Yahoo! Philippines News - Live 2013 Philippine Elections News Updates and Results

Earthquake strikes Quezon; shocks felt in metro

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:31:17 +0800

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Quezon province at around 7 p.m. Wednesday, with shocks felt in many cities in Metro Manila.

Pagasa: New LPA spotted as 'Emong' moves away

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:23:09 +0800

Tropical Storm “Emong” may be on its way out of the country but experts say the weather won’t be improving until next week.

Top Pagasa official quits amid storm

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:12:27 +0800

Amid heavy downpour caused by a tropical storm's impact on the southwest monsoon, the weather bureau's top official official quit his post.

PNP eyes P2-billion deal for new cars

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:45:43 +0800

The Philippine National Police (PNP) hopes to procure more than 2,500 police vehicles in a bid to increase police visibility and improve their movement nationwide.

At PUP, keeping tuition fees low is a community effort

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:42:13 +0800

They say it takes a village to raise a child. At the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, it takes a whole school—from students, the administration, to finance officers—to keep the tuition fee at P12 per unit, the lowest in the country. The concerted effort allows some 72,000 poor but deserving students to have a fighting chance at a college degree yearly. “The tuition in part remains low because of the active response from the students. ...

Rizal genome project finds funding, ready to start mapping

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:13:20 +0800

Filipinos will soon get to know the country’s national hero like never before as the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) readies the reconstruction of Jose P. Rizal’s DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). On a Monday night Facebook post, Dr. Corazon De Ungria, PGC program manager for forensics and ethnicity, confirmed that they will start mapping Rizal’s Maternal DNA. ...

Magnitude 4.4 quake jolts Metro Manila, nearby provinces

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:58:29 +0800

(Updated 8:19 p.m.) A magnitude 4.4 quake was felt in Metro Manila and nearby provinces Wednesday evening, state seismologists said.According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake was tectonic in origin and was felt in the following areas: Intensity III: Labo, Camarines Norte; Infanta, Quezon; Quezon City; Arayat, Pampanga Intensity II: Makati City; Taguig City; Muntinlupa City; Pasay City; Antipolo City; San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Intensity I: Caloocan CityThe US Geological Survey, meanwhile, said on its website that the earthquake had a 4. ...

Look-out bulletin order issued vs. ex-Batangas mayor, other suspects in fiscal's slay

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:55:23 +0800

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a lookout bulletin order against the suspects in the killing of

Cebu gov Garcia asks court to junk motion seeking her suspension

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:00:33 +0800

Outgoing Cebu governor Gwen Garcia on Wednesday asked the Sandiganbayan Second Division to junk a motion filed by the Office of the Ombudsman seeking her suspension from office.In her petition, Garcia disputed the prosecution’s claim that she has effectively admitted the validity of the charges against her when she entered “not guilty” pleas during her arraignment last March 22.“It is elementary that a Motion to Quash is filed precisely to question the validity of the information,” Garcia's lawyers said, referring to the motion they filed on May 21, 2013. ...

PNP to procure 2,500 vehicles for P2 billion — Roxas

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:17 +0800

With an "unprecedented" budget of P2 billion, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will procure some 2,500 vehicles that will be distributed to police offices all over the country, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II announced Wednesday."This is the first time nagkaroon ng ganitong kalaking pagbili,” Roxas said at a press briefing in Camp Crame. “Unprecedented itong P2 billion na suporta para sa ating peace and order kaya lahat naman ay mapagbibigyan dito. ...

PNoy wants sanctions for local execs who allow return of informal settlers near waterways

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:01:23 +0800

President Benigno Aquino III wants sanctions for local government officials who will allow informal settlers to return and build houses near waterways, a Cabinet official said Wednesday.Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said Aquino gave the directive during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting to make sure that the government will be able to implement its plan to clear eight priority waterways by the end of the year."Ang naging usapan kahapon, the national government will take the lead in clearing these out, pero hindi na puwedeng bumalik pa riyan. ...

SC justices back Sereno in SQA order vs. Comelec money ban

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:30:30 +0800

Supreme Court magistrates have formally supported the status quo ante (SQA) order issued by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno stopping the implementation of the Commission

DOTC: Two domestic flights canceled due to bad weather

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:41:17 +0800

At least two domestic flights were canceled Tuesday evening due to bad weather, the Department of Transportation and Communications said (DOTC).

Davao scientists developing seaweed-based, cancer-fighting foods

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:29:22 +0800

Since seaweed is recognized to have “anti-oxidant” properties, scientists at an aquatic technology school in Davao del Sur are trying to validate whether seaweed-based carrageenan powder as a blending agent in processed foods can fight cancer and other ailments.

Anti-social media app helps you steer clear of 'friends'

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:03:23 +0800

If social networking services like Facebook and Twitter help you find your friends, this site helps you do exactly the opposite.

Chinese invent hairy stockings to ward off perverts

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:51:16 +0800

This could be one of the more unusual but potentially effective ways for girls to get rid of perverts.

Google's goes 'Loony', whips up a balloon-powered Internet

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:39:26 +0800

It's so 'loony it just might work: Google is working to bring the Internet to the masses by using balloons up in the stratosphere.

Mutant virus used to treat blindness

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:35:27 +0800

Scientists have discovered and amplified an evolved adeno-associated virus (AAV) to target and deliver gene therapy to retinal cells in mice. This discovery could lead to less invasive and more precise gene therapies for retinal degeneration diseases such as retinoschisis and Leber’s congenital amaurosis, as well as disease in other organs that normally couldn’t be treated with gene therapy because of the lack of tissue specific drug delivery systems.

Virtual reality porn comes to Oculus Rift

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:04:20 +0800

Wicked Paradise, an erotic adventure game, is under development for the Oculus Rift virtual reality platform, according to Eurogamer and Kotaku.

Flash flood, landslide warnings up in Luzon and Visayas as Emong moves north

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:42:15 +0800

Flash flood and landslide warnings are still up in Metro Manila and much of Luzon and Visayas over the next 24 hours as Tropical Storm Emong (international code name Leepi) moved near Cagayan province Tuesday afternoon.

De Lima to probe 5-year detention of drug suspect

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:40:16 +0800

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday said her agency would investigate how authorities managed to detain a drug suspect for five years even without formal charges.The Court of Appeals' Seventh Division earlier granted suspect Joan Urbina's petition for certiorari and habeas corpus and ordered authorities to release her.The court said Urbina should be freed because her incarceration without formal charges was "violative of petitioner’s Constitutional rights to a speedy disposition of her case and to due process of law. ...

Emong now a tropical storm; more heavy rains expected until Sunday

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:42:07 +0800

Tropical Cyclone Emong (international codename Leepi) intensified into a tropical storm before noon Tuesday but has started moving north and away from the Philippines, state weather forecasters said.

NPA rebels seize 5 soldiers in Davao del Norte

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:47:17 +0800

Five Army soldiers were abducted Monday afternoon by communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Davao del Norte province, police and military officials said Tuesday.A sixth soldier identified only as Lt. Canitan was able to escape and reported the incident to authorities, said Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, director of the Davao City police.He said the troops were en route to Panabo City from Barangay Mapula in Davao City “for admin purposes” on board two motorcycles when they were held at gunpoint by an undetermined number of NPA rebels manning a barricade. ...

NCRPO: Over 500 erring Metro Manila cops sanctioned since September 2012

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:45:17 +0800

Over 500 Metro Manila policemen were sanctioned over various offenses since September last year, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said in a statement Monday.Of the total 531 sanctioned policemen, 165 were dismissed, 108 demoted, and 258 suspended, the NCRPO said."(The) NCRPO will only allow true policemen by heart and deeds to stay in the organization,” said NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina. “Erring, abusive policemen have no right to be part of the organization. ...

Farmers claim 938 ha. of Hacienda Luisita slashed from them, want full distribution

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:52:11 +0800

A group of farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita has sought help from the Supreme Court after learning that the land parcel to be distributed to them has allegedly been slashed by almost 1,000 hectares.In a 12-page motion, the Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) asked the high court to order the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) not only to speed up but also to "fully" implement the distribution of 4,335 hectares of land in the Tarlac plantation. ...

After five years, CA frees illegally detained drug suspect

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:50:11 +0800

After five years of detention without formal charges, drug suspect Joan Urbina will be finally freed.This was after the Court of Appeals' Seventh Division granted her petition for certiorari and habeas corpus and ordered authorities to release her.The court said Urbina should be freed because her incarceration without formal charges was "violative of petitioner’s Constitutional rights to a speedy disposition of her case and to due process of law. ...

UN: 26 child 'soldiers' recruited by PHL armed groups, including military, in 2012

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:34:15 +0800

A total of 26 child "soldiers" were recruited by various armed groups in the Philippines, including the military, in 2012, a report by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.The 26 children—23 boys and three girls between 12 and 17 years—were recruited in 11 separate incidents, according to the report released on June 12 titled "Grave Violations Committed Against Children in 22 Situations of Concern. ...

Palace won't 'dignify' claims of PNoy phone numbers being hacked

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:56:14 +0800

Malacañang on Sunday said it will not dignify a hacker’s claims to have gained access to President Benigno Aquino III’s mobile phone numbers, a day after the supposed numbers were posted online.

EA to release time-travelling PVZ sequel July 18 [with VIDEO]

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:19:18 +0800

Fans of the hit game "Plants vs Zombies" won't have too long to wait: a sequel to the game with a time-travel twist is coming on July 18, a tech site reported.