Meralco drops rates, Cebu Pacific sanctions, NASA discovery | The wRap

Today on Rappler.

• Meralco electricity bills continue to drop in January. 
• Budget airline Cebu Pacific may face a ‘full range of sanctions.’ 
• NASA finds the closest Earth-like planets to date. 

MERALCO DROPS RATES FOR 3RD STRAIGHT MONTH
More good news for Manila Electric Company or Meralco customers. Those who consume 200 kilowatt-hours may expect a 38 peso-drop or 84 US cents, in their electricity bills this January. Power rates are going down by 19 centavos or .004 US cents per kilowatt hour. This is the third month the rates have been reduced. The drop is due to the reduction in generation charges — the portion of the bill that goes to power producers. Generation charges were further decreased by 22 centavos or .005 US cents in December to January, the lowest in 15 months.

BRILLANTES: DE LIMA, HENARES QUALIFIED AS NEXT COMELEC CHIEF
If Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes has his way, he would pick Justice Secretary Leila de Lima or Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares as the next poll chief. De Lima’s name has been floated as the next Comelec chief several times now. The justice secretary said she is not aspiring for the post. Brillantes says he prefers his successor to be a woman who is brave, and still young. He then mentions Henares’ name, but says he has yet to recommend someone to President Benigno Aquino.

CEBU PACIFIC FACES ‘FULL RANGE OF SANCTIONS’
In aviation news, the Transportation Department or DOTC warns budget carrier Cebu Pacific could face a “full range of sanctions” for numerous delays and cancelled flights during the holidays, which affected thousands of passengers. Possible penalties range from fines and suspension, to franchise revocation. A Civil Aeronautics Board investigating panel releases an initial report debunking Cebu Pacific’s claims air traffic congestion was the cause of flight delays. Abroad, Indonesia says it found the tail of AirAsia Flight 8501. It’s a major step towards locating the plane’s black boxes, crucial in determining the cause of the crash.

PH 82ND IN FORBES’ BEST COUNTRIES FOR BUSINESS
From 90th place, the Philippines climbs to 82nd in the annual Forbes list of “Best Countries for Business” for 2014. The business magazine attributes the rise to the Philippines weathering global economic and financial downturns. But Forbes adds the poverty rate has not improved despite overall economic growth. Topping the list of 146 countries are Denmark, Hong Kong and New Zealand, while Libya, Chad and Guinea are at the bottom.

NASA CLOSER THAN EVER TO FINDING EARTH’S ‘TWIN’
NASA is closer than ever to finding Earth’s ‘twin. Scientists announce the discovery of eight new planets spotted within their stars’ habitable zones, which means the temperature is enough for water and life to exist. The two most Earth-like candidates, Kepler-438b and Kepler-442b are around the same size. The distance from Earth — measured in light years — poses a challenge in observing the planets.

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– Rappler.com

Production Staff