Corona told to answer tax evasion charges until October 25

MANILA -- Former Chief Justice Renato Corona has failed to convince the Department of Justice to give him three more weeks to submit his reply regarding the P150-million tax evasion case filed against him and two relatives by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Corona asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to push the deadline to November 5 but the three-man panel of prosecutors handling the investigation opted for October 25 instead.

MNLF leader backs blueprint of peace in Mindanao

MANILA -- A leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) disagreed with the position of MNLF chairman Nur Misuari that the draft framework agreement will not serve as blueprint for permanent peace in Mindanao.

Hadja Bainon Karon, who is currently chair of the Bangsamoro Women's Committee of the MNLF, said she was "overwhelmed" and "happy that at long last, peace, security and development will reign."

Gov't welcomes arrival of Malaysian premier, envoys for peace deal signing

MANILA -- The Philippine government welcomed the arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak and other foreign dignitaries who will witness the historic signing of the framework agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Malacañang Monday.

Aside from the Malaysian leader, a delegation from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) led by Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is also attending the event.

Court grants Arroyo’s plea to reset arraignment over plunder suit

MANILA -- The Sandiganbayan on Monday deferred the arraignment of former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over the non-bailable plunder suit filed against her.

Arroyo, through her lawyer Anacleto Diaz, earlier sought the deferment of her arraignment to allow her to seek remedy before the Supreme Court (SC). The arraignment was reset to October 29.

Gunmen kill 7 in Rizal; drug link suspected

MANILA, Philippines — Police say gunmen shot dead seven people in Rodriguez, Rizal in what may be linked to illegal drugs.

Rodriquez town police chief Donato Bait said Monday the house owner, his wife and five other people bore gunshot wounds to the head.

Skydiver lands safely after 24-mile leap to Earth

ROSWELL, New Mexico — Austrian extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner landed gracefully on Earth Sunday after a 24-mile (38.6-kilometer) jump from the stratosphere in a dramatic, record-breaking feat that officials said made him the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound.

Cebu City preparing for Calungsod canonization

CEBU CITY -- Devotees are coming in at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Shrine in this city days before the canonization rites which is set on October 21, 2012, Sunday at the Vatican, Rome.

Seen in the said shrine is the saint's image while a stone, that came from Tumhon, Guam where Calungsod was allegedly killed, is placed under his feet, reports said.

Typhoon 'Nina' moves away from Philippines, another storm spotted

MANILA -- Typhoon "Nina" has slightly weakened as it continued to move slowly away from the country, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday.

Pagasa weather forecaster Fernando Cada said the typhoon’s winds strength decreased from 140 kilometers per hour (kph) Sunday to 130 kph on Monday, while its gustiness also fell from 170 kph to 160 kph.

Skydiver begins daring bid to break sound barrier

ROSWELL, New Mexico — Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner has jumped from a balloon 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) above Earth in a death-defying free fall that could make him the world's first supersonic skydiver.

Baumgartner climbed into the stratosphere in a pressurized capsule carried by a helium balloon Tuesday and then jumped into a near vacuum at about 128,000 feet (39,000 meters), or more than 24 miles (38.6 kilometers), high.

Bahrain king blasts 'foreign' links in unrest

MANAMA — Bahrain's king says his country will stand against foreign interference — a clear reference to Iran — in clashes between the Sunni-led ruling system and majority Shiites seeking a greater political voice.

The comments Sunday to parliament by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa are part of efforts to link Iran to the 20-month Shiite uprising in the strategic Gulf nation, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Iran has denounced the violence, and there is no firm evidence of Tehran aiding the protesters.