January 30, 2009 Major News Stories

Gov't caught unprepared

SAYING that recent, successive reports of job losses were "very unusual" and have made the government "nervous," the Labor department is meeting with industry groups today to ascertain the situation of each sector and explore measures to help laid-off workers.

Dole releases grants for livelihood projects

THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) yesterday started to release grants to labor unions and groups to finance projects that can augment the income of workers now working on rotation due to the global economic crisis.

Labor Undersecretary Lourdes Melicor-Trasmonte distributed the checks to five labor groups in R & Y Arezonsti, Lucky Tableware Factory Inc., Clear Export Industries Inc., Comparts Industries Inc. and Shemberg marketing Inc.

Dole initially released P2.4 million for at least six labor organizations.

Trasmonte said some of the displaced workers will be trained on other skills to help them land jobs.

"We are also introducing to them the idea of going into business. They could be small entrepreneurs and we at Dole could facilitate for them to undergo business counseling," Transmonte said.

36 more OFWs lose jobs in So. Korea

Thirty-six more Filipino workers in South Korea have been retrenched, adding to the growing number of OFWs losing their jobs as a result of the worsening global economic crisis.

Stimulus fund in 2009 budget hot air

Pronouncements by Congress that the budget it approved last week is the country's biggest defense against recession may turn out to be nothing more than hot air. The only way the administration can get its hands on the much-touted stimulus funds, observers say, is if the President does not veto deductions Congress made to the debt service interest payments, something Malacanang always does, like clockwork, every budget season.

No approval of deposit insurance bill 

Disagreements between the House and the Senate over how to strengthen the state deposit insurer may derail the approval of doubling the maximum deposit insurance coverage to P500,000.

Victim raped by 'textmate'

THE woman who was found dead after going out with someone she met in a radio dating show was likely raped and tortured before two or more men strangled her, medico-legal officer Dr. Nestor Sator said yesterday.  Sator said Nuñeza died of strangulation. There was a bite mark on the victim's right nipple, which suggested she was raped. He said at least one person probably held her using the rope, while another raped her.

KBP to regulate dating by radio

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas immediately called for a meeting with its members to discuss "precautionary measures" with regards to interactive formats of radio stations.

Case vs. suspect in slay of call center 

Murder charges are expected to be filed today against the suspect in the killing of call center supervisor Lynn Vi Ebarita after police failed to do so last night due to the delay in the release of the report of the autopsy performed on Ebarita's body.

BF says he'll testify vs. suspect 

THE boyfriend of a slain call center supervisor will return to the Philippines to testify against her close friend.  Jonnelle Enfectana, primary suspect in the killing of Lynn Vi Ebarita, has denied involvement in the crime. Her lawyer will question the search of Enfectana's room and her arrest inside a hospital Wednesday afternoon, which were done without warrants.  Police are also not yet ruling out the possibility that Ebarita's office mates may have been involved in her killing.  They have the names of two of the four alleged accomplices of Enfectana. The two are from Boro-ngan town in Eastern Visayas. Police have yet to identify the two other accomplices, a man and a woman.

Of 1,928 units, only 41 are functioning

OF THE 1,928 Asean Summit decorative lampposts installed in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, only 41 remain functional, Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago said yesterday.

Joel warns Rama over FLI deal

Barangay Tinago councilman Joel Garganera cautioned acting Mayor Michael Rama on the joint venture contract between the city and Filinvest Land Inc.

Sandigan convicts ex-Sta. Fe mayor 

THE anti-graft court has found former Sta. Fe mayor Roger Ilustrisimo guilty of beating up a barangay daycare worker with a gun in 2004 and sentenced him to serve between four to 11 months in prison.

With P139M, CCMC has P21M more

The services of the Cebu City Medical Center can slowly be improved now that the city has allocated an additional P21 million aside from its regular annual budget, said Mayor Michael Rama.

Newly DNA-identified victims of Frank 

1. Abedania, Arturo - Male, 56 years old, La Union

2. Alagbay, Philip Randy - Male, 23 years old, Tupas St. Cebu City

3. Ayapana, Ermilito - Male, 38 years old, Mambaling, Cebu City

4. Batiancila, Yhara Marie - Female, 9 years old, Navotas City

5. Baya, Lourdes - Female, 63 years old, Tondo, Manila

6. Bohol, Susan - Female, 50 years old, Bato, Leyte

7. Cabucos, Delia - Female, 27 years old, Banilad, Mandaue City    

8. Castillo, Arturo - Male, 46 years old, Laguna

9. Detiques, John Malcolm - Male, 4 years old, Bulacan

10. Lacay, Maridel - Female, 35 years old, Zamboanga del Norte

11. Lanada, Jose Sanelito - Male, 43 years old, Daan Bantayan, Cebu

12. Laurente, Dedra - Female, 19 years old, Danao City, Cebu

13. Lauron, Gladys - Female, 16 years old, Cavite

14. Lauron, Kent - Male, 19 years old, Cavite

15. Lauron, Mark Brian - Male, 20 years old, Cavite

16. Molina, Dexter - Male, 31 years old, Tondo, Manila

17. Nadela, Mary Grace - Female, 20 years old, Tondo, Manila

18. Nuñez, Roger - Male, 28 years old, Tabogon, Cebu

19. Nuñez, Sarcisio - Male, 31 years old, Tabogon, Cebu

20. Padua, Roy - Male, 35 years old, Pangasinan

21. Panugan, Michelle - Female, 20 years old, Manila

22. Paras, Jhoevany - Male, 28 years old, Pampanga

23. Pogado, Vanessa - Female, 14 years old, Consolacion, Cebu

24. Ponciano, Einstein Sr. - Male, 46 years old, Muntinlupa City

25. Reinoso, Vincent - Male, 26 years old, Anao, Tarlac

26. Reloj,Virgilio - Male, 52 years old, Muntinlupa City

27. Risma, Angeline - Female, 8 years old, Quezon City

28. Simbaco, Abe King - Male, 25 years old, Talisay City, Cebu

29. Timajo, Christopher - Male, 31 years old, Bulacan

30. Tomara, Lucky - Male, 36 years old, Minglanilla, Cebu

31. Tumakay, Sally Ann - Female, 25 years old, Pardo, Cebu City

 Total DNA-assisted identifications released - 275

Marine engineer officers exam results 

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Thursday that 1,349 out of 2,356 passed the various grades of the written phase of the Marine Engineer Officers Licensure Examinations given by the Board for Marine Engineer Officers in Manila this January 2009.

CHED: 5-yr. nursing course not final

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Emmanuel Angeles arrived in Zamboanga City Thursday for a country-wide consultation to discuss the proposal to add one more year for nursing courses in college as well as other matters concerning college education.

PRC opposes add'l year in college

The chairperson of the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) opposed the proposal of the Commission of Higher Education to add another year for nursing and education courses.

Lotto system pipili para sa drug test 

Gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang isang computerized lottery system upang piliin ang mga estudyanteng isasalang sa drug testing.

DOH to spend P90M for drug tests

The Department of Health would spend around P90 million and devote manpower for the next seven to nine months to conduct a nationwide random drug testing among high school and college students, Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

5,000 Filipinos deported from Sabah

Almost 5,000 Filipinos have been deported from Sabah and about 3,000 others are in detention centers in Sandakan in Malaysia, the Bureau of Immigration reported Thursday.

12 Filipinos of hijacked tanker in Aden

A diplomat says Somali pirates have hijacked a tanker in the Gulf of Aden. The diplomat based in Nairobi, Kenya, said Thursday there are 12 Filipinos and one Indonesian on board.

Mga Pinoy di pinalalabas ng bahay

Pinayuhan ng Philippine Embassy sa Nairobi, Kenya ang mga mangga gawang Pinoy sa Madagascar na huwag munang lalabas ng kanilang taha nan upang hindi madamay sa naga  ganap na riot sa Antana narivo, ang capital nito.

37 Pinoys camp out in Jeddah 

At least 37 Filipinos, including five women, have been living under a "bridge" in Jeddah for weeks now in hopes of getting deported by Saudi authorities.

Mayor, 3 others killed in ambush

Four people, including a town mayor, were killed in an ambush staged by still unidentified suspects in the island province of Basilan in southern Philippines.

Kidnapped RC workers released soon

The Philippine military expressed confidence today that the three International Committee of the Red Cross workers, including two foreigners, kidnapped by rebels in the southern Philippines two weeks ago, would be released soon by their captors.

Kidnappers demand livelihood proj

The vice governor of Sulu said Thursday that two Abu Sayyaf commanders demanded "livelihood projects" for impoverished Muslim communities for the freedom of three kidnapped Red Cross workers in the southern Philippines.

Death toll rises to 6 in Cavite blast

At least six people were killed while dozens others were injured after a blast hit a fireworks factory in Trece Martirez City in Cavite province this morning.

Comelec has 80,000 poll machines

Automation of the 2010 local and national polls will pave way for credible elections, officials said.

Senatorial list sa 2010 ng Lakas-CMD

Inilabas ng ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) ang listahan ng posibleng se natorial line-up nito para sa 2010 elections.  Ang listahan ng mga kandidato ay ang sumu sunod: Re-electionists (In alphabetical order): Juan Ponce-Enrile, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. 

Ang iba ay sina Sonny Alvarez, Mikey Arroyo, Lito Atienza, Silvestre Bello III, Esperanza Cabral, Mike Defensor, Francisco Du que, Ace Durano, Eduardo Ermita, Marides Fernando, Gwen Garcia, Raul Gon zalez, Ephraim Genuino, Jesli Lapus, Marcelino Libanan; Edu Manzano, Tessie Oreta, Butch Pi chay, Mo nico Puentevella, Ralph Recto, Cerge Re­monde, Martin Romual dez, Chavit Singson, Tito Sotto, Buboy Syjuco, Gilbert Teodoro, Ray Villa fuerte at Ed Zialcita.

SC: Short-time stay in motels stays

The Supreme Court (SC) Thursday declared as unconstitutional a Manila City ordinance prohibiting short-term admissions in hotels, motels, inns, lodging houses and similar establishments, noting this was not a solution to curbing illicit activities - the local law"s intent.

Rice from Vietnam arrive next month

Part of the contracted volume of rice from Vietnam is expected to arrive next month, an official of the National Food Authority said on Thursday.

SSS stays out of stock market for now 

The Social Security System (SSS) will try to steer clear of the stock market this year, in favor of industries instead that will yield predictable returns, as it takes a more conservative stance in investing, the fund"s president, Romulo L. Neri, said here on Wednesday.

Hezbollah: Obama same as Bush 

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader said Thursday there is no difference between Barack Obama and George W. Bush when it comes to Israel, and that the new US administration has so far shown full support the Jewish state - Hezbollah's archenemy.

Obama envoy arrives in West Bank 

President Barack Obama's Mideast envoy turned his attention to the Western-backed Palestinian government in the West Bank on Thursday as rockets thudded into southern Israel and Israeli warplanes attacked new targets in Gaza.

Obama signs equal-pay bill 

President Barack Obama signed an equal-pay bill into law before cheering labor and women leaders who fought hard for it and the woman whose history-making lawsuit gave impetus to the cause.

Obama: $18B in bonuses outrageous

President Barack Obama says it is irresponsible and shameful for Wall Street bankers to be paid huge bonuses at a time when the American public is dealing with economic hardship.

Pope still optimistic about marriage

Pope Benedict XVI decried what he called a spreading pessimism about marriage, saying Thursday it is not the impossible undertaking many make it out to be.  The pope told the Roman Rota, Vatican's marriage tribunal, that granting too many annulments on the grounds of "psychological incapacity" risks giving people the pessimistic impression that marriage is almost impossible.

He said the judges and lawyers of the Rota should follow guidelines that say there must be a "specific mental anomaly" that seriously impairs the use of reason either when vows are exchanged or during the marriage.

Gore: US must lead world on climate

Former US vice president Al Gore called Wednesday for urgent new US leadership on climate change, "reversing years of inaction," and paving the way to a new global treaty completed by 2010.

Pacquiao shrugs off kidnap threats

Threats to kidnap Pinoy boxing icon Manny Pacquiao once again surfaced on Thursday, with his security chief confirming that the world's top pound-for-pound boxer has recently been getting warning text messages.

Floyd Sr to Hatton: No booze, parties

Floyd Mayweather Sr. is "pretty sure" he'd be back as Ricky Hatton's trainer when the pride of Manchester stakes his IBO super-lightweight crown against Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

Federer ousts Roddick in semis

Roger Federer moved within one victory of his 14th Grand Slam title with another dominating victory, ousting Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday to reach the Australian Open final.

Burdens formalize case vs. organizers

TWO weeks after they complained to the media about the Miss Cebu 2009 pageant, the family of the second runner-up filed a formal complaint for irregularities with Acting Vice Mayor Hilario Davide III.

Jet Li: People should keep giving

Chinese action film star Jet Li on Thursday appealed for people to keep giving money for good causes despite the world economic crisis.

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist dies 

Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboard player Billy Powell, who played on such hits as "Sweet Home Alabama" and survived the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, died Wednesday. He was 56.

Bill Cosby  - "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice."

January 29, 2009 Major News Stories

Shell announces hike in LPG prices

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. on Thursday announced an increase in the prices of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products effective Friday while Seaoil Philippines also announced it is jacking up prices Friday of its gasoline products.  Pilipinas Shell said the P4 per kilogram increase in its LPG products would be effective 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Seaoil meanwhile announced an increase in gasoline (premium and unleaded) by P1 per liter effective Friday.

Seaoil's increase follows other oil firms' hike in gasoline prices ranging from P0.75 to P1 per liter while diesel prices were cui by P1 to P2 per liter.

P5 per kilogram hike?
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketing Association on Monday said prices of LPG could go up by P5 per kilogram as suppliers continue to experience tightness in LPG supply.

LPGMA president Arnel Ty said more than 30 percent of small LPG retailers have been severely affected by the LPG shortage. He said the delivery of 15 metric tons of LPG on Sunday would only last for four days.

Ty said the LPG supply shortage could last until March of this year after major LPG suppliers failed to place advance orders for cooking gas from international suppliers.

He also said the LPG shortage has led some suppliers to sell LPG for more than P500 per 11-kg tank.

LPG hoarding?
Vice President Noli de Castro on Wednesday said he is convinced that hoarding is the main cause of the supply shortage of liquefied petroleum gas in the country.

De Castro said he had met with members of the joint task force of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Energy (DOE) and its members have started a crackdown on LPG hoarders.

He said the DOE has also asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help them control the prices of LPG in the local market and look at the possible filing of profiteering charges against erring LPG suppliers.

Meanwhile, De Castro advised the public not to panic because of the LPG shortage and instead purchase their cooking gas in advance.

The DOE said that LPG prices should only fall between P450 and P470. Some dealers, however, sell cooking gas at prices of P600, even P800.

Palace sets deadline to solve LPG lack 

Malacañang on Wednesday gave the Department of Energy (DoE) until mid-February to resolve an alleged shortage in cooking gas supply.

Oil prices rise despite huge buildup

Oil prices rose Wednesday despite another government report showing that US crude stockpiles are growing as consumers and business slash spending on energy.  Light, sweet crude for March delivery rose 58 cents to settle at $42.16 a barrel in trading on Nymex. The contract fell $4.15 Monday with bad news about housing and jobs sapping consumer confidence.

500 workers seek NLRC's assistance

More than 500 dismissed workers from four different companies have filed complaints before the National Labor Relations Commission after they were not given separation fees.

Legacy Assures benefits for workers

The management of the Legacy Group of Companies, which owns the 13 rural banks that shut down last December, assured its more than 500 displaced employees nationwide of their benefits.

ILO sees lay-offs, lower wages in RP

Aside from an increasing number of workers being laid off in 2009, the Philippines will also see declining hours of work, pressure for lower wages and less job security.

VAT stays despite difficulties 

Implementation of the expanded value-added tax (EVAT) will continue despite current difficulties due to the deepening global economic crunch, a Palace official said Wednesday, adding that proceeds from the tax has helped cushion the Philippines from worse effects of the crisis.

Cops hunting girl pal's kin

POLICE arrested yesterday a friend of the call center agent whose body was found outside a hotel room, after investigators recovered the victim's wallet inside the friend's boarding house.  Jonnelle Enfectana, 26, initially volunteered to sign a confession, but changed her mind Tuesday night and refused to cooperate further with Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) investigators.

At 3:30 p.m., police arrested her inside the private ward of the Mandaue City hospital, where she was resting a day after being admitted. Investigators brought her to the MCPO and prepared a murder case against her.

Police already have the names of two possible accomplices and have asked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Tacloban for assistance.

Woman found half-naked at recla area

FOR the second week in a row, the body of a murdered young woman was found in Mandaue City yesterday.  Drawn by the stench, a security guard found Emily Nuñeza, 24, partly hidden in a grassy lot behind a gasoline station in the North Reclamation Area.

She still had on her undergarments and a white shirt with stripes. A pair of jeans was found near the body. Rope burns marked her wrists and her neck, indicating she had been bound.

Police said that five days ago, Nuñeza told her friends she was meeting a man she exchanged phone numbers with during an FM radio show. It was their second meeting.

Teachers' inclusion in drug test 

Department of Education in Central Visayas director Recaredo Borgonia said that he would want teachers included in the random drug test, aside from students.

Teachers want drug tests scrapped

Militant teachers push for the scrapping of a plan to conduct random drug testing on teachers and student for the measure is discriminatory and will violate human rights.

Glo to stay as drug czar until mid-Feb.

President Arroyo will remain as drug czar until mid-February pending the release of findings of an independent team tasked to look into alleged bribery charges in a controversial narcotics case.

Appointment ni Palparan, Danga? 

Nilinaw ng Malacanang na wala pang inaaprubahang appointment si Pangulong Arroyo para sa appointment nina retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Pal  paran upang maging mi yem bro ng Dangerous Drug Board gayundin si retired Vice-Admiral Tirso Danga bi lang director ng National Printing Office.

Joavan mipalta sa bista

Napakyas sa pagtunga si Joavan Fernandez, ang anak ni Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez sa gikatakdang arraignment niini sa kasong robbery didto sa sala ni RTC 7 branch 22 Judge Manuel Patalingjug kagahapon sa buntag.

SanFran mayor's nephew held for gun

A NEPHEW of Mayor Alfredo Arquillano of San Francisco town in Camotes Island was arrested for alleged possession of a firearm and ammunition in Barangay Pamatasan, Northern Poblacion late Tuesday night.  Margarito Arquillano Jr., 36, who resides in Western Poblacion, was found in possession of an unlicensed .45 pistol, one bullet and a magazine. Five empty shells were also recovered at the scene.

A masiao tip sheet dated Jan. 24 was also reportedly found in Margarito's possession.

Margarito's arrest came barely two days after police arrested the mayor's administrative assistant and six other persons for illegal gambling.

CV dengue cases decrease by 27%

A total of 5,183 dengue cases were recorded in Central Visayas last year, which means that there is a decrease of over 27 percent from the 7,108 cases reported in 2007, and a drop in mortality rate from 148 in the previous year to 111 in 2008, according to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.

Bise Mayor gikiha'g pangawkaw

Ang bise mayor sa lungsod sa San Fernando, Antonio Canoy gikiha og kasong   pangawkaw ngadto sa buhatan sa Ombudsman-Visayas gumikan sa giingong pagpaburot sa presyo sa gipamalit niining trash bins niadtong 2006.

168 deco lampposts are missing 

SOME 168 decorative lampposts installed to beautify Cebu in time for the 12th Asean Summit in 2007 can no longer be found.  Other than that, Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Santiago said yesterday, 48 of those that at least could still be found no

longer work.

Six more were also found to have been uprooted by the management of an establishment along the North Reclamation Area "without authority" from the Sandiganbayan.

Lawyer calls council "un-Cebuano"

For calling the Cebu City Council "un-Cebuano," the lawyer of the Metro Cebu Taxi Operators Association caught the ire of acting vice mayor Hilario Davide III during a public hearing at the council's regular session.  Albeit calmly, Davide admonished lawyer Jonnah John Ungab when the latter said the council is "un-Cebuano" for hiring the services of a private towing company.

Council to hear boundary row

The Cebu City Council was formally tasked yesterday to hear the boundary dispute between barangays Luz and Lahug after both failed to come up with a settlement.

Sulu vice-gov visits ICRC workers

A Filipino provincial government official has made the first face-to-face contact with three Red Cross workers abducted in the Philippines two weeks ago, the international aid agency said.

Moro rebels attack public market

Hundreds of villagers fled to safer areas after Moro rebels pounded with rockets a public market in a hinterland barangay in North Cotabato before dawn yesterday, wounding two residents.

Floods hit Mindanao villages

Thousands of villagers at the boundary of Maguindanao and North Cotabato evacuated to higher grounds yesterday after flash floods swept through their communities, destroying about 200 houses and drowning six people, two of them minors.

Govt: P41.8B in 'sin' taxes in 2008

The government estimates that it collected at least P41.8 billion worth of taxes on tobacco and alcohol products last year, based on preliminary Finance department data.

BSP: SC decision on BF suit not final

The Bangko BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday undermined doused reports it is liable for P18.8 billion in damages sought by thrift bank Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.BSP said the Dec. 8 Supreme Court ruling merely meant that the damage suit filed by Banco Filipino should go to trial, with the BSP as a respondent. The high court's decision did not automatically order the payout of the multi-billion peso claim, the BSP argued.

Putin: Financial crisis 'perfect storm'

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called the world financial crisis a "perfect storm" whose destructive powers were multiplied.

China's premier sees 8 percent growth 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called Wednesday for enhanced US-China cooperation to tackle the global financial crisis, saying the meltdown has had a "big impact" on his country but would only slightly slow economic growth to 8 percent this year.

Obama argues for plan for House vote

Looking beyond expected House approval of an $816 billion economic stimulus plan, President Barack Obama said the nation is at a "perilous moment" requiring swift and decisive action.

Pacquiao seeks help on kidnap threat

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has sought the help of the police and military due to a kidnapping threat from a syndicate operating in Central Mindanao, his spokesman said.  Pacquiao's spokesman Bambi Doctolero said the former already met with police and military officials in the region and asked for their help on the threat from the syndicate, which is reportedly also involved in car theft, robbery and the illegal drug trade.

Doctolero said an informant relayed to Pacquiao the supposed plot to kidnap him, his children and immediate members of his family, through text messages.

Sources said the boxing champ's "friends" in the military and police have told him to be "extra careful."

Doctolero said the syndicate is planning to kidnap one of Pacquiao's four children and his older brother Ruel, the barangay chairman of one of General Santos City's biggest villages.

The kidnappers would demand a P200-million ransom should they succeed in pulling off their plan.

Hatton signs pact to seal super fight

Manny Pacquiao is all set to slug it out with Ricky Hatton on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Katsidis, Ramirez ready for 'War'

Declaring that he came here for war, Australian braveheart Michael "The Great" Katsidis (23-2-, 20KOs) told Angel Hugo "El Tren" Ramirez (19-4-2, 8KOs) at point-blank range that the Argentina-born Spanish warrior will be the "sorry person" in their 12-round rumble for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight title in the explosive "WAR" fight card this Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

2009 Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban

Leyte provincial officials, in coordination with officials of Leyte and Tacloban City divisions of Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office 8 on Tuesday led the kick-off ceremony for the 2009 Palarong Pambansa.

Schools vs ban on sports meets

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Emmanuel Angeles III is on a collision course with the heads of the 110 state universities and colleges (SUCs) as he attempts to stop state schools from holding expensive sports activities.

Melanie Marquez wants to be a lawyer

Former beauty queen Melanie Marquez shared that she plans to go back to school to fulfill her dream of becoming a lawyer.

'Thriller' director sues Jackson

"Thriller" may be headed to Broadway, but first Michael Jackson's song and groundbreaking music video may be headed to court.  John Landis, the acclaimed director who co-wrote the video and shot "Thriller," is suing Jackson, claiming the pop star has failed to pay him royalties for the project for the past four years.

Bahamas ex-senator granted bail 

A former Bahamas senator was granted bail Wednesday on charges she conspired to help extort $25 million from actor John Travolta after his son died from a seizure at a family vacation home.  Pleasant Bridgewater is accused of plotting with an ambulance driver to demand the money in exchange for suppressing a document related to the treatment of the celebrity's son. She was not required to enter a plea at the arraignment.

The document would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance, but it did not come into play in 16-year-old Jett Travolta's case, according to Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Marvin Dames.

Iceland gay woman minister as PM 

The woman expected to become Iceland's interim prime minister is an openly gay former flight attendant who rose through the political ranks to lead a new leftist government.

Fran Lebowitz  - "Food is an important part of a balanced diet."