Aquino orders preparation for Asia-Europe meeting

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has ordered agencies to start preparation for the Philippine hosting of the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Conference set on November 10 to 11, 2011.

Aquino signed the Administrative Order (AO) 19 on September 6, mandating the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to organize and carry out the activities in connection with Asem Conference on the Harmonization of Biofuels Standards and Application to Vehicle Technologies.

Appellate Court upholds P730-M damage suit vs pilot group

THE Court of Appeals has given the go-signal for Philippine Airlines to pursue the P730-million damage suit it filed against its former pilots who participated in a strike in 1998 that had forced the flag carrier to temporarily shutdown.

In a 26-page decision penned by Associate Justice Ramon Cruz, the CA’s Thirteenth Division modified the February 26, 2010 ruling of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) dismissing PAL’s complaint for damages for lack of jurisdiction and prescription.

Immigration bureau orders strict screening of Filipino tourists

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has tightened the screening of Filipino tourists bound for Bangkok following reports that the Thai capital is being used as a transit point for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for countries in the Middle East.

Provinces' league backs rail fare hike

MANILA -- The much-criticized plan to raise the fare in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the capital has gotten the support of the 80-member League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP).

In a statement, LPP president and Mindoro Oriental Governor Alfonso Umali said they understand the reason behind the move of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to raise the fares in the country's mass transit system.

Duterte lambasts US government in TV show

THE United States government will apparently still have to get on the good side of the Davao City Government for as long as it refuses to acknowledge the fact that it spirited off a suspected American mercenary eight years ago.

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte peppered his Sunday television program "Gikan sa Masa para sa Masa" with beeps, as he cursed the American government anew for making such a big deal on his refusal to deal with them as revealed in leaked-out diplomatic communications of American officials about Philippine politics published in WikiLeaks, a whistleblower website.

'Tuko' buyers duped, run to police for help

A GROUP of men who are into the tuko-buying craze ended up being duped by a gang of swindlers instead and have sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

According to one of the victims who pleaded not to be named, he and his friends heard that Philippine gecko or tuko can be had in Kitaotao, Bukidnon and so they went there to buy a big one.

City Hall workers using drugs told to quit job

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Z. Duterte has advised City Hall workers who are into illegal drug use to quit their job and seek professional help.

This was Duterte's statement after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last week released the latest result of drug test, which was conducted to some personnel of the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and the Central 911.

Davao mayor welcomes transport strike

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Dueterte welcomed plans of transport groups in the city to stage a transport strike in protest of continuous increase in oil prices, saying the city is always ready for such.

Transport sector is planning to go on strike within this month. Duterte said she respects the rights of the groups to air their sentiments.

Davao's Central 911 blacklists prank callers

PRANK callers are actually putting their lives at stake especially at times of real emergency situations, an official of the city's Central 911 said last week.

Mario Verner Monsanto, chief operations officer of the Central Communications and Emergency Response Center (Central 911), said they have installed a system that screens and records all the calls that they have received.

3 Abu Sayyaf bandits killed in clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Three Abu Sayyaf fighters were killed in a clash between government security forces and the bandit group in the hinterlands of Basilan on Sunday, the military said.

The firefight happened two days after the military's Special Operations Task Force arrested an Abu Sayyaf bandit in Lamitan City on kidnapping for ransom charges.

LBC Bank placed under PDIC receivership

DAVAO CITY -- Kristieliza Gaite, a mother of two, got a shock of her life when she could no longer withdraw from her savings account with LBC Development Bank through its ATM machine on Anda street here on Saturday.

The machine told her it could no longer process her transaction.

Hermosa festival preparations underway

MAYOR Celso Lobregat has created a committee that will work on preparations, planning and budgeting to ensure a more vibrant and successful Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.

The annual Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is in honor of Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, the city’s patron saint whose feast day will be on October 12.

Cop arrested

OPERATIVES of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) have arrested Friday a policeman from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) few hours after he allegedly shot a man in the city, a police official said.

ZCPO's Criminal Investigation and Detection Management (CIDM) chief Senior Inspector Joel Tuttuh said the suspect, Police Officer 1 (PO1) Hammid Julkanain, was arrested in a follow-up operation at the suspect's residence in the village of Canelar.

Police to activate task force to rescue Scottish wife

THE police are eyeing the activation of a task force to handle the rescue of a 34-year-old woman married to a Scottish national who was abducted last week in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

Zamboanga Peninsula Police Office director Chief Superintendent Elpidio De Asis said he will designate Senior Superintendent Felixberto Candado, one of his key officers, to head the task force.

Province launches 'I Love Pangasinan' campaign

LINGAYEN - “I Love Pangasinan” will become a common phrase from Monday on, as the Provincial Government launches programs to inspire the Pangasinenses to take care of the province.

The campaign is underscored in time of the Pangasinan Tourism Month celebration.

Lubao's MRF makes eco-friendly goods

LUBAO – This municipality over the weekend launched its unique line of environment-friendly products developed in its own "MyLubao" central materials recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab told Sun.Star Pampanga that the product launch is in line with the celebration of the town’s 440th founding anniversary, which will be highlighted this Wednesday with a series of activities showing the rise of Lubaoeños.

Mayor: Party defection is 'normal'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — League of Cities of the Philippines and Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said defection to other political parties of known staunch allies of the previous administration is just but "normal".

In an interview, Rodriguez said switching of political affiliations "is not surprising."

Angeles City holds cleanup drive vs dengue

ANGELES CITY - Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan on Sunday led a simultaneous cleanup drive in the city’s 33 barangays aimed at wiping out dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

Armed with broomsticks, dustbins and sacks, barangay and school officials and residents have joined together to clean up their respective barangays.

Village chief denies traders' accusations

ANGELES CITY – Balibago village chairman Rodelio "Tony" Mamac has denied the accusations of unlawful arrest, arbitrary detention, grave threat, and abuse of authority hurled against him by a karaoke owner and his employees.

Mamac said that on August 2, he sent his men to the Tol’s Masaki Karaoke Pub for an inspection in line with the enforcement of Barangay Ordinance Number 06-11, an ordinance establishing the Barangay Balibago Social Hygiene Clinic.

Lawmaker’s speech included in Congress book of speeches

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The privilege speech of third district Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. was included in the published selected speeches of the 15th Congress published by the Office of the Secretary General and the Legislative Information Resources Management Department.

The book titled "In the Name of the People" includes 23 of the best speeches delivered in the House of Representatives. 

Mayor’s son launches 'Anak ng Candaba' party

CANDABA – The son of Mayor Jerry Pelayo has launched a local party called "Anak ng Candaba," which led to the formal declaration of his intention to run as mayor of this town come next election.

Patrick "Pat" Pelayo, son of the mayor, this early organized loyal supporters from the barangay level into a local party in preparation for the upcoming election.

Mayor enjoins women to take lead in 'climate change war'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Mayor Oscar Rodriguez urged women on Saturday to take the lead in the war versus global warming, climate change mitigation and the disasters they may bring.

During the commemoration of heroin Doña Nicolasa Dayrit Vda. De Panlilio's 137th birth anniversary and unveiling of the monument at Heroes Park attended by the descendants of the revered Fernandina led by her 99-year-old son Pablo, women's groups, officials and students, Rodriguez said women could better handle problems and make the necessary preparations.

Thousands benefit from scholarship program

STO. TOMAS – The Municipal Government here said that 1,725 students have been recipients of Mayor Lito Naguit's scholarship program since it started three years ago.

Mia Marquez, Public Employment and Services Office coordinator and in-charge in the scholarship program, said at least 775 students from the San Matias and Sto. Tomas high schools received scholarship grants from the municipality.

Mayor may cancel US trip

THE Baguio City mayor has until Monday to decide whether to push through with his scheduled two-week trip to the United States, while the city is still under the state of calamity.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan told local reporters Wednesday that he is still evaluating if pushing through with the scheduled trip to Hawaii and California from September 13 to 27 will be beneficial to the city or not.

Group helps dialysis patient

THE Association for Dialysis Patients of Asia (Adpa) is continuously helping dialysis patients when it comes to their financial needs.

Twelve dialysis patients from four hospitals of Baguio, Benguet and Solano Nueva Vizcaya receive P2,600 every last Wednesday of the month.

Group asks public to oppose violence vs women

AN ORGANIZATION is calling on locals “to actively participate in the fight opposing violence against women and children,” following the rise of teen deaths in the city.

Innabuyog-Gabriela, who champions women and children’s right, condemned the crimes haunting young women in Baguio City.

City market’s Block III woes aired

SEVERAL concerns of Block III of the Baguio City market needs to be addressed before rehabilitation of Block IV starts.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan told local reporters that filing of notices to voluntarily vacate will be started by Market Superintendent Policarpio Tamayo this week to finally rehabilitate Block IV, claimed to be a fire hazard by the Baguio Fire Department.

Cordillera police honor PNP award finalist

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera has honored Police Senior Inspector Arnold Ventura in a simple ceremony for making it to the top five finalists of the second Philippine National Police (PNP) LEAD award (The Mentor Leader).

For his feat, Ventura, chief of police of Kabayan, received a plaque of recognition, a limited edition Lead PNP Caliber .45 personal firearm courtesy of Armscor Philippines and a set of personal computer donated by the Public Safety Savings and Loan Association for the Kabayan Police Station.

Lawmaker assures fund for road repair

REPRESENTATIVE Ronald Cosalan (Benguet) assured Friday that P216 million will be allocated for the repair of various road sections in the province damaged by Typhoon “Mina”.

He said P86 million, sourced from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, will be used to repair Halsema Highway’s Kilometer 19 in Ambassador, Tublay and Kilometer 31 in Atok.

Vice mayor pushes early bid of public work projects

THE vice mayor of Baguio City proposed a resolution urging the departments of Public Works and Highways, and Budget and Management to allow early bidding of public works projects included in the list of those already funded under the approved national budget to ensure the projects’ early implementation.

Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said the late bidding of the projects results in ill–timed implementation of these projects in cities and provinces that leads to more problems and inconveniences.