September 3, 2009 Major News Stories

"Filipino workers assured of more jobs in Guam"

Guamanian officials said Wednesday that the projected 15,000 to 20,000 job openings there will still be up for grabs - preferably to Filipinos - come 2010, notwithstanding an American lawmaker"s proposal to cut down the number of foreign workers in the US territory.

OWWA to put up hospitals for OFWs

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said Wednesday that it is already taking steps to create hospitals and hospital wings that would specifically cater to the medical needs of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents.

Illegal recruiter falls during entrapment

Waterfront police operatives arrested an illegal recruiter in an entrapment operation inside a church in Cebu City around 1 p.m. yesterday.

Suspected illegal recruiter Rosita Tumaodos, 50, a resident of Oslob, Cebu, was arrested inside Sto. Rosario Church along P. Del Rosario Street after receiving the marked money amounting to P3,500 from her victims.

Angelita Roda, 27, of Dapitan, Zamboanga and Ellen Ongue, 25, of Bohol, complained to Waterfront Police Station after their flight to Kuwait did not materialize despite giving initial down- payments to Tumaodos.

The complainants said that they already resigned from their respective works as sales clerks following assurance from Tumaodos that they will be leaving soon for Kuwait to work there as salesclerk and cashiers.

Roda has already paid P8,700 to the suspect while Onque gave an amount of P9,700.

Gwen faces media, talks on purchase of Balili lot

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday gave a detailed report to selected members of the media about what transpired regarding the controversial purchase of the Balili property in barangay Tinaan, Naga City.

Gwen to hold on to Balili lots

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia stood pat on her decision to keep part of the Balili resort property, saying it is a "strategic" choice that will enable the Province to set up a port and industrial estate.

Ombudsman, DENR team resurvey Balili lot

A joint team of the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday started the relocation and reconnaissance surveys of the controversial Balili property that the provincial government bought in Tinaan, Naga.

Council exempts 93-1 occupants from paying transfer tax to city

The City Council yesterday approved the resolution of barangay Luz to exempt over 100 beneficiaries of the province owned 93-1 lots from paying transfer tax to the city.

City approves payment for residents affected by bridge

The Cebu City Council yesterday authorized the final payment to the families affected by the opening of a road and bridge linking barangays Guadalupe and Kalunasan to make the travel time shorter for those motorists who wish to proceed to Guadalupe from Lahug, and vice versa.

Council orders probe into missing incinerator parts

The Cebu City Council yesterday ordered an investigation into reports that some vital parts of the P10-million unused incinerator at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill are now "missing."

Undecided Aquino to seek 'divine guidance'

(UPDATE 2) Senator Benigno "Noynoy"Aquino III has again deferred his decision on joining the presidential race, saying he still needed to pray for "discernment and divine guidance."

Noynoy: If I run, Mar will be my VP

Magre-retreat at ipagdarasal muna ni Senador Noynoy Aquino ang pagdedesisyon kung kakandidato nga siya bilang pangulo! Pero kung sakaling kakandidato, may napipisil na siya kung sino ang gusto niyang makatambal na bise-presidente.

'Cory magic' not enough to win, says Ermita

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - The so-called "Cory magic" that worked for the late Mrs. Aquino will work for her son, Senator Benigno 'Noynoy'  Aquino III, but it might not be enough for a successful presidential bid in 2010, a top Malacañang official said Wednesday.

Leaders doubt Aquino can unite opposition

Opposition leaders on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Senator Mar Roxas to step aside in favor of partymate Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, but they were skeptical his standing for President in the 2010 election could bring about the unity that has eluded critics of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Panlilio to drop 2010 bid to support Aquino

Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio is poised to throw his support behind the presidential candidacy of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and is just preparing to consult with his supporters to finalize his political plans in 2010.

Mikey's wife owns US home

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

A million-dollar home in an affluent town in California is now at the center of a controversy in the Philippines.

4 out of 10 Pinoys disapprove of Arroyo - survey

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - With less than a year to go before the end of her term, President Arroyo continues to face negative public sentiment with around four in ten Filipinos critical of her work in the last three months and expressing distrust in her, according to a new Pulse Asia survey.

'Sauce for goose not sauce for GMA'

by by Aries Rufo, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

MANILA - The sauce for the goose is not sauce for the powers-that-be. The Office of the Ombudsman applied an uneven hand in finding culpability in the botched US$329 million National Broadband Network deal with Chinese telecommunications firm, ZTE, a move that could weaken the case, legal experts said.

Ombudsman wins extension in impeach defense

The fate of the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez may not be known Wednesday because the defense panel has been granted more time to study the allegations of her bias and inaction on controversial cases involving the First Couple.

Abalos appeals Ombudsman decision

Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. is appealing the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman that he was liable for graft, admitting he assisted in the scuttled NBN-ZTE deal but still insisting he never did anything unlawful.

House begins budget hearings

The House Committee on Appropriations in a hearing on Wednesday questioned the decrease in the 2010 national budget to P235.8 billion from this year's P253 billion.

DPWH, DOTC, DA to suffer budget cuts in 2010

by By Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

MANILA - Due to higher interest payments in 2010 arising from more loans incurred in 2009, various government departments would suffer budget cuts next year, according to the proposed budget.

Solons question P50-B cut in 2010 infra budget

by By Carmela Fonbuena, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak

MANILA - Members of the House appropriations committee pushed economic managers to sustain pump priming activities in 2010, even if these will translate to more debts for the national government.

Arroyo returns from Libya, heads for Erdy Manalo's wake

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo returned to the country Wednesday night from Libya where she attended an African Union summit and the 40th anniversary of the Libyan Revolution.

Arroyo pays last respect to INC's Eraño Manalo

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday evening paid her last respects to Eraño Manalo, the executive minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

38-year-old new Comelec commissioner

(UPDATE 2) Gregorio Larrazabal, 38-year-old regional election director (RED) of Eastern Visayas, has been appointed as elections commissioner.

Dismissed lawyer presses case vs Tan

Kicked out of the case by the Office of the Solicitor General, a private lawyer asked the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday to reopen the presentation of evidence against tycoon Lucio Tan, saying Tan's own brother Mariano Tanenglian was finally ready to be a state witness.

Library 'hubs' improve reading among students

The library hubs established in different public school divisions in the country have helped improve students' reading proficiency, with some of these divisions registering a 20-percent improvement in their scores, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Wednesday.

Dacer-Corbito murders witness slain in Cavite

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

A vital witness in the murder of publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer set to appear before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday was gunned down inside his rented house in Cavite province early Wednesday.

Ex-Abra governor nabbed in Makati condo

(UPDATE) After weeks of search, police have finally arrested former Abra governor Vicente Valera in Makati City late Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday.

Navy whistleblower ready for a 'good fight'

Ex-Navy officer Nancy Gadian said on Wednesday she was ready to face off with her former superiors in the defense establishment to prove her allegations of corruption and violations of the Constitution within the US-RP Balikatan exercises.

Clarify US role in Mindanao war--MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has asked the United States embassy in the country "to make an official clarification" on the role of American soldiers stationed in different parts of Mindanao for the last seven years.

Peace deal not fully implemented - MNLF

by By Queenie Casimiro, ABS-CBN News Zamboanga

The GRP-MNLF peace pact, 13 years after Thirteen years have passed, yet the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) says it is still calling for the full implementation of the Final Peace Agreement they have forged with the Philippine government. 

Importer fined for violation of tariff code

A company engaged in the importation of mosquito coils was fined by the Department of Finance through the Bureau of Customs for violation of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines and the administrative order of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Customs district collector Ricardo Belmonte has ordered SC Johnson and Son Incorporated to pay P72,364 ad valorem to the government for violation of the Section 303 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines as amended in relation to DTI administrative order no. 01 series of 2008 that requires markings on all imported goods to identify its country of origin.

Last week, the Enforcement Security Service or the customs police held two containers consigned to SC Johnson and Son Incorporated after it found out that the shipment did not have markings as required under the law.

The shipment of 3,375 cartoons of Baygon mosquito coils placed inside one 20-footer container and another 10-footer van arrived at the Cebu International Port from Jakarta, Indonesia last August 27.

During the examination, customs examiner Gil Buzon and customs police Andie Catre found out that the shipment did not have markings of the manufacturing country, did not have markings of warranty from the manufacturer, no markings of weight content prior to packaging and no markings of consumer complaint desk address.

PDIC won't pay claims on bogus deposits

Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. warned deposits from "unsafe and unsound" practices are not covered by deposit insurance as mandated by its new charter, president Jose C. Nograles said.

23 dead in Indonesia quake: official

by Agence France-Presse

SUKABUMI, Indonesia - A major 7.0-magnitude quake rocked Indonesia Wednesday, killing at least 23 people and destroying dozens of homes across the country's densely populated heartland, officials said. The quake struck off the island of Java less than 200 kilometres (123 miles) south of Jakarta at a depth of 49 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

Swine flu vaccine to cost up to 20 dollars per dose: WHO

by Agence France-Presse

GENEVA - Countries can expect to pay between 2.50 and 20 dollars for a dose of swine flu vaccine depending on their ability to meet the costs, a WHO official said in remarks published Wednesday.

Orcollo, Alcano join 'Bata', 'Django' in Last 16

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA -- The RP tandem A of Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo and Ronnie "Volcano" Alcano joined their Filipino compatriots in the Last 16 of the 2009 Partycasino.net World Cup of Pool by beating their first round opponents from Thailand Wednesday night at the SM North Edsa, Quezon City.

Pacquiao to start working on conditioning this week

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA -- Amid concerns that Manny Pacquiao may have been "relaxing too much" away from boxing, the pound-for-pound king assured his fans that he still has enough time left for training.

Freddie Roach's brother dies

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA – Awarded trainer Freddie Roach expressed his gratitude to those who condoled with him and his family following the death of his younger brother Joseph Glenn "Joey" Roach.

Tomas rejects hosting of Miss Earth by City

CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña declined the offer of pageant organizers for the city to host Miss Earth 2009, saying it will cost a lot of money and will have very little returns in terms of tourism.

Partner files complaint vs Singson

Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson was accused by his former live-in partner of violating Republic Act 9162 or violation of the rights of women and children in a Quezon City court by his common-law wife.  Singson admitted that he "hurt" 'his common law wife Che Tiongson and her boyfriend on the evening of August 22 inside their apartment in Quezon City.

SC reverses Joey Marquez graft conviction

The Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of former Parañaque mayor Joey Marquez's of graft in connection with the purchase of brooms worth P2.9 million in 1996.

Korina Sanchez rails against Roxas' critics

ABS-CBN broadcaster Korina Sanchez lashed out Wednesday at critics of her fiancé Senator Manuel Roxas.

Mar-Korina wedding still on

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA – Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II might have withdrawn his bid for the presidency but he is not backing out of his plan to marry his fiancée Korina Sanchez.

Kris: Don't pressure 'Noy

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA – Supporters of Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III should not pressure him to make up his mind now with regard to his plan in 2010 elections, his youngest sister, Kris, pleaded.

Noynoy's sisters 'not thrilled' about his presidential prospects

Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III said on Wednesday that his four sisters are apprehensive about his entering the 2010 presidential race.

No money for 2010, Noynoy wants people to fuel campaign

With a net worth of less than P15 million, Noynoy admits having no money for a possible presidential campaign that will cost about P3 and 5 billion. Thus, he says he will do it the non-traditional way, backed by people's volunteerism.

More rains over the country

An active low pressure area will bring rains over the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday.