MANILA, Philippines --- One of co-authors of the K- to-12 measure expressed confidence yesterday that the education reform bill will be signed into law before 15th Congress ends in June 2013.
Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said he is optimistic that President Benigno S. Aquino III will sign the measure into law since it is one of his administration's flagship projects.
"I'm confident that it will be signed into law this 15th Congress. The K to 12 is an essential element for the realization of Pnoy's long term economic plans," he said in an interview.

MANILA, Philippines --- The steadily increasing local and foreign tourist arrivals and passenger traffic in Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, and Pampanga have convinced the government to expand the existing check-in and pre-departure areas in local airport facilities.
According to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Palawan, Bohol and Leyte are rapidly growing as tourist destinations while Clark International Airport has been emerging as a national gateway for international low-cost carriers.

MANILA, Philippines --- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start printing the more than 52 million official ballots for the May 13 midterm polls on February 4.
''We are ready to start printing. The ballot papers are there already. The printers are already there at the National Printing Office (NPO) and are undergoing test runs right now so that there will be no more problems by next week,'' Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said.
''We expect this to run for a little over 50 days since the capacity of the printer is about one million (ballots) per day,'' he added.

The religious fluvial and foot procession route of Dinagyang Festival 2013.
It will start at 3:00PM with a fluvial parade from Fort San Pedro, proceeding to Iloilo River and ends up in front of Aduana (Customs House) at Muelle Loney.

From Aduana, the foot procession will proceed north via Muelle Loney, then turning left to Montinola Street, then left again to Iznart Street. The procession then traverses at Calle Real/JM Basa Street, passing by Freedom Grandstand and Plaza Libertad before it heads back to San Jose de Placer Church.

The main parade route, street dance, and performance areas of Dinagyang Festival 2013. This may subject to changes, so please do stay tuned on our website for updated information.

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) came out with a resolution setting the implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the resolution requires media organizations to give all candidates a chance to reply to criticisms hurled against them during the campaign period that started Jan. 13 until June 12.