Justice chief defends boss

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III is not and will never be a dictator just to accomplish his anti-corruption agenda, one of his aides said Wednesday.

This developed after Father Joaquin Bernas, former law dean of the President’s alma mater Ateneo de Manila University, said Tuesday Aquino went overboard when he questioned the Supreme Court's (SC) credibility in a public event.

Ex-poll chief faces election sabotage raps

MANILA (Updated) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed Wednesday an electoral sabotage case against its former chairman, Benjamin Abalos, over his alleged involvement in the rigging of the 2007 senatorial election results.

Before the case was filed, Abalos went to the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Wednesday, together with his wife Cora and son Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos to prove that he will not run away.

Arroyo’s allies appeal for house arrest this Christmas

WITH only 18 days left before Christmas, allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Congress wished the court would grant a house arrest immediately.

"What’s a couple of days to allow her to be detained in La Vista?" Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez told reporters in a press conference Wednesday.

Flight crew urges High Court to resolve case before yearend

FLIGHT attendants of Philippine Airlines (PAL) said they have become impatient over the Supreme Court’s (SC) slow action in resolving the case of 1,400 illegally dismissed workers in 1998.

Last November 15, Court spokesperson Midas Marquez said the justices deferred deliberations on the matter to give way to petitions filed by the government and lawyers of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is indicted in poll sabotage charges.

Aquino willing to let bishops settle row with Supreme Court

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday he is open to the proposal of several bishops to become mediators between him and Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona.

In an interview after the awarding ceremony for the 2011 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards in Malacanang, the President told reporters that he is not picking a fight with the judiciary but is only expressing his opinion on several High Court decisions that affect the executive’s ability to govern.

Fast food chain owner, 2 mayors top TOYM awardees

MANG Inasal founder Edgar Injap Sia II, Lea Salonga’s brother, musical director and conductor Gerard Salonga, and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian were among the recipients of this year’s The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino III led the conferment of trophies on the awardees at a ceremony held at Rizal Hall in Malacañang Wednesday.

Government vows to transform towns into vibrant economies

THE National Government vowed to work closely with its counterparts in local government units to help transform communities into "vibrant economies."

This was announced by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who spoke in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III at the 2011 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in Cebu City on Tuesday.

Probe on proliferation of illegal drug syndicates sought

TWO militant lawmakers are pushing for a congressional investigation into the government’s efforts to stop illegal drug syndicates as another Filipino drug mule is set to be executed in China Thursday.

Akbayan party-list Representatives Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao filed House Resolution 1979 indicating that “the State must immediately step up its campaign to go after local and international drug syndicates that victimize OFWs (overseas Filipino workers).”

Senate asked to look into over-importation of pork, chicken

SENATOR Loren Legarda has filed a resolution asking the Senate committee on agriculture and food to look into the reports that the country has been importing too much meat to the detriment of local pig and chicken raisers.

According to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Agriculture department, the country imported 135 million kilograms of pork from January to November of this year. This is more than double the amount of pork brought into the country in 2007, Legarda said, adding the higher supply has forced local hog raisers to drop prices.

Senator calls on government to ensure no more drug mules

SENATOR Manuel Villar Jr. has called on the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration to step up efforts to keep Filipinos from being recruited as drug mules even as another Filipino faces execution in China this week for trafficking heroin.

Authorities are already hunting for a member of a West African drug syndicate believed to have recruited the unidentified drug mule. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the drug mule has carried drugs for the syndicate in the past.

Impeach rap vs SC justice 'sufficient in substance'

MANILA (Updated 12:15 p.m.) -- The House committee on justice on Wednesday found the impeachment complaint filed against Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo sufficient in substance.

Voting 40-7, the panel reached with the decision following a lengthy discussion on the supposed encroachment of the SC on the power to impeach exclusively granted to Congress under the Constitution.

Arroyo faces 7th plunder case

MANILA (Updated 12:06 p.m.) -- Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is facing another plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) funds during her administration.

PCSO Director Aleta Tolentino told ANC that PCSO officials filed the case Wednesday before the Office of the Ombudsman. It is the seventh plunder case filed against the former leader since her term ended in June 2010.

Comelec okays filing of poll sabotage case vs Abalos, 3 others

MANILA (Updated 10:40 a.m.) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday that it will file electoral sabotage case against its former chairman Benjamin Abalos and three others for their alleged involvement in the rigging of the 2007 elections.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said in a radio interview that the commission en banc already approved the resolution to file the case against Abalos before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Australians told to avoid Central, Western Mindanao trips

MANILA -- The Australian government warned Tuesday its citizens to avoid travels to Central and Western Mindanao following the kidnapping of an Australian in Zamboanga Sibugay province Monday night.

State banks to use foreign firm for trail buyout

GOVERNMENT banks had to resort to using a foreign company to buy back shares in the Metro Rail Transit because the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) was taking too long to authorize the banks to do it, officials--including former Finance secretary Margarito Teves--told senators Tuesday.

At the time, the government was having trouble paying MRT Corp. (MRTC)--the consortium that built the train--equity rental payments (ERPs) at 15-percent internal rate of return (interest) for its investment and debt rental payments for $489 million borrowed from foreign lenders.

Lawmakers run out of time to probe trader's insider trading

SENATORS ran out of time to delve into alleged insider trading by businessman and former Marcos minister Roberto Ongpin in the sale of shares in Philex Mining Corp. to businessman Manuel Pangilinan.

Senator Sergio Osmena III, chairman of the Senate committee on banks, earlier said he would prove that Ongpin engaged in insider trading in the sale of Philex shares at P21 that he bought at P12.75.

Justice department rejects Senate request

AN EXECUTIVE whose company benefitted from allegedly anomalous loans from government banks will be able to leave the country freely, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said that it has rejected a Senate request to place Josephine Manalo, president and majority stockholder of Delta Ventures Resources Inv. (DVRI) under the Bureau of Immigration’s watchlist.

President's wish: That Arroyo would 'rectify' wrongdoings

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday urged former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to answer all issues hounding her nine-year administration.

At a press conference during the Bulong Pulungan Christmas party, Aquino said his Christmas wish to his predecessor was to “rectify” all the alleged wrongdoings she has done in the past.

Special lane for train passengers carrying gifts to be set up

A SPECIAL lane for train passengers carrying gifts will be set up for the convenience of commuters, the agency that runs and maintains Metro Manila's railway systems said.

Elevators and escalators to and from train platforms will be fixed to help assist the riding public, many of whom are expected to carry gifts and packages during the holidays, a spokesperson of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said.

Arroyo 'spoiled' by the government, Erap son says

FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is being babied by the government, especially if her situation is to be compared to her predecessor, Joseph "Erap" Estrada, the latter's son said.

San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito is wondering why the former President’s camp has complained on the decisions of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court, which issued the arrest warrant against her.

High ratings a 'clear sign' of public's trust in Aquino

MALACANANG on Tuesday welcomed the latest Pulse Asia survey indicating that President Benigno Aquino III still enjoyed the trust and confidence of majority of the Filipinos.

In the latest poll conducted on November 10 to 23, 2011, 72 percent of Filipinos approve of Aquino’s performance while 74 percent continue to trust his administration. Only less than 1 in every 10 Filipinos or nine percent disapproves or distrusts Aquino.

Poe grandson wants Corona to inhibit from Arroyo cases

THE grandson of the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. led the cast of individuals who filed a motion for Chief Justice Renato Corona to inhibit himself from cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

This is the second time in a week that Corona was asked to inhibit, owing to his supposed close personal and professional ties with the former president.

Lawmakers, bishops offer to mediate in Palace, SC row

MANILA -- Lawmakers in the House of Representatives and Catholic bishops have volunteered to mediate between the Executive and the Judiciary after President Benigno Aquino III scored the Supreme Court (SC) in a forum.

Deputy Majority Leader Romero Frederico Quimbo said Tuesday that the House will take an active participation in threshing out issues between the two branches of government and will not shy away from that responsibility.

SC 'should really be disturbed' about Aquino criticism

THE Supreme Court should really be disturbed with the strong remarks of President Benigno Aquino III against Chief Justice Renato Corona, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said the President stands by his statement and he was merely echoing the sentiments of the majority.

Government urges Moro rebels to hasten peace talks

THE Aquino administration has maintained its commitment to fulfill political settlement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the first quarter of 2012, despite skirmishes that resulted in the death of 30 people two months ago.

At the 23rd formal exploratory talks between the two parties in Malaysia last Monday, government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen urged the rebel group to fast-track the peace negotiations.

Aquino's speech won't affect rulings, Supreme Court says

MANILA (Updated 11:50 a.m.) -- Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Midas Marquez said Tuesday that President Benigno Aquino III's statement against the chamber will not in any way affect decisions of the court.

Marquez told ANC that SC will decide on cases based on Constitution and jurisprudence. "We accept criticisms on our decisions," he said.

High Court to continue its job despite Aquino’s tirades

MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) will not shirk from its duty to interpret the country's laws and settle actual controversies despite President Benigno Aquino III’s criticisms against the chamber's members.

The High Court's spokesperson made these remarks after Aquino publicly criticized Chief Justice Renato Corona during the first National Criminal Justice Summit.

Telcos told: Refund P111-M of ‘illegal’ text charges

TELECOMMUNICATIONS companies ignoring an order to reduce interconnection fees for text messages should refund at least P111 million worth of illegal text charges, a progressive party-list lawmaker said Monday.

Interconnection fees are charged by mobile phone companies for text messages and calls made between subscribers of different networks.

International support for Arroyo ‘won't affect case’

ANY international support for the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not in any way affect the development of her case, Malacanang said on Monday.

"Let them talk. We don’t know what good news they have. The important thing is we are concerned with the situation here in the Philippines that there is a process going, that we will accord the former President her right, her day in court,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Government considers holiday truce with communist rebels

MALACANANG is studying a possible declaration of temporary ceasefire with communist rebels this Christmas season.

The Palace is just waiting for a recommendation from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.