initiation of investigations into alleged corruption, and measures aimed at protecting the country from the effects of the crisis in the Middle East.
She also cited the government’s actions involving Filipino workers and nationals facing legal or security concerns overseas.
The Palace official also criticized those questioning the honorary degree, describing some of them as political opponents and “the usual obstructionists and destabilizers.”
“Marami kasi ang hindi nakakaunawa marahil ng katagang honoris causa,” Castro said, adding that some critics were reacting to social media posts without fully understanding the issue.
Among those who criticized the conferment was Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, who questioned whether Marcos deserved the honorary recognition amid allegations of corruption and government shortcomings. Castro rejected the criticism and maintained that an honorary Doctor of Laws should not be equated with a law degree earned through academic study and the Bar examinations.
Marcos, for his part, said he accepted the honorary degree “with gratitude” and with awareness of the responsibility attached to the recognition.
PAMPANGA — The provincial government of Pampanga is seeking additional manpower and a sustained supply of relief goods from the national government as widespread flooding continues to affect large parts of the province.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Pampanga is among the hardest-hit areas in Central Luzon after weeks of heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon and recent tropical cyclones. As of August 31, around 330 barangays across 20 local government units in the province remained flooded.
Local officials said their resources are being depleted while responders who have been conducting rescue, evacuation and relief operations for weeks are already exhausted.
OCD officials conducted an aerial inspection over Pampanga and nearby areas, including Tarlac and Bulacan, to assess the extent of the flooding and identify the immediate needs of affected communities.
During meetings with provincial and local officials, Pampanga authorities reported that even areas that were previously not prone to flooding have now been inundated.
OCD Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said one of the province’s immediate needs is additional personnel to reinforce local responders who have been continuously deployed in flooded communities.
The OCD said the national government is prepared to augment manpower and resources in Pampanga and other affected provinces to allow local emergency personnel to rest and sustain ongoing response operations.
Pampanga is also requesting additional relief supplies as local funds and available resources continue to be stretched by the prolonged flooding.
Power restoration is another concern in several communities that remain without electricity. However, authorities said restoring power remains difficult in areas where floodwaters are still high.
The prolonged flooding has also raised health concerns, particularly the possible increase in cases of influenza-like illness, dengue and leptospirosis among residents exposed to floodwaters for extended periods.
Authorities are also closely monitoring river levels and other hazards as continued rains could further worsen flooding in Central Luzon.
The OCD said it remains uncertain when floodwaters will fully subside, particularly with the Southwest Monsoon continuing to affect parts of Luzon and weather systems still being monitored near the country.
MANILA — Government offices and schools in 15 provinces in Luzon are implementing alternative work and learning arrangements on Tuesday, September 1, due to continued heavy rains brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.
The directive is contained in Memorandum Circular No. 133 issued by Malacañang upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The measure aims to reduce risks from possible flooding and traffic disruptions caused by persistent rainfall.
The order covers Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Apayao, Batanes, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga and Bataan.
Unless otherwise directed by local chief executives, schools in the affected areas are instructed to implement alternative learning modes and learning continuity measures at all levels.
Government offices in the covered provinces are likewise directed to adopt appropriate alternative work arrangements.
However, agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services are required to continue operations.
Contract of Service and Job Order workers placed under alternative work arrangements will continue to receive their corresponding wages or salaries, subject to existing government rules.
Meanwhile, the suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements in private companies will be left to the discretion of their respective management.
“Eala mania” is making its presence felt at the US Open, with tournament organizers acknowledging the strong Filipino support surrounding Alexandra Eala.
US Open Tournament Director Eric Butorac said the tournament has embraced the growing attention around the 20-year-old Filipina, whose matches have drawn loud and energetic support from Filipino fans.
Butorac said organizers already saw that enthusiasm during Fan Week, when Eala faced American Iva Jovic in the Stars of the Open exhibition.
“We saw some of it, that crowd turned up there,” Butorac said, describing the atmosphere during the match as “electric.”
He added that Eala has also made a positive impression behind the scenes because of her willingness to interact with fans and people around the tournament.
“She’s so friendly to everyone behind the scenes. She wants to meet people, she wants to engage, she wants to do everything,” Butorac said.
The growing Filipino following also played a role in where Eala’s opening match was scheduled.
Butorac said tournament officials believed her first match needed to be held at one of the US Open’s major stadiums, leading organizers to place her at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“We knew it had to be on a major stadium,” he said.
He added that interest in the session was already increasing, saying he looked forward to seeing Filipino fans fill the stands and support Eala.
“It’s just amazing to see. I can’t wait to have her out there, late at night, and see all the Filipino crowd behind her. It’s gonna be really special,” Butorac said.
Eala is set to open her US Open campaign against American Mary Stoiana.
The strong turnout expected for her match reflects the growing support Eala has built among Filipinos as she continues to establish herself on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
MANILA, Philippines — Aspiring and experienced writers looking for a space to develop their ideas may join Fully Booked’s “Writing Wednesdays,” a series of free creative writing sessions at Bonifacio High Street.
The sessions will be held at Hub A on the third floor of Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street every Wednesday from September 9 to October 7, from 2PM to 8PM.
Participants may work on short stories, journals, novels or other writing projects in a quiet and creative environment. Writing books and prompts will also be available to help participants overcome writer’s block and develop new ideas.
The sessions are scheduled for September 9, 16, 23 and 30, and October 7. Admission and use of writing materials are free for all visitors.
Interested participants may register at bit.ly/fbwritingwednesdays to receive the session guidelines and updates.
