December 12, 2008 Major Newscast

P1/liter rollback for Big 3

The so-called "Big 3" oil players -- Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell, and Chevron (formerly Caltex) -- will roll back oil prices by P1 per liter effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, their officials announced Thursday.

Senate mulls return to 10% VAT

Senators are considering temporarily reducing the current 12 percent value-added-tax (VAT) to 10 percent to address the impact of the global financial crisis.

Oil at $49 a barrel as dollar falls

Oil prices rose nearly 12 percent Thursday as the dollar continued to lose value, making commodities like crude more attractive.

Peso gains on back of remittances

A surge in foreign exchange remittances from overseas Filipinos ahead of the holidays lifted the peso toward the 47-per-dollar level against for the first time in two months.  The peso closed at its intra-day high of 47.78 to the dollar, gaining a hefty 0.47 from Wednesday's finish at 48.25.

PDIC takes over 3 banks as 4 more declare holiday

The Philippines" banking regulator has placed three more rural banks under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) while four banks have declared a bank holiday.  The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has ordered the PDIC to take over the Rural Bank of Bais in Negros Oriental, Pilipino Rural Bank in Cebu, and Rural Bank of San Jose in Batangas.  

Meanwhile, the Philippine Countryside Bank in Cebu, the Dynamic Bank in Batangas, San Pablo City Development Bank and the Nation Bank in Bacolod have declared a bank holiday. 

Legacy Group cites 3 reasons

Increased and heavy withdrawals, because of the Christmas season, is among the three reasons cited by the six banks reportedly under the Legacy Group that declared a bank holiday starting last Monday.  The global financial crisis and bad debts are also major factors in the corporate decision to declare a bank holiday.

Rama to set up info center for depositors of rural banks

TO ASSIST Cebu City residents who are depositors of the rural banks that recently announced a bank holiday, Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama plans to open an information center in the city.

PCG: Sulpicio yet to name firm for last stage of "Princess" salvage ops

The Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday lamented delays in the start of the last stage of salvage work on the capsized MV Princess of the Stars, as the prospects of the completion within this year of the salvage work grew dimmer.

Laing Warrant vs. Joavan

Si Joavan Fernandez, ang kontrobersiyal nga sinagop ni Mayor Socrates Fernandez sa dakbayan sa Talisay, giluwatan og bag-ong warrant of arrest.  P100 mil ang piyansa sa kaso nga robbery ug kun ugaling makalingkawas si Joavan sa kasong serious illegal detention, magpabilin gihapon kini sa prisohan tungod sa kasong robbery ug makagawas lang kini kun makabutang og piyansa.

Soc, heads defend uniforms contract

TALISAY City Mayor Soc Fernandez and City Hall department heads defended the city's purchase of uniforms and life-saving equipment. They said this was done through the normal bidding process.

11 street kids caught for caroling

At least 11 more children were apprehended by the members of Cebu City Hall's Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division for begging and caroling along the streets yesterday.

Seized lumber donated for fire victims

The 8,000 board feet of illegally shipped coco lumber seized by the Regional Intelligence Division during an operation last month were turned over to the city government yesterday.

City has P2.5M for tanod uniforms

The Cebu City government will spend P2.5 million for the uniforms of the 1,600 tanods of the city's 80 barangays to encourage them to work hard for peace and order in their respective places.

Hog ebola harmless to humans

An Agriculture official on Thursday assured the public that local pork is safe to eat, despite the presence of the Ebola reston virus strain in four hog farms in Luzon.

Top 10 X-ray technologists

A total of 320 out of 712 test takers passed the Radiologic Technologist and X-Ray Technologist Licensure Examinations, the Professional Regulation Commission announced Thursday.  Following are the successful examinees who garnered the 10 highest places in the X-ray Technologist Licensure Examination.  

1. Ruhilmina Gali Sala, Universidad De Zamboanga (Zaec)--89.25%

2. Tito Macalisang Brabat, Polytechnic College of Davao Del Sur--87.00%

3. Jay Mark Erasmo Robante, Polytechnic College of Davao Del Sur--86.50%

4. Aldwin Ler Malalis Olarte, Medina College-Ozamiz City--84.75%
John Ahladine Tiban Orias, Dr. Domingo B. Tamondong Mem. Sch., Inc.--84.75%

5. Norman Solis Lauvenia, Dr. Domingo B. Tamondong Mem. Sch., Inc.--83.00%

6. Belinda Shahani Diaz Puquiz, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation--82.75%

7. Jushelmie Polancos Quirit, Polytechnic College of Davao Del Sur--82.50%

8. Corazon Mamaril Agustin, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation--81.75%

9. Ian Maquiling Soberano, Iloilo Doctors' College--81.00%

10. Jose Howell Gonzales Sablan, The Family Clinic, Inc.--80.75%

See complete list successful X-ray Technologist board passers

Arroyo spent P36B illegally in 2007

Critics preparing next year's impeachment complaint against Pres. Arroyo may want to consider this: the administration spent over P36 billion in 2007, well above the sum approved by Congress for that year. This amount excludes funds they were not able to release in agency budgets including those transferred to over-all savings.  This is the finding in a budget study conducted by the International Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Excellence in Government (INCITEGov), a group of former senior Arroyo government officials who are critical of the administration. Former Arroyo budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin led the study.

DOJ panel handles case vs Bolante

The Justice Department (DOJ) on Thursday formed a three-member panel to look into the "false testimony" charges filed by the Senate against former Agriculture undersecretary "Joc-Joc" Bolante.

Gordon, Cayetano 'away' kay Jocjoc

Nagpatutsadahan kahapon sina Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano at Richard Gordon dahil sa pagpa­palaya kay dating agriculture underse cretary Joce lyn "Jocjoc" Bolante.

All 23 senators reject Con-Ass

All 23 senators have signed a resolution rejecting moves by administration allies in the House of Representatives to unilaterally convene a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) to tackle proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Only SC can nullify our reso

Proponents of Charter change in the House of Representatives on Thursday said it is the Supreme Court which should decide on the the constitutionality of the conditions in a constituent assembly.

Estrada to join Charter change protest

Former president Joseph Estrada has assured anti-Charter Change advocates that he would be joining them in their rally in Makati City on Friday, noting that he must be there to represent the masses and to ensure the people would not be "deprived of having a duly elected President."

Malacañang sealed off

On the eve of what is billed to be a massive inter-faith rally against Charter change on Friday, presidential guards and police sealed off Malacañang from possible rallies and protests.

Palace: 'Let's talk on Charter change'

A day before a rally against Charter change in Makati City, which organizers predict will be huge, Malacañang urged groups opposed to amending the Constitution to consider a dialogue on the matter instead of taking to the streets but said it would respect people's right to protest.

Negros Occidental floods kill girl

A 13-year-old girl drowned while 3,369 families were affected by flashfloods that hit Manapla town and Victorias City in Negros Occidental province Wednesday.

Bomb goes off in Shariff Kabunsuan

An improvised explosive device exploded on a roadside in Crossing Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan on the eve of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's visit to the province.

Teodoro:  MILF coddling Basilan ASG

National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has accused the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) group based in Basilan province of coddling some members of terror group Abu Sayyaf.

No MILF-Abu Sayyaf link in Basilan

The joint committee overseeing the ceasefire between the military and Moro rebels said there was no evidence to link the rebels with the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom groups in Basilan.

Alleged Marcos general"s daughter, husband get 90 months in US jail

CHICAGO, Illinois - Using high-tech PowerPoint presentation, Rebecca "Ishihama" M. Solomon, the alleged daughter of a Marcos general, and her husband, Terry R. Solomon, were able to get the governor of Jeelin province in China to pitch for their telecommunications hardware in China.

Dumlao may appeal extradition ruling

Detained former Philippine police officer Glenn Galapon Dumlao is still weighing his options on whether or not to appeal the court order for his extradition to the Philippines.

Saudi needs thousands of Pinoys

A Saudi Arabian company will need thousands of workers, preferably Filipinos, for big projects lined up for 2010.

Irish unions reveal abuse of Filipinos

Irish trade unions have revealed that Filipino fishermen are being being abused in Northern Ireland, describing the treatment they receive as appalling and unacceptable.  Filipino workers complained of being assaulted, not being able to eat on time, working overtime without compensation and rest, and even witnessing coworkers being strangled.  The 11 crew members were apparently hired by the Super Manning Agency, Inc. in the Philippines.

40M join ranks of hungry in 2008--FAO

Another 40 million people have been pushed into hunger in 2008, bringing the total number of undernourished people in the world to 963 million, according to preliminary estimates of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Mugabe says cholera crisis over

President Robert Mugabe declared that Zimbabwe's cholera crisis was over Thursday, even as the United Nations raised the death toll from the epidemic to 783.

Obama wants Illinois governor to quit

President-elect Barack Obama wants Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to resign after his arrest in a corruption probe, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Tañamor enters semis in World Cup

Light flyweight Harry Tanamor capitalized on the break he got in the draw of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Cup in Moscow and scored a comfortable 8:4 win over Tajikistan's unheralded Murudjon Rasulov in a quarter final clash Wednesday.

Pacquiao-Hoya drew 1.25M purchases

Manny Pacquiao's eighth-round stoppage of Oscar de la Hoya drew 1.25 million US pay-per-view purchases, telecaster HBO Sports announced, making the bout the year's top fight attraction.

Dream Match earns $70M: Manny breaks into pay-per-view elite

The world's undisputed King of the Ring has officially joined the ranks of the pay-per-view multimillionaire fighters.

Pacquiao feted in Metro Manila

Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao gave his throngs of fans in Metro Manila a treat Thursday when he held his victory parade in at least four cities.

Roach: Pacman-Hatton better deal

Freddie Roach, who trained and guided Manny Pacquiao to become the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, wants Britain's top fighter Ricky Hatton as the Filipino champion's next opponent.

Pacquiao's next foe must be ready, says Mayweather's pa

He may sound conceited but despite his expected bias, outspoken American trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. concedes Manny Pacquiao is now his own man in the sport of boxing.

Hatton will dismantle Pacquiao - Mayweather Sr.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. thinks People's Champ Manny Pacquiao will get a hell of a ride should he decide to fight his ward British boxing superstar Ricky Hatton.

Heart attack did Didith Reyes

Heart attack, not vehicular accident, might have caused the death of 70s Jukebox Queen Didith Reyes, the medico legal officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

Pacman's bday bash 'for adults only'

Manny Pacquiao's 30th birthday celebration here on December 17 will be strictly for adults only.  The Pacquiao family has prepared at least six roasted cows and 25 roasted pigs.

'Ploning' director wins Asian Festival

Ploning the independent movie starring Judy Ann Santos, continues to reap accolades after its director, Dante Nico Garcia, won an award in the annual Asian Festival of 1st Films Wednesday.

DOT conned by 'pageant organizer'

The Department of Tourism and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) also fell victim to the alleged organizer of the non-existent Miss Young International pageant.  Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab said the alleged organizers of the pageant, allegedly led by Mark Ancheta, used the logo of the two government agencies on the pageant's banner and tickets to the 'coronation night', which were worth P1,500 each.  Palabyab said the DOT did not authorize the organizers to use the logo.

No winner in P161-M Superlotto

No one bagged the P161.282-M Superlotto 6/49 prize Thursday night, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said.

Hollywood actors to mail strike ballots

Hollywood's biggest actors union would issue strike ballots to members next month, edging the US entertainment industry closer to a potentially devastating industry dispute.

'Button,' 'Frost/Nixon,' 'Doubt' get 5 nominations

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Frost/Nixon" led the Golden Globes on Thursday with five nominations each, among them best drama. "Doubt" also has five, including four acting slots.

Prince Harry to train as helicopter pilot

Royal officials say Prince Harry has been selected to train to fly helicopters for the British Army.

Parents name kids for Obama

By his own admission, Barack Obama was "a skinny kid with a funny name," but that isn't stopping proud parents from Romania to Indonesia from naming their newborns after the US president-elect.

Chevy Chase  - "Parrots make great pets. They have more personality than goldfish."