April 1, 2009 Major News Stories

Oil firms hike prices, lower LPG prices

 Several oil firms announced Tuesday adjustments in the prices of their products effective Wednesday.  Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Petron Corp. said pump prices of their respective diesel products will increase by P1.50 per liter while gasoline and kerosene products are set to increase by P1.00 per liter effective 12.01 a.m., April 1 (Wednesday).

In a text message, Pilipinas Shell spokesperson Roberto Kanapi said, the increase in pump prices is needed to reflect higher production costs.

Flying V said it will also implement a similar adjustment also at the same time.

Total Philippines, in a text message from its corporate affairs executive Tata Villegas, meanwhile said it will implement a similar hike in its products effective 6 a.m. Wednesday.

PTT on the other hand said it will just implement a P1.00 per liter hike in its diesel and gasoline products effective 6 a.m. April 1.

Pilipinas Shell and Petron also said it will roll back the prices of their respective LPG products by P2.00 per kilogram effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The price reduction was reportedly "due to softer import costs." Total Philippines said it will lower prices of its LPG products P2.00 per kilogram but effective 6 a.m.

Oil prices dip below $48 on more bad data

Oil prices slipped again Tuesday on dismal projections from the World Bank for developing countries and new figures from the government about gloomy U.S. consumers.

4.3-M Filipinos poor without remittances 

 Money sent home by Filipinos working abroad have kept at least 4 million Filipinos out of poverty as of 2006, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) economist said Tuesday. 

Bakeshop union set to file case vs. DOLE

For allegedly issuing "conflicting and confusing orders," the Anita's Home Bakeshop, Incorporated Employees Association will be filing graft and corruption charges against top officials of the Department of Labor and Employment.

NCMB wants more cases for arbitration

The National Conciliation and Mediation Board of the Department of Labor and Employment is campaigning for more labor cases to be forwarded for voluntary arbitration.

Salmonella, heat resistant

Heat resistant ang uri ng salmonella na natag puan sa mga produktong peanut butter ng Samuya Food Manufacturing Corporation.

Bus owners, drivers agree on drug tests 

TO regain public confidence, the Cebu South Mini-Bus Operators' Association (CSMBOA) yesterday agreed that all operators and drivers will undergo a drug test starting today.

EDC Liner kolorum gisusi

Gisusi karon sa Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 ang mga report nga gawas sa pito ka minibus sa EDC Liner duna sad kini mga kolorum nga mga pasaheroan.

LTFRB guidelines for Lenten permit

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued yesterday its guidelines for buses that want to secure special permits to operate outside their routes during the Holy Week.  Alberto Suansing, LTFRB chairman said they would require applicants to first coordinate with the association of bus operators before applying for the special permit. He said associations of bus operators are aware of what routes needed additional buses during the Holy Week.

He said applicants can seek special permits for P150 so that they can operate in areas beyond their routes. The application is also open for FX type vehicles of Garage to Terminal Express (GT Express) type.

CCMC gets new administrator 

Acting Mayor Michael Rama yesterday instructed all City Hall department heads to help the Cebu City Medical Center improve its performance as he appointed a new administrator for the hospital.  Rama appointed Rene Sanapo, one of Osmeña's trusted consultants, to act as the hospital's administrator even if he is not a doctor.

The acting mayor said CCMC chief Myrna Go will now report directly to Sanapo, who is also the head of the Mayor's Management Team and is given the title as "deputy mayor."

Two months ago, Rama also designated Frank Japson, husband of Councilor Leah Japson, to help improve the security of the hospital. Rama said Japson will now report to Sanapo.

Capitol scores lack of bidding

THE Cebu City mayor's announcement about closing another deal on the South Road Properties (SRP) has prompted more questions from the Provincial Government.

Gwen makigtagbo sa mga kongresista

Makigtagbo si Gobernador Gwendolyn Garcia sa usa ka tigum karon adlaw nga Miyerkules ngadto sa mga kongresista dinhi sa Sugbo nga pabor sa balaodnon nga nagsugyot sa pagpahigayon og congressional inquiry aron mosuta kun wala bay anomaliya ang gipirmahang joint venture agreement tali sa siyudad ug sa Filinvest Land Inc.

Mike: Pablo John nag-grandstanding lang

Misugod na pagpahit si Cebu City acting Mayor Michael Rama ngadto sa mga opisyal sa lalawigan sa Sugbu nga nanghilabot sa Filinvest deal.

Rama dares Capitol to file case in court

Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama, who was accused by Mayor on-leave Tomas Osmeña of bootlicking for befriending Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, challenged the Cebu provincial officials to go to court if they can prove that the deal with Filinvest Land, Inc. is disadvantageous to the city.

Tudela mayor sues Gwen on checks 

TUDELA Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo Sr. filed a case for malversation of public funds against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and two other Capitol officials before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.  The case was for the alleged withdrawal of a total of P4,244,895 in four instances, before the memorandum of agreement was signed to allow Garcia to sign vouchers for the salaries of municipal employees.

Granada pwedeng kasohan - Almendras

Mahimong kapasakaan og kaso si Demetrio Granada niining pag-insister niya nga siya'y mayor sa lungsod sa Tudela, sa isla sa Camotes human ipadayag pag-usab sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) nga si Rogelio Baquerfo mao gihapon ang ilang giila nga lihitimong mayor sa lungsod.

Lapu police draw flak from Kiko

SEN. Francis Pangilinan condemned the rape-slay of a 13-year-old girl and urged the Lapu-Lapu City police to implement the law in dealing with the five minors suspected of committing the crime.  Pangilinan said that in cases involving suspects below 15 years old, the DSWD or the local social welfare office may file a petition for involuntary commitment for suspects.

Police deny rushing Jastiva probe

Police yesterday belied allegations that they rushed their investigation into the controversial case of Pastor Leonardo Jastiva, Sr. who was tagged as having masterminded the killing of his wife.

Cop who shot inmate posts P20,000 bail

The police officer who shot an inmate inside a detention cell in Police Station 3, barangay San Roque, this city, posted bail after charges of homicide was filed against him before the Regional Trial Court yesterday.

Grenade goes off in police station 

A grenade exploded in a police sub-station here yesterday morning, killing a veteran bomb expert and injuring three other lawmen.

2 na lang para sa Lakas bet sa 2010

Dalawa na lang ang pinagpipilian ng maka admi nistrasyong partidong Lakas-CMD para maging kan didato nito sa halalang pampangu luhan sa susunod na taon.  Kinumpirma kahapon ni Lakas Secretary General  at Senador Juan Miguel Zubiri na kabilang na lang sa pinagpipilian ng partido sina Vice Pre sident Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. at Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Palace frowns at transition govt proposal

Malacañang has virtually thumbed down the transition government being proposed by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales for 2010.

State of emergency declared in Sulu 

Local government officials in Sulu have placed the entire island-province in Southwestern Mindanao under a state of emergency after the deadline set by bandits to behead one of three kidnapped Red Cross workers had lapsed.

Deadline passes; no beheading

The Abu Sayyaf did not carry out its threat to behead one of the workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross, even after it's new deadline for a troop pullout expired at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

NPA rebels hit Bukidnon detachment

Two civilians and four militiamen were killed when New People's Army rebels attacked a detachment in a hinterland village in Bukidnon on Tuesday, an official said.

17 killed in Bukidnon as rebels, AFP clash

Eleven leftist rebels of the New People's Army (NPA), four government soldiers and two civilians were killed in a fierce fire-fight in Bukidnon this afternoon, the military and police authorities said.

Netherlands stops probe on Sison

The Dutch government has stopped the investigation into the alleged involvement of Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison into the alleged assassination of two of his former comrades.

BIR: More companies understating income

 If hard times lead to a rise in robberies and theft, then the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) also believes it leads to corporate taxpayers squeezing for as much profit as possible by understating their tax payables. 

Japan extends $100-million loan to RP

Japan has extended a $100-million official development assistance to the Philippines to finance the government's fiscal reforms and anti-corruption programs for this year.

RP exports $10-million products to Japan

Food exports to Japan continued to accelerate despite the global financial crisis as Filipino firms were able to sell $10 million worth of products from two promotion activities last month.

Obama departs US for Europe summits

President Barack Obama headed to Europe on the first overseas trip of his young presidency to hold crucial meetings on the economic crisis and with America's military partners in NATO.

Taliban threatens attack on White House

The commander of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility yesterday for a deadly assault on a Pakistani police academy and said the group was planning a terrorist attack on the White House that would "amaze" the world.

Migrant boat sinks off Libya; scores dead

An overcrowded boat packed with migrants capsized in stormy seas off the coast of Libya, killing at least 20 and leaving 200 missing and feared dead four days after the accident.

Vatican checks order after scandal

The Vatican says it is sending a team of inspectors to the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ after the conservative Roman Catholic order disclosed that its late founder had had a mistress and fathered a child.

'Manny's win over De La Hoya a fluke'

Ricky Hatton thinks Manny Pacquiao's big win over Oscar De La Hoya in December was a fluke. Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) is counting on beating the Filipino star on May 2 in Las Vegas.

May 2 fight will be 'short, sweet' - Roach

 Boxing trainer Freddie Roach has maintained his claim that the coming fight in on May 2 between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton won't go the distance.

Lea Salonga keen on singing RP Anthem 

Lea Salonga expressed her willingness to sing the Philippine National Anthem in Manny Pacquiao"s May 2 (May 3 in Manila) bout against Ricky Hatton.

Charice wows Muhammad Ali in US

Kababalik lang sa Pilipinas ng batang singing sensation na si Charice Pempengco mula sa US. Excited niyang ikinuwento ang kanyang special appearance sa isang Hollywood movie at pagkanta sa tribute para kay boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

Gretchen mum on 'split up' with Tony Boy

 Actress Gretchen Barretto has kept mum on rumors that she and business tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco have broken up.

Kristine disenchanted on relationships

 Actress Kristine Hermosa admitted that she has been slightly disillusioned by her past relationship with hunk actor Diether Ocampo.

Grandma, 71, graduates from grade school

She was the proudest graduate in the class.  And with good reason, for it was not easy for Filomena Zamora, 71, of Sitio Tambuyoc, Barangay Cayambanan, to realize her dream of earning her elementary diploma.

HK writer banned from RP 

A Hong Kong writer was banned from entering the Philippines today for his "arrogance and disrespect" in a column about Filipino maids that caused widespread outrage.