June 3, 2009 Major News Stories

DOH releases 2 H1N1 cases; only 1 case remains in Cebu
THE Department of Health (DOH) 7 yesterday released the two confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Cebu, after repeat test swabs showed both patients no longer have the virus.

Improving A(H1N1) statistics cited

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) announced yesterday that 11 of the 21 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) have been discharged and considered negative.

LGUs to DOH: Be transparent on A(H1N1) 

Local government officials have urged the Department of Health (DOH) to be "more transparent" in its reports on A(H1N1) flu cases in the country to allay fears and enable them to mobilize their own resources to curb the spread of the virus.

DepEd enforces "no uniform" policy

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday reiterated its "no uniform" policy and clarified what constitutes "proper school attire" - that is, clothes that encourage respect for the school as an institution for learning.

Cabbies without receipts to face tax evasion 

Taxi drivers will face charges of tax evasion if they fail to issue receipts to passengers as required under a new metering scheme that took effect on Monday.

DoH exec scolded by Roxas 

An official of the Department of Health (DoH) has offered to resign after Senator Manuel Roxas insinuated that the department failed to implement the Cheaper Medicines Law.

Garganera accuses tow owner of fraud

TINAGO, Cebu City Bara-ngay Councilor Joel Garganera yesterday asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) 7 to conduct a tax fraud investigation against Wilfredo Evardome, registered owner of One Stop Towing Services.  He said that Evardome declared gross sales of P238,294.96 in 2008 in his business permit application renewal, submitted to the City Government, which he said could not be true.

Capitol:  CICC steel sourced from Manila 

The steel used by the contractor of the Cebu International Convention Center was sourced from a Manila firm, Grandstand Manufacturing Corp., Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda assured Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Cordova part of Cebu City?  Not soon

Mayor Tomas Osmeña is optimistic that the move to declare Lapu-Lapu City a separate district would pave the way for the Municipality of Cordova to become part of Cebu City but the two Cebu City congressmen believe this might not happen soon.

Cuenco hopes new barangay gets nod 

Cebu City South District Rep. Antonio Cuenco remains positive that his bill seeking to form a new barangay out of sitios Banawa and Englis in barangay Guadalupe will be approved before the end of the 14th Congress.

Koreans want to buy Kawit

A GROUP of Korean investors visited the South Road Properties (SRP) yesterday afternoon and offered to buy the entire four-hectare Kawit Point for a hotel and condominium project.

Mayor wants P231.3M more

CEBU City Government's executive department wants another P231.3 million in additional budget this year to fund the purchase of heavy equipment, road repairs and renovation of the city hospital.

Arroyo allies railroad Senate-less con-ass 

Amid objections from members of both the majority and the minority, the House of Representatives on late Tuesday evening approved a resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly that would amend the 1987 Constitution.  Members of the majority triumphed in a viva voce voting that was done following Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen's approved motion to close debates on House Resolution 1109 even though there were still a number of opposition lawmakers waiting in line to question the measure's sponsors.

You're wasting time on Con-ass

Nag-aaksaya lang ng oras ang mga kongresista! 'Yan ang bira ng mga tutol sa patuloy na pagsusulong ng Kamara sa Cha-cha. Banta ng isang senador---patay sa taong bayan ang mga magpapalusot nito.

Enrile on House move: Exercise in futility

Even if the House of Representatives would be able to approve Tuesday night the resolution calling for a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said such would still be an exercise in futility.

Solon: Cha-Cha can extend Arroyo term

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Satur Ocampo warned that a resolution seeking to convene a constituent assembly, which is expected to be passed at the House of Representatives plenary on Tuesday night, could be used to keep President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other incumbent officials in power beyond 2010.

I was blocked from entering Batasan

ZTE-NBN witness Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. on Tuesday said he was blocked by House security from entering the Batasan Complex in Quezon City to watch the debates on the measure pushing for a constituent assembly.

Smartmatic-TIM wins automation bidding

The Commission on Election's procurement panel said on Tuesday the consortium of Smartmatic International and Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) was the "obvious" winner of the contract to automate the 2010 elections.

Puno: RP's credibility at stake in 2010 

Tiniyak ng Malacañang na hindi totoo ang mga haka-hakang kanselado ang eleksyon sakalit matuloy ang Charter change. Ayon mismo sa isang miyembro ng Gabinete, magiging kahiya-hiya at mawawalan ng kredibilidad ang Pilipinas kapag di natuloy ang halalan. 

Villar pirating Lakas-Kampi members

Malacañang has accused a presidential aspirant of trying to pirate members of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and dared him to instead focus on fixing his problems in the Senate.

Ramos willing to meet Estrada 

Former President Fidel Ramos is willing to meet with former President Joseph Estrada as some members of the former Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) mull jumping ship after the party merged with the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) last week, Ramos' spokesman said.

Erap willing to take Noli into opposition 

Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada on Tuesday expressed willingness to take Vice President Noli de Castro into the arms of the opposition.

Anti-dynasty bill approved

A SENATE committee has approved a measure that bans so-called political dynasties, or relatives holding several elective positions at the same time.

Salonga gets SC nod for High Court

Senior Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Josefina Salonga, known in the judicial circle for her independence and integrity, topped the voting by Supreme Court (SC) justices to fill up posts vacated by retired justices Alicia Austria-Martinez and Dante Tinga. An outsider, businessman Rodolfo Robles, also figured in the top choices of the High Court justices for the two vacancies.

Supreme Court submits 6 names to JBC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday submitted six names for consideration by the Judicial and Bar Council for the two vacancies in the 15-seat high court.

Mancao wants bulletproof vest upon arrival

Former police colonel Cezar Mancao II requested that a bulletproof vest be put on him when he returns to the country later this week for the reinvestigation of the 2000 Dacer-Corbito murders.

Pinay in KSA jumps off building, injured

A Filipino household service worker in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia jumped off a three-story building to escape her employers who accused her of stealing their jewelry.

RP Consulate aids injured OFW in Yanbu 

Assistance is being extended to a Filipina household service worker who jumped off a three-storey building to escape her abusive employers in Yanbu, in western Saudi Arabia.

Debris from Air France plane found

Brazil's Air Force says it has found airplane seats and other debris floating in the Atlantic Ocean along the path that a missing Air France jet was flying.

Obama: NY Republican for Army secretary

President Barack Obama has chosen a Republican congressman to be the new secretary of the Army, adding to the ranks of opposition party figures in his administration.

Peñalosa wants one last fight

After a painful loss to World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez, former world champion Gerry Peñalosa is looking to fight one more time before eventually hanging his gloves.

Halili negative for drugs, says PDEA

Actress Katrina Halili on Tuesday tested negative for illegal drugs, the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said.

Brazilian TV host distances self from Kho

Television host Daiana Menezes has vehemently denied that she was the Brazilian girl in one of Dr. Hayden Kho's sex videos.

PMA: Kho already being 'punished' 

Regardless of whether he will be punished or not by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), controversial doctor Hayden Kho Jr. is already being chastised with loss of trust from his patients.

Geisler slapped with sex complaint

Police filed several charges, including acts of lasciviousness and unjust vexation, against actor Baron Geisler for allegedly sexually harassing actress Yasmien Kurdi, a police official said.

Mar all set to seek blessings of Korina's kin

Senator Manuel Roxas II is set to ask for the hand of his fiancée, broadcaster Korina Sanchez, on Saturday.

Padyak ads, Korina pull up Mar's ratings

Senator Manuel Roxas II's political ads and his televised wedding engagement to ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez pulled him up in the latest Pulse Asia survey, three media campaign analysts told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak in separate interviews.

Judai: I want twins!

Young superstar Judy Ann Santos confessed that she wants to have twins.

'Vanessa': I'm worried for my family

Nag-aalala siya sa kanyang pamilya. Ito ang dahilan ni Vanessa kung bakit hindi niya makayang kasuhan ang US marine na sinasabi niyang nanggahasa sa kaniya.