The Philippine Headlines - September 18, 2007

Posted by Balitang Pinoy at 10:43 AM

World oil price tops $81

SINGAPORE -- World oil prices topped $81 a barrel in Asia on Tuesday, setting another record high in a market worried about tight crude supplies. At 9:23 a.m. (0123 GMT) New York's main futures contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October, jumped 51 cents to $81.08 a barrel.

Credit fears keep heat on stocks, eyes on Fed

HONG KONG -- Asian stocks fell on Tuesday, with financial shares under pressure as investors fretted that the turmoil in credit markets would spread, while US crude hit an all-time high above $81 on supply worries.

World Bank, UN join battle to return corrupt leaders spoils

UNITED NATIONS -- The World Bank and United Nations on Monday threw their backing behind developing nations seeking to recover assets pilfered by corrupt leaders, unveiling a scheme to lend muscle to their claims.

Shares outlook lower on Wall St lead, oil price worries

MANILA, Philippines -- Shares are expected to open lower Tuesday, tracking Wall Street's retreat as investors await the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates later today.

NASA's 'space economy' reaps windfall for humanity -- chief

WASHINGTON -- NASA is at the thriving heart of a 180-billion-dollar "space economy" that benefits life on Earth, the head of the much-maligned US agency said Monday ahead of its 50th birthday.

Vietnamese cardinal on path to sainthood

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI on Monday announced the start of proceedings to beatify a Vietnamese cardinal imprisoned for 13 years by the communists.

US gov’t upbraids 20 nations in annual drugs report

WASHINGTON -- Afghanistan, India, Myanmar and Pakistan were listed in an annual US government report Monday as among 20 countries that are major hubs for trafficking or growth of illegal drugs.

Arroyo: Status quo at DoJ until Gonzalez’s recovery

DAPITAN CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is keeping the status quo at the Department of Justice (DoJ) until Secretary Raul Gonzalez is able to recover following a kidney transplant.

Harsh reaction in US to Microsoft EU antitrust ruling

WASHINGTON -- An EU court ruling upholding sanctions and a record fine against software giant Microsoft drew a harsh response Monday from US interest groups, saying it could stifle the burgeoning technology industry.

It’s not his body odor but your nose, says study

CHICAGO -- When it comes to a man’s body odor, the fragrance -- or stench -- is in the nose of the beholder, according to US researchers, who suggest a single gene may determine how people perceive body odor.

Abandoned kids find hope in foreign homes

MANILA, Philippines -- Noah was a sickly year-old baby whose movements were limited to rolling his eyes. He might have died under the care of a fund-strapped orphanage in the Philippines had not an American couple succeeded in adopting him two weeks before his condition worsened.

Football body suspends NCRFA over court case

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Football Federation suspended the National Capital Region Football Association Monday for suing the PFF and its officials in violation of association and FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) rules.

SMEs urged to tap P280-M export fund

The Department of Trade and Industry is urging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to tap a P280-million export promotion fund, or EPF, and advising them to follow the strict requirements.

eBay stops sale of Belgium

BRUSSELS -- Internet auction website eBay on Monday withdrew an unusual second-hand sale item, the country of Belgium, which had attracted an offer of 10 million euros (13.9 million dollars).

Dimakiling, Engay capture Shell Davao chess plums

MANILA, Philippines -- University of Mindanao mainstay Chito Dimakiling II needed just a draw with Jerwell Andoy in the final round to rule the juniors division of the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships 2007 Mindanao leg at SM City Davao on Sunday.

Atong Ang back in business?

CAMP VICENTE LIM, LAGUNA -- Has Charlie “Atong” Ang, former gambling buddy of deposed President Joseph Estrada, found a way to return to his former “business?”

Die, mold makers to aid PhUV builders

Efforts of domestic auto parts makers to mass produce a low-priced utility vehicle got a boost after the Philippine Die and Mold Association (PDMA) committed to contribute skills and resources to the program.

New York oil price climbs back to record high

LONDON -- The price of New York oil climbed back on Monday towards its record high above $80 a barrel, which it reached last week on the back of tight supplies of crude in the United States.

BIR data bank to flush out cheats

BAGUIO CITY -- The taxman is compiling data on people’s trips abroad, the vehicles and real estate they own, and the schools their children attend.

Artadi now a Gin King after feud with Purefoods coaches

MANILA, Philippines -- Paul Artadi, the once promising point guard out of the University of the East, Monday found his way to Barangay Ginebra from Purefoods after a deal that also involved Air21 and two more players.

Audiotape of alleged O.J. Simpson robbery emerges

LOS ANGELES -- An apparent audio-tape of the alleged armed robbery involving O.J. Simpson emerged on Monday as the disgraced American football star languished behind bars in a Las Vegas jail.

Cheers to a hardy breed of athletes

MANILA, Philippines -- Dressed in their school colors, these “athletes” huddle together right before “game time,” punctuating each of these shows of unity with their own thunderous battle cries.

Cheers to a hardy breed of athletes

Alora, 5 others named taekwondo MVPs in Best of Best

MANILA, Philippines -- National team mainstay and bantamweight-lightweight gold medalist Elaine Alora of College of St. Benilde led six players who bagged most valuable player honors in the 2007 Samsung Best of the Best National Taekwondo Championships at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City over the weekend.

Arroyo urges Senate to act on cheap drugs bill instead

DIPOLOG CITY -- With a giggle, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could only agree that it was better for Congress to focus its efforts on passing urgent measures like the cheaper medicines bill than on investigating cases like the “Hello Garci” controversy.

Anybody’s race for NCAA hoops awards

MANILA, Philippines -- Thanks to Sam Ekwe, the chase for the NCAA’s season-ending individual awards has become a wide open race.

Eagles, Archers dispute 2nd place, bonus

MANILA, Philippines -- It took coach Norman Black and the rest of his Ateneo squad a long time to come out of their locker room that fateful Saturday night, when they blew a golden chance to nail down the No. 2 slot in the UAAP basketball semifinals.

Army forms new task force vs extortionist, terror group

KORONADAL CITY—A military-led antiterror group was formed last week amid threats of attack from a supposed extortion syndicate blamed for the series of bomb explosions here this year.

Comelec: Priesthood not obstacle in polls

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Commission on Elections’ second division has dismissed the petition of lawyer Ely Pamatong to remove Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio on the basis of his being a priest.

Gabica cops 9-ball plum over Alcano

MANILA, Philippines -- Power-breaking Antonio Gabica repeated over double world champion Ronato Alcano, 15-9, late Sunday to regain the San Miguel Beer Philippine 9-Ball Open crown at the Decagon Hall in Silvercity Mall at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Cordillera execs battle to preserve autonomy

BAGUIO CITY—Cordillera officials want to know the public pulse on Cordillera autonomy to help stave off the region’s “political disintegration.”

PNOC unit to complete jatropha research in November

PNOC Alternative Fuels Corp., a subsidiary state-owned Philippine National Oil Co., will complete in two months its research on what variety of jatropha to propagate in the country.

PNCC workers to protest planned takeover of subsidiary

MANILA, Philippines – Worried about losing their jobs, around 1,000 workers of the government-owned Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) are planning to go to court to stop a private contractor from taking over the Philippine Skyway Corporation (PSC) by the end of the year.

Fiery Paeng Nepomuceno stamps class Down Under

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -- Paeng Nepomuceno put up another superb pin-toppling demonstration in the 2007 Columbia 3000 South Pacific Classic here Sunday, turning the other contenders into awed spectators just like he did 23 years ago.

Power plant pays P160M in taxes after talks

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The provincial government has finally collected P160.84 million in real property taxes from the Sual coal-fired power plant in Sual town.

Pacquiao’s first 12-rounder impresses Roach

CEBU CITY -- Celebrated American trainer Freddie Roach raised both thumbs Monday after Manny Pacquiao cruised through his first 12-round session at the Rex “Wakee” Salud gym virtually unscathed and wanting for more.

Corn output seen growing 15.5% in 2nd half

Corn production is expected to increase by 15.5 percent to 4.018 million metric tons in the second half of 2007 despite a prolonged dry spell, an agriculture official said.

Fil-Estate Land to issue 5-yr notes

Property firm Fil-Estate Land Inc. said it would issue $25 million worth of five-year convertible notes that would mature 2012 to raise funds for ongoing projects.

Children with special needs to get help

MANILA, Philippines – The Mandaluyong City government has established an early intervention program for children in the city’s public schools, to determine and assist those with learning disabilities and special needs.

Tigers show fangs at last

MANILA, Philippines -- Playing with the desire that it didn’t show twice before, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers kept alive their dreams of a basketball championship repeat in the UAAP.

Health funds elude LGUs, says gov

DAVAO CITY—Local government units have remained ineffective in providing efficient health services to their constituents, 16 years after health services were devolved to them from the national government.

GSIS reports P25-B profit in 1st half

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the pension fund for government employees, reported Monday a net income of P25 billion in the first half of the year, citing benefits from a stock market boom during the period.

1 killed, 5 hurt in P’ñaque mishap

MANILA, Philippines – A woman identified only as “Jenny” was killed while five other people were injured when the van they were riding in overturned in Parañaque City yesterday morning.

Abalos cites Comelec concerns for absence

MANILA, Philippines -- Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos Monday said he could not attend the Senate hearing on the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal because he did not want to compromise the Comelec.

Army wants to bring anticommunist campaign to school kids

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental—The military said it was keen on bringing its anticommunist campaign to elementary schools here because the rebels have also started recruiting children.

UP Diliman campus blooms with ‘justice’ posters

MANILA, Philippines – Stickers seeking justice for public administration student Cris Anthony Mendez as well as Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s criticism of the Sigma Rho fraternity were posted yesterday in buildings on the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

Senate, Palace edge toward crisis as execs snub hearing

MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate on Monday moved closer to a showdown with Malacañang after government and military officials once more snubbed the “Hello Garci” hearing by invoking an executive order that had been struck down by the Supreme Court.

Reduced power rates set for ecozone locators

State-owned electricity producer National Power Corp. (Napocor) and retailer Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) have signed an agreement that will bring power rates down for locators in 10 industrial estates and three economic zones covered by the Meralco franchise.

Witness confirms Mendez joined frat initiation rites

MANILA, Philippines – Suspected hazing victim Cris Anthony Mendez joined the Sigma Rho fraternity “for networking, connections and out of curiosity,” according to a new witness who voluntarily surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday afternoon.

Arroyo told: You can stop Cebu smuggling

CEBU CITY—Following similar appeals made to Congress, car dealers in Cebu are now asking President Macapagal-Arroyo to stop the rampant car smuggling.

Palace prefers pardon for Estrada over amnesty

MANILA, Philippines -- Joseph Estrada may be open to being granted amnesty, as announced on Sunday by one of his allies, but President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s key advisers are not biting.

Jan-Aug payments surplus exceeds full-year forecast

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines posted a surplus of $6.75 billion in the balance of payments (BOP) in the first eight months of the year, exceeding the central bank's revised full-year forecast of $6.3 billion, data from the bank showed on Monday.

Exec’s P4-M house raises eyebrows

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The director of the Department of Budget and Management in Central Luzon has built a house allegedly worth P4 million here although she receives only P26,000 monthly from the government, a check by the Inquirer showed following reports from some employees in the agency.

COA asks 6 Manila dads to return allowances

MANILA, Philippines – Six Manila councilors have yet to return nearly P10 million to the city government’s coffers despite the Commission on Audit’s finding that there was “no legal basis” for them to receive a “monetary reward” for serving for three consecutive terms.

Yale to return Machu Picchu artifacts to Peru

NEW YORK--Yale University is to return to Peru thousands of artifacts taken from the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu by a real-life Indiana Jones nearly 100 years ago, the top US university said.

Chiquita fined $25M for payment to paramilitaries

WASHINGTON--(UPDATE) A US federal court Monday ordered the Chiquita banana company to pay $25 million in fines for paying millions of dollars in protection money to Colombian paramilitary groups between 1997 and 2004.

Bandera showbiz

Joey de Leon naimbiyerna sa MTRCB kaya lumayas na sa Startalk! Hindi nagustuhan ni Joey ang pakikialam ng MTRCB sa kanyang pagiging TV host!

'Blasphemous' pendant dropped from French catalogue

PARIS--France's biggest mail order company said Monday it had stopped sales of a necklace after dozens of its Christian customers complained that is was blasphemous.

Italian bishops slam Amnesty on abortion stance

ROME--Italian Catholic Church leaders on Monday slammed Amnesty International's new policy of defending the right of women to have abortions if they are victims of rape or face health risks from pregnancy.

Neri snubs Senate inquiry on NBN deal

Romulo Neri, former National Economic Development Authority head, will not attend the Senate investigation on the $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal between the Philippine government and China's ZTE Corp., a senator said Tuesday.

Palace upholds suspension of DOTC exec

Malacañang upheld Tuesday the three-month suspension of an assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications after rejecting a motion for reconsideration filed by the official.

Aboitiz Power rated 'outperform' in initial coverage - Macquarie

Macquarie Securities rated Aboitiz Power Corp. "outperform" and gave it a target price of P5.80 per share in its initial coverage of the stock.

China confirms bird flu outbreak

BEIJING - China has confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus among ducks in an outlying district of the southern city of Guangzhou.

Fire razes shipping firm's office in Cebu

Fire razed the office of Carlos Gothong Lines shipping firm at Pier 3 in Cebu City Tuesday morning.

Apostol: No negotiations yet for Erap pardon

Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol on Tuesday clarified that there are no negotiations going on between Malacañang and the camp of former president Joseph Estrada amid talk of President Arroyo's possible granting of amnesty or pardon to her ousted predecessor.

'Goring' intensifies further

Public storm signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes Tuesday as Typhoon Goring (international codename Wipha) intensified further while moving closer to Taiwan.

Airport exec says Mike A. on vacation

An airport official on Tuesday said Jose Miguel Arroyo, President Arroyo's husband, went on vacation in a foreign country a day before the Senate starts an inquiry on the $329-million national broadband network contract entered into by the government with China's ZTE Corp.

Dole recalls bagged salads due to E. coli

LOS ANGELES - A division of Dole Food Co said on Monday it was recalling some bagged salads sold in the United States and Canada because a sample at a Canadian grocery store was found to contain E. coli.

Cell phone thieves arrested in Pasay City

Two people were arrested Monday night for seizing a cell phone from a jeepney passenger on Taft Avenue, Pasay City.

Fellowship of the Ring: Anti-Erap Lawyers Vow To Pursue Big Cases

The team of lawyers that worked for the conviction of former President Joseph Estrada agrees that they should remain intact...

Abalos� Golfing Buddy Close to �Wiretappers�

Is Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos capable of monitoring the phone conversations of businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III,...

Korea: New Way Out for Pinoys

When Korea became a developed country, its women shied away from difficult and dangerous jobs. This paved the way for...

Legal Community Welcomes Erap Verdict

This is the first time a president is convicted of crime—and sends a message to all erring public officials...

Erap Will Appeal Case Before Sandiganbayan

Former President Joseph Estrada will ask the Sandiganbayan to reconsider its verdict declaring him guilty of plunder, his lawyers said...

Manila fears rebels may attack copters with kites

manila Al Qaeda-linked militants and their sympathisers may be using an unlikely weapon to strike at attack helicopters and cut the risk of aerial raids on their jungle strongholds: kites.

Philippines endeavor to be a good host for next World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention

As the 9th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention (WCEC) concluded here Monday, organizers for the next gathering in 2009 at Manila, the Philippines vowed to be a good host. The biennial convention ha...

Of inefficiency and sincerity

Director General Oscar Calderon, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, is retiring next month. There are three PNP officers who are candidates to succeed him but the frontrunner as of this moment i...

ADB sees strong 6.6% RP growth

In its Asian Development Outlook 2007 Update released Monday, the ADB said 6.6-percent surge in growth is within the government's target of 6.1 percent to 6.7 percent.

JdV son to tell all at Senate inquiry

Businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia 3rd is expected to unmask the so-called mystery man when he appears Tuesday before the Senate which opens an investigation into the controversial National Broa...

Roxas files Resolution for Erap amnesty

Sen. Mar Roxas filed Monday a resolution in the Senate urging President Arroyo to pardon her predecessor Joseph Estrada "at the appropriate time and on humanitarian grounds."

Senators claw at Doble's character

Former army Sgt. Vidal Doble was the lone witness who showed up at a "Hello, Garci" Senate hearing on Monday, and with no else in their crosshairs, some senators proceeded to attack his characte...

President to visit India in October

DIPOLOG CITY: President Gloria Arroyo said on Monday that she will invite more investors to do business in the Philippines and work out air agreements to boost tourism when she make a state visi...

PCGG starts lifestyle check of directors in sequestered firms

Atty. Nicasio Conti, PCGG commissioner for legal affairs and head of the litigation department said that this is part of the lifestyle check the agency has implemented, adding that there will be...

Kin wants Esperat murder probe reopened

A SISTER of slain crusading journalist Marlene Esperat has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reopen the investigation and reinstate two key suspects in the murder case believed to be the master...

Communist rebel leader nabbed

SECURITY forces have arrested a leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) during a raid on a communist safe house in Bukidnon on Thursday, a military spokesman annou...

Convicted ex-Para aque mayor seeks retrial of graft raps

FORMER Para aque City mayor Joey Marquez, who has been convicted of graft charges, has asked for a new trial, saying the prosecution used incorrect legal theory to win a conviction. Marquez, along wit...

COA asks 6 Manila dads to return allowances

MANILA, Philippines - Six Manila councilors have yet to return nearly P10 million to the city government's coffers despite the Commission on Audit's finding that there was "no legal basis" for them to...

What's cooking Caterer serves up 'adobe' at Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines -- What's cooking at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City? At the congressional hearing on the proposed 2008 national budget last week, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Directo...

Government of the Philippines intensifies R&D on several agricultural crops

SEAMEO SEARCA THE government is intensifying research and development (R&D) on several commodities while boosting production of nontraditional agricultural products through biotechnology to h...

Estradas unfazed by Singson threat vs JV Ejercito

MANILA -- The Estrada family belittled Monday the threat made by former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson to implicate San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, a son of Joseph Estrada, in h...

DoJ chief's new kidney functioning well--says doctor

MANILA, Philippines -- The executive director of the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) announced on Monday that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was recuperating from his operation with a new...

Atienza to call envoys to meet on poaching

MANILA, Philippines - Alarmed by reports of rampant poaching in Philippine waters, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza will call to meeting officials of the embassies of China and other countries to pu...

I just need the right shoes

MANILA, Philippines -- Imelda Marcos is healthier than most of us. This was the assurance made by the former first lady's spokesperson after Marcos was given a clean bill of health and discharged Mon...

Imelda Marcos leaves Philippine hospital

Former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, center, talks to reporters at the St. Luke's Hospital in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, on Monday Sept. 17, 2007. Marcos was rushed to the hospital ...

Overseas Filipino facing death penalty may be saved

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino domestic helper facing the death penalty in Kuwait for killing her female employer could get her sentence reduced after the Philippine Embassy convinced the victim's m...

Abalos begs off from Senate NBN probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos said on Monday he could not attend the Senate hearing on the national broadband network (NBN) deal on Tuesday because ...

Less dengue cases this year--DoH

MANILA, Philippines -- The number of dengue cases in the nine months to September dropped 4.6% from the same period last year, the Department of Health (DoH) said Monday. In a statement, the DoH's Nat...

Senate to focus on 'mystery man' in ZTE deal

MANILA, Philippines -- Who is the mystery man in the ZTE deal? This is the main question that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the committee on accountability of public officers and investigatio...

House OKs on 3rd reading bill resetting village, SK polls

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure postponing the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) elections on O...

'Dad raring to get back to work'

MANILA, Philippines -- Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez is raring to get out of his hospital bed and return to the helm of the Department of Justice (DoJ). The secretary's son, Iloilo City Representat...

Arroyo allies against amnesty for Estrada

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Joseph Estrada may be open to being granted amnesty, as announced on Sunday by one of his allies, but President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's key advisers are not biting. ...

De Venecia son ready to name 'mystery man' in NBN deal

MANILA, Philippines -- The "mystery man" who allegedly intervened in the controversial $329 million National Broadband Network project will be unmasked on Tuesday, if senators will ask the question in...

Mike Arroyo slips out on eve of Senate ZTE probe

MANILA, Philippines--First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo slipped out of the country at sunset Monday, the eve of the Senate investigation into the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal wi...

PCGG admits no post-Marcos 'behest loans' probed

MANILA, Philippines -- The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has yet to comply with a 2005 directive to investigate and prosecute behest loans granted by the state during the post-Marc...

Arroyo urges lawmakers to pass cheaper medicines bill

DIPOLOG CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged lawmakers Monday to focus on passing the cheaper medicines bill instead of wasting time investigating controversies and scandals. "Of course, o...

'I felt God's guiding hands'

MANILA, Philippines -- Breaking her silence on Monday, Presiding Justice Teresita de Castro of the Sandiganbayan said she felt "God's guiding hands" when she and two other justices handed down a unani...

Dutch returning to seek more evidence vs Sison--PNP

MANILA, Philippines -- Dutch investigators will be returning to the country in the hops of gathering more evidence against Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison, who is facin...

New bat species discovered in Philippines

The orange-coloured bat with a distinctive white-stripped face was discovered in a protected wildlife area on Mindoro Island, the Philippine Star newspaper said quoting the Department of Environment a...

Senators dissect Doble character in 'Garci' probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Was he a wiretapper or not? Was he a "liar," "womanizer," and even a "wife-beater?" These were how administration and opposition senators saw former intelligence agent Vidal Do...

'Start moving vs masterminds'

MANILA, Philippines -- The sister of slain journalist Marlene Esperat has asked acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to begin prosecuting officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who are b...

Dutch investigators in Manila to build case vs communist leader

Manila - A team of Dutch investigators has arrived in the Philippines to gather more evidence against a communist rebel leader accused of ordering the murder of two former colleagues, airport records ...

With threats over, AFP lowers alert level

MANILA, Philippines -- Saying threats against the government have died down, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lowered its alert one notch to blue, a military spokesman said Monday. The alert...

Estrada case 'stumbling block' for 2 ant-graft justices

MANILA, Philippines -- Instead of being a stepping stone, the conviction of former president Joseph Estrada has become a "stumbling block" to the promotions of its two justices, an anti-graft court of...

Philippine Airlines to exit receivership in October

Philippine Airlines will come out of receivership in October, the national carrier said Monday, ahead of schedule and amid an improved financial position. "The airline will come out of receivership m...

Philippines finds new breed of flying fox

MANILA -- A colorful new breed of flying fox with orange fur and three white stripes on its face has been discovered on the Philippine island of Mindoro, the government said Sunday. Flying foxes are a...

No Filipino aboard ill-fated Thai plane -- DFA spokesman

MANILA, Philippines -- There were no Filipinos who died in Sunday's plane crash in Thailand, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. "The embassy in Bangkok has informed the DFA that of 87 pla...

Senate should call on Arroyo to pardon Estrada--Roxas

MANILA, Philippines -- The question on whether President Gloria Macapaggal-Arroyo should pardon or grant amnesty to convicted president Joseph Estrada has elicited mixed reactions. The Senate should ...

Philippines' MILF offers to make way for military operatives against Abu Sayyaf

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a group active in fighting for establishment of an Islamic state in south Philippines, said it would abandon its strongholds in the provinces of Basilan and S...

Santiago hits Palace 'excuse letter' vs Senate wiretap probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has criticized the "excuse letter" Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita sent to the Senate in behalf of Cabinet secretaries invited to the wiretap...

Paper boys in top shape as they deliver the news

MANILA, Philippines -- Pedro Sadueste was in the thick of the grueling Tour of Luzon cycling competition 42 years ago when tragedy struck. A truck ran over a group of bikers, including Sadueste, in B...

'Lola' sends off Marian images to poor villages

MANILA, Philippines -- At 93, Asuncion Leetai Pavia does not show signs of slowing down. She prays the rosary twice a day, reads inspirational books and watches TV Mass at night. Unknown to many, sav...

Acting Manila cop chief still waiting for transfer papers

Philippine National Police Academy in Silang, Cavite. He clarified, however, that he was only informed verbally by some PNP officials about his new post and that he has yet to receive a transfer orde...

Tighter watch on oil depot, US Embassy

MANILA, Philippines -- The Manila Police District has formed two task forces to protect two of the city's vital installations -- the Pandacan oil depot and the United States Embassy -- from possible a...

Diarrhea Outbreak Kills 2 People in S. Philippines

Al Jacinto, Arab News ZAMBOANGA CITY, 17 September 2007 - Two people had died and five dozens more were infected with a still unknown disease in two remote villages in the southern Philippines, health...

MILF offers to leave camps for peace's sake

The MILF leadership made the offer to the military as a gesture of goodwill ahead of an expected resumption of talks in Malaysia later this month, its spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said.

Court junks couple's plea to collect lotto jackpot prize

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the bid of a couple to collect from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) over P89 million lotto jackpot prize which they claimed to have won during a g...

Rules on 'writ of amparo' out next month

CEBU CITY, Philippines--The Supreme Court is expected to promulgate the rules on the writ of amparo next month to show that the high tribunal is serious in addressing the unabated cases of human right...

Electrifying public transport seen helping cut deadly pollution

Robert Puckett, president of Solar Electric, says electric jeepneys could help cut pollution levels. Made in China the e-jeepney costs some P550,000 ($11,956) and can cover 100 kilometers before...

Guilty as charged verdict heeds spirit

Thus, the accused will be found guilty of plunder if any two (or more) of the four acts ("combination") or, if under any one of the category, at least two criminal acts ("series) are proved beyo...

Labor to put up 4 more aid offices for Pinoy workers abroad

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will construct four additional Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (Polos) to address the needs and demands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).Labor Secret...

Penalty v. stores selling contrabands proposed

A BICOL lawmaker has filed House Bill (HB) 1033 penalizing mall and storeowners who are engaged in the selling of smuggled goods in the country. "Businessmen who sell contraband are a clear threat to ...

4 Peruvians deported for using RP in sneaking into Canada

MANILA, Philippines--Four Peruvian nationals have been deported for attempting to use the Philippines as a jump-off point to enter Canada illegally. Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said in...

Plane crashes in Thailand resort island; as many as 100 feared dead

A civil aviation official said the pilot of the MD-82, operated by budget carrier One-Two-Go, got permission to abort the landing at the last minute, but that the plane dropped from the sky, cra...

Military backs amnesty for communist rebels

A TOP official of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said they support the granting of amnesty to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing New People's Army (NPA), and the N...

DoJ to focus on investment scams, extrajudicial killings

MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Justice (DoJ) will give priority to cases involving investment scams and killings of political activists and members of the media, under the watch of acting Just...

Imelda Marcos's friends deny reports of heart ailment

IMELDA FAN. A supporter of Imelda Marcos, wearing a T-shirt showing an image of the former first lady, offers songs and prayers for her quick recovery in Manila, 16 September 2007, during a prayer ral...

'The last laugh is mine'--Estrada on partying prosecutors

MANILA, Philippines -- "We will have the last laugh. It will be the people who will celebrate in the end." So said Joseph Estrada in light of the Friday night "thanksgiving dinner" of prosecutors and...

Philippine rebels ready to aid military offensive

MANILA: A Muslim separatist group negotiating peace terms with the Philippine government said Sunday it has offered to abandon its strongholds so troops can go after Al-Qaeda-linked militants. The Mor...

Released communist leader rejects gov't offer to resume peace talks

THE military told New People's Army (NPA) guerillas that their leaders do not care for their welfare as evidenced by communist party founder Jose Maria Sison's rejection of government's offer to resum...

Did the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction over Estrada

PRESIDENT Joseph Ejercito Estrada was formally convicted of plunder by the Sandigan bayan last September 12, 2007. What should the Filipino people ask themselves? The most important question wou...

Decision marred by faulty English

It's most unfortunate that the Sandiganbayan decision on the Estrada plunder case, a landmark document in Philippine jurisprudence, should be marred by far from impeccable English. Many sentence...

Science big winner in Filipino women's conquest of Everest

FORT DEL PILAR, BAGUIO CITY -- Jeanette Belarmino-Sardenta, Carina Dayondon and Noelle Wenceslao may have won their spurs as the first Filipino women to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, the world's ta...

Crocodile tears for Erap

Crocodile tears flowed freely at the Senate last Wednesday. And nowhere did the lachrymose hypocrisy gush more strongly than from the Office of the Senate President hours after deposed President...

Gonzalez's kidney donor 'like a son'

MANILA, Philippines -- The lifesaver of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez is not just a driver. Felicito Gunay, known as "Muroy," is virtually a family member, according to sources who refused to be id...

Generations come together vs Arroyo, Marcos abuses

MANILA -- Two generations of human rights activists -- those who suffered during the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and those now seeking an end to the political killings and disappearances in the admi...

Good for business, economy and RP int'l image

FORMER President Joseph Estrada's plunder conviction is good for the Philippine eco nomy in the long term because investors' confidence in the country would improve, according to observers from ...

DOJ secretary "OK" after kidney transplant, says son

MANILA, Philippines -- Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has already managed to talk with his children after his kidney transplant procedure on Friday morning, his son and namesake Iloilo City Represent...

ZTE contract useless without loan agreement

THE government's $329.4-million broadband network deal with Chinese firm ZTE Corporation is useless without a loan agreement to activate it, the justice department reiterated Saturday.Acting Justice S...

RP gov't to keep out of Joma case unless told to do so

UNLESS formally requested to act, the Philippine government will stay out of the legal battle of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison in The Netherlands.Acting J...

Rules on writ of amparo out next month--SC

Human rights lawyer Neri Javier Colmenares, secretary general of the National Union of People's Lawyers told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview that Marquez, who delivered the solidarity message of Sup...

DOTC chief wants to talk on ZTE deal, seeks SC permission

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City -- Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza on Saturday said he actually wanted to explain the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal and was not using th...

Estrada meets with lawyers

MANILA, Philippines -- Deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada met with his lawyers while under house arrest Saturday to plan his next move after being sentenced to life imprisonment for massive c...

In his 'garden,' flowers don't shrivel up or die

IN THE TWO YEARS THAT he has engaged in the business of blooms, Ricky Mijares never once needed to place his flowers under the sun or to water them. His roses, sunflowers and orchids are all made of ...

'Sharon,' 'Richard' pampered in P1.3-M kitty house

"RUFFA" AND "PIOLO" ARE two of the 200 stray cats now enjoying tender loving care in a P1.3 million cattery that pet lover and businesswoman Baby Tabeta has built in a secluded area in Antipolo City. ...

Electric jeepneys clear Manila's air

A local company backed by the environmental group Greenpeace thinks it may have a solution to help ease the air pollution problem - electric jeepneys powered by a "bio-digester plant" that generates e...

Philippines to Open More Labor Offices Abroad as OFW Numbers Expand

Julie Javellana-Santos, Arab News MANILA, 16 September 2007 - The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to open new offices in four areas abroad where the number of Overseas Fili...

Bomb Attack in S. Philippines Follows Australian Warning

Al Jacinto, Arab News ZAMBOANGA CITY, 16 September 2007 - A bomb exploded yesterday in the southern Philippines barely two days after Australia warned its citizens of a possible terrorist attacks in t...

Filipino women leave closet behind to lead nation and its corporations

Edition 1 Sagarika Senapaty Filipino women have long been known for working as maids or salesgirls in many parts of the world. Back home, however, they are taking huge strides in the workplace....

Lim rejects calls to close Manila Zoo

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday rejected calls by an animal rights group to close the Manila Zoo and even vowed to add to the animals already in the zoo. "In all developed ci...

Police tighten security in Camanava, Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Police in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) and in the province of Rizal have tightened their security measures due to threats from communist reb...

Palma case not yet closed

MANILA, Philippines - The rape-slay case of 7-year-old Geraldine Palma cannot be considered closed by the Manila Police District until her nanny Marites Ontog is found, city mayor Alfredo Lim said yes...

Salonga resigns from Sigma Rho

MANILA, Philippines - Ramon Magsaysay awardee and former Senate President Jovito Salonga has resigned as member of the Sigma Rho fraternity after some of its members were implicated in the fatal hazin...

Once in a while, Arroyo is funny

MANILA, Philippines -- "GMA forms superbody to fight graft"-Inquirer front-page headline yesterday. Hahahaha! Once in a while, the President is funny even when she's being serious. * * * President...

Opposition to pursue broadband deal probe

THE United Opposition (UNO) will proceed with the investigation of the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal despite the announcement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the projec...

Campus-based call center project questioned

SOME officials of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) are now being asked to explain the implementation of the government's P500 million worth of campus-based call center project that was meant ...

Abalos denies bugging Speaker De Venecia's son

MANILA, Philippines -- Finding himself in another wiretapping controversy, Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos denied Friday he ordered the bugging of the phone of Joey De Venecia III in ...

Battle for Boracay mansion

"We don't know that the property was the controversial Boracay mansion because our system only provides us with the list of real properties in the city that have failed to settle their tax oblig...

Erap conscience clear despite plunder conviction

"He can face anybody with his head held up high for his conscience is clear and he has done nothing wrong," he said. "For our part, we are trying to move on and go back to normal but it is reall...

Standard and Poor's affirms 'stable' rating

Improved revenue streams should help the Philippines weather the ongoing global market turbulence, Standard and Poor's said Friday as it affirmed Manila's sovereign credit ratings with stable ou...

JPEPA's jargon way too perplexing for senators

Aquino said the senators also asked technical questions and given the limited time given to trade officials to answer questions, they replied the way they did.

Joma recounts ordeal in Dutch prison

"The Philippine government remains persistent in prosecuting Joma here. What happened in The Netherlands was purely a Dutch initiative and it is early for us to make judgment particularly in rel...

Agri executive says JPEPA all about trade

As to the $125-million fertilizer grant, supposedly made by the Japanese government to soften opposition to the treaty, Serrano said the deal was concluded long before JPEPA was signed in Septem...

Budget hearing takes up Education, Labor departments

In the budget hearing, Lapus defended the Cyber Education project, saying it is needed to improve the quality of education. The project involves equipping classrooms nationwide with TV sets, and...

Junk NBN deal if you're against corruption

MANILA, Philippines -- Walk the walk. This was Senate President Manuel Villar's challenge to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after she announced her intention to uphold the $329 million broadband p...

Japan eyes robots to support its ageing population

TOKYO - It looks like a washing machine on wheels, but
the bulky contraption vacuuming the hallways of a Tokyo high-rise is a
robot.

Phil. Silicon Valley: Bootstrapping and balance

Michael Hansson, a former serial "tech-nopreneur" whose company was
acquired by the Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. (IMI), spoke at a
Kapihan at the UP Ayala Technology Business Incubator (TBI) last
Wednesday about bootstrapping.

Features: Spot check: JBL Spot 2.1
multimedia speakers

If you are one of those tempted by the very attractive
form factor of JBL's Spot and Spyro, you are in good company. These
multimedia speakers do look good, and for the very affordable price of
Php5,995, you get a 2.1 speaker system made by a company that
specializes in sound.

Open House : Resolving the P2P Dilemma

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking has become one of the dominant forms of electronic communication around the world and shows no signs of slowing down.

Mixed scores for RP in tech sector survey

A favorable business environment has made the Philippines attractive to information technology (IT) investors but infrastructure, productivity and legal issues have pulled down the country's competitiveness.

Sony launches new notebooks

Japanese consumer electronics giant Sony has finally
launched it new line of notebook computers in the Philippine market,
noting better market conditions.

High court holds broadband deal

Implementation of the controversial National Broadband Network project was suspended
yesterday by the Supreme Court, which acted on a petition filed by opponents of the
$350-million deal.

Apple sells one million iPhones in seventy-four days

NEW YORK -- Apple, Inc. said yesterday it has sold its
one-millionth iPhone, a few weeks ahead of schedule, reassuring
investors who had worried that last week's price cut signaled weak
demand for the phone.

Cyber attacks new weapon in state arsenal

NEW YORK -- Cyber-attacks against government networks in
recent months illustrate how states like China are discovering the power
of a new weapon that is less expensive and more discreet than battalions
of tanks or spies.

Headline: Stronger RP growth expected

THE PHILIPPINES IS EXPECTED TO OUTPACE Southeast Asian growth this year given stronger-than-expected first-half results, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday said.

Corporate News: Justice dep't wants to dissolve Philcomsat

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) is proposing to dissolve Philcomsat Holdings Corp. to end the lingering feud among its shareholders, as well as to give the government greater control over the management and assets of the company.

Banking & Finance: Loan growth eases to 3.4%, slowest in more than a year

BANK LENDING GREW at its slowest pace in more than a year in July as banks shifted their funds to higher—yielding special deposit accounts of the central bank, while companies have found alternative sources of funding, the central bank said yesterday.

Stock Market: Stocks rise in cautious trade; Fed awaited

SHARE PRICES closed higher in cautious trade yesterday, while some investors hunted for bargains ahead of the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates tomorrow.

Economy: Provisional power rate cut approved

HOUSEHOLDS NATIONWIDE could see lower power bills starting next month, via National Power Corp. (Napocor) rate cuts approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last week, commission Chairman Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. said in a telephone interview yesterday.

The Nation: Palace officials 'no-show' anew in Senate wiretap hearing

PUBLIC OFFICIALS once again invoked Executive Order (EO) 464 in the ongoing Senate probe on wiretapping activities allegedly conducted by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

IT Matters: Japan eyes robots to support its ageing population

TOKYO — It looks like a washing machine on wheels, but the bulky contraption vacuuming the hallways of a Tokyo high-rise is a robot.

Signal No. 1 up over Batanes as 'Goring' exits RP

Batanes province has been placed under Storm Signal 1 even as typhoon "Goring" (international code name: Wipha) continued to intensify and move west-northwest towards Taiwan Tuesday morning. The Ph...

Dimakiling, Engay capture Shell Davao chess plums

Philippines endeavor to be a good host for next World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention

Atong Ang back in business

CAMP VICENTE LIM, LAGUNA -- Has Charlie "Atong" Ang, former gambling buddy of deposed President Joseph Estrada, found a way to return to his former "business?" While Estrada has been convicted of plun...

Typhoon 'Goring' continues to intensify, move west-northwest

Typhoon "Goring" (international code name: Wipha) intensified further and accelerated slightly as it continued on its path towards Taiwan Monday night. In its advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric G...

BIR data bank to flush out cheats

Bureau of Internal Revenue has been building its largest data bank yet on taxpayers by culling information from the Bureau of Immigration, Land Transportation Office, Land Registration Authority, Depa...

Arroyo urges Senate to act on cheap drugs bill instead

Abandoned kids find hope in foreign homes

Department of Social Welfare and Development . The conference was organized to discuss and address the issues affecting abandoned Filipino children -- how adoption can be a means of parental developm...

Why the PNG should be revived

MANILA, Philippines -- I agree with PSC chair William "Butch" Ramirez who broached the idea of reviving the mothballed Philippine National Games. The integrated, Olympic-style, multi-sports national ...

Football body suspends NCRFA over court case

Artadi now a Gin King after feud with Purefoods coaches

Abalos cites Comelec concerns for absence

Senate hearing on the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal because he did not want to compromise the Comelec. "I wish I could, but my personal concern should not outweigh the concerns of the office....

Senate, Palace edge toward crisis as execs snub hearing

Senate on Monday moved closer to a showdown with Malaca ang after government and military officials once more snubbed the "Hello Garci" hearing by invoking an executive order that had been struck down...

You can stop Cebu smuggling

CEBU CITY-Following similar appeals made to Congress, car dealers in Cebu are now asking President Macapagal-Arroyo to stop the rampant car smuggling. Councilor Jack Jakosalem, chair of the Cebu City...

Palace prefers pardon for Estrada over amnesty

MANILA, Philippines -- Joseph Estrada may be open to being granted amnesty, as announced on Sunday by one of his allies, but President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's key advisers are not biting. According...

Anthony Fernando nails RP Am

ILOILO CITY -- Anthony Fernando built a 6-hole buffer in the morning and then cruised to an 8-and-7 victory over an overmatched Mario Labajo to win the 2007 Philippine Amateur championship in one of t...

Indigenous peoples laud new UN declaration

BAGUIO CITY -- Leaders and representatives of indigenous peoples have hailed as a "historic milestone" the adoption on Thursday of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. ...

Cops want 'suitcase' girl"s body exhumed

The buried body that was earlier found stuffed in a green suitcase was four feet two inches tall and appeared not to belong to seven-year-old Gerladine "Dindin" Palma. Thus on Monday, the Manila polic...

Bishop to bare ills of RP mining before London parliament

While the Philippine government is praising mining activities of foreign firms in the country, Catholic bishops are baring the ills of mining to foreign lawmakers. The Catholic Bishops Conference o...

Government of the Philippines intensifies R&D on several agricultural crops

SEAMEO SEARCA THE government is intensifying research and development (R&D) on several commodities while boosting production of nontraditional agricultural products through biotechnology to h...

House OKs 2-year delay of village, SK elections

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure resetting the October 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to the second Monday of May 2009. One ...

Estradas unfazed by Singson threat vs JV Ejercito

DoJ chief's new kidney functioning well--says doctor

Atienza to call envoys to meet on poaching

I just need the right shoes

Bishop slams 'shortcuts' in grant of Palawan mining permits

MANILA, Philippines -- A Palawan bishop is asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Office of the President to impose more stringent checks on mining permit applicatio...

Overseas Filipino facing death penalty may be saved

Less dengue cases this year--DoH

Senate to focus on 'mystery man' in ZTE deal

Mike Arroyo leaves for Hong Kong

First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo left aboard a flight bound for Hong Kong on Monday late afternoon. Arroyo boarded Cathay Pacific flight CX-918, set to fly out at 5:55 p.m. Citing ...

'Dad raring to get back to work'

Seair inaugurates Cebu-Pagadian flight

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines -- Expanding its route network beyond just leisure destinations, domestic carrier Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair) launched its Cebu-Pagadian service on Monday, bridging Vis...

Imelda Marcos leaves Philippine hospital

Palace adviser tells Erap 'fastest' way back to freedom

Don't appeal. Let the court decision become final and executory. Then, seek pardon from Malacañang. This is former President Joseph Estrada's fastest way back to freedom, Sergio Apostol, chief ...

Erap should seek pardon, not amnesty

Pardon and not amnesty is the kind of reprieve that former President Joseph Estrada must seek from the government, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said on Monday. "For the sake of national reconci...

Abalos begs off from Senate NBN probe

De Venecia son ready to name 'mystery man' in NBN deal

Mike Arroyo slips out on eve of Senate ZTE probe

Admin senators want 'Garci' probe snobs cited for contempt

In an unexpected move, two senators allied with the administration on Monday led colleagues in their call to cite for contempt Malacañang executives for their continued refusal to attend public...

Abu Sayyaf may be using kites to attack choppers - PAF chief

Al-Qaeda-linked militants and their sympathizers may be using an unlikely weapon to strike at attack helicopters and cut the risk of aerial raids on their jungle strongholds: kites. A Huey helicopt...

SC orders ex-PAL pilot to pay P500T for contract breach

The Supreme Court Second Division on Monday ordered a former pilot of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) to pay the air transport firm more than P500,000 for violating a training agreement, radio dzBB repo...

Van of MMDA exec's daughter taken at QC carwash shop

A van belonging to the daughter of a top official of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was forcibly taken on Monday morning by four armed men while it was at a Quezon City carwash shop. ...

Buy cheaper medicine from India, Arroyo urges drug firms

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday urged drug firms to import medicine from India and sell these at prices lower than those sold by multinational companies in the Philippines. "When I go t...

DoJ urged to reopen probe on Esperat killing, zero-in on masterminds

The sister of slain journalist Marlene Esperat has asked the Department of Justice to reopen the investigation on the murder and reinstate two key suspects who are believed to be the masterminds behin...

PCGG admits no post-Marcos 'behest loans' probed

Pinoys to incur P10-B interest on ZTE project

Filipinos would be forced to shell out almost P10 billion worth of interest payments if the Philippine government pushes through with its $329.48 million (P16 billion) broadband project with China's Z...

'I felt God's guiding hands'

Dutch returning to seek more evidence vs Sison--PNP

New bat species discovered in Philippines

AFP lowers alert status from red to blue

The military on Monday said it has downgraded its alert status, saying there are no longer threats of violence in relation to last week's guilty judgment on former President Joseph Estrada for plunder...

QC to convert Boracay mansion into museum

Adamant to hand over the property to the national government, the Quezon City on Monday said it push through with the planned conversion of the "Boracay mansion" into a public museum. In an intervi...

'Start moving vs masterminds'

QC prosecutor summons Noli, wife in bigamy case

A Quezon City prosecutor has ordered Vice President Noli de Castro and his wife, Arlene Sinsuat de Castro, to attend the first preliminary investigation set Wednesday on the bigamy case filed by the l...

Nearly 19,000 dengue cases, 200 deaths in first 9 months

Close to 19,000 people were stricken with dengue, of which 190 died, in the first nine of the year, the Department of Health reported Monday. But Health Secretary Francisco Duque III pointed out th...

Estrada case 'stumbling block' for 2 ant-graft justices

Philippine Airlines to exit receivership in October

Philippines finds new breed of flying fox

Miriam zeroes in on Doble's past

With all Cabinet and military officials snubbing the "Hello Garci" hearing Monday, administration Sen. Miriam Santiago zeroed in on the checkered past of the lone resource person, former T/Sgt. Vidal ...

MMDA diggings stall Metro traffic

No thanks to another unannounced digging, traffic along the northbound lane of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) will be tight for the next seven days. Radio dzEC reported Monday that the Metropo...

No Filipino aboard ill-fated Thai plane -- DFA spokesman

Senate should call on Arroyo to pardon Estrada--Roxas

Philippines' MILF offers to make way for military operatives against Abu Sayyaf

Palace men snub "Garci" probe anew; Senate mulls contempt

(Updated 11:40 a.m.) Presidential aide Remedios Poblador and other Cabinet officials snubbed the Senate hearing on the "Hello, Garci" controversy Monday, as Malacañang insisted it was not the p...

DOTC faces 'ghost' deals at Coast Guard amid ZTE

Still reeling from criticisms over the controversial national broadband contract with China's ZTE Corp., the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) finds itself in yet another controve...

'Goring' now a typhoon, heads for south Japan

Tropical storm "Goring" (international code name: Wipha) intensified into a typhoon Monday morning as it continued its northwest path toward Ryukyu in Southern Japan, state weather forecasters said. ...

1 dead, 5 hurt in Para aque road mishap

One person was killed while five others - including a one-year-old girl - were injured in a road mishap in Parañaque City Monday morning. Radio dzBB reported that the lone fatality was initi...

Nightly market patrols up vs 'hot' meat in Pasay

The Pasay city government has ordered nightly market patrols in the city after authorities intercepted 500 kilograms of contaminated or "hot" meat along a busy thoroughfare last weekend. Radio dzBB...

Anti-smuggling body starts inspection of malls, stores

With the Christmas shopping season about to peak, anti-smuggling operatives have started making inspection rounds of malls and stores to look for smuggled food items and other goods. Radio dzBB rep...

DoJ to focus on scams, killings

Department of Justice will give priority to cases involving investment scams and extrajudicial killings, including those of members of the media, under the watch of acting Secretary Agnes Devanadera. ...

Don't embarass Arroyo, apply for amnesty - Palace to Erap

If he decides to go for amnesty, then former President Joseph Estrada must first apply for it, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said Monday. Apostol, one of the prosecutors at Estrad...

W. Visayas workers get P13 to P41 wage hikes

BACOLOD CITY -- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) on Sept. 12 approved a wage increase for Western Visayas ranging from P13 to P41 that is expected to take effect Oct. 1. R...

Police task groups formed to secure Pandacan oil depot, US embassy

Two police task forces were created to secure the Pandacan oil depot and the United States embassy against anticipated terrorist attacks, dzBB radio reported Monday. The report said that the creati...

Reimbursement of Guimaras oil spill cleanup slammed

Petron Corp. for the clean-up of areas affected by the oil spill in Guimaras. The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) also urged the London-based

Mendoza tells cadets NBN deal 'all right, sir!'

Philippine Military Academy that the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) project was "on the level," when he declared "All right, sir!" during a closed-door testimonial luncheon with PMA ca...

Women start back-to-bayong drive in Pampanga

APALIT, PAMPANGA -- Out with plastic bags. Go back to using "bayong". Make the shift to protect the one world we live in. Picking up that cause, the wives of 20 Pampanga provincial mayors and Rep. Ju...

Rabies cases prompts state of calamity in La Union town

DAGUPAN CITY -- Man's best friend is causing a plague in Bauang, La Union, prompting officials to join hands in vaccinating all dogs in the town and neighboring areas due to the upsurge of rabies case...

Diarrhea Outbreak Kills 2 People in S. Philippines

Storm 'Goring" intensifies, moves northwestward

Tropical storm "Goring" (international code name: Wipha) continued to intensify and accelerate northwestward, enhancing the southwest monsoon as it did so. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical a...

Jonas Burgos case may go all the way up to SC

Supreme Court the attempts by the family of Jonas Burgos to secure its investigation report on how the license plate of an impounded jeep ended up on the vehicle used in his kidnapping, Gen. Hermogene...

Businessmen still cautious after verdict

Cautious The markets are cautious and are not dancing to the euphoric tune of the government that is now celebrating the verdict as a major political triumph confirming the legitimacy of the first te...

100 convicts want to serve Estrada's term

MANILA, Philippines -- When Joseph Estrada spared some 100 death convicts from execution while he was President, little did he know his act of mercy would bring him good karma -- in his own time of tr...

Arroyo men seen to snub 'Hello Garci' quiz

Medy Poblador At the first hearing on Sept. 7 of the new Senate probe of the Hello Garci tapes, Poblador was named by opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson as the "Medy" who was among those at the residence...

MILF offers to pull out forces in Basilan, Sulu

MANILA, Philippines -- In a gesture of goodwill ahead of an anticipated resumption of peace talks, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Sunday announced that it had offered to abandon its strongho...

Gabica, Alcano forge RP Open title clash

MANILA, Philippines -- Antonio Gabica conquered pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 13-10, Sunday to arrange a showdown with reigning world 9-ball champion Ronato Alcano for the fourth annual San Miguel ...

Lucky Philippines should repay Freddie Roach

LOS ANGELES -- They're getting ready and there's the tinkle of silverware, the clinking of wine glasses traveling all the way from dear old Manila to the clogged corridor of the Wild Card gym here. O...

Negros tanker creates big ripples at POF

ILOILO CITY -- Jose Mari Ere eta got into swimming to cure a lung ailment. But the nine-year-old tanker from Negros Occidental province found out Sunday that he could do more than just overcome his a...

Air21 not giving up on Jaworski

MANILA, Philippines -- Robert Jaworski will most probably accept the Air21 coaching job in the Philippine Basketball Association, hopefully in time for the opening of the coming Philippine Cup. This ...

SSC, UE jins lead junior champs

MANILA, Philippines -- San Sebastian College's Sidney Crispino and University of the East's Anthony John Samia led the winners Sunday in the junior division of the 2007 Samsung Best of the Best Nation...

Tigers, Tams in KO duel for No. 4

MANILA, Philippines -- With its varsity basketball reign on the line, University of Santo Tomas clashes with a Far Eastern University side it has never gotten close to beating this season as a hectic ...

Prosecutors told to prioritize financial scam, journalist killing cases

The Department of Justice under Acting Secretary Agnes Devanadera wants to prioritize the prosecution and resolution of pending cases involving financial scams and the killing of journalists. Devan...

Arroyo to inaugurate projects for Zambo"s 55th anniversary

A series of projects will mark the 55th anniversary of Zamboanga del Sur, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo personally visiting the province on Monday. A Malacañang statement said Mrs A...

Erap open to amnesty, slams door anew on Arroyo pardon

(11:01 p.m. update) Former president Joseph Estrada, who was convicted of plunder on September 12, is considering accepting the government amnesty offer instead of seeking a court appeal to overturn h...

Accept pardon, it"s like getting "acquittal"

Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said Sunday convicted former president Joseph Estrada should just apply for pardon because it is less circuitous than the process of appealing t...

Marcelo urges lawyers to help prosecute big graft cases

Former Tanodbayan Simeon Marcelo believes the collaborative effort between private lawyers and government prosecutors that resulted in the conviction of former president Joseph Estrada for plunder cou...

4 Peruvians deported for using RP in sneaking into Canada

Imelda Marcos's friends deny reports of heart ailment

Gonzalez preparing for retirement - son

Three days after he underwent a kidney transplant, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez is now raring to return to work. But according to his son, Iloilo Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr., his father is also conte...

Gonzales sees bloody Red purge to sabotage gov"t amnesty program

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales on Sunday warned that communist leaders led by its founding chairman Jose Maria Sison might sabotage the government's amnesty program for rebel returnees th...

Rules on 'writ of amparo' out next month

Asian consultation on adjudication starts in Hong Kong

Representatives from nine Asian countries will meet in Hong Kong from Tuesday to Friday to discuss the problems of delays in adjudication in their respective countries. Hong Kong-based rights group...

Putting food, water to the test

MANILA, Philippines—Pinky Pe Tobiano has been battling cancer for three years now, but this has not stopped her from starting what seems to be the fight of her life.

It’s spa-rty time!

MANILA, Philippines—It is time to party and to outdo all parties because it will be a celebration that incorporates well-being.

Yes, ETs and UFOs are real

MANILA, Philippines—We do not hear much about extraterrestrials (ETs) and unidentified flying objects (UFOs) lately.

Rico Blanco’s T-shirt designs rock & roll

MANILA, Philippines—There were tons of music lovers and loads of fashionistas, palanggas, that flocked to the Glorietta Activity Center for the unveiling of Rico Blanco’s choice and exciting new T-shirt designs for Human, natch!

Quiapo and the Filipino: Not exotic enough?

MANILA, Philippines - Fernando Nakpil Zialcita, a true Manile�o from Quiapo, heads the Cultural Heritage Studies Program at the Ateneo de Manila University while being deeply involved in Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, his family’s 1914 landmark house in the heart of Quiapo, now a museum and community center.

Taking our necktie off, letting our hair down

MANILA, Philippines – The city’s primary business hotel, Mandarin Oriental, has been taking its necktie off, so to speak. Its new, hip after-office demeanor adds a revitalized aura to the classy location, formerly best known for its annual Chinese New Year celebration.

Cebu welcomes home renowned pianist

MANILA, Philippines - Aima Labra Makk was born in Cebu in 1965 and started piano lessons at the age of three with her mother, Aida Briones Labra. She committed herself to piano in her teens and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of the Philippines.

Eager to be a mom

MANILA, Philippines – Dear Emily, I am 35 years old and single. I have had relationships in the past but not one had been serious enough for me to entertain the thought of marriage.

San Lorenzo Ruiz’s 20th canonization year

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino-Americans, mostly from New York, with Fr. Erno Diaz, will celebrate the 20th anniversary on Oct. 18 in Rome of the canonization by Pope John Paul II of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint.

Birthday gals

MANILA, Philippines—Last Monday, on her day off, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc attended a special party to celebrate the birthdays of people born in September.

Eating raw veggies

MANILA, Philippines—After a Chinese friend told us that she eats a lot of raw vegetables, she peeled off a sweet potato and ate it in front of us. She invited us to taste it, so we did.

Fun with problem solving

MANILA, Philippines—Problem solving is the heart of math. Math is aimed not so much at speedy calculations, but to develop a rational mind, perseverance and discipline, and reasonable ways to tackle real-life problems.

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