SC sets new guidelines in party-list accreditation

MANILA -- The Supreme Court (SC) laid down new parameters in the accreditation of party-list groups after it remanded to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the disqualification cases of some groups that want to represent the marginalized sector in Congress.

In a decision dated April 2, the Court said the Comelec did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it denied the accreditation of 54 groups for the May 13 elections.

Hontiveros challenges Binay to debate

TEAM PNoy senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros on Friday challenged United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial bet Nancy Binay to a debate, a month before the May 13 midterm elections.

Hontiveros offered the challenge to the daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay after a photo comparing the track record and survey ratings of the two senatorial bets circulated on social networking sites.

Del Rosario takes swipe at China

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday has taken a swipe at China over its "excessive and exaggerated" territorial claims in the West Philippines Sea as Philippines and United States formally launched this year's Balikatan exercises.

During the opening rites in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, del Rosario said the joint military exercises comes at a "crucial time for my country (and) for our region."

Aquino hits Revilla anew in Team PNoy rally

DASMARINAS CITY -- President Benigno Aquino III took a subtle swipe at Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. anew during the Team PNoy’s second round of campaign in the vote-rich province of Cavite Thursday.

While endorsing the local candidates of the Liberal Party (LP) at the Dasmarinas National High School, Aquino said: “At nanalig akong papanig ang mga Caviteño hindi sa papogi o sa mga walang bisang agimat ng iba, kundi sa talino, integridad at katapatan ng mga kakampi sa tuwid na daan.”

Arroyo party supports Aquino cousin’s Senate bid

DASMARIÑAS CITY -- Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV's ties with the former administration did his candidacy good as he was the first senatorial candidate to get an endorsement from Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

House Deputy Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, Lakas-CMD vice chairman, said party officials have so far agreed to endorse Aquino.

Personal hygiene urged amid new avian flu concern

THE Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to maintain high standard of personal hygiene to avoid infection from a new strain of the avian influenza, which killed two persons in China.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH–Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases program manager, the people should be on-guard against possibly acquiring viruses, including the new H7N9.   "Regardless kung may H7N9 o wala, these are the way to avoid illnesses, which are having proper cough manners and constant hand washing before and after eating as well as after toilet use," said Lee Suy in an interview.  

Chinese scholar: Turbulent years ahead for Philippines-China relations

PHILIPPINES-China relations will suffer in the next four years due to the international arbitration sought by Manila over the two country's overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea.

This was the prediction made by Dr. Ruan Zongze, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), an office under the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

US assures Philippines of stronger defense ties

MANILA (Updated) -- The United States assured the Philippines of Washington's commitment to further strengthen its defense ties with Manila amid uncertainty and security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

May 13 polls ballots printed in record time

PRINTING of the 52 million official ballots required by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the May 13 polls was completed by the National Printing Office (NPO) in 57 days.

"We made it in 57 days. That's a record-breaking accomplishment," said NPO Director Emmanuel Andaya in his remarks at the ceremonial closing of the ballot printing project at the NPO in Quezon City.

More administration bets get celebrity endorsements

MORE senatorial candidates running under the administration coalition Team PNoy get celebrity endorsements weeks before the May 13 midterm elections.

In his official Facebook page, reelectionist Senator Francis Escudero posted a video of "Eat Bulaga" host and veteran actor Vic Sotto endorsing his candidacy.

TUCP asks for P85 pay increase for Metro Manila workers

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Wednesday formally asked the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to give workers in Metro Manila a P85 pay adjustment.   In its four-page petition, the labor group said there is a need to grant a P85 pay increase in order to enable Metro Manila workers to stay abreast with rising prices of commodities and basic services.  

US backs Philippines bid for UN arbitration

MANILA (Updated) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has conveyed Washington’s support to the Philippine Government’s decision to bring its territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea before a UN arbitration tribunal, describing Manila’s move as “a step in the right direction.”

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Kerry expressed the US' full support for the Philippines in aiming to seek for a peaceful resolution to the disputes over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which is being claimed by four other countries—Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Bayan Muna threatens to sue military spokesman over 'extortion' remarks

BAYAN Muna party-list on Tuesday challenged the military to prove its allegation that the New People's Army (NPA) is funding the electoral campaign of left-leaning party-list groups.

Captain Gene Orense, spokesperson of the Army's 8th Infantry Division, earlier said in a newspaper report that the NPA's schemes of permit to campaign and permit to win are meant to support the candidacies of several groups and even senatorial candidates.

Akbayan shrugs off new disqualification case

REPRESENTATIVE Walden Bello on Tuesday laughed off the new disqualification case filed against his party-list group, Akbayan, by militant youth groups over his articles in a news website.   Earlier, youth leaders from Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students and Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan filed a new disqualification case against Akbayan over alleged violations of election campaign regulations.

Senatorial bet supports 'no work, no pay' policy in Congress

A SENATORIAL candidate of the administration coalition on Tuesday urged Congress to adopt a "no work, no pay" policy to curb the chronic absenteeism of some members of the legislative chamber.

Presidential cousin and Team PNoy bet Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said it is the minimum duty of lawmakers to attend the afternoon plenary sessions in the House of Representatives and the Senate.  

UN urged to ensure safety of peacekeepers

THE Philippine government on Tuesday pressed the United Nations for "additional and stronger" measures to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers, particularly those in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) in the Golan Heights.   Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario met with UN Undersecretary-General Hervé Ladsous at the UN headquarters last April 1.  

Government ready to evacuate Pinoys in South Korea

MANILA - The government expressed readiness Monday to evacuate about 40,000 Filipinos living and working in South Korea to the extent of tapping commercial vessels if and when the need arises.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said contingency plans are in place in the event that the recurring tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalate further in light of North Korea’s recent declaration of a "state of war" with South Korea.

Manila mayor formally kicks off re-election bid

"BIRDS of the same feather, flock together."

This was how reelectionist Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim described his political opponents United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates former President Joseph Estrada and incumbent Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

Lawmakers to re-file bill safeguarding children from armed conflict 

AUTHORS of a bill seeking to protect children from armed conflict vowed to re-file their proposed law in the next Congress. 

House Deputy Speaker and Zamboanga Representative Maria Isabelle Climaco, one of the authors of House Bill 4480, said the protection of children in armed conflict should be a priority concern of the government.

Missing activist’s mom bares new evidence vs military

SOLDIERS launched an operation to abduct activist Jonas Burgos nearly six years ago, his mother Edita said Monday, as she asked the Supreme Court to order the Court of Appeals to admit supposed fresh evidence linking the military to the crime.

In an urgent ex-parte motion (proceeding for the benefit of one party), Edita said the evidence include "After Apprehension Report," a "Psycho Social Processing Report," and an "Autobiography of Jonas Burgos," which will remain sealed until the Court order its opening.

Dole: No deployment ban of Filipino workers to South Korea

THERE is no deployment ban of Filipino workers to South Korea despite the brewing tension in the Korean peninsula, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Monday.

Baldoz said the deployment of highly skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to South Korea will still continue as of the moment.

Reyes brothers want arrest warrants nullified

FORMER Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother Coron town Mayor Mario Reyes asked a court on Monday to lift the arrest warrants issued against them in connection with the murder of radio commentator/environmentalist Gerry Ortega in January 2011.

The motion is pending resolution before the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court branch 52 even as Ortega's camp represented by lawyer Alex Avisado has yet to comment on the move taken by his counterpart, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

Palace assures safety of Filipinos in Korean Peninsula

MANILA -- Malacanang assured Sunday that a contingency plan is in place to assist the thousands of Filipinos working and living in the Korean Peninsula in the event the situation there deteriorates.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III is being updated on the situation in the Korean Peninsula after North Korea declared that it was entering a " state of war " with South Korea.

Government lauds US ship removal, vows to press claims

MANILA - The Philippine Government welcomed Sunday the removal of the US Navy minesweeper from the Tubbataha coral reef off Sulu Sea and vowed to pursue claims for the damages.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message that the Aquino administration thanked everyone who has worked to remove the USS Guardian, which accidentally got stuck in the reef on January 17 this year.

Aquino cites Philippine progress in Easter message

MANILA -- While Jesus Christ rose from the dead, President Benigno Aquino III said Sunday the Philippines is now rising once more and claiming its dignity.

In his Easter message, the Chief Executive said the country has progressed a lot when the true power of government was given back to the people.

Body to draft Bangsamoro basic law to meet Wednesday

REPRESENTATIVES from the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will meet on Wednesday to discuss the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is needed for the creation of an expanded homeland for Muslim Filipinos.

“The government panel will work closely with the Transition Commission (TransCom) in continuing to reach out to the public and coming up with a draft law that will embody the just aspirations of the peace negotiations,” said government panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Sunday.

Brighter prospects for fisheries sector seen

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is expecting brighter prospects on the country's fisheries sector this year after a two-year slump.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said with the lifting of a ban on tuna fishing at "Pocket 1" of the Pacific Ocean, Filipino fishermen have resumed their operations in 2012 in said area, resulting in more catch. Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean is bounded by Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Lawmakers welcome ‘pork’ exemption from election ban

REELECTIONIST lawmakers on Saturday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt their priority development assistance fund (PDAF), or "pork barrel," from the ban on the disbursement of public funds during the 45-day election period.   Comelec recently issued Resolution 9660 stating that the "release, disbursement or expenditures of PDAF and other state funds" are not covered by the prohibitions provided in the Omnibus Election Code.

Aquino to lead Lim’s proclamation rally in Manila

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will lead the proclamation rally of reelectionist Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Monday, April 1.

Lim, together with other members of the local Liberal Party, will kick off their campaign at 4 p.m. at the Bonifacio Shrine.

944 families displaced by Sabah armed conflict -- NDRRMC

MANILA -- The country's disaster risk reduction council reported Thursday that more than 900 Filipino families had been displaced due to the continuing armed conflict in Sabah, Malaysia.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that as of March 28, a total of 944 families or 4,721 individuals -- including 2,861 adults and 1,860 children -- had been displaced in Sabah.