August 11, 2009 Major News Stories

Gasoline prices up by P2/L Tuesday

The price of gasoline is set to go up by as much as P2 per liter effective Tuesday, oil players announced on Monday.

At 12:01 a.m., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. is also expected to increase the prices of diesel and kerosene by as much as P1.50 per liter to "reflect the increase in international product prices," said vice president for communications Roberto Kanapi.

The same price adjustments will be implemented by Petron Corp. and Chevron Corp. at 6 a.m. Tuesday, said Petron spokesperson Virginia Ruivivar and Chevron communication manager Toby Nebrida.

'Stop Big 3 from raising oil prices'

The Social Justice Society (SJS) has asked the Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 26 to stop the so-called "Big 3" major oil players Chevron Philippines Inc., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Petron Corp. from making another increase in oil prices.

Tamiflu should not be given to children

Children with seasonal flu should not be given antivirals such as Tamiflu because harmful side effects outweigh relatively meager benefits, according to a study released Monday.

In some children Tamiflu caused nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and other complications, researchers reported.

The study did not cover the current outbreak of swine flu, but its conclusions suggest that antivirals may not significantly reduce the length of illness or prevent complications in children infected with the new A(H1N1) virus, the researchers said.

City targets 50 companies

EVEN as the court-assisted mediation continues, Cebu City Hall will start to levy the properties of around 50 business establishments with unpaid business and real property taxes, including the proprietary schools and hospitals that sued the City.

Prankster disrupts classes at UC

MORNING classes of the University of Cebu Banilad Campus were suspended yesterday after they received a call about a bomb reportedly planted in the school.

Tom: Nothing shady about SRP deal

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he is always prepared to explain to the public all about the financial transactions entered into by the city regarding the construction and the sale of lots at the South Road Properties, formerly the South Reclamation Project.

Only 5 of 25 hectares of Balili are dry land

A GEODETIC engineer confirmed to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña that only five hectares of the 25-hectare Balili property that Capitol bought are dry land, based on a detailed survey done four years ago.

P328M budget approved without questions

WITHOUT questions and amendments, the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) yesterday approved the executive department's proposed 2009 first supplemental budget of P328 million.

Capitol denies Gwen's Tuburan alliance

CAPITOL's "coordination and respect" for the elected officials of Tuburan are purely for the delivery of efficient basic services, Capitol Consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda said yesterday.

Baquerfo demotes heads allied w/ Granada

At least six department heads of former Tudela Mayor Demetrio Granada were demoted to lower positions following the assumption of Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo.

Officer accused of abusing his wards

A Mandaue city social welfare officer assigned to handle rape victims is being investigated for allegedly molesting his wards inside the City Social Services in Barangay Centro.  Mandaue City Prosecutor Glynda Lupian recommended the filing of three counts of acts of lasciviousness in relation to child abuse against Apolinario Bacolod Jr., 53, for touching the private parts of two 16-year-old rape victims.

City doubles incentives for senior citizens

Here's good news for the senior citizens who are registered voters and residents of Cebu City.  Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday announced that the city will grant each of the senior citizens an additional P2,000 cash incentive, bringing their annual incentive from the Cebu City government to a total of P4,000.

Econg to handle Punta robbery case

After their petition asking for the court to declare their arrest invalid got denied, the suspects implicated in the robbery of a jewelry dealer in barangay Punta Princesa will again face Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Geraldine Faith Econg as the case has been raffled off to her sala.

Palace offers no apologies for P1M dinner

Sorry, but no sorry. Malacanang refused to apologize for the purportedly extravagant dinner President Macapagal-Arroyo and her delegation had recently at a French restaurant in New York.

"If the dinner was really ostentatious, then there has to be an apology, but it wasn't ostentatious and I stand by that," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a media briefing.

Explain lavish dinner, Romualdez urged

Colleagues of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives have asked him to confirm if he really paid for the dinner of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her entourage on August 2 in the posh Le Cirque restaurant in New York City and to tell the public how much he spent for it.

Romualdez, who is also a banker, is the second richest member of the chamber with P477,205,715.59 in assets, according to his 2008 statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.

It's up to Leyte solon to clarify NY dinner

Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo could not explain the silence of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez over the latter's supposed spending of P1 million for a dinner he hosted for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her party in New York last week.

An aide of Congressman Romualdez, lawyer Nick Esmale, said Daniel, the representative's brother who works as an architect in New York, paid for the dinner.

NY dinner could have fed 18,000 Filipinos

The outrageous $20,000 dinner tab reportedly racked up by President Arroyo and her entourage in New York City could have fed around 18,000 Filipinos for a day, the United Opposition said.

What's wrong w/ eating in a hotdog stand?

Representative Teodoro Casino of Bayan Muna party list posed this question to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who defended the P1-million dinner at the posh Le Cirque restaurant in New York City by saying that the President can't be expected to eat in a hotdog stand.

Arroyo denies manipulating SALN

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday vehemently denied manipulating her statement of assets and liabilities and net worth.

P45M on road to lot Arroyo sold for P42M

An unkempt lot located in a remote community in Bulacan could explain the sudden increase in President Arroyo"s net worth from 2007 to 2008, but in a way Malacañang is not telling the public. Part two of an investigation of the Arroyo family's wealth.

Son denies Danding Cojuangco has cancer

The son of business tycoon and San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco has denied rumors that his father is ill.

Representative Mark Cojuangco (Pangasinan, 5th district) said rumors of his father diagnosed with cancer or that he has been ill are not true.

The rumors first circulated months ago and then resurfaced when Cojuangco was not seen or heard from during the wake of his cousin, former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

His children, Mark Cojuangco and Lisa Cojuangco-Cruz, and brother Henry had gone to the wake to condole with the family of former President Aquino.

The congressman said his father was unable to go to the wake because he left for the United States for his annual check-up a week before the former president died.

The schedule for the checkup had been made long before President Aquino's demise, he added. He said his mother Gretchen accompanied his father to the United States.

Negros solons want Cory as 'national hero'

Four out of seven Negros Occidental and Bacolod congressmen are supporting moves to declare the late former President Corazon Aquino a national hero.

Cory Aquino inspired world, says Thai FM

The Philippines has led the way for the rest of the world to adopt participatory democracy, the idea that development should be based on a concept of expanded democratic rights, according to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

New school named after Cory

A newly constructed three-story high school building in Baseco in Intramuros was named in honor of the late President Corazon Aquino.

Bill renames Edsa to Cory Avenue

Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II has deferred the filing of a bill, renaming Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) to Cory Aquino Avenue, noting road's historical implications.

PNP: Guinness entry for Cory honor guard

After getting a promotion, the lone policeman in the presidential cortege of the late former President Corazon Aquino is getting more blessings.

On Monday, newly-promoted Police Officer 2 Danilo Malab Jr. was awarded P10,000 in cash by the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association Inc. (PSSLAI).

Aside from the P10,000 cash, Malab was also granted membership to PSSLAI, as well as a new.45 caliber pistol.

The PNP is also eyeing Malab's inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records for enduring the almost nine-hour funeral procession and standing snappily amidst heavy rains.

Malab is also set to appear in local television game show Singing Bee where, along with other members of the honor guards.

He was also granted health benefits as well as the Medalya ng Kasanayan (PNP Efficiency Medal), awarded during the flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame.

His valiant effort also did not go unnoticed by private individuals.

Malab is also set to be awarded by the Philippine Airlines and business tycoon Lucio Tan, according to Espina.

Sen Aquino not ruling out joining 2010 race

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III did not rule out the possibility of running for president or vice president next year although at this point, he said he is more inclined "not to seek" a higher office.

Outpouring of sympathy only for Cory

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the outpouring of sympathy and support for the late President Corazon Aquino was "solely personal to her" and could not be rubbed off to political parties or personalities.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD sees sweep in 2010

Having 70 percent of the more than 11,000 elected officials in the country in its fold, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD is confident of victory in the 2010 national and local elections, according to Gabriel Claudio, President Macapagal-Arroyo's adviser for political affairs.

Comelec junks P1.21-B biometrics bid

The Commission on Elections "post-disqualified" a bidder for the P1.6 billion project that would be used to purge its computerized voters' list or CVL, a spokesperson said.

Senate summons execs with ads

National and local government officials who appeared in government-funded information commercials (infomercials) will be summoned to the Senate to explain the legal basis of allegedly using public funds to advertise themselves.

Civilians held hostage by Davao rebels

Four civilians, including a child and a soldier, were abducted and held hostage by suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Davao del Norte, a military spokesman said Monday.

Steel importer cites JPEPA to avoid taxes

Importers and brokers have resorted to using a controversial trade agreement between the Philippines and Japan to avoid paying the correct amount of taxes to the government, a ranking customs official said on Monday.

51 killed in wave of Iraq attacks

Two truck bombs targeting a tiny sect in a village in northern Iraq and a spate of bloody attacks across the country killed at least 51 people on Monday and wounded more than 250.

AFP deploys more troops to Haiti, Liberia

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is sending off a fresh batch of peacekeepers to help in the nation-building efforts in strife-torn Haiti and Liberia.

Miller's triple lifts RP to victory over Taipei

Willie Miller buried a booming three-pointer in the waning seconds that clinched Powerade-Team Pilipinas" 77-70 thrilling win over Chinese-Taipei in the 25th FIBA-Asia men"s basketball championship Monday in Tianjin, China.

Vietnam's athletes' homes in Laos SEAG

Just like Thailand, Vietnam has a built-in advantage in the Southeast Asian Games.

RP chef de mission Mario Tanchangco said Vietnam has made a rewarding investment by constructing the residences, which will house the estimated 4,000-plus athletes set to participate in the December 9-18 meet in Laos.

Internet reports have it that Vietnam coughed up $19 million, of which $4 million was provided as a grant, while the rest was alloted as a long-term loan.

Upon completion, Tanchangco said the residential project, which will also billet sports officials and delegations of the 11 participating nations, will be able to accommodate over 4,000 athletes, who will compete in 25 sports.

Thailand, on the other hand, is upgrading the existing stadium in Vientianne as venues for soccer and track and field. That's apart from the boxing gym filled with equipment the Thais have been putting up for Laos.

Willie on leave 'indefinitely'

Willie Revillame is on leave "indefinitely" in the wake of the controversy generated by his order to cut the simultaneous live broadcast of the procession of President Corazon Aquino's remains from his noontime show last August 3.

Kris to Willie: Apology accepted

The Aquino family has forgiven television host Willie Revillame for objecting on air to the insertion of a video of former President Corazon Aquino"s cortege on his noontime show, "Wowowee."

Kris Aquino prefers third baby over politics

Television personality Kris Aquino on Monday said she prefers to have another baby than run for an elective post.

Vilma plays title role in Cory filmbio

Already immortalized in many different ways, including by Time magazine which features her again on the cover of its latest issue (the same magazine named her Woman of the Year in 1986), the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino will be the subject of a filmbio to be produced by Star Cinema, with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos being eyed to portray the Icon of Democracy. Perfect casting!

Filipina leads role in German musical

Filipina Leah Delos Santos is playing the female lead role "Maria" in the German Production of the popular musical "West Side Story" from Frank Thannhäuser and Nico Rabenald to be directed by Matthias Davids.

Laguna artists question Palace awardees

Even artists from the provinces were "shocked and outraged" over the selection of this year's National Artist Awards, following reports that the honorees were handpicked by Malacañang.

'G.I. Joe' captures box office top spot

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," a movie adaptation of the popular toy franchise, stormed its way to the top of the North American box office on Sunday, according to initial weekend figures.

'Mark Lester did not father Jackson's kids'

Sources "very close" to Michael Jackson's family on Sunday denied claims by former British child acting star Mark Lester that he could be the biological father of the singer's daughter Paris, People magazine reported.

'Too much combing leads to hair loss'

Put that comb back in your handbag -- a study by an Israeli dermatologist has found that too much combing of the coiffure leads to hair loss, the daily Haaretz reported on Monday.

Stephen Leacock  - "I detest life-insurance agents: they always argue that I shall some day die, which is not so."