MRT, LRT privatization won't prevent fare hike

PRIVATIZING Manila's train lines might not prevent fare increase, a senator said Sunday.

Senator Ralph Recto, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means, said the P15-billion project to privatize the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines will not necessarily mean better service for commuters.

Ex-ombudsman to be sued

MILITANT groups are set to file Monday before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a complaint for graft and obstruction of justice against former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who skirted an impeachment trial before the Senate by resigning from her post, effective last Friday.

The complaint against Gutierrez will be filed by the groups Anakpawis, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya n Pilipinas (Pamalakaya).

Deployment deal between PH, Saudi pushed

A GROUP of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on Sunday pushed for the establishment of a government-to-government deployment arrangement to fully address the labor row between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

In a statement, the Migrante-Middle East (MME) said it would be best to simply establish a government-to-government deal so that all concerns of both parties would be completely addressed.

Church to show people’s unity vs RH bill

THE Catholic Church will mark the resumption of congressional session with the observance of the National Day of Prayer against its biggest foe: the Reproductive Health (RH) bill.

At least 11 dioceses have already vowed to participate in the event initiated by the church-run Radio Veritas.

Bry. treasurers need training to hike tax

CEBU City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva wants the barangay treasurers in the 80 villages of the city trained so they can generate more revenues for their barangays.

This, after Quiot Ba-rangay Captain Jun Ramos wrote Oliva that the barangays are authorized to collect community taxes and are entitled to a 50 percent share of the actual collections made.

Poll exec: Decision on Armm polls may be further delayed

WITH the fate of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) polls lodged at the Supreme Court (SC), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) now has to contend with two bodies instead of just one.

In an interview, Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the petition filed before the SC only adds up to their anxiety with only three months left to prepare.

MMDA eyes smoke-free Metro Manila

TO BEEF its anti-smoking drive, at least 25 enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) participated in a three-day training on the implementation of tobacco regulation law.

Risa Yapchiongco, MMDA-Blooberg smoke-free project manager, said the activity will pave the way for similar trainings so that all Metro Manila traffic enforcers will be equipped with skills needed to enforce the law.

'Bebeng' kills 9, displaces 100,000

MANILA (Updated) -- Tropical Storm Bebeng (international codename: Aere) lashed the northeastern Philippines on Sunday, killing at least nine people and forcing more than 100,000 villagers to flee from farming towns threatened by landslides.

The storm slammed into Catanduanes province with winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 100 kph. It triggered landslides and floods, disrupted transportation and knocked out power in some towns.

Pacquiao, fans unsatisfied with Mosley performance

CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and some of his fans admitted that Shane Mosley's styles of countering the Sarangani lawmaker's rapid punches during Sunday's (Philippine time) match in Las Vegas, Nevada are disappointing.

Hog farms monitor group reactivated

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board (PB) committee on environment over the weekend reactivated the multi-sectoral monitoring team (MMT) checking on the environmental compliance of hog farms in Porac.

After a flurry of brickbats and heated exchanges during the committee hearing at Capitol led by committee chairman Nestor Tolentino, his fellow board members, hog farm owners, local officials of Porac and environment officials, the group agreed to reactivate the “once discontinued” efforts of the MMT.

Village councilman killed

ANGELES CITY -- A village councilman and his companion were killed while another was seriously injured in a shooting incident in Barangay Amsic here Saturday night.

The fatalities were identified as Amsic village councilman Jovito Canda and Rene Gutierrez. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Cayanan was seriously hurt when two gunmen assaulted them, police said.

Kapampangans cheer for Pacquiao

PORAC -- Jocelyn Narceda and husband Raul took their whole family to the newly built Jose Songco Lapid Sports Gym in Barangay Cangatba here on Sunday as early as 10:00 a.m. to watch the live screening of boxing champ Manny Pacquaio's fight against Shane Mosley.

“We don't want to miss Pacman's game so we went here early,” Narceda said.

Ex-lawmaker to make comeback in 2013

MACABEBE – Former Pampanga congressman Juan Pablo Bondoc will once again throw his hat in the political arena to continue plans and programs of his elder sister, outgoing Congresswoman Anna York P. Bondoc-Sagum.

Lawmaker surprises sick constituents

ARAYAT – Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales on Sunday visited ailing constituents here to personally deliver medical assistance as part of his community health program. 

Gonzales visited Candido Macapinlac, 59, in his home in Barangay Baliti here. Macapinlac suffered from a stroke early this year and has been bedridden since. Macapinlac is the breadwinner of his family.

El Circulo holds 91st ball and reception

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Unmindful of the sudden strong afternoon downpour, Pampanga’s most prominent businessmen, high society, civic leaders and officials gathered Saturday evening for El Circulo Fernandino Foundation’s 91st Reception and Ball at the majestically transformed Mini-Convention Center of Heroes Hall.

The reception and ball is an annual tradition of the foundation designed to generate funds for its projects, like the P2.7-million Jose Abad Santos Avenue Urban Greening program launched on Friday.

Zero crime incident in Oro on Pacquiao-Mosley fight

EVEN criminals took some time off to watch the fight of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao against three-division world champion Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Records at police stations in the city showed that not a single alarm or any form of criminality was recorded during the Pacquiao-Mosley fight.

Fuel subsidy for trike drivers now available

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has started the distribution of P150 million earmarked to some 990,514 tricycle franchisees for fuel subsidy program.

In Northern Mindanao, the distribution is scheduled in the third week of May.

CDM Lambigit holds forum

THE Centrist Democratic Movement (CDM) Lambigit in Northern Mindanao will hold a forum dubbed “Centrist Democratic Forum on Decentralization and Political Reform among Local Leaders in Northern Mindanao” on Saturday, May 14, at the Grand Caprice Restaurant.

The forum is in collaboration with the Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Philippines.

Aid to evacuees reaches P1.2 billion

KORONADAL CITY -- Assistance to internally displaced persons due to the armed conflict between the government and Moro rebels has reached a staggering P1.2 billion.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) poured P688 million, with the United Nations and other international non-government organizations contributing P447 million.

Council urged to conduct own energy audit

AN ENVIRONMENT group on Friday asked the Davao City Council to initiate an energy audit that is free of bias.

Julan Suazo, of the Foundation for Philippine Environment, said the local lawmaking body must come up with its own investigation to determine if there is really a power shortage in Mindanao, instead of relying information from the AboitizPower Corporation and the Department of Energy (DOE).

Quality graduates help boost tourism: Boncato

A TOP official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) commended various schools in Davao Region for continuously producing quality graduates who are relevant to the tourism sector.

DOT-Davao chief Arturo Boncato said these schools also play an important role in boosting the region's tourism industry.

Hermes Club revived with new hotel partner

BARELY 10 years after it became inactive, Hermes Club has been revived, but with a different host hotel.

Efren Elbanbuena, chief of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Davao and the club's Zeus (president), said the reinstitution of the club was sought to address the need for wider source of information in Davao Region.

101-year-old mom in Rosales honored

THE SM City Rosales management on Saturday paid tribute to the oldest mother in Rosales, Pangasinan.

SM honored 101-year-old Lucresia Tiletile-Tamin, who is still strong at her age, with family and friends led by her eldest son Arcadio.

Food chain service crew killed

MOTORCYCLE-riding gunmen shot and killed a fast food chain service crew Friday night in the village of Tetuan, east of Zamboanga City, the police reported.

The victim was identified as Francisco Gonzales, 24. He died on the spot after one of the gunmen shot him in the head.

Police apprehend 'colorum' vehicles

THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) traffic division apprehended seven public utility jeepneys (PUJs) when it launched Friday a campaign against "colorum" PUJs in Zamboanga City.

ZCPO Director Edwin de Ocampo said the PUJs were apprehended for operating without franchise and other violations.

Tanker rummages Sarangani reef

KORONADAL CITY -- A tanker vessel rummaged a reef in Kiamba town, Sarangani on Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stationed in General Santos City said.

Noel Ramos, PCG seaman II, identified the ship as M/T Prosperity. He, however, did not give further details as they are still waiting for the report of the investigating team.

Tropical Storm Bebeng kills 6

MANILA (Updated 4:23 p.m.) -- Six people were confirmed dead after Tropical Storm Bebeng made landfall around 10 a.m. Sunday over Catanduanes province, radio reports said.

Three of the fatalities were identified as Maribel Reulan, 19; Princess Ruelan, 8; and Marco Sanchez, 7, all residents of Sitio Ikogan, Barangay Luluasan, Balatan, Camarines Sur. They were asleep when the landslide hit their house, said a Bombo Radyo report.

Stars grace Pacquiao-Mosley fight

MANILA (Updated 3:54 p.m.) -- Local and international celebrities were among the 16,412 spectators who watched the fight of Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley on Sunday (Manila time) at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

Among the local celebrities who flew to Las Vegas to witness the big fight were Senator Bong Revilla and wife Congresswoman Lani Mercado, Vicky Belo, Hayden Kho, Atom Henares, Quark Henares, Raymund Gutierrez, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza and Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

Lightning hits plane at Manila airport; 9 hurt

MANILA (Updated 2:52 p.m.) -- Lightning has struck a Philippine Airlines plane parked at Manila's international airport during a thunderstorm on Saturday.

Nine people who took cover under the plane from the downpour suffered slight burns.

Pacquiao streak continues

CEBU CITY (3rd Update) -- Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao completely outclassed Shane Mosley over 12 rounds Saturday (Sunday Manila time) to score his 14th consecutive triumph and retain his WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, who started the fight slow, sent Mosley down the canvas with a quick, sharp left to the head and continued piling up the rounds to chalk up his 54th victory in 59 outings against three losses and two draws.