Does "Crime Pays" in Leviste's Case?

In the Philippines, some people believed that "crime pays in the end." The only conditions that a criminal needs to meet is by becoming rich, rickety old and should be a former local official.

Take the case of former Batangas Governor Antonio Leviste. He was convicted of homicide on 29 May 2010, for killing his long-time friend and aide Rafael de las Alas. The Makati City Regional Trial Court sentenced him to 6 to 12 years in prison starting 26 January 2009, the time he was already in jail.

Gov. Salceda: LGU Preparation is Lacking

The record of Albay in disaster mitigation can speak for itself and Governor Joey Salceda is proud of that. However, it is also a source of frustration when he sees that other local government units take that experienced for granted.

In the aftermath of the devastation brought about by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) Governor Salceda called on other local government units to adopt drastic measures in preparing for future calamities.

Gov. Singson and Daughter Criticized by Netizens

The more they try to defend their actions, the more they get buried in their own mess. This is what is happening right now to former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson and his daughter Richelle.

Both father and daughter defended their hunting of the rare and endemic Philippine Ducks, which has drawn intense criticism from the birding community, by claiming in a statement sent to GMA News Online that the killings of the protected species occurred overseas.

UN Explains Slow Relief Assistance

The United Nations on Tuesday (12 November 2013) praised the efforts made by the government of the Philippines to respond to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

"The Philippine authorities have done a tremendous job in extremely difficult circumstances," said Martin Nesirky, the United Nations spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Where to Send Aid for Victims of Typhoon Yolanda

Filipino are resilient and will surely find a way to survive despite the challenges and hardship they face. However, those obstacles can be easily overcome once the 'bayanihan' spirit kicks in.

A day after Typhoon Yolanda, the most powerful storm recorded this year, flattened entire towns across part of the Southeast Asian archipelago and killed thousands of Filipinos in the Visayas region, relief and aid effort operations went into high gear. Both local and international sources started to chip in and sent whatever they can to help, especially after hearing about desperate survival tactics that created fresh horrors.