PNoy to seek Church support on RH: Soliman

THE National Government stands by its decision to support the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said last Wednesday.

Soliman, who held a dialogue with beneficiaries of the National Govern-ment’s Pantawid Pamil-yang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Barangay Kalu-nasan, Cebu City, said the government must help couples become responsible parents by providing them information about family planning.

Labor row ‘beyond mediation’

A GROUP of Visayas-based priests are optimistic the labor dispute at the Visayan Electric Co. will pass through mediation.

The statement of the Visayas Clergy Discernment Group (VCDG), led by Jaro Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, came after Veco declined their offer to mediate.

‘Mastermind’ in foiled ambush asks CA to review denial of appeal

THE suspected mastermind in the foiled June 25 ambush of a cement firm officer is contesting the denial of his appeals that sought to drop the charges against him.

Lawyer Rodolfo Valmoria Jr., counsel for Jerome Noel, the alleged brains in the foiled ambush of Nestor Zamoras, sales manager of Taiheiyo Cement Corp., said yesterday they filed a petition for certiorari at the Court of Appeals.

P193-T discovered in city hall table

ANGELES CITY - City Hall employees have been checking every table, chair, and corner of the building after a sum of money was found inside a table from the administration office.

A group of maintenance workers found P193,111.19 inside a table previously issued to the administration office of former Mayor Francis Nepomuceno.

Board member clarifies stand on town's cityhood

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- First District Board Member Tarcicio Halili on Thursday said he did not object to the Provincial Board's (PB) resolution withdrawing its endorsement of the Mabalacat cityhood.

Halili said he agrees that "the PB has the right to call the attention of the mayor regarding the town's obligations to the Provincial Government."

Stiffer requirements for release of quarry shares mulled

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Concerned barangays hosting quarry operations are required to submit a program of works before they can get their shares in the proceeds of quarry collections.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) Chief Art Punzalan on Thursday said this amid complaints that roads in barangays with quarry operations, particularly in Porac town, are not properly maintained.

Guv: Pampanga safe for foreigners

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Lilia Pineda said the Provincial Government is working hard to keep Pampanga safe for all who wish to make the province their permanent or retirement home.

Anti-tree cutting group 'no show' in dialogue

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Representatives of a group opposing the cutting of the remaining 12 trees obstructing the widening of the MacArthur Highway stretch from Sindalan to San Agustin did not show up in Thursday's meeting at Heroes Hall.

School head answers relief goods raps

MABALACAT - A top official of the Northville 16 Elementary School (NVES) has answered allegations relative to the distribution of relief goods donated to school children by US soldiers.

MPTC sees better road connectivity

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Building the P17-billion worth 13.2-kilometer road that will connect two major toll roads will make travels easier, a top official of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said.

Mayor asks for declaration of school as historical site

BACOLOR -- Mayor Jose Maria Hizon on Thursday said he has asked the City Council to urge the National Historical Institute (NHI) to recognize the historical importance of the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU).

Exec reminds Freeport employers of wage hike

CLARK FREEPORT -- Clark Development Corporation President Benigno Ricafort has reminded employers inside the Freeport of the P14 wage increase to minimum-wage earners in Central Luzon.

55 drivers busted for traffic violations

ANGELES CITY -- Less than a week after the City Government started its massive campaign against traffic law violators, officials have collared at least 55 public utility vehicle (PUVs) drivers whose vehicles either have defective headlights or have no headlights at all.

Open trial to test wheels of justice

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said he is in favor of live media coverage of the controversial Maguindanao massacre case wherein 57 people, including media practitioners, were killed on November 23, 2009.

Bishops extend assistance to families of Muslim OFWs

THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission of Migrant Itinerant People (CBCP-Ecmip) held a reintegration program orientation for overseas Filipino workers in Davao City on Thursday.

The orientation, held at GSP Gym on Bangoy St., was in partnership with the Religious of the Good Shepherd and Center for Overseas Workers (RGS-COW). Participants were mostly members of the family of the city's Muslim overseas workers.

Public-private partnership 'not a new tactic'

MILITANT group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) warned of the possible ill effects of the Aquino administration's plan for a public-private partnership (PPP) Program, saying this "is not a new tactic".

Bayan-Southern Mindanao Region spokesperson John Birondo yesterday said the progressive organization is not impressed with the President's aim to make the PPP program its flagship program to improve the country's economy.

Duterte declares November 15-20 as Masons Week

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte declared November 15 to 20 and every year thereafter as the "Free and Accepted Masons Week" in the city.

88 abandoned kids ready for adoption

AROUND 88 children in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Davao City, are now ready for legal adoption and await their new families, an official said.

Tagum stands pat on 'colorum' vans

TAGUM City Mayor Rey Uy has stood firm in his stance that vans passing through the city are illegal and must not be tolerated.

Rebels who seized sick soldier set mine traps

COMPOSTELA VALLEY -- Mine traps were discovered in the path of the withdrawing rebels who earlier abducted a sick soldier on Monday.

Armm reorganizes regional peace body

COTABATO CITY -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) has reorganized its Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in an effort to effectively implement security in the region.

'Ceasefire' for PAL workers, management

MANILA -- Adhering to the intervention of President Benigno Aquino III, the management of the Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) and its workers’ union agreed to give the conciliation meetings another chance.

Speaking to reporters at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Thursday, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the management decided to temporarily suspend the planned mass layoff of some 2,600 employees.

Ex-lawmaker's motion to quash warrant of arrest denied

THE First Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has denied the petition of former Deputy House Speaker and Basilan congressman Gerry Salapuddin to quash the warrant of arrest issued against him by a lower court.

The warrant of arrest against Salapuddin was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 83 Judge Ralph Lee after the former lawmaker was implicated in the November 13, 2007 Batasan bombing.

Two hurt in truck collision

TWO people were injured when a hauling truck collided with another truck in one of the east coast villages in Zamboanga City, police reported Thursday.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) reported the incident took place around 5 p.m. Wednesday in the village of Boalan, eight kilometers east of the city.

China-based businessman eyes investment in Sulu

A BUSINESSMAN who owns a chain of restaurants in China is pouring huge investment for export of fresh aqua-marine products from the province of Sulu.

This was announced by second district Representative Nur-Ana Sahidulla after she administered the oath taking of 15 village chairmen--14 from Tongkil town and one from Kalingalang Caluang municipality--Thursday afternoon at her residence in Zamboanga City.

House members support Cabinet appointments

SOME lawmakers at the House of Representatives would like to give the benefit of the doubt to the Cabinet appointees of President Benigno Aquino III as the new administration is still in its honeymoon period.

This after Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago vowed that she will “massacre” the lightweight Cabinet men of the President.

Live coverage on massacre trial splits senators

SENATOR Francis Escudero joined the call to give unrestricted media access to the Maguindanao massacre trial while some of his colleagues are opposing it.

Escudero noted that it would be better to let the public see how a court decision is reached.

Government not ready to take over bus operation

MANILA -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Thursday that the government may not be ready to take over the operations of public utility buses (PUB) in the country.

Senator Vicente Sotto III earlier proposed the takeover of bus operations while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) called for the suspension of the franchises issued to the bus operators who joined a strike on Monday.

Probe on Maguindanao gang-rape case pushed

A LAWMAKER wanted that the Maguindanao rape case be investigated by the House Committees on Women, and Labor and Employment to come up with measures to protect the safety and welfare of volunteer nurses and health workers.

Deputy Speaker and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tanada III filed Resolution 643, calling for an investigation on the alleged rape of a young nurse last September in South Upi, Maguindanao.

Aquino vows transparency in public-private partnerships

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said private-public partnerships (PPPs) are subject to transparency and regularity.