January 5, 2008 Major News Summary

Auring shifts, still threatens Samar

Typhoon Auring shifted northwards but continued to threaten Eastern Samar Sunday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Flashfloods, landslides sa E. Visayas

Nagbabala ngayon ang Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) sa mga residente at lokal na pamahalaan sa mga lalawigan ng Eastern Visayas partikular na sa Samar na maghanda sa posibleng pagguho ng lupa at flashfloods dahil sa pagpanig ngayon ng bagyong Auring sa naturang rehiyon.

3 flights diverted to Cebu

Two planes of Philippine Airlines and one plane of Cebu Pacific Air, all from Manila and heading for Cagayan de Oro City, were diverted temporarily to the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) due to bad weather at their destination on Sunday.

Arroyo orders aid for flash flood victims 

President Arroyo has ordered all concerned government agencies to extend immediate assistance to the victims of the flash floods in parts of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.

2 missing in Cagayan de Oro floods

Two children were confirmed missing in the flashflood that hit Cagayan de Oro City.

Batang 'gianod di taga Bohol

Patay'ng lawas sa bata nga napalgan sa duha ka mananagat sa kalawran sa Sambagan, barangay Tanke niadtong Sabado sa buntag, dili mao ang batang taga Clarin kinsa giingong naanod sa baha.

OFW's spouse killed in heist

A WOMAN was stabbed dead inside her house in what authorities believe was a robbery witnessed in part by her eight-year-old daughter in Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City yesterday morning.  The 40-year-old wife of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was brutally murdered and robbed inside her home in Castilex Road, Cabancalan, Mandaue City yesterday morning.

W'house owner mistakes robber 

TWO men on a motorcycle carted away P2 million in cash from a softdrink sub-distributor in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City at past 1 p.m. yesterday.

Status of 'bonus' cop known today

The fate of the policeman from Tudela Island, Camotes, who went wild because of the alleged delay in the release of his Christmas bonus, will be known today as the provincial police office announces its initial move against PO2 Pepito Layague.

Crime rate in Cebu City drops

WITH the implementation of night-watch patrols and synchronized checkpoints, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) boasted of an 8.5 percent drop in its crime volume in 2008.

Fetus left in cemetery premises

A fetus estimated to be around five months old was found by a Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman inside the premises of the Queen City Memorial Gardens at the North Reclamation Area last Saturday at around 5 p.m.

Commentator bares slay attempt

A broadcaster in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan has escaped unhurt after an alleged assassination attempt by unidentified gunmen.

Manhunt for Tacurong bomb suspect

Police here have launched a manhunt against a man suspected of having carried out a bombing attack in Cotabato Saturday night that left at least eight people wounded.

Alleged bomber bolts Kidapawan jail

An alleged bomber and an alleged robber escaped from Kidapawan City jail Sunday morning.  A high-profile inmate tagged in several bombings in North Cotabato and who had confessed of being a member of the Al-Khobar extortion gang, and a companion bolted the provincial jail in Kidapawan City before dawn yesterday, authorities said.

Wife of Army officer appeals to NPA

The Philippine Army has released an open letter to the New People's Army (NPA) from the wife of a junior officer captured by the communist rebels appealing for the communist rebels to push through with the release of her husband.

Organizers needs P15M for Sinulog

With barely two weeks to go, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. is still confident that they would be able to raise enough money to fund the holding of the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras on January 18.

Boljoon celebrates own 'Sinulog'

Residents of Boljoon town yesterday held a celebration of their own Sinulog feast in honor of the miraculous child Senior Santo Niño.

Bill approval by month's end

REP. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south district) assured Congress will pass the bill creating the new barangay Banawa Englis by the end of the month.

'Extended' fertilizer fund scam probe

The head of a Senate panel investigating the P728-million fertilizer fund scam promised "final closure" to the investigation but hinted at a long process before it can reach that goal.

Revamp in the offing in DENR

A revamp looms over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as Secretary Lito Atienza vowed to "crack the whip" within the agency.

P2.8 B for LGUs' landfill projects

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced over the weekend that the government is allotting P2.8 billion in grants to local government units (LGUs) to facilitate their shift from open and controlled dumps to sanitary landfills.

Petition for DAR chief, son's ouster

An online petition is now in the works to demand the ouster of Agrarian Reform secretary Nasser Pangandaman and his son, Maslu, Lanao del Sur mayor Nasser Jr, for the scandal at a golf course in Pasig City last December.

Raps filed vs Pangandamans Monday

The Antipolo police are expected to file on Monday the complaint of businessman Delfin Dela Paz with the prosecutor's office in connection with the alleged beating he and his 14-year-old son got from the two sons of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr. and their bodyguards at the Valley Golf & Country Club.

Palace's '09 concerns

CURBING CORRUPTION, implementing measures to shield the poor from the global economic slump and advancing peace talks with Muslim and communist rebels will highlight the Arroyo administration's priorities for 2009.

GMA dadalaw sa Mindanao

Sisimulan ngayon ni Pa ngu long Arroyo ang kan yang 4-araw na first working week ng 2009 sa pa mamagitan ng pagdalaw sa mga lalawigan sa Min danao.

Arroyo mobisita sa Fourth District

Gitakda nga mobisita si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa ikaupat nga distrito sa lalawigan sa Sugbu karong Enero 12, sumala pa ni Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

LPG supply tight, to ease on Saturday

The supply of cooking gas remains tight for small retailers even as the Energy Department"s inspection has so far cleared some suppliers from allegations of hoarding.

Govt rejects tax exemptions for PDIC

The Department of Finance (DOF) rejected a proposal that intended to give tax exemptions to the state-led deposit insurer.

Aid package for 2009's jobless set

The Arroyo government is preparing an aid package for Filipino workers set to lose their jobs in the global financial crisis this year, including loans for livelihood.

Remittances to reach $17.9B in '09

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects remittances from overseas Filipinos to hit a record $17.9 billion this year despite the global downturn.

Pass preneed code, Congress urged

A labor group slammed Congress on Sunday for the "unwarranted delay" in the passage of the Preneed Industry Code, which would protect planholders from financial failure and misreporting by insurance firms.

Infra lack still concern of businesses

Inadequate infrastructure, volatile exchange rates, the possible rescinding of incentives, strict labor rules, and political instability are business leaders" top concerns for 2009.

66 Pinoys to be repatriated from Gaza

As Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza, 66 Filipinos there have agreed to be repatriated back to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has said.

Israel has no US OK for Gaza invasion

Vice President Dick Cheney says Israel did not seek U.S. clearance or approval before targeting Hamas with a ground invasion into Gaza.

Female bomber in Baghdad kills 38

A woman hiding among Iranian pilgrims with a bomb strapped under her black robe killed more than three dozen people yesterday outside a Baghdad mosque during ceremonies commemorating the death of one of Shiite Islam's most revered saints.

Powerful Indonesia earthquakes kill 4 

A series of powerful earthquakes at dawn Sunday killed at least four people and injured dozens more in remote eastern Indonesia, cutting power lines and destroying buildings.

Hotel collapses after Indon quakes

A hotel in Indonesia's West Papua province collapsed when the second of two powerful earthquakes hit the region Sunday and three people were pulled alive from the rubble.

Myanmar marks independence day

Myanmar's military regime marked the 61st anniversary of its independence with pomp and defiance, as the junta called on people to support 2010 polls derided as a sham by democracy campaigners.

Thai police to charge club owner 

The owner of a Thai nightclub where at least 62 revelers perished in a New Year's Eve fire will face criminal charges over the blaze, which was likely sparked by a countdown fireworks display on the stage of the jammed nightspot.

Serious EU gas shortages possible

A top Ukrainian official has warned that European customers could see serious natural gas disruptions in about two weeks if the energy dispute between Russia and Ukraine is not resolved, and the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom accused Ukraine of boycotting contract negotiations.

Hatton's corner throws first verbal jab

Floyd Mayweather Sr. fired the first warning shot at Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao, who is set to take on his ward, Ricky Hatton, in a light welterweight showdown on May 2 in Las Vegas.

SMB ousts Air21, faces Gin in q"finals

Bonbon Custodio scored 16 points and the San Miguel Beermen used a critical third-quarter run to win 105-86 over the Air21 Express in the wild card of the KFC PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday.

Duremdes elevated as full-time coach

Coca-Cola has agreed to give the full-time head-coaching duties to Kenneth Duremdes.

Ai-Ai, Boy Abunda deny 'ingrata' tag

Ai-Ai delas Alas and her talent manager, The Buzz host Boy Abunda, on Sunday refuted accusations that she was being ungrateful after she left Belo Medical Group to endorse its strong competitor, the Calayan Surgicenter.

DJ Mo denies implicating Rufa Mae 

Feisty talks show host DJ Mo Twister on Sunday denied implicating actress Rufa Mae Quinto in the controversial breakup of Doctor Vicki Belo and ex-boyfriend Hayden Kho.

Bon Jovi to sing at Hillary fundraiser

The final note of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign may very well be sung by Jon Bon Jovi.

Bushisms will be missed

US President George W. Bush will leave behind a legacy of Bushisms, the label stamped on the commander-in-chief's original speaking style. Some of the president's more notable malaprops and mangled statements:

• "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." - September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

• "Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" - January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

• "They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too." - Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Virginia. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.

• "There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." - Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

• "It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber." - April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

• "I want to thank the dozens of welfare-to-work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves." - April 18, 2002, at the White House.

• "There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again." - Sept. 17, 2002, in Nashville, Tennessee.

• "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - Aug. 5, 2004, at the signing ceremony for a defense spending bill.

• "Too many good docs are getting out of business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across this country." - Sept. 6, 2004, at a rally in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

• "Our most abundant energy source is coal. We have enough coal to last for 250 years, yet coal also prevents an environmental challenge." - April 20, 2005, in Washington.

• "We look forward to hearing your vision, so we can more better do our job." - Sept. 20, 2005, in Gulfport, Mississippi.

• "I can't wait to join you in the joy of welcoming neighbors back into neighborhoods, and small businesses up and running, and cutting those ribbons that somebody is creating new jobs." - Sept. 5, 2005, when Bush met with residents of Poplarville, Mississippi, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

• "It was not always a given that the United States and America would have a close relationship. After all, 60 years we were at war 60 years ago we were at war." - June 29, 2006, at the White House, where Bush met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

• "Make no mistake about it, I understand how tough it is, sir. I talk to families who die." - Dec. 7, 2006, in a joint appearance with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

• "These are big achievements for this country, and the people of Bulgaria ought to be proud of the achievements that they have achieved." - June 11, 2007, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

• "Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for being such a fine host for the OPEC summit." - September 2007, in Sydney, Australia, where Bush was attending an APEC summit.

• "Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech." April 16, 2008, at a ceremony welcoming Pope Benedict XVI to the White House.

• "The fact that they purchased the machine meant somebody had to make the machine. And when somebody makes a machine, it means there's jobs at the machine-making place." - May 27, 2008, in Mesa, Arizona.

• "And they have no disregard for human life." - July 15, 2008, at the White House. Bush was referring to enemy fighters in Afghanistan.

• "I remember meeting a mother of a child who was abducted by the North Koreans right here in the Oval Office." - June 26, 2008, during a Rose Garden news briefing.

• "Throughout our history, the words of the Declaration have inspired immigrants from around the world to set sail to our shores. These immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people." - July 4, 2008 in Virginia.

• "The people in Louisiana must know that all across our country there's a lot of prayer - prayer for those whose lives have been turned upside down. And I'm one of them. It's good to come down here." - Sept. 3, 2008, at an emergency operations center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast.

• "This thaw - took a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw." Oct. 20, 2008, in Alexandria, Louisiana, as he discussed the economy and frozen credit markets. -AP

G. Gordon Liddy  - "Obviously crime pays, or there'd be no crime."