News in Pictures: November 9, 2024

IT GETS CURIOUSER

Angelito Edpan (center), the driver of the sport utility vehicle with protocol plate number “7” that was caught on Nov. 3 using the bus lane at the Edsa beltway, is presented by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at a press conference on Wednesday, together with Omar Guinomla (right), a representative of Orient Pacific Corp. which owns the vehicle, and company lawyer Ma. Julieta Santos.

Edpan admitted being the vehicle driver, saying he used the bus lane because he had a stomachache, while Guinomla explained that Edpan was driving for a “guest” investor but stopped short of identifying that guest, amid speculation that he was Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s father, businessman William Gatchalian. Edpan, who allegedly tried to run over a traffic enforcer who flagged his vehicle, was issued a traffic violation ticket in that press briefing.

Senator Gatchalian refused to comment on this controversy, saying on Thursday that it would be better to “leave [that matter] to the LTO.” The Department of Transportation also on Thursday proposed that the bus lane (above) operate in counterflow to discourage its use by other motorists. Other public officials have drawn criticism recently for using that lane. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

BEYOND BIG BUSINESS

Tailors sew made-to-order clothes at a shop in Kamuning Public Market in Quezon City on Thursday.

President Marcos signed into law that day the Enterprise-Based Education and Training Framework Act, which is aimed at providing training opportunities to help improve various work skills and expand job opportunities beyond the scope of established offices and enterprises. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

INFRA PROJECT TO AVERT CALAMITY

Construction workers on Wednesday undertake a flood control project along Marikina River that would help redirect its overflow if completed. In the wake of the recent typhoons, President Marcos has made flood control a priority, with the National Economic and Development Authority approving on Tuesday an increase in the P33.1-billion budget for the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project to P57.7 billion. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

THE WORLD ON A STREET

Students on Thursday hold a parade along San Marcelino Street in Ermita, Manila, dressed up in the national costumes of various countries to celebrate the international community on United Nations Day. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

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WATCHED BY CHINA

Philippine Navy personnel aboard inflatable boats (above) conduct a “boat transfer exercise” together with BRP Ramon Alcaraz (top), during Wednesday’s joint drills in the West Philippine Sea aimed at simulating the seizure of Pag-asa (Thitu) and Kota (Loaita) islands in the Spratly archipelago.

Together with its other major branch services as well as the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police and other agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines began the “Dagat-Langit-Lupa” (sea-air-land) joint exercises on Monday to prepare the country to respond “to any external threats” to its sovereignty, the AFP said that day.

China, as it had expected, observed the drills, but the only response from Beijing was Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning’s comment on Wednesday that “Making a show of force and provoking confrontation in the South China Sea will only escalate tensions and undermine regional stability.” —LTC SALGADO/PAOAFP