April 24, 2009 Major News Stories

Palace: Don't overprice school supplies

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday asked businessmen not to overprice school materials when classes open in June.

Revilla backs lowering text fee to P0.50

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has expressed support to a proposal in the House of Representatives to reduce the cost of short messaging system (SMS) or text messaging to P0.50 per message sent from P1.00.

OFWs cautioned against text scams

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned Overseas Filipino Workers not to entertain suspicious text messages informing them that they have won raffle prizes.

Groups slam commission in lieu of raise

Labor party Partido ng Manggagawa is opposing the proposal of the Makati Business Club to give commissions instead of salary increases to workers in these times of economic difficulty.

Philippine Army bares recruitment

The Philippine Army has announced the immediate recruitment for the Officer Candidate Course.  The Philippine Army is inviting those who passed the pre-entry written examination for the course for interview scheduled in the first week of May.

Aside from those who already have taken the exam, interested applicants could still register at ARC-Visayas Office, Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City.

The examination will be conducted at 8 a.m. on April 28. Walk-in applicants will also be accommodated.

According to the Philippine Army, an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree or a graduate of any four or five-year course, and must be single or without any dependents.

The applicant must be 21 to 24 years old. A male applicant must be at least 5'4" in height while female applicant must be at least 5'0."

Requirements are school credentials, birth certificate from the National Statistics Office or from the civil registrar, and a valid identification card.

Oil ticks up towards $49

Oil rose towards $49 a barrel on Thursday after better-than-expected results from Credit Suisse brightened the outlook for the financial sector despite further signs of weakening oil demand and high inventories.

No budget for LPG-powered jeep project 

There is still no budget allocated for the government's project to develop LPG-powered jeepneys, an official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said today.

8 of 10 cancer-stricken children die daily 

Eight out of ten cancer-stricken children in the country die every day because their families could not afford medicines, Senator Pilar Juliana Cayetano said Thursday.

WB: RP population to top 100 M in 2015

The World Bank has predicted that the Philippines will have the highest population growth rate in the Southeast Asian region.

Sambag 1 way kalapasan

Walay nakitang kalapasan ang Department of Interior and Local Government sa pagpaabang sa sakyanan sa gobiyerno sa barangay Sambag Uno nga nahagbong niadtong Miyerkules sa buntag diha sa sitio Maaslom, barangay Busay nga mikalas og duha ka kinabuhi lakip na ang 8 anyos nga batang lalaki ug niangol sa kapin 40 ka mga sakop sa Legion of Mary.

PJ, Gwen giawhag ni Mike: Buhat di lalis

Gisugyot ni acting Mayor Michael Rama sa siyudad sa Sugbo ngadto kang Kongresista Pablo John Garcia ug Gobernadora Gwendolyn Garcia nga atimanon na lang ang ilang mga gimbuhaton ug dili magsige og panghagit kaniya.

Tomas to PJ Debate useless, go to court

Cebu City Mayor on leave Tomas Osmeña will not accept the challenge of Rep. Pablo John Garcia to a debate, but is willing to face a House inquiry into the joint venture project of the city and Filinvest Land Inc. at the South Road Properties.

Loot couple in graft raps

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the prosecution of two Cebu public officials, finding an "unexplained increase in their assets."  Daanbantayan Vice Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot and her husband, Police Senior Supt. Vicente Loot, allegedly violated the anti-graft law and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, and falsified public documents.  The Loot spouses had a total taxable income of P611,214 in 2005, P612,548 in 2006 and P604,680 in 2007.

The figures were based on their tax returns and took into account their salaries and income from their businesses—the Gallera de Mandaue, a cockpit; Eigado Mini Mart; Eigado Lending Investors; the Mandaue Sabungan Canteen; and the Eigado Real Estate Lessor.

Meanwhile, in the joint Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) that the Loots submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for 2005, 2006 and 2007, the spouses declared their net worth as P83,075,143 for 2005, P87,645,800 in 2006 and P106,701,628 in 2007.

The NBI letter-complaint cited the sharp increase in the Loot couple's net worth between 2005 and 2006 (about P4.5 million) and between 2006 and 2007 (P19.05 million).

"How could there be an increase in the amount of P4,570,657 in the year 2006 if the only taxable income earned during that year was only P612,548 (based on the annual tax returns)?" Bessat said in his letter.

Bessat said the spouses attributed the 2007 increase—about P19 million—to their construction of houses within Mandaue City's Mango Green Village, worth P12,272,000, and the acquisition of a Quezon City condominium worth P4.9 million.

They indicated that the value of the Mandaue City property supposedly increased by P23,772,000 from the original P12.2 million, said Bessat.

The couple also indicated that they made additional investments amounting to P6,485,728.

Still, Bessat said, the increase "could not justify or explain the abrupt increase in income."

Mananagat nahilo sa butete

Patay ang mananagat human nahilo sa isdang butete nga kuha sa pagpanagat sa sitio Lahug barangay Antipolo lungsod sa Medillen niadtong Martes sa alas 3 sa hapon.  Ang namatay sa Verallo District Hospital sa siyudad sa Bogo mao si Lino Palonpon Miro, 27.

Nicole's ma will not appeal Smith acquittal

Susan Nicolas, whose daughter accused a US serviceman of rape last 2005, said she was saddened after hearing reports of the Court of Appeals (CA) decision which overturned the guilty verdict of a lower court in the rape case.

Activists 'outraged' over Smith acquittal

The Court of Appeals (CA) acquittal on Thursday of US marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith of raping a Filipina back in 2005 has sparked outrage among several activist groups, despite some of them admitting they already expected the decision.

Palace, US hand seen in Smith acquittal

Militants said the Court of Appeals decision to acquit American marine Daniel Smith of rape was due to the maneuverings of Malacañang and the United States government.

Indignation protest over Smith's acquittal

Militants are set to hold an "indignation protest" Friday to show their outrage over the acquittal of convicted rapist US Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith by the Court of Appeals.

Senators call for abrogation of VFA

Senators called for the immediate termination of the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement following the acquittal of convicted rapist Lance Corporal Daniel Smith by the Court of Appeals.

Palace defends FG sister joining Congress

Malacañang defended the younger sister of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, Ma. Lourdes Tuazon Arroyo, from criticism that she would be the fourth in the Arroyo family to join the House of Representatives.

CHR dismayed by Palparan in Congress

The chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday expressed her dismay on the likely ascent of retired Army general Jovito Palparan to the House of Representatives as a party-list congressman.

'Left' has no business in Congress 

Controversial ex-Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan on Thursday dismissed the campaign to bar him from becoming a member of the House of Representatives.

Comelec to proclaim party-list reps Friday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will proclaim the additional party-list representatives Friday, officials said Thursday.

House leaders clash on Charter change

Administration stalwarts in the House of Representatives were expected to slug it out in plenary next week when debates resume on which resolution on Charter change should be tackled first.

CBCP firm vs. Charter change before polls

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has reiterated its objection to any attempt to amend the Constitution before the 2010 national elections.

Manila mayor seeks custody of Lozada

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim asked a Manila court yesterday to place ZTE scam whistle-blower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada in his custody.

Blue ribbon report on ZTE mess out May

The Senate committee that investigated the alleged irregularities surrounding the government"s national broadband network (NBN) deal with a Chinese firm is likely to release its report next month.

Police officer 'crucial' to Failon probe

A police officer from the Quezon City Police District went to see Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez last Sunday to talk about his "findings and conclusions" on the reported suicide of Trina Etong, wife of ABS-CBN news anchor Ted Failon.  "This fellow described what seemed to be the conversation between (Ted) Failon and one specific house help," Gonzalez said without elaborating.

The police officer holds the rank of senior inspector, according to Gonzalez.

NBI inspection of Failon home set

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was allowed access to the Failon home on the condition that members of the media would be barred from stepping foot on the house at Tierra Pura Homes in Quezon City.

Vagni worker still with Abu Sayyaf--military

Italian Eugenio Vagni is still in the hands of his captors, according to the military.

Troops move vs Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

Authorities have launched an operation against Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu amid uncertainty over the fate of the remaining Red Cross hostage, Italian Eugenio Vagni.

Govt offers P500K for Vagni's location 

Still pressed on rescuing abducted aid worker Eugenio Vagni, the government on Thursday finally offered P500,000 to anyone who could give information on the whereabouts of the Italian.

Very costly doing business in RP - WB 

Despite efforts to simplify business processes in the country, the cost of doing business in the Philippines is one of the highest in Southeast Asia and very little protection is given to investors.

Iraq: Top insurgent captured, bombs kill 69

Iraqi security officials said they captured one of the most wanted leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked Sunni insurgency yesterday, an arrest that could deliver a significant blow to an intensified campaign of attacks. Two separate suicide bombings killed at least 69 people.

Sri Lanka seeks global aid for displaced

Sri Lanka pleaded for international help after Doctors Without Borders warned that civilian casualties are rising rapidly in the country's war zone despite the exodus of more than 100,000 people.

PRISAA: Region 7 pads gold medal to 22

Central Visayas maintained a good showing in all ball games as it now has 22 golds, 19 silvers, and 21 bronzes in a modified medal count in the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games in Naga City.

Banal, Amonsot face African foes in Cebu 

ALA Stable mainstays AJ "Bazooka" Banal and Czar Amonsot will clash with dangerous African foes in their comeback fights in Cebu headlining the surefire explosive "Tuloy Ang Pagsubok (The Challenge Continues)" card co-presented by ALA Promotions and television giant ABS-CBN on May 16 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Pacman skips training, Roach says it's OK

Manny Pacquiao skipped another beat in training Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym here barely 10 days before his anticipated showdown with Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao to demolish Hatton, says Moorer

Two-time world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer was straight to the point. Manny Pacquiao will demolish Ricky Hatton in their upcoming title fight.

Roach off to Puerto Rico, to assist Peñalosa 

Freddie Roach leaves for Puerto Rico Thursday night to be at the corner of Filipino Gerry Peñalosa as he takes on unbeaten Juan Manuel Lopez in a 12-round bout pitting two World Boxing Organization (WBO) champions at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Roxas chopper makes emergency landing

A five-seater chopper carrying Sen. Mar Roxas was forced to make an emergency landing at a ricefield in Pampanga, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's bailiwick, due to bad weather, on Thursday morning.

Spain's Princess Cristina moving to US

Spain's Royal Palace says Princess Cristina and her family are moving to Washington, DC, because her husband has accepted a job there with telecommunications company Telefonica.