February 26, 2009 Major News Stories

Seaoil to cut diesel prices by P3/L

Independent oil firm Seaoil Philippines on Wednesday said it would reduce its diesel prices by P3 per liter due to the falling diesel prices in the world market.

Napocor to hike Visayas electricity in March 

Electricity cooperatives in Leyte were dismayed by a report that the National Power Corporation (Napocor) will be increasing power rates in the Visayas in March.  Napocor power rates are reportedly set to increase by P0.46 per kilowatt hour in Luzon, P1.14 in Visayas, and P0.71 in Mindanao. The company, which has been filing for power rate increases since 2005 to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), was reportedly seeking an increase to recover the fuel and generation costs of its independent power producers (IPP). 

Local privately-held firms to hike wages 

Majority of privately-held companies in the Philippines are set to hike employees" wages this year, a poll undertaken by global group of accounting and consulting companies said.  Approximately 76 percent of privately-held businesses (PHB) are seen to raise salaries at the rate of inflation or higher, a Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) said.  While 12 percent of businesses plan to keep salaries at current levels, two percent said that they may even reduce wages this year.

Sacked furniture firm workers stage picket

Terminated workers of the Mehitabel Furniture, Inc. staged a picket at the firm's Plant I in barangay Lahug as its labor union continues to decry management's illegal termination and union busting.

DepEd warns against tuition hikes

The Department of Education (DepEd) has warned private schools against increasing tuition for the coming school year.

Leyte town loses island to Legacy

A town in Leyte has become the latest entity to go after Celso de los Angeles and his failed Legacy Group of 12 rural banks and three pre-need companies, and this time the complaint is not about questionable financial dealings but alleged outright land-grabbing.

SEC files complaint vs Legacy, officials

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally filed a complaint at the justice department against Celso G. de los Angeles Jr., the founder of the bankrupt Legacy Group of financial firms, for violating the Securities Regulatios Code.

Top 10 Master Marines

A total of 2,032 out of 3,924 passed the written phase of the Marine Deck Officers Licensure Examination for the various ranks, the Professional Regulation Commission on Wednesday announced.  Following are the examinees who garnered the 10 highest places in the Master Marine Licensure Examination (written phase).

1. Ramil Manaog Ladlad, Philippine Merchant Marine School–Manila -- 87.90%

2. Allen Jamila Balaba, Capitol University (Cagayan Capitol Coll.) -- 87.60%

3. Danny Mahinay Bautro, University of Cebu -- 85.90%

4. Bernard Cabrera Caoile, Philippine Merchant Marine School–Las Piñas -- 85.00%

5. Victorino Laroya Yabut, Philippine Maritime Institute–Manila -- 83.50%

6. Leon Flores Gaytano, Philippine Merchant Marine School–Las Piñas -- 83.10%

7. Clive Alcover Abala, University of Cebu -- 83.00%

8. Rex Baquial Sagaral, Philippine Maritime Institute-Bohol -- 82.80%

9. Valentin Hernandez Bolaños, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy -- 82.50%

10. Alexander Limosnero Calamba, Mats College ofTechnology -- 82.10%

Top 10 Chief Mates

Following are the examinees who garnered the 10 highest places in the Chief Mate Licensure Examination (written phase):

WWII vet dies one day before interview

A Filipino World War II (WWII) veteran set to be interviewed by personnel of US veterans affairs department Thursday died Wednesday, highlighting the disappointment of hundreds of families of deceased veterans.

Baquerfo, found guilty of malversation

While Rogelio Baquerfo Jr. is struggling to occupy the mayoralty post in Tudela town, he is facing another dilemma after having been convicted by the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division of malversation of public funds.

Ex-mayor sued for water pilferage

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District has filed a criminal complaint for alleged water pilferage against former Compostela mayor and broadcaster Gilbert Wagas before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

PRO-7 sets random drug test next week

Officials of the Police Regional Office-7 will be going around the police stations starting next week to make inspections and to start the random drug tests among PNP personnel.

Ramos hits Arroyo for missing EDSA rites

Former president Fidel Ramos criticized President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for snubbing the 23rd anniversary of the People Power, saying that "value and respect" was important for such an affair.

Palace: Don't infringe on press freedom

Malacañang cautioned lawmakers against impinging upon the freedoms of expression and of the press should Congress decide to pass the controversial right of reply bill.

Pimentel mulls changes to right to reply 

In a small concession to journalists, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, principal sponsor of the right to reply bill, proposed a possible amendment to the legislation, particularly, imposing fines on journalists who violate the right to reply policy instead of jailing them.

At least 18 dead in Bukidnon clashes

An ongoing military offensive against communist rebels in hinterland villages of Quezon town in Bukidnon province has so far killed 13 rebels and five soldiers, including a junior officer.

DND: Danilo Lim can run in 2010 polls

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. sees no problem with former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim running in the 2010 elections despite his alleged attempt to overthrow the Arroyo government three years ago.

200 Filipinos report abuse in Kuwait

About 200 Filipinos have sought shelter at the Philippine labor office in Kuwait alleging abuse by their employers and are awaiting repatriation, an official said Wednesday.

7 OFWs in Maldives jail need help 

Seven Filipino workers are languishing in jail in Maldives Republic and need the necessary legal assistance from the Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh to ensure their safety and security, Migrante International"s chapter in the Middle East said.

We'll pay fine for OFWs in Nigeria theft

The ship owner and the crewing firm of the 13 Filipino seamen sentenced in Nigeria to five years in prison or a fine of $84,500 promised to pay the penalty so they could be freed and repatriated back to the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

Filipinos No. 2 legal migrants in US

Filipinos make up the second largest group of legal migrants to the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a report released Wednesday.  The report came out a day after the DHS also said Filipinos made up the fourth largest group of unauthorized migrants to the US.

In its report, the DHS said that of the estimated 12.78 million legal permanent residents (LPRs) in the US on January 1, 2007, some 570,000 are Filipinos.

Again, as in the data on unauthorized migrants to the US, Mexicans made up the most number of LPRs at 3.47 million or 27 percent.

Asian units gain, peso hits P47.98:$1

Most Asian currencies rose Wednesday as regional equities rose after Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke eased concerns over US banks, saying they should be able to weather the global downturn without being nationalized.

Turkish plane crash-lands in Amsterdam

At least nine people were killed and more than 80 injured when a Turkish Airways plane broke in three as it crash-landed at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on Wednesday.

14th ASEAN summit kicks off in Thai town

The 14th ASEAN Summit kicks Thursday in the Thai coastal town of Cha-Am in Petchaburi province with regional integration, the global financial crisis, human rights, food and energy security, labor and trade issues expected to dominate discussions.

Pacman relinquishes WBC lightweight title

No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao has decided to relinquish the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title he won from Chicago's David Diaz, saying that he won't be fighting at the 135-pound division anymore.

Manny KOs Hatton earlier than Mayweather

Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach said Ricky Hatton's vaunted body punch will be practically useless against Manny Pacquiao once they meet face to face on May 2.

Hatton in good hands, says Schaefer

Golden Boy Promotions president Richard Schaefer said he is confident Floyd Mayweather Sr. could whip up Ricky Hatton in top fighting form when the Hitman faces Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

City shows premier facility

DUMAGUETE City proclaimed it is all set to host the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) during the launching Tuesday afternoon at the Mariano Perdices Coliseum Complex.

Basketball great Barkley sentenced to jail

Former NBA great Charles Barkley will serve a drunken driving sentence at an Arizona jail where inmates live in tents and are forced to wear pink underwear, officials said on Tuesday.

Aguilar, Hanopol sue execs over royalties

Music icons Freddie Aguilar, Mike Hanopol, and Charo Unite filed several counts of estafa charges against publishing heavyweight Bayanihan Music Inc. (BAMI) for allegedly failing to pay their royalties for over 10 years.

Abunda friends slam Belo

Media colleagues of TV personality Boy Abunda have slammed aesthetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo over her televised remarks last Sunday.

Cebuano midaog sa 6/49 lotto

Sugboanon multi-millionaire kay makigbahin sa P347,836, 903.20 milyones nga premyo sa 6/49 lotto jackpot niadtong Domingo sa gabii nga may kombinasyong 06-34-20-26-12-33.

Schwarzenegger to play himself w/ Stallone 

Art will imitate life when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger spends a few hours playing himself later this year in a movie by Sylvester Stallone.

Flossing more important than brushing

Make flossing your daily habit. Studies show that flossing is more important than brushing, according to Philippine Dental Health Association President Dr. Leo Gerald de Castro.

Summer's here and it'll be hotter 

It's official: Summer is here.  PAGASA weather bureau chief Nathaniel Cruz said the northeast monsoon has ended, "which means summer has started."

The northeast monsoon, or "Amihan," is the mass of cold air blowing into the country starting October and lasting usually until March.

Once the northeast monsoon stops blowing, warm air from the Philippine Sea and the PacificOcean will start to come in, signaling the start of the dry season or summer.

Cruz said the termination of the northeast monsoon came "slightly earlier" than usual. "This early arrival means we will have a longer dry season. In turn, this means it will be hotter than usual."