August 13, 2009 Major News Stories

More groups to seek P1 hike in PUJ fare

There will be a unified petition for a P1 increase in the minimum fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJ) in Central Visayas, which will be filed tomorrow at the regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board.

Solon chides big oil firms over price hike

The recent rise in the world market prices of oil should not be the cause of the current increased prices of petroleum products, as these were bought at a lower price a month ago, according to Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay.

Telco says it earns only P0.02 per text

A leading mobile phone provider Tuesday told Congress that telecommunication firms actually earned only two centavos from each of the 2 billion text messages Filipinos send every day.  Globe Telecom senior vice president Rogelio Salalima said the average cost of a text message was only 23 centavos (including promotions and bundled pricing), which left telecommunication firms with only two centavos profit.

Probe vs Legacy chief continues

The preliminary investigation against Legacy head Celso Delos Angeles and several others in connection with the syndicated estafa (fraud) filed by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will push through.

Ombudsman expands probe over Balili lot

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas will be expanding its ongoing fact-finding investigation into the controversial purchase of a close to P99 million property in Naga City by the provincial government.

Capitol asks for survey results

CONSULTANT Rory Jon Sepulveda invited to the Capitol an engineer who said that his survey of a 25-hectare property purchased by the Provincial Government in Tinaan, Naga showed that most of it is underwater.

City willing to pay for submerged lot

Mayor Tomas Osmena is willing to pay P13 million to businessman Roque Ting for his close to half-hectare lot that was affected by the South Reclamation Project even if the property used to be submerged because he is afraid that the cost may escalate to P60 million if they decide to bring the issue before the Supreme Court.

Lack of funds hinders hearing in Cebu

The Committee on Good Government of the House of Representatives is going to hold a congressional inquiry into the contract entered into by the Cebu City Government and Filinvest land Inc. for 50.6 hectares of the South Road Properties (SRP).

Cebu City tops number of dengue cases

CEBU City topped four other towns and cities in Region 7 with more dengue cases and deaths compared to last year, according to health officials yesterday.  2,436 cases were tallied all over the region, which is higher than last year.

There were 2,275 cases recorded.

However, the 24 deaths this year were lower compared to the 70 last year.

Tom wants probe of CCMC doctors

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants the Cebu City Medical Center investigated after the deaths of three more children due to dengue over the past week.

Castro to pay back 3 months salary

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro to pay back three months worth of salary she still received despite being preventively suspended in 2005.

Stop Carlo's pay

THE Commission on Audit (COA) ordered the Mandaue City Government to withhold the salary of Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and use it to settle a disallowed cash advance of P170,828.

Arroyo lawyer lashes back at media

The lawyer of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lambasted the media for questioning the morality of her purportedly lavish dinner at a French restaurant in New York recently.

About 50,000 detainees to vote in 2010

About 50,000 detainees nationwide will vote in the 2010 national and local elections, said an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Villar modus bared in Senate probe

A "modus operandi" that allegedly multiplied the profits by companies owned by Senator Manny Villar and wife Las Pinas Representative Cynthia Villar has been exposed at the resumption of the Senate investigation into the alleged anomalous construction of the C-5 road project in Paranaque.

Villar on Madrigal claims: 'Pure lies'

Embattled Senator Manuel Villar lashed back at Senator Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, saying her allegations of graft were all lies meant to prop up her 2010 presidential bid.

Villafuerte: Escudero for president

A staunch supporter of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former president of her political party, the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), has pledged support to the bid of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero for the presidency in 2010.

No Palace pressure on recount – Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) was not pressured by Malacanang to hold a recount of votes between Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio and rival Lilia Pineda, an official said Wednesday.

Comelec: CCTV cams to monitor recount

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) might set up closed circuit TV cameras (CCTV) in its headquarters in Intramuros to allow the public to monitor the revision of votes of the 2007 Pampanga gubernatorial race.

PNP lauds new law on education

The Philippine National Police (PNP) welcomed a new law that extends the reglementary period granted to policemen in complying with minimum educational requirements of the national police force.

300 Filipinos working aboard US warship

The USS George Washington -- considered the world's largest warship of its class and which docked at Manila on Tuesday for its humanitarian mission -- is home to roughly 300 Filipinos who help more than 5,000 American sailors operate the mighty aircraft carrier.

Corpus is Palace's veterans affairs rep

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed retired General Victor Corpus as special presidential representative of the Head Office of the Veterans Affairs, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Wednesday.

Suu Kyi to challenge verdict

Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her American co-defendant are to appeal against their convictions, lawyers said Wednesday as the ruling junta faced a global wave of anger over her extended detention.

Obama slams verdict but UN divided

US President Barack Obama led a global wave of outrage at Aung San Suu Kyi's extended detention but the UN Security Council broke up an emergency meeting with no condemnation of military-run Myanmar.

Costa Rican president contracts swine flu

Costa Rica's President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and mediator of the Honduran political crisis, has contracted swine flu, the government said Tuesday.

Roach: I'll train Manny not to get hit

The world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Manny Pacquiao, is set to embark on an arduous training for his November 14 fight against Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

FIBA: RP 5 beats Kuwait, 85-71

Powerade-Team Pilipinas coasted past Kuwait, 85-71, to notch its fourth win the Fiba-Asia qualifying tournament in Tianjin, China.

Aquino stingy with details on girlfriend

Yes, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has a girlfriend. She is a councilor in Valenzuela City. No, he did not think she was planning to run for Congress.  The senator's girlfriend as 29-year-old Councilor Shalani Soledad, a pretty and unassuming political leader in Valenzuela City.  Aquino has been previously linked to a stewardess, a staff member of Senator Francis Pangilinan and two actresses.  Aquino is also known to have dated news anchors Korina Sanchez (now engaged to Senator Mar Roxas) and Bernadette Sembrano.

Vilma Santos' plea: Be kinder to Ralph

Actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto hopes the Filipino voters will be kinder this time to her husband, Ralph Recto, and elect him senator in the May 2010 election.

Mayon gas emission more than double

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded Tuesday the highest volume of gas emission from Mayon Volcano at 2,153 tons per day since the alert level was raised on July 3.