March 10, 2009 Major News Stories

OPEC mulls further output cut on Mar 15

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will consider cutting output again at its March 15 meeting as it looks to counter downward pressure on oil prices from falling demand, the group's secretary general said Monday.

Bill to penalize LPG hoarders

A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives that seeks to penalize persons hoarding cooking gas, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

New fines for traffic violations to go on

LTO 7 will continue to implement Department Order 2008-39 that increases fines for traffic violations, a move tagged by the transport sector as "very unreasonable and exorbitant".

PUJ drivers protest hike in fines

DOZENS of jeepney drivers plying various Metro Cebu routes yesterday staged a rally in front of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 against the increase in penalties for traffic violations.

Alberto's Pizza gipahimangnoan

Gipahimangnoan ni Konsehal Gerardo Carillo ang mga tag-iya ug tagdumala sa Alberto's Pizza nga motuman sa gikinahanglang mga rekisitos aron makabalik pag-operate sa ilang negosyo dinhi sa siyudad human masirad-i sa miaging semana.

Neri ouster, change of SSS law sought

Labor groups Partido ng Maggagawa and Solidarity of Cebu Workers are calling for Social Security System President Romulo Neri to step down from office following his recent declaration that social security funds will not be released to laid-off workers.

Paliwanag ni Neri hiningi

Hiniling ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde kay Social Security System Chairman Romulo Neri na ipaliwanag ma bu ti sa publiko ang unang paha yag nito na hindi maa aring makautang ang mga empleyadong na tang gal sa trabaho.

P2.6B scholarships for 157,000 jobless

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority has allocated P2.6 billion for 157,000 scholars who would like to take up technical and vocational short courses, and skills training.

EU employers told: Don't hire illegals

The estimated 110,000 undocumented Filipinos in Europe are expected to face harder times as employers there were told not to hire illegally staying third-country nationals.

SEC commissioner urged to quit 

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Monday asked Securities and Exchange Commissioner (SEC) Jesus Martinez Jr. to resign from his post after two high-ranking officers of the Legacy Group tagged him as a protector of Legacy owner Celso de los Angeles.

Legacy may koneksiyon sa SEC

Sinabi kahapon ni Carolina Hinola, dating chief operating officer at treasurer ng Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc., na malakas ang konek siyon ni Sto Domingo, Albay Mayor Celso de los Angeles sa Securities and Exchange Com mission.

Parañaque solon to sue Legacy execs

A lawmaker implicated in the Legacy Group mess on Monday threatened to file charges against the personalities who dragged his name into the controversy.

Palace distances self from Legacy mess

Malacañang on Monday distanced itself from the bribery issue hounding a Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) official in connection with the collpase of Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc.

Arroyo, bishops agree on CARP extension

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has assured Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal she would back the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Malacañang officials said over the weekend.

CHR to Glo: Sign Magna Carta for Women 

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to sign the newly-ratified Magna Carta for Women.

Yusoph takes oath as poll commissioner

Marawi City prosecutor Elias Yusoph took his oath of office as the sixth commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Monday morning.

Leonida reappointed poll exec, takes oath

Leonardo Leonida was reappointed commissioner of the Commission on Elections by Malacañang and took his oath Monday.

Tomas: Mike has to face problem

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, whose bid for the mayoralty next year has been opposed by several barangay captains, has to face the problem by himself.

Bald men and yellow ribbons

SHAVED heads, yellow ribbons on trees, vehicles and buildings, and a throng of his anxious supporters will greet Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña at the City Hall today.

Gonzalez now has Mancao affidavit 

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Monday said he now has a copy of the affidavit of former Philippine National Police (PNP) officer Cezar Mancao.

Sons of AFP comptroller post $1-M bond

The two sons of former Armed Forces comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia were temporarily released from US jail after posting a $1-million bond each.

Japan detains Filipino in immigration row

Japan detained a Filipino man and threatened to deport him and his family in an immigration row centered on his teenage daughter, a case that has drawn much public sympathy here.

Ombuds irked, VillaIgnacio"s clenched fist

Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez lost her cool again Monday after seeing Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio making a clenched fist during the morning"s flag raising ceremony.

CA junks habeas corpus bid for Bolante 

The Court of Appeals has denied the petition for habeas corpus filed by the son of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante, the alleged mastermind in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, for being moot and academic.

NPA claims 8 dead in AFP bombing

Eight people were killed, including a three-year old girl, after the military allegedly dropped bombs on the village of Batianao in Baganga, Davao Oriental Province Sunday, the communist New People's Army claimed on Monday.

Raps filed vs. 5 in radioman's attack

Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Region 10 filed charges of frustrated murder against five suspects in the attack on Cagayan de Oro City broadcaster Nilo Labares, after two suspects surrendered early Monday morning, officials said.

6 bombs found in 2 Zamboanga areas

Six homemade bombs were separately discovered in two villages here Monday afternoon.

Suspected JI member nabbed in Mindanao

A suspected member of the regional terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah was captured following an encounter Monday with government troops, a local Army spokesman said.

'Militar tutulong sa probe' - Teodoro

Pinaiimbestigahan ni Defense Secretary Gil berto Teodoro Jr. ang brutal na pagdukot, pangga­gahasa at pagpatay sa gurong anak na babae ng isang kumander ng New People's Army sa Davao.

FOCAP opposes right of reply bill

The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Monday expressed strong opposition to the passage of the right of reply bill pending at the House of Representatives and urged lawmakers to withdraw support for the proposed legislation.

Chinese vessels harassed unarmed ship

The White House said yesterday that US Navy ships will continue to operate in the South China Sea, where five Chinese vessels shadowed and maneuvered dangerously close to a Navy surveillance ship, prompting an American protest.

Obama overturns Bush on stem cells

President Barack Obama is ending former President George W. Bush's limits on using federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research, with advisers calling the move a clear signal that science — not political ideology — will guide the administration.

Hopkins picks Pacquiao to win this time 

From Pacquiao basher to "Pacman" believer. Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins sees Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao winning his May 2 fight against Englishman Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wife grateful for Francis M's honor

Nagpasalamat si Pia-Arroyo Magalona, biyuda ng nasirang si Francis Magalona, sa karangalang igagawad ng gobyerno sa yumaong asawa.

A showbiz ally

Rep. Irwin Tieng of Buhay Partylist proved that he is one of the showbiz's allies when he succeeded in passing, via the third reading, the bill lowering the Amusement Tax or House Bill 5624.

Vatican against '.catholic' domain name

The Vatican has spoken out against creating religious Internet top-level domain categories such as ".catholic," ".islam" or ".buddhist," the Austrian news agency Kathpress reported Sunday.

First baby whale shark found in Donsol 

A baby whale shark has been found in waters off the eastern Philippines, raising hopes the world's first breeding ground for the creature may have been discovered, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said.