Bus explodes along Edsa in Makati; 4 dead

MANILA (3rd Update, 6:30 p.m.) -- Four people died on the spot while several others were hurt after a passenger bus exploded around 2 p.m. Tuesday along Edsa corner Buendia Avenue in Makati City.

Another passenger was said to be in critical condition after the explosive, which was reportedly placed underneath the seat at the right side of the bus, went off.

Ex-administrator tagged in broadcaster's slay

MANILA (Updated 8:51 a.m.) -- The gunman who fatally shot a radio broadcaster in Palawan said Tuesday that a former provincial administrator owned the gun he used in killing the victim.

The suspect was arrested by police Monday with the help of passing firemen and bystanders.

Petroleum products overpriced – transport group

LOCAL transport group United Negros Drivers and Operators Center (UNDOC) is asking the government to look into the alleged overpricing of petroleum products by the country's oil companies.

Nilo Frias, UNDOC Deputy Secretary General, said the government should know that the price of petroleum products in the world market had stabilized after the normalization of the operation of a major oil field in Alaska, which encountered problems after some of its pipelines leaked.

Mayor on football challenge cup: 'Bacolod hotels not fully-booked'

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia on Monday clarified that Bacolod's hotels are not yet fully booked.

It is contrary to the announcement made by former Bacolod representative and now Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico O. Puentevella.

Man may have died of meningococcemia

A 40-YEAR-OLD man in Purok Talisay, Barangay Zone 1, Cadiz City, is suspected to have died of meningococcemia early morning Monday.

In fact, Cadiz City Health Officer Merle Jane Regalado has confirmed that all the symptoms of meningococcemia were diagnosed in the patient, who was identified as Allen Honopre.

Court dismisses Asian Alcohol injunction

THE Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in Bago City dismissed the injunction complaint filed by a company against 13 village officials, a police official and other respondents for alleged roadblocks.

Only 10% of Bacolod taxis can collect P40 flag-down

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Bacolod on Monday said only about 10 percent of around 800 taxi units in the city can now start charging the P40 flag-down rate and an additional P3.50 for every succeeding 300 meters.

Total reorganization at Capitol under way

A TOTAL reorganization at the provincial Capitol is under way, after the move was agreed upon by Capitol department heads during the Provincial Government's 2011 team-building and strategic planning at Nabulao Bay Beach resort in Hinoba-an on January 21-23.

New police director assumes post

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) welcomed a new director effective Monday.

'One-Stop Shop' hastens business permit processing

THE 'one-stop shop' business permit processing set up by the Bacolod City Government through its Permits and Licensing Division, with the assistance of City Administrator Dr. Roger Balo, has hastened the processing of business permits, be it new applications or for renewal.

11-foot snake found

AN APPROXIMATELY eleven-foot "magkal" snake was found Monday morning in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

2 injured in stabbing

TWO persons were injured in separate stabbing incidents in the City of Bacolod Sunday.

Provincial Board scraps guv's budget

THE Provincial Board of Misamis Oriental on Monday passed a resolution returning the vetoed Appropriation Ordinance to the office of the governor.

Provincial Board member Benedict Lagbas, who sponsored the resolution, said the resolution is in answer to the January 17, 2011 Appropriation Ordinance vetoed by Governor Oscar Moreno.

Officials buck police 'militarization'

LOCAL officials in Cagayan de Oro City are not amenable to the proposal of "militarizing" the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Senator Juan Enrile has endorsed to the Senate's committee on defense the possibility of returning the national police to the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) noting the deterioration of the police capability to address criminality in the country.

Carpenter found dead inside subdivision

POLICE on Monday recovered the body of a 30-year-old man inside a subdivision in Barangay Lumbia, here.

Police identified the victim as Teresito Fabregas, a carpenter, of Lingating, Baungon, Bukidnon.

City to become Filariasis free; vaccines are for free

CAGAYAN DE ORO will be free from "Filariasis" in 2013, the city's health department said Monday.

Councilor Dante B. Pajo, chair of committee on health and sanitation, said that the city is now on its fourth year in providing free vaccines for Filariasis in all barangays here.

Suspected car-theft leader charged

MANILA - Police filed Monday evening kidnapping with homicide and carjacking charges against alleged car-theft syndicate leader Raymond Dominguez, tagged as a suspect in the kidnap-slaying of car dealer Venson Evangelista.

5% of IRA for solid waste programs sought

APALIT - The Provincial Board recently approved a resolution enjoining all municipalities and barangays in Pampanga to allocate five percent of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for their solid waste management programs.

Fourth District Board Member Nestor Tolentino, chairman of the committee on environment, said Resolution 1797 was approved Monday during the Board’s regular session.

Mayor urged to consider environmental factors on toxic waste issue

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- San Fernando City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Rowena Siron-Freeman on Friday urged Macabebe Mayor Annette Balgan to consider some factors that may be bringing about the fourth district town’s toxic waste problem.

Balgan earlier claimed that industrial plants in this city have caused a toxic waste build-up in the town’s waterways, affecting the livelihood of folks in the predominantly aquatic and fisheries municipality.

Journalist: No backing out on libel case

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Kapampangan journalists vowed to stand against the P20-million libel case filed by businessman Renato Romero.

Ceasar Lacson, editor and columnist of Punto! Central Luzon, said they will not turn their backs on the libel case and will stand firmly against it.

Arroyo gets post in lady legislators group

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former president now second district Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was among the newly elected officers of a women’s group based in Congress.

Regulation of entry of non-local workers sought

CANDABA - Several residents in this town have asked municipal officials to regulate the entry of non-local workers here, following an alleged rape incident, which led to the untimely death of a six-year-old child last week.

Riders-in-tandem shoot victim, steal motorcycle

ANGELES CITY -- Two armed men riding-in-tandem reportedly shot a person after stealing his motorcycle and other valuables Sunday night inside the Marisol Subdivision in Barangay Ninoy Aquino here.

Group optimistic of Pampanga housing sector

ANGELES CITY -- The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-Angeles City Chapter Monday expressed their full support to the planned housing projects of President Jejomar Binay here.

Balibago chapter donates $1,000 to Rotary Foundation

ANGELES CITY — The Rotary Club of Balibago on Monday donated $1,000 or roughly P45,000 to the Rotary Foundation to be used for its health and educational support programs here and all over the world.

Health department needs 700 nurses

THE Department of Health-Davao urgently needs 10,000 nurses for deployment nationwide this year.

Of the 10,000 nurses, 700 are needed in Davao Region, eight nurses for each municipal or provincial health center, said Roger P. Tong-An, governor of the Board of Philippine Nurses Association--Davao chapter.

Newly promoted police officers welcomed

THIRTY-FOUR police officers got the new pins for higher ranks during formal ceremonies at Camp Catitipan, Monday morning.

Police Regional Office Regional Director Pedro U. Tango pinned the new ranks on 34 policemen promoted from the rank of Police Inspector to Police Superintendent while 299 others got promotions ranging from Police Office 1 (PO1) to Senior Police Officer 4 (SPO4).

World-renowned Down syndrome musician performs Jan. 29

SUJEET Desai, the world-famous musician and self-advocate with Down syndrome, is set to perform in the city on January 29.

Organized by the local Down Syndrome Foundation (DSF), Desai is slated to perform and inspire locals with his highly praised performance of seven musical instruments.

Aquino government still anti-land reform: workers' group

PROGRESSIVE workers' organization Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said the current administration "remains anti-land reform."

Public lawyers coping with work overload

EVEN with each public attorney handling an overload of 100 to 600 cases here, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO)-Davao still manages to attend to each case, a PAO official assured the public, assured the public.