Aquino names new tourism secretary

Advertising executive Ramon Reyes Jimenez, Jr. was appointed as the acting secretary of the Department of Tourism, a Palace official confirmed on Thursday.

"[Jimenez] replaces and inherits the good work of Secretary Alberto Lim, who has laid the foundations for the continued growth of our tourism industry. We are confident that with his expertise, Secretary Jimenez will be able to build on the success of our tourism sector and expand the markets of this country’s tourism hubs," Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang said in a statement released by Malacanang.

Former Tourism secretary Alberto Lim  resigned from his post "for personal reasons" last month, reports indicated.

Typhoon 'Mina' leaves 8 dead

Typhoon “Mina” (international name: Nanmadol) moved slightly faster Sunday as it roared out of the country, leaving at least eight people dead and affecting 27,670 families or 108,788 people in 281 villages in Northern Luzon, disaster officials said Sunday.

The typhoon destroyed 16 houses and damaged 77 others, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Despite weakening, “Mina” remains dangerous, officials said.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said Sunday that the victims perished in landslides or drowned after “Mina” set off floods and landslides.

Ramos identified seven of the fatalities as Ruel Soria, 4, of Barangay Sta. Fe, Marcelino, Zambales; Reajen Bautista, 6, and John Rey Bautista, 5 – both of Barangay Rabon, San Fabian, Pangasinan; Revullar Flores, 13, Apolinario Flores, 10 – both of Irisan dumpsite in Baguio City; Floro Sulliven, of Bakakeng Norte, Barangay Kias, Baguio City; and Nelson Vergara, 68, of Barangay Bagong Sirang, Baras, Catanduanes.

GMA undergoes third spine surgery

Doctors of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo decided to push through with her third cervical spine surgery Wednesday morning.

Marilen Lagniton, St. Luke’s Medical Center Vice President for Customers Affairs and spokesperson, told a media briefing that a team led by veteran orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mario Ver, started the operation on her cervical spine between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Wednesday.

She said the medical team led by Arroyo’s personal physician, Dr. Juliet Gopez Cervantes, decided to push through with the operation after the absence of fever for the past 24 hours.

Lagniton said the operation was expected to last for at least five hours.

She added that doctors led by Dr. Cervantes will give another media briefing at noon Thursday to give an update on the surgery.

Gloria Arroyo surgery postponed due to fever

The surgery to correct a pinched nerve on former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s spine scheduled this week will be postponed after she developed a fever last night, her doctors said Monday.

A medical bulletin released by Mrs. Arroyo’s doctors from the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City said they decided to wait for the former President’s temperature to normalize before pushing through with the operation.

"While there is no contraindication to going ahead with surgery, we want to make sure fever is gone before proceeding with surgery," the medical bulletin read.