2 more houses robbed

TWO houses were robbed in separate incidents in Davao City on Wednesday, victimizing an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and an employee of a gasoline station.

The first incident happened around 7 a.m. at Purok San Lorenzo, Buhangin. The victim was identified as Joan Maquiling del Mondo, a 26-year-old OFW and a renter of #0407 Sto. Niño St.

2 brods face drug charges

TWO brothers, who were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 for their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade, will face trial after they were charged by the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Associate Prosecution Attorney Van Russel Inopiquez found enough evidence to indict Michael Cavan with violations of Sections 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) and 12 (possession of paraphernalia), Article 2 of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Young stops demolition of a stage in Apas; Ayuman says it’s mere politics

CEBU City Acting Mayor Joy Augustus Young issued a cease and desist order on the alleged demolition of a stage in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Apas.

But if one had to ask Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, there was no demolition, and Young and his supporters are just politicking.

3 Aspins to join in 1st dog agility tilt in Cebu City

AMIGA, a two-year-old asong pinoy or aspin, will be one of three aspins that will compete in the First Philippine Dog Agility Championships this weekend.

Aspins are not known to compete in agility contests but officials of the Philippine Dog Agility Association (PDAA) said this was only because of the lack of time that people spend on their pets for training and brain stimulation.

City continues to monitor HIV-AIDS

HEALTH officials will intensify monitoring the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the city with the continued decline of recorded cases.

Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, of the Social Hygiene Clinic, said they will start their surveillance in May 27 to get the real picture of HIV infections among various sectors particularly among Men Having Sex with Men (MSM) where most of the recent infections in the city emanate.

Hospital worker faces raps anew

AN EMPLOYEE of Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) faces another possible case of multiple counts of estafa after falsifying several documents resulting to the loss of P3,360,674.

In an affidavit/complaint of the province of Benguet represented by Governor Nestor Fongwan, it accused BeGH Administrative Officer Dison Balangue for 28 accumulated counts of estafa.

Roads, railways rehab sought

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Barangay Pico chief Juan Mendoza is asking for the urgent rehabilitation of roads and railings here.  

Mendoza endorsed to local council a barangay resolution asking for fund allotment from the barangay’s calamity fund for repair of damaged pathways and railings at the stairway going to Upper Cogcoga kilometer 3 at the Pico area.

Lualhati folks feel voting rights were violated

THE barangay chairman of Lualhati expressed her constituents’ frustration after they failed to vote during the recently concluded 2013 elections due to the switching of ballots with Compostela Valley.

“Our constituents in Barangay Lualhati feel very frustrated and feel their basic voting rights were violated,” said chairman Norma Bustarde during a press conference Wednesday, adding: “It’s a painful and frustrating experience.”

DepEd to introduce new teaching method in June

THE Department of Education (DepEd) is launching the High Order Thinking Skills (Hots) method in teaching to test the ability of students in reading by using computer units.

Hots is the type of learning which involves cognitive processes such as analysis, comprehension, knowledge acquisition, synthesis, and evaluation.

Measles cases soar by 157%

THE Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (Resu) reported that measles cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region increased by 157 percent.

Suspected measles cases rose to 77 this year compared to 30 cases reported from January 1 to May 18 last year.

Website to hold walk-briefing on Saturday

BAGUIO City’s website “Bonjing” will guide 150 children and youth to a walk and orientation this Saturday morning from the Voice of America grounds along Loakan Rd. to the Bell Amphitheater of Camp John Hay.

Bookstore to showcase Iloilo talent, culture

SAMTOY Books, which is located at the artsy La Tabacalera in Laoag City, will showcase Iloilo’s arts and crafts.

Jane Gaspar, general manager of Samtoy bookstore, said the bookshop will showcase on its walls films posters, photographs of the Ilocano people and landscapes.

Writers start working on CSF’s history

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 100 Fernandino writers gathered on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Amphitheater of Heroes for the “Seminar on Writing Local History” which signaled the start of documenting the history of San Fernando.

The writers were composed of students from the City College, local historians, barangay volunteers, and members of the Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC).

Cops nab man wanted for rape, homicide

CAMP OLIVAS -- Macabebe town’s number two most wanted person was recently arrested in his residence in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Macabebe town, reports said.

Senior Superintendent Oscar Albayalde, Officer-In-Charge of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, identified the suspect as Nikael Lagman, who has been charged with rape with homicide.

Japan’s UNIQLO opens Pampanga branch today

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Japan’s premier global fashion brand UNIQLO has arrived in Pampanga and will open its fourth store at SM City Pampanga today, with Governor Lilia Pineda expected to lead the ribbon-cutting and opening rites in the morning.

During the pre-opening press conference and VIP shoppers’ night, Katsumi Kubota, UNIQLO chief operating officer, said the store, located at the Ground Level of Annex 3 in SM City Pampanga, will provide access not only for Kapampangan “fashionistas” but to every shopper from North Luzon who has a “flair for quality apparel with a unique fashion sense.”

Oca to meet high expectations ‘head on’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Third District Congressman-elect and outgoing Mayor Oscar Rodriguez disclosed yesterday that he will meet “head on” the high expectations and challenges ahead poised my Kapampangans, including political leaders and stalwarts.

Rodriguez is highly regarded by Kapampangan officials like Governor Lilia Pineda and Vice Governor-elect Dennis Pineda, provincial lawmakers, and even mayors outside of the third district as the “vital link” of Pampanga to the House of Representatives and even Malacañang for very important programs and projects.

AC to boost historical, cultural attractions

ANGELES CITY -- The city's historical landmarks and cultural attractions will soon get a major boost as the City Government prepares for a better re-branding of the overall tourism program and marketing of this city.

Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said this is part of the overall development plan for the city's tourism attraction stressing that Angeles City is not all about bars and entertainment but also has its share of cultural and heritage landmarks that can attract local tourists.

SM City Clark holds fire, earthquake drills

ANGELES CITY -- The SM City Clark, in cooperation with the Angeles City Fire Department, conducted fire and earthquake drills Thursday.

Ana Datu, SM City Clark mall manager, said this is part of their disaster preparedness program.

Groups host meetings on Pampanga satisfaction surveys

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Groups led by the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) and the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (UACT) held group meetings regarding the results of a series of focus group discussions and business satisfaction surveys on Real Property Rights and Access to Credit for Small Businesses conducted in Pampanga by UACT in 2011 & 2012.

Pro-Friends: Reaching out beyond homes

MEXICO, Pampanga -- “More than creating communities and transforming lives, we reach out beyond every house we build in our desire to make life for Filipinos better. And now, we come to Pampanga with that social responsibility in mind.”

Blast rocks Pagadian

A BOMB explosion rocked the village of San Pedro in Pagadian City around 3 p.m. Thursday, the police reported.

No one was killed or injured in the explosion.

Troops, NPA rebels clash

A SOLDIER was killed while three others, including a junior officer, were wounded in a clash between the government forces and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the boundaries of Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental provinces.

Zamboanga Peninsula police spokesman Ariel Huesca said the clash happened around 11 a.m. Wednesday in the boundary of Tambulig town, Zamboanga del Sur and Bonifacio town, Misamis Occidental.

Lending firm collectors shot

MOTORCYCLE-RIDING gunmen shot and killed a lending firm collector and injured another in an attack in a west coast village of Zamboanga City, a police official said Thursday.

Senior Inspector Edilberto Alvarez, Police Station 9 commander, identified the fatality as Bemilio Islanan, who died before reaching a hospital.

School gets electricity, computers

AN ELEMENTARY school in a remote village in the province of Zamboanga del Norte was provided with electricity and computers with complete accessories from the Maple Tree Foundation (MTF).

Imam Nasaron Haron (INH) Elementary School, which is located in Sitio Busicong, Sta. Maria villages, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, is the beneficiary of MTF and TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD), according to MTF vice chairman Diane James on Thursday.

Philippine Army joins Brigada Eskwela in Cebu school

MEMBERS of the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army participated in Brigada Eskwela 2013 at Cebu City Central School (CCCS).

Headed by Technical Sergeant Mateo Piadop, the group helped in repainting, repairing, and renovating classrooms and one school bakery in preparation of the school opening this June.

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

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'

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

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.

Comelec ready to hold village polls

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) 8 said it is prepared to conduct the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October.

Lawyer Veronico Petalcorin, in-charge of Comelec-8, said they have no choice but to prepare for the elections on October as it is mandated by law.

Coco oil export rises, copra declines

COCONUT oil export in Eastern Visayas jumped by 205 percent during the first four months, but it’s not good news for farmers as copra price steadily declines.

The coconut oil export is the second largest coconut producer in the Philippines.