November 3, 2009 Major News Stories

Muslims hit Palace move taking back declaration on Eid"l Adha

Muslim leaders on Monday condemned Malacañang's move to take back its declaration making Eid"l Adha (Islamic feast of the holy sacrifice), which falls on November 27 and 28, a national holiday and instead making it a regional holiday.

CHEd urged to name inferior nursing schools

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Monday urged the Commission on Higher Education to disclose the 177 schools with substandard nursing education in the interest of consumers.

City chips in P4 million for Nutripan project

The Cebu City government will appropriate P4 million as its counterpart to the Nutrition Center of the Philippines for the establishment of bakeries in 10 public elementary schools in the city's south district so the students could buy nutritious bread in cheaper price.

Girl, 3, dies in Toledo blaze

A THREE-year-old girl was killed in a fire in Toledo City, Cebu Sunday night.

In the Toledo fire, a report said a candle left lit in the altar caused the blaze that destroyed the house of Mariel Manubag's family while she was asleep.

Mariel was inside the bamboo hut in Barangay Don Andres Soriano (DAS) at 9 p.m. when the fire started.

In Cebu City, a 61-year-old paralytic on her wheelchair died when a fire destroyed her home in Sitio Riverside, Barangay Lahug shortly before six last night.

Fire and Homicide investigators found the charred body of Anecita Sanchez on her wheelchair at the second floor of the two-story house damaged by the fire.

Anecita was the widow of the late Willer Sanchez who owned a barbeque stand in front of JY Square, that was stomped by Mayor Tomas Osmeña in May 1990.

President condoles with Bacolod fire victims

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo condoled with the families of the 16 persons who perished in the fire that broke out in a two-story boarding house in Bacolod City past midnight Monday.

Signal no. 1 raised over north Luzon – Pagasa

Parts of Northern Luzon were placed under signal number 1 after the low pressure area east off Luzon intensified into a tropical depression, an official from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.

"Santi" death toll now 18 - NDCC

The death toll from tropical cyclone "Santi" (Mirinae) rose to 18 late Monday as initial damage to property was estimated at P183.5 million, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

17 fishing boats missing off Cagayan

Seventeen boats carrying a still undetermined number of fishermen went missing off Cagayan province before dawn Monday, while one boat also reportedly capsized, police said.

35 fishermen rescued in Cagayan, 1 still missing

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - Despite advice of regional disaster coordinating council (RDCC) officials against sailing Monday, 17 bancas with 36 fishermen went out to sea from the cast of Claveria town in Cagayan province Monday dawn.

Agri losses from Santi at least P159M

Typhoon Santi (international codename: Mirinae) caused P159 million in agricultural losses, according to initial estimates from the Department of Agriculture.

Prioritize climate change issues, Palafox urges

With politics and Pacquiao back in the limelight, a prominent urban planner has urged the government and the public to remain vigilant in the fight against climate change.

No 'walk-in' registrants this Tuesday--Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged voters who did not finish their registration last Saturday to arrive early this Tuesday.

1,600 in Cebu fail to make voter registration deadline

About 1,600 voters in Cebu failed to register after the Commission on Elections terminated last Saturday the registration for the coming 2010 presidential elections.

Voter registrant shot dead in Sulu

by by Jewel Reyes, ABS-CBN Zamboanga

A civilian was reportedly shot to death during voter registration in Barangay Saimbagon poblacion proper, Municipality of Pata Island in Sulu last Friday.

Comelec rules on voters with multiple records

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will "cleanse" the computerized voters' list (CVL) for the 2010 polls by removing multiple voters' records, a spokesman said.

Comelec opens ballot printing to watchdog checks

The Commission on Elections will install closed-circuit television cameras at the National Printing Office when the printing of the ballots for next year's elections starts in January.

P6 billion needed to ensure sufficient electricity during May polls

The National Power Corp. (Napocor), the Philippines" largest power producer, will require six billion pesos to ensure sufficient power supply during the May 2010 elections.

Vice governor leaving One Cebu

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. no longer considers himself part of the local One Cebu administration party and vowed to formally resign as the party's vice chairman by the middle of the month.

Greg says running vs. Gwen 'not a remote possibility'

AFTER announcing his plan to leave One Cebu, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez said yesterday that running against reelectionist Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is not a remote possibility.

I am going to run

Cebu City First Lady Margot Osmeña reiterated her intention to run as councilor in the south district following the doubts raised by her sister-in-law Georgia Osmeña that the declaration was just simple posturing.

Sonny getting BOPK bets is a 'cheap trick' - Tommy

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña thinks it is a cheap trick of his estranged cousin former Senator John Henry 'Sonny' Osmeña to tap some candidates of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) for his slate in the 2010 elections.

City wants to tax pre-schools

After maintaining status quo and deferring its issuance of the Certificate of Tax Delinquency against some proprietary schools and hospitals, the Cebu City Treasurer's Office is now eyeing collecting business taxes from preparatory schools in the city as well.

COA: Patrol 117 failed to use gear worth P79 million

The Cebu-based Patrol 117 in Central Visayas failed to use communications equipment worth P79 million thus defeating the purpose of the items, this according to the Commission on Audit.

Villar-Legarda tandem coming soon?

Kung matagal nang nagdeklarang tatakbong presidente sa 2010 si Senador Manny Villar, wala naman siyang maiipakilalang ka-tandem sa halalan. Pero ngayon, inamin ni Villar na kasado na ang kanyang magiging bise.

Lacson supports Escudero decision to go independent

Senator Panfilo Lacson, a rumored possible running mate of now independent Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, on Monday expressed his support for the latter"s decision to bolt the Nationalist People"s Coalition (NPC), saying his decision should be respected and emulated.

Arroyo's experience would benefit Congress

It would be to the country's advantage if President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo joins the election anew, this time for a seat in the House of Representatives, a Palace spokesman said Monday.

Another Arroyo 'mistah' gets top AFP post

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - Another member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978, which includes President Arroyo as an honorary member, has been assigned to a key position in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and more of them may get plum posts in the run up to the May 2010 polls.

Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva on Monday took over as the new commander of the AFP's Central Command (CentCom) based in Cebu City, which covers the whole of Visayas as its area of operations. Villanueva replaced Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Magdalo can appeal ruling on accreditation: Comelec

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - An official of the Commission on Elections on Monday said a party composed of soldiers behind unsuccessful coups in the Philippines could still appeal a Comelec ruling rejecting their application to be a regional political party.

Like Pacquiao, Lakas-Kampi shedding excess weight: Claudio

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

MANILA - Lakas-Kampi-CMD secretary-general Gabriel Claudio on Monday dismissed as "wishful thinking" claims that the administration party is on the verge of a split. Defections have been factored in and will not weaken the party machinery in 2010, he said.

Palace to clear MILF role in Sinnott rescue

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno has ordered the Zamboanga del Sur Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to clear with Malacañang any move to tap the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to rescue kidnapped Irish missionary priest Michael Sinnott, a source told the Inquirer.

Sinnott crisis team torn between rescue vs. talks

The video clip that served as a "proof of life" for Irish missionary priest Michael Sinnott last Saturday has pushed the Zamboanga del Sur Crisis Management Committee (CMC) at a crossroad on whether to let rescue or negotiation take precedence in recovering him from his kidnappers.

Military will use video to track kidnapped priest

The video of abducted Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott aired by a TV network over the weekend will provide vital information that will help the military track down his kidnappers, a spokesman said Monday.

Seven hurt in Cotabato City blast

Seven people were hurt when a fragmentation grenade exploded in a Cotabato City home past midnight Monday, the city police chief said.

Over 93,000 workers needed for road maintenance program

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - More than 93,000 individuals will be hired for a roadside maintenance program that the government is set to implement nationwide, according to the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).

Gov't workers hit TESDA finding exonerating Syjuco

A confederation of government workers and the supplier of overpriced training equipment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have scored the agency's findings that pinned the blame on 14 employees and the supplier but virtually exonerated the director-general, Augusto Syjuco.

Arroyo accepts BIR chief's resignation

(UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted the resignation of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Monday afternoon.

SC orders prosecution of businessman Go

The Supreme Court ordered the Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to push through with the criminal prosecution of business tycoon Jose C. Go for allegedly guaranteeing loans and borrowing deposits from Orient Commercial Bank without the approval of the bank's board of directors.

Karzai declared Afghan vote winner as run-off scrapped

by Agence France-Presse

Vote official: Consistent with 'high interest' of Afghans KABUL - Election organisers Monday declared Hamid Karzai Afghan president for a second term, cancelling a one-man presidential run-off following a diplomatic push led by UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

Nepal cabinet to meet on Everest: minister

by Agence France-Presse

KATHMANDU - Nepal is to hold a cabinet meeting on Mount Everest to highlight the impact of global warming on the Himalayas ahead of next month's climate change talks in Copenhagen, a minister said Monday.

Bombing outside bank kills 30 in Pakistan

(Updated 8 p.m.) RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - A suicide bomber killed 30 people outside a bank near Pakistan's capital Monday, as the U.N. said spreading violence had forced it to pull out some expatriate staff and suspend long-term development work in areas along the Afghan border.

Pacquiao sees 'great chance' of beating Cotto

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA – "People's Champ" Manny Pacquiao has been tight-lipped on how he thinks his "Firepower" bout against Miguel Cotto will turn out. But his excitement for the fight seems to have prompted him to say something about his chances of beating the Puerto Rican WBO welterweight champion.

Team Pacquiao member: Pacquiao by KO inside 5

Veteran boxing expert Moy Lainez, one of the original members of Team Pacquiao, predicted that Manny Pacquiao will knock out Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico inside five rounds.

Lotlot de Leon finally meets her biological dad

by by Boy Villasanta, abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA - Young actress Lotlot de Leon left the country recently so she could be with her biological father in the United States. De Leon left all her commitments behind and excitedly flew to Ohio to meet her real father. According to Lito Sibunga, a dyed-in-the-wool fan of De Leon's mom, Superstar Nora Aunor, De Leon was able to trace her roots through the Internet.

Elton John recovering in hospital from flu, E. coli

LONDON - Elton John's spokesman says the singer has been hospitalized after suffering from a case of E. coli bacterial infection and the flu.

SKorean cabbies can carry on viewing -- for now

by Agence France-Presse

SEOUL - A South Korean court has rejected an attempt to prosecute Seoul taxi drivers for one of their scariest habits -- watching television while driving.