The Philippine Headlines - October 03, 2007

Posted by Balitang Pinoy at 10:26 AM

Stoudemire undergoes minor knee surgery

PHOENIX, Arizona -- Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday.

Chinese, Indian nationals taken off BI’s ‘high-risk’ list

MANILA, Philippines -- Chinese and Indian nationals can now stay for a longer time in the country after the Philippine government removed them from its "high risk and restricted" list.

Los Angeles residents urged to turn off lights in October

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles area residents were invited Tuesday to turn off the lights for one hour on October 20 as a way to promote energy conservation.

Britain's unions call for tourism boycott of Myanmar

LONDON -- Britain's main trades union alliance called Tuesday for a boycott of tourism in Myanmar and for travel guide publishers Lonely Planet, just bought by the BBC, to drop its book on the country.

Suspect in Pasig road rage refuses to undergo paraffin test

MANILA, Philippines -- The lawyer, who shot dead two people over a traffic altercation in Pasig City Tuesday, has refused to undergo paraffin tests after his arrest, a radio report said Wednesday.

Shares seen lower on profit-taking, caution on BSP meeting

MANILA, Philippines -- Shares may open flat to lower Wednesday as investors take their cue from Wall Street's mixed performance overnight, with investors pausing after a record-breaking run on fresh concerns about the health of the US economy.

Ex-mayor charged for failed ambush on Negros mayor

BACOLOD CITY -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed complaints for two counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder against a former Pulupandan mayor and 40 others for an assassination attempt on the incumbent town mayor last May 30.

Prosecutors won’t object to Atong Ang’s lotto consultancy

MANILA, Philippines -- Government prosecutors have no objection to Charlie “Atong” Ang’s petition to the Sandiganbayan seeking the reversal of its earlier ruling that barred him from flying to Cambodia for a possible consulting job in a gaming company.

Knicks' Isiah Thomas found guilty of sexual harassment

WASHINGTON -- A jury ruled Tuesday that New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas was liable for sexual harassment against a former colleague, and that the team's owner and its chairman should pay the victim more than 11 million dollars in damages.

Yahoo makes its search engine more intuitive

SAN FRANCISCO -- Yahoo announced Tuesday it has enhanced its Internet search service as it continues its quest to dethrone Google, the market's reigning king.

Abalos' allies continue to stand by him

MANILA, Philippines -- Resigned Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. can still count on a few rare allies who continue to stand by him amid bribery allegations in the ZTE-national broadband network deal.

Megaworld seals Iloilo airport lot deal

MANILA, Philippines--Property firm Megaworld Corp. has signed a sale and purchase agreement with the government to buy the 54.5-hectare old Iloilo airport property in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, for P1.2 billion in cash.

PNP chief: My calling card not meal coupon

MANILA, Philippines -- The newly installed chief of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday issued a stern reminder to hundreds of individuals to whom he had handed out his business card throughout his 33 years in the service.

Arroyo inaugurates Razon container terminal in Shandong

SHANGHAI -- There will be no other trade agreements signed during the two-day visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to China but she will inaugurate a container terminal in Shandong province.

Villar sees doom for RP-Japan pact

MANILA, Philippines -- Senators are unlikely to ratify a free trade agreement with Japan in the deal’s present form, Senate President Manuel Villar said Tuesday.

SN Aboitiz Power gets $380-M loan

MANILA, Philippines--SN Aboitiz Power Inc., a joint venture of Aboitiz Power Corp. and Norway’s SN Power, has gotten a $380-million loan to help finance the balance of the $530-million purchase price of the government’s 360-megawatt hydropower plant in Magat, Isabela, Aboitiz Power said.

Affleck says romance with J-Lo hurt his career

LOS ANGELES -- Oscar-winner Ben Affleck, whose romance with singer-actress Jennifer Lopez sent paparazzi into overdrive from 2002-2004, says their years together likely took a toll on his career.

Spy vs spy: NICA revamp triggers demoralization

MANILA, Philippines -- A presidential directive to improve the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) has triggered a scramble for over 100 new positions but has sown demoralization in its ranks, the Philippine Daily Inquirer has learned.

Wall St. mixed after record streak

NEW YORK -- Wall Street shares ended mixed Tuesday a day after the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to a record close on hopes of further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

Palace wants Senate to stop NBN deal investigation

MANILA, Philippines -- Now that the impeachment case against Benjamin Abalos Sr. is dead, Malacañang wants the Senate to stop its investigation of the controversial $329-million contract for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.

Jobs in Subic up 11%

MANILA, Philippines--Expansion of locators and new companies in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, northwest of Manila, increased jobs in the zone by 10.9 percent year-on-year to 70,408 at end-August, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA) said.

No more Senate appearance for Abalos: See you in court

MANILA, Philippines -- One day after he resigned as Commission on Elections chair, Benjamin Abalos Sr. announced that he had no intention of further appearing at the Senate inquiry on the controversial broadband deal and said he would rather see his accusers in court.

Global oil prices off peaks on profit taking

NEW YORK -- Global oil prices fell slightly Tuesday in profit taking as traders worried about lower energy use in a softening US economy and awaited the latest snapshot on inventories in the United States.

More rains forecast as ‘Ineng’ gains strength

MANILA, Philippines -- Tropical Storm “Ineng” (international codename: Krosa) gained strength while hovering over the Philippine Sea as it moved at a slow 7 kilometers per hour in the direction of northern Luzon but it will continue to dump more rains over Luzon and the Visayas on Wednesday.

Western Union expands Philippine operations

MANILA, Philippines--Money transfer service provider Western Union Co. will add 800 outlets in the Philippines by yearend as it pays special attention to the country, said Christina Gold, chief executive of the Colorado-based firm.

Philex posts P1.08B in gold, copper output

MANILA, Philippines--Publicly listed Philex Mining Corp. said it produced P1.08 billion worth of gold and copper last month.

Rice sector seen growing 5.7% in 2008

MANILA, Philippines--The Department of agriculture expects the rice sector to grow 5.74 percent next year despite lingering effects of this year’s dry spell and typhoons.

Razon now most powerful businessman, says De Venecia son

MANILA, Philippines -- Businessman Enrique Razon has joined President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her state visit to China, leaving unanswered the allegation of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri that the tycoon had threatened him not to allow a rival to get into Manila’s port business.

Bayan converts P4.4B in advances into equity

MANILA, Philippines--Bayan Telecommunications Inc., the phone subsidiary of Benpres Holdings Corp., is converting the parent company’s advance subscriptions of P4.4 billion into equity, Bayan officials said Tuesday.

Olympic crack for RP jins in Vietnam

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Even before leaving this city, the Philippine taekwondo jins have already set their eyes on Vietnam.

FPHC to borrow $220M to hike Meralco stake

MANILA, Philippines--First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPHC) of the Lopez group plans to get a syndicated loan of $220 million to fund a possible acquisition of an additional 15.6 percent in sister firm Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), company president Elpidio L. Ibañez said.

SEAG Task force doubts Figueroa scores

MANILA, Philippines -- The inclusion of former Olympian Jasmine Figueroa in the Southeast Asian Games roster is under question.

Toni Leviste spurns offer to ride for Qatar

Asian Games veteran Toni Leviste politely turned down an offer by Qatari head of state, Sheikh Mohamad Al Thani, to join the Qatar national equestrian team recently.

No TRO on ‘Hello Garci’ probe; SC grills petitioners

MANILA, Philippines -- Supreme Court justices Tuesday invoked public interest in the reform of the electoral process as they grilled the lawyers of two retired justices who had sought to stop the renewed Senate inquiry into the “Hello Garci” wiretapping scandal.

Probe of PDI, 4 solons sought over leak on secret meeting

MANILA, Philippines -- Sen. Joker Arroyo has formally asked the Senate to investigate the senators and other officials present at the Sept. 26 executive session with former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, for violating the secrecy rule on closed-door sessions.

Economist says OFW-fueled growth can’t be sustained

The economic growth fueled by money remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will likely last for five to 10 more years, given favorable global demographics, but a more solid industrial backbone has to be built to sustain growth of over seven percent over the long haul, a regional economist said Tuesday.

100,000 evacuated as Typhoon Lekima lashes south China

BEIJING -- Chinese authorities Tuesday evacuated 100,000 people as Typhoon Lekima lashed the southern tourist island of Hainan after killing at least nine people in the Philippines, state media reported.

Pumaren brothers: We’re the same, we’re different

The Pumaren siblings -- Franz of De La Salle University and younger brother Dindo of University of the East -- will go to the best-of-three 2007 UAAP Finals series toting similar game strategies that have revolutionized local collegiate basketball.

Peso touches 2-month high; P43:$1 seen at yearend

MANILA, Philippines--The peso rose to a two-month high of 44.74 to the dollar during trading Tuesday before closing at 44.915, as some traders suspected strong central bank intervention to curb the sharp appreciation.

Ababa powers RP to 6th in Nomura

MANILA, Philippines -- Jonel Ababa shot a one-over-par 73 Tuesday as the Philippines assembled a 229 total for sixth place after 18 holes of the 23rd Nomura Cup at the wind-swept Sunrise Golf and Country Club in Taipei.

Fast-moving Tacuyan shocks Tipon in national meet

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Tall and fast, Orlando Tacuyan Jr. of Angeles City scored the biggest win of his young career as he shocked Doha Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon, 26-24, in the Smart National Boxing Open late Monday here.

Kings playing sans Hatfield

MANILA, Philippines -- Rudy Hatfield is still officially on leave, and Andy Seigle was not given a contract extension, leaving the frontline chores for Barangay Ginebra to Eric Menk and Billy Mamaril.

Electrician shot dead in front of house in QC

MANILA, Philippines – A few hours after a former watchman of Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City was shot dead in front of his house, another resident of the barangay was killed in the same manner.

NCRPO chief vows more police visibility

MANILA, Philippines – If the new top cop in Metro Manila had his way, his men would be just a short distance away from those seeking police assistance.

Mike Arroyo: I never said ‘Back off’

MANILA, Philippines -- Immediately on the defensive upon returning home from a foreign trip, the man in the eye of the latest political storm to hit the Arroyo presidency Tuesday denied ever uttering the now infamous words: “Back off.”

Pacquiao hits Las Vegas for final training

LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao, star of the show, got a flat, unenthusiastic reception here when he walked into the lobby of the host hotel Monday night but it’s his opponent, Marco Antonio Barrera, who’s in for a rude welcome.

Home of the giant clams

BOLINAO, Pangasinan – This is one population growth that no one will mind: The giant clams (Tridacna gigas) reseeded in the waters off Bolinao, Pangasinan, some 20 years ago are already spawning in the wild.

Businessmen oppose transfer of SSS office to Kidapawan

COTABATO CITY—Four business groups have opposed the plan to transfer a Social Security System branch here to Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.

Makati tops net income list, says COA

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s financial capital yesterday reported posting the highest net income in 2006 among all cities nationwide, citing figures from the Commission on Audit (CoA).

Rise in seawater forces evacuation in 2 provinces

CAMP VICENTE LIM, LAGUNA—Over 400 families were forced to flee their homes after a sudden rise in seawater level inundated at least seven coastal villages in Rosario, Cavite and San Luis, Batangas late Monday night, officials said Tuesday.

41% of Negros CARP farmers no longer till the land

BACOLOD CITY—Forty-one percent of agrarian reform beneficiaries in Negros Occidental no longer till the land given to them, a study made by the provincial government showed.

Munti university exec was not fired, says city official

MANILA, Philippines – The Muntinlupa City government yesterday clarified that Dr. Miguel Udtohan voluntarily resigned and was not fired from his post as president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun).

NBI to seek UP stude’s help on Mendez slay

MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation will summon for questioning a student of the University of the Philippines who is believed to have been initiated into the Sigma Rho fraternity at the same time as suspected hazing victim Cris Anthony Mendez.

(UPDATE) Senate to continue with ZTE hearings--Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines-- (UPDATE) Despite a report from Shanghai that the contentious $329-million deal with China’s ZTE Corp. will not push through, the Senate hearings on the arrangement on the national broadband network (NBN) will.

2 shot dead in traffic spat

MANILA, Philippines -- After a heated argument over traffic, a lawyer shot dead two people in Pasig City Tuesday.

Scorpions, spiders on a plane from Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines -- If cinema scared viewers with “Snakes on a Plane,” real life has scorpions and spiders.

Super jet to touch down in RP next week

MANILA, Philippines -- The superjumbo Airbus A-380 is set to touch down in Manila next week, becoming the largest aircraft to ever land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Arroyo open to meeting with Jonas Burgos’ ma

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is open to meeting with the mother of the missing activist Jonas Burgos, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Tuesday.

Comelec Employees Cheer Abalos Resignation

Resigned Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos is leaving behind a damaged institution. Thus, it came as no...

(GMA7) Abalos resigns as Comelec chair, but vows to fight back

(Updated 1:31 p.m.) Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos on Monday announced that he is resigning as head of the Commission on...

�Everyday Islam� Photo Contest Winners Known

...

Abalos Offered Me P200M � Neri

Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos tried to bribe former economic planning secretary Romulo Neri over the national broadband deal...

Supreme Court Justice Suspected of Accepting Payoff (update)

Justices scheduled to take it up in en banc meeting today

10 dead in clash between Philippine navy, terrorists

Manila, Oct 2 (Xinhua) Four Philippine navy soldiers and six suspected militants were killed in a clash Tuesday on a southern Philippine island while two other soldiers were wounded, a military spokesman said.

Ex-NBI agent, woman found dead in condo

Close this MANILA, Philippines - A former National Bureau of Investigation agent and his employee were found dead inside a condominium unit in Makati City Monday afternoon. Lawyer Angelito M...

DRL starts operations in Philippines

HYDERABAD: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) has expanded its presence in the ASEAN region with the opening of its 41st overseas office in Manila, Philippines, in partnership with Britton Marketing...

Senators want probe on media leak of NBN executive session

IN A formal resolution, Senator Joker Arroyo sought for a formal inquiry on how information during the September 26 executive session on the allegedly anomalous National Broadband Network (NBN) deal w...

No MILF accord after meeting

On the rebel group's part, MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said the non resolution of the ancestral domain issue will have a very telling impact on the talks.

Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef

MANILA – The Philippines has tightened laws banning fishing and collecting of species on the country's largest coral reef to help it recover from near destruction, the World Wildlife Fund for Na...

Suplico to sue Neri, FG Arroyo on NBN deal

LAWYERS of Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico are studying the possibility of filing charges against First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and former socioeconomic secretary Romulo Neri in connect...

Nora Aunor cleared of drug charges in US

A court in Los Angeles dismissed the drug charges filed against the actress Nora Aunor following her completion of a six-month drug rehabilitation program.

Mike Arroyo returns to RP, denies 'back off' statement

Earlier, businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia 3rd testified in the Senate that Mr. Arroyo threateningly told him to withdraw from the broadband project at a meeting at the Wack Wack Golf and Count...

Palace urges senators to use caution in wiretap probe

A PALACE official urged senators Tuesday to exercise caution in taking actions, including possible arrest, against Cabinet and military officials who continued to ignore the "Hello Garci" wiretapping ...

GMA will not fill Comelec vacancy

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said Mala ca ang will just let Abalos's leave credits be consumed so as to complete his seven-year tenure as head of the Comelec. In the meantime,...

6.5% GDP growth forecast for 2007

The government's growth forecast was bolstered Tuesday, when the Hongkong and Shang hai Banking Corp. (HSBC) announced that it sees the country's gross domestic product going up to 6.5 percent t...

Arroyo open to meeting with Jonas Burgos' ma

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is open to meeting with the mother of the missing activist Jonas Burgos, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Tuesday. Bunye made the remark in ...

See you in court

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- One day after resigning as Commission on Elections chairman, Benjamin Abalos Sr. announced that he has no intention of further appearing at the Senate inquir...

Senate to continue with ZTE hearings--Cayetano

national broadband network (NBN) project will. "Tuloy investigation [The investigation will proceed]. Hearings to be scheduled. Wala this week [None this week]. We may call hearing during the break," ...

'Business as usual' at Comelec with Borra as acting chairman

MANILA, Philippines -- It's "business as usual" at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the unprecedented exit of its chairman, Benjamin Abalos Sr., who officially turned over his post to C...

SC stops COA from auditing animal welfare group

MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court has ruled that the Commission on Audit cannot examine the financial records of a more than 100-year-old animal welfare group because it is a private corporatio...

'Ineng' now a storm; hovers over RP Sea

MANILA, Philippines -- Tropical depression "Ineng" (international codename: Krosa) intensified into a storm even as it remained nearly stationary over the Philippine Sea east of northern Luzon early T...

Palace wants Senate to end NBN probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Malaca ang wants the Senate inquiry to stop its investigation into the allegedly anomalous $329-million national broadband deal after the resignation of Commission on Elections ...

Manila seniors may soon watch movies for free in city--Lim

MANILA, Philippines -- Apart from getting discounts, Manila's senior citizens will soon be able to watch movies for free at any theaters in the city, Manila mayor Alfredo Lim said Tuesday. With the a...

Philippines to have new oil well after 15 years - official

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- A new oil well in the Philippines after 15 years is expected to start production in March 2008, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said Tuesday. The oil well, lo...

Philippine state fund looks abroad for first time

MANILA, Philippines -- The Social Security System, the Philippines' biggest pension fund, may invest abroad for the first time in 2008, with an allocation of up to P17.25 billion ($384 million) availa...

Government bodies colluded with giant firms on entry of GMOs

MANILA, Philippines -- The environment group Greenpeace denounced on Tuesday the entry into the country of genetically modified foods and organisms and accused government regulators of having links wi...

SC justice told Senate not to do detective work

MANILA, Philippines -- A Supreme Court justice has reminded Senate it should be conducting inquiries in aid of legislation, and not to do "detective work." "Just because you have one former police of...

Pimentel defends wiretapping probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Tuesday argued before the Supreme Court that no right to privacy was being violated in the ongoing Senate inquiry into the wireta...

Senate approves cheaper medicines bill, 4 other measures

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The Senate has approved on second reading five bills including a proposed legislation to bring down the cost of medicines as it passed on third reading a measure giving...

Suplico mulls filing bribery case vs Abalos, First Gentleman

MANILA, Philippines -- Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico, who sought to impeach Benjamin Abalos Sr. days before he quit his post, might file bribery charges against the former elections chief. First...

Ombudsman asked to inhibit self from case vs Abalos

MANILA, Philippines -- Citing alleged perceived biases for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her allies, a lawmaker urged Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to inhibit herself from any case that would...

Arroyo tells Hu of 'difficult' decision on NBN deal--report

SHANGHAI (VIA PLDT)--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided "not to continue" with the controversial $329-million contract for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project. At a closed-door bi...

Ten dead in Philippines violence

Four navy commandos have been killed in a gun fight with suspected Islamist militants in the southern Philippines, military officials have said. At least six militants died in the clash, which took...

Fourteen killed in clash on southern Philippine island - Summary

Manila - Fourteen people were killed Tuesday in a clash between government troops and suspected pirates on a southern Philippine island, a regional military spokesman said. Major Eugene Batara said fo...

Speaker De Venecia urged to follow Abalos' lead

MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that the accusation against Speaker Jose de Venecia was "more serious," a lawmaker at the House of Representatives has urged him to follow the lead of resigned Commission...

Army to draft 8,400 militia men

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Army will seek additional funding to draft an 8,400 militia men in 2008 to boost its chances of meeting Malaca ang's 2010 target to crush communist insurgents, th...

Philippine navy clashes with alleged militants, leaving 10 dead

Four Philippine navy soldiers and six suspected militants were killed in an early Tuesday clash on a southern Philippine island, while two other soldiers were wounded, a military spokesman said. Lt. C...

Consumerism integrated into public education

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Education (DepEd) will soon integrate consumer education into the curriculums for both public and private high schools nationwide, in an effort to educate youn...

Palace asked to start nomination process for 4 Comelec posts

MANILA, Philippines -- Malaca ang should start an "open and transparent" nomination process for the four impending vacancies at the Commission on Elections, Senator Francis Escudero said Tuesday. The...

Mike Arroyo expected back in RP Tuesday--airport official

MANILA, Philippines -- First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, accused of meddling in the National Broadband Network (NBN) project, will return to the country on Tuesday, an airport official said. Mr. Ar...

Slim majority expect Philippine rate cut on Thursday

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- A small majority of analysts expect the Philippine central bank to cut its key overnight rates by at least 25 basis points this week to stymie a fund influx ...

Abalos won't turn state witness

MANILA, Philippines -- Resigned Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos said on Tuesday that he would not turn state witness. Abalos, who stepped down from his post Monday after he was accus...

Myanmar protests share similarities with 1986 Philippine revolution

MANILA : The crackdown on the peaceful protesters demanding an end to military rule in Myanmar reminds Filipinos of their own People Power Revolution in 1986. In that year, millions of Filipinos - mob...

Philippine Senators 'could reject' Japan free trade deal

Philippine lawmakers are unlikely to ratify a free trade agreement with Japan in the deal's present form, the president of the Southeast Asian nation's Senate said Tuesday. Officials have been unable...

Philippine President starts visit to China

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to China and then a three-day visit to India. She was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Tra...

Nietes bags 4th Filipino boxing crown for 2007

Boxer Donnie "Ahas" Nietes became the fourth Filipino to win a world championship this year after scoring a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Thai Pornsawan Kratingdaeng...

Lacson backs Arroyo call for probe on Neri closed-door leak

Senator Joker Arroyo's call for an internal inquiry into the leak about what had transpired in the closed-door session with Romulo Neri, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. Like Arroyo, L...

New PNP chief warns influence peddlers

MANILA, Philippines -- New Philippine National Police Chief, Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, has warned those who might take advantage of his new post, saying that his business cards should not...

SC to hear petition vs 'Garci' probe

MANILA, Philippines -- The Supreme Court will hear this Tuesday the petition seeking to stop three Senate committees from proceeding with the investigation of alleged wiretapped tapes. These recordin...

Philippine stocks up 2.2 per cent

Manila - Philippine share prices rose 2.2 per cent on Tuesday amid a buying spree triggered by Wall Street's rally overnight. The 29-share composite index of the Philippine Stock Exchange gained 79.27...

Columnist Jarius Bondoc's dilemma

Close this Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos has resigned over allegations that he was a major player in the National Broadband Network project scandal. The public is awaiting th...

Underpass to Quezon Memorial Circle now open

MANILA, Philippines - Pedestrians who want to go to the Quezon Memorial Circle from the Quezon City Hall-and vice versa-no longer have to dodge speeding vehicles on the busy Elliptical Road. They can...

Ex-barangay watchman shot dead in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - A former barangay watchman was shot dead by a man on board a motorcycle yesterday morning in Quezon City. Carlos Francisco, a 40-year-old widower, was sipping coffee in front of...

Malaysia may pull peace monitors from Philippines

MANILA (Reuters) - Malaysia has threatened to withdraw monitors overseeing a four-year ceasefire between the Philippine army and the country's biggest Muslim separatist guerrilla group because of dela...

Doctor in Mendez slay shows up at NBI

MANILA, Philippines - The doctor who brought suspected hazing victim Cris Anthony Mendez to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center finally surfaced at the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday afte...

13 passengers hurt in 3-vehicle collision in QC

They were passengers of the Nova Transport (TWR 949) or FT Liner (NYH 619) buses. Also injured were Francisco Ignacio, the driver of the Isuzu truck (XAS 910), his assistant Daniel Berot and another ...

Muntinlupa City university tutors fired

MANILA, Philippines - Around 50 officials and employees of the city government-run Pamantasang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) have been laid off from work since June for no clear reason. Among those f...

Philippine economy seen growing over 7% in Q3

MANILA -- The Philippine economy likely expanded more than 7 percent in the third quarter on the back of brisk consumer demand, sustaining the growth trend of the previous quarters, a top economic off...

Philippine Elections Chief Resigns Amid Bribery Allegations

Jim Gomez, Associated Press MANILA, 2 October 2007 - The scandal-tainted Philippine elections chief announced his resignation yesterday, amid allegations he tried to bribe a Cabinet official and a bus...

Hawaiian Airlines to serve Philippines

(Amex: HA), will fly 264-passenger Boeing 767s to the Philippines. Hawaii has about 300,000 residents with Filipino ancestry. Manila has more than 10 million residents. The new air route would mak...

Arroyo off to China for bilateral meet

Presidential Management Staff director general Cerge Remonde said the President is all right dismissing the hospital visit as part of a regular and long-scheduled medical check-up.Remonde said proof t...

SC told to junk pleas v. anti-terror law

GOVERNMENT lawyers on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss for lack of merit all six petitions seeking to declare unconstitutional Republic Act (RA) 9372, also known as the Human Security Ac...

$329-M deal zaps Abalos

Moot and academic House Speaker Jose de Venecia welcomed Abalos' resignation, saying it rendered "moot and academic" the impeachment case lodged against him by Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico for brib...

Storm Kills 5 In Philippines, Heads for Vietnam

PHILIPPINES: October 2, 2007 MANILA - Tropical depression Lekima swept off the Philippines on Sunday, leaving five people dead and four missing, a disaster official said, warning that floods and lan...

Hawaiian's Manila route OK'd

(Amex: HA), will fly 264-passenger Boeing 767s to the Philippines. Hawaii has about 300,000 residents with Filipino ancestry. Manila has more than 10 million residents. The new air route will make...

Rise and fall of Chairman Abalos

In February 2001 or right after EDSA 2, Abalos was appointed chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Before his appointment as MMDA chairman, Abalos was busying himself...

GMA flies to China to repair frayed ties

President Arroyo will try to repair the damage created by the National Broadband Network project controversy as she visits China this week, a senior official said.

Philippines government experts to conduct greenhouse trial on Bt cotton before year end

SEAMEO SEARCA The Philippines is looking to conduct a greenhouse trial on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton before the end of the year, officials from the

Sing, solons tell Abalos

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Will he be the next whistleblower or will he just fade quietly into the sunset? Now at the twilight of his career, Benjamin Abalos Sr. could do the country ...

Pardon of Estrada too early, ill-advised says prosecutor

The government prosecutor in the trial of former President Joseph Estrada feels that a presidential pardon is too early to be considered and ill-advised.

Gov't seeks dismissal of pleas v. broadband deal

STATE lawyers on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss all petitions questioning the constitutionality of the questionable US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) contract entered by ...

Oct. 12 declared a holiday

MALACA ANG declared October 12 as a non-working holiday in celebration of the end of Ramadan or Eid'l Fitr.Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 1397...

Arroyo called a hypocrite over UN rights speech

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has drawn a sharp rebuke from the mother of missing activist Jonas Burgos and from a human rights group over a speech she d...

Palace declares Eid Al-Fitr holiday

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Malaca ang has declared October 12 a non-working holiday to mark Eid Al-Fitr, the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Presidential Spokesman ...

More rains expected with entry of tropical depression Ineng

MANILA, Philippines -- The weather bureau is predicting more rain this week after a new tropical depression, "Ineng," developed east of northern Luzon a day after tropical depression "Hanna" swirled o...

DepEd earmarks P6B subsidy for poor students nationwide

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Education has set aside P6 billion in financial assistance to 600,000 poor but deserving students enrolled in selected private high schools nationwide for the ...

Neri freezes funds for CHed's call center lab

MANILA, Philippines--Commission on Higher Education (CHed) Chairman Romulo Neri has stopped the agency's P550-million call center laboratory project pending the results of an investigation on alleged ...

Estrada not his usual jolly self, says police official

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) His graft conviction and his mother's frail health made disgraced leader Joseph Estrada really looked old and depressed, a police official has observed. "He was not hi...

one scandal after another

MANILA, Philippines -- "Resigning might be misconstrued as guilt," Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. would often say this in reply to calls that he and his fellow commissioners step do...

Neri free to talk about what he knows on NBN deal

MANILA, Philippines -- Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said on Monday the Arroyo administration would like former socio-economic planning secretary Romulo Neri to continue talking on what he knew abou...

Election stakeholders 'relieved' over Abalos's resignation

MANILA, Philippines--There were few words of support, if at all, for beleaguered and now resigned Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. from election stakeholders who had to d...

No application, no pardon

MANILA, Philippines -- Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said on Monday the Arroyo government would not discuss pardon for former president Joseph Estrada until getting a final and executory judgment in...

Comelec to meet Tuesday to select OIC--spokesman

MANILA, Philippines-In the wake of the resignation of its chairman, the Commission on Elections will meet Tuesday in an en banc session to elect an officer in charge, the poll body's spokesman has sai...

Catholic bishops 'thank God' that Abalos has quit

MANILA, Philippines-The country's Catholic bishops have thanked God that Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. has resigned, saying it was an answer to their prayers. "Thank God Mr. A...

Danga gets new government post

MANILA, Philippines -- Retired Vice Admiral Tirso Danga, one of the key figures in the 2005 wiretapping controversy, has been give a new post in government, affording him protection from Senate summon...

Benjamin Abalos, Filipino elections official, resigns in a scandal that may threaten Arroyo

MANILA : The man at the center of a corruption scandal that threatens to reach President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resigned Monday as chairman of the Philippine election commission and promised to sue h...

Manila's Arroyo vows to end political violence

MANILA (Reuters) - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday ordered the Philippine police to take steps to end political violence, which she blamed on both communist rebels and rogue elements in th...

From accountant to welder

MANILA, Philippines -- Alpha Dasmari as wanted to work abroad because her job as an accountant bored her. Wanting a more challenging and unique job, she went back to school to study. A strong advoca...

Thirteen killed in the aftermath of storm in the Philippines

Manila - At least 13 people were killed in the aftermath of a powerful storm that swept through the Philippines, disaster relief officials said Monday. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC...

Cory Aquino to visit Abalos in Mandaluyong--spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines -- Former President Corazon C. Aquino, as of this posting, is on her way to see Benjamin Abalos at his residence in Mandaluyong, said her spokesperson. Deedee Sytangco said Aquino...

President seemed surprised by Abalos's resignation--Puno

MANILA, Philippines -- The sudden resignation of Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, who had been in hot water for his alleged involvement in the $329-million National Broadband Project ...

Resignation statement of Abalos

WHAT FOLLOWS is the full text of the resignation statement of Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos: Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Salamat at dumalo kaydo dito sa press conference na...

Palace 'respects' Abalos' resignation

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Malaca ang said it "respects" Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos' decision to resign, and at the same time "wished him well" in clear...

Arroyo orders new PNP chief to act on extrajudicial killings

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered newly installed PNP Chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon to put a stop to the killing of activists and journalists....

Cellphones double as electronic wallets in Philippines

SAN MIGUEL, Philippines -- It's Thursday, so 18-year-old Dennis Tiangco is off to a bank to collect his weekly allowance, zapped by his mother -- who's working in Hong Kong -- to his electronic wallet...

Philippine bourse reports best turnover in 80 years

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) reported its annual value turnover which reached 22.4 billion U.S. dollars after just three quarters of 2007, creating a new record in the bourse's 80-year existenc...

Philippines cuts borrowings to 7.69 billion dollars in 2008

The Philippines has slashed its foreign and domestic borrowings by 12 percent next year as it hopes to end an era of budget deficits that spanned over a decade, reports said on Monday. Data from the P...

10 telecoms employees got P20,000 for wiretap ops--Doble

MANILA, Philippines -- About 10 employees of telecommunications companies received P20,000 in monthly allowance during the wiretapping activities of the Project Lighthouse operations that captured the...

House justice committee to act quickly on Abalos impeach rap

MANILA, Philippines -- THE HOUSE justice committee that will handle the impeachment case against Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr has vowed to expedite its proceedings in view of hi...

Razon strived, waited, prayed for 'his moment'

Oscar Calderon who has retired. In his speech before the 120,000-strong PNP force at Camp Crame general headquarters Monday, Razon said he had waited long for "his moment." "As a plebe in the Philip...

Arroyo arrives at Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has arrived in Camp Crame to install the new chief of the Philippine National Police. Clad in an all-blue coat and pants, Arroyo will lead the...

Cabinet execs no show at 'Garci' probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Three Cabinet executives and five military officials who were subpoenaed by the Senate for its investigation into the wiretapping scandal during the 2004 presidential elections ...

President had routine check-up, says PSG chief

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not confined at the hospital but had a routine check up on Sunday evening, her chief guard said. Arroyo had her check up at the Asian Hospi...

TeleTech RP plans expansion in Visayas while two other contact centers put plans on hold

CEBU/DAVAO -- The Philippine unit of TeleTech plans to
open at least two more customer management centers and grow its work
force by 30% next year.

European Union competition regulators launch antitrust action against Qualcomm

BRUSSELS -- EU competition regulators launched antitrust
action against Qualcomm yesterday after receiving complaints that the
US microchip company had abused its dominant market power.

Nokia offers $8.1 billion for map supplier Navteq; shares dip

HELSINKI -- Nokia said yesterday it will offer $8.1
billion for US-based digital map supplier Navteq in its largest takeover
ever, but its shares dropped because investors regarded the deal as
expensive.

Value-added mobile services tagged as key to continued telecoms growth

MOBILE TELEPHONY will continue to be a key driver of
telecommunications growth for the next five years, but
telecommunications companies should be prepared to spice up the market
with value-added services even as prices are expected to drop.

The battle for mile-high luxury takes off

HONG KONG -- The contract to provide carpeting on planes
is perhaps not the most glamorous side of aviation.

Users of Facebook site trade privacy for friends?

PARIS -- Social networking sites like Facebook have wooed
millions of users with their easy format for keeping in touch but left
them navigating the pitfalls of interacting online -- is it really
private?

Philippine Silicon Valley: NBN secrecy? What secrecy?

Do you remember playing with those Rubik's Cubes? Remember how the
color of each side of the cube could be jumbled up but if you knew the
sequence to reassemble them, you could get the colors all unique to each
side?

Cebu, Pasig, Baguio cited among world's emerging outsourcing favorites

BANGALORE -- A study by industry publication Global
Services and investment advisory firm Tholons put Cebu City as fourth,
behind the Indian cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune, among the top
10 emerging outsourcing destinations for global companies.

Web TV company aims to triple subscriber base

A NEWLY FORMED Filipino company providing Web TV
broadcasting services looks to triple its subscriber base by the end of
the year.

Apple software update disables hacked iPhones

AN FRANCISCO -- A freshly released Apple software update
disables iPhones hacked to let users install custom programs or use
telecom carriers other than the authorized one, AT&T.

Headline: US tagged as top growth risk

A SLOWING US ECONOMY remains the number one risk to global growth but Asia, including the Philippines, is gradually decoupling itself from the world's biggest economy.

Corporate News: SN Aboitiz gets loan for Magat

POWER PRODUCER SN Aboitiz Power, Inc. has secured a $380-million loan to pay off the balance of the purchase price of the Magat Hydroelectric Power plant in Isabela.

Banking & Finance: 7-year T-bonds drop

THE RATE of seven-year Treasury bonds declined at yesterday's auction as markets factored in a possible rate cut by central bank on Oct. 4.

Stock Market: Stocks rise sharply on hopes of a rate cut

SHARE PRICES rose sharply yesterday due to hopes of a cut in borrowing costs this week. The bourse tracked the stellar performance of stock markets abroad, particularly Wall Street, dealers said.

The Economy: Customs accused of covering for 'fictitious' importers

THE PRESIDENTIAL Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) has accused the Bureau of Customs of accrediting "fictitious" importers, in the latest tiff between the two agencies.

The Nation: Senate approves cheaper medicines bill

DESPITE OPPOSITION from large pharmaceutical groups, the Senate yesterday approved on second reading a bill that seeks to amend the law on intellectual property to improve access to lower-priced medicines from other countries.

Motoring: 'The good star on all roads'

MY UNCLE USED TO OWN one of the first Mercedes Benz dealerships. R. H. Trading, in the early '50s, was based along bustling P. Gomez in Quiapo. Besides the lithograph prints of old Mercedes Benz models that lined his office, I distinctly remember the slogan on his business card: "Mercedes Benz, the good star on all roads."

IT Matters: TeleTech RP plans expansion in Visayas while two other

CEBU/DAVAO — The Philippine unit of TeleTech plans to open at least two more customer management centers and grow its work force by 30% next year.

10 dead in clash between Philippine navy, terrorists

Pacquiao could win by repeating himself

LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao, a merciless lefty, knows a great right hand when he sees one. He had a full, bright view of that right punch on Saturday. He also won a few friendly dollars betting on t...

Olympic crack for RP jins in Vietnam

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Even before leaving this city, the Philippine taekwondo jins have already set their eyes on Vietnam. As soon as they hit home, the three RP bets who blew their bid in the World...

SEAG Task force doubts Figueroa scores

MANILA, Philippines -- The inclusion of former Olympian Jasmine Figueroa in the Southeast Asian Games roster is under question. Figueroa was asked to undergo a series of tryouts by the SEAG Task Forc...

Toni Leviste spurns offer to ride for Qatar

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines nearly lost one of its finest equestriennes. Asian Games veteran Toni Leviste politely turned down an offer by Qatari head of state, Sheikh Mohamad Al Thani, to...

DRL starts operations in Philippines

HYDERABAD: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) has expanded its presence in the ASEAN region with the opening of its 41st overseas office in Manila, Philippines, in partnership with Britton Marketing...

SC censures retired justices for filing "Garci" taxpayer"s suit

Retired Court of Appeals (CA) justices Oswaldo Agcaoili and Santiago Javier Ranada on Tuesday took lessons from Supreme Court magistrates in filing taxpayer's suit on the "Hello, Garci" wiretappin...

I never said 'Back off'

View the NBN contract and related documents MANILA, Philippines -- Immediately on the defensive upon returning home from a foreign trip, the man in the eye of the latest political storm to hit the A...

Students, activists hold vigil at Neri"s house in QC

At least 50 students from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law on Tuesday night joined an activist group's vigil in front of Romulo Neri's house in Quezon City. About 7:30 p.m., UP...

PDI stands by its story on Joker"s intervention in Neri"s testimony

The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) newspaper on Tuesday stood by its story on Sen. Joker Arroyo's intervention in Romulo Neri's testimony during the September 26 Senate closed-door hearing on the $32...

Senate to continue with ZTE hearings--Cayetano

Arroyo open to meeting with Jonas Burgos' ma

"Ineng" gets a bit stronger, but remains stationary

Tropical storm "Ineng" (international code name: Krosa) gets a bit stronger as it remained almost stationary east of northern Luzon, state weather forecasters said Tuesday night. As of 10 p.m., the...

Tell all, come clean

Tell all, come clean. This in a nutshell was the advice of senior Catholic bishops to Benjamin Abalos Sr who recently resigned as chairman of the Commission on Elections amid allegations that he wa...

See you in court

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- One day after resigning as Commission on Elections chairman, Benjamin Abalos Sr. announced that he has no intention of further appearing at the Senate inquir...

Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef

MANILA – The Philippines has tightened laws banning fishing and collecting of species on the country's largest coral reef to help it recover from near destruction, the World Wildlife Fund for Na...

'Business as usual' at Comelec with Borra as acting chairman

SC stops COA from auditing animal welfare group

'Ineng' now a storm; hovers over RP Sea

Palace wants Senate to end NBN probe

Dennis Trillo nominated best drama actor in 12th Asian TV Awards

Wala pa sa website ng Asian TV Awards ang list of nominees sa kanilang 12th awards night, pero naibalita na sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na nominated din si Dennis Trillo sa kategoryang Be...

Bongbong Marcos summoned anew to testify vs Lucio Tan

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday subpoenaed Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr to appear in court on October 15 for the continuation of his testimony against businessman Lucio...

'Extend personal attention' to China deals - envoy to Arroyo

It's "unusual" diplomatic practice, but possibly proof of close, personal ties President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has with China. At worse, an international law professor said it could be a case of ...

Search for missing crew of sunken ship off Palawan continues

MANILA, Philippines -- Divers and rescue swimmers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday continued their search for 14 missing passengers of a cargo vessel that sank off Palawan over the weeke...

Philippines to have new oil well after 15 years - official

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- A new oil well in the Philippines after 15 years is expected to start production in March 2008, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said Tuesday. The oil well, lo...

Abalos rejects order for him to testify again on ZTE hearing

Benjamin Abalos Sr has decided not to participate anymore in the on-going Senate inquiry on the National Broadband Network (NBN) project, a day after he resigned as chairman of the Commission on Elect...

Government bodies colluded with giant firms on entry of GMOs

Arroyo "stops" deal with ZTE; China prexy accepts decision

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday informed Chinese President Hu Jintao that the Philippine government has decided to "stop" the $329.48-million National Broadband Network (NBN) project with...

Village, youth polls to proceed amid Abalos resignation

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday said the coming barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections will go as scheduled despite the resignation of its chairman Benjamin Abalos. "E...

Senate approves cheaper medicines bill, 4 other measures

Philippine state fund looks abroad for first time

Pimentel defends wiretapping probe

Suplico mulls filing bribery case vs Abalos, First Gentleman

SC justice told Senate not to do detective work

Rains snarl traffic in Manila, Makati

No thanks to slippery roads caused by heavy rains and the "usual" lack of traffic aides, traffic was heavy in some parts of Manila and Makati Cities Tuesday night. Radio dzBB reported that tra...

Ombudsman asked to inhibit self from case vs Abalos

Arroyo tells Hu of 'difficult' decision on NBN deal--report

Ten dead in Philippines violence

Fourteen killed in clash on southern Philippine island - Summary

Mike Arroyo returns, denies telling JDV son to 'back off'

Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City at 4:47 p.m. from Hong Kong on board Cathay Pacific CX-919....

Slim majority expect Philippine rate cut on Thursday

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- A small majority of analysts expect the Philippine central bank to cut its key overnight rates by at least 25 basis points this week to stymie a fund influx ...

'Extortion,' overcrowding mar oathtaking of nurses

Thousands graduates who passed the nursing board examinations grappled with hours of delays, overcrowding and "extortion" at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City before even getting a chance to have th...

Speaker De Venecia urged to follow Abalos' lead

Army to draft 8,400 militia men

Palace asked to start nomination process for 4 Comelec posts

Abalos nixes turning state witness on ZTE row

Resigned elections chairman Benjamin Abalos on Tuesday said he will not serve as a state witness on the controversial $329.4-million national broadband network (NBN) project deal with China's ZTE ...

Senators belie Arroyo intervention in Neri executive session

Joker Arroyo did not intervene and tried to stop Romulo Neri, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, from revealing the entire story on the $329-million government contract with China's ZTE C...

CPP rallies support for Joma on eve of 'judgment'

On the eve of a Dutch court's decision on whether or not to order his re-incarceration, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) tried to rally support for its founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison...

Philippine navy clashes with alleged militants, leaving 10 dead

Consumerism integrated into public education

Arroyo hubby on his way back home from Hong Kong

Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is expected to return to the country on Tuesday afternoon from Hong Kong, on board Cathay Pacific CX-919, Angel Atutubo, as...

Mike Arroyo expected back in RP Tuesday--airport official

Myanmar protests share similarities with 1986 Philippine revolution

'Ineng' intensifies but stays 'almost stationary'

Tropical storm "Ineng" (international code name: Krosa) continued to intensify but remained almost stationary east of the northern tip of Luzon on Tuesday afternoon. In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Phi...

Philippine Senators 'could reject' Japan free trade deal

Philippine President starts visit to China

Joker wants Inquirer article against him probed

After saying that the Senate was spending too much time investigating the national broadband network (NBN) project, Senator Joker Arroyo on Tuesday moved to further drag Senate discussions on the issu...

Arroyo to discuss ZTE deal with Hu Jintao in China

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is expected to discuss with her Chinese counterpart the suspension of the government's contract with ZTE Corp. and the developments related to the national broadband ...

Lacson backs Arroyo call for probe on Neri closed-door leak

SC to hear petition vs 'Garci' probe

No more talks; Estrada must ask for pardon -- Puno

MANILA, Philippines -- There will be no more discussions on a pardon for former President Joseph Estrada until his conviction for plunder becomes final and executory, said Interior Secretary Ronaldo P...

New PNP chief warns influence peddlers

Santiago sees conspiracy behind Inquirer story

MANILA, Philippines -- A conspiracy theory is playing in the mind of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Appearing to have recovered from a recent faux pas with the Chinese community, a charged-up Santiag...

Traders say NBN probe is No. 1 'teleserye'

View the NBN contract and related documents MANILA, Philippines -- Unless it actually pins down Malaca ang and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the televised Senate probe of ZTE Corp.'s controversi...

All Set for Dipolognons' October Chicago Fiesta

for this year’s celebration of the Fiesta of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary on Friday, October 5 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles, IL. The event starts off at 6 P.M. with a Holy Mass concelebr...

GRP-MILF meeting in Malaysia fails to break impasse

Peace negotiators of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held a closed-door meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week but failed to resolve the impasse in their peace talks. The MIL...

Nietes bags 4th Filipino boxing crown for 2007

Boxer Donnie "Ahas" Nietes became the fourth Filipino to win a world championship this year after scoring a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Thai Pornsawan Kratingdaeng...

Philippine stocks up 2.2 per cent

Record 3.8-M families experienced hunger

MANILA, Philippines -- A record high 3.8-million families (21.5 percent) experienced "involuntary hunger" at least once in the last three months, according to the latest survey by the

Abalos says quitting was his legacy at Comelec

Resigned Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos told teary eyed employees of the poll body on Tuesday that the legacy he was leaving behind was the sacrifice of having to quit his post. "...

10 telco insiders helped ISAFP -- Doble

MANILA, Philippines -- Ex-military agent Vidal Doble told a Senate inquiry on Monday his former unit, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), was assisted by 10 inside...

A chance to reform Comelec

Commission on Elections . In separate interviews with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a big business group, a top poll watchdog and other election stakeholders Monday said the departure of Comelec Cha...

Human rights protection a tall order - PNP chief

The chief of the Philippine National Police admitted on Tuesday that the directive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the police organization to curb human rights violations is a tall order. ...

Arroyo is 'dead serious' in upholding human rights - Bunye

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is "dead serious" in putting an end to extralegal killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations, according to Presidential Spokesman Ignaci...

Arroyo flies to Shanghai to meet with China president

SHANGHAI -- Would it be business as usual this time around? With continued trade and political engagement in mind, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to arrive here Tuesday to meet with top bus...

'Thank God, Mr. Abalos responded to our prayer'

Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos had departed from their midst. A topnotch election lawyer, Leila de Lima, who had tangled many times with Comelec officials over allegations of poll frau...

Gov't tells high court ZTE offered the best deal

Supreme Court its decision to award to China's ZTE Corp. the $329-million contract for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project, saying the firm had offered the best deal. The Office of the Solic...

San Beda relives Caloy Loyzaga's golden era

MANILA, Philippines -- While it is too early to talk about it, I say prospects look good for San Beda College, the back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association champion, to score a "three-pea...

Sawin-ay, Topia rule Oro Milo run qualifier

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Veteran runner Roger Sawin-ay of Bukidnon and the upcoming Cecille Faith Topia of Pagadian City topped the 21-kilometer qualifying race of the 31st National Milo Marathon Monday...

Losses in port strike reach P20M

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - A port workers' strike entered its fourth week yesterday, resulting in income losses of nearly P20 million to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and shipping lines. Ov...

Favorites, locals rock national boxing tourney

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The favorites, led by Godfrey Castro and Joegen Ladon, stamped their class even as local bets made their presence felt at the start of hostilities in the National Open Boxing Ch...

Towns have duty to keep forests green

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, Philippines - Environment officials have asked officials of the province's 13 towns to muster enough political will and assume the task of protecting their communal forests as re...

ACSAT makes UCAA finals

MANILA, Philippines -- Eric Suguitan canned two free throws with 4.5 seconds left in overtime to carry the Asian College of Science and Technology to an 85-83 win over Las Pi as College and hand the L...

PBAP's Posadas tops SLETBA tilt

MANILA, Philippines -- Apple Posadas of PBAP-Bowlmart notched back-to-back championship titles by topping the Open Masters division in the finals Sunday of the 11th SLETBA Open at the Sta. Lucia East ...

Settlers demand relocation site, funds for trade

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Philippines - Hundreds of members of an urban poor group trooped to the Cavite provincial capitol here on Monday to ask for a moratorium on the ongoing demolition of squatter area...

Jervy Cruz joins RP-Harbour squad

MANILA, Philippines -- A couple more collegiate players will join the all-amateur Philippine team set to see action in the Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand. University of Santo Tomas s...

British jin bulldozes Briones' Beijing bid

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND -- Alexander Briones showed a lot of heart, but heart rarely register on the scoreboard. The last jin deployed by the Philippines to hunt for an Olympic berth engaged hometown pos...

Passengers, crew of vessel rescued from stormy seas

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - The Coast Guard has rescued the passengers and crewmen of a vessel that ran aground Sunday off the coast of an Iloilo town. Commander Harold Jarder, Coast Guard chief in Il...

Execs seek PUV access to Kennon

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, Philippines - The province's peace and order council shot down a proposal to declare the regional chief of the Department of Transportation and Communications persona non grata t...

Board OKs P9 pay hike for Cebu workers

CEBU CITY, Philippines -The regional wage board agreed on Saturday night to implement a minimum wage increase of P9 for Metro Cebu and P5 for other parts of Central Visayas. Elias Cayanong, regional ...

Veggie towns urged to draw up waste plans

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET, Philippines - Local environment officials have urged the province's vegetable producing towns to draw up solid waste management plans to deal with increased garbage generation, i...

Xavier captures Passerelle crown

MANILA, Philippines -- Xavier School held off a fiery rally by Ateneo de Manila University to win, 60-57 and capture the Passerelle crown Sunday in the 2007 Milo-sponsored BEST Center SBP/Passerelle t...

Malaysia may pull peace monitors from Philippines

Man stopped from stabbing Panlilio

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines -A man, who police described as insane, on Monday tried to stab Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio with a fan knife while the official was being interviewed by reporters at...

Philippine economy seen growing over 7% in Q3

Philippine Elections Chief Resigns Amid Bribery Allegations

Hawaiian Airlines to serve Philippines

(Amex: HA), will fly 264-passenger Boeing 767s to the Philippines. Hawaii has about 300,000 residents with Filipino ancestry. Manila has more than 10 million residents. The new air route would mak...

Philippines government experts to conduct greenhouse trial on Bt cotton before year end

SEAMEO SEARCA The Philippines is looking to conduct a greenhouse trial on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton before the end of the year, officials from the

Arroyo continues her travels, leaves for China

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her official delegation left for China shortly before dawn Tuesday in a bid to drum up more investments amid the controversy surrounding the $329.4-million contra...

'Hanna' affected 12,370; left P10.6-M damage

Typhoon "Hanna" affected at least 12,370 persons and damaged P10.68 million worth of properties before she left the country last weekend, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said on Mond...

Tee time

MANILA, Philippines--The t-shirt trend has been on a steady rise for a while now—and it’s one that we are loving.

Project gratitude

MANILA, Philippines--The Philippines is world-renowned for having the most welcoming, most accommodating and most hospitable people. Then how do we explain the shocking news that in a recent study conducted by Reader’s Digest, Metro Manila ranked among the least courteous cities in the world?

Perfect timing

MANILA, Philippines--Once upon a time, watches were purchased, worn and used mainly for time-telling. Amazingly, watches have now evolved into trendy accessories that just happen to also tell the time.

Birthday party will help build town’s cultural center

MANILA, Philippines -- Civic-minded Bert Basilio turned his super, well-attended 75th birthday bash into a fund-raising affair for the “improvement and beautification of the town plaza of Pe�aranda, Nueva Ecija,” hometown of his wife, old-wealth socialite Nonie Tan.

Mayan calendar prophecies

MANILA, Philippines -- I asked the mediums or channels of three spirit entities if the predictions in the Mayan calendar were true.

What pains you?

MANILA, Philippines -- It is a race. And it becomes complicated with the passage of time.

A calendar of heritage updates

MANILA, Philippines -- The latest in the series of desk calendars and postcards published by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) where proceeds go to fund the Society’s projects, “Heritage Recycled,” the 2008 edition of the calendar is ready.

Glitz, glam and giving back

MANILA, Philippines – Life and fashion are ever changing. Their fickleness is as unpredictable as death and as certain as taxes.

A gathering of amigos y amigas

MANILA, Philippines - “Ole Amigos” was the Spanish-themed fellowship of the Cebu Chapter of La Chaine des Rotisseurs held at the Casino Espa�ol.

Is a 75th birthday celebration a waste of money?

MANILA, Philippines – Dear Emily, My dad is celebrating his 75th birthday soon and I’m planning to give him a surprise party.

La Naval papal coronation to be reenacted Oct. 4

MANILA, Philippines - Highlighting the 100th anniversary of the canonical coronation of La Naval de Manila, the Dominican Province of the Philippines will reenact the Marian image’s solemn canonical coronation on Oct. 4 at the Sto. Domingo Parish in Quezon City, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Getting ready for a younger look

MANILA, Philippines—Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Raul Guanzon says the best time to get a facelift is when you feel you’re ready for it. A facelift is not a one-shot deal—a patient still has to go through post-operative care, monitoring and maintenance.

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