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DepEd to train science teachers on K to 12 program The Department of Education is set to train science high school teachers to increase their skills and proficiency in teaching Science, Mathematics and English in preparation for the K to12 program of the agency which will be implemented in June. Secretary Armin Luistro said that the training of science high school teachers is important in order to achieve the national goal to produce globally competitive and science and technology-oriented graduates. The K to 12 program of the Aquino administration was conceptualized to upgrade and provide better education to students enrolled in the public schools by adding two more years in high school and a universal kindergarten education. Luistro noted that the program includes skills development courses and special interest subjects that will help in the career direction of the student.
with the Panamanian government to prosecute Erick Sch'ck of the Panama Maritime Authority. The Senate committee on foreign relations is already investigating the alleged escape of Sch'ck upon invoking his diplomatic immunity. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states that all nations from ancient times have recognized the status of diplomatic agents. It also provides under Article 31, number 1, "A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State."
Corona to testify in his impeachment trial on May 22
DOJ, DFA urge Senate to review Vienna Convention on diplomatic immunity
Chief Justice Renato Corona will take the witness stand on Tuesday at the continuation of his impeachment trial on May 22, and will be the last witness to be presented by the defense. Trial has been temporarily postponed until then to give Corona and his lawyers enough time to study the voluminous documents, including those recently presented by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile has assured that Corona will be respected and given due courtesy as he testifies.
Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima asked the Senate to review the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunities following the failure of the Philippine government to prosecute a Panamanian diplomat accused of abusing a Filipina. De Lima added that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in close coordination
Earlier during the week, the Ombudsman testified and was qualified as a hostile witness by the defense after she revealed some alleged 82 dollar bank accounts purportedly belonging to the chief magistrate contained in an unsigned report that she claimed to have been sent by the Anti-Money Laundering Council. The defense
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was quick to deny the existence of these dollar accounts, and said that these were all fabricated. Also, private citizen Harvey Keh was presented by the defense as another hostile witness because of the complaint which he and former Representative Risa Baraquel recently lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman against the Chief Justice. Senatorjudges questioned Keh for his act of impropriety in allegedly trying to influence the impeachment court when he sent documents to the presiding officer.
Nuclear-powered ‘fastattack’ U.S. submarine docks in Subic Amid tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes at the South China Sea, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrived in the Philippines and docked at the Subic Bay in Zambales. The arrival of the USS North Carolina (SSN 777) is a regular port call and will only involve restocking of its provisions and rest and recreation for its crew members. The Department of National Defense said that the arrival of the U.S. submarine has nothing to do with the tension between the Philippines and China. However, militant groups condemned the docking of the U.S. submarine, saying that it is in violation of Philippine laws. It is provided in Article II, Section 8 of the Constitution that, "the Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory."
• May 21-27, 2012
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