Suspected big-time drug dealer falls

A SUSPECTED big-time drug dealer in Cagayan de Oro City was arrested on Friday noon during a buy-bust operation outside his home, police said.

Libel raps filed vs party-list nominee

THE City Prosecutor's Office in Cagayan de Oro has ordered the filing of libel charges against a party-list nominee for making derogatory remarks against a prominent family and the party-list group itself.

In a resolution, City Prosecutor II Rodrigo D. Talledo Sr. ordered that a libel charges be filed charges against Sergio Pascual, third nominee of Abante Mindanao (AbaMin) party-list.

City fire chief nixes fire bureau proposal

THE proposal of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Northern Mindanao to convert the Central Fire Station in Cogon into a district unit has drawn flak from the city fire chief.

Gang member shot

AN ALLEGED member of the notorious Batang Mindanao (BM) 29 gang was shot dead by two unidentified suspects on Friday afternoon in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.

Councilors oppose total ban of mining in city

TWO city councilors are strongly opposing the move of two lawmakers to re-file a bill declaring Cagayan de Oro a mining free zone.

Councilors President Elipe and Juan Sia said mining should not be totally banned.

Government bank sets aside P500M loan portfolio for Davao

THE state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has alloted P500 million for Davao region, prioritizing in particular small and medium business, an LBP official said.

Militants set 4-day march against mining

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Militant groups here are set to join the 147-kilometer long march-caravan from Koronadal City to Digos City to protest large-scale mining operations in the region.

The activity will also coincide with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights next week.

Davao chalks up 85 dengue deaths in 11 months

A MONTH before the year ends, a total of 85 dengue deaths have been recorded in Davao City, surpassing last year's 65.

2 housemaids charged with estafa, theft

TWO housemaids were charged before a regional trial court for allegedly stealing their employer's power tools worth P78,440 and cash totaling P5,861.

Classes in 11 Basilan schools suspended

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An education official suspended classes in 11 primary and secondary schools in Basilan on Friday, two weeks after gunmen kidnapped an elementary school principal in the island province.

No cancellation of Lacson arrest warrant

THE Court of Appeals (CA) junked the move of fugitive Senator Panfilo Lacson to restrain the arrest warrant issued against him in relation to the Dacer-Corbito double murder case.

The decision of the appellate court’s 6th Division is the latest setback for Lacson in his effort to quash the arrest order.

Government, rebel group agree on 18-day truce

THE government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) agreed an 18-day suspension of offensive military operations (Somo) this Christmas, the longest provisional ceasefire between the two parties in 10 years.

Government peace panel chairman Alexander Padilla announced Friday that the Somo will take effect on December 16 until midnight of January 3, 2011.

'Morong 43' goes on hunger strike

THE health workers arrested on February for allegedly being members of the New People’s Army (NPA) held a hunger strike Friday for their continued detention.

Militant lawmaker tells colleague to resign

BAYAN Muna Representative Teddy Casino called for the resignation of Anad party-list Representative Pastor Alcover following his proposal to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and its allies as terrorists.

In a statement, Casino said: "Alcover is wasting the time of Congress and the people's money with his harebrained bill, he should just resign.”

Cebu lawmaker pushes for revenue academy

TO ENSURE the efficient collection of taxes, Cebu Representative Eduardo Gullas bats for the creation of a revenue academy that will handle the training of the country’s tax operatives.

Japan, Brunei peace observers open to extend Mindanao tours

THE governments of Japan and Brunei expressed their willingness to extend their mission tours in Mindanao as members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT).

Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles said the embassies of the two countries responded positively to the request of the Philippine government for an extended presence in Mindanao.

Marcopper victims still cry for justice

THE country’s worst mining toxic spillage has yet to find closure as victims hit the company behind the 1993 disaster for offering settlement money to escape criminal liability.

Anti-mining advocates called on President Benigno Aquino III to fulfill his campaign promise of proper regulation of mining activities as well as rehabilitation and compensation for communities affected by large-scale disasters such as the Marcopper mining incident in Boac, Marinduque.

MMDA opens 'Christmas lanes'

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened the so-called “Christmas Lanes” to ease the expected traffic congestions in the metropolis this holiday season.

The designated lane will serve as alternate routes for motorists using the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa), the main thoroughfare of Metro Manila.

3 killed in Sorsogon road mishap

THREE persons died when the bus they were riding rammed a roadside tree in Matnog town in Sorsogon province Friday.

Senior Police Officer 3 Noli Cerbito, the chief investigation of the town’s police station, identified the fatalities as Mylene Genilla Caldoza (22), Julito Butal Boracho (42), and a still unidentified boy.

Military denies kidnapping spree in Basilan

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denied the spate of kidnappings of school teachers in Basilan province that prompted education officials to pullout its personnel in the area.

AFP spokesman Jose Mabanta dubbed the news as a "complete hoax" while being optimistic that everything will normalize next week.

Aquino makes new appointment in PNOC

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III appointed the father of singer-actor Ogie Alcasid, Herminio Sr., as board member of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC).

Herminio, with 10 new government officials, formally took oath in Malacañang last Thursday.

Probe on ‘illegal fishpond structures’ sought

BOLINAO -- As he declared earlier, first district Representative Jesus Celeste has brought the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) issue to the House of Representatives.

He filed House Resolution Number 715 directing four House committees to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the alleged illegal fishing structures within the HINP.

Ultimatum up vs water firm management

ILOILO City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog issued an ultimatum to a water firm management following reports that some officials continue to defy his appointing authority over the board of directors.

The ultimatum was issued to the management of Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) "to shape up or ship out" after MIWD General Manager Le Jayme Jalbuena, administrative division chief Josephine Amarylis Castro and other officials reportedly continue defying the mayor's appointing authority.

12 bets vie for Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2011

TWELVE candidates representing schools in Iloilo City will vie for the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2011 title as a major highlight of the Dinagyang Festival in January 2011.

US backs campaign vs human trafficking

CALBAYOG CITY - The United States government is committed in helping the government fight against human trafficking, US Ambassador Harry Thomas said Thursday.

As part of its commitment against human trafficking, the US is providing financial aid to the campaign, Thomas said.

Aquatic bureau to set up P28M hatcheries in 2011

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will invest P28 million next year to build two multi-species hatchery in Samar Island to supply the requirement of mariculture zones in Eastern Visayas.

BFAR regional director Juan Albaladejo said that new hatcheries will be set up in Lao-ang, Northern Samar, and in their existing facility in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Working group launched to address jail overcrowding

TO ADDRESS legal and procedural problems in jails, a working group on criminal justice process was launched Thursday in Tacloban City.

Government looks into 'Morong 43' case

MANILA (3rd Update, 2:42 p.m.) -- Malacañang assured that the government is doing something to resolve the situation of the "Morong 43" after the group went on a hunger strike Friday.

"I can say it comes as a surprise. But we would like to assure the Morong 43 and their families that something is already being done about this," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Taiwanese official to visit Negros

DONALD C.T. Lee, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, Republic of China, will arrive in Negros Occidental next week to visit the monastery and demo farm operated by the Monks of the Congregation of St. John the Baptist (CSJB).

The congregation, which works on a mission to uplift the living condition of the less fortunate in the province, is located in Hda. Binitin, Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia.

Mayor urged to be like guv this Christmas

TWO members of the City Council of Bacolod City echoed the sentiments of the job order employees of the City Government on Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Councilors El Cid Familiaran and Elmer Sy said Leonardia should follow the generosity of the Provincial Government of Occidental Negros led by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. when it comes to the granting of fat Christmas bonuses and extra cash gifts.