News Briefs: Aug. 15, 2019

Inquiry into error-laden books backed

MANILA, Philippines — The House minority bloc on Wednesday threw its support behind a resolution seeking an inquiry into the Department of Education’s P254-million error-filled textbooks.

“It is (the agency’s) responsibility to ensure that every peso we invest in our children’s future is a peso well-spent,” Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said.

The Commission on Audit had called out the DepEd on its “error-filled” learning materials for Grade 3 instruction in the subjects araling panlipunan, science and English. —Melvin Gascon

SC asks law students to represent poor sectors

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin said the Supreme Court has mandated that law students serve in legal aid clinics to better prepare them for the practice of law after graduation.

The revised Law Student Practice Rule, to be incorporated in the law curriculum next school year, will require law students to gain experience by representing clients from marginalized sectors.

The mandatory law student practice “will quicken the shift to experiential legal education to be adopted by our law schools,” Bersamin said on Wednesday. —Dona Pazzibugan

Purchase of 8 attack choppers vs terrorists eyed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army is looking to add eight combat helicopters for more effective ground operations against local terror groups.

Col. Romulo Manuel, chief of plans in charge of modernization and future organization of the Army, said the major service command is upgrading its air aviation battalion into an aviation regiment.

“Our Army will have its own helicopters to support ground forces,” he said.

The Army will gradually purchase eight attack helicopters as part of the upgrade. —Jeannette I. Andrade