March 11, 2009 Major News Stories

Four oil firms to slash diesel, kerosene 

The three largest oil firms and an independent oil company on Tuesday said they will carry out another round of price rollback for their petroleum products.  The "Big 3" - Petron Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, and Chevron Phil. Inc.,- said they will slash their diesel and kerosene prices by P0.50.  SeaOil Philippines, meanwhile, said it will match the move of other companies by slashing its kerosene prices by P0.50.  The price adjustment will take effect 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Oil extends gains above $47

Oil held above $47 a barrel on Tuesday, as dealers mulled OPEC output options at a meeting this weekend and ahead of weekly US stocks data expected to show another fall in inventories.

Piston wants traffic fine hike scrapped

Militant transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) is calling on Malacañang to suspend or cancel Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Order 39, which increased traffic violation fines last year.

IMF: Worst of economic crisis yet to arrive

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today warned that the worst of the ongoing economic crisis may yet to come, and expected world economic growth could dip "below zero" this year.

16 OFWs rescued from illegal recruitment 

Sixteen aspiring overseas Filipino workers from far-flung provinces were rescued by members of the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) from a house of a suspected illegal recruiter in San Mateo, Rizal last week.

Australia to open more doors for OFWs

A Philippine senator who is visiting the "Land Down Under" urged the Australian government to look into the possibility of allowing more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) entry into the country amid the global economic crisis.

P6.2 million isinoli ng OFW sa Dubai

Muling pinatunayan ng mga Pinoy ang ka gandahang-loob ng mga ito matapos na isang OFW ang nagsauli ng may 470,000 dirhams (P6.2 million) na kanyang na­tagpuan sa minamane hong bus sa Dubai.  Si Jonel Dignadisi ang personal pa na nagsoli ng pera sa nagmamay-ari nito na isang turista na kabilang sa mga pasa herong sumakay sa kan yang minamanehong bus.

Enrile: Evidence to send Celso to jail

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday said with the pieces of evidence presented against Legacy Group owner Celso delos Angeles, the embattled businessman has nowhere to go but jail.

Hold departure order out vs SEC's Martinez

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday issued a hold departure order against Jesus Martinez, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) official implicated in the irregularities surrounding Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI).

SEC tells Martinez to answer allegations

The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked Commissioner Jesus Martinez to come out with an official statement on allegations that he received gifts from the Legacy Group.

Palace OKs lifestyle check on Martinez 

President Arroyo on Tuesday ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to conduct a lifestyle check on Securities and Exchange Commissioner Jesus Martinez Jr. and his family following allegations that he gave protection to a preneed firm that he was investigating.

Legacy owner's SUV 'surrendered' to PDIC

The Ford Expedition vehicle that the embattled founder of the Legacy Group of Companies allegedly bought from the son of the Securities and Exchange official who has been linked to the controversy was "surrendered" to the office of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

Cibac, JIL distance from SEC's Martinez

Religious group Jesus is Lord (JIL) and political party, Citizens Battle against Corruption (Cibac), denied they have existing links with controversial regulator, Jesus Martinez.

Nograles won't probe solon linked to Legacy 

House Speaker Prospero Nograles will not initiate moves to have Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita probed for allegedly receiving P1.8 million in "consultancy fee" from the beleaguered Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI).

Legacy has P129-M more insured deposits

The Rural Bank of Polangui (RBP). another failed bank said to be linked to the Legacy Group of Companies has a total of P133 million in deposit liabilities, the PDIC said.

Bankers vs. 'clients' with loose change

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) advised banks, through the Cebu Bankers' Club, to watch out for people bringing large amounts of coins for conversion into bills.  CCPO Chief Patrocinio Comendador said there is a great chance these people may be among the eight armed men who pretended to be a team of police operatives responding to an indiscriminate firing alarm, then robbed the General Maxilom Ave. branch of Fooda Savers Mart at 12:20 a.m. Monday.  They took some P100,000 in loose change, and it's probable they will bring these to a bank for conversion.

Bacquerfo gisikop

Si Mayor Rogelio Bacquerfo sa Tudela, Isla sa Camotes   giposasan sa kapolisan kagahapon sa alas 11:45 sa buntag sulod sa iyang buhatan sa munisipyo human nalutsan og warrant of arrest gikan sa Sandiganbayan gumikan sa kasong malversation of public property.

Drugtest sa regional directors gihimo

Mokabat sa 32 ka mga official sa kapulisan ingon man mga official sa ubang mga regional nga buhatan sa gobiyerno dinhi sa rehiyon gipaubos sa random drug test kagahapon sa buntag diha sa Police Regional Office (PRO-7).

Judge fined for drawing gun in court

THE Supreme Court has ordered a Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge fined for drawing his firearm and placing it on his table during an argument with a lawyer while in court session.  But the High Tribunal also admonished Antonio Cañeda, the lawyer Judge Eric Menchavez argued with, saying Cañeda should always be "mindful of the respect due to the court" and to avoid "actions bordering on disrespect."

Baroto Regatta ipahigayon sa Talisay

Ang kagamhanan sa dakbayan sa Talisay uban sa pagtambayayong sa City-Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Council (C-FARMC) gitakdang mopahigayon og Baroto Regatta atol sa ika-64 nga Landing Celebration sa siyudad karong Marso 26, 2009.

'Computerized cheating' posible pa rin

Bagama't inaasahan ang pagkakaroon ng full automation, nangangamba pa rin si dating Comelec Chairman Christian Monsod na posibleng mag  karoon ng dayaan sa 2010 elections.

Namfrel monitors poll campaign expenses

Big spenders in next year's elections will be under the radar of poll watchdog National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

Return of Dacer-Corbito witness expected

One of the former police officers linked to the murder of a publicist and his driver in 2000 will be fetched from the United States by lawyers of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Dacer-Corbito murder, 5 Erap execs sabit

Apat hanggang limang opisyal na nag silbi sa Erap administration ang tinukoy sa affidavit ni dating Police Col. Cesar Mancao kaugnay sa Dacer-Corbito case.

Keep working for ICRC workers, Nur asked

The military wants Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari to continue working for the release of three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who continue to be held hostage in Sulu close to two months after they were kidnapped.

Solon says Zambo bombs targeted him

Anak Mindanao party-list Rep. Mujiv Hataman claimed he was the target of the three improvised bombs that were recovered and detonated last Monday in two places in this southern port city.

Glo urged to sack Davao AFP, PNP officers

A lawyers' group called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to order the relief of police and military officers in Davao for the death of a daughter of a New People's Army commander, saying it was not enough that she condemned the murder of Rebelyn Pitao.

Bayan Muna member shot dead

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines -- A member of the Bayan Muna partylist group in Central Mindanao was gunned down in a busy street here, a police official said today.

Brains in shooting of radioman hunted

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is hunting down the alleged mastermind of the shooting of Cagayan de Oro broadcaster Nilo Labares, who was identified by a surrendered suspect.

AFP to help find Aquino slay 'missing link'

The Philippine military has vowed to support efforts to find the alleged "missing link" in the 1983 assassination of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

Gonzalez: Brains of Aquino slay still in RP

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez believes the brains behind the 1983 assassination of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. is still alive and in the country.

Bidding for attack helicopters fails anew 

The bidding for military night-capable attack helicopters failed for the second time due to the increase in aircraft cost, defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro said today.

33 dead in suicide attack on Iraq tribes

A suicide bomber struck tribal leaders touring a market in a Sunni area west of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing as many as 33 people in the second major attack in the capital area in two days.

Sri Lanka suicide blast kills 10 

A suicide bomber attacked a gathering of Muslims celebrating a religious holiday in southern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, killing 10 people and critically wounding a government minister.

Tibet is 'hell on earth' under China

Paramilitary police and soldiers swarmed cities and villages in Tibet and restive western China on Tuesday, on the alert for possible unrest on the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama said Tibet had become "hell on earth" under Beijing's control.

Pope to visit Muslim, Jewish sites in ME

The Vatican's top envoy in the Holy Land says Pope Benedict XVI will visit sites holy to Muslims and Jews during his first papal trip to the region.

Obama's stem cells proj. cheers scientists

In a clear rebuke to his White House predecessor, President Barack Obama declared he will not allow politics to taint science and signed an executive order to allow funding of broader research into stem cells.

Pacman revs up training sans Roach

The absence of Freddie Roach will not force Manny Pacquiao to slow down in his training for the May 2 showdown with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.  Roach left Los Angeles for England to be in the corner of Amir Khan who faces Marco Antonio Barrera on March 14 at the MEN Arena.

'Tyson has no place in Pacquiao camp'

There's no room for Mike Tyson in Manny Pacquiao's training headquarters.

Nietes plans to go up to light flyweight

WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Ahas Nietes plans to climb to the light flyweight division after three more title defenses.

Gerry, Donaire split ways but connected

After training over three weeks in Baguio City together, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and IBF flyweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. will go separate ways in preparing for the fights of their lives.

Explain P29M PAGCOR assistance 

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has called on Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) head Mark Joseph to explain the P29 million financial assistance extended to him by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Wade boils up, saves Heat

Dwyane Wade stole the ball from John Salmons with 4 seconds left, then made a running 3-pointer as time expired to lift the Miami Heat to a 130-127 double-overtime win over the Chicago Bulls.

Barkley completes three-day jail term

Former NBA star Charles Barkley was released from jail Monday after serving a three-day sentence on a drunken-driving conviction.

Woman who stalked Barreto's kid nabbed

The NBI has filed unjust vexation charges against an avid "Juday" fan who allegedly pretended to be a friend of Claudine Barretto in order to kidnap the actress' daughter Sabina.

"M" fans flock to wake on eve of burial

Hundreds of fans continue to arrive at the wake of Francis Magalona, known as the country's "Master Rapper," to pay their last respects on the eve of his burial Wednesday.

Estrada visits Magalona wake

Former president Joseph Estrada paid his last respects to Francis Magalona.

Paalam, Francis!

The remains of Francis Magalona, who died last March 6, were scheduled to be cremated at 1:30 this morning at the Funeraria Paz after a Mass and eulogy last night at the Christ The King Chapels where the wake was held.

"Drastic action" gipaabot

Gikalipay sa pamilyang Burden ang pagbalik ni Mayor Tomas Osmeña dinhi sa Sugbu human sa pipila ka buwan nga pagpaubos niini og chemotherapy sa Estados Unidos.

Ani DiFranco  - "Art may imitate life, but life imitates TV."