February 15, 2010 Major News Stories

Seaoil cuts gas pump price by P1 per liter

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Small oil player Seaoil Philippines has slashed prices of gasoline by P1 a liter effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday.

Visayas to have more rotational brownouts -- power execs

The Visayas will continue to experience rotational brownouts as major plants supplying the Visayas grid undergo maintenance services and repairs.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said that as of February 10, only Unit 2 of the Mahanagdong geothermal plant in Leyte with a capacity of 60 megawatts has resumed operations.

The plant's 60-MW Unit 1 is still undergoing maintenance, according to Belinda Sales-Canlas, NGCP corporate communications officer for the Visayas.

The 120-MW plant underwent preventive maintenance starting January 30 and is set to resume full operations this week.

The power supply of the Visayas grid also dropped because of the shutting down of the 50-MW Cebu Thermal Power Plant 1 (CTPP1) also for preventive maintenance.

The CTTP1 is expected to be operational by February 23, according to Canlas.

Power distributors have resorted to load-shedding on a rotational basis in their service areas because of the insufficient supply, said engineer Wilfredo Billena, general manager of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative 1 (Ileco 1) and spokesperson of the Panay-Guimaras Power Supply Consortium (PGSC).

Billena said hour-long brownouts hit areas during peak hours between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., after they reduced supply alternately among their supply feeders. A feeder covers one up to several towns.

Even before the preventive maintenance of the power plants, the Visayas has been suffering from power shortages especially when the geothermal power plants in Leyte, where the Visayas grid gets the bulk of its power supply, or the transmission lines connecting the grid malfunction, bog down.

The energy industry stakeholders in the Visayas have been pushing for the fast-tracking of the construction of power plants in the Visayas especially in Western Visayas, the tail-end of the power grid, to stabilize the energy supply.

Power shortage doesn't call for emergency powers - Palace

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo won"t use her emergency powers to deal with a looming power shortage in the run-up to the first automated polls in May.

3 regional wage boards review hike petitions

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) in Eastern and Western Visayas and Zamboanga are reviewing the petitions for increases in the minimum wage in their respective areas, the Department of Labor and Employment said in a statement.

HIV test not a requirement for employment

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HIV testing cannot be a requirement for employment, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said in a statement e-mailed to media outfits.

No OFW deployment ban to Somalia—labor chief

There is no need to ban the deployment of Filipino seafarers to foreign-flagged ships passing by the pirate-infested waters of Somalia because effective interventions are in place, the labor department said in a statement e-mailed to media outfits.

Arroyo too busy to sign senior citizens act

(Updated 8:47 p.m) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will sign the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 once she finds time for it in her busy schedule, a Malacañang official said on Sunday.

Fire highlights lack of infra

THE fire in Sitio Sea Breeze, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City that killed a woman and left 84 families homeless revived calls for access roads in slum areas and relocation sites for those living illegally in private lots or coastal areas.

Cirila Payac, 82, died during a blaze last Saturday that burned 63 houses, mostly made of light materials. These houses squatted on government-owned land.

Angelito, the victim's son, said he was fetching water from a neighbor's house when he heard an explosion. Seconds later, a fire engulfed his house.

Vidal successor to be named soon

by By Jessica Ann R. Pareja

The Vatican may finally name a replacement for Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, probably within the year.

8M persons in Region 7 by 2010?

THE population of Central Visayas could hit eight million this year, an increase of some 1.5 million since the last official census in 2007.

Get cedula or pay P5T: City Hall

Companies and individuals in Cebu City have until the end of the month to secure a community tax certificate (cedula) before the City Treasurer's Office (CTO) starts inspecting.

Comelec warns candidates vs oversized ads on buses

The Commission on Elections on Sunday warned candidates against placing large stickers on public buses, which it said violates election laws.

Defense chief moves to calm tensions in Masbate polls

Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said on Sunday he will hold dialogues with politicians in Masbate province, which he said has been in a "state of political calamity" to persuade them to sign an agreement for fair and violence-free elections on May 10.

Aquino assigns siblings, Purisima to handle campaign funds

Liberal Party standard bearer and Sen. Benigno ``Noynoy'' Aquino III is taking a personal hand in his campaign in the wake of reports that his motley team of supporters has been wracked by factionalism and clash of ideas on how to run a campaign.

Wealthy families ganging up on me, Villar

HONG KONG – Senator Manny Villar has further intensified the debate in the presidential race by attacking the wealthy families of Aquino, Cojuangco, Araneta and Madrigal.

Morong female health workers sexually molested—victim's mom

Several female health workers detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, were "sexually molested" by their military captors, according to a mother of one of the alleged victims.

CHR team visits "Morong 43," sees no physical torture signs

(Updated Feb. 14, 3:28 am) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has found no signs of physical abuse among the 43 health workers arrested by a combined Army-police force in Morong town, Rizal province last week on suspicion of being New People"s Army (NPA) rebels, even as it maintained that the "Morong 43" had been subjected to mental torture after their arrest.

AFP sets court appearance of 43 detained health workers

(UPDATE) The Armed Forces of the Philippines is all set to present the 43 arrested health workers to the Court of Appeals on Monday for their writ of habeas corpus hearing, a spokesman for the military said Sunday.

Ocampo barred from seeing 'Morong 43'

Senatorial candidate and Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Satur Ocampo railed against Armed Forces Chief Victor Ibrado and the head of the Army's 2nd Infantry Divison, Major General Jorge Segovia.

Mangudadatu says he is surprised by murder charge

by by Lore Mae Andong, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao

PARANG, MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Buluan Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu was at a medical mission in Parang town in Maguindanao province when he learned that aside from his bodyguard, he is also being charged for the murder of Tamano Kamendan.

Josie Lichauco dies after stroke

(UPDATE) Former transportation secretary Josie Lichauco passed away at around 5 a.m. Sunday without recovering from a coma following a stroke two weeks ago in Hong Kong, her son Chris told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

Bomb planted at Thai court as Thaksin ruling looms

BANGKOK-- Thai police said they had defused a bomb near the Supreme Court on Sunday, while a grenade exploded near government offices, ahead of a ruling this month on ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's fortune.

Suu Kyi deputy tastes freedom after 7 years

YANGON, Myanmar—Myanmar opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi's second-in-command relished his first taste of freedom for seven years Sunday after the ruling junta freed him from detention ahead of elections this year.

Pope offers Lunar New Year wishes

by Agence France-Presse

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday offered greetings to the millions celebrating the Lunar New Year, praising the occasion to "strengthen family and generational bonds."

Tibetans shun New Year celebrations for 2nd year

DHARMSALA, India - Tibetans have decided against celebrating the Lunar New Year for a second year in remembrance of the suffering of people inside Tibet, the Dalai Lama said Sunday.

Donaire stops Vargas in round 3

Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire stopped Mexican Manuel Vargas in round 3 of the "Latin Fury13/Pinoy Power 3" at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Peñalosa, Morales fall in Pinoy Power 3

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

Concepcion, Melligen prevail in undercard bouts MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) - Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales and Gerry "Fearless" Peñalosa suffered defeats at the hands of their Latino opponents in Saturday's (Sunday in Manila) Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 event at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Bloodied Peñalosa bows to Morel

Grizzled veteran Gerry Peñalosa dropped a 12-round split decision loss to former world champion Eric Morel of Puerto Rico in their battle for the interim WBO bantamweight title Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton (Sunday in Manila).

Montiel makes quick work of RP"s Morales

Gone in two minutes and six seconds. That"s how fast Mexico's Fernando Montiel disposed of the Philippines" Ciso "Kid Terible" Morales in retaining his WBO bantamweight title Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton (Sunday in Manila).

Melligen, Concepcion beat rivals in Las Vegas

Mark Jason Melligen and Bernabe Concepcion gave the Philippines a rousing start in the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 card, hacking out explosive victories Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton. (Sunday in Manila).

Alaska Aces storm to 3-0 lead vs Ginebra Kings

Alaska survived a big fourth quarter comeback by Barangay Ginebra and held on to a 91-88 win to seize a commanding 3-0 lead in their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal series .

Erich Gonzales signs contract with Star Cinema

by by Napoleon Quintos, ABS-CBN.com

MANILA, Philippines - After making waves on TV with her back-to-back hit teleseryes Katorse and Tanging Yaman, Erich Gonzales is gearing up to prove her worth as an actress on the big screen.

KC Concepcion moving out of her parents' home soon

by by Rachelle Siazon, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philipines - In ABS-CBN.com's exclusive interview with KC Concepcion last February 11, she revealed that she is moving to her brand new condo unit very soon.

Melai wins PBB Double Up

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines -- Housemate Melisa Cantiveros won the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up edition. She became the Grand Winner of the popular reality TV show after garnering 32.08% of total text votes.

And finally, after keeping more than a dozen housemates for more than 120 days inside Big Brother's house with no TV, no radio, no celfon and no contact with the outside world, the Pinoy Big Brother Double Up edition of the ABS-CBN reality-TV came to an end Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

And the winner, as expected, was Melisa Cantiveros, 21, who has become simply Melai to avid PBB followers, garnering 32.08 percent of the total text votes. The spiral-haired potential comedienne from General Santos City will bring home a load of prizes that include P1-Mcash, a house and lot worth P2.5-M, a 40-inch LCD TV, trip to three Asian cities and a water-refilling stationfranchise. If Melai seriously honed her comedic skills, she could have a bright future in showbiz and, why not, give Pokwang and other slapstick funny-women a run for their punchlines.

Finishing second with a P500,000 cash prize was Paul Jake Castillo, the rich boy from Cebu, with 27.31 percent, followed by Jason Francisco (Melai's loveteam-mate inside the house, third) with 24.97 percent (P300,000), Johan Santos (fourth) with 7.94 percent (P200,000) and Steve "Tibo" Jumalon (fifth) with 7.69 percent, who, as the first PBB Big Placer, P100,000.

Kris Aquino gets 'cutest' surprise on her b-day

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Instead of tears, Queen Of All Media Kris Aquino had a big laugh when she celebrated her 39th birthday on "The Buzz." Kris' 3 female siblings - Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Viel Aquino-Dee and Pinky Aquino-Abellada, who usually shied away from public attention - sang on television Sunday when "The Buzz" threw a party for the host-actress.