June 5, 2009 Major News Stories

A(H1N1) cases in RP jump to 29

Seven new cases of swine flu confirmed Thursday brought to 29 the number of people sickened with the virus in the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Filipina from States is latest H1N1 case

A 33-YEAR-OLD Filipina from the United States is the fourth confirmed case of influenza A (H1N1) in Region 7, said regional health officials yesterday.

A(H1N1) cases now 29, including ADB staff 

The number of confirmed A(H1N1) cases in the Philippines rose to 29 after seven more people were confirmed to have contracted the disease, including a staff of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and another De La Salle - Manila student, the Department of Health said Thursday.

RP cautions WHO on pandemic declaration

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday to be "most careful and prudent" before declaring a pandemic alert in view of the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus to 66 countries, including the Philippines.

Officials, church set precautions vs. virus

HEALTH officials are working with religious groups on a checklist of precautions so that churches can keep spreading the Word of God—but not the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Check 3,000 foreign students for flu virus

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has ordered officials of all the 1,726 universities and colleges in the country to meet with their foreign students to see if they have symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus.

CHED all set for opening of classes in higher levels

The Commission on Higher Education said that schools are ready for the opening of classes in both public and private higher education institutions on June 8.

3 city schools are fire hazards

Three public schools in Cebu City were given notices by the Bureau of Fire Protection after its inspection teams found that they have not complied with the fire safety standards.  Abellana National High School, City Central School and Regino Mercado Elementary school had numerous violations that have to be corrected.

Cellphone bawal kumpiskahin ng guro

Binalaan ng Department of Education ang mga guro at principal sa pribado at pampublikong paaralan na bawal mangumpiska ng cellphones ng mga estudyante.

Principal fired for grave misconduct

The Department of Education has finally implemented the order of the Ombudsman dismissing from service a public school principal from Liloan town who was found guilty of an administrative case for grave misconduct.  DepEd implemented the order against Dr. Epitacio Mendoza of the Liloan Central Elementary School.

How Filipino nurses can work in Japan

The details of how Filipino nurses and caregivers who graduated from Philippine schools can work in Japan will be the subject of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the Philippines and Japan are scheduled to sign tomorrow, June 5.

Layoffs down, rehiring up — DoLE

THE LABOR SITUATION appears to have improved, a Cabinet official yesterday said, with almost no retrenchments and more displaced workers being rehired.

American nabbed for keeping 6 kids 

An American national was arrested on Thursday for keeping six minors inside his house on Bantayan Island.

6 bata gi-rescue gikan sa kano

Unom ka mga bata giluwas sa mga polis gikan sa usa ka negosyante nga Amerikano sa sitio Pabrika, barangay Talangan, lungsod sa Madridejos, isla sa Bantayan niadtong Miyerkules tungod sa taho nga gipang-molestiya sa langyaw.

Polis tighikay sa lisensya sa ex-con gisusi

Si Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Chief Supt. Lani-O Neres mimando nga ipasusi sa kampo Crame kun nganong nakahupot og lisensya sa .45 kalibre ang ex-convict nga nalambigit sa pinusilay sa barangay Carreta niadtong milabay'ng gabii.

Vigilante financier

A CHURCH official yesterday said he is willing to tell law enforcement authorities information on a person who funded "vigilantes" in Cebu in recent years.  Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese, said that the person, a businessman, claimed to have paid police officers to kill criminals.

SLI pakyas sa safety requirements

Napakyas gihapon ang Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) pagtuman sa safety requirements nga gi-require sa Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) aron makabalik sa hingpit sa operasyon niini, samtang mo-usa na ka tuig sukad nalunod ang MV Princess of the Stars niadtong Hunyo 21, 2008.

City treasurer palayason

Palayason na ni Mayor Tomas Osmeña ang iyang gikuha nga City Treasurer gikan sa Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF-7) nga si Renee Empaces tungod sa dili maayong performance niini pagdumala sa City Treasurer's Office.

2 offices to explain unclear books

The committee on budget and finance of the City Council wants the office of the city accountant and the general services department to shed light on "unclear reports" in last year's Books of Accounts amounting to over P166 million.

Osmeña to Garganera: Go ahead with your expose

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday encouraged Tinago barangay councilman Joel Garganera to pursue his expose over the tax fraud allegedly committed by the owner of One-Stop Towing Services.

'Charter change could spark People Power'

A "People Power" revolution could be the only recourse left lawmakers succeed in convening a constituent assembly to rewrite the 1987 Constitution, one of those who drafted the Charter, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, said.

Bernas: Con-ass is mere 'trash'

A noted 1987 Constitutionalist has branded the recent passage of House Resolution 1109, which formed the House of Representatives as a constituent assembly (con-ass), as mere "trash.

People power nagbabadya sa con-ass 

Nagbabala kahapon si dating Vice-President Teo fisto Guingona na ma aaring muling su miklab ang pani bagong "People Power" sa pa tuloy na pag pipilit ng Kamara sa Charter Change maka raang ipasa ang constituent assembly (Con-Ass).

Detained general calls on AFP v. con-ass

Former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim called on the military to "do what is right" against what he called as a "brazen" attempt to extend President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term beyond 2010.

Palace belittles anti-Charter change rallies

Malacañang on Thursday shrugged off the threat by civil society and militant groups to mount street protests against the House of Representatives' approval of a resolution convening a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution.

Vidal favors Con-Con; Tom- waste of time

CEBU Archbishop Ri-cardo Cardinal Vidal said he favors holding a constitutional convention (Con-Con) to change the country's Charter, rather than a constituent assembly (Con-Ass).

Senate won't touch Charter change yet

Senators have agreed not to take action on a Charter change resolution which was passed by the House of Representatives, saying there was no need yet to question it before the Supreme Court.

Senators wary of Lozano's Con-ass petition 

The Senate has chosen not to intervene in a fresh petition filed by lawyer Oscar Lozano asking the Supreme Court to nullify the House's resolution for a Senate-less constituent assembly (Con-ass).

Palace gets back at 'Boy Bawang'

Malacañang on Thursday fired back at Senator Mar Roxas for criticizing the administration over the House of Representatives' constituent assembly resolution, sardonically calling him "Boy Bawang."

UNO spokesman quits, joins Villar party

The spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO), Atty. Adel Tamano, has bolted the coalition and joined the Nacionalista Party (NP) as he threw his support for NP President Manuel Villar's presidential bid in 2010.

Comelec awards automation next week

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will likely award the P11.3 billion poll automation contract next week after it received the bid committee recommendation Wednesday, an official said.

Mancao eyed to testify on Kuratong, too

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Thursday said they are studying the possibility of asking former police officer Senior Superintendent Cezar Mancao II to testify in other controversial cases including the alleged "rubout" of Kuratong Baleleng gang members in 1995.

DoJ chief admits new offer from Arroyo

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez confirmed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo offered him another position which is less stressful than his current assignment.

Unexplained killings in RP down 70%

The number of unexplained killings in the country has been reduced by 70 percent, according to a follow-up report by a UN envoy presented at the 11th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Navy whistleblower eyes criminal raps

A Navy lieutenant is considering pursuing criminal charges against her superiors who allegedly misused over P40 million in funds intended for the 2007 Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) joint exercises between Filipino and American soldiers.

Right of Reply might be used for 2010 

Nangangamba ang mga taga-media na ang susunod na paspasan ay ang pagpasa ng right of reply bill lalo na ngayong malapit na ang eleksyon at pwede itong magamit ng mga pulitiko.

Missing boat found, all passengers rescued 

The Philippine Navy today rescued 19 passengers of a motorized boat that went missing two days ago off the eastern Philippine province of Catanduanes.

LPA may trigger flash floods, landslides 

State weather forecasters on Thursday warned that a low pressure area (LPA) spotted in Luzon is expected to bring rains that may trigger landslides and flashfloods in the country.

Magna Carta for homeowners, associations

The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to provide rights and duties to homeowners and lay down guidelines on the operations of homeowners associations.

Flour output seen to drop 5% this year

Flour production is expected to drop by another five percent this year after decreasing by 22 percent in 2008, an industry player said yesterday.

Arroyo-Medvedev meet to discuss trade 

THE PHILIPPINES and Russia will discuss ways to improve trade and investments as well as defense and energy cooperation during a bilateral meeting between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Russia Federation President Dmitry Medvedev today.

Obama calls for new beginning 

President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" Thursday and said together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East.

Brazil recovers first Air France debris

A Brazilian helicopter crew recovered the first wreckage from Air France Flight 447 yesterday, fishing a structural support piece about eight feet (2.5 meters) long from the ocean.

No survivors in Air France jet crash

Air France has told families of passengers on Flight 447 that the jetliner broke apart and they must abandon hope that anyone survived, a grief counselor said on Thursday as military aircraft tried to narrow their search for the remains of the plane.

Banal in Mayweather-Marquez undercard

Filipino boxing fans will not only anticipate the much-awaited return of Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Jr. to the ring when he faces off with Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez on July 18 in Las Vegas but they are also expected to root for their countryman AJ Banal, who is featured in the "Numero Uno/Number One" undercard.

Boom Boom on the mend, vows return

WBO Intercontinental superbantamweight champion Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is still recuperating from surgery to repair a fractured left wrist but ALA Gym owner Tony Aldeguer said yesterday he expects the hard-hitting brawler to return to the ring before the year ends.

Arum says no deal yet on Pacquiao-Mosley 

Sugar Shane Mosley was quick to pounce on Manny Pacquiao"s public expression of interest in taking up his challenge, announcing through a press release that negotiations for their megafight are already underway. But Pacquiao"s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank was as fast in pulling the plug on the Mosley missive, saying nothing"s final yet on Pacquiao next foe.

Pacquiao makes it to Forbes" Celebrity 100 

How does Manny Pacquiao stack up against powerful actors, models, athletes, authors and musicians? He's the 57th most powerful, according to the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, which was topped this year by popular and influential actress Angelina Jolie.

Kho's ex-pal denies uploading sex videos

The businessman who allegedly uploaded the videos of Dr. Hayden Kho Jr. having sex with different women went to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters Thursday to deny the accusations against him.

'Vicki has master copy of sex videos'

Walang ibang may hawak ng master copy ng mga sex video ni Hayden Kho kundi si Doktora Vicki Belo. Ito ang idiniin ngayon ni Eric Chua sa eksklusibong pagharap n'ya sa ABS-CBN News! 

Palace pays respect to "Boy Bawang"

For distributing bawang (garlic) to his colleagues last Wednesday so that they could ward off "con-asswang," Senator Manuel Roxas II has earned for himself a new moniker: "Boy Bawang."

Charice leaves Italians breathless

International singing sensation Charice has guested in one of Italy's top rating shows, belting out at least five songs that left the audience breathless.

Giselle Sanchez welcomes baby boy

Actress-comedienne Giselle Sanchez gave birth to a healthy baby boy Thursday.

Jonas Brothers' mother's virgin prayers

The Jonas Brothers' mother "prays" they stay virgins until they're married. Denise Jonas - whose singing sons Nick, Joe and Kevin wear chastity rings - hopes her boys won't succumb to temptations of the flesh, but vows she "won't hate them" if they do.

David Carradine found dead in Bangkok

Actor David Carradine, star of the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu" who also had a wide-ranging career in the movies, has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

Husband arranged wife's rape online

A man used the online advertising service Craigslist to enlist another man to rape his wife in the couple's home, police said Wednesday.

Solar halo: Good or bad omen?

Many people rushed outside their houses yesterday when they heard about the appearance of a "rainbow" around the sun.