MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Church, as well as several Catholic schools in the country, such as the St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, will hold commemorative rites on Friday in observance of the feast of Saint Scholastica, the well venerated twin sister of Saint Benedict, the patriarch of western monks. Triduum masses, novenas, and other religious rites will be observed in honor of the popular saint. Special prayers will be offered for nuns and convulsive children, St. Scholastica being their patron and protector. She is also often invoked against storms and bad weather. Born in Nursia, Italy in 480, St. Scholastica was deeply religious from youth. (Christina Hermoso)

Deployed

Malacañang said Thursday that the second Hamilton class cutter that will come from the United States will also be deployed in the West Philippine Sea. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace welcomes the US government’s move for the transfer of the second Hamilton class cutter to the Philippines. “Certainly, we welcome the decision of the US to grant us our second Hamilton class cutter,” Lacierda said. “As always, it will provide additional security for the monitoring of our waters.” (Madel Sabater)

SSS Plan

A militant labor group slammed the plans of the Social Security System (SSS) to raise the premium of its members this year. Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer Labog said in a statement Thursday SSS should reconsider its proposal to raise the premium rate for its members from 10.4 percent to 11 percent. He said this will further reduce the income of its estimated 29 million members amid the continuous rise in the prices of basic commodities. “For workers in Metro Manila receiving the minimum wage (P404 plus the P22 Cost of Living Allowance), the 0.6 percent increase will amount to a more than P60 reduction in monthly pay,” Labog said. (Sam Medenilla)

SALN Tackled

Hundreds of thousands of government officials and employees nationwide are in quandary on what assets to declare in the intangible column in the new Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Even officials of the Office of the Ombudsman can not give a definitive answer when they appeared before the Radyo ng Bayan program "Isumbong Mo Sa Ombudsman." One OMB official said it includes shares of stocks and dividends. But his colleagues argued that there are papers issued for such investments, thus one can hold on said documents. Webster's dictionary defines intangible as "incapable of being seen, or touched." To clarify the issue, one OMB official suggested that the Civil Service Commission should come out with guidelines identifying so-called intangible properties. (Jun Ramirez)

On-Line Sked

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) reminded test applicants that the agency’s On-Line Examination Application Scheduling System (OLEASS) would only last until Monday, February 13. Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta enjoined aspiring takers of this year’s Philippine National Police (PNP) Entrance and Promotional Examinations to secure an appointment via the internet before OLEASS expires. The system is expected to get rid of the long queues that have been a familiar sight at Napolcom regional offices whenever the agency is about to administer an examination. The period of filing of applications will start on February 14, 2011 and will end on March 16, 2012. (Ellson Quismorio)