2 of 4 missing Pangasinan fishermen rescued

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Two of the four fishermen from Bolinao, Pangasinan who were reported missing in the West Philippine Sea since Friday were rescued off La Union on Monday afternoon.

This was reported by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Ilocos Region to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

De Lima: Supreme Court is not infallible

MANILA (2nd Update, 12:48 p.m.) -- Like any other human institution, it is impossible for the Supreme Court not to go wrong as illegal decisions are not worthy of obedience, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday.

Facing her colleagues at the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), de Lima defended her defiance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) that allowed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband to travel abroad last November.

4 arrested in killing of ex-tourism exec

MANILA -- Police operatives have arrested four suspects in the killing of former Philippine Tourism Authority head Nixon Kua and wounding of his brother last Saturday night in Calamba City in Laguna, an official said Tuesday.

Calamba City police chief Leovigildo Manaig identified the arrested suspects as Rey Cortez, Noel Garcia, Darwin Samiano and Michael Molino. They were placed under arrest in the city one after the other, between 8 p.m to 10 p.m. on Monday.

Simon Cowell's take on Spears, Lovato: Mean, a brat

BEVERLY HILLS, California — Britney Spears and Demi Lovato are the tough cookies on "The X Factor," according to series creator Simon Cowell.

With the new "X Factor" judges at his side Monday, the reliably acerbic Cowell said that Spears is "quite mean" and Lovato is "a brat." But, Cowell added, he's long wanted to work with Spears and said "there's really something likable" about Lovato.

Mayor for new Chinese city in Spratly elected: report

MANILA -- The People's Republic of China announced Tuesday the election of its first mayor of the newly-established Sansha City, a move seen to further escalate tension in the West Philippine Sea.

In an article posted in the official web portal of the Central People's Government of China, it said that Xiao Jie was elected Monday afternoon as Sansha City mayor.

Asian stocks fall as Europe debt crisis simmers

BANGKOK — Asian stock markets mostly dropped Tuesday despite a sign China's manufacturing downturn has bottomed as the possibility of a credit rating downgrade for Germany added to Europe's debt turmoil.

Global markets slid on Monday as Spain's borrowing costs soared, raising the risk that it will require a financial bailout that Europe probably can't afford. Moody's changing the outlook on Germany's credit rating to negative from stable dented faith in Europe's strongest economy and added to pressure on markets.

Aquino urged to give posthumous national artist award to Dolphy

MANILA -- One of the three actors in the Senate asked his colleagues to urge President Benigno Aquino III to confer the posthumous National Artist award to Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon Sr., otherwise known as the Comedy King.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who followed the lead of fellow actor and Senator Lito Lapid, said Dolphy had done enough to save the ailing motion picture industry as evidenced by producing over 60 flicks.

Senator: Proceed with caution on Charter change

MANILA -- Senator Alan Peter Cayetano joined Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in rejecting the idea of amending the Constitution supposedly to attract investments to the Philippines, which is currently losing out to Asian neighbors in terms of foreign capital.

Typhoon brings strong winds to China coast

HONG KONG — A typhoon approaching China is bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Hong Kong, shutting down offices and bringing business to a standstill.

The Hong Kong Observatory raised on Tuesday the cyclone warning for the storm to the highest level, saying it had wind speeds of 118 kilometers per hour (73 miles per hour).

Bautista to make SC transparent if appointed CJ

MANILA (Updated 10:40 a.m.) -- Only through a transparent and efficient administration of justice can Supreme Court regain public trust, the first Chief Justice nominee to be grilled by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) said Tuesday.

If appointed, Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Andres Bautista said he will push for the overhaul of human resources by recruiting the best and the brightest in the legal profession, fix case congestion and delays, and be transparent.