Intel profit jumps 43 percent on strong mobile chip demand

SAN FRANCISCO -- Intel Corp., the world's biggest computer chip maker, said Tuesday strong demand for mobile technology pushed up its third-quarter net profit 43 percent from a year ago to 1.9 billion dollars.

Private equity firm to invest in savings bank

MANILA, Philippines -- A private equity firm will be investing in Malayan Bank, the bank's CEO has said.

Serena retires from Zurich Open

ZURICH -- Serena Williams retired from the Zurich Open with a right adductor injury after losing the first nine games to Swiss left-hander Patty Schnyder on Tuesday.

US stocks tumble as oil prices shoot up

NEW YORK -- US investors saw their stock portfolios scorched Tuesday as oil prices rallied to record highs amid heightened tensions between Turkey's government and Kurdish rebels located in northern Iraq.

Microsoft heralds business Internet telephony revolution

SAN FRANCISCO -- Microsoft on Tuesday theatrically unveiled communications software it claims will do to business telephones what e-mail did to corporate memos.

Pentagon confirms accidental Patriot launch in Qatar

WASHINGTON -- A US Patriot missile was accidentally launched in Qatar and self-destructed over an unpopulated farm area, causing no injuries, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Madonna confirms ground-breaking record deal

LOS ANGELES -- Pop diva Madonna announced a ground-breaking record deal with concert promoters Live Nation on Tuesday, reported to be worth 120 million dollars over 10 years.

Myanmar says 500 people still held

YANGON -- Myanmar’s military government still holds nearly 500 people in detention nationwide following the junta's bloody crackdown on peaceful protests, state television said Tuesday.

Bush defies China with Dalai Lama talks

WASHINGTON -- (UPDATE) US President George W. Bush met privately Tuesday with the Dalai Lama, defying China's angry objections one day before an unprecedented US tribute to Tibet's spiritual leader, the White House said.

So settles for draw; Salvador up

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino International Master Wesley So finally stopped his skid Monday night, drawing with fellow IM Tamas Banusz of Hungary in the penultimate round of the World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Yerevan, Armenia.

Balanced field turns PBL into wide open fight

Balanced squads certainly make for great and exciting contests. With key players leaving their teams to join the national team or the pro league, a tough, wide-open competition is expected when the PBL First Conference unfolds this Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Ayala Land to start work on new PSE building in ’08

MANILA, Philippines--Property giant Ayala Land Inc. will start construction of the new headquarters of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) in 2008 in the Fort Bonifacio Global City, a company official said.

RP once again part of US global posture

MANILA, Philippines -- Referring to their bases in Mindanao as “forward operating base-11” and “advanced operating base-921,” the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) corresponds to what a US Air Force-sponsored study described as the ongoing “redefinition of what forward presence means.”

Fil-Am, Vega sparkle as RP-Cebuana bests Thais

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-American Vicky Brick and veteran Emelia Vega provided the spunk and the clutch baskets as the Philippines-Cebuana women’s team downed host Thailand, 80-76, Monday night in the South East Asian Basketball (Seaba) championship in Phuket, Thailand.

ASEAN Tour resumes at Malarayat

LIPA CITY -- Swirling winds, soggy fairways and lightning-fast greens are the elements to conquer starting Wednesday when a huge local group led by Artemio Murakami and a slew of foreigners battle it out in the Philippine leg of the ASEAN Tour at the Malarayat here.

10-yr T-bond rate drops to 7.113%

MANILA, Philippines--The interest rate on 10-year Treasury bonds dropped 63.7 basis points to 7.113 percent Tuesday, with banks showing strong demand.

Abe King: Parole possible for Distrito

For the players who had the unfortunate luck of running into him on the court, Abe King was always bad news. Nowadays, though, he is the bearer of good tidings, especially when it came to news about the incarcerated Rudy Distrito, whom he had fought a lot of memorable basketball wars against.

Shoemart to buy out SM Development minority

MANILA, Philippines--Shoemart Inc., a privately held investment firm of the mall magnate Henry Sy, will offer to buy all shares held by minority stockholders -- equivalent to 35 percent -- in affiliate residential developer SM Development Corp. for P5.1 billion, an SM group official said.

Arroyo admin won’t change, says Speaker’s son

MANILA, Philippines -- Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. believes that corruption will continue in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because she has become inured to it, according to his son, Jose “Joey” de Venecia III.

JG Summit regains full ownership of petrochem unit

MANILA, Philippines--JG Summit Holdings Inc., the holding firm of the Gokongwei group, has acquired a 17.7-percent shareholding of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corp. in JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. and regained 100 percent of the subsidiary, JG Summit told the stock exchange.

Liga Pilipinas merges 2 regional cage tourneys

MANILA, Philippines -- A new basketball league, one which casts a bright eye at the future and a wary one at the past, was born Tuesday following the announcement that two regional basketball tournaments have decided to merge.

Atienza: Malacañang gifts a normal thing

MANILA, Philippines -- By his own admission, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza received cash gifts from Malacañang ranging from P100,000 to P200,000 throughout his nine years as mayor of Manila.

DBP eyes P42.3B in ODA for priority projects

MANILA, Philippines--State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines plans to tap P42.3 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from foreign bilateral and multilateral donors to fund high-impact development projects, DBP president Reynaldo David said.

Poetry in motion awaits Metro’s train riders

MANILA, Philippines – Passengers of the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and Line 2 are in for an entertaining and informative ride.

Opposition hopes pro-Arroyo solons will agree to probe

MANILA, Philippines -- Opposition members of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday moved to investigate allegations of payoffs by Malacañang in the midst of a fresh attempt to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Marines affected by latest political row

MANILA, Philippines -- The commandant of the Philippine Marines Tuesday said allegations that Malacañang had attempted to bribe congressmen and local officials had affected soldiers but that he had not yet heard grumbling so far.

Exporters slash 2007 growth target

MANILA, Philippines--Philippine exporters are cutting their target growth of 11 percent for 2007 to between three and six percent because of the continued decline of dollar against the peso, their umbrella organization said.

Taguig gov’t worker nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines – An employee of the Taguig City Hall was arrested Monday afternoon for allegedly trying to extort P8,000 from a couple in exchange for a marriage certificate.

Reyes, Bustamante spark Filipino bets’ romp in US Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Pool maestro Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan hurdled their respective rivals to join seven other Filipinos in the winning column at the start of the 32nd Annual US Open 9-Ball in Chesapeake, Virginia, Tuesday.

Sorsogon cries SOS after flood, lahar onslaught

IROSIN, SORSOGON—Local officials here appealed for help as hundreds of residents were evacuated to safer grounds following flash floods induced by heavy rains for the past two days.

Depositor identifies QC bank suspect

MANILA, Philippines – A woman who robbed a branch of the United Coconut Planters Bank in Quezon City, along with five men on Monday morning, has been positively identified by a bank depositor.

Adamson sweeps Lyceum in 3 sets to grab lead

MANILA, Philippines -- Adamson University on Tuesday claimed the solo lead while De La Salle University bounced back from an opening-day loss in the 2007 Shakey’s V-League women’s volleyball second conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

Intact Phone Pals face Aces Wednesday

If the materials you’ve got don’t cancel out the other team, it might be best to talk about motivation. This is the strategy coach Tim Cone will use when his Alaska Aces battle the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals on Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Trips paid for by Taiwan firm put execs in trouble

ILOILO CITY—Environmental groups filed criminal and administrative charges against Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog for going on a trip to Taiwan sponsored by a company proposing to put up a coal-fired power plant in the city, a few days after they filed a similar complaint against Mayor Jerry Treñas.

De Venecia welcomes Charter change talk but not this year

MANILA, Philippines -- Despite his one-year moratorium declaration on Charter change, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said he was willing to sit down with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to discuss the proposed shift to federalism from the present presidential form of government.

Teen ‘Akyat Bahay’ members rob Marikina home

MANILA, Philippines – Seven boys aged 13 and 17 said to be members of the “Akyat Bahay” gang were placed in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development after they were caught robbing the house of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Marikina City over the weekend.

CBCP tells execs: Admit Palace gift

MANILA, Philippines -- Assailing the “moral bankruptcy” of national leaders, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Tuesday called on other public officials to follow the lead of Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio.

Measles cases alarm ARMM health execs

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao—A health official has expressed alarm over the sudden rise in the number of measles cases this year in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) amid the national government’s drive to rid the country of the viral disease common to children 14 years old and below.

Metro barangays under tight watch for Oct. polls

MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila police will be keeping an eye on several barangays in Quezon City, and Pasay, Muntinlupa and Taguig cities for violent incidents that could happen in connection with the Oct. 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Requests for share of Palace cash swamp Bulacan gov

MANILA, Philippines – It was not unusual to see many people lining up in the different offices of the Bulacan Provincial Capitol especially on a Monday, which is also a session day where most of the elected board members are present.

Floor wax donated to landless school

GUINOBATAN, ALBAY—“Adding insult to injury.” That was how a head teacher here described the local government unit’s donations of floor wax and wood polisher for a school that has yet to be rebuilt after being ravaged by consecutive typhoons last year.

NY oil price bursts through record $88

NEW YORK--New York crude oil prices burst through a record $88 a barrel Tuesday amid concerns of a potential conflict between Turkey's government and Kurdish rebels located in northern Iraq.

2 women recount ordeal as sex slaves in Saudi Arabia

MANILA, Philippines – Nearly three years after they were allegedly turned into sex slaves by a Saudi Arabian prince, Lina, 19 and Anna, 20, (not their real names) are still seeking justice and asking the government for help.

France: Huge operation to destroy old sea mines begins

CHERBOURG -- A huge mission to clear the waters off Normandy of mines from the last two World Wars began Tuesday, French authorities said.

London could host a Super Bowl, says NFL commissioner

MIAMI - The Super Bowl could be played in London one day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Turkey to approve troops to Iraq in defiance of US

ANKARA - Turkey will defy international pressure on Wednesday and grant its troops permission to enter northern Iraq to crush Kurdish rebels based there, though it has played down expectations of any imminent attack.

Dalai Lama: Myanmar's beating of monks 'very bad'

WASHINGTON - The Dalai Lama said on Tuesday the Myanmar junta's beating of protesting Buddhist monks was "very bad" and reminded him of China's treatment of Tibetans.

Bank profits, oil hit Wall St; Yahoo, Intel up late

NEW YORK - U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday after disappointing results from Wells Fargo & Co and other big banks combined with soaring oil prices to sour the outlook for corporate profits. Reuters

Alert on Indonesian volcano raised to maximum

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia raised on Tuesday the alert level for Mount Kelud volcano to the highest level, as residents started fleeing amid signs an eruption could be imminent, officials and a witness said.

California cockfighting ring busted after raids

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After raiding a San Diego district close to the Mexican border, authorities said on Monday they had shut down an extensive illegal cockfighting ring, arresting 50 people and seizing more than 5,000 birds.

Dozens killed as fighting erupts in Sri Lanka wildlife park

COLOMBO (AFP) - Tamil Tiger rebels have overrun a military post inside Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife sanctuary, officials said Tuesday amid a surge in fighting ahead of the economically crucial tourist season.

Report: Misfired Patriot missile hits farm in Qatar

DUBAI (Reuters) - A Patriot missile hit a farm in Qatar after being accidentally fired from a base used by US forces in the Gulf Arab state, Al Jazeera television said on Tuesday.

Two aircraft in minor collision at UK's Heathrow

LONDON (Reuters) - Two aircraft were involved in a minor collision on the ground at London's Heathrow airport on Monday. No one was injured.

Pacquiao-Barrera fight gets 350,000 PPV hits

Manny Pacquiao's rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera raked in 350,000 pay-per-view hits, including 3,800 in San Antonio Texas alone according to a website report.

Gov�t Leases 1 Million Hectares to China Firm in Vague Contract

Would you rather let a million hectares of agricultural land remain undeveloped due to lack of capital or lease them...

Counterinsurgency Tactics, Weak Justice System Lead to Killings of Activists - UN

The government’s new counterinsurgency program and the distorted priorities of the criminal justice system help explain why hundreds of activists...

Despite Squabble, GMA, De Venecia Will Keep 'Marriage'

The ZTE controversy will fizzle out, without President Arroyo or Speaker De Venecia Jr. getting ousted. But expect their allies...

GMA Undermined Neda in Getting Broadband Deal Approval

Six former Neda chiefs say the agency is now a ‘rubber stamp’ institution.

Comelec Employees Cheer Abalos Resignation

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

Philippine army shifts tactics to improve image

manila The Philippine army, responding to strong criticism of its poor human rights record, has cut down on combat operations against communist rebels and is fighting them politically, the army chie...

Philippines woos tourists to volcanoes

santa juliana Rickety old jeeps barrel through a dry northern Philippines riverbed, setting off a dust storm that coats the visitors bouncing around on the back seat.

Reyes, Bustamante spark Filipino bets' romp in US Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan hurdled their respective rivals to join seven other Filipinos in the winning column at the star...

Tullahan Bridge closed again for more repair work

MANILA, Philippines - Barely two days after reopening the Tullahan Bridge in Valenzuela City to light vehicles, the Department of Public Works and Highways decided to close the structure last night fo...

Depositor identifies QC bank suspect

MANILA, Philippines - A woman who robbed a branch of the United Coconut Planters Bank in Quezon City, along with five men on Monday morning, has been positively identified by a bank depositor. Throug...

Ka Bel hurt in Manila road mishap

MANILA, Philippines - Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran was injured after his van was hit by a sports utility vehicle in Intramuros, Manila yesterday morning. Although his doctor said his condi...

Taguig gov't worker nabbed for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - An employee of the Taguig City Hall was arrested Monday afternoon for allegedly trying to extort P8,000 from a couple in exchange for a marriage certificate. Caught in an entrap...

Poetry in motion awaits Metro's train riders

MANILA, Philippines - Passengers of the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and Line 2 are in for an entertaining and informative ride. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has started putting up in its tr...

Filipino martial arts, escrima, gets noticed in hands of a master

[Podcast: Physical challenges don't stop Filipino American martial arts master.] The blur of hands wielding wide, stocky knives interspersed with flashes of reflected sunlight is a hypnotic, fluid mo...

Philippines Department of Agriculture won't impose ban on GM organisms in Negros Occidental

Department of Agriculture stands by national policy to promote safe use of modern biotechnology The Department of Agriculture (DA) is standing by the national policy on modern biotechnology and ...

Cash gifts from Palace discretionary funds normal -- Atienza

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- By his own admission, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza received cash gifts from Malaca ang ranging from P100,000 to P200,000 throughout his nine years as m...

Congress probe on Palace bribery sought

The move has been supported by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which urged Congress to investigate the alleged "bribery." Militant lawmakers Teodoro "Teddy" Casi o (Bayan Mu...

Govt looking to lower cost of remittance

Santos recommended lowering the cost of sending money to the country to below 2 percent. Currently, the cost of sending remittances to the country is 2.2 percent. The rate reached a high of 13.5...

High Tribunal delays talks on Jelac

Puno clarified that he was not insinuating that Congress or, more particularly, Malaca ang plans to interfere or meddle with the affairs of the judiciary. He said he was not ready to comment on ...

Budget allocates P303B to cover interest payments

(Editor's note: The first part disclosed how Congress, with the prodding of antidebt activists, realized that the country should not be a slave to paying debts, especially onerous ones. The P17....

Palace denies efforts to oust Speaker

CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said Tuesday that House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. may now sleep soundly, dismissing that Malaca ang is behind efforts to oust him.Apostol deni...

8 Metro Manila villages under watch for poll violence

MANILA, Philippines -- The Metro Manila police will be keeping an eye on several villages in Quezon City, Pasay, Muntinlupa and Taguig for violent incidents that could happen in connection with the Oc...

Presidential son to inhibit in impeachment proceedings

PRESIDENTIAL son and Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo expressed openness Tuesday to inhibit from participating in the impeachment process against her mother, President Gloria Macapag...

Court orders gov't to submit documents on NAIA-3

MANILA, Philippines -- To assist the court-designated appraiser of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, a Pasay City court has ordered the government to submit the remaining contracts an...

Military checks on report of Ka Roger's death

Earlier reports indicated that Rosal perished due to a lingering illness but it did not provide the other circumstances of the death. Before he became CPP spokesman, Rosal was the leader of the NPA's ...

2 OFWs sue Aussie for discrimination

TWO Filipino workers, who were fired by an Australian company, sued their former employer as they alleged discrimination against race and union membership.

Refund P107M to Meralco

By Jomar Canlas, Reporter THE Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the government to refund Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) P107 million, representing overpaid income taxes in 1987 and 1988.

De Castro asks housing agency to help railway folk

MANILA, Philippines -- Vice President Noli de Castro has challenged the National Housing Authority (NHA) to work on improving the quality of life of the more than 8,000 railway families it has relocat...

UNO to file 'real impeachment complaint' vs Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines -- The United Opposition announced on Tuesday that it would file a "real impeachment complaint" against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In an emergency meeting at the Makati Ci...

2 Sandigan justices who convicted Estrada nominated to SC

MANILA, Philippines -- Two Sandiganbayan justices who belonged to the division that convicted deposed President Joseph Estrada of plunder were among those on the shortlist to replace Supreme Court Ass...

Imelda Marcos shrugs off PCGG's refusal to cut a deal

MANILA, Philippines -- Former first lady Imelda Marcos said Tuesday she welcomed the government's refusal to cut a deal on the billions of dollars she and her husband allegedly stole from the nation. ...

Manila cops nab streetlamp attacker

MANILA, Philippines -- A man reportedly high on solvent was nabbed by Manila police for allegedly destroying P150,000 worth of lamps on Nagtahan Bridge. Senior Police Officer 3 Amador Jareno of the M...

PhilHealth says its funds intact

MANILA, Philippines -- Amid calls to investigate the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the state agency has maintained its funds are intact and it can still pay for the medical bills of its members. ...

Senate looks into lowered tax for Pall Mall

MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate may summon Finance Secretary Margarito Teves next month to explain why his department lowered the tax rate on Pall Mall cigarettes despite declining revenues from sin...

Escudero gripes about secrecy of Senate committee hearings

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Francis Escudero is questioning Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's decision to keep under wraps Tuesday's testimony of businessman Jose "Joey'' de Venecia III before the tech...

AFP seeks SC help vs presenting report in Burgos case

MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has sought the Supreme Court's help against being compelled to produce a report the family of missing activist Jonas Burgos believes is...

Panlilio writes Palace on 'cash gift'

PAMPANGA Governor Eddie Panlilio sent a letter to the Office of the President on Tuesday to indicate his resolve to ferret out the truth on the source of the P500,000 given to him in Malaca ang on Oct...

French firm submits top bid for 600-megawatt Philippine coal plant

Manila - A unit of France's Suez Tractebel was declared on Tuesday as the highest bidder for a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, a government agency said. The Power Sector Assets...

Orion meteors to streak across the skies starting Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines -- Beginning early Wednesday, meteors from the Orion constellation will be streaking across the sky, and will be visible in the eastern part of the sky, according to the weather bu...

Lacson eyes Pampanga, Bulacan execs as witnesses

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Panfilo Lacson wants to summon Governors Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan to testify in a Senate probe into allegations of bribes given by Malac...

De Venecia welcomes Charter change talk but not this year

Charter change , Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said he was willing to sit down with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to discuss the proposed shift to federalism from the present presidential form of go...

De Venecia son to continue fight vs corruption in NBN deal

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING. Whistleblower Jose 'Joey' de Venecia III at a forum on the controversial NBN deal scandal held in UP Diliman. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/JOAN BONDOC

Chief Justice nixes judiciary inclusion in consultative body

MANILA, Philippines -- Chief Justice Reynato Puno does not favor proposals to include the judiciary in consultations between branches of government, currently done through the Legislative-Executive De...

RP-US war games open in 3 provinces

MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that the global war against terrorism should be an "aggressive, collective effort," the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps stressed the importance of war games bet...

Manila rejected compromise with Tan in '86 - witness

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine government rejected an offer of 500 million pesos ($11.2 million) by beer and tobacco magnate Lucio Tan in 1986 to settle cases against him relating to wealth ama...

Senior military commandant pinpoints anti-terrorism initiative in U.S.-Philippine war game

A top Philippine marine official spoke highly of the cooperation with United States army in the fight against terrorism as the two countries on Tuesday co-launched their annual military drill in the P...

Palace financial aid to local execs 'normal'

MANILA, Philippines -- A member of the Cabinet of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has admitted that it was "normal" for Malaca ang to give financial assistance to local government units and that the...

Indon terror suspect elude troops anew

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine troops came within reach of a top Indonesian terror suspect during a raid on a rebel safe house on a southern island but failed to recognize him, allowing him to esca...

CinemaElectric Expands Global Distribution Network with New Carrier Agreements in Isreal, Malta and the Philippines

CinemaElectric Expands Global Distribution Network with New Carrier Agreements in Isreal, Malta and the Philippines CinemaElectric, Inc. adds on three new international carriers, expands global ...

Residents relocated as rains trigger mud flow in Philippine volcano region

At least five villages were relocated on early Tuesday as heavy rains triggered volcanic mud flows along the restive Bulusan volcano in eastern Philippines. "Lahar and boulders came down the moun...

'Coup try could spark civil war'

Marine Corps commandant Major General Ben Dolorfino warns of a possible civil war if soldiers stage coup attempts again. INQUIRER.net/JOEL GUINTO

House probe sought over distribution of cash gifts by Palace

MANILA, Philippines -- A resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged distribution of cash gifts by Malaca ang last week will be filed at the House of Representatives this Tuesday. But in...

No knowledge of cash to local execs

MANILA, Philippines -- Dousing claims by Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio that cash gifts were distributed to local officials last week, Malaca ang has maintained it did not distribute the money. The pr...

Philippine Communist Rebels Admit Holding 3 POWs

Al Jacinto, Arab News ZAMBOANGA CITY, 16 October 2007 - Communist rebels yesterday said they were holding a government soldier and two others in the southern Philippinesas prisoners of war (POWs). A s...

Congressman Beltran hurt in vehicular accident in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE) Congressman Crispin Beltran was hurt in a vehicular accident in Manila Tuesday, according to his daughter. Olive Beltran said that her father was confined at the Philip...

Philippine shares lower on credit market worries, Bernanke remarks - UPDATE

MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine shares were lower in early deals Tuesday as investors fretted over news that major US banks are setting up a fund to help bail out credit markets, raising fresh...

Philippine militants raise funds on YouTube

But they said they had so far prevented the Abu Sayyaf group, responsible for some of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines, from using the funds to launch fresh bombing attacks in the country.

Cops should dress as 'Manila's finest' -- Mayor Lim

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- For Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, restoring "Manila's Finest" begins with policemen having the neatest uniforms. Lim defended on Monday the supposedly "strict" ...

Tullahan Bridge opens with more jeers than cheers

MANILA, Philippines - Light vehicles were allowed on Tullahan Bridge for the first time yesterday, more than six months after it was closed for rehabilitation. Motorists, however, were angry instead ...

What's wrong with sending nurses to Japan

What's wrong with sending Filipino nurses to Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa)? Leah Paquiz, president of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), is trying to ...

Proposed dam in Tanay draws flak

MANILA, Philippines - Despite fierce opposition from residents and environmental groups, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is bent on developing the Laiban Dam in Tanay, Rizal as a new s...

Rodriguez mayor now after town's landfill contractor

MANILA, Philippines - Rodriguez (Rizal) Mayor Pedro Cuerpo said he is considering filing a case against International Solid Waste Management Specialist Inc. (International SWIMS), contractor of the 19...

6 armed robbers hold up bank in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - Fear gripped employees and customers of a bank in Quezon City after six armed suspects, including a woman, robbed the establishment yesterday morning. The incident was over in f...

Vendors to monitor MMDA clearing drive

MANILA, Philippines - A plan by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to enlist 15,000 soldiers in its sidewalk clearing operations has raised the hackles of a group of vendors. "Already, hum...

Philippines' Imelda seeks speedy trial, rejects deal

MANILA – Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos has sought a speedy trial of multiple corruption cases against her, a government official said on Monday, effectively closing the door on any ...

Church mum on bribery of Pampanga guv

THE hierarchy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) keeps silent on the reported bribery committed by some allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as exposed by Pampanga Gov...

Governors admit to getting 'cash gifts'

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga: Two provincial governors from Central Luzon admitted Monday to receiving cash gifts from Malaca ang. Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio admitted he received P500,000 from Bulacan...

Andaya says gov't no budget for 'cash gift'

BUDGET Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said Monday the money that was reportedly distributed to congressmen and other local officials during an emergency meeting in Malaca ang last week did not come from...

Remittances up 15% in August

Money sent home by overseas Filipinos went back to a double-digit growth level in August this year, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said yesterday.

Religious coalition calls for rejection of 'illegitimate debt'

The opening salvo was made Monday in Quezon City by more than 100 Catholic, Protestant and evangelical religious leaders who convened for a "faith-based Congress against illegitimate debt," and ...

Garci may receive benefits if no case filed vs him

FORMER Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgillio Garcillano could still get his benefits from the poll body provided there was no case filed against him.Comelec spokesman James Jimenez ...

SC en banc to review 'Jelac' proposal-Puno

Lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, the High Tribunal's Public Information Office chief, said Monday Chief Justice Reynato Puno will submit first to the court en banc the proposal for the creation of the...

9 million kids target of antimeasles drive

MANILA, Philippines -- Hoping to immunize nine million children in one month, the Department of Health has started its free, door-to-door antimeasles immunization drive called "Knock Out Tigdas," a fo...

House to pursue rules vs bogus impeach rap--majority leader

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- This time, it's the House of Representatives that wants to "immunize" itself from "sham" impeachment complaints. Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said on Mon...

Police nabbed 9 cars, 21 motorbikes in operation

OPERATIVES of the Traffic Management Group apprehended nine cars and 21 motorcycles in anti-drag racing and anti-carnapping operations on Monday in Quezon and Paranaque City, a police official said.Na...

GSIS waives penalties for nearly P1-B loans of teachers

MANILA, Philippines -- Good news for the country's public school teachers. They are among the biggest beneficiaries of a nearly P1-billion loan condonation program of the state-run Government Service...

6,500 RP, US troops in 'Talon'

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- A total of 6,500 Filipino and American soldiers are taking part in this year's annual joint training exercises "Talon Vision" and Amphibious Landing Exercise...

Militant farmers call for new land scheme

MANILA, Philippines -- Thirty-five years after land reform was decreed throughout the archipelago, militant farmers on Monday renewed calls for a radical solution to rural poverty -- the distribution ...

Auction of Imelda jewels put off -- PCGG commissioner

MANILA, Philippines -- The planned sale of former first lady Imelda Marcos' fabulous jewelry collection is not likely to push through in the next six months, according to the Presidential Commission o...

HK rights advocates to check on political killings in RP

HONG KONG, Philippines -- Human rights activists and journalists are set to arrive in Manila on Tuesday to investigate what has happened to the cases of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappeara...

In the Philippines, Religion and Nature Collide

October 15, 2007 · This is a story about what happens when the heavens and the earth collide — and who gets blamed. Last November, a typhoon slammed into the Philippines near the city ...

Archbishop criticizes Panililio for accepting Palace cash

MANILA, Philippines -- Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz has taken to task priest-turned-Pampanga governor Eddie Panlilio for accepting P500,000 handed out to provincial governors who attended Thursday's gathe...

House to look into anomalies in PhilHealth claims

ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- The House of Representatives is set to conduct an investigation of alleged fraudulent and irregular claims filed before the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). ...

MWSS to tap Laiban Dam as new source of Metro Manila water

MANILA, Philippines -- Despite fierce opposition from residents and NGOs, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is bent on developing the Laiban Dam as a new source of water for Metro Manila...

Gabriela to press for release of woman leader

MANILA, Philippines -- The women's group Gabriela will hold a "silent protest" at the gate of military general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday to press for the release of a peasant leader, w...

PNP chief submits 'old' report on killings to Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines -- Two weeks after his appointment, Police Director General Avelino Razon has submitted his report on the status of extrajudicial killings to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Al...

Left blasts Arroyo's renewed Charter change bid

MANILA, Philippines -- Leftist militant groups slammed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's renewed call for constitutional amendments, this time for a federal type of government she claims would help ...

Manila mayor suggests ban on money 'shortchangers'

MANILA, Philippines -- Due to numerous complaints of "shortchanging" money changers preying on tourists, Manila mayor Alfredo Lim on Monday called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to limit mon...

Cash given to solons, governors not from Palace

MANILA, Philippines -- Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said Monday that the cash gifts reportedly received by congressmen and governors during a meeting in Malaca ang last week could not have come...

Arroyo ally says federalism to take 10 years

MANILA, Philippines -- An administration congressman said a shift from the present presidential form of government to a federal system will take 10 years to fully implement. Cebu Representative Pablo...

Mind village, SK poll guidelines

COTABATO CITY -- Acting Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Resurreccion Borra has reminded provincial, city, and town poll officials to disseminate resolutions pertaining to the October 29 bar...

'Bloods gang' yarn a hoax, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said the 'Bloods' gang, which rumors circulating through text messaging, emails, and blog posts is purportedly bent on killing dri...

We have no tolerance for rights violations

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reiterated that her administration did not tolerate human rights violations despite the reported deaths and disappearances of hundreds of a...

Accused 'coup plotters' won't abandon detained men

MANILA, Philippines -- The 28 military officers charged with mutiny for allegedly plotting a failed uprising last year "will not abandon" 40 enlisted men they accuse Armed Forces of the Philippines (A...

Philippines, Australia to hold military drill

The Philippine Navy will launch a three-day small-scale military exercise with the Royal Australian Navy on Wednesday in central Philippines, a day after the start of a routine annual military drill w...

Philippine president pushes on plans to establish federal government by 2012

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday said a panel will soon be formed to draft a "roadmap" to establish a federal government by 2012, local media reported. Speaking at a re...

Arroyo seeks measures vs burden of high prices of oil, goods

MANILA, Philippines -- As Filipinos reel from the high prices of oil and basic commodities, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered concerned agencies to put in place measures that would ease th...

SC's Puno asked to join legislative-executive consultations

MANILA, Philippines -- The Executive has invited Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno to participate in its regular consultations with the legislative branch of government, acting Justice Secretar...

If true, giving money 'very bad'

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Former president Fidel Ramos on Monday said the reported distribution of money to local officials in Malaca ang last week is "very bad, if it happened at all." "But I'm glad y...

'Bulacan's Mendoza was money giver'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines -- Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio clarified on Monday that it was Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza, a provincial leader of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kamp...

Gov't to spend P10B to fight poverty

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday said the administration will mobilize P10 billion to uplift areas and communities plagued by extreme poverty. The amount will includ...

Philippine gov't studies talks proposal hinted by leftist rebel group

The Philippine government will consider the possibility of resuming peace talks with the anti-government rebel group, the National Democratic Front (NDF), after the leftist group hinted willingness to...

Australian Navy coming for 'tabletop' exercises

MANILA, Philippines -- Australian naval forces will be in the country for a four-day tabletop exercise on maritime security and surveillance with Filipino counterparts, a regional spokesman for the Ph...

Philippines begins mass measles vaccination

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines launched a nationwide vaccination program Monday to immunize nine million children against measles, the department of health said on its web site. It said more ...

Philippine shares close higher led by miners, PLDT retreats for fourth day

MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine shares closed a volatile session in positive territory Monday with miners outperforming on a bullish outlook for the sector, offsetting losses in select blue ch...

RP positioned as choice outsourcing expansion site as India 'heats up'

CEBU CITY -- Continued confidence in the quality of
Filipino business process outsourcing (BPO) workers, despite persistent
reports of eroding English proficiency, has convinced TeleTech Customer
Care Management (Philippines), Inc. to open its eighth delivery center
in the Philippines.

Teleperformance set to open 2,500-seat call center facility

TELEPERFORMANCE, one of the leading providers of
outsourced contact center services will be opening its newest call
center facility on Oct.19.

Microsoft drops antitrust appeal in South Korea

SEOUL -- US software giant Microsoft has dropped its appeal against an
antitrust ruling in South Korea after losing a similar case in Europe, court
officials said yesterday.

Study raises notion of 'printing' tissue

CHICAGO -- The inkjet printer may appear to be an unlikely
solution to the organ donor shortage problem, but it might not be as
far-fetched as it sounds.

Incredible shrinking memory drives new IT

PARIS -- Over the past decade, hard drives have shrunk to the size of postage stamps while their storage capacity has improved fifty-fold, a feat that can be traced to two men who won the 2007 Nobel Prize for Physics last Tuesday.

MP3 players challenge iPod

NEW YORK -- When Marybeth Miller decided she wanted a digital player to carry around music from her massive collection, she had one important rule: no iPod.

Yahoo! Hack Day

I was invited to attend Yahoo!�s Philippine "Hack Day" last Wednesday, along with some reps from the media and the academe.

Mobile phone frenzy bubbles in booming Vietnam telco mart

Between now and 2012,
Vietnamese authorities expect
the penetration rate for fixed
lines and mobile phones to
rise from 35% to 60%.

BEA Systems rejects $6.68-B bid from Oracle

SAN FRANCISCO -- Number two global software maker Oracle
said Friday it had bid $6.68 billion for BEA Systems, an offer that was
swiftly rejected by the rival business software group as too low.

Does your organization need Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 platforms like Facebook and YouTube are taking the Internet by
storm. New software tools, social behaviors, approaches to content
creation and business models are changing the way we think about
information, collaboration and intellectual property.�Use of Web 2.0
platforms for the serious business of work is referred to as
Enterprise 2.0.

Japan lures software experts

FILIPINO SOFTWARE engineers are expected to benefit from
Japan's growing demand for offshore information and communication
technology services, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in
a statement yesterday.

Contact center net income up

EXPANSION of business volume and sound overhead management
pushed call center ePerformax International, Inc.'s first semester net
income by 9.04% to P111.95 million from P102.67 million in the same
period last year, the company said.

ePerformax targets P4 billion from planned IPO

FILIPINO call center ePerformax International, Inc. will
raise P4 billion through a planned initial public offering (IPO).

Google tops Internet search world - study

SAN FRANCISCO - Google is king of Internet search
worldwide but rivals in China and South Korea have become powerhouses in
their respective countries, a comScore study revealed yesterday.

Apple accused of unlawful iPhone monopoly

SAN FRANCISCO - A civil lawsuit filed in California
accuses Apple of creating an unlawful iPhone monopoly and vindictively
releasing a software update that turns hacked devices into "iBricks."

Davao Internet operators reeling from competition

DAVAO CITY - Internet cafe operators are reeling from the
effects of cutthroat competition as rates have continually gone down.

Unwanted e-mail, spam zombies rife in RP

ALMOST NINE OUT OF TEN electronic mail messages in the Philippines
are spam or unwanted, while its capital city ranked third in Asia in
having the most number of spam zombies - computers infected with
malicious code that allows e-mail messages to be relayed.

Google taps small businesses

SEARCH ENGINE Google, Inc. wants to tap small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines to maximize the potential of
online advertising.

Adobe eyes 30% growth in revenues

ADOBE SYSTEMS, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed software company is
expecting a 30% increase in this year's revenues following the
introduction of two new products to the Philippine market.

Palace group to push CyberEd

PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is bent on pursuing the
shelved $450-million Cyber Education (CyberEd) project as she ordered
the recently formed China Projects Oversight Panel to ensure that this
would not be hounded by issues unlike the canceled National Broadband
Network (NBN) deal.

Headline: Borrowing tack could be revised

THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED to review next year's financing program as requested by the central bank, but emphasized that any cut in foreign borrowings should have minimal impact.

Corporate News: Marubeni sells stake in petrochem firm

JAPANESE CONGLOMERATE Marubeni Corp. has sold its 17.72% stake in JG Summit Petrochemicals, Inc. to joint venture partner JG Summit Holdings, Inc.

Banking & Finance: 10-year Treasury bond yields drop

YIELDS FROM 10-YEAR Treasury bonds declined at yesterday's auction, in line with the rate in the secondary market.

The Stock Market: Stocks drop as subprime worries resurface

SHARE PRICES closed lower yesterday following a sharp downturn on Wall Street overnight, where fresh worries have emerged over the state of credit markets.

The Economy: 2007 growth outlook may be trimmed

DECLINING EXPORTS due to continued peso appreciation, increasing food and fuel prices, as well as a perceived slowdown in remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) may cause economic growth to ease a little this year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.

The Nation: Health dep't will not pursue reversal of Milk Code ruling

CONVINCED IT got the better deal of the Supreme Court decision on the implementing rules of the Milk Code, the Department of Health (DoH) has decided not to seek a total ban on the advertising and promotion of breast milk substitutes.

Motoring: Sexy back

THE HEADS UP about the latest Volvo baby came from a seasoned motoring enthusiast even before the new vehicle was formally introduced locally.

IT Matters: RP positioned as choice outsourcing expansion site as India 'heats up'

CEBU CITY — Continued confidence in the quality of Filipino business process outsourcing (BPO) workers, despite persistent reports of eroding English proficiency, has convinced TeleTech Customer Care Management (Philippines), Inc. to open its eighth delivery center in the Philippines.

Batawang's long, lonely quest for a title

MANILA, Philippines -- Whether he liked it or not, Bert Batawang has left behind some of his best punches -- a good part of him -- at the Wild Card gym after nearly four months of forced exile that sa...

Balanced field turns PBL into wide open fight

MANILA, Philippines -- Balanced squads certainly make for great and exciting contests. With key players leaving their teams to join the national team or the pro league, a tough, wide-open competition...

Philippine army shifts tactics to improve image

manila The Philippine army, responding to strong criticism of its poor human rights record, has cut down on combat operations against communist rebels and is fighting them politically, the army chie...

Philippines woos tourists to volcanoes

santa juliana Rickety old jeeps barrel through a dry northern Philippines riverbed, setting off a dust storm that coats the visitors bouncing around on the back seat.

Reyes, Bustamante spark Filipino bets' romp in US Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, Francisco "Django" Bustamante and Alex Pagulayan hurdled their respective rivals to join seven other Filipinos in the winning column at the star...

De Venecia welcomes Charter change talk but not this year

Charter change , Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said he was willing to sit down with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to discuss the proposed shift to federalism from the present presidential form of go...

Intact Phone Pals face Aces Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines -- If the materials you've got don't cancel out the other team, it might be best to talk about motivation. This is the strategy coach Tim Cone will use when his Alaska Aces battle...

Perfumed all these years

BAGUIO CITY - Three years ago, international art critic and curator Rosa Martinez heard about "Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare)" from a friend. Martinez, a Spaniard, watched this Kidlat Tahi...

Sorsogon cries SOS after flood, lahar onslaught

IROSIN, SORSOGON-Local officials here appealed for help as hundreds of residents were evacuated to safer grounds following flash floods induced by heavy rains for the past two days. Irosin Mayor Lili...

Youth council bets also court religious bloc

CABANATUAN CITY-The practice of courting the endorsement of the Iglesia ni Cristo, a religious organization known to practice bloc voting, is not the exclusive domain of candidates for national and lo...

Filipino martial arts, escrima, gets noticed in hands of a master

[Podcast: Physical challenges don't stop Filipino American martial arts master.] The blur of hands wielding wide, stocky knives interspersed with flashes of reflected sunlight is a hypnotic, fluid mo...

Philippines Department of Agriculture won't impose ban on GM organisms in Negros Occidental

Department of Agriculture stands by national policy to promote safe use of modern biotechnology The Department of Agriculture (DA) is standing by the national policy on modern biotechnology and ...

Salonga says Lucio Tan offered P500M to PCGG

Business tycoon Lucio Tan offered P500 million to get the government to withdraw criminal and civil suits readied against him by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in 1986, Jovito S...

Cash gifts from Palace discretionary funds normal -- Atienza

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- By his own admission, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza received cash gifts from Malaca ang ranging from P100,000 to P200,000 throughout his nine years as m...

"Reality generation" Filipinos join reality TV shows to break out of poverty

MANILA : The growing number of reality TV programmes in the Philippines is linked to the rise of a new breed of young pragmatic Filipinos called the "reality generation". Joining the long queues to au...

Leftist solon doesn"t want another day in hospital

Not another day in hospital. This is what Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran thought of after he was injured in a vehicular accident in Intramuros district in Manila on Tuesday. The 74-year-old leftist...

Fishermen declare war vs 'nuisance' janitor fish

Fishermen have "declared war" against a "nuisance" nocturnal fish species with a sucker-like mouth, said to be causing the degradation of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines and the sec...

Dad thinks Arroyo is 'numb to corruption'

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr might have opposing political views, but both swore that no falling out between them occurred following the controversy on the $329.48-...

Court orders gov't to submit documents on NAIA-3

MANILA, Philippines -- To assist the court-designated appraiser of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, a Pasay City court has ordered the government to submit the remaining contracts an...

De Castro asks housing agency to help railway folk

MANILA, Philippines -- Vice President Noli de Castro has challenged the National Housing Authority (NHA) to work on improving the quality of life of the more than 8,000 railway families it has relocat...

UNO to file 'real impeachment complaint' vs Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines -- The United Opposition announced on Tuesday that it would file a "real impeachment complaint" against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In an emergency meeting at the Makati Ci...

2 Sandigan justices who convicted Estrada nominated to SC

MANILA, Philippines -- Two Sandiganbayan justices who belonged to the division that convicted deposed President Joseph Estrada of plunder were among those on the shortlist to replace Supreme Court Ass...

Imelda Marcos shrugs off PCGG's refusal to cut a deal

MANILA, Philippines -- Former first lady Imelda Marcos said Tuesday she welcomed the government's refusal to cut a deal on the billions of dollars she and her husband allegedly stole from the nation. ...

Army to probe alleged abduction of Samar activist

The Philippine Army is set to investigate the case of a female member of a leftist fisherfolk group allegedly abducted by soldiers operating in Samar province, Lieutenant Col. Bartolome Bacarro, publi...

Comelec warns vs premature campaigning

The Commission on Elections on Tuesday warned against premature campaigning by candidates in the village and youth polls, saying such offense could result in their disqualification and removal from pu...

Manila gov"t rescues children addicted to solvents

It has become a common site in Manila: street urchins with dingy eyes, inhaling compact solvents in plastic bags, even near the city's police stations. On Monday night, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim ordere...

Lacson eyes Pampanga, Bulacan execs as witnesses

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Panfilo Lacson wants to summon Governors Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan to testify in a Senate probe into allegations of bribes given by Malac...

French firm submits top bid for 600-megawatt Philippine coal plant

Manila - A unit of France's Suez Tractebel was declared on Tuesday as the highest bidder for a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, a government agency said. The Power Sector Assets...

Panlilio writes Palace on 'cash gift'

PAMPANGA Governor Eddie Panlilio sent a letter to the Office of the President on Tuesday to indicate his resolve to ferret out the truth on the source of the P500,000 given to him in Malaca ang on Oct...

Andaya clueless on where 'cash gifts' came from

Even Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya can't say from which government account the "cash gifts" - which was supposedly distributed among congressmen and local government executives - could have come fro...

Scientists discover possible new species in RP waters

American and Filipino scientists may have discovered new marine species in the world's most biologically diverse region, their expedition leader said Tuesday. Dr. Larry Madin, who led the Inner...

Senate looks into lowered tax for Pall Mall

MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate may summon Finance Secretary Margarito Teves next month to explain why his department lowered the tax rate on Pall Mall cigarettes despite declining revenues from sin...

Orion meteors to streak across the skies starting Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines -- Beginning early Wednesday, meteors from the Orion constellation will be streaking across the sky, and will be visible in the eastern part of the sky, according to the weather bu...

PhilHealth says its funds intact

MANILA, Philippines -- Amid calls to investigate the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the state agency has maintained its funds are intact and it can still pay for the medical bills of its members. ...

Escudero gripes about secrecy of Senate committee hearings

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Francis Escudero is questioning Senator Alan Peter Cayetano's decision to keep under wraps Tuesday's testimony of businessman Jose "Joey'' de Venecia III before the tech...

AFP seeks SC help vs presenting report in Burgos case

MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has sought the Supreme Court's help against being compelled to produce a report the family of missing activist Jonas Burgos believes is...

De Venecia son to continue fight vs corruption in NBN deal

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING. Whistleblower Jose 'Joey' de Venecia III at a forum on the controversial NBN deal scandal held in UP Diliman. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/JOAN BONDOC

Chief Justice nixes judiciary inclusion in consultative body

MANILA, Philippines -- Chief Justice Reynato Puno does not favor proposals to include the judiciary in consultations between branches of government, currently done through the Legislative-Executive De...

RP-US war games open in 3 provinces

MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that the global war against terrorism should be an "aggressive, collective effort," the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps stressed the importance of war games bet...

RP's weak justice system leads to killings - UN

The government’s new counterinsurgency program and the distorted priorities of the criminal justice system help explain why hundreds of activists have been killed in the

AFP says reported death of CPP spokesman unverified

The Philippine military is verifying reports of the supposed death of Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, the spokesman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). In a news briefing in Camp Aguinaldo ...

OMB raids Mandaluyong mall; tempers flare

Tension marred a "routine" raid by the Optical Media Board (OMB) on a shopping mall suspected of selling child pornography videos in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday afternoon. An irate OMB chairman Edu...

CBCP pushes probe on 'cash gifts', hits officials' moral bankruptcy

Expressing disappointment over the reported "cash gifts" given to congressmen and local government officials amid the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Catholic bishops ...

Party-list solons file resolution for probe of Arroyo cash "gifts"

Leftist party-list lawmakers on Tuesday filed a resolution urging the House committees on good government and ethics to investigate the cash "gifts" allegedly received by administration congressmen an...

Metro buses file for P2.50 hike in minimum fare

Metro Manila bus operators on Tuesday asked for a P2.50 hike in the minimum bus fare, due to the increasing fuel prices. The Integrated Metro Bus Operation Association (Imboa), Intercity Bus Operat...

JDV son loses 'respect' for Arroyo

The son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia on Tuesday said he has become completely disenchanted with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose administration has been coping with allegations of bribery ...

JBC shortlists nominees for SC Justice, CA chief posts

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Tuesday finalized its shortlist of nominees for the position that will be vacated by Supreme Court (SC) Justice Cancio Garcia who is scheduled to retire on Friday...

DPWH to close Tullahan Bridge again

The Department of Public Works and Highways will close the Tullahan Bridge in Valenzuela City at 11 p.m. Tuesday due to complaints from motorists. Angelito Twano, DPWH-National Capital Region assis...

Senior military commandant pinpoints anti-terrorism initiative in U.S.-Philippine war game

A top Philippine marine official spoke highly of the cooperation with United States army in the fight against terrorism as the two countries on Tuesday co-launched their annual military drill in the P...

Davao Oriental tribe fears gov't-rebel crossfire

CITY OF MATI, Davao Oriental -- Members of the Mandaya tribe in this want to bar government troops and communist rebels from entering their villages to avoid being caught in the crossfire between the ...

Palace financial aid to local execs 'normal'

MANILA, Philippines -- A member of the Cabinet of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has admitted that it was "normal" for Malaca ang to give financial assistance to local government units and that the...

Indon terror suspect elude troops anew

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine troops came within reach of a top Indonesian terror suspect during a raid on a rebel safe house on a southern island but failed to recognize him, allowing him to esca...

CinemaElectric Expands Global Distribution Network with New Carrier Agreements in Isreal, Malta and the Philippines

CinemaElectric Expands Global Distribution Network with New Carrier Agreements in Isreal, Malta and the Philippines CinemaElectric, Inc. adds on three new international carriers, expands global ...

Panlilio sends letter to Palace, asks about cash source

Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio sent a formal letter to Malacañang on Tuesday morning inquiring about the P500,000-cash "gift" he got after a governors's meeting inside the Palace. Separate re...

Marine chief says bribery issue affecting soldiers

Philippine Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino admitted on Tuesday that soldiers are now being affected by the reported bribery of congressmen and local government executives amid controversies ...

'Cash gifts' not from us either - Pagcor

The Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. (Pagcor) on Tuesday said the reported "cash gift" supposedly distributed among congressmen and local executives last week could not have come from the agency....

Residents relocated as rains trigger mud flow in Philippine volcano region

At least five villages were relocated on early Tuesday as heavy rains triggered volcanic mud flows along the restive Bulusan volcano in eastern Philippines. "Lahar and boulders came down the moun...

Coast Guard doubles sea transport security

Amid the reported threats from terrorist groups, the Philippine Coast Guard has intensified security preparations by beefing up its forces in time for the coming All Saints's and All Souls's D...

'Coup try could spark civil war'

Marine Corps commandant Major General Ben Dolorfino warns of a possible civil war if soldiers stage coup attempts again. INQUIRER.net/JOEL GUINTO

House probe sought over distribution of cash gifts by Palace

MANILA, Philippines -- A resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged distribution of cash gifts by Malaca ang last week will be filed at the House of Representatives this Tuesday. But in...

No knowledge of cash to local execs

MANILA, Philippines -- Dousing claims by Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio that cash gifts were distributed to local officials last week, Malaca ang has maintained it did not distribute the money. The pr...

Philippine Communist Rebels Admit Holding 3 POWs

Al Jacinto, Arab News ZAMBOANGA CITY, 16 October 2007 - Communist rebels yesterday said they were holding a government soldier and two others in the southern Philippinesas prisoners of war (POWs). A s...

Beltran, driver hurt in Manila road accident

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran on Tuesday sustained head injuries after figuring in a vehicular accident in Manila. Radio dzBB said that the lawmaker was about to alight his Toyota Hi-Ace van when ...

Band on bills 'clue' to cash gift probe - senator

The paper band used to hold together the bundles of P1,000 bills given to governors Ed Panlilio and Joselito "Jonjon" Mendoza may give a clue on whether the "cash gifts" were government or private mon...

Atienza says "cash gifts" are normal fare in Arroyo Palace

Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr on Tuesday admitted that money changing hands is a normal practice in Malacañang, radio dzBB reported. Atienza made this pronouncement on the hee...

Bulacan governor also wants Palace to explain 'cash gifts'

Neophyte Gov. Joselito "Jonjon" Mendoza of Bulacan joined Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio in asking Malacañang on Tuesday to explain the handing out of "cash gifts" worth P500,000. Mendoza said th...

Filipinos in UAE remitted Dh1.4b in January-August

DUBAI - The more than 250,000 Filipinos working in the UAE sent Dh1.4 billion ($380.2 million) to their families during the first eight months of this year, contributing to the strengthening of the Ph...

Philippine shares lower on credit market worries, Bernanke remarks - UPDATE

MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine shares were lower in early deals Tuesday as investors fretted over news that major US banks are setting up a fund to help bail out credit markets, raising fresh...

PBA unfair to Jaworski

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- The members of the Philippine Basketball Association board should nip in the bud a reported proposal to limit the age of their incoming commissioner to betwe...

'Gloria jokes' hint at public outcry, no laughing matter - Bishop

Public indignation against President Arroyo is rising, and Filipinos are expressing this as politely as they could through so-called "Gloria jokes," a Manila prelate said Tuesday. Manila Bishop Teo...

The mysteries around Pearl of Allah

BROOKE'S POINT, Palawan, Philippines -- Gathering dust on the floor of an unkempt government office in this town is the shell of what is believed to be the world's largest pearl. The Pearl of Allah o...

Charter requires receipts, vouchers in all gov't spending

MANILA, Philippines -- The 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article IX, Section 3 under the subhead "Commission on Audit") states that no law shall be passed exempting any government entity or any invest...

RP is forward operating base of US

Training for access First, the United States has stepped up deploying troops, ships, and equipment to the country ostensibly for training exercises, humanitarian and engineering projects, and other m...

Lady Falcons target V-League lead

GAMES TUESDAY (The Arena, San Juan) 3 p.m. -- Lyceum vs Adamson 5 p.m. -- Letran vs La Salle MANILA, Philippines -- Adamson University tries to grab the solo lead when it battles Lyceum of the Philip...

Piccio tops World Woods Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Mia Piccio sizzled with a two-under-par 70 to turn back Sally Watson of Scotland and rule the World Woods Open of the Laura Diaz FCWT (Future Collegians World Tour) by one strok...

PCA netters rule Home & Away tilt

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine Columbian Association (PCA)-Fermarjin stunned top seed and host Mandaluyong Lawn Tennis Club (MLTC)-Mizuno, 4-3, Saturday to bag the 3rd Babolat Home & Away Interclub...

Bonuan 'bangus' gets scarce in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines -- The fabled Bonuan "bangus" (milkfish) may soon become a rarity here as only a few fishpond operators are growing it, according to city agriculturist Emma Molina. "Our fis...

Paragua whips Bitoon, rules Tanauan Open

MANILA, Philippines -- Grandmaster Mark Paragua swept International Master Richard Bitoon in their two-game playoff Sunday to top the Tanauan Open chess tournament held at the campus of the First Asia...

Everest conquerors also big in triathlon

MANILA, Philippines -- Climbing back to the top of triathlon races turned out to be much faster than he thought. Leo Oracion, one of the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, returned t...

Lyceum bags 2 WNCAA crowns

MANILA, Philippines -- Lyceum of the Philippines University downed College of St. Benilde, 61-57, Sunday to put away the Senior A basketball crown of the 38th WNCAA season at the San Sebastian College...

La Union sportsfest up Nov. 2

MANILA, Philippines -- Surfing will be the highlight event in a three-day multi-sports competition set Nov. 2-4 at the Urbiztondo Beach in San Juan, La Union. Dubbed as the La Union Surfing Break II,...

Fish cages seen pollution cause

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines -- An environmental group has asked the municipal government of Agno in Pangasinan province to remove the fish cages along the Balincaguing River, saying these were "incompat...

Philippine militants raise funds on YouTube

But they said they had so far prevented the Abu Sayyaf group, responsible for some of the worst terror attacks in the Philippines, from using the funds to launch fresh bombing attacks in the country.

Opposition in Senate, House demand inquiry into bribe bids

MANILA, Philippines -- An opposition senator Monday formally called for an inquiry into allegations that Malaca ang handed out bags filled with cash to congressmen and governors, even as another senat...

Arroyo revives campaign for Charter change, federalism

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, facing renewed attempts in the legislature to impeach her, on Monday restarted the controversial campaign for Charter change. In a speech in ...

So nails GM norm despite loss

MANILA, Philippines -- A day after securing the second of three grandmaster norms he needs to become a full-pledged GM, Wesley So lost his match against Indian International Master Abhijeet Gupta in t...

'If the price is right'

Close this CEBU CITY -- Here's Manny Pacquiao's reply to lightweight king Juan Diaz's challenge: "If the price is right," said the Filipino ring icon. The retort came after Diaz unified thr...

Arroyo men won't say where cash came from

MANILA, Philippines -- At least P120 million in cash was believed to have been given last week to members of the House of Representatives, governors and mayors in Malaca ang, but no Palace official ha...

Local group taps music in fight against poverty

MANILA, Philippines -- It is not the type of music that sticks in your head. But it is a melody that the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) Philippines hopes will sensitize a society that h...

Tell truth on money

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Declaring no one could suppress the truth, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio Monday showed on television the bundle of P500,000 he said he received in Malaca ang,...

Magnolia in sizzling start, scuttles Air21

MANILA, Philippines -- Loaded with talent on paper, Magnolia translated that fearsome reputation into a more concrete form Sunday night. Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros presided over the Beverage ...

Bukidnon farmers fail to win case in Palace

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-For the second time, the Office of the President has sided with the powerful Quisumbing business family over a land redistribution controversy involving their estate in Sumilao, Bu...

Cops seize guns, bullets in Lipa City raid

CAMP VICENTE LIM, LAGUNA-Operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) of the Calabarzon police raided five houses in Lipa City on Monday and arrested five persons, including an incumbent...

Philippines' Imelda seeks speedy trial, rejects deal

MANILA – Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos has sought a speedy trial of multiple corruption cases against her, a government official said on Monday, effectively closing the door on any ...

Militants prop up anti-JPEPA drive via cyberactivism

Militant groups led by think tank Ibon Foundation have started an electronic signature campaign against the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), a few weeks be...

Erap seeks 3-day furlough to visit ailing mother

Former President Joseph Estrada on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan Special Division for a three-day pass to visit his ailing 102- year-old mother at the San Juan Medical Center where she has been confi...

Bishop scolds Pampanga gov for taking Palace cash "gift"

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz on Monday censured Pampanga priest-governor Eddie Panlilio for accepting the P500,000 cash "gift" from Malacañang. Cruz said Panlilio's failure to refu...

Hog cholera remains in some Luzon areas, gov"t says

Cholera continues to plague hog farms in some areas in Luzon, three months after the highly infectious viral disease broke out, radio dzBB reported on Monday, quoting an official from the National Mea...

Customs checking if seized Porsche is owned by Garcillano

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is verifying if the seized vehicle, a Porsche convertible sports car, is owned by former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. The luxury v...

Arroyo may be held liable if cash, project offers are true - Pimentel

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr on Monday said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo may be held liable for bribery, if reports that administration congressmen were offered money and projects ...

Easily, intimately and especially for you

MANILA, Philippines—While stylish folk are having their fill of summer ’08 collections showcased in fashion weeks across the globe, it’s also that time of the year when technolusters are going through the “must-have syndrome,” when the tech world releases new products in time for the Christmas season.

Alumnus ascendant

MANILA, Philippines—When Jerome Lorico was crowned last year in the first-ever Animax Fashion-Ability, a fashion-design competition inspired by a particular anim� series from the cable channel, a lot of doors naturally opened for him.

100 balls in the basket

MANILA, Philippines—So what’s going to happen in the upcoming NBA season? Read on and find out. Just give me license to gloat when it turns out I’m right, and space to make excuses when I’m wrong.

Champions once more

MANILA, Philippines—Two words that best describe the comeback season of the De La Salle Green Archers in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Basketball scene this year: vindication and validation.

Life in the fast lane

MANILA, Philippines—Male chauvinist pigs—the ones who blame car accidents and traffic pileups on female drivers—will be horrified to know that some of the country’s best racers are actually women.

Scent-ful party for the chosen 30

MANILA, Philippines—When the ever reliable Rustan Marketing Corp (RMK), exclusive Philippine distributor of premium scents, asked moi to host an exclusive, take note palanggas, fragrance party for 30 guests of my choice, I accepted faster than you could bat an eyelash.

Some health and wellness facts

MANILA, Philippines—This is the age of information and technology. And more vistas are opening up for inquisitive minds who thirst for knowledge.

State of Psi knowledge in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—Parapsychology is the science that deals with the paranormal and psychic phenomena.

Manila’s Army and Navy Club to be restored

MANILA, Philippines – The Army and Navy Club is having a tough time slipping graciously into old age. The landmark American colonial structure dating from the early 20th century has fallen into hard times.

My fantastic cameo in the concert of the year

MANILA, Philippines - When sensational hip-hop artist Billy Crawford staged his first grand concert in the Philippines, “It's Time,” the multitalented young musician performed with a powerhouse cast of internationally acclaimed costars that brought the packed Araneta Coliseum crowd on its feet.

La Naval grand procession today

MANILA, Philippines - The annual grand procession of Our Lady of the Rosary, La Naval de Manila, whose feast day is observed every second Sunday of October, takes place today at 4 p.m.

21-year-old bookworm notices men for first time

MANILA, Philippines - Dear Emily, After 21 years of existence, this girl whose nose was always buried in thick books and was busy reviewing for various academic competitions while her peers were having crushes, finally found a guy!