January 16, 2009 Major News Stories

Petron, Chevron, Shell rollback

Following Pilipinas Shell's announcement that it will slash fuel prices by P0.50 per liter, the remaining two oil giants in the country said they will also roll back pump prices by the same amount.

LPG supply will normalize next week

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday allayed fears of some 18,000 taxi operators amid talks of shortage in auto-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply.

Crude prices tumble below $35

Oil prices tumbled below $35 a barrel yesterday as new employment claims rose and government reports show that unused gas and oil inventories continue to build.

Rains kill 18, displace thousands

At least 18 persons have been killed, two have been injured and nine have been reported missing as rains, induced by a cold front, continued in various parts of the country, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said.

Rains cause landslide, flood in Davao

A minor landslide temporarily blocked a highway in Davao Oriental and hundreds of hectares of farmlands were flooded in Davao del Norte as rains continued to batter southern Mindanao for almost a week already.

Rerouting set for procession, parade

After the horrendous traffic jams caused by the rerouting last week, the Cebu City Traffic Group released extra advisories for the rerouting for the Solemn Procession and the Grand Parade on January 17 and 18, respectively.  The Traffic Patrol Group, Cebu City Police Office, Cebu City government and City Traffic Operations Management announced that passenger utility jeepneys with routes 03B, 21B and 22B traveling along Osmeña Blvd. shall make a left turn to P. del Rosario St., head to to New Imus Road, then to their point of origin.

PUJs from Mandaue and Mabolo while along V. Gullas St. shall turn right to P. Burgos St., left turn to Urdaneta St. turn left to Lapu-Lapu St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Jeepneys from Guadalupe, Lahug, Apas, and Capitol while along Osmeña Blvd., shall turn right to Sanciangko St., turn right to Leon Kilat St., turn right to P. del Rosario St., turn left to Osmeña Blvd., to their usual route then back to their point of origin.

Jeepneys with routes 13C, 62B and 65B while traversing along Sikatuna St., shall turn left to New Imus road, to their usual route, then to their point of destination.

PUJs with routes 13B and 62C while along Junquera St., shall turn left to P. del Rosario St., left turn to D. Jakosalem St., to their usual route, then to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys from Apas and Lahug while traveling along Junquera St. shall turn right to Sanciangko St., right to Pelaez St., turn right to P. del Rosario St., left turn to Jakosalem St. to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

PUJs from Labangon, Bulacao and Basak-Pardo while traversing along P. del Rosario St. shall turn right to Junquera St., right turn to Sanciangko St., then to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Jeepneys from Labangon, Bulacao, Pardo, Inayawan, and Mambaling traveling along Colon St., shall turn right to Leon Kilat St, left turn to Magallanes St., right turn to Plaridel St., left turn to Lincoln St., right turn to F. Gonzales St., left turn to Magallanes St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys from Labangon, Basak, Pardo, Inayawan, and Alumnos Mabaling while traversing along Magallanes St. shall follow their usual route passing along M.C. Briones St., turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., make a U-turn at Legaspi Ext., turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to Magallanes St., turn left to P. Burgos St., turn right to M.C Briones St., turn right to D. Jakosalem St., turn left to Magallanes St., proceed to Borromeo St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys with the routes 01F, 01K, 10H, 10J, 12E, and 12J while along P. del Rosario St., shall proceed to New Imus Road, turn right to M.J. Cuenco Ave. or to Gen. Maxilom Extn., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

PUJs with routes 01G, 01H, 02B, 09J and 10M while along Colon St., shall turn right to Leon Kilat St., turn left to Magallanes St., together with route nos. 011, 02A, 08F, and 12G shall turn right to D. Jakosalem St., turn left to Leon Kilat St. turn left to Magallanes St., together with route nos. 011,02A, 08F and 12G shall turn right to M.J. Cuenco Ave., shall turn right to Magallanes St., turn left to P. Burgos St., turn right to M.C. Briones St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Jeepneys with route 01H, 01J, 08F and 12G while traveling along M.J. Cuenco Ave., shall turn right to Zamora St., to Sanciangko St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

There will also be a rerouting of vehicles during the closure of Legaspi Ext. for the ongoing construction of the tunnel project starting January 19 up to the end of the project.

PUJs with the routes 02B while along Urdaneta St. shall make a left turn to Lapu-Lapu St., turn right to Jereza St., turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to Palma St., turn left to Arellano Blvd., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

PUJs with routes 08F while traversing along M.C. Briones St., shall turn left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to T. Padilla St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys with route 12G while along M.J. Cuenco Ave., shall right turn to V. Sotto St., turn left to S. Osmeña Ave., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

PUJs with route nos., 12I and 12J while along Urdaneta St. shall make a left turn to Lapu-Lapu St., right turn to Jereza St., turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to V. Sotto St., turn left to S. Osmeña Ave., where 12J shall make a right turn to T. Padilla St., to the usual route, then back to their point of origin. From the North Bus Terminal, turn left to Cabahug st., turn right to S. Osmeña Ave., turn right to V. Sotto St., turn left to M.J. Cuenco Ave., turn right to Legaspi St., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

Passenger jeepneys bound for Mandaue City with routes 21A, 21B, 21D, 22A, 22B, 22D, and 22G while traveling along M.J. Cuenco Ave., shall proceed to their usual route except for route 21B, 21D, and 22B that will make a right turn to Palma St. or V. Sotto St., turn left to S. Osmeña Ave., to their usual route, then back to their point of origin.

All vehicles from the south passing the South Road Properties going to the North Reclamation Area shall go straight to M.J. Cuenco Ave., then to their point of destination. Vehicles going to Pier 1, while traveling along M.J. Cuenco Ave., shall make a right turn to Palma St., right turn to Arellano Blvd., then left to Pier 1 gate.

Vehicles from the North Reclamation Area going to Pier 1, while traveling along S. Osmeña Ave., shall turn left to V. Sotto St., turn right to Arellano Blvd., then turn left to the Pier 1 gate, vehicles passing along M.J. Cuenco Ave., may take a left turn to V. Sotto or Palma St., turn right turn to Arellano Blvd., then left turn to the Pier 1 gate.

Vehicles going to offices along Legaspi Ext., Fort San Pedro, the Cebu Post Office, Malacañang sa Sugbo and other offices within that area can transact their businesses as usual for a U-turn slot will be provided for them.

South Bus Terminal ibalhin sa SRP

Temporaryong sirad-an ug balhinon ang Cebu South Bus Terminal sa tibuok adlaw karung Domingo atol sa pagpahigayon sa Sinulog Mardi Gras gikan sa alas 6 sa buntag hangtud na sa hapon.

Cebu contractors put up bleachers

Cebu Contractors Association president Peter Paul Dy Jr. is informing the public that they have set up bleachers around the routes of the Sinulog Grand Parade.  Areas where one can find CCA public bleachers are P. del Rosario Street, Imus Road, Gen. Maxilom Avenue - fronting Sacred Heart, Jolibee-Gorordo Branch, Pakals Restaurant, Victor Ortega Saloon, USC-Boys High, Metro Bank, St. Theresa's College, Mango Square, Rustans, and DOH – Juana Osmeña St.

Vessels below 3 gross tons banned

The Philippine Coastguard will not allow vessels three gross tons and below to join the fluvial procession this Saturday if the weather conditions will not permit.

2T devotees expected at Devotee City

At least 2,000 out-of-town and less privileged devotees of Santo Niño are expected to seek temporary shelter at the Devotee City during the celebration of the Sinulog.

City slates medical mission today

The Cebu City government will reach out to less-fortunate residents in the coastal barangays today through a medical mission in Fort San Pedro at 8 a.m. as an offering to the Sr. Santo Niño.

Massive clean up kicks off today

At least twenty-four groups will participate in today's massive clean up and beautification of the carousel route for Saturday's holy procession and Sunday's Sinulog Grand Parade.

Sinulog Festival Queen karong gabii

Karon nang alas 7:00 sa gabii ipahigayon diha sa Cebu City Sports Center ang ikalima na ka tuig nga Search for the Sinulog Festival Queen.

Seguridad sa prosesyon, parada OK 

Gipasalig ni Cebu City Police Office Director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador ngadto kang acting Mayor Michael Rama nga plantsado na ang seguridad sa prosesyon ugmang adlawa ug sa Sinulog grand parade lakip na sa awarding ceremony sa Lunes.

Police warn of big robbery group

The police have warned Cebu businessmen about the presence of big-time robbers, who might take advantage of the Sinulog celebration to do their evil deeds.

Osorio Case: New witness surfaces

A new witness has surfaced that could hopefully help the police solve the killing of Assistant City Prosecutor Patrick Ian Osorio at Gochan Street in barangay Mambaling last January 6.

Tom feels good after 4th chemo 

Mayor on-leave Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he feels good and stronger after he had completed his fourth chemotherapy session last Wednesday afternoon.

3 more join case filed vs. Capitol fees

The Regional Trial Court has allowed the former regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation and two other lawyers to intervene in the injunction case that a group of lawyers filed against Cebu Province to stop the collection of the parking fee at the Capitol compound.

Council extends tax deadline 

Taxpayers who will not be able to beat the January 20 deadline may now pay their taxes beyond the scheduled date without having to pay the surcharge.

Displaced workers revive protest 

Workers of Mandaue City-based Giardini del Sole Inc. revived protest actions yesterday, alleging that the company employed delaying tactics in implementing an agreed work rotation scheme.

Arroyo orders pursuit of ICRC captors

Upon orders of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, security forces have launched hot pursuit operations against the abductors of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team in Sulu and were ordered to recover the captives unharmed, Malacañang said.

Marine in PDEA OK'd by AFP 

Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino's deployment to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) underwent the proper procedure prescribed in the regulations governing the detail of military personnel and officers to other agencies, a military spokesperson said Thursday.

Drug test on HS studes violate rights

While saying it is supportive of the campaign against illegal drugs, the Commission on Human Rights said the mandatory random drug test on highschool students could violate their rights.

DepEd expands drug tests, 6M studes

More schools will be included in the government's random drug test campaign on various learning institutions to include more students, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Thursday.

Pinoy stude attends Obama's Gig 

A 19-year-old college freshman cannot believe his luck: He is one of only two Filipinos to be invited to President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, an event that excludes even his country's president.

JDV son: AFP stopped me in Cebu 

Jose "Joey" de Venecia III claimed he was prevented by the military to address students and faculty members of an aviation school in Cebu province where he was invited to speak.

Lacson: CJ Puno for president

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said he will give up his ambition to become President if Chief Justice Puno decides to rise up to the challenge.

LP forming senate lineup for 2010 

A television celebrity, sons of former senators, a former Cabinet secretary, and some incumbent local officials are among those being considered by the Liberal Party for its 12-man senatorial slate in the 2010 elections.

• former Agriculture Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad

• Muntinlupa Rep. Rozanno Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon, son of last-termer Sen. Rodolfo Biazon

• Quezon Rep. Erin Tanada, son of former Sen. Wigberto Tanada

• former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta

• Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo

• Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca

• Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio

• TV personality Cory Quirino, a granddaughter of the late President Elpidio Quirino

11 RP women die of childbirth daily

Eleven Filipino women die in childbirth every day due to poor health care, according to the latest United Nations Children's Fund study on risks faced by pregnant women and newborn babies.

Bicam cuts P15-B debt service 

The congressional bicameral committee on the P1.415 trillion budget for 2009 has agreed to slash the country's allocation for debt service by at least P15 billion, Senator Edgardo Angara said.

Nurses for Japan may register online

Filipino nurses and caregivers aspiring to work in Japan may register online, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported.  "Applicants need not go to the POEA office because they can already register online at www.eregister.poea.gov.ph," POEA chief Jennifer Manalili disclosed.

Manalili added that the applicants should wait for POEA e-mail for further instructions and only those who meet the minimum qualification shall receive the POEA e-mail notification.

Those who qualify, Manalili said, will have to submit the POEA e-mail notification and other necessary document at the POEA main office in Mandaluyong or the nearest POEA office in their respective regions.

Applicants for nursing positions must prepare their resume, valid passport, college diploma, transcript of records, employment certificate indicating at least three years hospital experience, board certificate and Professional Regulatory Commission identification card.

Manalili said Japanese employers will be shouldering the placement fee as well as the language training of those who will qualify. Earlier, POEA reported that Japan is hiring at least 1,000 Filipino nurses and caregivers in the next two years, Deployment will start by end of April or early May.

Manalili said  those who will qualify for the jobs will undergo a six-month language and culture training in Japan during which they will receive an allowance of $400 or more than P21,000.

After the training, the Filipino nurses and caregivers will be allowed to stay in Japan for three years to work in hospitals and other medical facilities. During the three-year period, Filipino nurses can take the Japanese licensure examination.

Filipino caregivers will receive a monthly salary of $1,600 while the nurses will be getting a much higher monthly pay.

RP remittances rise despite crisis

The Philippines received $1.3 billion of remittances from its overseas workers in November last year, 10.5 percent higher than the year-ago level despite the global financial crisis.

Govt scored for inaction on OFWs

Members of Kilusang Mayo Uno and Migrante International on Thursday picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to protest its alleged inaction on the plight of retrenched overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

200,000-MT yellow corn importation

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has agreed to allow the importation of 200,000 metric tons of corn through the National Food Authority for the use of poultry and hog growers and feedmillers.

World Bank blacklists 7 bid riggers

The World Bank has blacklisted seven Filipino and Chinese construction firms and an individual after finding that they had rigged bids for local road projects funded by the multilateral agency.  Debarred were E.C. de Luna Construction Corp. and its owner Eduardo C. de Luna, Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corp., CM Pancho Construction Inc., and Chinese construction firms China State Construction Corp., China Wu Yi Co. Ltd. and China Geo-Engineering Corp.

Israeli strike kills senior Hamas leader

Israel on Thursday killed one of Hamas's top leaders in Gaza, interior minister Said Siam, the most senior Islamist to have died in the Jewish state's war on the enclave, the group's armed wing said.

UN condemns Israel shelling of UN HQ

The UN chief says he has expressed "strong protest and outrage" to Israel over the shelling of a United Nations compound in Gaza City.

124 nabbed in post-Mumbai ops 

A Pakistani official says 124 people have been arrested in a crackdown on groups allegedly linked to the attacks in Mumbai.

Inauguration security highest ever

President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration is expected to set many records - from the largest crowds, to most bridges closed to the highest security of any president's swearing-in.

Powerful quake hits in eastern Russia

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has hit east of the Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean, which are disputed between Russia and Japan, the United States Geological Survey said Thursday.

Pacman to sign Hatton deal this week

THE purse split originally put on the table has finally been okayed by Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao"s promoter Bob Arum told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday. The development could culminate in a signed contract this week.

Pacquiao: 60-40, or somebody else

Contrary to earlier reports, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday he is still insisting on a 60-40 split for his proposed superfight with British champion Ricky Hatton.

Firm corrects error in Texter's Choice 

Miss Cebu 2009 organizers have rectified the error made in the announcement of the winner of the Globe Texter's Choice Award.  The Cebu City Tourism Commission clarified that the recipient of the Globe Texter's Choice Award is Candidate No. 8, Kimberly Therese Burden, and not Candidate No. 12, Kris Tiffany Janson, as announced early in the show.  Burden's mother, Dr. Rowena Burden, said someone from the organizing committee should have immediately explained the error of the first announcement during the pageant itself.

Actor Ricardo Montalban dead at 88

Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, best known for his role as Mr. Roarke in the 1970s-80s popular television series "Fantasy Island," has died in Los Angeles, a city official said. He was 88.

Northeast monsoon cools RP weather

The country's weather bureau has attributed the sharply dropping temperature in Baguio City and the colder weather felt in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to the northeast monsoon.

Baguio 7.5 degrees Celsius 5 a.m. 

Baguio's temperature dipped this morning to  7.5 degrees Celcius, the lowest so far this year here.

Robert Orben  - "To err is human - and to blame it on a computer is even more so."