April 20, 2009 Major News Stories

Tomas mobalik na sa Sugbo

Nagplano nang mouli si Mayor Tomas Osmeña dinhi sa Sugbu human sa malampusong operasyon sa Estados Unidos sa Amerika pagkuha sa iyang pantog nga na-diagnosed nga may kanser.

Two contractors to sue bids body

The two contractors that were disqualified from the bidding for the P17-million worth of armchairs, desks and teacher's tables are suing the members of the Bids and Awards Committee of the Department of Education Cebu Province for maligning their names.  Manuel Guanzon, of JEC Lumber Corporation, in an exclusive interview with The Freeman, said they decided to come out into open with Ramagal Door and Sash Manufacturing represented by Edgar Galang to tell the public about the alleged irregularities committed by the BAC officials.

Guanzon said the accusation made by the BAC officials of false information and poor performance create a bad image of their company.

Magpale refutes accusations of RBCC pres.

Regional Blood Coordinating Council Inc. (RBCC) president and chairwoman Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale refuted the allegations made by Ramon B. Ceniza through a letter addressed to Department of Health Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta dated April 15 regarding their general meeting and election.  Magpale clarified the three issues that Ceniza raised on the issues on the illegality of RBCC's election/general meeting, quorum and the issue of notice of meeting by the RBCC board secretary.

Properties of wealthy due for auction

Acting Cebu City treasurer Renee Empaces said that among the properties that the city would auction next month are those owned by prominent and wealthy families, but with huge delinquent tax payment amounting to millions of pesos.  The local government code allows the auction of the properties of the delinquent taxpayers to satisfy their tax obligations to the government, although the owners are still allowed to redeem their properties within one year period from the date of sale.

One Antonio Jureidini had sent a letter to City Hall requesting to hold in abeyance for a period of one month the sale of the properties of his brother, Alex Jureidini, for failure to pay his real property taxes.

PB to tackle arrests of 'Lacion drivers 

The Provincial Board has summoned traffic enforcers of Liloan and tricycle drivers and operators from the neighboring town of Consolacion to settle an ongoing dispute involving access to a road in Liloan, which has led to arrests of the tricycle drivers.

Inspection of crematoria, funeral parlors 

The Cebu City Council has requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through its Environmental Management Bureau to inspect all crematoria, cemeteries and funeral parlors in the city to find out if they have complied with the proper waste disposal.

P1M nga tambal gikan Taiwan gisakmit

Dul-an usa ka milyon ka pesos nga kantidad sa mga gipayuhot nga tambal gikan sa nasud sa Taiwan ang gisakmit sa Customs sa Mactan inabagan sa Bureau of Food and Drugs-7 sa milabay'ng simana.

Security tightened in Sulu town 

Authorities on Sunday tightened security around Indanan town in Sulu province after the police rescued a Swiss Red Cross hostage from the hands of Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

Negotiations for third hostage pursued

Authorities will resume negotiations on the Sulu hostage crisis even as military pressure on the Abu Sayyaf continues following the "escape" of Swiss national Andreas Notter on Saturday.

Troops rescued Swiss aid worker

"Why did you take me here?" This was Swiss national Andreas Notter's words when he was brought to Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan's house, according to Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who gave an account of Notter's Saturday "rescue" from the bandits.

Gordon: Swiss aid worker walked free

Swiss aid worker Andreas Notter was on the move with his Abu Sayyaf captors Saturday until suddenly, he found himself alone and free.

Notter uuwi na sa Switzerland

Matapos na makalaya sa mga bandidong Abu Sayyaf kamakalawa, nag­pasya agad ang International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC ) worker na si Swiss national An dreas Notter na umuwi sa Switzerland ngayong araw.

3 pang Pinoy seamen dinukot sa Somalia

Sa kabila ng ibina bang kautusan kamaka lawa ng pamahalaan na deployment ban sa mga Pinoy sea men sa Somalia, tatlo na namang Pinoy ang na du kot at naidag­dag sa bilang ng mga hostages kahapon ng madaling-araw.

Biazon, Remonde trade barbs on crash

 Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon on Sunday slammed Press Secretary Cerge Remonde for his overeagerness to defend President Arroyo on questions on the recent crash of the presidential chopper crash which killed eight persons including some of the president's close aides.

Biazon denies linking Arroyo to crash

Senator Rodolfo Biazon said on Sunday he never insinuated that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo might have been responsible for the recent crash of a presidential helicopter in Ifugao that killed eight of her aides.  He said they only sought to find out who ordered the helicopter to fly from Baguio to Ifugao in the afternoon of April 7.

In a phone interview, Biazon said three agencies had direct control of the ill-fated flight—the Presidential Security Group, the Presidential Wing Command under Brigadier General Alfer Tan, and the Presidential Management Staff.

He said these agencies should explain why the chopper was allowed to take off in disregard of two existing policies.

These were the policies concerning tandem flights, or two helicopters flying together, as well as a time-of-day restriction, according to Biazon, who served as Armed Forces chief of staff in the Aquino administration.

Biazon said tandem flights were a "must," especially for long distance flights, and flights in uncertain weather and over difficult terrain, such as mountainous areas and insurgent-affected regions.

Revamp sa Senado isusulong

Nanindigan kahapon si Senate Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel na pa  na­hon na para balasahin ang ethics committee ng Se nado.

Failon's counsel counter police claims

One of the lawyers for Ted Failon today belied the claim of the Quezon City police that the news anchor told members of his household not to speak to investigators about the shooting of his wife Trinidad.

Don't link Palace to Failon "harassment" 

A Malacañang official on Sunday branded as "unfair" the accusation that they are behind the supposed harassment being made against hard-hitting broadcaster Ted Failon by the police.

BOC Cebu posts positive collection for Q1

The first quarter of 2009 posted a positive income collection for the Bureau of Customs-Cebu by over P33,480,067.63 with the Port of Dumaguete posting the highest amount of surplus.

4th fraud rap filed vs. Legacy founder 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) filed last week a fourth case of syndicated estafa or fraud against Celso G. de los Angeles Jr. and five other officers of the Legacy group for the alleged misuse of P70 million intended for one of its rural bank affiliates.

Thailand extends state of emergency 

Authorities on Sunday extended a state of emergency in Thailand's capital, saying efforts to restore security were still incomplete after anti-government rioting last week and a brazen attack on a protest leader.

End to Cuba embargo 'way down the road'

An end to the United States' economic embargo on Cuba is still "way down the road," despite an unprecedented softening of rhetoric between the two countries, President Barack Obama's top economic advisor said.

2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year

South Korea on Sunday accepted North Korea's proposal for talks on a troubled joint industrial complex, setting up the first official dialogue between the two countries in a year amid tensions over the North's recent rocket launch.

50 injured in train collision in Mexico

At least 50 people were injured in a train collision on Saturday night near the Mexico City, local media reported.

Pope marks 4th anniversary of election 

Pope Benedict XVI has thanked Catholics for lots of good wishes for his birthday and the fourth anniversary of his election to the papacy.

GMA opens PRISAA Games Monday

President Arroyo formally opens what promises to be the biggest Private Schools Athletic Association National Games Monday at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace.

Donaire, Viloria crush Mexican foes

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire lived up to his moniker, crushing Raul "Cobra" Martinez in just four rounds while Brian Viloria scored an emotional win knocking out Ulises Solis to snatch the IBF light flyweight crown in their title bout at the Araneta Coliseum.

Donaire to "rumble with the big boys" soon

Top Rank chief Bob Arum said Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. would have to "rumble with the big boys" soon after his sensational defeat of previously unbeaten challenger Raul "El Cobrita" Martinez on Sunday (April 19) at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aces turn back streaking Giants

A very good weekend. That was how Tim Cone summed up the last two playdates of the Alaska Aces, who brought down streaking Purefoods, 80-74, Sunday (April 19) in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Cup contention heading into the All-Star break.

Celtics fall; Cavs, Rockets, Mavs win

Derrick Rose had 36 points and 11 assists in his playoff debut to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics, 105-103, in overtime Saturday.

Kadaugan sa Mactan celebration starts 

LAPU-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza is calling for unity among residents as the city starts today the week-long celebration of Kadaugan sa Mactan.

'Nograles' car plates fake -- House sec-gen

Warning to the public: Special vehicle plates of the House of Representatives bearing Speaker Prospero Nograles' face will not get you a free pass from the highway police or Metro Manila Development Authority personnel because they are bogus.

You Changed My Life now on video

After the phenomenal box-office theatrical run of the second John Lloyd Cruz-Sarah Geronimo (photo) starrer You Changed My Life, the film is now on original DVDs and VCDs.

Bading na pari ok sa CBCP

Maaari umanong mag-pari ang mga "homosexual" o "gay."

PNP still open to gay applicants

Unlike the Catholic Church that is closing its doors to gay priests, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will entertain gay applicants provided they pass the agency's standards.

Solon opposes ROTC revival

Muntinlupa Representative Rozzano Rufino Biazon is opposing plans to revive the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), which has been reviled by most male college students who were forced to undergo rigid military training in their first years in college.

Chip Tsao bibisita sa Pinas

Kinumpirma kahapon ni Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan na maaari nang makapa sok sa bansa si Hong Kong Magazine columnist Chip Tsao matapos hu­mingi ito ng tawad kaug nay sa ka niyang nailat halang ar tikulo na may titulong "The War at Home" na tumukoy sa panlalait sa mga Pinoy noong Marso 27, 2009 at pagbatikos sa iginigiit na claim ng Pilipinas sa Spratlys islands.  Nagpaha yag na ng interes si Tsao na bumi sita sa Pilipinas, nang bumi sita ito sa kon sulada ng Pilipi nas sa Hongkong kasunod ng paghingi ng apology.

'T2' earns P70M in two weeks

 T2 of Star Cinema has already earned at least P70 million in box-office receipts more than a week after it was shown in cinemas nationwide.

Korina introduced to Araneta clan: report

 Sen. Manuel Roxas II has formally introduced fiance Korina Sanchez, chief correspondent of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, to his family, a weekly entertainment show reported Sunday.

Kristine admits Oyo Boy is special

 Despite denying for the nth time that she and Oyo Boy Sotto are in a serious relationship, actress Kristine Hermosa still admitted on Sunday that the actor is definitely in my heart.

Groucho Marx  - "A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five."