Cities league slammed over 'secret letter' claim

MATI CITY – A top official of this city slammed the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) for alleging that "secret letters" were sent to the Supreme Court (SC) to press for the cityhood of 16 municipalities.

The LCP earlier urged the High Court to make public the letters, which they claimed prompted the SC justices to flip-flop their earlier decision rejecting the creation of new 16 cities.

Government doubles efforts to help OFWs in Libya

MANILA (Updated 8:23 a.m.) -- The Philippine government doubled its efforts Sunday to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the political unrest in Libya, as it goes on a "full repatriation" mode, said the Foreign Affairs department.

The agency assured that "sufficient" personnel are now assisting Filipino repatriates in the oil-rich nation, with the deployment of four teams from the Philippines country Saturday night.

Clark most feasible as NAIA alternative

CLARK FREEPORT -- A study shows that Clark is the most feasible place where an alternative airport next to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) should be located.

Clark International Airport Corporation president Victor Jose I. Luciano said the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) conducted a feasibility study in six areas where an airport can be located.

Amendment on solid waste management law sought

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Kapampangan lawmakers are urged to initiate a legislative measure in Congress to amend the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Governor Lilia Pineda said it is about time to amend several provisions of the existing law on solid management -- Republic Act No. 9003 -- to solve the looming garbage problem.

Mayor hopes no ‘Edsa’ anew

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said that he wouldn’t want to see, as much as possible, another people power uprising in the future.

Rodriguez said this after he led multi-sectoral groups in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the People Power Revolution or Edsa 1 last Friday at City Hall.

PhilHealth: No more standing in queue with online system

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has encouraged companies in Central Luzon to avail of their electronic payment system.

Pampanga real estate mogul expands projects in Baguio

MEXICO -- Real estate mogul Architect Nestor Mangio has expanded his land development projects in Baguio City, a favorite spot among tourists.

Stronger credit program for farmers pushed

STA. RITA — The Butil Farmers Party (Butil) would be working for stronger credit assistance program for farmers to give them ready access to funds and enable them to pay in a more flexible lending program.

Pact signed for livelihood seminars

ANGELES CITY -- The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) recently forged an agreement with the Technology Resource Center (TRC) for the delivery of technology and livelihood programs in Central Luzon.

Vice mayor hits city traffic system

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday expressed dismay over the dismal performance of the traffic signalization system here, which costs the City Government some P720 million to implement.

The former mayor called on the project contractor -- A and A Traffic Engineering Phils. Inc. -- to immediately solve the glitch, saying the system is "out of order".

Customs to resolve row at Davao port

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said it will resolve the row at the Port of Davao over the closure of the designated examination area operation inside the Acquarius Container Yard (ACY).

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez through an emissary said that he will soon issue a resolution on the issue.

100 Dabawenyos in New Zealand are safe: Owwa

THE office of the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (Owwa) in Davao Region on Sunday reported that Dabawenyos working in Christchurch, New Zealand, recently hit by a strong earthquake, are safe.

Owwa said a total of 100 Dabawenyos are working in the quake-hit city.

Rat infestation hits anew Cotabato rice, corn farms

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Severe rat infestation has destroyed another 1,100 hectares of rice and corn fields, including coconut and palm oil trees in Kabacan town in North Cotabato, reports from the Municipal Agriculture Office said.

Gov’t monitors sale of food with poppy seeds

THE Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) urged local government officials to monitor business establishments selling food products that may contain opium poppy seeds.

Prescription for condoms inappropriate, councilor says

DAVAO City Councilor Bernard Al-ag called on his colleagues to set aside religious beliefs in drafting ordinances as these may not benefit majority of Davao City constituents.

Arroyo son retains party-list position

THE High Court has affirmed its December 2010 ruling dismissing all three petitions seeking the disqualification of former presidential son Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo as nominee of a party-list group in the May 2010 polls.

In a two-page resolution, the Supreme Court (SC) en banc denied with finality for being a prohibited pleading the motion filed by Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casiño seeking an extension of time to file his motion for reconsideration of the Court's December 7, 2010 ruling.

Aquino to discuss 23 bills on Ledac

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is set to discuss 23 proposed legislations when he convenes the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) on Monday.

In a press statement, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. confirmed that additional six bills are added to the initially 17 bills expected to be presented at the very first Ledac of President Aquino.

New Foreign Affairs chief not keen on political appointees

NEWLY-appointed Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario is not a big fan of political appointments.

In an interview over the weekend, the former Philippine ambassador to the United States said he is looking at limiting political appointments during his tenure as the country's top diplomat.

Trash at People Power rites disappoints group

POLLUTION watchdog EcoWaste Coalition was disappointed with the loads of trash in Manila after the 25th Edsa People Power anniversary celebration last Friday.

Recruiters ask for immigration chief's dismissal

MEMBERS of the Pilipino Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan (Pilmat) reiterated Sunday their call for the dismissal of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ronaldo Ledesma to appease Taiwan's anger.

Oral arguments on truth body issues denied

THE Supreme Court has denied government lawyers' bid for the holding of oral arguments on constitutional issues in the issuance of President Benigno Aquino III's Executive Order No. 1, creating the Truth Commission.

Train fares to be challenged in court

MILITANTS will challenge the imposition of new fare rates in Manila's three railway systems although the government has yet to set a date for the adjustments to take effect.

Medical group continues tirade on 'smoking President'

SHOWING determination, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) continued Sunday its tirade on the insistence of President Benigno Aquino III to smoke despite Malacañang disregarding the group's call.

P5 billion guaranty fund proposed

A BILL has been filed at the Senate to create a P5-billion guaranty fund to make sure private firms profit from private-public partnerships (PPPs).

Health exec rues village ordinance vs condoms

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday scored village officials of Ayala Alabang for making doctor's prescription a prerequisite in buying condoms.

Human rights victims to receive compensation

VICTIMS of human rights violations during the Martial Law years will get their compensation Monday after a United States court approved the distribution of $7.5 million to settle a class action suit filed against former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family.

Vatican ex-envoy hopes new Nuncio can speak English

A FORMER Philippine ambassador to the Holy See is hoping that the next Papal Nuncio to the Philippines would be a good English speaker, much like the outgoing Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams.

South Korea's expertise on urban planning sought

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seeking South Korean expertise and advice to solve the metro's traffic woes and problems in waste disposal and treatment, among others.

Cops to serve as poll tellers in special elections

POLICEMEN will act as Board of Election Tellers (BETs) in the special elections to be held in selected areas in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Agri agency implements more projects in Sulu

ASIDE from the P32-million fish port facilities, the National Government through the Department of Agriculture (DA) has injected more agriculture-related projects in the island province of Sulu.

Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan made the announcement last week after he and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala have led the groundbreaking of the P32-million fishport complex in the town of Maimbung.