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Fujifilm’s X-Series

daryl_anunciado — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:31:12 +0000

Preparations for school opening in place: Palace

arielbcatubig — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:57:52 +0000

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MALACANANG assured Saturday that government agencies have already made the necessary preparations for the school opening next month.

In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Philippine National Police is ready to ensure peace and order as children go back to school this June.

The Department of Trade and Industry has also launched a caravan that will sell cheap and safe school supplies, she said.

Aquino orders revalidation of ‘Pablo’ damage

arielbcatubig — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:39:18 +0000

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PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has ordered the revalidation of the damage caused by Typhoon Pablo as he met Task Force Pablo on Friday, Malacanang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, said that the Chief Executive wanted to validate further the magnitude of the damage and the problems confronting Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley, the two provinces devastated by Typhoon Pablo last December.

Diplomacy to continue amid Ayungin spat

arielbcatubig — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:52:01 +0000

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MANILA — The Philippine government will stick to using a diplomatic solution in resolving the maritime disputes in the West Philippine Sea with the renewed tensions in the Ayungin Shoal, a Palace official said Saturday.

President Benigno Aquino III does not see the need yet to convene the National Security Council (NSC) nor a full Cabinet meeting to discuss the recent activities by Chinese military and fishing boats near Ayungin Shoal off Palawan province, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a radio interview.

Julia Barretto won’t meddle in mom, aunt feud

arielbcatubig — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:42:54 +0000

Derek Ramsay calls Sam Milby to clear gay issue

arielbcatubig — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:42:18 +0000

Inferno's description on Manila fictional: Palace

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:14:59 +0000

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MALACANANG urged Friday the public to believe more on the testimonials of real people on the beauty of the Philippines than on the fictional character of an American novelist describing Manila as "gates of hell."

"We trust that ordinary readers will give more weight to the testimonials of real people who have enjoyed their stay here in our beautiful country over the experiences of a fictional character whose narrative is written for maximum effect," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

The official was reacting on Dan Brown's published novel "Inferno."

Judy Ann Santos confident on husband's loyalty

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:57:20 +0000

CA stops field trials of genetically-modified eggplant

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:59:26 +0000

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GOVERNMENT agencies have been stopped by the Court of Appeals from cultivating genetically-modified eggplant because of its threats to human health and biodiversity.

The CA Special 13th Division issued a writ of kalikasan on May 17, which stopped respondents such as the Department of Agriculture from further conducting field trials of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant and tasked them to protect and rehabilitate areas affected by the experiment.

Field trials of Bt eggplant were made in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan; Pili, Camarines Sur; Los Baños, Laguna; and South Cotabato.

De Lima: Cybercrime law to stand legal scrutiny

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:58:51 +0000

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MANILA -- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said her department is readying changes to the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act, which will be presented to lawmakers in the incoming 16th Congress.

De Lima refused to specify the "improvements" on Thursday but certainly the Department of Justice took cue from the consolidated petitions against Republic Act 10175, whose implementation has been blocked by the Supreme Court since October last year.

Public schools reminded of no-collection policy

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 07:42:18 +0000

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THE Department of Education (DepEd) reminded Friday all public schools nationwide to strictly adhere on the policy of no collection of fees during enrollment when school year 2013-2014 opens on June 3.

Based on DepEd Order 41 series of 2012, "Revised guidelines on the opening of classes," Education Secretary Armin Luistro has directed all school officials that no fees shall be collected from school children in kindergarten up to Grade 4 anytime during school year 2013-2014.

For Grade 5 pupils up to 4th year high school students, there will be no collection from June to July 2013.

Army supports probe on 2 erring Palace guards

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 06:31:16 +0000

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THE Philippine Army said it won't tolerate the wrongdoing of two of its personnel, assigned with the Presidential Security Group, who were arrested by the police on alleged robbery in Novaliches, Quezon City on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, Army spokesman, said the Army leadership is supporting the ongoing investigation against Corporal Bobby Cepe Ates and Sergeant Marvin Gamba Gaton.

Lawmaker hopeful FOI will be prioritized next Congress

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:06:24 +0000

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A MEMBER of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) on Friday called on the Aquino administration to add the proposed freedom of information (FOI) law to its priority list in the incoming 16th Congress.

Reelected Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr., a member of the House committee on public information, said the FOI bill is crucial to the government's campaign to eradicate graft and corruption.

Comelec proclaims 14 party-list winners

arielbcatubig — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:20:40 +0000

MANILA (Updated) -- Fourteen out of 58 party-list seats up for grabs in the recently concluded midterm polls have been awarded on Friday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"The Comelec, sitting as NBOC, resolves to partially proclaim the 14 party-list groups as initial winners in the party-list elections of May 13, 2013, entitled to one guaranteed seat," said the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) Resolution 0006-13.

Gullas still richest Cebu lawmaker

jsclamohoy — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:16:44 +0000

MANILA (2nd Update, 11:23 a.m.) -- Outgoing representatives Eduardo Gullas (1st district) and Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, 2nd district) remain the richest and the poorest lawmakers, respectively, in Cebu, their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) filed in 2012 showed.

PSG to help in probe vs 2 of its men nabbed for robbery

bjandrade — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:32:11 +0000

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THE Presidential Security Group (PSG) will cooperate in the investigation against two of its personnel who were accused of robbing an auto parts shop in Quezon City, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte confirmed that suspects Marvin Gaton and Bobby Atis were members of the PSG.

Aquino approves Comelec 'intel fund'

bjandrade — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:30:14 +0000

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MANILA (Updated) -- President Benigno Aquino III has approved the P30-million "intelligence fund" of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which came from the agency's savings, Malacañang confirmed Thursday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino's approval of Comelec's intelligence fund is allowed under Section 59 of Republic Act No. 10352 or the General Appropriations Act of 2013.

Brillantes to Lagman: Don't project goodness at our expense

bjandrade — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:09:14 +0000

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MANILA - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes, on Thursday, lashed back at former colleague Gus Lagman questioning the latter’s motive of claiming to be the only one that returned the controversial “intelligence funds” for officials of the body.

In an interview, Brillantes said he believes that Lagman is just out to salvage his name after the former had repeatedly questioned the latter’s credibility as a poll critic when he only served as Comelec commissioner for 10 months and did not have any achievements.

Pacquiao still wealthiest House member

daryl_anunciado — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:18:08 +0000

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MANILA -- Reelected Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao remains the lone billionaire member of the House of Representatives with a net worth of P1.77 billion based on his 2012 filed statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

According to the summary report released by the House Secretary General, the Filipino boxing icon has P2.03 billion in total assets with real properties amounting to P1.04 billion and personal properties at 990 million.

Schools asked to work with stakeholders on tuition hikes

arielbcatubig — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:21:29 +0000

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PRIVATE colleges and universities that filed notices for tuition fee increases for this school year should work with the stakeholders in achieving a compromise acceptable to the public, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a news briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that academic institutions should observe the true essence of compliance to the rules by adhering to the outcome of consultations with different stakeholders.

Judy Ann Santos supports Ai-Ai delas Alas, abused women

arielbcatubig — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:27:14 +0000

Sam Milby shares Cannes Film Festival experience

arielbcatubig — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:26:31 +0000

Bank manager shot dead while driving in Manila

arielbcatubig — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:34:42 +0000

MANILA -- A female manager of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Taft Avenue branch died after she was shot while driving her car in Manila.

Rose Marie Gatan was driving her sports utility vehicle on Apacible Street when gunmen onboard a motorcycle shot at the car, hitting her in the head.

Her SUV crashed into a lamppost in front of the National Bureau of Investigation Office.

Onlookers rushed the victim to the Manila Medical Center but died while undergoing treatment for her wound, police said.

DOF supports removal of incentive to tourism establishments

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:54:45 +0000

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THE Department of Finance (DOF) expressed support on Wednesday to the Board of Investments (BOI) to remove the income tax holiday (ITH) incentive to hotels and resorts in four major destinations in the country.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima issued the statement in response to the Open Letter to President Benigno Aquino III by the Philippine Hotel Federation, Inc. (PHFI), which appealed for the revocation of BOI Regulation No. 2013-001 pertaining to the grant of incentives for tourism accommodation establishments in Metro Manila, Cebu City, Mactan Island, and Boracay Island.

Palace: Government committed to address poverty

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:38:53 +0000

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THE Aquino administration is committed to addressing poverty in the country through various initiatives and it is not solely relying on surveys as benchmarks for its interventions, a Palace official said Wednesday.

In a latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, it showed a rise on the number of hunger incidence in the country, from 16.3 percent in December to 19.2 percent this March.

But in a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the SWS survey, since it is done quarter to quarter, is a little bit volatile or is moving up and down.

More government appointees named

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:19:48 +0000

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MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III has named new appointees to the court, central bank, and to an international body, a Palace official said Wednesday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a press briefing, said that the Chief Executive appointed Maria Belen Ringpis-Liban as Associate Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals replacing Olga Palanca-Enriquez.

The President signed Ringpis-Liban's appointment on May 17.

P42M earmarked for Transition Commission

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:12:57 +0000

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PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has approved the allocation of initial P42 million to support the operational requirements of the 15-man Transition Commission, a body tasked to draft the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said that of the total amount, P29 million has been released as cash.

De Lima hits CA for blocking prosecution of big cases

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 08:02:47 +0000

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(UPDATED) Fed up with successive setbacks at the Court of Appeals, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima wondered why the tribunal has been rejecting the department's resolutions on cases against the Reyes brothers, an employee of a housing developer, and an oil firm.

"Is the CA running out of justices?" de Lima said Wednesday, noting that two justices voted to reverse the finding of probable cause against murder suspects Joel and Mario Reyes and Christina Sagun, who was implicated in the syndicated estafa case on Globe Asiatique officials.

NBI off to Taiwan to complete shooting probe

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:15:22 +0000

MANILA (Updated) -- A team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) may leave for Taiwan on Friday to inspect the vessel and interview companions of a fisherman recently killed by the Philippine Coast Guard, an official of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) said.

Robredo widow to make LGUs focus of legislation

arielbcatubig — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:07:36 +0000

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THE widow of the late Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo said Wednesday that she will prioritize measures geared towards improving the local government units in the House of Representatives.

"The potential of the local government is boundless, I want to focus on that because it is through the local government where we can guarantee efficient delivery of services," said Leni Robredo, the newly elected representative of the third district of Camarines Sur.