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

Thursday, July 8, 2010

July 9, 2010 Major News Stories



25 ka tawo nagkalibanga

LABING minos 25 ka mga lumolupyo sa usa ka hilit nga barangay sa lungsod sa Tudela, Camotes ang nagkalibanga ug dunay amoebiasis.

Ang mga biktima nakainom sa kontaminadong tubig gikan sa usa ka atabay sa dapit.

Sa 25 ka mga lumolupyo, 10 ka mga tawo, sagad mga bata, ang na-confine sa Ricardo Maningo Memorial District Hospital sukad niadtong Martes.

Naglakip pa kini sa usa ka masuso ingon man mga batang nagpanuigon og usa ngadto sa duha ka mga tuig.

Si Dr. Cristina Giango, Provincial Health officer, nikompirmar sa Sun.Star Cebu kagahapon kalabot sa hitabo.

Siya niingon nga pipila sa apektadong mga residente dunay mucus sa ilang mga hugaw, samtang ang uban duna pay pat-ak sa dugo, nga maoy timailhan sa amoebiasis.

Nidugang si Giango nga ang tubig nga giinom sa mga lumolupyo, atol ning ting-uwan, nga nagagikan sa atabay hayan maoy tinubdan niini.

Sa laing interview kagahapon, si Nerissa Gorgonia, chief nurse sa Ricardo Maningo Memorial District Hospital, nisulti sa Sun.Star Cebu nga 10 ka mga tawo ang nanga-admit sa ospital, sagad kanila mga bata.

Ang nanga-admit mao sila si Julian Ace Carmel Pernetes, 11 pa ka buwan ang edad; Joseph Emmanuel Paluga, 9; Meisha Calambo, 6; Axel Rose Sanchez, 8; Chrismarie Tonie Reusora, usa ka tuig ug unom ka mga buwan; Vic Emmanuel Pernetes, 2; Florian Reusora, 18; Nathaniel Maratas, 15; Marjorie Maratas, 18; ug Niel Jake Maratas, 6.

Matod sa provincial ug municipal health officials nga kontrolado na ang insidente ug gisalikway ang taho nga dunay outbreak sa dapit.

Kalabot sa mga taho nga dunay dos anyos nga batang lalake nga nagpuyo sa lugar nga namatay tungod sa pag-inom sa kontaminadong tubig, giklaro ni Giango nga namatay kini tungod sa depekto sa lawas sukad sa pagkatawo niini didto sa Ormoc City niadto pang Martes.

Cebu City among areas with high malnutrition cases: report

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama says lowering the incidence of malnutrition in the city will be a key challenge to his administration.

Rama issued the statement after the city was listed among the areas in Central Visayas with a high incidence of malnutrition.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) 7 ranked Cebu City 5th in the listing of areas with high malnutrition. The City reported 5.68 percent malnutrition prevalence.

In Lapu-Lapu City, however, officials reported a drop in the number of severely malnourished children to just 1.4 percent, compared with the 20 percent prevalence rate in Metro Manila.

The drop earned the city an award for the implementation of its health program from 2006 to 2009.

The NNC 7 listed Negros Oriental cities as the top four areas in terms of malnutrition prevalence: Canlaon, 11.34 percent; Bayawan, 10.62 percent; Bais, 10.2 percent; and Tanjay, 6.42 percent.

Rama is scheduled to meet with former city mayor Florentino Solon, the city's nutrition consultant, and some city officials to discuss the issue.

Last January to March, the Cebu City Health Department conducted Operation Timbang on 130,383 preschoolers up to six years old who comprise 15.7 percent of the city's 827,285 children.

Of the total number of preschoolers weighed, 821 were found severely malnourished. The number, however, is lower than the 938 malnourished children reported last year.

NNC 7 nutrition officer Susan Orpilla earlier complained that some local government units, particularly the barangays, failed to prioritize health programs.

Rama said he has to check first all the programs of the city with regards to nutrition since he is still in his first week as mayor.

Projects

He, however, said his administration will definitely appropriate funds for intervention programs such as feeding projects.

The latest report of the Cebu City Health Department indicated that Barangay Ermita has the most number of severely underweight or malnourished children in the city.

"We don't look at the barangay captain, we look at all the residents, as a mayor, I will be serving all the constituents, I am the mayor of all," Rama said.

Orpilla said one reason the city ranks high in the list is the increasing migration of indigents from other areas.

Rama said the problem of migration should also be addressed, because it will affect support for constituents.

Other barangays in the city with the most cases of malnutrition are Mambaling, Buot Taup, Inayawan, Duljo-Fatima, Sapangdaku, Pamutan, Agsungot, Pahina San Nicolas and Punta Princesa.

Sawang Calero was reported last year as having the highest prevalence of malnutrition among the 80 barangays in the city but it is already out of the top 10 this year.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Barangay Bankal in the mainland and Caubian Islet have the most malnourished children, City Health Officer Rodulfo Berame said.

He said the city was able to lower the number of malnourished children because they visit their homes every day and provide them with micronutrients and supplementary food for 120 days.

He said the number of cases have steadily gone down because of their program.

The Lapu-Lapu City District Hospital closed its malnutrition ward in 2008 after the City decided to focus on the barangays, hiring barangay nutrition scholars to supplement barangay health workers.

DSWD chief finds leaks in food-for-school program, orders review

The Food-for-School Program implemented by the Arroyo administration is being reviewed after the Department of Social Welfare and Development under Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman discovered 'leakages' in the distribution of supplies to the beneficiaries.
"There is a big leakage. Not all (supplies) reach the children and their families. I think we should do more in plugging the holes … where the rice should not go, or change the entire context of the food-for-school program," Soliman said in Filipino during a press conference on Wednesday.

Under the FSP, the government gives a kilo of rice each day for 95 days in five months to encourage them to keep on attending their classes.

In a 2007 report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that the program became more of a burden than relief to teachers and parents as they ended up spending their own money to distribute the rice from the National Food Authority (NFA).

Pasyente may P600 mil nga bayranan, `gitanggong'

NIPASANGIL ang inahan sa usa ka pasyente sa Cebu Doctors University Hospital nga gitanggong ang iyang anak sa tambalanan human sila napakyas pagbayad sa ilang responsibilidad sa tambalanan dihang nalandig niadtong Mayo.

Niini, si Flora Edillon, inahan sa usa ka magtutudlo nga si Aurora Edillon, nga naospital niadto pang Mayo 25 human nakasugat og vehicular accident, nisang-at og petition for habeas corpus sa korte niadtong Hulyo 1 nga nag-awhag nga makagawas ang iyang anak sa tambalanan.

Apan, ang abogado nga nirepresentar sa tambalanan nga si Cornelio Mercado nipadayag nga wa nila gitanggong ang pasyente.

Hinuon nipasabot siya nga ang pasyente adunay obligasyon nga ilang bayran ang ilang responsibilidad sa tambalanan.

Kagahapon, gihusay ni Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 Judge Wilfredo Navarro ang petisyon nga gisang-at ni Edillon ug nimando siya nga pagawason sa Cebu Doctors University Hospital si Aurora.

Wa makatambong ang pasyente sa korte kagahapon nga maoy hangyo sa inahan kay anaa pa siya sa tambalanan.

Moabot nag P600,000 ang kantidad sa bayranan nilang Edillon sa hospital hinungdan nga wa una sila pagawasa.

Gikataho nga ang pasyente hangtod ning pagsuwat wa pa makahatag bisan sa pasiunang bayad sa tambalanan.

Ang inahan sa pasyente nitumbok nga wa siyay trabaho ug ang iyang anak nga maoy anaa sa tambalanan wa nay ikabayad sa ilang responsibilidad busa gipugngan si Aurora nga makagawas sa hospital.

Bisan sa awhag nga makagawas ang pasyente uban sa pasalig nga ilang wa pa mabayri nga responsibiliad sa hospital ilang bayranan pinaagi sa "installment" bisan ang iyang mga doktor ni-advise nga makagawas na siya apan ang tambalanan padayong nipatuman sa ilang palisya nga "no full pay, no release."

Police: Case strong vs. Ting "killer"

The police claim they have a strong case against Ruel Velez, the alleged assailant of hotelier Manuel Ting who was ambushed last June 22 even as a lawyer questioned the validity of his arrest.

St. Bernard village chief killed in blast -- report

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Philippines - A barangay chairman in St. Bernard died on Thursday reportedly due to a bomb explosion at his farmhouse in Ground Zero of the old Guinsaugon village.

Police Senior Inspector Billy Billaoac said New Guinsaugon Barangay (village) chairman Iglecerio Coquilla was killed at around 11 a.m. Thursday when the bomb exploded.

His wife Rosario, whose eyes were injured, was rushed to the Salvacion Oppus Memorial Provincial Hospital in Maasin City at around 3 p.m. for further treatment.

Billaoac said they were still investigating whether the bomb was a grenade or a homemade bomb.

"We are still at the site with bomb experts to look into angle or motive of the crime," Billaoac told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview.

Witnesses said that when Coquilla opened his farmhouse, a big explosion was heard.

Farming or living in the Ground Zero in the former Guinsaugon village was prohibited after the landslide where the entire village was buried with tons of mud, killing more than a thousand residents and the same number missing on February 17, 2006.

P500,000 RETIREMENT PAY FOR ROA: Airport personnel cry foul over grant

Several personnel of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) are questioning the propriety of the granting of severance pay of P500,000 to former Department of Tourism (DOT)-7 regional director Patria Aurora Roa.

She claimed that the 15-man MCIAA Board passed a resolution during their meeting on April 15 granting Roa P500,000 in recognition of her invaluable service and contribution to the airport's board as alternate member-director for 15 years.

Cabrera to finish compost facilities to address city's garbage problem

Councilor Maria Nida Cabrera is now working to continue unfinished and unimplemented projects that seek to address the city's garbage problem.

Rama readies P200M supplemental budget

- Road asphalting, health, lights, peace and order, garbage, traffic and drainage are among the items to be funded in the fourth supplemental budget of Cebu City which Mayor Michael Rama is now finalizing to submit before the city council.

Liberal Party eyes 6 deputy speakers

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Instead of the usual 4, the Liberal Party of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is eyeing 6 deputy speakers in the House of Representatives.

Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said 5 of the congressmen being eyed as deputy speakers are Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III (LP), Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza (LP), Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla (Nacionalista Party), Camarines Sur Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella (Nationalist People's Coalition) and Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia (Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats). They will still have to choose the 6th deputy speaker.

Garcia is a known ally of lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He is a member of a Lakas-Kampi CMD independent bloc of 42 congressmen that has allied itself with the LP.

 Earlier nominees for deputy speaker, Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas and Zamboanga Rep. Ana Isabelle Climaco, are now eyeing other posts in the lower house of Congress.

Gipugos pagpapirmag affidavit batok Greg?

KANHI kawani ni Bise-Gobernador Gregorio Sanchez nipasangil nga gipugos siya sa pagluwat og mga pamahayag aron iduot ang bise gobernador ug pasanginlan nga nalambigit sa anomaliya sa pagpatrabaho kanila sa pribadong farm sa Tuburan.

Si Manuel Montebon naabtan sa mga sakop sa media sa buhatan ni Sanchez kagahapon.

Matod pa ni Montebon nga nagkakita sila ni Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla niadtong Hunyo 12 sulod sa buwangan atol sa besperas sa fiesta sa Tuburan.

Gitanyagan siya ni Martinquilla nga tabangan nga makatrabaho gihapon sa Kapitolyo ug makadawat og pahalipay kang Gobernador Gwen Garcia kon moluwat kini og pamahayag batok sa bise gobernador.

Kahinumduman, si Montebon uban sa laing duha niya ka mga kauban nga nagtrabaho sa buhatan sa bise gobernador gipaimbestigar tungod sa pasangil nga gigamit ang ilang serbisyo sa personal nga negosyo ni Sanchez sulod sa pribadong
farm sa Tuburan.

"Miingon siya nga mopirma ko og affidavit against gyud ni Vice Gov. Sila ang bahala sa akong renewal ug ibutang ko sa lugar nga maayo ang pagka himutang. Basin pa ug mahatagan ko og incentives ni Gov. Garcia," matod ni Montebon.

Sa ilang panagsulti, wa niya gisanong si Martinquilla ug nagsigi kini og insister pagpangayo sa iyang cell phone number, apan wa gyud niya kini hatagi.

Nasayran na lang ni Montebon nga wa na siya gi-renew sa Kapitolyo ug giimbestigar.

Gipasalig usab ni Montebon nga andam siyang moatubang sa imbestigasyon ug mipasalig nga wa siya magtumo-tumo sa iyang pasangil batok kang Martinquilla.

Ang Sun.Star Superbalita nisuway pagkuha sa habig ni Martinquilla, apan wa kini sa iyang buhatan kay adunay importanting tigom nga gitambungan.

Sanchez asks COA's legal opinion on LAF

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is asking the Commission on Audit to render an opinion on the legality of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's memorandum relative to the use of the Legislative Assistance Fund in the province.

Aquino names new LTO chief

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Thursday named the new head of the Land Transportation Office.

Virginia Torres, who took her oath of office in Malacañang, replaced Alberto Suansing.

Jose Angel Honrado also took his oath as the new general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority and Rico Puno as the new Interior Undersecretary for peace and order.

The others who took their oaths before Aquino are the following:

1.Atty Jose Amor M. Amorado, senior deputy executive secretary

2. Atty Ericson A. Alcovendaz, assistant executive secretary (AES) for finance and administration and OIC DESFA office

3. Atty Ronald A. Geron, AES for legal affairs and OIC DESLA office

4. Atty Teofilo S. Pilando Jr., AES for government administration and OIC DESGA office

5. Atty Michael Frederick Musngi, Undersecretary OES

6. Ms. Ma. Lourdes Ong, Presidential Assistant I, with the rank of UnderSECRETARY, office of the special assistant to the president

7. Ms. Susan Reyes, AES of Socials Secretary's Office

8. Mr. Eric Gosengfiao, deputy director general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Former QC police chief is new NBI director

MANILA, Philippines - Former police director Magtanggol Gatdula has been named the new chief of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

DILG exec to BFP: Efficiently manage your resources

MANILA, Philippines – The newly appointed official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to efficiently manage its resources to be able to deliver services to the public.

During his dialogue with BFP personnel, DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Rico Puno said he expects the BFP to provide quality service to the people despite suffering a shortfall in equipment and manpower.

Puno said the goal of the administration of President Aquino, who is also the concurrent DILG chief, is to make sure that "the needs of the people should be given to them."

He also promised to give support the modernization effort of the BFP, which has been plagued with equipment shortage.

 "I am here to listen to you and see how we can improve our bureau and find ways to solve the problems," Puno, a former liaison officer for the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, said in his message to the BFP leadership. 

DPWH to spend P5B for safer roads

Expect a smoother car ride once the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) starts using the P5-billion Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC) to improve the safety standards of national roads and avoid accidents.

Palace bares resignation of 'midnight appointees'

Malacañang bared on Thursday the resignations of some "midnight appointees" of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Holiday economics law remains in effect—Palace

The holiday economics policy stays as the new government has "no official position" yet on the issue, a Palace official said Thursday.

60% of 2011 Bar exam will be multiple choice questions

MANILA, Philippines – The Bar examinations next year will be composed largely of multiple choice questions (MCQs), the Supreme Court disclosed today.

SC Justice Roberto Abad, head of the 2011 Bar Examinations Committee, has proposed 60 percent of the tests to be MCQ, which he said will test the examinees' knowledge not only in codal provision but also their comprehension and analysis.

The remaining 40 percent of the tests will be essay-type questions, Abad said.

In his proposal, the MCQ exams should be able to assess three main skills of the examinees: knowledge and recall; comprehension or understanding; and analysis and application.

The MCQ exams will only save time for examiners to prepare and correct the test papers.

The Bar examinations are currently comprised of essay-type questions for eight subjects — Political Law, Remedial Law, Taxation, Criminal Law, Civil Law, Mercantile Law, Labor Law, and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises.

The SC annually conducts the Bar exams pursuant to its constitutional mandate to promulgate rules governing, among others, the admission to the practice of law.

The exams are traditionally held in four consecutive Sundays of September.

De Lima to review Morong 43 case

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Now that she is handling the justice portfolio, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima committed to review the case involving the 43 health workers arrested for being alleged members of the New People's Army.

Lacson sends surrender feelers - DoJ

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is confident Senator Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson will turn up soon and face the criminal charges lodged against him.

De Lima assures Lacson of fair treatment

Posibleng lumantad na rin si Senador Panfilo Lacson para harapin ang mga kasong nakasampa laban sa kanya kaugnay ng Dacer-Corbito double murder case, ayon kay Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Sabi pa ni De Lima, ngayong may bago nang gobyerno, hindi na raw dapat mag-alaala si Lacson na hindi magiging patas sa kanya ang batas. At ayon sa NBI, sakaling lumantad na si Lacson, handa na ang kulungang paglalagyan sa kanya.

Aquino welcomes Faeldon's return

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is not yet contemplating on granting amnesty to elusive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who resurfaced after almost 2 years in hiding because he feels justice is more accessible under the administration of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

No talks on amnesty yet for Faeldon - Palace

The Aquino administration has yet to discuss whether or not to grant executive pardon to Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, a mutiny suspect who has surrendered to the military Tuesday afternoon after more than two years of hiding.

High-ranking military official questions AFP appointment

A high-ranking military official on Thursday questioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines' process of promotions after the appointment of what he called two unqualified military generals to top positions.

The two-star general, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said that "seniority and meritocracy" no longer served as bases for promoting or appointing military generals to key positions in the institution.

"Parang bata-bata na ito… sinasaksak lang nila kung sino yung gusto nilang ilagay (This is just like patronage… They appoint into office who they want to appoint)," the military general told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

The top-ranked general highlighted the appointment of Major General Gaudencio Pangilinan as the new commander of the Northern Luzon Command, saying there were 10 other division commanders more senior than Pangilinan. These were supposed to be the choices for the NOLCOM chief position.

Pangilinan, who replaced newly appointed Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Ricardo David, was promoted as NOLCOM Commander effective Thursday. He was formerly the Vice Chief of staff for Operations and has served as Civil Relations Service chief of the AFP.

He also questioned Pangilinan's credentials to run NOLCOM when he was not appointed as a division chief.

"Si Pangalinan hindi pa dumaan ng division e, and yet siya ang nilagay doon (Pangilinan did not become a division [commander], yet he was appointed there), so where is seniority and meritocracy there?" the general said.

He also questioned the appointment of Brigadier General Romulo M. Bambao as the new Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief, alleging that Bambao did not fare well in the intelligence eligibility list which considers previous positions held in the military's intelligence service.

Etta Rosales says Aquino chooses her as CHR chief

Former Akbayan Representative Loretta Ann Rosales confirmed that President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III had "chosen" her to be the next head of the Commission on Human Rights.

Bong-Bong Marcos hoping for fair treatment under Aquino administration

Neophyte Senator Ferdinand "Bong-Bong" Marcos Jr. is hoping he wouldn't be getting a different treatment under the Aquino administration just because he is a Marcos.

No need for Truth Commission, says Bongbong

Neophyte Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. sees no need for a Truth Commission to investigate the alleged crimes of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ecleo Jr. attends House seminar with GMA, Imelda et al

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - A homicide suspect, who is out on bail, was also a head turner in the neophytes' seminar at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Excited Pacquiao wants to deliver privilege speech

Saranggani Representative and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said he is all geared up to face another major challenge in his career, this time as a member of the House of Representatives.

Mangudadatu orders manhunt for massacre suspects

by by PECOJON Online
Shortly after his assumption to office, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu ordered local policemen to hunt down other people suspected to be involved in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre in Ampatuan town.

FPI releases P1.6M to families of Maguindanao massacre victims

The Federation of Philippine Industries has released P1.6 million of its P50-million pledge to the families of the Maguindanao massacre victims.

Former NICA chief named national security adviser

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has appointed retired general Cesar Garcia as National Security Adviser.

8 vie for Sandiganbayan presiding justice

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines - Justices of the Sandiganbayan are facing stiff competition from deputy court administrators and trial court judges for the chief position in the anti-graft court.

New Customs chief's target: 2 big smugglers every 2 weeks

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
1 person liked this - leo lastimosa
MANILA, Philippines - Newly-appointed Bureau of Customs (BoC) chief Angelito Alvarez on Thursday said he will name 2 big-time smugglers every 2 weeks and file cases against them as part of his effort to meet the agency's revenue target.

Aquino not keen on anti-smuggling body

PRESIDENT BENIGNO Simeon C. Aquino III is mulling the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) whose capability to effectively function has been questioned.

New Customs chief: No special favors for logistics firm that employed me

No special favors will be given to a logistics company that previously employed him, newly-appointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Angelito Alvarez said.

Philippines to catch corrupt officials in cyberspace

by Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines - The government said Thursday it planned to catch corrupt officials in cyberspace by using sites such as Facebook and Twitter as forums for the public to report crimes.

'Genuino used PAGCOR funds for son's campaign'

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
1 person liked this - leo lastimosa
MANILA, Philippines - The chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation on Thursday said he is mulling the possible filing of graft charges against his predecessor, Ephraim Genuino, for using PAGCOR funds in the failed mayoral bid of his son, Erwin, last May.

Palace ready to provide security to Lorenzo

Malacañang is ready to provide security to former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo, who might serve as state witness in the investigation of the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, an official said on Thursday.

'Fertilizer fund scam went on despite probe'

Nagpatuloy pa rin ang anomalya sa pondo na para dapat sa mga magsasaka sa loob ng Department of Agriculture kahit na noong kasagsagan ng imbestigasyon sa fertilizer fund scam! Ito ang isinawalat sa atin ni dating Senate Agriculture Committee chair Jun Magsaysay! Kaya para kay Magsaysay, dapat panagutin ang mga sangkot dito kabilang na umano si dating agriculture secretary Luisito Lorenzo. 

PNoy land, 1-M hectare others, up for distribution

More than one million hectares of agricultural land, including the Hacienda Luisita plantation estate owned by the President and his relatives, have to be distributed to farmer-beneficiaries before 2014.

$1: P46.430

$1: P46.430

Euro 1: P58.7947


BIR June collections below goal

by Reuters
MANILA, Philippines  - Revenue collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the country's main tax agency is below target in June based on initial data, the head of the agency said on Thursday.

COA called in to probe growing debt of government corporations

The Aquino adminstration will ask the Commission on Audit to probe the books of government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) after many of them reported bloated liabilities at the end of the Arroyo administration.

Ifpri: 5% yearly farm output can stop RP rural poverty

For the Philippines to eradicate rural poverty and hunger, the country needs to grow farm output by at least 5 percent a year from now until 2015, the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) said Thursday.

Purisima orders probe into P171-billion NFA debt

The National Food Authority's debt load increased by over six times in as many years to P171.56 billion, prompting Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to order a probe by the Commission on Audit.

DFA: e-passport application cheaper in RP

MANILA, Philippines – The application and processing fee for e-passports being issued by the Philippines government is cheaper than those in other countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

According to the DFA's official website (http://dfa.gov.ph), the $60 application fee of the country is lower than that of Malaysia, which charges about $88, and other countries such as Turkey ($150), the US ($97) and Japan ($182).

The $60 fee that the government charges to Filipino applicants abroad is a standard rate in all cases whether urgent or expedited applications, the DFA said.

It added that there are 27 Philippine embassies and consulates general that are already issuing, or in the process of pilot-testing, e-passports.

For its part, Migrante-Middle East, a migrant workers' rights group, said the rate for the application and renewal of e-passports is "misleading."

"Besides the cost of living in the countries mentioned in the DFA statement is relatively low as compared to the Philippines. OFWs are also receiving low wages compared to expat workers of those countries," the group said.

Catholic priest, nun murdered in China

by Agence France-Presse
BEIJING - A priest and a nun who were both members of China's underground Catholic church were murdered in the north of the country this week but the motive was not clear, police said Thursday.

Communist Cuba set to free 52 political prisoners

Cuba agreed to free 52 political prisoners beginning Thursday, in a breakthrough church-state deal set to yield the biggest prisoner release since President Raul Castro formally took power in 2008.

Pacquiao adviser works on possible Cotto rematch

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz said he had a "positive discussion" with newly crowned WBO junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto for a possible rematch should the Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight fail to materialize.

Donaire all set for 'dangerous' 'Tyson' Marquez

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Two-time world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. said he will be ready to defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt against Mexican Hernan "Tyson" Marquez, who will be gunning for his first world title for the first time.

JuanMa predicts Latinos will sweep Pinoys in 'The Challenge'

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Puerto Rican boxing superstar Juan Manuel "JuanMa" Lopez made a bold prediction that he and his fellow Latino fighters will score a clean sweep over Bernabe Concepcion, Nonito Donaire, Jr., and Eden Sonsona on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Filipino bowlers win gold, 2 bronzes in tenpin championship

Filipino Enrico Lorenzo Hernandez nipped his Singaporean foe by two pins to deliver the Philippines' first gold in the 12th Asian Schools Tenpin Bowling Championship recently in Kuala Lumpur.

GM Gonzales preparing self for Guinness record attempt

by abs-cbnNEWS.com
MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales sees the delay of his chess exhibition as an opportunity to condition himself more in preparation for his attempt to break the Guinness world record in simultaneous chess play.

Cojuangco seeks PSC leadership that can work with POC

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Peping Cojuangco Jr. wants a POC-friendly Philippine Sports Commission this time.

Cojuangco said on Thursday that every official on the list he recommended to Malacaang to compose the new PSC board has been proven capable of responding effectively to the various functions the government sports agency should carry out.

An uncle of President Aquino, Cojuangco said he recommended his close friend Richie Garcia as chair for his vast experience at the PSC where he worked as commissioner during the terms of President Estrada and President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aside from seeking another term for outgoing commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevarra, the local Olympic chief also endorsed POC deputy secretary-general Buddy Andrada, former PBA player Chito Loyzaga and Little League executive Jolly Gomez.

Cojuangco also batted for POC athletes commission vice chair Dina Bernardo as executive director.

If you look at the overall picture, these people can cover efficiently all the functions that the PSC will undertake, said Cojuangco.

Thats how I look at the qualifications of each of the people I recommended. These people are involved in sports for many, many years and they know how to win.

Under former softball president and Manila congressman Harry Angping, the PSC, among others, resisted POC efforts to secure funds for what the agency considered as unreasonable and unjustifiable international participation of national athletes.

As of Thursday, the appointment papers of Garcia, a friend and golfing buddy of Cojuangco, and the four other recommendees have not been released by Malacaang.

Even Cojuangco isnt quite sure when his recommended officials would take their oath of office.

Like all recommendations, it will go through a process before finally getting the Presidents signature, said Cojuangco.

But I dont think it will take long. I asked them (Palace officials) to make a decision and speed up the process because were pressed for time.

He said the new PSC board should be set up at once since the country would be competing in the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore next month and the Asian Games in Guangzhou on Nov. 12 to 27.


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