Businessman's bid to improve 'world's worst' airport gets support

IF IT would take one Manuel Pangilinan to rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), so be it, legislators said.

They made these remarks after Malacanang was reportedly seriously considering the offer of Pangilinan, the chief executive officer of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., who made a bid for the NAIA Terminal 1.

Pacquiao, Marquez vow to give fans a great fight

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican challenger Juan Manuel Marquez vowed to resolve in their third match Sunday (Philippine time) the virtual stalemate brought about by what many perceived was indecisive result of their initial two meetings.

Pacquiao, owner of the 147-pound belt, vowed to prove to boxing fans all over the world that he was the one who emerged triumphant in their last two fights.

Tax bureau to stop Mikey Arroyo’s trip to US

MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will prevent Ang Galing party-list Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo from leaving the country for the United States.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said every time a criminal case is filed and the accused wants to leave, it is normal for the agency to object.

Lawmaker: DBP lent money to Ongpin-owned firm without loan application

SENATOR Sergio Osmeña III said on Thursday that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) lent a company owned by former Marcos trade minister Roberto Onpin around P3.8 billion even though the businessman did not ask for the money.

Palace announces improvements in Ninoy Aquino airport

THE Manila international airport is currently being improved after it was criticized for being one of the world's worst.

A Malacanang spokesperson said Thursday that concerned government agencies are quickly refurbishing and upgrading the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon the orders of President Benigno Aquino III.

De Lima to check if Arroyo is seeking political asylum

MANILA (2nd update 8:50 p.m.) -- Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is reportedly trying to evade prosecution from high crimes by fleeing to the Dominican Republic, a developing country in Central America which honored her economic expertise last May.

But Justice Secretary Leila De Lima declined to confirm the unverified report, which came out after the government recently denied Arroyo’s request to seek medical treatment abroad for her bone mineral disorder and hypoparathyroidism.

Palace belittles another impeachment rap vs Aquino

MALACANANG on Thursday belittled another impeachment complaint filed by Marcos loyalist Oliver Lozano against President Benigno Aquino III after his administration rejected his predecessor's request to seek medical treatment abroad.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said he was not surprised by the move of Lozano and doubted if the complaint will prosper in Congress.

Arroyo camp denies government's offer

THANKS, but no thanks.

This was the response of the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the Aquino administration offered to shoulder her medical expenses following a Department of Justice (DOJ) decision to deny her request from leaving the country.

Filipinos in Saudi can register for overseas voting starting Nov. 12

STARTING November 12, Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia will be able to register for overseas absentee voting (OAV) at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, allowing them to participate in the 2013 midterm elections.

Applicants for overseas voting can submit their registrations during Saturdays to Wednesday from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon, the embassy said in an advisory posted on its website.

Family, 2 others arrested for shabu possession in Cavite

A FATHER, his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two associates are now facing drug charges after they were accused of possessing shabu.

The complaint was filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Imus, Cavite after the six respondents were found to possess illegal drugs and drug-related paraphernalia, which are disallowed by sections 11 and 12 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Arroyo inclined to reject Aquino's offer to pay health expenses

MANILA (Updated 12:20 p.m.) -- The camp of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo is inclined to reject government's offer to fly in foreign doctors to check her condition.

Arroyo's spokeswoman Elena Bautista-Horn said Arroyo is thankful for President Benigno Aquino III's offer but said the former President will still pursue her court petition.

Aquino-appointed justice may issue ruling on Arroyo travel ban

MANILA (Updated) -- A Supreme Court (SC) justice appointed by President Benigno Aquino III will reportedly decide on the legality of travel ban imposed on either former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or her husband Jose Miguel.

Sources at the High Court bared this, saying one of the justices is reportedly Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, the second of Aquino's three appointees at the High Tribunal.

Ramona now under Interpol’s ‘blue-notice’ watchlist

MANILA -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is hoping that authorities in Turkey will provide information on the whereabouts of Ramona Bautista, a half-sister of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., after she was included in the “blue-notice” watchlist of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

A blue notice means "to collect additional information about a person’s identity or activities in relation to a crime," the Interpol said on its website.

Foreign Affairs moves to avert deployment ban

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has withdrawn certifications that classify 41 countries as "non-compliant" to a Philippine law that protects migrant workers' rights.

The move intends to avert a deployment ban that will disallow Filipino workers from being employed in 41 countries.

Aquino to new Army chief: Don’t fail your bosses

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III advised Major General Emmanuel Bautista on Wednesday to remain dedicated, diligent, and loyal in performing his duties as the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Leading the change of command at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Aquino assured the Army forces of the government’s continuing support in terms of financial and equipment.

Bill shortens time women must wait before remarrying

SENATOR Manuel Villar Jr. has filed a bill to amend an "anachronistic" provision in the Revised Penal Code (RPC) that punishes women for getting married within 301 days of the annulment of their marriage, or their husband's death.

Mike Arroyo slams Aquino admin over DOJ decision

OFFICIALS of the Aquino administration are "a bunch of schoolyard bullies who have no platform of government", former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo said, after the Justice department barred his wife from seeking medical treatment abroad.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday denied the request of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for an allow departure order, saying that permitting her to leave the country “will only affect the preliminary investigation process”.

Filipinos with dengue may reach 100,000 mark

THE number of Filipinos afflicted with dengue may soon reach 100,000, the latest dengue report released by the Department of Health (DOH) said.

But even though 97,158 Filipinos have been afflicted by dengue from January to October 22 this year, this still is lower than the cases reported during the same period last year.

Aquino: Arroyo should face plunder, electoral sabotage cases

MANILA (Updated 4:08 p.m.) – President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday expressed support for a government decision that disallowed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving the country, saying she should face pending cases filed against her.

Instead of having her leave the country, President Aquino instead offered to fly in specialists from other countries to check on Arroyo's medical condition if needed.

Grand welcome ceremony awaits Pacquiao at MGM Grand

LAS VEGAS -- With challenger Juan Manuel Marquez already in town, it’s champion Manny Pacquiao’s turn to arrive here as countdown for the world’s two finest fighters Act III of their trilogy starts.

Like Marquez, who blew into town Monday amid hundreds of his Mexican fans, the World Boxing Organization welterweight titleholder will be accorded a Grand Arrival ceremony at Porte Cochere at the front lobby of the MGM Grand where they, for the third time, will meet in a showdown that is held most-likely as their last.

Arroyo questions Justice chief’s decision

MANILA (Updated) -- Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo questioned Tuesday the legality of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s decision to bar her from seeking medical treatment abroad, saying her rights were violated.

Arroyo sought permission to get treatment abroad after undergoing three surgeries on her cervical spine. She is suffering from hypoparathyroidism and bone mineral disorder.

Ombud asked to forfeit Arroyo’s benefits as ex-President

THREE progressive party-list lawmakers have filed an appeal seeking to reverse a decision that allowed Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to receive her retirement benefits and privileges as a former President.

Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño, together with Carol Araullo of Bayan and Liza Maza of Makabayan, filed a motion for reconsideration on Tuesday, asking the Office of the Ombudsman to forfeit Arroyo's benefits.

General assigned to Western Visayas is new Army chief

A MILITARY officer who is currently in charge of internal peace and security efforts in Western Visayas has been appointed as the Philippine Army's 54th commanding general.

Fifty-three-year-old Major General Emmanuel Bautista will replace Army chief Lieutenant General Arturo Ortiz, who is set to retire on November 13 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56, a Palace official announced on Tuesday.

Ligots barred from overseas travel

THE government has formally imposed foreign travel restrictions on former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot and his wife after the Court of Tax Appeals issued a hold departure order against them in connection with a multi-million peso tax evasion case.

Court affirms indictment of Zaldy Ampatuan

ZALDY Ampatuan's attempt to annul criminal information regarding his involvement in a massacre that killed 57 people, including 32 media workers, in Maguindanao has been rejected.

Aquino to discuss Spratlys issue in Asean summit

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will continue to promote the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFFC) as solution to territorial dispute in South China Sea (West Philippine Sea to Philippines) during the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Bali, Indonesia next week.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio said the President, in his various bilateral meetings, will underline the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime safety and security in South China Sea.

Agri office ordered to allot 2% to organic programs

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday to allot two percent of its annual budget to programs and policies covering organic agriculture.

In his speech at the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference at the Aquino Center of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, the President said he expects the continuing development of organic farming in the country through the DA’s National Organic Agriculture Program.

Lagman asks SC to reverse ruling on Armm elections

A VETERAN legislator questioning the legality of the poll postponement in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) is hoping that one Supreme Court justice will reconsider his vote to reverse the tribunal's decision.

On Tuesday, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman filed an appeal before the High Tribunal to reverse an earlier 8-7 ruling upholding the constitutionality Republic Act (RA) 10153.

'Occupy' movement could spread to the Philippines, senator warns

THE Occupy Movement, which began with civil disobedience and picketing in New York City in September, could spread to the Philippines, Senator Edgardo Angara warned on Tuesday.

Angara, vice-chairman of the Senate finance committee, said the social and economic inequality that spurred disenchanted Americans, the so-called 99 percent, to camp out on Wall Street in New York and other financial centers in the US are also present in the Philippines.

Communist rebel claims own life after being tracked down in Batangas

A NEW People's Army rebel claimed his own life after government forces were able to track down and flag the vehicle he was on at a checkpoint in Batangas.

Hernando Basiya, a known member of the underground movement, "fell to the road from the passenger seat with a gunshot wound on his head" when he and his fellow passengers -- including the driver and a former Alaminos town mayor -- were ordered to get off the vehicle.