Order allowing drug suspect’s release ‘disadvantageous’
CEBU CITY -- The new Department of Justice (DOJ) circular allowing the release of a drug suspect before the prosecutor’s dismissal of his or her case is reviewed can be “disadvantageous” to the campaign against illegal drugs.
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador said that when prosecutors decide to reverse the dismissal of the case against a drug suspect, law enforcers will have to go through the entire process of hunting for the suspect again.
2 suspects in radioman's murder charged
CITY OF MATI -- Two of the five suspects in the killing of radioman Nestor Libaton were charged with murder before the City Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.
"After the complaint was filed, we are now waiting for the release of the warrant of arrest. And once the warrant is out, we will go against the suspects," said Task Force Libaton Chief Anthony Placido in a press conference Thursday.
Impeachment court readies Corona verdict
MANILA (Updated) -- The Senate is ready to render its judgment next week on the impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona after the defense and prosecution teams rested their case Friday.
Both the defense and prosecution panels formally made an offer of evidence after the continuation of Corona’s testimony Friday at the Senate session hall, paving the way for the oral arguments on Monday, May 28.
The verdict will be out on Tuesday after the oral arguments, said Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile.
Corona now at Senate
MANILA (3rd Update, 1:39 p.m.) -- Chief Justice Renato Corona is now at the Senate to attend today’s impeachment trial despite his health condition.
He left The Medical City in Pasig in wheelchair around 12:50 p.m. and arrived at the Senate around 1:18 p.m. Accompanying him are his wife, Cristina, and doctors.
Puffer fish kills 11-year-old boy
CEBU CITY –- Considered one of the world’s deadliest fish, the puffer fish -- locally known as butete -- claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy in the coastal village of Bagatayam, Sogod in northern Cebu Thursday dawn.
The boy’s three siblings are also under observation at a district hospital.
Justice department eases rule on detention
CEBU CITY -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has eased its rules on allowing suspects in drug cases to be “immediately released from detention,” pending the Justice secretary’s final review of the dismissal of charges by a prosecutor.
Pursuant to Department Circular 12, the respondent of drug-related cases can file a request to be released from jail after the handling prosecutors dismiss the charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Protesters demand power supply from geothermal plants
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Close to 700 protesters urged the Energy department on Thursday to distribute to North Cotabato province the needed 25 percent power supply generated from the geothermal power plants in Mount Apo.
Members of Makabayan, an alliance of progressive groups of farmers, consumers, workers and urban poor in North Cotabato, made the demand through a three-hour rally on Thursday.
Corona signs medical waiver to attend trial
MANILA (Updated) -- Chief Justice Renato Corona formally manifested his desire to finish his testimony after he signed a medical waiver Thursday, clearing his doctors of any responsibility for whatever happens to him during his intense-filled return to the impeachment court.
3 Cebu lawmakers willing to sign waiver
CEBU CITY –- Three of the five Cebuano legislators who signed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona said they’re ready to accept his challenge to have their bank accounts scrutinized by the public.
Representatives Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar (Cebu City, north district), Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu Province, 4th district) and Gabriel Luis Quisumbing (Cebu Province, 6th district) said they are open to signing a waiver on the secrecy of their bank deposits.
Eagle killer gets P100,000 fine
MALAYBALAY, Bukidnon -- A local court here sentenced a lumad farmer to pay a fine of P100,000 or a still undetermined years in jail for the killing a Philippine eagle four years ago.
The case against Bryan Bala-on is the first ever criminal case filed for the killing of a Philippine eagle.
Impeachment trial over by next week
MANILA (Updated) -- The impeachment court gave Chief Justice Renato Corona until Friday to appear and finish his testimonial evidence, after which the senator-judges will take a vote based on evidence presented during the four-month trial.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the court's presiding officer, issued the ultimatum after Corona failed to return to the witness stand on Wednesday for direct and cross examination.
Doctors want Corona in hospital for 48 hours
MANILA (Updated 1:03 p.m.) -- Doctors of Chief Justice Renato Corona said Wednesday the chief magistrate will be under observation for 48 to 72 hours for possible heart attack.
Corona was admitted at The Medical City in Pasig Tuesday night after having difficulty in breathing and dizziness due to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
P5M worth of shells, turtle carapace intercepted
CEBU CITY -- About P5 million worth of horned helmet shells (scientific name Cassis cornuta) and turtle carapace were confiscated by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Cebu Tuesday afternoon in Pier 2, this city.
The seizure was made after the PCG received information about the arrival of “endangered, threatened, and rare” sea creatures from Zamboanga City, using the port of Cebu as a transit point.
American Idol stage all set for Phillips, Sanchez
MANILA -- The Filipino audience is ready to be impressed by American Idol finalists Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez.
Phillips and Sanchez will grace the Idol performance stage for the last time Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning in Manila) as they will belt out their last songs in the competition.
Basas: Corona’s statements ‘untrue, unkind’
MANILA (Updated) -- The children of Jose Ma. Basa III, relative of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s wife, considered Tuesday the Supreme Court official’s statements against their father as “untrue, unkind and shows his true character.”
Carmen, Ana, Isabel, Franchesca and Eric Basa, children of Jose Ma. Basa III, flew in from the United States Monday to listen to Corona's testimony in his impeachment trial.
Corona’s walkout, long opening speech dismay public
MANILA (Updated) -- Several Filipinos monitoring developments in the impeachment trial on Tuesday felt Chief Justice Renato Corona disrespected the court when he practically “walked out” of the impeachment proceedings.
Corona testified in his own impeachment trial Tuesday and denied all the allegations against him, including those pertaining to his alleged ill-gotten wealth.
Cebu university graduate tops accountants exam
CEBU CITY -- Gianna Tan Chua from the University of San Carlos (USC) bested 1,995 other examinees to place fourth in the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi in May 2012.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) also reported that USC is the only school in the country with 50 or more examinees and with at least 80 percent passing percentage. Of the 72 USC examinees, 60 passed the licensure examination.
Guv: Keep Cebu’s largest hospital public
CEBU CITY -- A plan to privatize Cebu’s largest government hospital has drawn opposition from the province’s top officials, although the Provincial Board deferred taking a position in order to study the proposal more thoroughly.
“If it ain’t broke, why fix it?” quipped Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, referring to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).
Lady Gaga’s first show pushes through despite protests
MANILA -- Grammy award-winning artist Lady Gaga pushed through with the first leg of her "Born This Way Ball" tour in Manila amid protest from religious and conservative groups.
The "Poker Face" singer performed to her Filipino supporters at the newly established SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City, Monday evening.
Kin of OFW who died in Singapore seek new probe
DAVAO CITY -- The family of the 23-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who allegedly committed suicide in Singapore, urged the government to conduct further investigation on the woman’s death.
"Dako ug posibilidad nga giabuso ang among igsuon. Sakit ni para sa amoa (There is a possibility that our sister was abused. It hurts)," Rey Gamale, brother of the victim Apple Gamale, told reporters in a press conference held at the Center for Overseas Workers office Monday.
Corona on witness stand live at Sun.Star website
CEBU CITY -- One of the most significant events in the country’s history will happen today, Tuesday, when Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona takes the witness stand in the 40th day of his impeachment trial.
Sun.Star, a community news website based in Cebu, will bring this historic event to its thousands of readers live via its website www.sunstar.com.ph, and Corona Impeachment Trial section at specials.sunstar.com.ph/coronaimpeachmenttrial.
Tourist accused of using young Facebook pals for sex
CEBU CITY – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a string of cases against a tourist who allegedly sexually abused three Filipino boys he met on Facebook last year.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has directed Cebu City Prosecutor Nicolas Sellon to file six counts of qualified trafficking of a child, which Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act penalizes.
11-year-old boy shoots friend at play
CEBU CITY – A boy, 13, is in critical condition and now half-paralyzed after an 11-year-old neighbor accidentally shot him while they played in a billiard hall in Barangay Suba, Cebu City late Saturday afternoon.
The bullet entered Nico’s head and exited at the back, after Mario pulled the trigger of a gun, believed to be a .38 revolver. The children’s real names are being withheld.
Palace: Dollar accounts should be included in asset statement
MANILA – Malacañang insisted on Sunday that Chief Justice Renato Corona is obliged to include his supposed dollar accounts in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda rebutted the opinion of former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official Estrella Martinez saying that all assets, whether in peso or in dollar, should be declared in SALN of every government official.
Government, Moro rebels peace panels vow transparency
MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato – Officials of the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vowed to be transparent on the proposed final peace agreement before the signing is done.
"No final peace agreement will be signed without the government making it known to the people first," said Teresita Quintos Deles, Secretary of the Office Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp).
