Thursday, July 24, 2008 (Philippines)

World-class UV chorale serenades President Arroyo, in a Pitoy Moreno Maranao-inspired tunic, at the Malacañang sa Cebu. The University of the Visayas choir has already won international recognition. (Sunstar photo/Amper Campaña) PRESIDENT Arroyo ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to hasten the second audit of Sulpicio Lines’ eight vessels, saying she wanted the shipping company to resume full operations soon. During their meeting with Arroyo in Cebu yesterday, Sulpicio’s owners said they have corrected the defects and are now ready for Marina’s re-audit. To solve the shortage of cargo ships for now, Transportation Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista said some shipping lines such as MNC Shipping, Negros Navigation and Aboitiz Transport System will operate additional vessels with a combined total capacity of 1,800 container vans. [full story]