Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion

MOORE, Oklahoma — The cost of a massive tornado that battered an Oklahoma City suburb could be more than $2 billion, according to a preliminary estimate announced Wednesday by state officials.

Oklahoma Insurance Department Spokeswoman Calley Herth told The Associated Press that the early tally is based on visual assessments of the extensive damage zone stretching more than 17 miles (27 kilometers) and the fact that the tornado was on the ground for 40 minutes.

Brillantes: Comelec's intelligence funds ‘a non-issue’

COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes on Wednesday questioned the motive of his former colleague, Augusto "Gus" Lagman, in exposing the intelligence funds of poll body officials.

Brillantes explained that intelligence funds of Comelec officials are fully documented and even has the approval of the Office of the President.

'Group agitating distressed Filipinos in Saudi'

MANILA -- A group of Filipinos in Saudi Arabia is "agitating" the distressed workers there who are awaiting repatriation to "sow disorderly conduct" amid the kingdom's crackdown on illegal workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

Raul Hernandez, DFA spokesman, said a Philippine consul was punched by a Filipino worker there when a group of campers in Jeddah forcibly entered the consulate's office to get documents and passports.

Taiwan cancellation of tour packages to affect tourism target: Palace

MANILA -- Malacañang admitted Wednesday that the cancellation of tour packages by the Taiwanese travel agencies in the Philippines could hurt the government's target of 5.5 million tourist arrivals for this year if tension with Taipei continued.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed hope that the issue with Taiwan following the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard personnel on May 9 off Batanes would soon be resolved.

Party-list canvassing nears completion

MANILA -- Canvassing for the party-list groups is almost complete as 95 percent have already been canvassed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC).

Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca said the NBOC has already completed the canvassing of all local Certificates of Canvass (COCs).

Blast injures 5 troops, 3 civilians

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eight people, including five soldiers, were injured after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels set off two improvised bombs along the Tagum-Mawab highway linking the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, military officials said Wednesday.

The wounded soldiers were identified as Private First Class (PFC) Lovie Joy Semillano, PFC Joseph Mendio, PFC Erwin Cordero, PFC Bai Johana Durado, and PFC Ryan Torena – all members of the Army’s 66th Infantry Battalion (66th IB).

P25-M worth of fake medicines seized

MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs has seized illegally imported fake medicines worth P25 million in a Manila port.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, who inspected on Wednesday the confiscated items, said that one 40-footer container van was seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

Youth group to ask SC to stop tuition increases

MANILA -- Youth leaders will ask the Supreme Court on Friday to stop the implementation of freshly approved tuition increases in 343 universities and colleges, the names have yet to be disclosed by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).

Specifically, the Kabataan party-list will raise the constitutionality of Ched Memorandum Order No. 3 series of 2012, which lays down guidelines regarding tuition hikes.

Philippines sympathizes with victims of Oklahoma tornado

MANILA -- The Philippines joined other nations in expressing sympathy and grief for the residents of Oklahoma City suburb of Moore in the United States that was struck by a gigantic tornado on Monday.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed sadness over the "loss of young lives in this catastrophe" and offered prayers for the victims, their families and friends.

NBI off to Taiwan to complete shooting probe

MANILA (Updated) -- A team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) may leave for Taiwan on Friday to inspect the vessel and interview companions of a fisherman recently killed by the Philippine Coast Guard, an official of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) said.