The Philippine Headlines - September 19, 2007

Posted by Balitang Pinoy at 9:41 AM

Poultry sector calls for increased agro investments

The poultry sector has called on the government to invest heavily in production of corn, coconut oil and molasses to address the rising cost of commodities.

O.J. Simpson to face kidnapping, armed robbery charges

LOS ANGELES -- American football legend O.J. Simpson was hit by a barrage of felony charges on Tuesday that could see him jailed for years following his arrest for armed robbery in Las Vegas, documents showed.

PDIC president Mike Osmeña dies; 57

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. president Michael “Mike” Ablaza Osmeña passed away on Monday after a brief bout with cancer.

Dollar falls to record low vs euro after Fed rate cut

NEW YORK -- The dollar tumbled to an all-time low against the euro on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve aggressively cut interest rates to prevent financial market turmoil from seeping further into the US economy.

2 more tobacco firms buck tax order

Two more cigarette makers have asked the Department of Finance to reconsider its decision to cut the excise tax on Pall Mall cigarettes produced by competitor British American Tobacco (BAT).

Oil hits new high over $82 after Fed rate cut

NEW YORK -- Crude oil surged to a peak over $82 a barrel on Tuesday, the fifth record in as many trading days, as a US Federal Reserve decision to slash interest rates heightened concerns of a winter supply squeeze in the world's top energy consumer.

Legacy Ventures pours P1B into maiden property project

Legacy Ventures Realty and Development Inc. is investing nearly P1 billion in its maiden condominium-townhouse project near the Manila Bay, its president said.

Philippine call center puts up affiliate in US

A homegrown call center operator said Tuesday it had put up an affiliate in the United States in preparation for expansion of its operations in the US market.

Electronics group urges move into nuclear power

The Semiconductor and Electronic Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI), which effectively represents the country’s biggest export sector, is urging the government to venture into nuclear power generation, saying this is the only way for the Philippines to have competitive electricity costs over the long term.

Central bank posts P50B in forex losses

The central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), incurred P50 billion in foreign exchange losses from January to July as it bought dollars on the currency spot market to temper the peso’s rise, according to its latest unaudited financial statement.

Fed rate cut ‘a healthy dose’ to avert recession

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut Tuesday is a “healthy” and an “aggressive” move to stimulate a US economy under stress and avert a recession, analysts said.

Wall St rallies after Fed rate cut

NEW YORK -- US stocks shot higher on Tuesday after the Federal Reserve cut the fed funds rate by 50 basis points, providing relief to investors worried that the housing and credit market turmoil could spread to the broader economy.

US Fed slashes interest rates

WASHINGTON -- The US Federal Reserve on Tuesday slashed benchmark US interest rates by a half-percentage point in a bold bid to buffer the economy from a housing slump and related financial market turbulence.

Upbeat RP stars kick off Asian chess campaign

MANDAUE CITY -- Forget about the ratings; the Filipino players are determined to topple their touted foreign rivals when the 6th Asian Individual Chess Championships begin at the Cebu International Convention Center here.

Lions, Knights start battle for NCAA crown

MANILA, Philippines -- History underpins the renewal of the rivalry between San Beda College and Letran College when they start their NCAA men’s basketball best-of-three championship series on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Full text, NBN contract, other documents

BELOW is a link to the digitized 39-page National Broadband Network (NBN) contract between the government and China's ZTE Corp. that was submitted to the Senate hearing on 18 September 2007.

Retirement pay worth P600,000 lost to robbers

MANILA, Philippines – Juan Gutierrez Jr., a 54-year-old former employee of Union Ajinomoto Inc., was ready to enjoy his retirement pay.

Fire guts building in Mandaluyong

Fire razed the fifth floor of a commercial building in Mandaluyong City Wednesday morning, stalling traffic along the south bound lane in EDSA amid the heavy downpour, radio DZMM reported.

JDV flying to Amsterdam?

Speaker Jose de Venecia is reportedly taking a plane to Amsterdam, capital of The Netherlands, Wednesday morning, a radio DZMM report said.

BSP sees room to adjust rates after Fed cut

Philippine central bank Governor Amando Tetangco said on Wednesday a decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut key interest rates by 50 basis points allowed "room for manoeuvre" in setting local rates.

Britney Spears must undergo drug testing: custody judge

LOS ANGELES - The judge in Britney Spears' custody case has ordered the troubled singer to undergo random drug testing in the latest twist to her increasingly bitter legal battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline, court documents showed Tuesday.

Asian ADRs rally after US rate cut

HONG KONG - Asian stocks listed on Wall Street jumped 2.7 percent to a seven-week closing high after the U.S. Federal Reserve slashed the benchmark fed funds
rate by 50 basis points to 4.75 percent.

US senator back at work after sex sting

WASHINGTON - Republican Senator Larry Craig returned to work Tuesday for the first time since announcing his pending resignation after his arrest by police investigating gay sex incidents.

Cop slain in Batangas ambush

A policeman was shot dead by four motorcycle-riding assailants in Batangas City Wednesday morning.

O.J. Simpson to face kidnapping, armed robbery charges

LOS ANGELES - American football legend O.J. Simpson was hit by a barrage of felony charges on Tuesday that could see him jailed for years following his arrest for armed robbery in Las Vegas, documents showed.

Recalled Mattel toys topped US legal lead limits

WASHINGTON - Toymaker Mattel Inc's recent recalls involved toys that had nearly 200 times the amount of lead in paint as allowed by US law, the company said in a letter released to a congressional subcommittee on Tuesday.

Jurors deadlocked in Phil Spector murder trial

LOS ANGELES - Jurors in the murder trial of legendary music producer Phil Spector said Tuesday they were deadlocked, raising the possibility of a mistrial after a five-month-long court-room battle.

PCGG Wants to Review Payanig sa Pasig Contract

While the government’s broadband deal with ZTE Corp. was being examined at the Senate today, it was learned that another...

GMA Played Golf with Businessmen Who Bagged Broadband Deal

With a finger pointed directly at the face of Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico who was seated beside him, businessman...

Mike Arroyo pushed for ZTE deal - de Venecia

Businessman Jose de Venecia III revealed today that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is the mystery man involved in...

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,...

Philippine Senator Calls for Pardon of Former President Estrada

ABS-CBN News , Posted: Sep 18, 2007 MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine Sen. Manuel Roxas II filed a resolution on Sept. 17 urging President Gloria Arroyo to pardon former President Joseph Estrada on...

Full text, NBN contract, other documents

BELOW is a link to the digitized 39-page National Broadband Network (NBN) contract between the government and China's ZTE Corp. that was submitted to the Senate hearing on 18 September 2007. The cont...

'MMDA traffic improvements to cut travel time to provinces'

MANILA, Philippines - The summer capital of Baguio may soon be just a three-hour ride away, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando said yesterday. The usual six-hour travel t...

Philippine call center puts up affiliate in US

A homegrown call center operator said Tuesday it had put up an affiliate in the United States in preparation for expansion of its operations in the US market. Gary Manansala, general manager of WinSo...

Parents reunited with missing daughter

MANILA, Philippines - A 3-year-old girl was reunited with her parents on Monday after the woman who took her tried to sell her to two security guards of a television network who in turn called up the ...

Part-time jobs for qualified Muntinlupa City students

MANILA, Philippines - Students enrolled in Muntinlupa City will soon be given a chance to work part-time for a popular fast-food chain. The city government recently announced its partnership with the...

Lim pushes for repeal of 'allowance ordinance' to dads

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday called the ordinance giving a P3 million "monetary reward" to local officials who had served three consecutive terms "self-serving," and said h...

UP frat violence forum seeks justice for Mendez

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, yesterday issued a twin challenge: One to witnesses in the suspected hazing death of public administrati...

Parents of rape-slay victim OK DNA test

MANILA, Philippines - The parents of Geraldine Palma, the 7-year-old girl who was kidnapped and raped, yesterday gave authorities the go-signal to exhume their daughter's body and subject it to a DNA ...

Transport chief to explain broadband deal to SC

IN APPARENT defiance of the Senate, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza to go instead to the Supreme Court (SC) to explain the National Broadband Network...

Anti-graft court, prosecution keep hands off pardon to Estrada

THE Sandiganbayan and the prosecution panel have adopted a "hands-off policy" on the proposal to grant presidential pardon to convicted plunderer ex-President Joseph Estrada. They said it would be up ...

Arroyo to maintain sick Gonzalez as justice chief

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she is keeping Raul Gonzalez Sr. as justice secretary until he recovers from his kidney transplant.Arroyo in a press briefing at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort ...

Communist rebel leader yields

A NEW People's Army (NPA) leader surrendered to the military in Laak town in Compostela Valley province on Monday, citing various reasons, including the unfair treatment of top communist leaders of th...

Imelda Marcos wants speedy trial

Imelda Marcos on Tuesday urged the Sandiganbayan to conduct marathon hearings on her 10 graft cases. The graft cases were in connection to her alleged management of five Marcos dummy foundations beli...

No DENR 'midnight deal,' says former undersecretary

MANILA, Philippines -- Secretary Angelo T. Reyes did not sign a "midnight deal" to pay US-based Emissions Technology Inc. (ETI) $1.3 million in back fees for an air-monitoring project just before he w...

Foreign funding to Abu Sayyaf dries up-bandit leader

In a clandestine interview with Al-Jazeera television in Basilan, Abu Kahlid, an Abu Sayyaf militant, said his group has lost the capability to launch large-scale attacks similar to the bombing ...

Govt posts another budget surplus

For the third consecutive month in August, the government has posted a budget surplus as a result of increasing revenues from the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and of Customs.

GMA tells Mendoza to explain to Tribunal

President Gloria Arroyo ordered Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza to explain the controversial broadband deal to the Supreme Court, although lawyer and allies of her hu...

eBay stops auction of Belgium

Internet auction website eBay withdrew an unusual secondhand sale item, the country of Belgium, which had attracted an offer of $13.9 million.

Estrada says now open to pardon

MANILA, Philippines -- Ousted president Joseph Estrada, sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of plunder, said Tuesday he would consider a presidential pardon that could set him free. Est...

House majority alliance stays

MANILA, Philippines -- The revelations of Speaker Jose De Venecia, Jr.'s son that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo tried to intimidate him into backing out of the national broadband network deal wil...

ZTE scandal is karma for Arroyos--Estrada son

MANILA, Philippines -- San Juan City Mayor Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said on Tuesday the current controversy surrounding the First Couple over the $329-million national broadband network (NBN) proje...

Children not spared from human rights violations--activists

MANILA, Philippines -- The human rights situation in the country is worse now than during martial law because even children are not spared from extrajudicial killings, a women's party-list group and a...

Almost 10% of Filipino families crime victims--survey

MANILA, Philippines -- Nearly one in every ten Filipino families (9.6 percent) was the victim of a common crime in the first half of this year, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stati...

Mike Arroyo's heart surgeon says departure 'badly timed'

MANILA -- First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike'' Arroyo just wanted a two-week vacation in Europe with friends and was not trying to evade the Senate investigation where he was linked to yet another alle...

Senate to oppose House bill resetting village, youth polls

MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate has agreed in a consensus to oppose moves to postpone barangay (village) and the Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections, the Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pi...

'There was no meeting with Joey de Venecia'--Abalos

MANILA, Philippines -- There was no such meeting. This was how Benjamin Abalos Sr., chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), denied his and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo's involvement ...

PCGG to sequester Estrada's ill-gotten wealth--Sabio

MANILA, Philippines -- The Presidential Commission on Good Government will sequester allegedly ill-gotten assets that former president Joseph Estrada might have accumulated "if President Gloria Macapa...

'Mike Arroyo trip long planned'--lawyer

MANILA, Philippines -- The lawyer of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo on Tuesday branded as "unfair" and "malicious" insinuations his client left the country to evade the Senate inquiry into the con...

SC upholds CA ruling vs Makati annexation of 'inner Fort'

MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the Court of Appeals decision stopping Makati City from annexing as part of its territory the so-called "inner Fort" inside Fort Bonifacio. In ...

Senate to invite Mike Arroyo, subpoena 3 Cabinet members

MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate blue-ribbon committee will invite First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo to its inquiry into the $329-million national broadband network project and that he would be subp...

PNP downgrades nationwide alert status

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday downgraded its full alert status in the National Capital Region and for the elite Special Action Force (SAF), and the he...

Philippine officials implicated in telecom kickbacks

Venecia said Abalos, the chairman of the Commission on Elections, offered him a bribe of $10 million just to withdraw from the bidding. He told the senators that he had refused the bribe and that when...

'My son is his own man'

MANILA, Philippines -- Breaking his silence, House Speaker Jose de Venecia said his son, Jose III, was being "his own man" when he exposed the alleged anomalies in the national broadband network (NBN)...

PNP seeks P883M for 2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is asking for a P883 million-budget for 2008 to cover the salaries and recruitment of new policemen, the procurement of more firearms, and t...

Population and fishing problems 'tied together'

Via web stream in Philippines Monday - 18:00Monday - 21:00Monday - 23:00Tuesday - 18:00Tuesday - 21:00Tuesday - 23:00Wednesday - 18:00Wednesday - 21:00Wednesday - 23:00Thursday - 18:00Thursday - 21:00...

'Act fast on amnesty proclamation'

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday called on Congress to act fast on the government's amnesty proclamation for communist rebels even as she again ordered the Armed For...

Congressman Arroyo comes to big brother's defense

MANILA, Philippines -- Congressman Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo defended his brother, the First Gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo, from accusations that he was involved in talks on the national broadband network ...

Bomb explodes inside a passenger bus in Philippines, no injuries

Manila - An improvised bomb exploded Tuesday inside a parked passenger bus in a southern Philippine city but no one was injured, a a provincial police official said. Senior Superintendent Robert Kiuni...

Philippine Arroyo's husband named over telecoms deal

MANILA (Reuters) - The husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was named in the senate on Tuesday in an inquiry into a controversial $330 million deal between the government and a ...

Villar reiterates call to free Estrada

DAVAO CITY -- Senate President Manuel Villar has reiterated his call to have convicted president Joseph Estrada released from detention. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Villar said Estrada's re...

Senators score departure of Mike Arroyo ahead of NBN probe

(UPDATE 2) First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is the 'mystery man" who attended one of the meetings in the forging of the National Broadband Network contract between the government and the ZTE Corp. o...

Status quo at DoJ until Gonzalez's recovery

Department of Justice (DoJ) until Secretary Raul Gonzalez is able to recover following a kidney transplant. Arroyo said she is happy that Gonzalez is recovering well after his operation on Sept. 14. ...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

'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...

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 ...

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...

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...

'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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

De Venecia son links President's husband to broadband contract

First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo has been linked to
the controversial $329-million National Broadband Network deal between
the Philippine government and China-based ZTE Corp.

Sans benchmarks, ABS-CBN to roll out digital TV next year

DESPITE A LACK of national guidelines, broadcast giant ABS-CBN is
pushing through with a plan to introduce digital TV next year.

Growing pains dimming India's outsourcing edge

BANGALORE -- India's outsourcing firms are shifting some
of their operations to China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Kenya in a
bid to stay competitive as higher wages, expensive property prices and a
rising rupee eat into profits.

IPVG takes over Libis call center

IP Contact Center Outsourcing, Inc. (IPCCO), a business
process outsourcing subsidiary of listed IPVG Corp., said yesterday it
would begin operating a call center in Eastwood City, Cyberpark.

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.

Headline: Fitch says gains not sustainable

SINGAPORE/MANILA — On the day the government announced that it had met a budget surplus goal, Fitch Ratings said an improvement in the Philippines' fiscal position, while impressive, was not sustainable.

Corporate News: Taiwanese lockmaker building $5-M facility in Subic

TAIWANESE PRODUCTION firm Tong Lung Philippines Metal Industry Co., Inc., will invest $5 million more or P232.09 million to expand its local manufacturing operations in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Banking & Finance: Gov't to borrow less in last quarter

THE GOVERNMENT WILL SELL P30 billion worth of Treasury bills and P42 billion worth of Treasury bonds or a total of P72 billion in the last quarter.

Stock Market: Mart uses political concern as excuse to sell

SHARE PRICES YESTERDAY dipped as investors used a brewing political concern and rising crude prices as an excuse to take profits. They were also cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates, dealers said.

The Economy: More tobacco firms question tax ruling

TWO MORE tobacco firms have joined Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco in protesting the Finance department ruling that gave a lower tax rate to Pall Mall cigarettes.

The Nation: De Venecia son links President's husband to broadband contract

FIRST GENTLEMAN Jose Miguel T. Arroyo has been linked to the controversial $329-million National Broadband Network deal between the Philippine government and China-based ZTE Corp.

Motoring: A reconstituted Accord?

TEN THOUSAND UNITS ALREADY? Wasn't it just yesterday when the latest Honda Civic took center stage at Ayala's award-winning Greenbelt Mall? One year hence, it's still as concept car fresh as it was when the covers were drawn at the Honda stand in the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. It's now common enough but its styling makes the latest Civic still stand out, even if Philippine streets are full of four generations of Civics.

IT Matters: De Venecia son links President's husband to broadband contract

FIRST GENTLEMAN Jose Miguel T. Arroyo has been linked to the controversial $329-million National Broadband Network deal between the Philippine government and China-based ZTE Corp.

Mike Arroyo foes not surprised; karma, says Estrada son

View the NBN contract and related documents MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband manages to draw controversy whether in sickness or in health. Opposition lawmakers, mos...

Doc, lawyer say FG trip set long before Senate probe

2nd trip overseas Cari o said Arroyo did not specify his ultimate destination in Europe. But according to sources speaking off the record, Arroyo was to fly to Munich in Germany from Hong Kong. It i...

What did President know, when did she know it

View the NBN contract and related documents MANILA, Philippines -- What did the President know and when did she know it? A businessman's disclosure that the husband of President Gloria Macapagal-Arr...

Mike Arroyo is mystery man

opening statement , De Venecia said: "It is with a heavy heart that I cannot deny that it was First Gentleman Mike Arroyo at the reconciliatory meeting." "I do, however, want to make clear that it wa...

Arroyo's House allies in disarray; kin to the defense

View the NBN contract and related documents MANILA, Philippines -- Allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Congress were thrown in disarray following the damning testimony of businessman

Philippine Senator Calls for Pardon of Former President Estrada

A chance at relevance

LOS ANGELES -- Going by established pre-fight facts -- if not by the tale of the tape --make believe, like love, will have to reign in order for Marco Antonio Barrera to corner enough bets in the Will...

Yap nails gold in Asian Archery Championships

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino archer Earl Benjamin Yap beat a world-ranked South Korean in a nerve-wracking shootout to win the men's compound gold in the 15th Asian Archery Championships in Xian, C...

Archers shoot down Eagles for No. 2 slot

MANILA, Philippines -- De La Salle University made all the right plays at the right time Tuesday and Ateneo de Manila University's Zion Laterre a basket that would have been heroic in another time, an...

Nanay Rosa's patriotic night

BAGUIO CITY - "It's a patriotic evening," a smiling businessman Oscar Pacis said at the conclusion of the concert marking the birth centenary of one of the University of Baguio's (UB) founders, the la...

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. And ...

Philippine call center puts up affiliate in US

Team to search for RP eagles

CITY OF MALOLOS-The Philippine Eagle Foundation will send a survey team to Bulacan to determine if the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) still thrives in the province's forests and in parts of ...

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 Samsu...

Anybody's race for NCAA hoops awards

GAMES WEDNESDAY (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. -- San Sebastian vs Letran (Juniors) 4 p.m. -- San Beda vs Letran (Seniors) MANILA, Philippines -- Thanks to Sam Ekwe, the chase for the NCAA's season-ending...

Full text, NBN contract, other documents

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...

50 container vans of smuggled sugar seized

BACOLOD CITY-The Bureau of Customs will auction off 50 container vans of seized smuggled sugar, said Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) administrator Rafael Coscolluela. Coscolluela said the custo...

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...

Mayor orders stray dogs seized to stop rabies

BAUANG, LA UNION-The local government has ordered village officials to seize stray dogs in an effort to prevent the spread of rabies in the town. Mayor Roberto de Guzman said the stray dogs would be ...

Pollution report hurts execs

Mad, ashamed Guillermo said he was "mad" and "felt bad and ashamed" as the people of Marilao were portrayed as "dirty" when in reality, they could not be blamed for the pollution of the town's rivers...

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 wa...

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. ...

MILF members leave camp for Ramadan

ZAMBOANGA CITY-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces in Basilan have returned to their homes to spend the Ramadan with their families, a ranking rebel official said. Earlier, the MILF ordered i...

Imelda Marcos wants speedy trial

No DENR 'midnight deal,' says former undersecretary

RP-China rice deal could be against land reform

While public attention is focused on the government's $329.4-million (P16-billion) broadband deal with China's ZTE Corp., Catholic bishops directed their criticism at another deal between China and th...

Arroyo to host lunch for Tonga PM

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will host lunch in Malacañang on Wednesday for visiting Tongan Prime Minister Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele. A Palace statement Tuesday night said Sevele is pa...

Estrada says now open to pardon

House majority alliance stays

ZTE scandal is karma for Arroyos--Estrada son

Mike Arroyo's heart surgeon says departure 'badly timed'

DOJ chief needs to be shielded from viruses

He is continuously regaining his health. But Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez still needs to remain in a "reverse isolation" unit so he can be protected from infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fu...

Children not spared from human rights violations--activists

'Mystery' ZTE press releases reach Palace, Senate

Two "mystery" press releases found their way to two press offices on Tuesday, shortly after the son of Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr linked First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo to the government's m...

Almost 10% of Filipino families crime victims--survey

"My son is his own man"

Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr on Tuesday took a hands off-position on the controversy involving his son who claimed that First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo controlled transactions on the governmen...

'There was no meeting with Joey de Venecia'--Abalos

PCGG to sequester Estrada's ill-gotten wealth--Sabio

Senate to oppose House bill resetting village, youth polls

SC upholds CA ruling vs Makati annexation of 'inner Fort'

Senate to invite Mike Arroyo, subpoena 3 Cabinet members

PNP downgrades nationwide alert status

Philippine officials implicated in telecom kickbacks

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...

CBCP's Cruz joins calls for resignation of officials in ZTE deal

Calls for the resignation of personalities implicated in the national broadband contract continued to mount, with a senior member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) joining t...

Slain girl's pa OKs exhumation, new tests

The father of rape-slay victim Geraldine "Dindin" Palma on Tuesday gave his consent to an exhumation and new tests after Manila police expressed doubt on whether the recovered body was indeed the...

PNP seeks P883M for 2008

SC affirms Ft Boni camp proper belongs to Taguig

The Supreme Court on Tuesday unanimously affirmed the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City over prime lots located within Fort Bonifacio military reservation also being claimed by Makati City. T...

Arroyo to decide next month whether to keep Gonzalez as DOJ chief

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said she is keeping Raul Gonzalez as Justice chief until he recovers from his kidney transplant, but said a decision will be made next month on whether Gonzales will ...

Arroyo calls anew for end to insurgency

Barely two weeks after issuing an amnesty for communist rebels, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday called on the military anew to end the insurgency and their extortion of businessmen. "T...

ZTE broadband deal leads up to President

Despite attempts by Jose "Joey" de Venecia III to "shield" President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the circumstances surrounding the controversial $329.4-million broadband deal that the businessm...

Arroyo defends AFP 'code of silence' amid 'Garci' probe

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday reiterated her call to respect military leadership and its rules particularly on secrecy, which she said was very important in defending the country from it...

Public transport groups oppose new CTPL insurance scheme

Public transport groups on Tuesday expressed opposition against a Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) order implementing a new Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance schem...

He was not in Wack-Wack

Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo on Monday defended First Gentlemen Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo from accusations that the latter influenced a company owned by the son of Speaker Jose De Vene...

Population and fishing problems 'tied together'

PNP raring to meet with Dutch authorities over Joma case

The National Police is anticipating a meeting with visiting Dutch authorities who are in charge of the murder case of founding communist party chair Jose Maria Sison in The Netherlands. Director Je...

Prosecutors fail anew to present evidence vs Magdalo officers

Military lawyers on Tuesday again failed to present evidence against the junior officers accused in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny after an objection made by the defense. Shortly after prosecutor Colonel ...

Binay urges Arroyo to resign amid ZTE deal controversy

Makati mayor and opposition leader Jejomar Binay on Tuesday urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign in the heels of the First Gentleman's implication in the controversial national broadband ...

Abalos denies March meeting with JDV son, Mike A.

Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos on Tuesday denied claims that he had an emotionally charged meeting with businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo last March while ...

'Act fast on amnesty proclamation'

PNP says it alone cannot stop poll-related violence

In light of the upcoming village and youth elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said election-related killings in the Philippines cannot be stopped unless political candidates th...

DOLE fails to convince PLDT to delay retrenchment

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said it failed to convince telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) to recall the retrenchment of its more than 5...

Bayan urges gov't to junk controversial national broadband deal

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Tuesday called for the government to junk the $329.4-million contract. In a statement, Bayan said that the revelations made by Jose "Joey" de Venecia III at th...

Congressman Arroyo comes to big brother's defense

Bomb explodes inside a passenger bus in Philippines, no injuries

Philippine Arroyo's husband named over telecoms deal

MANILA (Reuters) - The husband of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was named in the senate on Tuesday in an inquiry into a controversial $330 million deal between the government and a ...

Arroyo orders DOTC's Mendoza to appear before SC, explain NBN deal

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday ordered Department of Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza to face the Supreme Court and explain the circumstances surrounding the go...

'Goring' gains more strength, heads for north Taiwan

Typhoon "Goring" (international code name: Wipha) gained more strength as it continued on its path toward Northern Taiwan Tuesday morning, the state weather agency said. The Philippine Atmospheric ...

Mike Arroyo told me to 'back off' from NBN project

(Updated 12:19 p.m.) Businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III said First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo personally told him six months ago to "back off" from pursuing the multi-million dollar national bro...

Villar reiterates call to free Estrada

1 in 10 Pinoys victims of common crimes - SWS

One out of 10 Filipinos fell victim to so-called common crimes between January to June 2007, with nearly two of 10 victimized suffering from violence, pollster Social Weather Stations said Tuesday. ...

Comelec mum on Abalos 'ties' to ZTE deal

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday refused to comment on the statements of businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III implicating poll chairman Benjamin Abalos to the $329.4-million national...

Remittances by Filipinos in UAE jump 57pc in Jan-July

DUBAI - Remittances by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the UAE grew by 11 per cent to Dh185.42 million ($50.48 million) in July from Dh167.26 million ($45.54 million) in June, according to the Phi...

Palace men snub Senate anew as probe of ZTE deal starts

(Updated 10:31 a.m.) Following the absence of their Malacañang colleagues in last Monday's probe on the "Hello, Garci" mess, Cabinet members snubbed the Senate hearing into the controversia...

Stolen van of MMDA exec's daughter recovered

(Updated 9:35 a.m.) The stolen van belonging to the daughter of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic chief was recovered Tuesday, a day after car thieves forcibly took it at a ...

Palace keeping hands off barangay-SK election sked row

Malacañang is still keeping its hands off the mess involving moves to postpone the elections for village and youth council officials scheduled for October 29. Chief Presidential Legal Counse...

Signal No. 1 hoisted over Batanes as 'Goring' exits

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...

Senators score departure of Mike Arroyo ahead of NBN probe

Status quo at DoJ until Gonzalez's recovery

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...

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 Ches...

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...

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

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 o...

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...

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

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 (Fe...

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 ...

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. ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

Estradas unfazed by Singson threat vs JV Ejercito

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

Shooting the rapids

MANILA, Philippines—The adventure starts way before you hit the water. When people start warning you about the dangers, when you hear about how hard you have to paddle, when you ask yourself if you’re really ready to hit the rapids.

Ring in the fun!

MANILA, Philippines—They weren’t kidding when they called it The Great Samsung Sale.

Beauty pageant, CDO-style

MANILA, Philippines—They take beauty pageants seriously. No surprise there, as the Miss Kagay-an Tourism beauty pageant is one of the highlights of the Kagay-an Fiesta.

A different Divisoria

MANILA, Philippines—Built in 1901, Cagayan de Oro’s Plaza Divisoria is a park intended to honor heroes like Andres Bonifacio and Dr. Jos� Rizal.

More Cagayan De Oro fun

MANILA, Philippines—A colorful fiesta, white-water rafting, good food and even a road trip to a pineapple plantation aren’t the only things you can enjoy in Cagayan de Oro.

Chicken overload

MANILA, Philippines—Kagayanons get their regular dose of crisp chicken goodness from Sunburst, a food chain found all over Visayas and Mindanao. Even tourists are big fans. People who have visited Cagayan de Oro have extolled the virtues of eating at Sunburst in countless travel websites.

Diner dash

MANILA, Philippines—P. Joe’s Diner in Limketkai Center looks and feels like an authentic American diner, complete with a bar equipped with leather stools, cozy booths and vintage paraphernalia.

Fiesta!

MANILA, Philippines—Golden floats, marching bands, beauty queens and an overload of color characterized Cagayan de Oro’s recent fiesta. Locals cheered and visitors stood in awe as the city feted its heritage with one big street party, unmindful of the scorching midday sun.

‘Perya’ invasion

MANILA, Philippines—We had time to kill on our first day in Cagayan de Oro, so we took a walk around the Limketkai area, past the street stalls. Soon, we found ourselves entering a local perya.

Pineapple paradise

MANILA, Philippines—We took a side trip to pineapple paradise—the Del Monte Plantation in Bukidnon.

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.

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