Vilma Santos takes oath, says vs Taal spa
INQUIRER.net
Tetch TorresMANILA, Philippines -- Batangas governor-elect Vilma Santos took her oath of office before Chief Justice Reynato Puno at the Supreme Court in Manila Wednesday afternoon.
Santos arrived at the Supreme Court at around 2:30 p.m. and was sworn in at 2:45 p.m.
After taking her oath, Santos, a popular actress who was three-term mayor of Lipa City before running for governor, said she is against the planned construction of a Korean-owned health spa along the crater of Taal Volcano.
"I am not for it. I firmly believe that Taal Volcano is a national sanctuary," Santos told reporters.
She also pointed out the risk of putting up a spa on the crater of one of the country’s most active volcanoes.
"There are so many factors that we should consider,” she said. “First, we know that Taal is an active volcano. We do not want to risk anybody's life and, of course, [there is] the environment issues. Are they prepared for the waste?"
Earlier this week, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded several volcanic quakes on Taal although it stressed there was no imminent danger of an explosion.
Santos said she will conduct consultations with senators and other concerned groups on the issue.
The spa is being built on a six-hectare crater area that a local landowner sold to a Korean investor.
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TALLIES
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 1,530,337 |
|---|---|
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 1,445,355 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 1,427,372 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 1,315,961 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 1,270,851 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 1,267,929 |
| Cayetano, Alan Peter (GO) | 1,097,065 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 1,046,152 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 999,396 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 980,643 |
| Recto, Ralph (TU) | 971,250 |
| Zubiri, Juan Miguel (TU) | 957,930 |
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 14,161,803 |
|---|---|
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 13,919,444 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 12,027,067 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 11,674,064 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 11,107,999 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 11,092,665 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 9,689,358 |
| Cayetano, Alan Peter (GO) | 9,030,748 |
| Honasan, Gregorio (IND) | 9,013,231 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 8,977,075 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 8,710,648 |
| Pimentel, Aquilino III (GO) | 8,449,279 |
| Legarda, Loren (GO) | 18,352,290 |
|---|---|
| Escudero, Francis Joseph (GO) | 18,095,757 |
| Lacson, Panfilo (GO) | 15,442,480 |
| Villar, Manuel Jr (GO) | 15,192,880 |
| Pangilinan, Francis (IND) | 14,415,704 |
| Aquino, Benigno Simeon III (GO) | 14,234,979 |
| Angara, Edgardo (TU) | 12,404,138 |
| Cayetano, Allan Peter (GO) | 11,736,410 |
| Arroyo, Joker (TU) | 11,550,655 |
| Honasan, Gregorio (IND) | 11,487,784 |
| Trillanes, Antonio IV (GO) | 11,138,067 |
| Pimentel, Aquilino III (GO) | 10,865,397 |
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