The latest news stories from the major news organizations in Cebu and Manila in the Philippines, the US and other countries.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

December 7, 2009 Major News Stories



'Per pulse' charging for mobile phone calls in effect

Epektibo ngayong Linggo, hindi na per minute kungdi per six seconds na ang bawas sa load sa bawat tawag base na rin sa ipinalabas na bagong call rates na ipinalabas ng NTC. Pabor ba o hindi sa mga cellphone users ang "scheme" na ito?

Smart to pay the city P21M in lieu of taxes

The Cebu City Council has no objection to accepting the P21 million offer of Smart Communications Inc. in lieu of its tax obligations to the city from 2009 to 2011.

DepEd awards 36 teachers

Educators from the Division of Cebu City were honored in the Annual Teachers Day held at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday which was attended by over 4,000 teachers and school administrators.

Eleven teachers received the Elementary Teacher Service Award for their 40 years in service, another two for the Secondary Teacher Service Award for the same length of service, 18 for the Elementary Teacher Retirees category, and five for the Secondary Teacher Retirees. Each of the awardees received a plaque of recognition.

Increase in crime volume in CV noted

There has been an increase in the crime volume of in Central Visayas comparing the figures for first ten months of this year to that of the whole of 2008.

Sandiganbayan accepts revised case over 'overpriced' lampposts

THE Sandiganbayan First Division has approved the filing of an amended complaint against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7.

Cabillon to answer charges by January 2010

Former monk Venancio Cabillon has formally asked the prosecutor's office to extend for 15 days the time for him to file his counter-affidavit on the estafa and acts of lasciviousness charges filed against him by two monks.

Del Mar wants "relative" off the list of bets

 Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar asked the Commission on Elections in Manila to disqualify a certain Jacinto del Mar, 49, a preacher, who is running for representative of the city's north district in next year's elections.

Mass for slain priest, victims of human rights violations

Church organizations in key cities in the Visayas will give a tribute to slain priest Cecilio Lucero and other victims of human rights violations through a Holy Mass on December 9, a day before the observance of the International Human Rights Day.

Last September 6, Lucero, a diocesan Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Catarman in Northern Samar was brutally murdered by suspected state agents. He was chairman of the Human Rights Desk of the Diocesan Social Action Center.


Philippines arrests 62 after imposing martial law

The Philippines said Sunday it had detained more than 60 people and seized a stunning array of weapons after imposing martial law in a southern province in the wake of a massacre.

Armed Ampatuan supporters massing up despite martial law

(Updated 7:59 p.m.) Thousands of armed men believed to be supporters of the powerful Ampatuan clan are massing up in various areas in Maguindanao province, now under martial law as the government continues its crackdown on the people behind the grisly Nov. 23 massacre there.

Ampatuan patriarch taken into military custody

Government soldiers on Sunday night took custody of Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., a day after he was rushed to the Davao Doctors Hospital here.

5 Ampatuan bodyguards 'taken into custody' by military

Authorities have taken into custody five "high value targets" who allegedly had direct participation in the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23, police intelligence agents disclosed Sunday.

Another arms cache dug from Maguindanao

(UPDATE) At least 30 high-powered firearms have been dug up in the village of Limpungo here Sunday morning, a day after martial law was imposed in the province, the military said.

Another arms cache unearthed from Maguindanao diggings

Joint police and military personnel unearthed another cache of firearms a few meters away from the police headquarters on Datu Hofer, Maguindanao province Sunday morning, authorities said.

Another arms cache found in Maguindanao diggings

DATU HOFFER AMPATUAN, Maguindanao— (UPDATE 2) Military bomb experts dug up on Sunday another caché of high-powered firearms and ammunitions with government markings from a mango plantation reportedly owned by the Ampatuan family, the prime suspect in the Maguindanao massacre.

200 cops, soldier search for guns in mansion of Maguindanao gov

Some 200 armed personnel of the military and police massed up outside the mansion of arrested Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. on Sunday afternoon, to search for firearms and ammunition in the Ampatuan mansion.

3 Ampatuan mansions in Davao City raided

Government forces raided the three palatial homes of the Ampatuans here Sunday noon.

MILF lets gov't troops pursue massacre suspects on turf

The secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said on Sunday it would step aside and allow the military use of its rebel bases in Maguindanao to launch pursuit operations against armed supporters of the Ampatuan clan tagged in the Nov. 23 massacre.

DOJ not keen on taking the Ampatuans to Manila

Members of the Ampatuan clan and other figures who were arrested after martial law was imposed in Maguindanao over the weekend may not be brought to Manila due to security concerns.

Arroyo reports martial law declaration to Congress

The Arroyo government officially submitted to Congress its report on the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao province on Sunday night, in compliance with a constitutional requirement.

Lawyers group to take Martial Law question to SC

Lawyers group will question before the Supreme Court on Monday President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of Martial Law in several areas in Mindanao.

Lawyer ready to face SC over '1959'

A CIVIL society lawyer and University of the Philippines law professor will question before the Supreme Court (SC) the declaration of Martial Law in the province of Maguindanao.


Revoke Martial Law in Maguindanao—militants

Militant groups have asked Congress to convene immediately and revoke the controversial Proclamation 1959, which imposed martial law in Maguindanao, in the wake of the Nov. 23 massacre, but which the militant called another "desperate maneuver" by the Arroyo administration to hold on to power beyond 2010.

Akbayan: Martial law may be Arroyo"s way of acquitting the Ampatuans

Imposing martial law in Maguindanao and filing rebellion charges against members of the Ampatuan clan may serve as smokescreen to acquit the powerful family blamed for masterminding the brutal killing of at least 57 people in the province two weeks ago.

CHR chief sees no legal basis for martial law

The declaration of martial law in volatile Maguindanao has no legal basis, according to the head of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

FVR: Arroyo repeating Marcos mistakes in martial law declaration

MANILA - Former president Fidel Ramos on Sunday said that President Arroyo is going the way of former president Ferdinand Marcos in declaring martial law in Maguindanao.

Biazon: Rebellion raps a way out for Ampatuans?

Senator Rodolfo Biazon is seeing a ``sinister plot'' behind the move of the government to file rebellion charges against several members of the Ampatuans who had been charged for the Nov. 23 slaughter of 57 people in Maguindanao.

Congress to debate martial law Tuesday—Enrile

Congress will hold a joint session on Tuesday to approve or revoke martial law in a southern province where 57 people were massacred last month, the Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile said.

Showdown in Congress looms over martial law

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
A showdown between allies and critics of President Arroyo looms during the joint session of Congress scheduled on Tuesday over Proclamation 1959, or the declaration of martial rule in Maguindanao.

Maguindanao 'peaceful' after 1st day of martial law - Military

Other than the arrests of members of the Ampatuan clan linked to the November 23 massacre that killed 57 people, the first day of martial law over Maguindanao province was peaceful.

PNP, AFP set rules to enforce martial law in Maguindanao

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday came up with the rules of conduct to be observed by troops enforcing the widely-criticized imposition of martial rule in Maguindanao province in southern Philippines.

Military to the public: Go about your daily chores

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA – Amid criticisms and fears generated by the imposition of martial law in Maguindanao, the military on Sunday assured that it will target only those who are responsible for the massacre of 57 people, including dozens of journalists, in the province last month.

Troops warned vs abuses in Maguindanao

(Updated 5:23 p.m.) Military officials on Sunday warned their personnel against committing abuses in Maguindanao province, which President Arroyo placed under martial law as her administration zeroes in on the suspects behind the massacre there last Nov. 23.

Troops in Manila ready vs possible spillover of Maguindanao turmoil

The military is bracing for a possible spillover of the current turmoil in Maguindanao province, which under martial law as the government continues its crackdown on the people behind the grisly November 23 massacre in Ampatuan town.

Military: Martial law can be lifted in a few days in Maguindanao

A military official supervising the enforcement of martial law in Maguindanao said on Sunday the proclamation can be lifted in a few days when all the suspects in the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 civilians and the hidden firearms and ammunition of the Ampatuan clan are recovered.


AFP official: Keep Maguindanao martial law till polls

A top military official recommended that the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao be extended to cover the May, 2010 elections.

CHR forensic experts resumes digging in massacre site

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the foreign forensic team investigating the Maguindanao massacre resumed operations Saturday with the aim of retrieving additional corpses or pieces of evidence. 

Australia advises aid work suspension in Maguindanao

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has recommended the suspension of its development work in Maguindanao and nearby provinces shortly after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo placed the province under military rule.

Myanmar charges 14 detained Filipinos, 114 foreign fishermen—official

YANGON— Myanmar has charged 128 foreign fishermen with violating immigration laws after they were arrested last month for illegal fishing, an official said Sunday.

US envoy due in Seoul on North Korea nuclear mission

SEOUL— The US special envoy on North Korea was due in Seoul on Sunday before heading to Pyongyang to try to persuade the communist regime to return to stalled nuclear disarmament talks.

Bin Laden's location unknown for 'years:' Gates

WASHINGTON--The United States does not know where Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden is and has lacked reliable information on his whereabouts for years, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said.

PBA: Purefoods beats Ginebra, grab share of 3rd spot

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA - Purefoods Tender Juicy grabbed a share of third spot Sunday night after beating Barangay Ginebra, 89-81, for its third straight win in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

2 Pinoy students get perfect scores in int'l math tilt

Two young Filipino math wizards won gold medals in the just concluded 2009 Philippine International Mathematics Competition (PIMC) for elementary and high school students.

Sharon still furious over losing pa's inheritance

MANILA – Megastar Sharon Cuneta has admitted that up until today she is still mad after she and her family failed to receive any inheritance from the estate of her late father. Cuneta argued that she is only fighting for what is right and what she and her family deserve.

Another maid files case against Lucio Tan's brother

Brother of business tycoon Lucio Tan has been slapped anew with a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for serious illegal detention and serious physical injuries for abusing another househelp.

China pays web surfers to find porn

BEIJING-- Chinese authorities have offered rewards of up to 10,000 yuan (1,465 dollars) to Internet users who report websites that feature pornography, state media reported Sunday.

Hayden Kho Jr tried to commit suicide - witnesses

Bagama't intestinal flu ang sinasabing dahilan kung bakit biglang na-ospital si Dr. Hayden Kho Jr., may mag-amang witness umano ang nagsabing nagtangka raw magpakamatay ang kontrobersiyal na doktor, na kailan lang ay natanggalan ng lisensiya dahil sa kinasangkutang sex video scandal.

Billy Joel's daughter in New York hospital

by Reuters
NEW YORK – Alexa Ray Joel, the only daughter of singer-songwriter Billy Joel, was in stable condition at a New York hospital on Saturday, a publicist said.

Longtime exposure to secondhand smoke ups riks of breast cancer

LOS ANGELES (Xinhua) - Women who are exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke for a prolonged period of time may face greater risk of breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Full text of Arroyo's report on declaration of martial law in Maguindanao

The following is the full text of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's report to Congress on Sunday with regard to Proclamation No. 1959 – "Proclaiming a State of Martial Law and Suspending the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao, except for certain areas."

The President's 20-page report, counter-signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, was received by the House of Representatives secretary general at 8:58 p.m. and by the Senate at 9:11 p.m., said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.



Joan Crawford  - "I, Joan Crawford, I believe in the dollar. Everything I earn, I spend."

No comments:

Followers

About Me