The Philippine Headlines - October 24, 2007

Posted by Balitang Pinoy at 8:30 AM

More than 500,000 flee as California fires rage for 3rd day

LOS ANGELES -- More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate across California on Tuesday as wildfires raged for a third day, razing over 1,000 homes and threatening to overwhelm weary firefighters.

Nat’l jins face tough schedule

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine taekwondo, heavily relied on to end the country’s search for its first Olympic gold medal, embarks on a busy end-of-the-year schedule in the hope of gaining more skills for -- and slots to -- the Beijing Games next year.

‘Cash gifts came from us’--league of governors

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) A group of governors, the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), admitted giving P500,000 each to two governors in Malacañang two weeks ago, claiming the money was intended for the "capacity building" of the first-term local executives.

Kings eye share of lead vs Phone Pals

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra shoots for a share of the Philippine Cup lead Wednesday when the Gin Kings battle a powerhouse Talk ‘N Text side at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

UP professors dispute methane gas angle in Glorietta blast

MANILA, Philippines -- The damage wrought by the blast at the Glorietta 2 mall on Friday is too huge to be attributed to a methane or diesel explosion, according to two chemical engineering professors of the University of the Philippines.

Norwood sets eyes on NBA, Euro stint

MANILA, Philippines -- Everybody wants a piece of amateur basketball’s hottest property. But Fil-Am Gabe Norwood has his own game plan that he intends to follow. And that involves taking it slow despite the slew of offers coming his way.

Draw the line, PBA coaches tell referees

MANILA, Philippines -- The problem with the new officiating rules being implemented in the Philippine Basketball Association is, ironically, rooted in an old one.

Bulacan Gov. Mendoza’s account of Palace handout

MANILA, Philippines -- Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza gave the following account of how he ended up with two paper bags of money during a meeting in Malacañang two weeks ago.

Trillanes insists Esperon behind Glorietta blast

MANILA, Philippines -- Detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is standing pat on his claim that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. masterminded the explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City.

Basadre, Boholst, Lopez kick off RP’s boxing bid

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- Doha Asian Games bronze medalist and lightweight Genebert Basadre, light welterweight Delfin Boholst and welterweight Wilfredo Lopez start their campaign Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) in the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Boxing Championships here.

Joey de Venecia bares slay plot; Mendoza: It’s a fairy tale

MANILA, Philippines -- Businessman Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, the whistle-blower in the controversial ZTE national broadband deal, Tuesday accused Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza of plotting to kill him.

Paulson calls for fully market-valued yuan

WASHINGTON -- US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson urged China Tuesday to make its currency fully market-determined within several years as part of reforms to help the Asian powerhouse achieve sustainable growth.

Puno says Arroyo set to grant pardon to Estrada

MANILA, Philippines -- Deal or no deal? Whatever, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno sees a homecoming for plunder convict and former President Joseph Estrada before Christmas.

Manila squads flaunt strength in University Games

BACOLOD CITY -- The onslaught of Manila teams continued Tuesday with Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University recording comprehensive victories in the men’s basketball tournament of the 12th Philippine University Games here.

Shock wins for Vasquez, Magpantay

GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE -- Summit Point’s Lino Magpantay watched his foe miss a putt from an almost “gimme” distance to escape with a 1-up win, the same result Andy Vasquez of Wack Wack obtained in pulling off the day’s biggest shocker Tuesday as the match-play phase of the National Tournament of Champions got going here.

Business travel costs surging on high fuel costs, demand

NEW YORK -- Business travel costs around the world are expected to see a big surge in 2008 with air fares pushed up by rising fuel prices and hotels rates squeezed by growing demands, a survey showed Tuesday.

SSC spikers seize V-League lead; UST scores

MANILA, Philippines -- San Sebastian College needed five sets to turn back Ateneo de Manila University, 18-25, 25-23, 29-27, 20-25, 15-7, and claimed the solo lead Tuesday in the 2007 Shakey’s V-League women’s volleyball second conference at The Arena in San Juan City.

IMF chief warns dollar may suffer 'abrupt fall'

WASHINGTON -- The head of the International Monetary Fund, Rodrigo Rato, has warned of a potential "abrupt fall" in the US dollar that could roil the global economy.

Agriculture dept funds 484 km of farm-to-market roads

MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Agriculture is funding construction this month of another 484 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said.

Smart sells Eastern Telecom stake to ISM

MANILA, Philippines--Smart Communications Inc., the cellular arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), has sold its holding of 2.5 million shares of Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc. to ISM Communications Corp.

Councilor’s house burns down in Binondo fire

MANILA, Philippines – Three persons were hurt in a fire that razed 20 houses, including that of actor and Manila Councilor Yul Servo in Binondo yesterday morning.

IFC disburses $105-M loan to Aboitiz Power

MANILA, Philippines--International Finance Corp., the World Bank arm for investing in the private sector, on Wednesday disbursed a $105-million loan to SN Aboitiz Power Inc., enabling the subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp. to finance part of its $530-million 360-megawatt Magat hydropower plant.

Gov’t defers sale of Sucat power plant

MANILA, Philippines--The privatization agency Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. has put off until 2009 an auction of the decommissioned 850-megawatt Sucat thermal plant of National Power Corp. as the government continues to use repowering the plant a fallback option in case of a supply shortage.

Norwood sparks Hapee; Harbour trips RP 5

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-American Gabe Norwood’s debut turned out to be a feel-good stint for his teammates as Hapee Toothpaste repulsed Mail and More, 80-74, Tuesday in the PBL V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

President sued over NBN deal

Describing the doctrine of presidential immunity as an “archaic” rule that applied to kings of the past, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Tuesday filed the first criminal complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the controversial NBN deal.

Arroyo, De Venecia agree on joint vision, end cold war

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., along with former President Fidel Ramos and Vice President Noli de Castro, Tuesday met behind closed doors in Malacañang and apparently ended a 12-day cold war.

BSP may ease controls on overseas investments

MANILA, Philippines--The central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), may soon ease restrictions on overseas investments of professionally managed collective funds, such as unit investment trust funds (UITFs), mutual funds and pension funds, an official said.

Safety of Manila voters, teachers with poll duties assured

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday assured the safety of the city’s voters and school teachers during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 29.

Arroyo visits Glorietta: See? It’s business as usual

MANILA, Philippines -- Seeking to allay fears that going to the mall was no longer safe, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Tuesday visited the Glorietta complex, which was hit by a powerful explosion Friday that left 11 people dead and more than a hundred wounded.

Gov’t noncash revenue P23.8B as of Sept

MANILA, Philippines--The national government’s noncash revenue collection hit P23.8 billion in the first three quarters of the year, more than double the P11.7 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Cleanup of Navotas waterways ongoing

MANILA, Philippines – In anticipation of rains on the days reserved to honor the dead next month, a campaign to clean up the waterways to prevent flooding near the cemeteries has started in Navotas City, according to Mayor Toby Tiangco.

World oil prices slip amid demand concerns

LONDON -- World oil prices extended losses Tuesday amid worries that slower US economic growth could dampen global demand, dealers said.

Myanmar bows to world pressure, sets forward Gambari visit

UNITED NATIONS -- Bowing to international pressure, Myanmar's rulers on Tuesday agreed to bring forward to early November a return visit by UN mediator Ibrahim Gambari a day after clearing the first visit by the UN's top human rights official in four years.

Cops see white slavery gang behind abductions

COTABATO CITY—White slavery in Lanao del Sur has stirred the interest of authorities anew with the recent rescue of a 3-year-old boy, who was snatched in this city two months ago.

Outright exemption from excise tax to be removed

MANILA, Philippines--The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) plans to remove the outright exemption from excise tax enjoyed by manufacturers of oil, tobacco and alcohol products intended for export.

Mangroves dying in wake of oil spill, says survey

ILOILO CITY—Mangroves continue to die on Semirara Island in Antique, almost two years after a massive oil spill hit the island, survey results showed.

Free computer courses for Manilans

MANILA, Philippines – They may not have computers in their homes, but even Manila’s poor residents will know how to use one after enrolling in a free training program.

Glorietta blast likely an accident -- PNP

MANILA, Philippines -- Senior government officials Tuesday expressed “a high level of certainty” that the Friday explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City was an accident, but said a bomb attack had not been totally ruled out.

San Miguel to buy 34% of Bank of Commerce

MANILA, Philippines--(UPDATE) Beverage and food group San Miguel Corp., through real estate subsidiary San Miguel Properties Inc. and San Miguel Corporation Retirement Fund, is acquiring a 34-percent stake in Bank of Commerce for P2 billion.

Cavite governor to proceed with landfill amid protests

TRECE MARTIRES CITY—Despite the opposition of residents, local government officials and some members of the Catholic Church, Cavite Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi is keen on pushing through with a sanitary landfill project in Ternate, Cavite.

A death on the street where I live

MANILA, Philippines – Every day at around 7:30 a.m., a stocky coconut juice vendor plied his trade on Mayaman Street at UP Village in Quezon City.

Gov’t, MILF panels meet in KL to break impasse

COTABATO CITY—Government and Moro rebel negotiators yesterday opened another round of a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to break the impasse in their peace talks, rebel sources said.

UP fraternity man seeks stop to hearings on Mendez death

MANILA, Philippines – A student and Sigma Rho fraternity member yesterday asked the court to stop the hearings being conducted by University of the Philippines officials in connection with the charges filed against him and several other students for the death of suspected hazing victim, Cris Anthony Mendez.

Pampanga board, gov quarrel over quarry turning into war

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Pampanga provincial board overrode the veto by Gov. Eddie Panlilio of an ordinance that he said weakened the governor’s regulatory powers over the multimillion-peso sand industry.

MMDA seeks 6-month extension of dump deadline

MANILA, Philippines – Give us six more months, please. An official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos yesterday asked the Rizal provincial government to accommodate trash from the metropolis for six more months, saying they have yet to identify alternative dumps.

Market climbs as Apple, RIM drive tech rally

NEW YORK - Stocks rallied on Tuesday as Apple's strong profit and a Chinese distribution deal for BlackBerry maker Research in Motion suggested the sector is the place to hide from a slowing U.S. economy. Reuters

California fire evacuees top 500,000

SAN DIEGO - At least 16 wind-driven wildfires burned from the Mexican border to areas north of Los Angeles on Tuesday, forcing more than half a million people from their homes and claiming a second life on the third day of fire calamity.

Palace unfazed by Chavit threat on Erap pardon

Malacañang dismissed a supposed threat by former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson that he will leave the administration's fold should President Arroyo decide to pardon his erstwhile friend, former president Joseph Estrada.

League of provinces: 'Cash gifts' came from us

The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) finally came out in the open by issuing a statement to claim that the group distributed the "cash gifts" given to some governors who attended a Malacañang meeting on October 11.

PNP lists 10 deaths for village polls

The Philippine National Police has recorded 10 election-related deaths since a nationwide gun ban was imposed ahead of the October 29 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.

Wildfires continue to rage in California, more winds expected

SAN DIEGO - Wildfires stoked by fierce winds burned unchecked across Southern California for a third day on Tuesday with 300,000 people in San Diego alone evacuated as flames destroyed or threatened homes from humble forest cabins to luxury villas.

Tang heroics key Harbour win vs SEAG 5

Harbour Centre, and not the RP Team, played like the team that is bound for the SEA Games.
Behind TY Tang's exploits, Harbour Centre Tuesday dealt the RP Team an 83-74 loss and a rude welcome in the PBL V-Go Energy Drink Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.

More oil price hikes coming, says DOE exec

Consumers are likely to bear another P2 to P3 per liter increase in petroleum pump prices in the coming weeks if prices in the international oil market continue on an uptrend, an oil industry official said.

PTT of Thailand may invest $400M in RP

Thailand's PTT Group plans to pour in as much as $400-million investments for the development of the petrochemical industry in the Philippines, a top company official said.

BIR eyes lifting of tax exemption on some exports

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is proposing to lift the outright excise tax exemption privilege on some products for export.

Pardon Opens Door for Erap Presidential Bid in 2010

A grant of unconditional pardon by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on former President Joseph Estrada will throw a monkey wrench in...

(GMA7) Death toll in blast rises to 11; probers doubt bomb theory

The death toll from the Glorietta 2 mall explosion in Makati rose to 11 on Sunday as investigators cast doubts...

(GMA7) C-4 bomb component used in Glorietta blast - PNP chemist

Traces of a main component of the powerful C-4 military grade plastic explosive were found at Glorietta mall in...

Cable Operators Up in Arms Against Smart

Even without clear regulatory rules, Smart wants to introduce mobile TV.

JDV Writes �Dear Gloria� Letter; Is this Divorce or Mere Positioning?

Is Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. divorcing from President Arroyo or merely sending her a message that she should not...

Philippine mall blast may have been an accident

Philippine police Tuesday said the explosion in an upscale mall that killed 11 people and wounded more than 100 was most likely an accident and not caused by a bomb.

Safety of Manila voters, teachers with poll duties assured

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday assured the safety of the city's voters and school teachers during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 29. In a statement,...

Cleanup of Navotas waterways ongoing

MANILA, Philippines - In anticipation of rains on the days reserved to honor the dead next month, a campaign to clean up the waterways to prevent flooding near the cemeteries has started in Navotas Ci...

Councilor's house burns down in Binondo fire

MANILA, Philippines - Three persons were hurt in a fire that razed 20 houses, including that of actor and Manila Councilor Yul Servo in Binondo yesterday morning. Fire officials said that the injured...

Free computer courses for Manilans

MANILA, Philippines - They may not have computers in their homes, but even Manila's poor residents will know how to use one after enrolling in a free training program. Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said the...

A death on the street where I live

MANILA, Philippines - Every day at around 7:30 a.m., a stocky coconut juice vendor plied his trade on Mayaman Street at UP Village in Quezon City. On a normal day, the middle class neighborhood is us...

UP fraternity man seeks stop to hearings on Mendez death

Close this MANILA, Philippines - A student and Sigma Rho fraternity member yesterday asked the court to stop the hearings being conducted by University of the Philippines officials in connect...

Lebanese beauty competing in Manila for Miss Earth 2007

The candidates will vie for five awards: Miss Fashion, Miss Charm, Best in Ao Dai (Vietnam's traditional long dress), Miss Fitness and Miss Beauty for a Cause in the country's central Nha Trang city. ...

Soldier killed, 5 rebels nabbed in military operations

AN ARMY soldier was killed while five communist guerrillas were captured following two separate military operations in Zamboanga del Sur and Quezon provinces, a military spokesman reported Tuesday.Quo...

P2-3 oil price hike looms

"At $100 per barrel, it will have an impact of two- to three-pesos," Martinez said. However, he said they will not immediately impose the P2 to P3 hike saying "we will have to stick to 50-centavos per...

Comelec orders Bedol's arrest

Bedol failed to appear on investigations called by Comelec in relation to alleged poll violations during the recent May 2007 elections.Sarmiento said copies of arrest and commitment order were issued ...

Death brings boom to Philippine town

By Raju Gopalakrishnan Santo Tomas - It could be any other sleepy town in the Philippine countryside, rows of single-storey houses basking under the sun alongside roads with the occasional car or v...

Estrada opted for pardon to be with ailing mom--Loi Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines -- Convicted ex-president Joseph Estrada decided to withdraw his appeal and accept pardon from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to end his detention and be near his ailing mother,...

Gas leak likely caused Manila mall blast

Security personnel patrol inside the upscale Glorietta shopping mall with bomb-sniffing dogs in the financial district of Makati, south of Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday Oct. 23, 2007. Philippine Pre...

Puno seeks Arroyo's action on Estrada's pardon

INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Tuesday President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should immediately act on former President Joseph Estrada's appeal for pardon so as not to cause any...

Arroyo mad over PCGG's sagging public image

MANILA, Philippines -- A "stern-looking" President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has reprimanded the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government due to reports of alleged corruption at the ag...

Educators review new curriculum

MANILA, Philippines -- Teachers and educators all over the country are in the process of reviewing the new teacher education curriculum at Grand Regal Hotel in Lanang, Davao City. The convention, whi...

17,000 boy scouts start Jamboree in Mt. Makiling

LOS BA OS, Laguna, Philippines -- Despite intermittent rains, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) kicked off its 14th National Jamboree on Tuesday with fun and "learning-by-doing" activities which...

Blast in Philippine mall may have been accident

MANILA : A powerful blast at a Philippine mall that killed 11 people may have been caused by an accidental gas leak, although a bomb is not being totally ruled out, police said on Tuesday. Investigato...

Erap could be home by Christmas, says Puno

On Tuesday, the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said they hope an executive clemency could be extended to Estrada on or before December this year.

Manila takes steps to secure teachers, polling precincts

MANILA, Philippines -- Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim assured on Tuesday the safety of the city's voters and school teachers during the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections ...

Fighting could erupt if new talks fail

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Muslim rebels negotiating peace with Manila on Tuesday resumed talks with their government counterparts, but warned hostilities may erupt in Mindanao should the talks fail.

Joey files complaint on death threats, accuses govt officials

Businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia 3rd on Tuesday accused three high-ranking government officials of plotting to kill him as payback for exposing alleged anomalies in the controversial broadband...

Glorietta 2 mall explosion 'likely accidental'

A chemical engineering professor from the University of the Philippines-Diliman said it is impossible that the explosion that rocked Glorietta 2 was caused by methane and diesel.

Don't talk to media

The Department of Justice has ordered the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to stop talking to the media about its efforts to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcose...

Sandigan approves withdrawal of Estrada motion

MANILA, Philippines -- Seeking pardon from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was simply a "gamble and a leap of faith" on the part of convicted plunderer and former president Joseph Estrada, according...

Global warming destroying coral reefs too, says RP scientist

ALAMINOS CITY, Philippines -- The country's coral beds may be under water but they are not immune to the effects of global warming, a scientist who pioneered the study of corals in the Philippines has...

Eradicate RP poverty by 2015

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine government on Tuesday pledged to eradicate extreme hunger, poverty and inequality by 2015 in support of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. T...

Mike Arroyo won't attend Senate hearing

MANILA, Philippines -- On the advice of his doctors, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo will not appear in Thursday's resumption of the Senate probe into the scrapped national broadband deal with Chin...

'Cash gifts from us'--league of governors

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) A group of governors, the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), admitted giving P500,000 each to two governors in Malaca ang two weeks ago, claiming the money w...

HSA should protect, not suppress, rights--SC official

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- Law enforcers and the judiciary should use the Human Security Act (HSA) as a means to protect basic human rights, not as an instrument of oppression, an official of the Su...

De Venecia asks Arroyo for initial gov't reforms in 100 days

MANILA, Philippines -- Saying that political situation was reaching a "crisis point," Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has given President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo 100 days to "complete initial reforms" tha...

Manila cop faces child abuse raps

MANILA, Philippines -- The chief of the Manila Police District's Anti-Carnapping Unit (MPD-Ancar) is facing child abuse raps before the Manila Regional Trial Court after he reportedly beat up a 13-yea...

'Bomb theory hard to sustain'

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Four days after the deadly explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City, which killed 11 persons and hurt more than 100, post-blast investigators have seen no trace...

BFAD issues new list of tainted Chinese products

Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) issued a new list of food products from China that tested positive for formaldehyde, a cancer-causing substance. A directive to distributors and supermarkets has been ...

Arroyo transfers 'Palace bribe' probe to Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to let the Office of the Ombudsman take over the investigation of the alleged ...

The Philippines' Mobile Phone Revolution

The mobile phone has become the most widely used and diverse piece of technological equipment, surpassing fixed line telephone, radio or television--with 3 billion subscribers worldwide expected by ye...

One soldier killed in clash with communist rebels in Philippines

Manila - One soldier was killed and five communist rebels were captured in separate clashes in the Philippines, the military said Tuesday. The soldier was killed Sunday in a clash in Tigbao town in Za...

Guingona files criminal raps vs Arroyo on NBN deal

MANILA, Philippines -- Former vice president Teofisto Guingona filed on Tuesday a criminal complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before the Office of the Ombudsman to test the presidenti...

Philippine mall operator says blast costs US$2 million

MANILA: Damage from a blast that ripped through a Manila shopping mall, killing 11 people, has been put at over two million dollars, mall owner Ayala Land said on Tuesday. In a statement to the Philip...

Philippine mall operator says blast cost two million dollars

Damage from a blast that ripped through a Manila shopping mall killing 11 people has been put at over two million dollars, mall owner Ayala Land said Tuesday. In a statement to the Philippine Stock E...

Philippine police rule out bomb in mall blast

MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine police said on Tuesday it was unlikely a bomb caused last week's explosion that killed 11 people and wounded more than 100 at an upscale shopping mall in Manila's financi...

Supreme Court rules a he cannot become a she in the Philippines

Manila - The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled that Filipinos who undergo sex reassignment surgery cannot have their gender and name changed in their birth certificates, court records showed on Tuesd...

Filipino software firm pursues global expansion

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino software firm Gurango Software Corporation (GSC) has opened sales and marketing offices in Singapore, Australia and South Africa, following its acqu...

Free trade, changing diets to put pressure on rice farming

MANILA, Philippines--Free trade, changing diets, and rapid urbanization is leading to a decline in rice production, one of the world's leading experts on the crop said. "As prosperous rice-growing co...

'High level of certainty' mall blast an accident--probers

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) There is a "high level of certainty" that the explosion in a mall in Makati City last week was an accident, authorities said Tuesday, four days af...

Philippine shares close higher on rebound led by PLDT, Ayala Land

MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine shares closed firmer Tuesday led by index leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) and property developer Ayala Land Inc, as investors chased bargain...

Most Lakas party members to side with Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines -- Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles on Monday said "most if not all" members of the Lakas-Christian-Muslim-Democrats will choose President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over House Speak...

Terrorism won't stop senators on bribe probe

MANILA, Philippines -- The self-styled "solid eight" opposition senators on Monday said they would not let the Glorietta mall bombing distract them from their probe of anomalies in the Arroyo administ...

Foreign experts help Philippine police probe Manila mall blast

MANILA FBI and Australian investigators were yesterday helping Philippine detectives investigate a bomb attack on a Manila shopping mall which left 11 dead, police said.

Gymnasts give Manila POF crown

tally G S B Manila 65 52 52 Quezon City 60 42 30 Pasig 35 14 8 Muntinlupa 22 15 12 Para aque 20 15 17 Marikina 19 24 30 Taguig 18 17 26 Mandaluyong 17 12 9 Las Pi as 12 28 12 Makati 6 9 5 Valenzuela ...

Arroyo about to pay a karmic debt

For all her faults and what she's capable of doing, it is unlikely that President Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Glorietta 2 explosion just to get the bribery scandal off her back. We still don't know ...

Waterless QC, Manila during weekend

MANILA, Philippines - Parts of Manila and Quezon City will have no water from 1 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, until 9 a.m. the following day. In line with this, Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it will...

Manila Ocean Park seen attracting P1B in investments

Close this A massive aquarium and adjoining commercial establishments being built on the edge of Manila Bay are expected to draw in P1 billion in investments, the operator of the facility sai...

MMDA told to look for new dump

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) might soon end up dealing with a full-blown garbage crisis after Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III yesterday said the agency wou...

Manila tightens security at City Hall

MANILA, Philippines - Security has been tightened at the Manila City Hall following Friday's explosion at the Glorietta 2 in Makati City. Insp. Marcelo Reyes, City Security Force officer in charge, y...

Malls, business areas in south Metro tightly watched

MANILA, Philippines - Two mayors in the southern part of the metropolis have ordered a stricter watch on malls and major business establishments in their areas following the bombing of the Glorietta 2...

Cops warn pranksters about bomb tips

MANILA, Philippines - Pranksters, be warned. Bracing for prank callers after the Glorietta 2 explosion in Makati City on Friday, Eastern Police District chief, Senior Supt. Nilo de la Cruz, yesterday...

Military officer dies in Pasig road accident

MANILA, Philippines - A military officer was killed instantly while his driver was seriously injured when their sports utility vehicle rammed into a concrete island in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City at da...

Suspected illegal recruiter could face estafa charges

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty alleged victims of a suspected illegal recruiter trooped yesterday morning to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to file a complaint against a woman who reportedly gyp...

CPP can't see any peace talks with Arroyo gov't

MANILA, Philippines -- The Communist Party of the Philippines is losing hope about reaching a peace deal with the current government, saying it might be able to resume negotiations with a new leadersh...

No training yet for poll duty, teachers' group lament

MANILA, Philippines -- With barely a week to go before the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK, youth council) elections, the Commission on Elections has yet to conduct the necessary train...

Gov't mulls amending anti-terror law

SHORT of admitting that Republic Act (RA) 9372 or the Human Security Act (HSA) is flawed, government is now eyeing "major and extensive amendments" to the controversial law even before a powerful blas...

Group calls for boycott of Arroyo cronies' firms

A CIVIL society group on said people should boycott companies owned by close allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the First Family particularly those owned by businessman Enrique "Ricky" Ra...

Erap asks GMA for pardon

By Angelo S. Samonte And Jomar Canlas, Reporters Joseph Estrada is asking President Gloria Arroyo to grant him an unconditional pardon after he withdrew his appeal before the Sandiganbayan, wh...

Owner wants gov't to pay P150M for occupying Arlegui mansion

THE original owner of the so-called Arlegui mansion inside Malaca ang on Monday asked for P150 million in just compensation from the government owing to its illegal occupancy of the property during ma...

Pre-need company loses case SEC

The Court of Appeals conceded that while it is within the exclusive power of the courts to handle the case of CAP, the SEC has the regulatory power to conduct its own investigation.

Glorietta blast could be accidental

WAS it a bomb or gas explosion? That question may finally be answered when the Philippine National Police reveals today its findings on the deadly blast that rocked the Glorietta 2 mall last Fri...

Abortion versus freedom of choice

The abortion issue is a nonending spiral of contention not only in the Philippines but all over the world especially when one speaks of the elusive power of the freedom of choice.

Lakas official gave cash bribes

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission investigating the alleged cash giving in Malaca ang said in its initial findings that a Lakas party official was the one involved in the distribution of mo...

RP world's top 4 recipient of remittances-UN report

By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter The Philippines emerged as the world's fourth-top recipient of overseas remittances, receiving $14.65 billion last year, according to a report by the United Nat...

Ermita to address UN body on killings

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita left for New York over the weekend for a one-week mission to update United Nations officials on efforts to address extrajudicial killings in the country.

Trillanes remark on blast 'irresponsible', says Atienza

CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Environment Secretary Lito Atienza scoffed at claims by opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that Friday's bombing in Makati City was the handiwork of the Arroyo administr...

Group to write execs in alleged Palace payoffs

MANILA, Philippines -- Local government executives who had breakfast with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 11 will be sent letters by civil society groups asking them, "Nakatanggap ka ba?"...

Repentance, prayers for country's problems urged

MANILA, Philippines -- It is time to "bombard the gates of heaven" with prayer, the country's religious leaders said. Taking last Friday's explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall -- which came on top of a s...

SC junks transsexual's plea for gender, name change

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- To prevent complications with existing laws, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition of a transsexual for his name and gender to be changed in his birth cer...

US, Australian experts help Philippine detectives probe mall blast

MANILA : Forensic experts from the US and Australia are helping detectives in the Philippines investigate last Friday's shopping mall blast. Philippine police have not found bomb fragments and say the...

Philippine metals output up 59% in first half

MANILA, Philippines -- Metallic minerals production in the Philippines surged 59 percent from a year earlier to P39.42 billion ($888.84 million) in the first half, the environment and natural resource...

Microsoft's new Philippine chief cites growth prospects

MANILA, Philippines -- Microsoft Philippines' newly-appointed managing director believes the company is in a "good position" to take advantage of a robust local economy brought on by emerging markets ...

Arroyo names 2 deputy spokespersons

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has designated two deputy spokespersons amid talks that Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye would be promoted as Palace Chief of Staff. Ma. L...

Money not from Arroyo, Palace tells Panlilio, Mendoza

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines -- Malaca ang has officially denied that the P500,000 each received by Governors Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan on October 11 came from th...

Killings down but still no justice

MANILA, Philippines -- A group of human rights advocates from Hong Kong, including a lawmaker, ended a seven-day fact finding mission in the Philippines observing that, while incidents of extrajudicia...

AFP checks C4 stockpile after being linked to mall blast

MANILA, Philippines -- All three major services of the Armed Forces -- the Army, Navy, and Air Force -- have undertaken inventories of their respective stocks of the explosive C4 explosives, a militar...

No components of military explosive found in Metro Manila blast site

Philippine police chief said on Monday investigators had not detected any trace of the main component of C-4 military grade plastic explosive from the ruins in a downtown shopping mall in Metro Manila...

32-hour water cutoffs in Manila, QC on weekend

MANILA -- Areas of Manila and Quezon City will be waterless for 32 hours this weekend as Maynilad Water Services Inc. undertakes work on its supply lines, the utility firm said Monday. To ease the ef...

Philippine investigators say mall blast may have been accident

Manila - Philippine police said Monday a deadly explosion in an upscale shopping mall in the capital last week might have been an accident caused by a mixture of gases and chemicals from the building'...

Lawyers of 'plotters' want court martial in Manila

MANILA, Philippines -- Demanding "fair treatment," lawyers of 28 military officers facing court martial over an alleged coup plot in February 2006 will ask the Armed Forces chief of staff to transfer ...

DFA operating normally despite bomb threat

MANILA, Philippines -- Operations and services at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) remain normal despite a bomb threat late Sunday night, an official said Monday. DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal...

DILG exec denies involvement in Palace cash giving

Joselito Mendoza identified him and another local official as being present when the money was given to him. In a statement Monday, Auster Panadero, DILG undersecretary, confirmed that he went to the...

Philippine shares plunge nearly 4 per cent in mall blast aftermath

Manila - Philippine share prices plunged nearly 4 per cent on Monday on security concerns following a deadly explosion at an upscale shopping mall in the capital, which killed 11 people and wounded mo...

Governor says senior official witnessed bribery in Philippines

Manila - A senior official of the Philippines' interior department was present when congressmen and local officials allegedly received bribes to ensure their loyalty for scandal-tainted President Glor...

Philippine health secretary concerned over exodus of domestic medics

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the country's medical system is in crisis as more than 80 percent of the Filipino health care professionals have gone abroad to find jobs with bett...

P500,000 given with DILG, local execs present--Bulacan gov

CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines -- Bulacan Governor Joselito Mendoza said it was Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, League of Provinces of the Philippines secretary general, who, through an LPP staff, ...

Ermita in UN to defend gov't vs rights report--Palace exec

MANILA, Philippines -- Parts of the report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston could be "damaging" to the image of the Philippines that was why President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sent a ...

Philippines must shift farm spending to export crops

Agricultural investments in the Philippines must shift to high-value export commodities to help lift millions of farmers out of poverty, the World Bank said Monday. The bank said 40 percent of the co...

Lawyer wants Justice Gregory Ong out of Sandiganbayan

MANILA, Philippines -- Blocked from joining the Supreme Court because of questions on his being a natural-born Filipino, Sandiganbayan Justice Gregory Ong is now facing a legal challenge to his positi...

Ombudsman taps Filipino-Chinese traders in graft fight

MANILA, Philippines -- The Office of the Ombudsman has tapped Filipino-Chinese businessmen in its fight for a graft-free and business-friendly environment in the country. Under a memorandum of agreem...

Interior designer makes old things new again

MANILA, Philippines -- Whenever she walks into a room that she has designed, Wilhelmina Garcia is never without a story or two to tell about the place -- from the furniture and art pieces to their man...

Man hangs self following fight with wife over drinking

MANILA, Philippines -- Vaneza Mu oz walked out on Jonard, her husband, Sunday morning after a fight with him, hoping to cool down. But when she returned several hours later to their house on Anakbaya...

Fire in bombed Manila mall causes panic, no injuries

A firefighter assisting a woman into a waiting ambulance after a small fire broke out in an upscale shopping mall in Makati City yesterday. (REUTERS)

Importers start shifting to paperless transactions

MINOR GLITCHES marred yesterday's start of a shift to
paperless transactions at the Bureau of Customs, as importers and
brokers grappled with the new system.

Apple fourth-quarter profit leaps 67%

SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple announced yesterday that its
fourth-quarter profits leaped 67% as customers snatched up iPhones,
iPods and Macintosh computers.

SK's Samsung claims world's most powerful memory chip

SEOUL -- South Korea's Samsung Electronics said yesterday
it has developed the world's most powerful memory chip, which could help
create a memory card capable of storing 80 DVD movies.

Bills filed to stop another NBN

TWO SENATE bills have been filed to increase transparency
and provide more checks and balances in public infrastructure projects
in the wake of the controversy that saw the cancellation of the
government's broadband network contract with a Chinese firm.

New Web entrepreneurs finding a host

SAN FRANCISCO -- From an online travel organizer to a real
estate pricing game, the ideas of the newest Web entrepreneurs are still
finding attentive ears.

Investors discouraged by rampant software piracy, says group

THE PHILIPPINES is responsible for $119 million out of $40
billion in worldwide losses from personal computer software piracy in
2006, a representative of the international lobby group of software
companies said, claiming the country has been losing out on investments
because of rampant intellectual property theft.

Smart taking advantage of lack of digital TV rules — cable group

THE PHILIPPINE Cable Television Association, Inc. (PCTA),
an association of cable service providers, has accused Pangilinan-led
Smart Telecommunications, Inc. of taking advantage of the absence of
rules governing digital television (digital TV) services.

Graffiti, evolution, infection pitched as new video games

LOS ANGELES -- Imagine a video game in which characters
evolve from primordial ooze, acquiring speed, claws, wings or other
traits needed to survive.

RP tech dreams tied to education

THE DREAM of the Philippines hosting another Silicon Valley will
remain far-fetched unless the country focuses on a most basic issue --
education.

Incubator firm sets up shop in Leyte town

TACLOBAN CITY -- A technology business incubator (TBI)
that can accommodate six fledgling technology-related ventures has
opened at the Leyte Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park
in Palo town, Leyte.

Headline: Business to spell out key tasks

Business leaders will discuss with government officials measures to improve the country's competitiveness, as well as legislation that will make it easier to do business in the country, during the 33rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo to be held at the Manila Hotel from today to Friday.

Corporate News: Calaca owner wants to hike plant's output

THE NEW owner of the 600-megawatt (MW) Calaca coal-fired
power plant is eyeing an initial 300-MW expansion on top of an overhaul
of the plant, and has expressed interest in other state power assets as
well.

Banking & Finance: Asian bonds recover in cautious trading

HONG KONG -- Asian bonds recovered yesterday on the back
of a firm Wall Street and strong regional equity markets, but the mood
was cautious amid deepening concerns about a slowdown in the US
economy.

Stock Market: Stocks gain as investors hunt for bargains

SHARE PRICES closed higher yesterday as investors chased bargains
following a steep plunge in the previous session. Wall Street's rebound
overnight had also helped boost sentiment, dealers said.

The Economy: Senate panel wants higher tax breaks

THE SENATE ways and means committee wants to increase
personal exemptions of individual taxpayers to offset the impact of
inflation, but the Finance department has posed reservations given hefty
revenues the government will have to forgo.

The Nation: Blast traced to gas explosion

The Oct. 19 explosion at Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City
was caused by a gas explosion and not by terrorist bombing, the
Philippine National Police (PNP) told the National Security Council
(NSC) in a meeting yesterday.

Motoring: Metal to pedal

NOT SATISFIED with a simple test drive event, Isuzu Philippines
Corporation (IPC) recently staged the "Isuzu Global D-MAX
Metal-to-the-Pedal Challenge" at the Tagaytay Highlands' Midlands Golf
Club.

IT Matters: Importers start shifting to paperless transactions

MINOR GLITCHES marred yesterday's start of a shift to
paperless transactions at the Bureau of Customs, as importers and
brokers grappled with the new system.

Philippine mall blast may have been an accident

Philippine police Tuesday said the explosion in an upscale mall that killed 11 people and wounded more than 100 was most likely an accident and not caused by a bomb.

Signs of a bungled relocation project

SUBIC, Zambales - As the rains poured over the Redondo Peninsula in Subic, Zambales, one afternoon in August, Romeo Altares went up and down the hill, checking for signs of another landslide. Inside ...

Cops see white slavery gang behind abductions

COTABATO CITY-White slavery in Lanao del Sur has stirred the interest of authorities anew with the recent rescue of a 3-year-old boy, who was snatched in this city two months ago. Senior Supt. Willie...

Glorietta blast likely an accident -- PNP

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Senior government officials Tuesday expressed "a high level of certainty" that the Friday explosion at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City was an accident, b...

Mangroves dying in wake of oil spill, says survey

ILOILO CITY-Mangroves continue to die on Semirara Island in Antique, almost two years after a massive oil spill hit the island, survey results showed. The survey, conducted by the Department of Envir...

Fil-Am ace Norwood gets going

GAMES TUESDAY (Emilio Aguinaldo College gym) 2 p.m. -- Harbour Centre vs RP Team 4 p.m. -- Hapee vs Mail and More MANILA, Philippines -- A Filipino-American rookie hotshot debuts Tuesday for a team s...

Cavite governor to proceed with landfill amid protests

TRECE MARTIRES CITY-Despite the opposition of residents, local government officials and some members of the Catholic Church, Cavite Gov. Erineo "Ayong" Maliksi is keen on pushing through with a sanita...

Gov't, MILF panels meet in KL to break impasse

COTABATO CITY-Government and Moro rebel negotiators yesterday opened another round of a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to break the impasse in their peace talks, rebel sources said. Governm...

Investigators hope to wrap up Glorietta blast case Thursday

Investigators expect to wrap up their probe into the Glorietta 2 mall blast not later than Thursday now that police have found indicators that the tragic incident in Makati City was due to gas explosi...

Guingona files graft suit against Arroyo over ZTE deal

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona on Tuesday accused President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her husband, a former Elections official and a Cabinet official of graft in a suit he and five others file...

SC junks transsexual"s plea to change name

The law does not recognize the changes made by a surgeon to transform a man's body into a woman's. Nor does it allow changing a person's name to suit its newly acquired gender status. Thus, the Sup...

Death brings boom to Philippine town

Estrada opted for pardon to be with ailing mom--Loi Ejercito

Arroyo mad over PCGG's sagging public image

Educators review new curriculum

17,000 boy scouts start Jamboree in Mt. Makiling

Blast in Philippine mall may have been accident

Makati blast likely caused by gas explosion - investigators

An accidental gas explosion most likely caused the blast that killed 11 people and injured more than 100 others at the Glorietta 2 mall in Makati City, police officials said Tuesday. Investigators ...

Global warming destroying coral reefs too, says RP scientist

Sandigan approves withdrawal of Estrada motion

Writ of amparo takes effect; lawyers' group issues primer

The writ of amparo, a rule that grants relief to families and relatives of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, takes effect on Wednesday. The Supreme Court last month approved the d...

Eradicate RP poverty by 2015

Mike Arroyo won't attend Senate hearing

'Cash gifts from us'--league of governors

Gov't prosecutor opposes early pardon for Erap

MANILA - The chief government prosecutor and lawyers who won a plunder conviction of ousted Philippine President Joseph Estrada opposed moves on Tuesday to grant him an early presidential pardon. E...

Arroyo goes 'malling' in Glorietta

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday inspected the devastation at Glorietta 2 and went shopping at the adjacent Glorietta malls in Makati City four days after a powerful blast hit the area and...

Ex-Army chief denies JDV III 'kill' plot 'tale'

Retired Army chief Jaime de los Santos on Tuesday afternoon denied passing information about an alleged plot to murder businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III amid the controversy over the $329.4-milli...

3 typhoons expected to visit RP in next 2 months - Pagasa

At least three typhoons are expected to visit the Philippine territory in the last two months of the year, the weather bureau said on Tuesday. Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief of the Philippine...

Graft case filed vs Arroyo, hubby Mike

Leaders of civil society filed a graft complaint on Tuesday before the Office of the Ombudsman against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel, in connection with their alleged ...

HSA should protect, not suppress, rights--SC official

Relatives of boy who drowned in Pasig appeals for help

Relatives of Kristian Gonzales, a teenager who apparently drowned on Monday in Pasig River are appealing for help for the immediate recovery of his missing body. Gonzales, 14, 5'5" in height w...

De Venecia asks Arroyo for initial gov't reforms in 100 days

BFAD issues new list of tainted Chinese products

Arroyo transfers 'Palace bribe' probe to Ombudsman

The Philippines' Mobile Phone Revolution

One soldier killed in clash with communist rebels in Philippines

Give way to Ombudsman in bribe probe

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to give way to the Ombudsman in investigating alleged the bribery of lawmakers and local officials la...

Comelec issues order for Bedol arrest, detention

Without a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued Tuesday an arrest warrant for former Maguindanao elections supervisor Lintang Bedol. Radio...

Graft complaint on ZTE deal filed vs Arroyos with Ombudsman

Philippine mall operator says blast costs US$2 million

Philippine mall operator says blast cost two million dollars

Philippine police rule out bomb in mall blast

Joey De Venecia links DOTC chief to 'kill plot'

(Updated 12:54 p.m.) Businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III asked the Makati police Tuesday to investigate a "plot" to kill him allegedly masterminded by Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and t...

NCRPO chief rules out bomb, eyes gas leak in Glorietta blast

(Updated 12:31 p.m.) The police on Tuesday ruled out bombing as the cause of last Friday's Glorietta 2 incident saying investigators found no bomb indicators. Director Geary Barias, chief of th...

Palace denies giving P500K to Pampanga governor

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Malacañang has denied disbursing the P500,000 reportedly received by Governor Eddie Panlilio shortly after he attended the meeting of the Union of Local Authorities of t...

Filipino software firm pursues global expansion

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino software firm Gurango Software Corporation (GSC) has opened sales and marketing offices in Singapore, Australia and South Africa, following its acqu...

Pangasinan town councilor shot dead

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines -- A third-term councilor of Alcala, Pangasinan, was shot dead Monday night near his house in Barangay (village) San Pedro Apartado in that town. Councilor Juan Ablao was sh...

Supreme Court rules a he cannot become a she in the Philippines

Free trade, changing diets to put pressure on rice farming

'High level of certainty' mall blast an accident--probers

Close this MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 2) There is a "high level of certainty" that the explosion in a mall in Makati City last week was an accident, authorities said Tuesday, four days af...

Comelec orders arrest of Maguindanao poll chief

MANILA, Philippines -- The Commission on Elections en banc has promulgated a resolution ordering the arrest of Maguindanao provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol, according to the poll body's sp...

Philippine shares close higher on rebound led by PLDT, Ayala Land

Gov't, MILF hold 4th clarificatory talks in Malaysia

Government and secessionist peace negotiators started Tuesday their fourth question-and-answer session in Malaysia to iron out kinks on the issue of ancestral domain. The Moro Islamic Liberation Fr...

Governors call for an end to 'Arroyo resign' moves

Governors, some of whom attended a "bribe-tainted" meeting in Malacañang last Oct. 11, on Tuesday placed full-page ads in newspapers calling for an end to calls for the resignation of President...

JDV III asks cops to probe 'death threats'

Businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia III requested the Makati police Tuesday to investigate death threats he has been receiving following his statements on alleged anomalies in the $329.4-million ZTE de...

Arroyo convenes NSC amid mall blast, corruption claim

MANILA - The Philippine president convened a top-level meeting Tuesday amid political tensions compounded by last week's deadly blast in a Manila shopping mall, which investigators now suspect was...

'Witness' says Glorietta diesel area poorly ventilated - PNP

The police claimed that a "witness" attested that the diesel storage area in the Glorietta shopping mall lacked proper ventilation, even as lawmen continue to cite more information that allegedly tend...

Erap may be home before Christmas - DILG chief

(Updated 9:01 a.m.) Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno predicted Tuesday that convicted former President Joseph Estrada may be pardoned before Christmas this year. Puno, who concurrently serves as pre...

Most Lakas party members to side with Arroyo

Trillanes to tell all only to independent body

Detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV said Tuesday he is willing to tell everything he knows about an alleged Malacañang link to the Glorietta 2 blast, but only to an independent commission. In...

RP has 2,299 new CPAs; UST, PUP, Xavier top schools

The Philippines has a total of 2,299 new certified public accountants (CPAs). They passed the licensure examination for CPAs given by the Board of Accountancy in October 2007 in Manila, Baguio, Cebu, ...

1 killed, 2 hurt in predawn mishaps in QC

A motorcycle rider was killed, while an engineer and a manager were injured in separate predawn road accidents in Quezon City Tuesday. Radio dzBB reported that Joel Nera of Fairview in Quezon City ...

Terrorism won't stop senators on bribe probe

Filipinos keep hopes alive, Indonesians keep losing

THE Philippines Spring Cooking Oil team kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals of the Penang Chief Minister Cup-Asian Basketball Invitation tournament by defeating Indonesia Satria Mu...

Mayor Peewee Trinidad writes

MANILA, Philippines -- I would like to apologize to the readers for failing to acknowledge their letters on time. It's because I seldom go to the office to pick up my mails. Among the letter-senders ...

Foreign experts help Philippine police probe Manila mall blast

MANILA FBI and Australian investigators were yesterday helping Philippine detectives investigate a bomb attack on a Manila shopping mall which left 11 dead, police said.

Cops nab 4 car thieves in Malate, Manila

The police arrested four suspected car thieves after chancing upon them during a routine patrol in Manila's Malate district before dawn Tuesday. Radio dzBB reported that a team from the Manila Poli...

Take precaution vs dengue, US tells citizens in RP

With the rainy season not yet over, the United States government urged its nationals to take preventive measures against catching dengue. In a warden notice, the US embassy recommended "proactive&q...

Supreme Court rules that a he can't be a she

MANILA, Philippines -- He was born Rommel Silverio but decided to undergo sex reassignment surgery five years ago in Bangkok, Thailand. Today, 45-year-old Silverio, who prefers to be called Mely, loo...

'Witch-hunt' vs Muslim groups feared

MANILA, Philippines -- A Mindanao-based party-list group on Monday expressed fears of a government "witch-hunt" in Muslim communities following reports that the Rajah Solaiman Revolutionary Movement (...

Businessmen jittery over mall blast

MANILA, Philippines -- The Glorietta 2 mall explosion set back Philippine stocks on Monday and caused concern among businessmen that three days after the incident no solid leads have surfaced on its c...

'Kuya' tells Trillanes to put up or shut up

MANILA, Philippines -- Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV was told by his "kuya" -- Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan -- to back off from accusations the Arroyo administration was behind the Glorietta mall blast ...

Park, Brodett nail match play top seedings

Men's Division: 7 a.m. -- R. Littaua vs. E. Solon, 7:10 -- L. Tojino vs. M. Ilagan, 7:20 -- J. Tuason vs. C. Raymundo, 7:30 -- M. Rivera vs. A. Avena, 7:40 -- R. Mangulabnan vs. J. Tan, 7:50 -- R. Gar...

Lady Stags, Lady Eagles dispute V-League lead

MANILA, Philippines -- San Sebastian College and Ateneo de Manila University, both with talented Thai imports, clash for the solo lead on Tuesday in the Shakey's V-League women's volleyball second con...

2 men stopped from planting evidence in Glorietta -- source

MANILA, Philippines -- Police thwarted an attempt on Sunday night by two men in Army uniforms to plant a bag of evidence and foul up an investigation into the explosion that wrecked Glorietta 2 shoppi...

That Friday, cell phone seemed to keep ringing forever

MANILA, Philippines -- Businessman Renier Santiago Tan would normally answer calls on his cell phone after two rings. That Friday, his phone seemed to keep on ringing forever. That was when his son, ...

Makati gov't orders safety inspection of Glorietta

MANILA, Philippines -- The Makati City government Monday ordered the temporary shutdown of the Glorietta shopping complex to allow engineers to determine if the building remained safe following Friday...

Bulacan gov links Arroyo ally to bags of money

Close this MALOLOS CITY -- Saying it was time to tell the truth about what happened in Malaca ang, Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza Monday linked an ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to ...

Gymnasts give Manila POF crown

RP jins capture 12 golds in Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines bagged 12 gold medals, including four in the senior division, in the recent 8th ASEAN Taekwondo Federation Championships held in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam. Banta...

GIs back among Aetas for war games

Blessings "Blessings come to us whenever Talon Vision and Balikatan (exercises) are held here," Catacutan said, referring to the yearly war games that resumed in 1999 under the RP-US Visiting Forces ...

Iloilo execs endorse coal plants after trip to Taiwan

ILOILO CITY-Returning from a controversial Taiwan trip sponsored by proponents of a local coal plant project, city officials are now urging residents to be open to such "clean and safe" source of ener...

Guiao sacked for one game

MANILA, Philippines -- The relaxed rules in defense of the PBA have claimed some victims in just a week with at least one player carried out of a game, one ending with a busted lip, a coach getting su...

There's no stopping 'jueteng' in Camarines Sur

NAGA CITY-"Jueteng" continues in Camarines Sur, where three draws are held every day, according to several correadores (bet collectors). Senior Supt. Romeo Tambungui, police provincial director, said...

Fish cages return to Batangas after 5 yrs

SAN NICOLAS, BATANGAS-Illegally-built fish cages are back in the Pansipit River, a protected area, after five years, choking a key passageway of the endemic maliputo fish from Balayan Bay to their bre...

Gov't vets sent to Samar town to probe carabao deaths

TACLOBAN CITY-For the third time, government veterinarians were sent to Las Navas town in Northern Samar on Tuesday to investigate the deaths of 138 carabaos in an outbreak of hemorrhagic septicemia, ...

Acting DoJ chief sees need to amend anti-terror law

Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera on Monday said the government might need to amend the controversial anti-terror law or the Human Security Act (HSA). Devanadera, vice chairman of the Anti-...

Robinsons Land to start high-end Cebu leisure estate

Close this Robinsons Land Corp. of the Gokongwei group plans to build its first high-end leisure estate following its purchase of a five-hectare property on Mactan Island in Cebu City, the co...

CPP can't see any peace talks with Arroyo gov't

No training yet for poll duty, teachers' group lament

Darchinyan puts away Catubay

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino Federico Catubay put up a gallant stand before Australia-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan put him away with a 12th-round technical knockout Saturday night in their Interna...

Rajah Solaiman group remains in blast suspect list - PNP task force

The Rajah Solaiman Movement (RSM) may already be "inactive" as far as authorities are concerned, but it remains in the list of groups that investigators eye as being behind the October 19 blast at Glo...

Inspection of Glorietta 2 fails to push through

The scheduled temporary closure of all Glorietta malls in Makati City at 8 p.m., Monday, did not push through, radio dzBB reported Monday night. The report said the Ayala Land Inc, owner of Gloriet...

Cold front nears east Luzon - Pagasa

Cooler days lie ahead for residents in eastern Luzon as the tail end of a cold front is now affecting the area, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)...

Repentance, prayers for country's problems urged

Trillanes remark on blast 'irresponsible', says Atienza

Group to write execs in alleged Palace payoffs

US, Australian experts help Philippine detectives probe mall blast

Arroyo makes surprise inspection at NAIA

To drive home the need for security following last week's Glorietta 2 blast, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made a surprise inspection of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Monday af...

Lakas exec passed paper bag to gov, DILG usec says

A senior official of Interior department bemoaned Monday that he has been unfairly dragged into the bribery controversy in Malacañang Palace when it was allegedly an executive of the ruling Lak...

All hail the power pop princes

Just when you thought you’ve outgrown bubblegum pop along with pillow fights and pinup posters, along comes a boy band whose music reminds you how fun and carefree those times were―so much so that it makes you want to skip cramming for finals week and get up close and personal with the boys instead.

My own cup of life

MANILA, Philippines―I was a sheltered kid who didn’t even know how to ride a bike or play patintero, so when I broke the news to my loved ones that I would be playing football, they asked in amazement: “You can actually run?”

Food for the sole

MANILA, Philippines―It is the first of its kind. A shoe store designed to look like a restaurant, ResToeRun in Trinoma carries international cult brands which are laid out like a sumptuous buffet. A board heralding the store’s menu (of shoe brands) greets you upon entrance.

Detectives for a day

MANILA, Philippines―Leading international action and adventure channel AXN recently attracted a horde of crime-cene investigator wannabes when it staged the first-ever “CSI: Miami Investigation Challenge” at SM Mall of Asia.

The vanity checklist

MANILA, Philippines―Contrary to general belief, vanity is good. In the realm of wellness, vanity has a broader, more expansive definition. It means caring enough about yourself to look after your body, mind and spirit better.

A grand dame’s 90th birthday

MANILA, Philippines―She's a distinguished, low-profile woman of substance who, at the glorious age of 90, remembers the names and birthdays of everyone of her nine children, their better halves, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Women’s intuition may be fact

MANILA, Philippines―The popular belief that women are more intuitive than men, and children more intuitive than adults, seems to have some biological and anatomical basis.

Museo ng Maynila exhibit

MANILA, Philippines - While restoration of the Army and Navy Club is in progress, Museo ng Maynila will open its doors. Its galleries on the ground floor are now open to the public.

And what a ball it was!

MANILA, Philippines – So many events, so little time! October has been a most auspicious month for charity balls, anniversary parties and events of every sort.

She wants out of her marriage

MANILA, Philippines -Dear Emily, My husband and I have been married for 20 years and we have teenage children. He was my boyfriend in high school.

Coffee-table books on Ilocos Norte, La Naval

MANILA, Philippines - It took 14 years, but Kannawidan Foundation, Inc. finally put out a coffee-table book on the people, culture and history of Ilocos Norte.

Specialty shops at LRI

MANILA, Philippines―In 1979, Pynky Magsino was only in her teens when she borrowed money from her dad to buy a collector’s shop located at the Baguio Market. The shop has since evolved into the Pnky Collection, where Magsino markets a fusion of the old and the new.

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