NDRRMC confirms 3 Ruby-related deaths, verifying 8 more

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Tuesday confirmed a third fatality in the wake of Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), and is presently verifying at least eight more.

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Bettor wins P9M Megalotto 6/45 jackpot – PCSO

A lotto bettor won the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P9 million Monday evening.

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PNoy to skip ASEAN-Korea Summit in Busan due to Ruby

President Benigno Aquino III is skipping the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea summit so he could focus on efforts for victims of Tropical Storm Ruby (Hagupit).

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Car almost hits baby's wake in Las Piñas

Two people were reported injured in a freak accident in Las Piñas City, where a car went out of control and nearly hit a funeral parlor where a wake for a baby was being held.

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ASEAN chief commends PHL for early warning efforts on Ruby

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Monday commended the Philippines for its early warning efforts and disaster preparedness in dealing with Tropical Storm Ruby (Hagupit).

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Amid Amnesty findings, De Lima says gov't monitoring torture cases

The government is keeping an eye on torture cases in the Philippines amid a recent Amnesty International report that said torture, especially by the police, is still prevalent in the country.

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UNICEF: Swift evacuation saved many during Ruby’s onslaught

Prompt evacuation efforts in provinces on the path of Tropical Storm Ruby saved many lives a little over a year after Super Typhoon Yolanda killed thousands on almost the same track, the United Nations Children's Fund said on Monday.

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Palace: Nothing wrong with Mar’s presence in Eastern Samar

Malacañang on Monday defended Interior Secretary Mar Roxas' presence and motorcycle ride in Eastern Samar, one of the areas hit by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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Organizers extend media accreditation for papal visit

Organizers of Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines this January have extended to Dec. 10, Wednesday, the deadline for applications for media accreditation.

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Typhoon Ruby kills 21 in Eastern Samar – Philippine Red Cross

At least 21 people were reported dead, many of them drowned as flood waters rose in Borongan, the main town in Eastern Samar, where Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) made first landfall, the Philippine National Red Cross said on Monday.

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PHL insists on arbitration to end sea dispute with China

Arbitration is the only route to achieving a just and durable solution to disputes over the South China Sea, the Philippines said on Monday, opposing China's contention that a UN court had no jurisdiction to hear a complaint.

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La Mesa Dam ‘will not overflow’ if other dams keep gates closed, says PAGASA

Despite the anticipated amount of rainfall to pour over Metro Manila on Monday, state weather agency PAGASA said La Mesa Dam will not overflow as long as the other dams do not release water.

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PNoy to meet with South Korean president in Busan

President Benigno Aquino III will meet with South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Thursday to strengthen ties between the two countries.

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US govt extends condolences to PHL over Ruby devastation

The United States government on Monday extended its condolences to the Philippine government over the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Ruby (Hagupit), and expressed readiness to extend help.

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Walang Pasok: List of December 9 class suspensions due to Typhoon Ruby

These areas have suspended classes on Tuesday, December 9 due to Typhoon Ruby. Keep checking back on this page for updates.

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122 new prosecutors to boost DOJ’s zero backlog policy –De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has expressed hopes of further achieving “zero backlog” in cases handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ), following President Benigno Aquino III's recent appointment and promotion of a total of 122 prosecutors in the country.

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NCR, Rizal should prepare for flooding due to Ruby —NDRRMC

Rizal province and Metro Manila, particularly cities located in the eastern part of the region, should prepare for flooding due to Tropical Storm Ruby, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Monday.

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Sigh of relief in PHL as Typhoon Ruby crawls west

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos began to return to their homes battered by a powerful typhoon over the weekend, but the nation collectively breathed a sigh of relief as a massive evacuation plan appeared to minimize fatalities.

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Australia providing 800 tons rice for Ruby victims

Australia is providing 800 metric tons of rice for families affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop announced Monday.

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Fishermen barred from Manila Bay as Ruby nears

Fisherfolk were barred from heading out to Manila Bay Monday morning due to the possible threat from Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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No break for cops from Dec. 15 to Jan. 10

There will be no holiday break for police personnel after the Philippine National Police canceled their leaves from Dec. 15 to Jan. 10, 2015.

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Vatican lauds papal visit preps in PHL

The Vatican is pleased with the ongoing preparations in the Philippines for Pope Francis' visit in January, the University of Santo Tomas' student publication reported.

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CAAP watching weather conditions in 9 airports; Naga still closed

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is watching weather conditions in nine major airports in areas that have been affected or may be affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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IN PHOTOS: See the effects of Typhoon Ruby's wrath

A year after Super Typhoon Yolanda tore through the central part of the Philippines in less than a day, a weaker but still a strong typhoon Ruby enters its second day of wreaking havoc on the archipelago.

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ASEAN calls for food, water, family kits for Ruby victims

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Sunday called for food, water and family kits for Filipinos affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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Swiss photographer who escaped Abu Sayyaf brought to NCR

After escaping from the Abu Sayyaf, Swiss wildlife photographer Lorenzo Vinciguera is now in Manila for medical treatment.

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NDRRMC: No confirmed reports yet of Ruby casualties

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Sunday said there are no confirmed reports yet on casualties due to Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit).

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Australia advises citizens in PHL to follow instructions on evacuation due to Ruby

Australians in the Philippines were advised Sunday to follow Philippine authorities' instructions, including those in possible evacuation, due to bad weather conditions from Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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China denounces PHL ‘pressure’ over sea dispute arbitration

China denounced the Philippines on Sunday for putting it under political pressure with an international arbitration case over disputed waters, and refused again to participate a week ahead of a deadline to respond in the case.

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Typhoon Ruby tears down homes in disaster-weary PHL

Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) tore apart homes and sent waves crashing through coastal communities across the eastern Philippines on Sunday, creating more misery for millions following a barrage of deadly disasters.

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NDRRMC: No Ruby casualties recorded, thanks to forced evacuations

While areas hit by Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit) have recorded some damage to property, no lives have been lost thanks to early evacuations and preparation by local government units, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said early Sunday morning.

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NDRRMC: 2,459 passengers stranded, power outages reported due to Typhoon Ruby

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday said more than 2,000 passengers have so far been stranded due to Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit). Power outages were also reported in many areas.

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DOH cautions residents in areas affected by Ruby vs. diarrhea via contaminated food, drink

The Department of Health on Saturday night advised residents in areas affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) to be more careful about the food or water they consume, lest they get diarrhea.

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Coast guard: 2163 passengers stranded due to Ruby

At least 2,163 passengers were stranded in various ports due to bad weather conditions brought by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), the Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday afternoon.

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US Embassy offers planes, personnel as AFP continues preparations for Ruby

The US Embassy has offered the use of some American aircraft and personnel to help with Typhoon Ruby even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to prepare for Typhoon Ruby.

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Typhoon Ruby could affect 26.8 million people, GDACS warns

Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) could affect 26.8 million people in the Philippines, according to Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS).

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AFP deployed to help prevent crime, looting in Typhoon Ruby's wake

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has deployed military troops to areas that are under threat of typhoon Ruby to maintain peace and order, and prevent looting incidents.

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CAAP: 6 airports closed due to Typhoon Ruby

At least six domestic airports in Eastern Visayas and Bicol were closed Saturday due to bad weather conditions from Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit).

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Walang Pasok: List of class and work suspensions for Dec. 8 to 9

Here follows a list of class and work suspensions for Dec. 8 to 9, categorized by groups who have declared them. Check back on GMA News Online for more updates.

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Ruby accelerates, to make landfall Saturday night in Dolores, E. Samar

Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) is now expected to make landfall on Saturday night in Dolores, Eastern Samar after picking up speed.

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Rains lash disaster-weary PHL as Typhoon Ruby nears

Heavy rain and strong winds began to hit the eastern Philippines Saturday ahead of a giant storm threatening more devastation to areas yet to recover from a super typhoon that killed thousands last year.

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Swiss hostage escapes Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

A Swiss national managed to escape from the Abu Sayyaf but was shot and wounded in the process, the military's Western Mindanao Command said Saturday.

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952 stranded due to Typhoon Ruby as Coast Guard cancels 49 trips

A total of 952 people were stranded while 49 trips have been canceled as of early Saturday due to bad weather conditions from Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit), the Philippine Coast Guard said.

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Typhoon Ruby triggers massive evacuation in PHL

More than half a million people in the Philippines have fled from a powerful typhoon in one of the world's biggest peacetime evacuations as the storm churns towards central provinces that still bear the scars of a super typhoon 13 months ago.

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Comelec: Electronic voting systems for 2016 polls to be awarded by Feb. 2015

The contracts for the 2016 polls automated election system will be awarded by February next year using a longer "two-stage competitive process", the Commission on Elections' bids and awards committee said Friday.

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Walang Pasok: List of areas that have suspended classes on Dec. 6

The following areas have declared class suspensions on December 6. Keep checking back on this page for updates:

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De Lima to Laude camp: Let prosecutor resolve murder complaint

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday warned the camp of slain transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude against calling the prosecutor handling the case unfair and biased without basis.

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CA affirms ruling allowing Manila court to push through with Pestaño trial

The Court of Appeals has affirmed its earlier decision allowing a Manila court to continue hearing the murder case against 10 Navy officers and enlisted personnel accused in the death of Ensign Philip Andrew Pestaño in September 1995.

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Cardinal Tagle: Storm heavens with prayer vs. calamity

As Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit) bears down on the archipelago, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged Catholics to pray the “Oratio Imperata for Deliverance from Calamaties” on Saturday.

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DBM urged to release survey on pay hike of govt workers

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday appealed to the Department of Budget and Management to immediately complete and release the survey determining if there is a need to raise the salaries of government employees.

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