Abbey M.

‍MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos said teachers should not be blamed for the recent shooting incident at a school in Zamboanga City, as she criticized remarks made by Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on teachers and morality.

In a video message, Marcos defended teachers and said responsibility for the incident should not be placed on them, especially since a teacher was reportedly among those targeted during the shooting.

"Ano ba naman sila, bakit naman sisisihin ang mga hamak na teacher, samantalang yung isang guro, siya pa nga ang pinupuntirya? Muntik-muntikan na nga, sinweretehan na lang. Ano naman ang malay ng mga teacher, pambihira naman," Senator Imee Marcos said. 

[“Why blame the teachers when one of them was even a target? What would the teachers know about it?”]

The senator said authorities and agencies responsible for monitoring and regulating matters related to public safety should instead be held accountable and scrutinized over how such incidents could be prevented.

Castro later responded to Marcos, saying the senator should have watched the entire Palace press briefing before commenting on her remarks.

According to Castro, her statements were taken out of context and were not intended to blame teachers for the shooting incident.

She also urged Marcos to exercise critical thinking, listen carefully and understand the full context of an issue before making public statements.

Castro further criticized the senator’s manner of speaking and challenged her to also call out the behavior of her political allies.

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is commemorating the 43rd death anniversary of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Friday, August 21.

Ninoy Aquino Day is a special non-working holiday under Republic Act No. 9256. Government offices are generally closed, except agencies providing essential and emergency services.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also suspended the number coding scheme in Metro Manila for the holiday, including Makati City.

The LRT-1 is operating on a shortened schedule. First trips from Dr. Santos and Fernando Poe Jr. stations begin at 5 a.m., while the last trains leave Dr. Santos at 9:30 p.m. and Fernando Poe Jr. at 9:45 p.m.

Aquino’s family also visited Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday to pay tribute following the relocation of his memorial marker.

The marker was moved to a more visible area in front of Terminal 1, near the airport signage bearing Aquino’s name.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is also scheduled to lead commemorative activities for Ninoy Aquino Day.

Aquino was assassinated on August 21, 1983, upon returning to the Philippines from exile. His death became a major turning point in the opposition to the Marcos dictatorship and helped fuel the movement that culminated in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

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MANILA, Philippines — Several provinces and local governments have declared a state of calamity following widespread flooding and damage caused by more than two weeks of heavy rains.

Among the areas under a state of calamity are Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga and Cavite.

Bulacan placed the entire province under a state of calamity after floods damaged homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure. Pampanga made a similar declaration after hundreds of barangays were affected by flooding.

Other municipalities and cities in Pangasinan, Zambales, Rizal and Batangas have also been affected by severe weather conditions.

A state of calamity allows local governments to quickly use emergency funds for rescue, relief and recovery operations.

It also triggers measures such as a price freeze on basic necessities in affected areas and may allow access to government assistance and emergency loans.

The flooding was brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat, and recent tropical cyclones that affected large parts of Luzon.

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MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said 13 pumping stations will be built or upgraded across Metro Manila to help reduce flooding in the capital region.

Marcos announced the plan during an inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City.

He said the government aims to complete the projects by the end of 2026 or in early 2027.

The President said additional pumping stations are needed as Metro Manila continues to experience heavy rains and frequent flooding.

Marcos also said the government is looking for ways to address improper waste disposal, which can clog waterways and disrupt pumping station operations.

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MANILA, Philippines — The student behind the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University acted alone, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said initial findings showed the student planned and carried out the attack on his own, with no identified accomplices, organized group or family influence.

“As we can determine, Mr. Jalani acted alone,” Remulla said during a press conference in Zamboanga City.

Authorities are still investigating what may have influenced the student and are examining his digital activity for possible clues.

Remulla earlier raised the possibility that online communities may have played a role, but clarified that investigators are looking beyond Roblox itself and into chat groups and other online spaces the student may have accessed.

The student opened fire inside the school on August 18, killing another student before dying himself. Other students were also injured in the attack.

The Philippine National Police is continuing its forensic examination of the student’s devices to determine the motive behind the shooting.

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