Antagonists drag RH deliberations

LAWMAKERS opposing the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill hoped to delay the deliberations of the measure at the start of its public hearing at the House of Representatives Wednesday.

Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia (Cebu) questioned the RH bills at the committee on population and family relations as, he said, it should have been referred to the committee on health.

Aquino abolishes anti-graft commission

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III dissolved the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and placed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under his office.

Under Executive Order 13, Aquino said the abolishment of PAGC would give him the leeway to investigate graft and corruption cases of appointed officials under the executive department.

Multiple-term village officials told to resign

ALL barangay officials who have exceeded the three-term limit following their victory during the October 25 polls were told to resign from their posts.

Extension on licenses of security guards sought

A BILL seeking to extend the validity of the licenses of security guards, from two to three years, was filed in the House of Representatives Wednesday.

Review of Philippine-US mutual defense deal pushed

EVEN as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is undergoing review, Senate lawmakers also sought the re-examination of the Philippine-United States Mutual Defense Treaty.

Tribunal spares road rage shooter

FOR double jeopardy, the Supreme Court dismissed a case for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide filed against Jason Ivler for the death of former presidential adviser Nestor Ponce Jr.

Poll chief to quit post

THE head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed his resignation letter Tuesday, leaving his post four years early than his mandatory retirement on 2015.

JBC shortlists 16 bets for court vacancies

THE Judicial and Bar Council shortlisted Assistant Solicitor Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and two regional trial court judges for the lone vacancy at the Sandiganbayan, while 13 vie for three vacancies at the Court of Appeals.

PCSO told to limit jackpot prize

AS THE Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot is projected to reach P620 million Wednesday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was told to limit the maximum prize to P500,000.

Cop killed in pursuit of holdup suspects

A POLICEMAN was killed while in pursuit of suspects who held up a Western Union franchise along San Jose Road in Zamboanga City at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Soldiers kill junior officer

A JUNIOR officer of the Philippine Army was shot and killed by two of his subordinates in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Wednesday.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Zamboanga Peninsula reported that the incident took place around 3:40 p.m. Monday in the village of Poblacion, San Miguel town, Zamboanga del Sur.

Sale of pellet toy guns banned

THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is set to conduct a campaign against the display and sale of pellet guns in the city, a top police official said.

Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Director Edwin de Ocampo said the campaign is in line with the issuance of an Executive Order (EO) by Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Occupational Safety and Health summit kicks off

AT LEAST 200 delegates from all sectors in Mindanao are attending the two-day Third Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) summit in the region, an official announced.

Kin of massacre victims file civil suit

MANILA -- Relatives of the Maguindanao massacre victims filed civil liabilities against suspects in the mass killings on Wednesday, a day after they commemorated the first anniversary of the world's worst election-related violence.

Deputy Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said 15 relatives of the 57 people killed in the carnage will be presented at the sala of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.

Sun.Star wins DigitalFilipino Web Awards

MANILA -- The Sun.Star website at www.sunstar.com.ph won in the newspaper category of the 4th Digital Filipino Web Awards held Wednesday afternoon at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati.

No travel advisory to Korea yet

MANILA -- The government did not find it necessary to issue a travel advisory against South Korea yet vowed Wednesday to ensure the safety of the Filipino workers in the area.

"We are closely monitoring and I have tasked the relevant agencies to review their contingency plans concerning the safety of our citizens there," said President Benigno Aquino III.

Group conducts media training here

LINGAYEN -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAid), through its Health Promotion (HealthPRO) Development Assistance Program, will conduct a media training today, Thursday.

Justice chief backs live coverage of massacre trial

QUEZON CITY -- Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is supporting the call of journalists and other media practitioners in the country for a live coverage of the hearings of the Maguindanao massacre case.

"We support ... the call for live coverage of the Ampatuan trial. The considerations of redeeming public trust through transparency in this so-called 'trial of the century' where the very foundation of our social contract is being tested should not be so easily dismissed," De Lima said.

Murder case probers at a standstill

ANGELES CITY -- Probers handling the controversial Tetangco-Yap-Guinto multiple murder case, which occurred here last June, are at a standstill with the absence of witnesses and other pieces of evidence.

Police, however, are not resting on the five-month-old case, as investigations are still ongoing on the deaths of Rene Tetangco, brother of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr.; businessman Florencio "Jack" Yap and aide Dennis Guinto.

Mayor faces plunder raps

QUEZON CITY -- Vice Mayor Roy Manalastas and three other councilmen filed on Wednesday plunder cases and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang and three alleged accomplices.

In a joint complaint-affidavit signed by Manalastas and Councilors Rex Calma, Rudencio Gonzales and Emmanuel Manalo, the respondents alleged that Tumang, "in conspiracy and connivance," was able to amass ill-gotten wealth.

New village execs expected to support flagship programs

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is expecting the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to support the Eight-Point Agenda, his administration's flagship program.

Cops arrest 2 robbery gang members

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Two members of a notorious robbery gang allegedly responsible for a number of holdup incidents here were arrested by police in Barangay San Roque, Magalang on Friday.

2 charged for slaying American

ANGELES CITY -- Police have filed murder charges against two men in connection with the killing of an American national in September this year.

Concerns of city mayors up in gab

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) will hold a three-day convention from November 25 to 27 to tackle pressing issues among cities in the country and possible areas of cooperation with the National Government.

No jai-alai permit next year

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- No permits will be given to Meridien Vista Corporation at the end of December.

Mayor Greg Abalos said he will not renew any permits for jai-alai operations in the Valley after the permit Meridien got from the past administration expires on December 31.

Baguio media remember Maguindanao massacre

BAGUIO and Benguet-based media workers joined their colleagues nationwide in commemorating the death of 57 people, including journalists, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Tuesday.

A tree planting activity at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pine stand was spearheaded by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcaster Club Inc. (BCBC) at 8 a.m.

Body to decide fate of security agency

A GROUP of department heads will be tapped to review the contract of Interlink security agency with the City Government.

“Due process will be followed,” Councilor Edison Bilog said in reaction to reports that the council, through the committee he chairs, will be recommending cancellation of Interlink’s contract after City Hall was robbed again this year.

Baguio needs investment officer: councilor

A BAGUIO City councilor proposed the appointment of an investment officer who will handle transactions with potential investors.

Mayor orders cops to collate youth offenses

POLICE were ordered by Mayor Mauricio Domogan to collate data of apprehended young offenders.

Lawmakers act vs cultural slur in Clinton talk

ALL six Cordillera legislators are getting their acts together against the “cultural slur” incident at the Manila Hotel where former United States President Bill Clinton spoke two weeks ago.