Binay daughter says surname akin to good public service

VICE President Jejomar Binay's daughter, Nancy, is hoping that she will live up to the expectations attached to her surname.

Nancy completed the 12-man senatorial line-up of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Thursday after the Vice President was convinced by allies former President Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.

House Speaker backs hospital arrest for Arroyo

HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said detained former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should stay under hospital arrest because of her frail medical condition.

On Thursday afternoon, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group served the Sandiganbayan-issued arrest warrant on Arroyo, who was being examined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) due to "generalized body weakness, numbness of hands and dehydration."

Anti-cybercrime law is not perfect, Palace admits

MANILA -- Malacañang admitted Thursday that the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 has several defects, but said the law's implementation could not be stopped and its flaws can only be addressed through amendments.

"(It) is not perfect," said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Palace: Government websites safe from cyber attacks

A MALACAÑANG official said Thursday that government websites remain protected from cyber attacks amid threats from hackers protesting the implementation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

"We continue to adopt appropriate security measures to ensure the integrity of our websites," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

Liberal Party stalwart won't pursue Senate bid

HOUSE Deputy Speaker and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III said Thursday that he will no longer run for Senate even as an independent candidate after he was dropped by the Liberal Party (LP) from its slate.

"After serious reflection and consultation with my family, friends and supporters, I have decided not to pursue my Senate bid even as an independent candidate," he said.

Police told: Don't destroy gambling TVs

POLICE and local government authorities should not destroy television sets used in illegal gambling activities as they could endanger public health, an environmental group said Thursday.

The group EcoWaste Coalition said television sets, particularly the old analog units, that are seized from illegal gambling operations contain huge quantities of "chemicals of concern" such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and also flame retardant chemicals.

Tropical Storm ‘Marce’ intensifies

MANILA -- Tropical Storm Marce (international name: Gaemi) has intensified further as it remained almost stationary over the West Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

Public storm warning signal number 1 was raised over the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, with these experiencing experiencing winds of 30 to 60 kilometer per hour (kph) within the next 36 hours.

Government cracks down on hackers

MANILA -- On the first day of implementation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to go after the "misfits and the wicked in society" who defaced various government websites.

De Lima said she has issued orders for the NBI, one of the law enforcement agencies tasked to track down violators of the cybercrime law, to investigate the hackers and "hacktivists" and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Palace hopes to sign 'framework agreement' with MILF this year

MANILA - Malacañang expressed optimism on Wednesday that the Philippine government will be able to forge a framework agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) within the year.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Palace is counting on the statement of government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen that a framework agreement is already within reach.

Philippines, Australia police ink deal vs transnational crimes

MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for an increased cooperation against transnational crimes.

The memorandum, which was signed Tuesday in Canberra, Australia, recognizes the need for a stronger and comprehensive international law enforcement cooperation at all levels in combating transnational crime including terrorism.

Anti-cybercrime law takes effect today

MANILA -- The implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10175, otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, pushes through today, Wednesday, after the Supreme Court (SC) failed to act on the various petitions questioning its constitutionality.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law RA 10175 on September 12.

Philippine envoy urges UN to meddle in sea row

THE Philippines' top diplomat challenged Tuesday the United Nations (UN) to help peacefully resolve territorial disputes on the South China Sea, which is now locally being referred as the West Philippine Sea, through rules-based approach.

Speaking before delegates of the UN General Assembly's 67th Session at the UN headquarters in New York, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario called Tuesday on member-states to stand against adversity, pointing out that the UN was created to "protect the weak from the strong, to provide for the equality of all sovereign states, and to enshrine the rule of law as the governing principle in regulating international disputes."

Government vows to protect rights of RPN9 employees

THE government assured Tuesday that the employees of Radio Philippines Network Inc. (RPN9) who will be affected by the reported retrenchment will be getting appropriate compensation.   Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, who supervises government media entities, said his office will monitor the developments in RPN as the network decided to lay off at least 200 workers.

Dropped Liberal Party bet 'deserves' Cabinet post

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III should appoint House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III as member of his official family, a senatorial bet of the Liberal Party (LP)-led administration ticket said Tuesday. 

Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, one of the candidates of the LP ticket, said Tañada "deserves" to be a part of Aquino's Cabinet.

SC junks Delfin Lee's petition seeking to stop probe

THE Supreme Court (SC) has turned down the petition filed by fugitive real estate honcho Delfin Lee seeking to stop the Department of Justice (DOJ) from prosecuting him in connection with the syndicated estafa charges filed against him and his real estate firm.   In a resolution, the High Court affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeals last April that lifted the order of Judge Rolando Mislang of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court branch 167 stopping the DOJ from filing criminal charges against Lee over alleged anomalous housing projects in Pampanga amounting to P1.014 billion.

Erap, Villar, Chiz formalize bids

MANILA -- A former president, a former lawmaker and an incumbent senator were among the key personalities who visited the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday to file their certificates of candidacy (COC).

Compared to the festive atmosphere brought by the supporters of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates who filed their COCs Monday, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero filed his candidacy papers alone.

20 senatoriables file candidacy papers

MANILA -- Twenty people trooped to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) head office in Manila to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for senator in the first day of the filing on Monday.

The first to officially file his COC was reelectionist Senator Aquilino Pimentel III of the Liberal Party (LP).

2 more petitions filed vs anti-cybercrime law

MANILA -- Two more petitions questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act (RA) 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act were filed Monday at the Supreme Court (SC), bringing the number of filed petitions to seven.

The sixth petition was filed by a group led by the Kabataan party-list, while the seventh petition was filed by a group composed of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), national artist Bienvenido Lumbrera, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Karapatan, Courage, Anakpawis and Gabriela.

Budget chief: Standing on two platforms is problematic

JOINING the campaign rallies of two different parties would be problematic, a leader of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) said Monday.   Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the so-called common candidates should comply with the policy of the ruling party not to join campaign rallies of the rival - United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) – to avoid problem with the coalition.

Police 'failure' blamed for Makati demolition violence

MAKATI Mayor Junjun Binay asked on Monday the Philippine National Police (PNP) for better police efforts during clearing operations to prevent the repeat of last week's violent demolition in Makati City.

In a letter to PNP chief Nicanor Bartolome, Binay said law enforcers should "heed the lessons" of the recent demolition efforts in Guatemala Street, Barangay San Isidro, wherein 27 people were injured due to the aggressions that erupted.

Anti-Epal activists highlight problems beyond 'epal'

ANTI-EPAL activists, led by Mae Paner dressed as the popular character Juana Change, trooped to the Comelec on Monday, the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2013 elections.

Candidates will have until Friday, October 5, to file their intention to run.

Binay invites Cebu City mayor to join UNA

MANILA -- Mayor Michael Rama has an option to join the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) after deserting the ruling Liberal Party on Sunday on reports that he failed to clinch the blessing of Malacañang.

Opening the door for Rama is Vice President Jejomar Binay, who said in a statement Monday that he personally asked Rama to be the UNA standard bearer in the city for next year’s midterm elections.

Internet freedom bill filed to amend Cybercrime Law

MANILA -- A party-list lawmaker on Monday proposed an "Internet Freedom" bill in Congress to effectively repeal contentious provisions in Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Law.

Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond "Mong" Palatino said his measure will also enumerate the rights of netizens, the supposed target of the controversial Cybercrime Law, which penalizes online libel.

All systems go for the filing of certificates of candidacy today

MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready for the October 1-5 filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) of candidates for the 2013 national and local polls.

A total of 18,022 national and local positions are to be filled up in the May 13, 2013 elections.

Justice chief: Anti-cybercrime law will protect netizens’ rights

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the only Cabinet secretary who stands to be empowered more under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, gave assurance on Sunday that constitutional rights of netizens will be protected in the implementation of the new law.

Five petitions have been filed last week at the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the last of which was filed by lawyer Harry Roque on Friday.

China speeds up construction in disputed Sansha City

DESPITE the protest lodged by the Philippine government, the People's Republic of China has decided to expedite the completion of four infrastructure projects and a housing program in Sansha City in the West Philippine Sea.

In a report posted at the Chinese Government official web portal, China said authorities of the newly established city have begun their development plans.

6th petition vs anti-cybercrime law to be filed Monday

OUTRAGE over the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act continues as a youth party-list group will go to the Supreme Court on Monday to file a petition seeking to declare unconstitutional some provisions on the new that are allegedly violate freedom of expression.

“Our petition will mainly revolve on the issues of the inclusion of online libel, enforcement of the law, and due process. We will show in particular how this new law could potentially abridge the youth’s freedom of expression,” Kabataan party-list counsel Terry Ridon said.

UNA releases 12-man senatorial slate

CURRENT and former senators and scions of political clans are among those who made it to the final senatorial line-up of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada for next year’s midterm polls.

They are Senator Gregorio Honasan II, San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Cagayan Representative Juan “Jackie” Ponce Enrile Jr., Zambales Representative Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, former senators Ernesto Maceda, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Richard Gordon, former Tarlac governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco and businessman Joey de Venecia III.

Terror threat in Philippines

MANILA (Updated) — At least three more countries warned their nationals in the Philippines against a possible terrorist attack after the United States Embassy cited on Friday a security threat in Metro Manila.

The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada cautioned their citizens with the first two countries placing their warnings under the “terrorism” category.

Roxas to take leave as Liberal Party president

INTERIOR Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Saturday he will take a leave of absence as president of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) to avoid being accused of conflict of interest amid the upcoming midterm elections next year.   In an interview after President Benigno Aquino III swore him into office in a ceremony in Malacanang, Roxas said on Monday he will submit his letter to Aquino, being the LP chairman, regarding his intention to take a leave of absence.