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

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 14, 2010 Major News Stories


18 ka pulis naigo sa kilat


NANGAANGOL ang 18 ka mga sakop sa Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) nga kanhi (Regional Mobile Group (RMG-7) nga nagpahigayon sa Special Counter Insurgency Training human mangaigo sa kilat kagahapon sa udto sa Sitio Camansiles, Brgy. Lamakan, lungsod sa Sibonga.

Si Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, hepe sa RPSB, niingon nga 321 ka mga personnel ang nipaubos sa field training exercise nga kabahin sa ilang 45 ka adlaw nga traning ug matapos unta sa ikatulong semana ning buwana.

Matod pa ni Lawas nga ang tulo ka mga personnel nga dunay seryusong paso tungod sa kilat naglangkob nila ni PO1 Aldrin Lorente, PO1 Edmund Sumalinog, ug Edward Gonzales.

Ang mao nga mga pulis nakaangkon o 2nd degree burns sa ilang mga lawas.

Ang tulo giobserbahan sa mga doctor sa South General Hospital diha sa dakbayan sa Naga, uban sa laing siyam niini ka mga kauban samtang ang unom pa ka mga personnel luwas na apan gidala sa Medical Service sa Camp Sotero Cabahug sa dan Gorordo ning dakbayan sa Sugbo.

Gipadayag niini nga naniudto na unta ang gipaubos sa training sa usa ka section sa trainee dihang kalit lang niliti ug nikilat.

Nangaigo ang iyang mga sakop, tulo niini maaoy nagrabihan.

Si Lorente maoy unang naigo human ang iyang shotgun nga gidala gidakop sa kilat.

Nidakop usab kini sa iyang mga kauban ug gani niaso pa ang sinina niini sa ka kusog sa kuryente.

Gipadayag ni Lawas nga gi-monitor sa mga doctor ang 12 ka mga biktima human usab nakaangkon og mga 2nd degree burn ug nakasinati og mga pagpuypoy sa ilang mga lawas ug katiilan.

"Open space man gud na nga ang area. Didto gyud sa bungtod dihang nag-circle sila nga nag-boodle fight dihang kalit lang niliti. Pwerting kusoga sa kilat. Usa sa mga naigo niaso ang sinina. Wala hinuon masunog," sumala pa ni Lawas.

Gibutyag niini nga nangayo silag panabang sa kapulisan sa Sibonga aron magpadalag ambulansiya nga kasakyan sanglit mokabat pa sa kapin sa duha ka kilometro ang gilay-on sa lugar didto sa ilang kampo.

Hinuon giklaro niini nga si Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez director sa Police Regional Office (PRO-7) mipasalig nga bayran sa PRO-7 ang tanang gastuhan sa hospital sa mga nangaangol.

'Basyang' weakens but signal No. 2 up over Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 4) Basyang (international name: Conson) weakened as it made landfall over northern Quezon Tuesday night but storm signal number 2 was raised over Metro Manila.

In its 11:00 p.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Basyang, previously a typhoon, is now a tropical storm packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and with gustiness of up to 120 kilometers per hour.

The center of storm was spotted near Infanta, Quezon. The weather disturbance is still moving west at 22 kilometers per hour and is expected to cross Central Luzon during the rest of the night.

The eastern section of Central and Southern Luzon will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. The rest of Luzon will have rains and gusty winds. Visayas and Mindanao will be mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

By Wednesday evening, Basyang is expected to leave land on its way out into the South China Sea.

PAGASA raised storm signal number 2 over Metro Manila, Camarines Norte, northern Quezon, Rizal, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Lubang Island, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Bulacan.

Storm signal number 1 is up over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, the rest of Quezon, Marinduque, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Ifugao, Benguet and La Union.

All previous storm warning signals have been lowered.

Resident living in low-lying areas and mountain slopes in areas under storm signal number 2 are advised to take all necessary precautions against flashfloods and landslides. Residents living in coastal areas in these provinces are also advised to be on alert against big waves.

Basyang unleashes fury across Luzon; 19 fishermen missing

Hinahagupit na ngayon ng Bagyong Basyang ang mga lalawigan sa silangang Luzon na mabilis na kumikilos ngayong papatawid ng Gitnang Luzon. Samantala, inilikas ang ilang mga residente sa Southern Luzon na malapit sa baybaying dagat bago pa man tumama sa lupa ang Bagyong Basyang. Habang 19 naman na mangingisda ang nawawala matapos tumaob ang sinasakyang bangka.

Policemen tricked me, suspected gunman says

TWO weeks after his arrest, the alleged gunman in the killing of hotelier Manuel Ting talked to the media about what he described as a "ridiculous" arrest.

"Bugal-bugal man tong ilang gihimo sa akoa," Ruel Velez, 44, of Barangay Ocaña, Carcar City, Cebu said in an interview with reporters at the stockade of the Cebu City Police Office yesterday.

Velez, who was very careful in answering the questions of reporters, saying he did not seek clearance from his lawyer, said he was glad a female witness came out to say he was not the gunman.

"Lipay kaayo ko ana, uy (I'm happy about that)," Velez said.

Illegal, immoral: Davide on Roa's P.5M severance pay

THE P500,000 severance pay to a former Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 director is not "unwarranted and unconscionable but also illegal and immoral," defeated gubernatorial candidate Hilario Davide III said yesterday.

Davide's reaction came a day after his political rival Gov. Gwen-dolyn Garcia said the decision to give the severance pay to former DOT 7 director Patria Aurora Roa was a collective decision of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) board.

"I have been following the news on the MCIAA board's decision to give a severance pay to former DOT 7 director Patria Roa. As a concerned Cebuano, with the interest of the Cebuanos in mind, I believe the P500,000 'pabaon' or severance pay is not only unwarranted and unconscionable but also illegal and immoral. It will certainly set a bad precedent," Davide said in a message emailed to Sun.Star Cebu.

Davide also said Roa was not qualified to sit in the MCIAA board.

"Kaluoy pud sa mga Sugboanon nga nagbayad aron makagamit sa airport kon mobiyahe unya usikan lang (I pity the Cebuanos who pay airport fees only to watch the funds being wasted). Also, Director Roa, with due respect to her, was not even qualified to sit on the board in the first place," he said.

Davide, a lawyer and former Cebu City councilor, said the MCIAA charter or Republic Act 6958 requires, among others, that the secretary of the DOT or any undersecretary or assistant secretary designated by the secretary will sit as ex-officio member of the board.

"It does not mention the regional director. And for 15 years, she (Roa) sat there as board member representing the DOT in violation of the MCIAA charter. The Office of the Ombudsman should also look into this," Davide said.

He said based on the law, Roa could not receive an honorarium or severance pay.

Bonus

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has begun its fact-finding investigation on the legality of the P500,000 severance pay to Roa.

Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Santiago clarified yesterday it was broadcaster Ike Durano, and not former DOT secretary Ace Durano, who called her to inquire about the legality of the gratuity pay to Roa.

Meanwhile, Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said yesterday the MCIAA board granted to its employees the collective negotiation agreement (CNA) performance-based bonus, which is 50 percent of the maintenance and other
operating expenditures (MOOE) savings in 2009, and an additional 30 percent was recommended by the board.

Sepulveda explained this to Capitol reporters yesterday, a day after Garcia said the release of the bonus may be the reason employees are questioning the severance pay to Roa.

He said the questions may come from disgruntled employees after the board turned down their request on the recommended distribution scheme of the CNA bonus.

Under the proposed distribution scheme, the amount reached P78.6 million or 80 percent of the MOOE savings.

The actual savings were only P43 million.

This means, Sepulveda said, only 50 percent of the MOOE savings was given as an incentive and another 30 percent was granted by the board.

"They were still given the maximum," Sepulveda added.

Last July 2009, the MCIAA and MCIAA Employees' Mutual Association Inc. entered into a three-year CNA.

The CNA bonus is to be sourced from the MOOE savings and out of the MOOE savings, 50 percent will be allotted as incentive and granted annually. Another 30 percent will be based on the recommendation of the Employee and Management Committee and must be approved by the board.

Sepulveda, in a separate press conference, distributed copies of the letter signed by MCIAA General Manager Danilo Francia, explaining the legality and propriety of MCIAA's action to grant Roa the severance pay.

Mike 'gags' heads

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama, who promised maximum transparency in City Hall, recently instructed his department heads not to grant reporters any interviews and to refer the media to him instead.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young chided members of the Mayor's Management Team (MMT) for complaining about their employment status and acting like "sacred cows," and asked them to keep quiet.

Young defended the mayor's decision to assess the performance and abilities of the MMT members for possible reassignment, and even pushed to limit their term of office to two or three years.

Less than two weeks into his first term as mayor, Rama said he wants to be the one to face the media and answer any questions regarding operations of the different departments.

Since last week, reporters covering City Hall have been wondering why the department heads who used to be accessible are now declining to be interviewed.

They told reporters they are under instructions not to discuss anything with the media, and that reporters should ask the mayor instead.

"I did not make any written order but I told them that if you are not prepared to be interviewed, you better be sure to go to the PIO (public information officer)... If there is an issue concerning the department heads, Mike Rama will speak to the media as concurrent PIO so dili na absolute na dili sila katingog (It is not an absolute rule that they cannot grant
interviews)," Rama told a news conference yesterday.

When some reporters pointed out a PIO has yet to be appointed, he said he will be the concurrent PIO and only he will issue statements to the media, being the head of all department heads.

He explained he only wants to make sure all the information relayed to the media are accurate, and that he knows about them before they come out in the news.

Last week, the City Hall Association of Reporters in Media (Charm) requested Rama if a status quo can be observed, but he said, "Nganong status quo man na lahi na man ang mayor (Why should there be a status quo when there's a new mayor)?"

Vice Mayor Young said it is the prerogative of the mayor to impose the policy and adopt his own style in handling the media.

"Iya pud nang style. Being the mayor, he has his own policy. I think he knows that whatever policy he has, he should be able to deal with the consequences. That is his prerogative, but he should be ready to deal with whatever the consequences are," he said in a separate interview.

Reporters have been trying to get information on the fourth supplemental budget from department heads, but they were referred to the mayor.

Rama said he prefers that the concerned department heads course the information through the PIO.

"I have to work out a system that if there is an issue concerning the department heads, the PIO will speak on behalf of the City... I want to be sure that department heads are not just grandstanding kay ig abot unya sa conflict, kinsa may muatubang? Ang mayor gyud. (The mayor has to answer, in case of conflicts) This is just part of command responsibility," he explained.

He said he is looking for a permanent PIO who will set up an office so the reporters will not have to go directly to the department heads.

"There should be a setup, instead of your going anytime to get a comment from the department heads. Dili sad na mao (That's also not right) because we want everybody to work. If it's about a department, call the mayor because I am the head of all department heads. And if I don't know the answer, I will ask them to write it for me," Rama added.

Regional Director Pedro Noval of the Department of Interior and Local Government, when sought for comment, said he does not find anything wrong with Mayor Rama's policy.

Noval said there is no law violated, since the mayor is only being careful to make sure the media get accurate information.

"Since he will speak on behalf of the department heads, transparent gihapon siya (he's still being transparent).

Considering he's the mayor, he's answerable for everyone, that's probably why he is being careful," he added.

Also yesterday, Young proposed to restructure the MMT program and proposed to make all members contractual employees for three years, at most, to give the new cum laude graduates a chance to be part of the program.

In an interview yesterday, Young said he does not see anything wrong with the interviews that lawyer Jocelyn Pesquera has been conducting with MMT members.

He also does not see anything wrong with transferring the MMT members to other offices or terminating their contracts, if indeed Pesquera told them that.

"I don't know if she said that or not but at this time, there are a lot of insecurities among the people, so we don't know if gipasobraan ang storya or tinuod ba sad. But my point is, they're acting like sacred cows," Young said.

"Kinsa man na sila ba?... Why are they complaining that they are being interviewed again, na gibadlong sila?... I'm just saying that they should just keep their mouths shut," he added.

Some of the 80 city employees hired through the MMT program earlier said they are demoralized because of the uncertainties in their employment status.

The MMT members all graduated with honors (at least cum laude) and were hired to fill up middle management positions in City Hall.

The program was initiated by Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) in 2005, when he was mayor.

Of the 80 MMT members, about 20 are now regular employees occupying plantilla positions in different departments.

For Young, they should not be complaining, otherwise they have become ordinary employees of City Hall who don't want to be transferred and who ask for endorsements from the city officials.

"They should reorganize the MMT in the sense that there is a limit of two to three years. But it does not mean they cannot apply for a job in City Hall after that... They should not be regular because if you make them regular, matakdan gyud sila sa ubang empleyado (They will begin to act like other employees).

Tanawa karon, dili na sila magpa-interview," he said.

Young said he already raised his proposal to Osmeña when he was still mayor, and he did not object to it.

In his news conference yesterday, Rama said he will discuss the matter with City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete and Secretary Belinda Navascues and if they agree with the proposal, they will adopt it.

Young said he agrees with what Pesquera is doing with the MMT members, which he is also doing with the employees in the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

The MMT members, he said, also should not question the authority of Pesquera in conducting the interviews because she was authorized by the mayor to assess their performance, skills and talents so they can be placed in positions where their abilities will be maximized.

"It's a small thing for them to question. So what if she's not an employee? The mayor asked her to do it. Kami man ang politicians, they should not act like they are the politicians," Young added.

Rama reiterated it is his prerogative to designate whoever can help him, but that he will be the one to decide and set policies.

"This is my mayorship, so I am the boss," said Rama. "Some people are helping me but in the end, I will make the final decision."

Ronda mayor accuses rival, officers of graft


RONDA Mayor Mariano Blanco III yesterday lodged an administrative complaint for misconduct against former mayor Esteban Sia and two municipal workers before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, over an allegedly anomalous disbursement of public funds in 2008.

Blanco asked Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol to conduct an investigation against Sia, Municipal Accountant Genera Kasayan and Cecilia Gabatan, the town's disbursing officer.

Blanco accused the three of violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for "persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations in connection with the official duties…"

Sun.Star Cebu tried but failed to get Sia's reaction. His mobile phone was turned off.

In his complaint-affidavit, Blanco, the former Ronda vice mayor, said he discovered early last year his supposed
unliquidated cash advance.

When he checked at the town's accounting office, Blanco found out that a check worth P18,000 and dated Dec. 4, 2008 was issued, with his name as the payee.

It was for the registration fee for the "continuing legislative education program" and the "annual fellowship program and Christmas party."

"This expense is alarming, considering that, as I indicated in the voucher, I did not receive such check. Also, I did not authorize anybody to receive the check for me. Yet for unknown reasons, the check was released to someone," Blanco said in his complaint-affidavit.

Blanco said he never requested for any cash advance for the two items, so he was surprised when the money was issued for such programs.

The disbursement has not been liquidated.

"There is a clear misconduct on the part of these persons, considering they acted in bad faith for the release of the money from the municipality in my behalf," said Blanco.

Aquino administration wants to stop rice subsidies

The Aquino administration wants to stop subsidizing the price of rice - the staple food of Filipinos - and start selling the commodity at prices determined by market forces.

DENR to give DepEd wood for school buildings

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be donating at least P10 million worth of confiscated wood products to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the construction of school buildings, chairs, desks, and other school facilities.

CHED, DOLE worry over 'over-populated' courses

Nababahala ang Commission on Higher Education at Department of Labor sa dami ng mga estudyanteng kumukuha ng kursong tulad ng HRM, criminology at maritime courses. Ang problema rito, habang dumarami ang nagtatapos sa mga nasabing kurso, kumokonti naman ang oportunidad sa trabaho.


DOH offers free A(H1N1) vaccines for high risk individuals

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday urged the public to get vaccine shots against the A(H1N1) virus.

DOH report: Motorcycle most dangerous mode of transport

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Motorcycle is the most dangerous mode of transportation in the country, based on the latest report of the Department of Health (DOH) issued on Tuesday.

House bill to revive Bataan nuke plant filed anew

Refusing to die, the bill to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) has been filed anew in the House of Representatives.

Fight to revive BNPP continues

What her husband began, Pangasinan Rep. Kimi Cojuangco hopes to continue- fight to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

SSS extends amnesty for unremitted loan amortizations Aug. 2

The Social Security System has announced that it has extended the amnesty for employers who had failed to remit their employees' loan amortization to August 2 from July 31, 2010.

Comelec sets August 6-15 for youth polls' registration

The Commission on Elections has announced the passage of a resolution setting August 6-15 as voters' registration for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Mayors, governors told: Be transparent with IRA too

Lawmakers are not the only ones who should be transparent with their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or their so-called pork barrel. A congressman said local executives should also be transparent in dispensing with their billions of internal revenue allot (IRA).

Palace leaves Ombudsman's fate to House

With Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's refusal to resign, Malacanang is now leaving it up to the House of Representatives to "determine her fate," a spokesman said on Tuesday.

Palace probes 13 Arroyo 'midnight appointees'

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines -  Malacañang on Tuesday said it will investigate the alleged irregular appointments of 13 government officials to various departments and agencies despite an election appointment ban.

'Wide-ranging' changes in OPS forthcoming

MANILA, Philippines - The structural changes in the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) will be "wide-ranging," Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said an executive order to that effect is still being prepared.

Thus, Malacañang can't yet announce the composition of its so-called communications group, he said. The group is widely believed to replace the OPS.

Lacierda noted President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has the power to re-organize the executive branch, a provision prescribed under the Revised Administrative Code.

He said there is a need to revolutionize the OPS since it is already "outmoded." He said there is even no harmony among its many attached agencies.

Lacierda said Aquino wants Malacañang to become visible in social networking websites Facebook and Twitter in order to address the needs of the public.

The group would address all these, he said.

Sources earlier said the communications group will be composed of former Presidential Management Staff Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, former ANC anchor Ricky Carandang, and former The Explainer, historian Manuel "Manolo" Quezon III.

The group will supposedly strategize and craft the government's messages.

Meanwhile, Lacierda denied there is a rift among those who will complete the communications group.

He said all of them have a common job to pursue – promote the president's advocacies. One will be made a deputy spokesperson, he said.

Arroyo allies support Cha-cha move

by By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines - Allies of former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have signaled their support for her proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution through a Constitutional convention.

Lagman confident RH bill to get Congress OK

After more than a decade of pushing for a bill that will institutionalize a comprehensive and nationwide reproductive health policy, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman can now see its enactment into law.

Over 1,400 Senate bills filed 2 weeks before opening of session

A record high of 1,400 bills have already been filed in the Senate two weeks before session begins, records from the Legislative Bills and Index Service Department (LBIS) showed. Most of the bills were filed by Senate Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada.

3 senators ignore law on campaign donors, says Comelec commissioner

MANILA, PhilippinesElection Commissioner Rene Sarmiento refused to name the three senators who have failed to submit their statements of expenses and contributions in the last election.

However, Sarmiento said the three were probably brazen enough to ignore the requirement knowing that they would only be made to pay a fine of P30,000, if proven guilty.

The law provides that the statement of expenses and contributions must be filed with the Commission on Elections within 30 days (after) the conclusion of the election, he said before members of the Rotary Club of Makati on Tuesday.

As leaders, they should be examples. (Unfortunately) the values of our political leaders should also be improved, Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento wants Congress to either update specific election laws or create new ones to respond to issues that usually arise during poll season.

In the case of the law requiring candidates to submit their list of campaign expenses, Sarmiento said Congress even removed a provision giving a prison term of one to six years for violators.

What we have (left) is an administrative fine of P30,000 for the first offense and P60,000 for the second offense. Are the millionaires (in Congress) threatened by the kinds of penalties that we have? he remarked.

Sarmiento said provisions of the Automated Election Law pertaining to the ladderized canvassing of votes, random manual audit of votes and voter education should be reexamined or strengthened.

At the same time, the Omnibus Election Code provisions on campaign posters and campaign finances should also be amended, he said.

Sarmiento asked legislators to study the nomination process of the party-list system and consider stiffer penalties for violators of the law requiring candidates to submit statements of expenses and contributions.

Sarmiento added that congressmen have to enact brand new laws to impose penalties on vote-buying and selling, turncoatism and political dynasties.

Unless these issues are addressed, any effort of the Comelec to address them would be useless if the laws are not relevant to the specific situations, Sarmiento said in an ambush interview later.

Sarmiento said the ladderized system in the canvassing of votes prevented the poll body from announcing the results more quickly.

From the precinct, the count has to pass through the municipal, then the provincial and eventually the National Board of Canvassers, he said.

What if we amend the law to make the (transmission) direct from the precinct to the Comelec? The present law is based on the Constitution but this is one area that needs to be improved, Sarmiento said.

He added that the Comelec would like to add more clustered precincts in its random manual audit of votes and involve public schools in voters education.

We need to do voters education continuously. It should be part of the curriculum, he said.

In the case of campaign posters, Sarmiento said the Comelec would ask Congress to amend the Omnibus Election Code to allow concerned citizens to remove materials not (placed in common poster areas), to implement some kind of citizens arrest. We need (to make) the citizens more proactive.

Sarmiento also had a lot of say about the vague provisions of the party-list system that allowed people not perceived to be marginalized to represent those who are.

Who is a qualified nominee? Should he simply be an advocate for the marginalized? According to a survey conducted by one (non-government organization), almost all the party-list representatives sitting in Congress are now millionaires, he said.

Sarmiento said Congress must address the issue of turncoatism if only to make our political parties (more) mature.

In the case of political dynasties, Sarmiento recalled that a bill was filed during the Eighth Congress prohibiting such but this was placed in the backburner.

Until now, this has not been revived. The Constitutional provision against political dynasties has remains toothless up to this very day, he noted.

Mayuga still tight-lipped on 'Hello, Garci' report

The head of the military fact-finding panel that looked into the alleged involvement of several ranking officers in the supposed cheating in the 2004 elections is still not keen on discussing the details of his report.
"I think the new president has given his authority and of course, the Secretary of Defense can have full access to government records. I will not say anything and let the report speak for itself," said retired Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga in a phone interview Tuesday.

President Benigno Aquino III had earlier said he is considering the full disclosure of the report, which cleared three now-retired generals — Hermogenes Esperon, Roy Kyamko and Gabriel Habacon — of involvement in the supposed fraud that allegedly benefited then presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The names came out in the controversial "Hello, Garci" tapes — the wiretapped phone conversation between a woman believed to be Arroyo and a man believed to be then Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

The full report by the five-man panel, formed in 2005, was never made public.

Mayuga said his reticence about the report is only appropriate since he is already "a private person." He likewise maintained that he is not protecting anyone by not divulging the details of the report.

"Hindi ako magpapagamit sa mga tao ngayon… Ang problema kasi 'yung mga ibang tao, may conclusion na sila. Bago pa ako nag-imbestiga, may conclusion na 'yung ibang tao," he said.

(I will not allowed myself to be used by someone. The problem here is some people already had conclusions even before my panel started its investigation.)

Mayuga also said he is not in favor of the suggestion of former Scout Ranger chief and mutiny suspect Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim to reopen the case, noting that his investigation was aboveboard and that they did their best to establish honest findings.

"After that (investigation), I continued to enjoy eight hours of sleep. I can look at people straight in their eyes," he said.

Kin of slain OFW in Jeddah open for negotiations

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – The family of the overseas Filipino worker who was robbed and killed by 3 of his compatriots in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is open to talk and negotiate with the suspects' relatives.

DOJ reveals bribe tries to silence massacre witnesses

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Individuals allegedly from the Ampatuan camp offered up to P5 million in bribes to witnesses in exchange for the recantation of their statements about the Maguindanao massacre, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima revealed Tuesday.

Yusoph kidnappers kill soldier in ambush

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Suspected kidnappers of Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph's son on Tuesday morning ambushed Army troops in Lanao del Sur province, leaving one soldier dead and 5 others injured.

Comelec exec Yusoph wants martial law in Lanao Sur for son's rescue

Finally breaking his silence, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Elias Yusoph on Tuesday appealed to President Benigno Aquino III to hasten efforts to rescue his abducted son by declaring martial law over the province of Lanao del Sur.

Rebels torch village in Maguindanao

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - At least 200 armed men led by 2 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders virtually torched a whole village in Maguindanao province on Monday evening.

Moro rebels torch Maguindanao houses over feud with ex-local exec

Moro rebels stormed a village in Maguindanao and torched about 97 houses, forcing civilians to flee, the police said Tuesday.

Aquino giving mixed-signals to military: militants

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's directive that the military defend human rights while doing counter-insurgency measures is vague, an activist group said Tuesday.

PNP admits jueteng won't stop unless LGUs, communities cooperate

A "total approach" involving local chief executives, the community and other sectors would be needed to stamp out the illegal numbers game jueteng in the country, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday.

Bishop to provide Robredo names of gambling lords

Anti-jueteng crusader Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz said he will provide Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo the names of "more than 30" jueteng lords that his anti-gambling group has identified.

CA affirms arrest warrant against Ricky Recto

The Court of Appeals' special Sixth Division on Tuesday sustained the warrant of arrest issued against former Batangas vice governor Ricky Recto, older brother of Senator Ralph Recto.

$1: P46.440

$1: P46.440

Euro 1: P58.2334


Exports post 37.3 percent growth in May

Philippines' export revenues rose 37.3 percent to $4.2 billion in May as global recovery spurs demand for electronics, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said yesterday.

Panlilio is new BOI head; De Lima keeps PEZA post

MANILA, PhilippinesBusinessman Cristino Panlilio has been appointed managing head of the Board of Investments and concurrent undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, while Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima retains her position at the agency.

Panlilio, a Pampanga native and a true-blue Atenean, is president of Balibago Waterworks Systems Inc., the largest private provincial waterworks company in the country.

Apart from water, he also has extensive experience in the energy and sugar businesses, being managing director of sugar mill and investment holding firm Pampanga Sugar Development Co. Inc. and director of San Fernando Electric Light and Power Co. Inc. and Pampanga Energy Ventures Inc.

He also served as president of Universal Food Corp., maker of the UFC Catsup brand, from 1992-1997, as well as vice president and senior vice president at PCIBank during the 1980s.

De Lima is now one of the longest serving government agency heads, having served as PEZA chief under the administrations of Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and now Benigno Aquino III.

The Camarines Sur native has led the PEZA for 15 years and has helped bring in and retain more than $1 trillion worth of investments located in around 225 operating economic zones all over the country.

Indonesian officials arrest Filipino woman for smuggling 2.5 kilograms of heroin

Indonesian customs officials stationed at the Denpasar international airport arrested today a Filipino woman who tried to smuggle heroin weighs 2.5 kilograms worth about $797,000 to Indonesia's leisure island of Bali.

Southwest China landslides kill 17; 44 missing

by Reuters
BEIJING, China - Torrential rains in southwestern China triggered landslides that have killed 17 people and left 44 missing, Chinese media reported on Tuesday, with forecasts for more heavy rains in the days ahead.

North Korea calls off talks with UN officers over ship

by Reuters
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea abruptly called off talks set for Tuesday with the U.S.-led United Nations Command that oversees the Korean War truce, failing to show up for the first meeting to discuss the sinking of a South Korean warship.

Iran scientist turns up at Washington mission

TEHRAN, Iran - A missing Iranian nuclear scientist has dramatically turned up at the Iranian interests section of Pakistan's embassy in Washington, and was quoted as saying he was kidnapped by U.S. agents in a "disgraceful act".

Barako to compete anew; SLR's fate uncertain

Will Barako Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty, two financially challenged teams, continue their participation in Asia's first play-for-pay league, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)?

Point guard Fisher to re-sign with Lakers

Veteran National Basketball Association point guard Derek Fisher announced Monday that he plans to re-sign with the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Noynoy to host dinner for Palace press corps

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is hosting a dinner with members of the Malacañang Press Corps Wednesday night.

A 'beso-beso' between Imelda and Noynoy

MANILA, Philippines - It's another sign of the changing of the times. During the celebration of the 33rd birthday of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay on Monday night, former First Lady Imelda Marcos kissed President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on the cheek.

HS student bags silver at Intl Math Olympiad

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - A Filipina high school student bagged the silver medal at the 51st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Carmela Antoinette Lao, a senior high school student from Saint Jude Catholic School in Manila, received the silver medal at the prestigious contest. She also received a bronze medal in last year's IMO.

Fellow Filipino delegates Henry Jefferson Morco and Zheng Rong Wu were given honorable mentions.

Filipino student nails perfect score in math tourney in Hong Kong

By garnering a perfect score, a Filipino student has aced the just-concluded 13th Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC) here and helped put the Philippines on second place in the 14-nation competition.
Thirteen-year-old Adrian Reginald Sy, Grade 6 student of St. Jude Catholic School in Manila, was the country's lone gold medal winner.

Young Pinay singer the next Charice?

by By Don Tagala, ABS CBN News, North America Bureau
LONG ISLAND CITY, New York – Eleven-year-old Lianah Sta. Ana is fast becoming New York's next singing sensation.

Ruffa dating Smartmatic's Cesar Flores?

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - After dating box-office king John Lloyd Cruz, TV host Ruffa Gutierrez is being linked to Smartmatic's Cesar Flores.

Cherie Gil plays soprano Maria Callas onstage

by By Boy Villasanta, abs-cbnNEWS.com
With her schedule full of activities like tapings for a soap, film shoots, personal appearances, promo blitzes, recordings, family reunions, et cetera, versatile actress Cherie Gil said she doesn't even have "time for sex."

Ahmadinejad in flap over wearing of ties in Iran

Iran's President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has run into trouble with a conservative cleric over whether men are allowed to wear ties in the Islamic republic, the news agency ISNA reported on Tuesday.

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