December 30, 2008 Major Newscast

DOLE to hold talks on layoffs

The Labor department will conduct surveys and meetings with companies in export zones next month to gain a full picture of how the global credit squeeze affects them and to craft a plan to help their workers.

RP says export sector jobs at risk

Jobs in the Philippines' export sector will be at risk next year as the global financial crisis worsens, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque warned Monday.

Revise budget for debt servicing

The Free Trade Alliance (FTA) is urging the government to revise its policy on the payment of foreign debt and instead use the money for projects that would create jobs for Filipinos especially the overseas Filipino workers who are expected to be displaced because of the global recession.

Abducted seamen return to RP

The 18 seamen, all  crew members of the Greek owned cargo vessel MV Centauri, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport [NAIA] at about 2 p.m. today on board Malaysian Airlines flight MH-704 from Port of Mombasa, Kenya via Kuala Lumpur.

Firecracker injuries rise to 115

The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated today its call for the public to refrain from using firecrackers in welcoming 2009 as the number of firecracker-related injuries  rises to 115.

Red Cross boosts blood collection 

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has started working double time to collect more blood in preparation to the anticipated rise in firecracker-related injuries during the New Year celebration.

9 of 10 Filipinos see hope in New Year 

An overwhelming majority of Filipinos are still welcoming the New Year filled with hope, according to the results of a recent survey.

Arroyo to present acomplishments 

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will present on Tuesday her administration's "accomplishment report" for the last seven years

LTO offices closed for holidays

Drivers who wish to renew their licenses this week will have to wait until next year as the Land Transportation Office is closed for the remainder of the holidays, its chief Alberto Suansing said.

GMA mangunguna sa Araw ni Rizal

Pangungunahan ni Pangulong Arroyo ang pagdi­riwang ng ika-112 martyrdom ng pambansang bayaning si Dr. Jose Rizal na gaganapin ngayong umaga sa San Fernando City, La Union.

Rizal Day may be moved to June 19

Squeezed between Christmas and New Year holidays, the annual December 30 Rizal Day celebration does not get the spotlight that historians would want national hero Jose Rizal to have.

World's tallest Rizal statue in Vizcaya

It is a sight familiar to many people in the neighborhood of Bayombong in the foothills of the Cordillera.  Dr. Jose Rizal at some 12 stories or around 50 feet tall.

40 years and counting: CPP 

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman said the insurgents are on the verge of entering a new stage of our revolutionary struggle and have fully recovered from our debacle in the mid-80s.

5 hurt in landmine blast in Masbate City 

Four Army personnel and a civilian were wounded in a landmine blast in Asid village in Masbate province in Bicol Monday noon, reports reaching the Philippine National Police said.

2008 tragic for press freedom in RP 

An officer of the Philippine National Press Club said that 2008 was a tragic year for press freedom in the country, with seven local journalists being killed and several others getting death threats.

City spends calamity funds for repairs

WITH some P30 million in calamity funds for 2008 still unused, Cebu City officials want to spend the money on road repairs and street lighting facilities before the year ends.

Calamity budget to fund streetlights

Today is a regular holiday, but the members of the Cebu City Council will convene in a special session this morning to appropriate funds, from the city's calamity budget, for the repair of roads and streetlights.

Pangandaman: Stop defending sons

To avoid any suspicion of a whitewash, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman should refrain from defending his sons accused of beating a businessman and his son at a golf club in Antipolo, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said on Monday.

Senado makikialam sa murder

Balak ng isang senador na pa-imbestigahan sa Senado ang kasong murder nina Teofilo Mojica, isang dating empleyado ng agriculture at Marlene Esperat, dating agriculture resident ng Ombudsman na kapwa ang pagkakapaslang ay iniuugnay sa fertilizer fund scam.

Central Visayas 2nd most corrupt

The Central Visayas is among the most corrupt regions in the Philippines if such is based on the number of public officials charged before the Sandiganbayan for the past 30 years.  Next only to Metro Manila.

'Marijuana trade up by 242% in 2008'

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed yesterday that the illegal trade of marijuana in the country grew bigger in 2008.

Senate to review Anti-Hazing Law

The Senate is set to review the implementation of the 13-year-old Anti-Hazing Law as reports on fraternity-related violence in universities, colleges and academic institutions persist.

House eyes online translations of bills

In what it claimed to be a bid to encourage wider public discussions on pending bills, the House of Representatives plans to post online translations of bills nearing approval.

OFWs in HK dance vs Charter change

About 100 Filipino women staged a dance-protest in downtown Hong Kong Sunday afternoon to show their opposition to moves to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Senate to exempt Pag-Ibig from taxes

The Senate will fast track the approval of a measure to strengthen the state's home lending program through fiscal perks for the housing agency and benefits given to its members.

Student discount isasabatas

Nais ng isang senador na maging isang ga nap na batas na ang pag bibigay ng diskuwento sa mga estud yante upang masigu radong hindi sila mata tanggihan ng mga drivers ng pampasahe rong sasakyan sa diskuwento sa pasahe.

DOE to probe on LPG shortage

The Department of Energy (DOE) will inspect depots of the country's four largest suppliers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to look into the alleged "hoarding" of cooking gas products.

Oil nears $40 on Middle East violence

Oil prices rose nearly 6% towards $40 a barrel after weekend violence between Israel and Hamas served as a reminder of political tensions that could threaten crude supplies from the Middle East.

Asian asks Israel to halt Gaza raids

Governments across Asia called for an immediate halt to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that have killed nearly 300 Palestinians, with some accusing the country of crimes against humanity.

Israel hits Hamas in new airstrikes

Israel turned the force of its punishing Gaza campaign toward Hamas field operatives, sending warplanes to bomb their houses in a sweep meant to tear at the roots of the militant organization.

White House blames Hamas 

The Bush administration called Monday for an end to the new flare up in Mideast violence, saying Hamas has "once again shown its true colors as a terrorist organization" with attacks on Israel.

Paglilikas ng Pinoy sa Israel 

Pinangangambahang may madamay na mga Pilipino sa patuloy na pambobomba ng mga sundalo ng Israel sa Gaza strip pero tiniyak ng Pilipinas na naghahanda ito sa anumang ka­ganapan tulad ng po sibleng paglilikas ng mga Pilipino na nag tatrabaho o nanini rahan sa naturang bansa.

Somali president quits 

The president of Somalia's UN-backed government resigned amid deepening international pressure, a move that could usher in more chaos as a strengthening Islamic insurgency scrambles for power.

10 dead after Indonesia boat capsizes

At least 10 people, including women and children, were killed in Indonesia on Monday after a strong wave capsized a boat in the Java Sea, a report said.

Roach, Fernandez perfect for Pacman

Manny Pacquiao admits he wouldn't be the fighter he is today without Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez in his corner.

Peñalosa purse bid deadline Jan. 12

The World Boxing Organization has set January 12 as the deadline for submission of the Purse Bid for the mandatory title defense of bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa against former WBA flyweight champion Erik Morel.

Yap makes peace with Banal 

Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said star player James Yap and defensive coach Koy Banal has already patched things up following a throwing incident between the two at the sidelines in the midst of the TJ Giants" knockout game against the Air21 Express Sunday night during the KFC PBA Philippine Cup wildcard stage.

Guiao firm about leaving Red Bull 

Yeng Guiao doesn't see himself returning to coach Red Bull even if team officials have pleaded him to do so.

Gary V approves of Rachelle Ann

Total Performer Gary Valenciano is fully supportive of his son Gabriel's relationship with fellow singer Rachelle Ann Go.

Katrina finally admits Hayden 'romance' 

After repeatedly declining comment on rumors about her involvement with celebrity Dr. Hayden Kho, actress Katrina Halili on Monday finally blew the lid that she had a "brief romance" with the doctor while he was still on with Dr. Vicki Belo.

Arroyo goes spelunking in Sagada

Playing her role as tourist and tourism marketer to the hilt, President Arroyo, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and the entire First Family, along with congressmen-friends, visited three caves in Sagada, Ifugao province, Monday morning.

Arroyo tours solons in Sagada

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo toured 14 lawmakers around the tourist town of Sagada in Mountain Province to showcase a community "that grew after investing in peace.

Stars, tech titans fund Obama's party

Stars of Hollywood including Halle Berry and Steven Spielberg and bosses of high-tech giants like Google and Microsoft are opening their wallets to help fund Barack Obama's inauguration party.

Oldest man in the US dies at 112

George Francis, the nation's oldest man, who lived through both world wars, man's first walk on the moon and the election of the first black president, has died. He was 112.

Samuel Goldwyn  - "Include me out."