March 20, 2009 Major News Stories

Oil companies hike diesel by P0.30/L

Three petroleum companies on Thursday announced a new round of price hikes for their diesel products.  Total Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation and Chevron Philippines, in separate announcements, said they will increase the pump prices of their diesel products by P0.30 per liter.

Shell and Chevron's price hikes came into effect 12:01 a.m . Friday, while Total's price hike will come into effect 6 a.m.  The three companies cited higher product costs for the price increase.

Oil hits $51 for 2009 as dollar plunges

Oil prices hit new highs for the year yesterday after a decision by the Federal Reserve to spend billions snapping up US bonds sent the dollar tumbling.

Public slams petition for power rate hike

The first day of the Energy Regulatory Commission- initiated public hearing on the power rate hike kicked off with strong opposition from consumer and business groups and local government units.

Disabled persons to get 20% discount

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is extending a 20 percent tax discount for persons with disabilities through the issuance of Revenue Regulation 1-2009.  he 20 percent tax privileges may be claimed by the person with disability whenever he buys goods or services from any establishment. These include hotels and similar lodging inns and restaurants, sports and recreational centers, theaters, cinema houses, concert halls and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement.

Persons with disabilities may also avail of the 20 percent tax discount on their drugstore purchase such as medicines.

They may also avail of the discount for their purchase of government medical and dental facilities and domestic air and sea transportation, Esquivias also said.

The discount will be based on the actual fare except promotional fare, and land transportation including skyways and expressways.

Esquivias said that in order to claim these privileges, the disabled person must present proof of his entitlement such as Identification (ID) card issued by the city mayor or barangay captain where he resides, passport, or transport discount fare ID card issued by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) or Local Government Units (LGUs).

However, the BIR chief clarified that for a person with disability who is also a senior citizen, he can only claim one 20 percent discount on a particular sales transaction.

The establishments which granted the sales discount to persons with disabilities may claim the discount as deduction from their gross income when they file their returns with the BIR.

BOC to hold Legacy's motorcycle shipment

The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked the Bureau of Customs in Cebu to hold the motorcycle importation of the controversial Legacy Group owner Celso de los Angeles.

Legacy owner offers DOJ compromise deal

Celso delos Angeles Jr., the embattled owner of the troubled Legacy Group, has expressed his willingness to plead guilty to the string of charges filed against him but with a condition, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Thursday.  In exchange for his guilty plea, Delos Angeles wanted the charges of syndicated estafa against other personalities embroiled in the Legacy controversy dropped.

"The emissary said Delos Angeles is willing to plead guilty to all the charges pero siya na lang, huwag na isama 'yung iba [provided that only he would be liable to the offenses]," Gonzalez said. 

Syndicated estafa, a capital offense, involves intent to defraud someone from the very beginning. Bail could not be granted if the court finds that the evidence of guilt against the accused is strong. 

The Justice Department is investigating the wave of charges against Delos Angeles, other Legacy officials, and even the Delos Angeles' estranged wife, Ma. Concepcion Panlilio-De los Angeles, and son, Martin Nicolo. 

Gonzalez said he is not keen on accepting De los Angeles' offer since it would lead to a lesser offense. "Lahat 'yan magiging bailable 'pag walang syndicated [The charges may become bailable if syndication is not involved]," he said.

Falsification vs Noli

Mahaharap sa kasong Falsification of Documents si Vice Pres. Noli de Castro dahil sa hindi umano pagde deklara sa mga naging donasyon sa kanya ni Celso delos Angeles para sa kanyang pangangampanya noong 2004 elections.

MARINA wants P1 billion loan

The Maritime Industry Authority through its administrator Ma. Elena Bautista plans to ask President Gloria Arroyo for a P1 billion loan to further improve the local drydocking industry in Cebu, following the decision of Keppel Philippines Marine Inc. to shift from ship repair to shipbuilding.

Congress to OK new agrarian reform law

LEGISLATORS are scheduled to meet today in a bid to iron out a new agrarian reform law that Congress needs to pass before a six-month extension lapses in June.

CentCom will not accept 'rebel leader'

Despite a court order, officials of Central Command yesterday refused to accept alleged New People's Army (NPA) leader Ramon Patriarca into their custody.  CentCom commander Maj. Gen. Armando Cunanan explained they did not accept the request of Cebu Provincial Police director Carmelo Valmoria because they do not yet have a detention cell.

He said they have an agreement with the CPPO that they would put up a detention cell that would be funded by the police office.

According to Cunanan, the present stockade of CentCom is not ready for high-risk detainees like Patriarca because it was built for the personnel of CentCom who violate the rules of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Families of "salvage" victims sue military

The families of two men allegedly salvaged by members of the armed forces last month will file a complaint against the 79th Infantry Battalion before the Commission on Human Rights.

Tomas to resolve bgy. boundary disputes 

CEBU City's barangay captains want to raise concerns of their barangays when they meet Mayor Tomas Osmeña during their assembly today, although they intend to leave out the manifesto endorsing him for vice mayor in 2010.  Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael Rama will address the barangay captains during the quarterly Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) general assembly at the Sugbu Building at the South Road Properties (SRP), which city councilors will also attend.

Councilors hope Osmeña, Rama reconcile

Some Cebu City councilors are hoping that Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael Rama could iron out the issues during the closed-door meeting between them tonight.

Fernandez says city deal with FLI legal

Cebu City administrator Francisco Fernandez reiterated that the city did not violate any law in pushing for the deal with Filinvest Land Inc. for the South Road Properties.

Honorarium for Lupon directors junked

The Cebu City Council committee on laws has rejected the request of the directors of the Liga ng mga Lupong Tagapamayapa for a P1,000 honorarium for each of them.

Probe Jonas: Mandaue City Council

THE Mandaue City Council wants the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate Mayor Jonas Cortes for allegedly hosting a political rally for former president Joseph Estrada, using government funds and with government employees in the audience.

BID officials, staff want Castro out

Alleging that prosecutor Mary Ann Castro pushes her weight around at the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, officials and staff of the bureau yesterday called on the controversial prosecutor to step down as officer-in-charge of BID's Board of Special Inquiry.

16 towns in Eastern Visayas are doctorless 

The Department of Health (DOH) has noted a severe lack of doctors and health officers in 16 municipalities in Eastern Visayas.

President of Pag-IBIG Fund quits post

The president and chief executive officer of Pag-IBIG Fund has quit his post.  Romero F.S. Quimbo resigned because he would run as House representative for Marikina City's second district in the 2010 elections.

Marines, MILF clash in Basilan 

A soldier was reported killed while five others were wounded in a clash with government troops and suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Basilan Thursday.

Marines in ASG clash awarded by military

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday awarded nine members of the Philippine Marines who were wounded in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu on Tuesday. 

AFP inilipat na ang tropa sa Sulu

Hindi "total pullout" kundi 'repositioning ' o paglilipat ng puwesto ng tropa ang ipinatupad ng Armed Forces of the Phi lippines (AFP) upang big yang daan ang negosas yon para sa ligtas na pag papalaya sa tatlong bini  hag na miyembro ng International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sa lalawigan ng Sulu.

IMF: World economy to shrink in 2009 

The world economy is expected to contract in 2009 for the first time in 60 years as advanced economies will shrink sharply, the International Monetary Fund said today.

House debates bill taxing AIG bonuses

Democrats pressed for quick action yesterday on a bill to slap punishing taxes on big employee bonuses from firms bailed out by taxpayers.

Major earthquake off Tonga – USGS

A major 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the Tonga islands region, seismologists said Friday, issuing a tsunami warning for Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

Fritzl sentenced to life in incest case

Josef Fritzl was convicted of homicide, enslavement, incest, rape and other charges Thursday and sentenced to life in a psychiatric prison for holding his daughter captive for 24 years and fathering her seven children.

Cebu City pulls away

Halfway into the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa), the Cebu City Niños are also midway into claiming the overall championship title after accumulating 208 points from 46 gold medals in the high school contest.  In the overall standing, Cebu City is also on top with 302 points from both the elementary and secondary divisions. Host team Dumaguete is at a distant second with 152 total points. Bohol is at third, while Cebu Province is at fourth.

Athletes complain: not enough food

Their need for nutrition compelled the Cebu City athletes to complain about the amount of food they are getting in the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Associaton.

Solar says has settled dues with Pacquiao

Solar Entertainment Corp. said Wednesday that it has fulfilled their part of the contract to Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao as far as payments are concerned, claiming that the fighter's claims on the contrary are baseless.

Solar to sue Pacquiao, ABS-CBN for P150M

Solar Sports will not take it sitting down and said yesterday it will sue Manny Pacquiao and giant television network ABS-CBN for damages that could be worth as much as P150 million.

Pacquiao unfazed by Solar contract row

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said he is not affected by the possibility of him being sued after he chose ABS-CBN to be his new media partner.

Unbeaten Beermen survive Realtors

San Miguel climbed out of a deep hole in the third quarter then leaned on clutch shots by Dondon Hontiveros at the finish as the Beermen subdued the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 98-92, to stay unscathed in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Arena in Pasig last night.

RP launches Olympic quest

A youth-laden Philippine team teeming with talent embarks on a mission to clinch an Olympic berth for the country for the first time in four decades.

City v. concert promoter for unsettled tax

Acting Cebu City attorney Rodolfo Golez threatened to file civil and criminal charges against a concert promoter who reportedly failed to pay his P229,460 amusement tax to the city.  Golez said his office had already sent final demand letter to Ferdinand "Bong" Bantilan, manager of BCB Production with office on the 14th floor of Club Ultima Building, to settle his account.  Bantilan failed to pay the tax from the "Diva 2 Concert" held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino last January 12.

Belo hires lawyer with better looks

Dr. Vicky Belo has dumped her current counsel Raymond Fortun for a better-looking lawyer.

Fortun, Belo's lawyer for the past five years, claimed he has received notice of termination of his services in favor of Adel Tamano, who will serve not only as the dermatologist's counsel but her spokesperson as well.