Nation News

Opposition battle seen in Caloocan

Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

The recent defection of Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri from the ruling Lakas-CMD Party to the Liberal Party (LP) will result in a political battle between two opposition groups in the 2010 elections at the local level.

Pablo Casimina, a former city administrator who now works with the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of former President Joseph Estrada, said Monday Lakas-CMD is practically decimated in Caloocan City with the political move taken by Echiverri.

Expected to contest Echiverri's group or the newly converted LP group is a coalition led by the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) headed by former Rep. More »

  • LGUs not linked to LTO

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    There is no use in obeying traffic rules imposed by local government units (LGUs), a transport group leader lamented last Monday.

    Orlando Marquez, president of the Liga ng Transport Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP), noted that some motorists whose driver's license has been confiscated by an LGU simply declare the loss of their license to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and apply for a replacement instead of claiming their confiscated license from the LGU.

    He said LGUs, including those in Metro Manila, have no computer interconnection with the LTO, the government agency that issues licenses to drivers.

  • Simple Christmas in flood-hit Muntinlupa

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    Christmas this year won't be the same for many typhoon-battered residents of Muntinlupa City, but then it's how you celebrate the occasion that would make it memorable, Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro said last Monday.

    "Christmas celebration in our city will be simple and meaningful this year given that thousands of residents have been devastated by the recent typhoons," San Pedro said.

    As of Monday, several villages in the city, specifically those lined up beside Laguna de Bay, are still submerged in floodwater, he said.

    Eight out of nine barangays in Muntinlupa sit along the lake, which overflowed due to voluminous rains dumped by tropical storm "Ondoy" last September.

  • 71 vintage bombs found in QC, Pasig

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    Seventy-one vintage bombs were found separately in Quezon City and Pasig City early Monday.

    An 81-mm World War I mortar shell was found at a garbage dump in QC at 4:30 a.m. while a scavenger was sifting through the garbage.

    Members of the Explosives Ordnance Division (EOD) of the Quezon City Police Department went to the area and secured the vintage bomb.

    Vintage bombs, experts said, are often found by construction workers while digging in different parts of the country.

  • Comelec warns party-lists

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Monday that the manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list polls will not be given due course, rejected or cancelled if it will put the election process in mockery or disrepute even it is filed by an organized group duly registered and accredited under the party-list system of representation.

    The Comelec, led by Chairman Jose A.R. Melo, said the manifestation must conform with the requirements contained in en banc Resolution No. 8651 and must be filed on or before the midnight of Dec. 1 and signed by the president or chairman or secretary-general of the party or group.

    "Manifestations filed by mail, telegram or facsimile shall not be accepted," Melo said.

    If the manifestation could cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the party-list name or acronym, it will likewise be cancelled, it was added.

    Comelec may, at any time before the election, motu proprio or on its own, refuse to give due course to or cancel the manifestation if it is shown that the party-list group has no genuine intention to participate in the election. (E. T. Suarez)

  • Ombudsman suspends BIR tax examiner

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    The Office of the Ombudsman suspended on Monday for six months without pay a tax examiner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for alleged unexplained wealth.

  • DFA welcomes new US Ambassador

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday welcomed the nomination of Harry Thomas Jr. as the new US Ambassador to the Philippines.

    "The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomes the announcement of the White House regarding the nomination of Harry K. Thomas Jr. as Ambassador of the United States of America to the Philippines," the DFA said in a statement on Monday.

    "The department looks forward to working closely with Mr.

  • Weather disturbance turns into ALPA, threatens Visayas, Mindanao

    GMANews.TV - Monday, November 23

    A low-pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao has intensified into an active low-pressure area (ALPA), threatening Eastern Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao if it becomes a cyclone.

  • Aussie officials meet with rebels, back peace talk

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    Australian officials from the Embassy of Australia, led by Deputy Head of Mission Stephen Scott, have met for the third time last November 21 since July this year with leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), to renew strong support to the Mindanao peace process.

    The Australian Embassy minister was accompanied in his visit to Camp Darapanan, Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, by Dr.

  • 9-foot long python captured in Pasig

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    Rescue workers and barangay watchmen last Monday captured a Philippine Python from a warehouse in Pasig City.

    Authorities received a call at 2 a.m. on the sighting of the approximately nine-foot long python.

    The snake was earlier spotted by stay-in workers who were roused from the sleep as the python slithered its way around wooden beams.

    When rescue workers tried to capture it, the python propped itself at an area where it would be difficult to reach.

    After more than an hour, rescue workers, who used some rope, PVC pipes and a sack were able to corner the python and placed it inside the sack.

    The python will be turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

  • ADB exec denies coddling suspect in Ebarle case

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    The British Consultant of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) appeared Monday at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to strongly deny reports that he was coddling his stepson, who was implicated in last Wednesday's shooting to death of a Malacanang official's son over road altercation in Quezon City.

    Accompanied by his lawyer, ADB official Stephen Pollard, answered some questions conducted by the NBI Special Action Unit under lawyer Angelito Magno to shed light on the matter.

    Lawyer Alexis Media, counsel of Pollard, granted interview on behalf of his client and reiterated that the ADB official vehemently belied reports that he was coddling his stepson, Jason Ivler, or anyone involved in any crime.

    Ivler was implicated in the shooting to death of Renato Victor Ebarle Jr., son of Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr. of the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.

    The victim was a recruitment manager of the Peninsula Manila Hotel.

    Medina said Pollard, an economist, expressed his condolences to the family of the victim.

  • Peewee to seek re-election

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad on Monday filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to seek another term in office, quelling rumors that his wife, Pasayena Foundation Inc.

  • Bizarre candidates kick off May 2010 RP election race

    Manila Bulletin - Monday, November 23

    MANILA, November 23, 2009 (AFP) - Bizarre candidates such as the "Ultimate Messiah" and a man who crows like a chicken are seeking their moments of fame by making unlikely bids for president in next year's Philippine elections.

    Their chances of winning are non-existent but they have given a splash of colour to the start of a long election race in which the Southeast Asian nation's chaotic brand of democracy will be on full display.

    Rigoberto Madera was the first to register as a candidate at the election commission on Friday, waving handouts identifying him as "Star General Ace Diamond, Commander-in-Chief on Earth... Emparador (Emperor), Ultimate Messiah.

  • Lakas originals supporting Ebdane, supporter claims

    GMANews.TV - Monday, November 23

    A number of original members of the Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party is throwing their support to the presidential bid of former Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

  • Pinoy named CNN 'Hero of the Year'

    Pinoy named CNN 'Hero of the Year'

    Philstar.com - Monday, November 23

    MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino has received international recognition for his innovative effort in educating poor children.

  • 3 ship officials kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte

    Philstar.com - Monday, November 23

    MANILA, Philippines - Nine armed men kidnapped three officials of a barge Saturday night as it was taking shelter in Siocon Bay, Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said yesterday.

  • Lakandula award awaits CNN hero Peñaflorida

    GMANews.TV - Monday, November 23

    The government will confer Efren Peñaflorida the Order of Lakandula upon his return to the country after being named Hero of the Year by international news network CNN.

  • DPWH blames old equipment for slow repair efforts

    GMANews.TV - Monday, November 23

    Old and obsolete equipment are hampering the government’s efforts to speedily clear and repair roads and bridges devastated by the recent tropical cyclones.

  • Party-list groups ordered to bare nominees

    GMANews.TV - Monday, November 23

    To ensure transparency in next year's elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered party-list organizations to include the names of their nominees in all their campaign materials.

  • First vice presidential aspirant files COC

    Philstar.com - Monday, November 23

    MANILA, Philippines - The first vice presidential hopeful filed his certificate of candidacy today at the Commission on Elections in Manila.

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