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Meeting with Buboy Fernandez, Manny’s childhood friend, Costello was given a rare insight in to his and Manny's life together as children on the streets of General Santos. “I cry…I sleep with a small box, carton. If the water get high tide, my home’s gone, just like the water here and then we sleep in trees…Manny’s thinking for dreaming. He said, ‘someday I’m going to be a champion and if I success my career I come back here and then bring you.’ And Manny did return for Buboy, now his right hand man and Filipino trainer. “It’s too much for me that he taking me from the down to bring me up…The first time that I sleep in the big room is MGM. And then Manny said, ‘Eh come on now, see this presidential suite.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I think we’re going to put here a basketball court.”

read more:http://boxscorenews.com/manny-pacquiao-exclusive-twopart-documentary-from-bbc-world-service-p9021-68.htm

Pays more than Filipinos in Forbes 'richest' list
By BEN R. ROSARIO
Manila Bulletin

A senior administration congressman Sunday said that Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao deserves to be honored as the country’s top individual taxpayer, having paid higher taxes than Filipinos cited by Forbes Magazine as among the richest in the world.

Rep. Antonio Alvarez (Lakas-Kampi, Palawan) said not only is Pacquiao the greatest Filipino boxer who has won eight world division titles but is also the Philippines greatest taxpayer.

BizNewsAsia magazine, citing what it called official sources, had enumerated the names of the country’s top 500 taxpayers with their corresponding payments.

Next to Paqcuiao in the BizNewsAsia list is Willie Revillame with P58.6 million; and Piolo Pascual who is No. 3 with P55.8 million payments.

Two other showbiz personalities made it to the Top 10 â€" Kris Aquino, No. 8 with P25.44 million; and Michael V (Beethoven del Valle Bunagan), No. 10 with P22.26 million.

Also landing in the BizNewsAsia’s Top 20 list are known chief executive owners of conglomerates: Philex President Walter Brown with P26.83 milliontax (No. 9); Rio Tuba Nickel owner Manuel Zamora Jr. with P19.96 million tax (No. 12); San Miguel Corp’s Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. with P18.98 million tax (No.13); PLDT Chair and Meralco CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan with P18.55 million (No. 14); the former Meralco President Manolo Lopez, P17.49 million (No. 16); Union Bank Chair and CEO Justo Aboitiz Ortiz, P15.2 million (No. 19), and SMC President and Petron CEO Ramon S. Ang, P14.85 million (No. 20).

Prominent tycoon Henry Sy Sr. was reportedly No. 73 in the list with tax payments of P7.27 million, while Lucio Tan failed to land in the top 100.

After nearly two months of absence, Pacquiao will return to the House of Representatives to attend Monday’s session and also to be honored by the chamber with his second Congressional Medal of Distinction for his most recent world boxing conquest.

You Against Corruption and Poverty (YACAP) partylist Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez, one of the organizers of the red carpet welcome for Pacquiao at the Lower House, said the Sarangani solon is “extremely honored for the second Congressional Medal of Distinction, which will be given by his own peers.”

Lopez, who also hails from Sarangani, said Pacquiao is doing what it takes to make himself a “champion” of his province when it comes to public service.

“Boxing may be his first love but public service is now his passion.

“I’ve seen him in action, I’ve worked with him in Sarangani, and we’ve discussed bills and issues. He is a legislator, not just a boxer, and to be honored by his co-equals in Congress, together with the people we represent is something very special to him. He said he is eternally grateful for his kind of honor and welcome from his peers,” said Lopez.

According to Lopez, the neophyte Sarangani lawmaker is “emotionally touched” by the gesture of his colleagues in the Lower House who contributed P1,000 each to honor the new WBC super welterweight champion who defeated Mexican boxing legend Antonio Margarito for the boxing crown last week in Dallas, Texas.

Alvarez said the Bureau of Internal Revenue reported last April that Pacquiao paid P125 million in taxes in 2008, making him the highest individual Filipino taxpayer in a list of top 500 taxpayers.

“If the government is running out of awards to give Manny, then it should think of honoring him for being the reigning champion in the individual income tax payment category,” said Alvarez, a member of the Commission on Appointments.

The Palawan lawmaker added: “He‘s not only the world’s pound-for-pound boxing king, but he’s also the country’s peso-for-peso tax payments title holder.”

Armpit sniffer? If the job location is India, I think you have to think twice or even thrice before you accept the job offer.

Kanang mapalit sa Mercury Drug ug ipahid lang sa panit, dili imnon.

Russia is planning to launch two Nigerian satellites into orbit in December, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X earth monitoring satellites will be launched to a solar-synchronized orbit by a Russian-Ukrainian Dnepr heavy carrier rocket.

"We are planning to launch two Nigerian satellites on board our carrier [rocket] in December," Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday after a meeting with his Nigerian counterpart Odein Ajumogobia in Abuja.

NigeriaSat-2 will be used primarily for resource management and mapping of the Nigerian territory, while NigeriaSat-X will assist with disaster relief and global environmental monitoring campaigns.

Nigeria became the third African country to enter the space age, after South Africa and Algeria, when Russia launched NigeriaSat-1 earth monitoring satellite in 2003. (PNA/RIA Novosti)

China's Tianhe-1A supercomputer has taken top spot among the world's top 500 supercomputers -- an important mark mirroring the rapid growth of China's science and technology, which has drawn concerns worldwide.

The Tianhe-1A computing system, developed by China's National University of Defense Technology, ranked first in the TOP500 list of the world's most powerful computers, rewriting the history of the list since it was established in 1993.

Among the top 500 computers in the list officially unveiled on Tuesday by U.S. and European researchers, 41 are from China, 20 more than one year ago, while the United States has 275 in the list, France, Germany and Japan each has 26, Britain 24 and Russia 11.

In addition, China also has two systems in the top 10, of which seven achieved performance at or above one petaflop/s.

The list is compiled by Hans Meuer of the University of Mannheim, Germany, Erich Strohmaier and Horst Simon of National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Jack Dongarra of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

It is a significant achievement for China, given the fierce competition around the world in supercomputer development, which is a fundamental tool for a nation's scientific research in various areas, such as geology,meteorology, oil exploration and the aviation, automobile and chemistry industries.

In the early 1990s, almost all computers in the China market were imported and scientific research institutes could only use computers under the supervision and control of foreign experts.

In recent years, Chinese researchers have worked hard in creating new ways to develop China's own supercomputers, with the support of the 863 Program, a government-sponsored national high-tech research and development initiative.

These "Made-in-China" supercomputers not only break the blockade imposed by foreign countries, but also narrow the gap between China and developed countries. They have even made China a world leader in some technologies.

To some extent, supercomputers reflect a country's demand for supercomputing capacity and the development level of a country's fundamental research and development, modern equipment manufacturing, and high-tech industries.

The computing speed of Tianhe-1A led the world and it showed the increased competitive strength of China's economy, said an official from the French Atomic Energy Commission.

The Tianhe-1A system at the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin currently is leading the world with a capacity of sustaining computation at 2.57 petaflop/s, which equates to a mind-numbing 2.57 quadrillions of calculations per second.

However, it needs to be remembered that China still lags behind such developed countries as the United States in overall computing capacity, especially in core electronic unit and high-end chip development.

The United States and Japan are developing supercomputers with better performance than Tianhe-1A. In the future, various countries in the world will take turns to lead in supercomputer development, and China still has an arduous task in catching up with the world-class level in the supercomputer realm. - PNA

The United States announced Thursday a successful completion of Kazakhstan's nuclear spent fuel program, hailing it as a significant contribution to global security and nuclear non-proliferation.

U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Central Asian country safely shut down this week its BN-350 plutonium production reactor in Aktau in its west, secured about 100 tons of weapons-grade spent fuel and transported them to a new secure storage facility in the east.

Lauding the step as "historic," Toner told reporters at a press briefing that it secured enough nuclear material for 800 nuclear weapons.

"Kazakhstan under the leadership of President Nursultan Nazarbayev has made a significant contribution to global security and nuclear non-proliferation," he added.

The United States joined the BN-350 nuclear spent fuel program. (PNA/Xinhua)

The government said Wednesday it had pulled a tourism promotion campaign off the Internet after just one day, after critics panned the rebrand and warned that unwary surfers could easily end up at a porn site instead.

"Bland," "Lacks punch," "Sounds dishonest" were among posts made on popular networking sites about the "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" (Philippines What a Beauty) website launched by the tourism department to much fanfare late Monday.

Critics also panned the decision to use the local spelling of the country's name, warning that a similar site, beautifulfilipinas.com, was pornographic.

Ministry spokeswoman Evelyn Macayayong said the government acknowledged the criticisms and pulled down the website on Tuesday for revisions.

"The write-ups were not thoroughly edited. There were errors, and there are even allegations of plagiarism, that we copied from other websites," Macayayong told AFP.

The aborted tourism campaign was top-billed by a candy-colored logo of the slogan adorned with a coconut tree, an endangered tiny primate called a tarsier, the sun, and waves.

Critics called for the country's eight-year-old tourism slogan, "Wow Philippines," to be retained. - Agence France Presse

DOT is acting idiot again. Foreigners don't understand Tagalog. Why not use "Wow Philippines" or just "Beautiful Philippines." In Thailand, their tourism department has a very successful slogan, "Amazing Thailand." They don't use a Thai word, but English. DOT, dili mo ka-gets ana? Just use English.

This is the best post-fight analysis I've read so far. I can feel tears rushing in my heart as I read this article. Truly, Pacquiao is a gift from God to the Philippines.

President Benigno S. Aquino III inducted three new members of the 11-man Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines, of which 5 to 6 are appointed by the Office of the President. The term of regents is two years until reappointed.

Inducted at the lobby of the Premier Guest House by the President were former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Elizabeth Siguion-Reyna and Magdaleno Albaraccin Jr.

The President, according to Puno, reminded the new UP Board of Regents members of the many things he wanted done in UP given the resources of the government to restore the state university into its premier status.

Siguion-Reyna took her Imaginative Writing Program at the English Department (now called the Creative Writing program) at the UP from 1970 to 1975. She is currently a director of a parenting show at QTV, gag shows and writer for film and television.

Puno, who took his two-year associate in arts course and finished law at UP in 1962, said the President also asked him to go over the UP development plan which would help the university attain its academic and non-academic objectives.

Puno, as the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, became the 2008 Most Distinguished Alumnus of UP in its centennial celebration.

Albaraccin, whose uncle Narciso served as Deputy Minister for Education of the late strongman, President Marcos, finished his engineering course at UP in 1956. He continues to be active in the College of Engineering. (PNA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted that bus operators who joined in Monday’s strike will face disciplinary sanction for violating the privilege to serve the riding public.

In an ambush interview Wednesday afternoon, the President said bus operators need to be reminded that the franchise issued to them by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is not a right but a privilege.

“Bus operators have an obligation to the public, which they seemingly have ignored,” said the President, noting that bus companies never approached him to air their problems.

The President pointed out that during his meeting with Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Secretary Jose De Jesus of the DOTC, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, and LTFRB Chairman Nelson Laluces, he tasked them to review the existing franchises of the bus companies that participated in the bus strike on Monday. - pna

This is a very touching story worth for a film production. The cook risked everything to save the lives of people he barely knew.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Bohol Police SSupt. Constantino Barot said crime incidence in the month of October in Bohol has gone down considerably.

Saying this as a victory, Bohol local enforcement authorities would like to credit the intensified anti-crime campaigns and operations of law enforcement authorities.

Another military source said the intensified checkpoint operations conducted by police and military or joint tem in the enforcement of election related peace keeping efforts worked for Bohol this time.

At the Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting today November 9, 2010 at the People's Mansion, PSSUpt Barot cited an 11.8% decrease in index crimes at 210 cases for the period.

The figures are compared to the crime volume reported on the earlier month.

A slight increase however is noted on non-index crimes at 11.6% with 67 recorded cases for the month province wide.

On the fear of possible threat groups including terrorists, Barot told the council there are none operating in Bohol, based on their intelligence networks.

Police intelligence agents however are now verifying unconfirmed reports of sparrow units hiding in Bohol, he said.

He also confirmed the presence and establishment of Bohol White Area Committee (BWAC) 1 and 2 as signs of early recovery efforts of the communist insurgents who have been driven off Bohol by its combined government and civil society anti-insurgency efforts.

Another BWAC is on the onset of establishment, military intelligence reports said. (PIABohol)

I watched a movie titled "After Life" and it was such a scary movie. The embalmer was manipulating the deaths of individuals so that he could make money. It's business as usual.

By Rey Anthony Chiu

Moving to get a clearer grasp of the drug situation in Bohol, the Provincial Peace and Order Council, wants the narcotics agency in Bohol to report detailed town affectation analysis.

During the recent meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council at the People’s Mansion, Interior and
Local government provincial director Rustica Mascarinas proposed that instead of just baring accomplishments, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also include drug affectation by towns.

Earlier, the council asked the PDEA reports to be a part of the regular PPOC briefings in efforts of the council to effectively address not just police crime situation, internal security operations and other peace related concerns but of the drug campaign situation as well.

Last Tuesday, the PDEA reported that while they have identified Ozamis City as the source of drugs distributed in Bohol, port interdictions, which could strain the supply could not be done due to the agency’s manpower problems.

Even then the PDEA, said agent Steven Valles is pushing the limits in anti-narcotic operations against identified targets while bringing their information education campaign to the schools all over Bohol, including on the spot poster making, slogan crafting essay writing contests among students.

He also added that in the pipeline is a drug detection and information gathering training for barangay tanods as well as the planned joint operations for port interdictions.

During a separate forum, an agent of the PDEA told that regardless of the amounts and quality of the drugs pushed and obtained during buy bust operations, the offense would be unbailable.

The situation is unlike a search warrant arrest, he said that only if the search team finds .5 grams can the
subject be denied of bail, according to the dangerous drugs law.

Concerned over the recent observation that shabu has become easily obtainable at P500 per .005 grams pack, PDEA agents shared telltale signs that students are into the prohibited substance.

Anyone suspected of shabu use would remain awake for long periods of time, have a noticeable loss of
appetite and have facial muscle twitches or spasms, the PDEA agent said.

Parents who think they have a family member who is into shabu may find tinfoils, disposable lighters, burners or tissue in the room, they should start worrying because these are signs that their wards are already on substance use, he stressed.

A .005 grams of shabu can already be shared by a group of five in a pot session, he said.

That would be something like P100 per participant, making the substance easily affordable if they chip in to but one sachet pack. (racPIABohol)

By Rey Anthony Chiu

ABUSE of a substance called Nubain, (Nalbuphine hydrochloride) which has lately been a choice of drug users in Tagbilaran City has pushed the City Sanggunian to prepare for the enactment of an ordinance regulating the sale and distribution of the analgesic.

According to a narcotic intelligence officer at the local Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the province of Bohol, in fact through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is eyeing the same move to considerably lessen if not stop the abuse of the anesthetic that is not included in the banned substances under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Since nubain is not in the list of illegal or prohibited substances, we have our hands tied in making operations against the sale and possession of the injectable drug, the narcotic agent who guested the weekly Kapihan sa PIA said.

One of the newer drugs which is classified as narcotic analgesic with less abuse potential, Nubain is a synthetic opiate developed and approved for use as hydrochloride salt in injectable form of 10 to 20 mg ampules which is not under the list of controlled or dangerous substance.

Nubain is used primarily for treating moderate to severe acute pains, the prescription drug can be easily sourced out from crooked drug dealer and pharmaceutical agent or using a doctor’s forged prescription pad, doctors shared.

At the radio forum aired live over DyTR, the narc agent who asked not to be named said the substance has emerged he third most notoriously abused substance next to shabu and marijuana.

Sourced out basically from possible drug laboratory in Ozamis City in Mindanao and coursed usually through Cebu, the metamphitamine hydrochloride gets to Bohol presumably through the ports of entry, PDEA Intelligence Offficer Steven Valles at the peace and order council meeting said.

While shabu and marijuana have been in the list of dangerous abused drugs and users could easily be apprehended, the case of nubain is different, the drug agent at the Kapihan said. 

Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called the PDEA to confirm on the entry of nubain as another abused substance in schools, during the peace council meeting Tuesday.

Valles, who spoke for the PDEA OIC who was on an operation during the meeting said the alternative way to get to the users or pushers is to get a local ordinance passed so agents would have the legal backing when they accost nubain users.

At the Kapihan, PDEA relayed that the city has gone to the point of holding a public hearing as a requisite for the passing of the city ordinance against the substance.

Upon that same information and feeling helpless against the new substance, Governor Edgar Chatto promised he would urge the provincial sanggunian to do the same and pass a provincial ordinance regulating nubain and other dangerous substances not listed yet in the country’s banned drugs. (racPIABohol)

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 17 (PNA) -â€" The city government here will be asking the support of barangay leaders to respond to issues on trafficking of persons, most of whom are minors, recruited to work in red houses here.

Last month, the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Task Force Anti-Prostitution and the 6th Regional Maritime Office (6RMO), in various occasions, were able to rescue and intercept some of the alleged trafficked victims from Cebu.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog hoped that those responses would discourage traffickers from bringing more victims in this city.

He stressed that what is needed is “vigilance to discourage traffickers” and the indictment of perpetrators.

“We will ask the cooperation and support of barangay officials because they know what is happening in their respective jurisdictions,” he said, adding that, since they have just gotten a new mandate from the people, then expectedly they are more aggressive.

Further, Mabilog will also be creating a task force that will solely look into the said concern.

The mayor added that CSWDO head Alfredo Villanueva has already come up with the draft of a proposed executive order creating the said task force. (PNA)

Senator Francis Escudero III visited Wednesday the volunteer-nurse who was raped in South Upi, Maguindanao last September 25, who is confined at the Southern Philippines Medical center (SPMC) in Davao City.

Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, however, expressed dismay over the non-filing of complaint against the person who allegedly abused Florence.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the victim during her 22nd birthday Wednesday at the government hospital, he said it has been two months since the incident happened and no case has been filed against the perpetrator who remains at-large.

Escudero lamented that if celebrated cases have not been solved with the filing of appropriate charges, how much more the many other cases perpetrated on ordinary victims.

"Apparently, no case has been filed against the perpetrator," he said.

He said the country has enough laws to crime against chastity, which has a downside implementation because of the small number of law enforcers against the increasing population.

"The ratio I believe is one policeman for every 5,000 Filipinos," Escudero said.  - pna

Police authorities are now tightening its watch on several firework factories and stores of pyrotechnic products following the explosion of a suspected fireworks factory in Angat, Bulacan that killed an old woman and wounded eight others Monday night.

Chief Supt. Alan La Madrid Purisima, Central Luzon police director, has instructed Sr. Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Bulacan police provincial director to improve their surveillance on fireworks factories to determine if safety measures are being followed by owners.

Purisima also instructed Villanueva to look intently firecracker manufacturers following reports that there are minors being employed in some establishments.

The order of Purisima was prompted when an old woman died and eight others were injured after a clandestine firework.factory in Barangay Marungko, Angat town exploded.

Investigation said a fuse (mitsa) caused a spark and ignited a stockpile of pyrotechnics products.

The lone fatality was identified as Linda Reyes, 54, while those injured were Edgardo Padua, 17; Gena Barcial, 33, Juvilyn Alvarez, 16; Angelita Dizon, 45, Julia Aspe; 30, Alejandro Cruz, 36, Angelito Cruz, 30; and Wiwi Lorenzo, 30. - pna

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) based in Camp Delgado has assured the security of the people in Western Visayas in connection with the reported international terror threat in the country that prompted several countries in the world to issue a travel advisory to deter their citizens’ travel to the Philippines.

PRO-6 regional director Police C/Supt. Cipriano Querol, said the people here in the region has nothing to worry about because the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region has not received any threat coming from terrorist groups.

Querol said proper security measures have been put in place even as he ordered the different provincial and city directors of the PNP throughout the region to enhance security measures in their areas to prevent terror attacks.

He said police visibility will be maintained in populated areas like malls, churches as well as beach resorts and tourist spots with the deployment of additional police forces.

Likewise, Chief Supt. Querol pushed for the implementation of the Barangay Peacekeeping Organization and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in the city’s 180 barangays since they are the first line of defense to counter criminality.

He said the retraining of BPAT members is also a must to strengthen barangay monitoring network in reporting the presence of suspicious looking individuals or terrorists to the nearest police station.

The PRO-6 regional director also embarked on a series of crisis management seminars in the neighboring Panay provinces of Antique and Aklan to replicate his advocacy.

Last November 10, the PRO6 conducted a Crisis Management Seminar-Workshop in San Jose, Antique for local chief executives in the province led by Governor Exequiel Javier and Mayor Rony Molino of Antique’s capital town of San Jose where Director Querol discussed the concept of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team and Barangay Peacekeeping Operations. - pna

PNA: Combined elements from La Union Provincial Highway Patrol Team and the Bacnotan Police Station recovered last Saturday a Toyota Fortuner reportedly stolen last month in Bacnotan town at the parking lot of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) casino compound in Angeles City, Pampanga, a belated report said Wednesday.

Superintendent Jose B. Macanas, head of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 1 (RHPU1), reported Wednesday that the motor vehicle (plate number ZFE 457) owned by one Engineer Santiago Ramos was one of the items stolen during a robbery that took place at the house of his brother Luis, a doctor, in Barangay Bulala, Bacnotan last October 21.

“We received information last Saturday morning that on October 24 a man who claimed to be Santiago Ramos was offering to mortgage the Toyota Fortuner for P250,000. This gave us the lead to solve the case,” Macanas said.

Police operatives were immediately sent to Angeles City, composed of a team from the Highway Patrol Group under Inspector Daniel Banan and another from the Bacnotan Police Station led by Senior Inspector Ismael Gauna. They reached the place around 8:30 p.m. of the same date and sighted the vehicle parked at the PAGCOR parking lot without occupant.

Failing to locate the bogus Engr. Ramos after hours of stakeout, the operatives retrieved the Toyota Fortuner at about 11 a.m. the next day (November 14) after proper coordination with the Angeles City Police Station.

Search of the motor vehicle yielded, among other things, a fake driver’s license bearing the name of Engr. Ramos but with a picture of another man who was later identified by witnesses as the one who was transacting the mortgage of the vehicle.

“We are now conducting diligent investigative actions to identify and arrest the individuals or groups involved in this incident,” added Macanas. “We are looking into the possible link between the Akyat Bahay gang that perpetrated the robbery/carnapping and some still unknown financiers of stolen motor vehicles operating in casinos.”

The Toyota Fortuner, now impounded at the RHPU1 office in Camp Diego Silang, San Fernando City, La Union, will be subjected to macro-etching test by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 1 prior to its return to the rightful owner. (PNA)

The relentless campaign against illegal drugs in the province is continuously paying off.

Police arrested a tricycle driver for alleged possession of illegal drugs while plying his route in Orani town late Monday afternoon.

Inspector Romeo Valencia, Orani deputy police chief, said they nabbed Leo Berbon, 26, of Barangay Paking in Orani after they found in his tricycle four heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected dried marijuana fruiting tops.

Valencia said they have been receiving reports for a month of the alleged illegal activities of Berbon using his tricycle in the drug trade.

After continuous monitoring and through the help of informants, police pounced on suspect in Barangay Centro Uno around 5:10 p.m.

When lawmen asked the suspect to present the registration papers of his tricycle, Berbon opened the compartment of the tricycle.

From the compartment, police officers noticed a bulging suspicious-looking empty cigarette pack, Valencia said.

When police opened the cigarette pack in the presence of barangay officials, they discovered that the pack contained four heat-sealed plastic sachets of dried marijuana fruiting tops, the deputy police chief said.

Berbon admitted that the illegal drugs were in his tricycle but denied owning it.

The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Section 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (PNA)

The Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO) is profiling a group called Bravo for Justice (BFJ), an apparently new organization to which alleged killers of Licab town Vice Mayor Luisito Caraang belonged, a ranking police officer disclosed on Wednesday.

"We can not say right now that the group is an organized crime gang," said NEPPO director Senior Supt. Roberto Aliggayu.

Aliggayu said the name of the organization first cropped up when a neophyte identified as Sonny Pascua of Victoria, Tarlac, told Task Force Caraang that he was being recruited to be its member.

To acquire full-pledged membership, Pascua reportedly told probers that he was tasked to monitor the movement of Caraang and report it to the group before dawn on October 9.

Caraang was killed around 5:10 a.m. that day.

"But he was compartmentalized," Aliggayu said.

This means, according to the police director, that Pascua was blind on the real motive behind his mission.

"All he had to do is to find out if Vice Mayor Caraang was on his daily jogging and report it to (Francisco) Peralta," he said.

Peralta is reportedly called Supremo in BFJ. He is the brother of Ricardo Peralta, the alleged leader of Red Vigilante Group (RVG) that was blamed for over 40 cases of killing suspected illegal drug peddlers in Nueva Ecija, particularly in Gapan City, a few years back.

Their patriarch, Arcadio Peralta, used to lead the communist movement in northern Luzon.

Aliggayu said that based on their investigation, among the members of BFJ were remnants of Alakdan II and Kamagong groups, two of the reported organized gangs allegedly involved in gun for hire and robbery holdup activities.

"But we do not know who the other members of Bravo For Justice are so, we cannot say it's a criminal gang. What we know is that some remnants of Alakdan and Kamagong are also members of this group (BFJ)," Aliggayu said in the vernacular.

He was referring to Peralta, Arturo Bernardino, Virgilio Domingo alias Beo Samiento, Jeremy Itan and Nestor Soriano Jr., who were charged, along with Licab town Councilor Alexander Ventura, for the killing of Caraang. - pna

By Danny O. Calleja

In response to the shortage of weathermen in the country, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on Tuesday said he is all out in supporting the plan of Bicol University (BU) to offer climate science-related courses leading to a degree in meteorology.

“It is a given fact that our weather bureau is being confronted by a shortage in weather forecasters and that we need science-oriented colleges or universities offering courses leading to this line of expertise,” Salceda said.

So far, it is only the College of Science (CS) at the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines (UP), through its institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), that produces doctorate (PhD) and master’s (MS) degree graduates in this field, Salceda who is also chairman of the Bicol’s Regional Development Council (RDC), said.

For now, BU was identified as one of the schools in which Bachelor of Science (BS) in Meteorology may be offered and, for its president, Fay Lauraya, Salceda’s proposal is very much acceptable and, in fact, “we are already mapping out a plan to fast-track this project”.

“We accept the challenge and we are now exploring all possibilities of being able to offer related courses as soon as possible,” Lauraya said over the weekend.

Prisco Nilo, the former director of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) who holds a doctorate in meteorology, in a recent visit to the BU main campus here on invitation from the university’s administration, agreed with the plan.

During the visit, Nilo explained that the study of meteorology requires a highly advanced knowledge of mathematics and physics. There have been only two holders of PhD in Physics who headed PAGASA -- the late Casimiro del Rosario and Roman Kintanar.

Kintanar twice became the president of the United Nations’ World Meteorology Organization (WMO), Nilo said, showing that the international physics and meteorology society recognizes the capabilities of Filipino scientists.

He lamented the fact that there are now only three meteorologists in the country, thus the dearth of experts and prospective trainers in this field of study. He revealed the sad reality that because of more lucrative opportunities abroad, the local forecasters have left the country.

Nilo expressed his willingness to invite Bicol University, along with other interested schools, to avail of their modules and one-year training at PAGASA main office. He said this would be a good move towards supplementing the weather bureau’s need to re-build its capability in weather forecasting, which would also result in improving disaster readiness in the Philippines.

The university has initial plans of starting with the short-term courses that may be attended by target faculty who will later on become core faculty for the undergraduate course.

BU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Helen Llenaresas expressed willingness to prepare the proposal for the undergraduate four-year course observing that the general education subjects may even be offered while faculty are still training for the major subjects, so that the course may be offered sooner.

A short-term awareness course for media practitioners and other interested individuals will precede all these to support the disaster risk management system in the locale, Llenaresas said.

Students and the general public are looking forward to the finalization of plans on the matter, Lauraya said while Nilo said experts from PAGASA could serve as resource persons in certain subjects of courses in meteorology but only during off-season, that is, when typhoons are not impending, possibly late December or early January, and necessarily on weekends.

Salceda said the country is in dire need of competent weathermen that the BU would be producing when the plan materializes as the world go deeper into implementation of programs on climate change adaptation that the province of Albay had taken the lead role in the country.

The governor who has been recently named Senior Global Champion of Disaster Risk Reduction by the United Nations added that accurate weather forecasts are vital elements of disaster risk reduction, particularly that “climate change had been surprising us with a lot of weather variations”. (PNA)

Manny Pacquiao’s colleagues in the House of Representatives want him to be the country’s poster boy for tourism and are even encouraging him to stage his next fights in the country, noting how it would rake in revenues.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said Pacquiao, who is also a House member representing Sarangani province, is not only a boxing icon but also a tourism magnet for the Philippines.

Lagman said the recent outstanding ticket sales during the Pacquiao-Margarito fight that filled the Cowboys Stadium in Texas close to maximum capacity and record breaking pay-per-view sales speak volumes about the drawing power of Pacquiao.

“It would therefore be a tremendous boost to Philippine tourism should Pacquiao decide to hold his next fights here in the country," he said.

Zambales Rep. Ma Milagros Magsaysay said Pacquiao is beyond politics and should utilize his stature to sell the country. “He should be the poster boy for our country. He would be the best to endorse the Philippines as he represents all social classes and political leanings," she said.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said with the Sarangani representative’s charisma, he could be an ambassador of goodwill. - GMANews.tv

Intermittent rains caused lahar from the slopes of Bulusan volcano to flow into a river along Barangay Patag and another in Gulang-Gulang, both in Irosin town, and the Rangas river in Juban town.

The rivers, which turned grayish due to volcanic sand, ash and similar tiny debris, had lahar which was a combination of rainwater with less than 60 percent sediment, said Phivolcs Resident Volcanologist Ed Laguerta in an interview at the Bulusan Observatory in Sorsogon City.

But Laguerta explained that a 60 percent sediment content of lahar is not very dangerous, compared to an 80 percent content that is very thick and, thereby, poses greater hazards.

Besides, Laguerta assured that lahar flows were still confined in channel and can only pose greater harm should there be heavy and continuous rainfall and once channels get heavily silted. (PNA)

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and an international relief distribution organization signed an agreement for the establishment of a warehouse facility inside this Freeport.

CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort and ShelterBox Philippines Chair Jess Nicdao signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the newly-launched organization to use a facility here for storage of shelterboxesâ€"boxes that contain provisions vital during calamities and disasters.

Ricafort said ShelterBox “is a charitable organization actively involved in disaster relief by providing disaster boxes containing items for emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.”

“To continue this noble cause and for a more effective delivery of its services, ShelterBox sought the help and support of CDC by providing storage rooms or warehouse to disaster boxes ready for deployment to any calamity-stricken area in the country,” Ricafort said.

He said this charitable undertaking is in accordance with CDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

Various Rotary Clubs nationwide helped launched ShelterBox Philippines, which is the 18th international affiliate of the ShelterBox International founded by former Royal Navy Search and Rescue diver Tom Henderson in April 2000.

Nicdao thanked the CDC for providing ShelterBox a facility which is expected to provide immediate assistance to calamity-stricken areas in the Philippines because of Clark’s strategic location.

Once operational, the ShelterBox facility here will house at least 220 shelterboxes worth $ 220,000.

Last year, ShelterBox International sent disaster boxes to the country at the height of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. - pna

Another suspect in the Maguindanao massacre was arrested by police in a remote village in North Cotabato, police said.

Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag, police director in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspect as Manny Ampatuan, a close relative of principal suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Latag said Ampatuan was arrested before dawn Wednesday in sub-village Barte, Barangay Capayuran, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato by elements of Pigcawayan PNP, North Cotabato PNP and operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the ARMM at about 4:45 a.m.

He was the 82nd suspect charged before the sala of Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221.

Ampatuan carries a P250,000 bounty for his arrest because of his alleged involvement in the mass killing of at least 58 persons, including 30 journalists.

He was taken into custody by the CIDG-ARMM and later flown to Manila for his detention in Taguig Rehabilitation Center. - pna

Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores on Wednesday called on the House of Representatives to excuse eighth world boxing titlist Manny Pacquiao for his absences in the lower house.

Miraflores, who chairs the committee on tourism, said that giving pardon to Pacquiao for his absences is one way of expressing the gratitude of his colleagues to the representative of Sarangani for bringing pride to the country. Pacquiao is now known in the world as the best boxing Filipino champion.

"For me, I consider Pacquiao as a responsible lawmaker. Even though he was busy on his training and boxing fight, he still was able to fulfill his responsibility as a representative of Sarangani. The boxing champ is also active during the plenary session and, as far as I remember, Pacquiao has already delivered two privilege speeches," said Miraflores.

The Aklan congressman said that, based on his experience as a three-termer representative, none of the lawmakers he knew had been penalized for being always absent in the lower house, thus, he considered his call of pardoning Pacquiao for his absences fair.

Pacquiao only last Sunday won his eighth title in the Superwelterweight Division against Mexican Margarito Marquez in a 12-round unanimous decision. His winning earned him, according to Margarito, the title as the best boxer in the world. (PNA)

The soft opening of the P22-million Wetland Park in the coastal village of Tortugas here will be launched next month, just in time for the coming of migratory birds here during the months of October to March.

Mayor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III said the construction of the Wetland Park came as thousands of migratory birds regularly flock around the coastal villages here, attracting more local and foreign tourists.

Garcia said more improvements will be initiated to make the Wetland Park attractive to bird watchers and enthusiasts.

The Wetland Park comprised with Wetland Information Center building, the Wetland Park Site development and the seawall at the park.

The wetland center will have a viewing deck as well as state-of-the-art equipment to provide utmost comfort to visiting bird enthusiasts, Garcia said.

Based on the survey of the Wild Birds Club of the Philippines (WBCP), the wetlands of Balanga attract one of the largest concentrations of migrant shore birds and waterfowls anywhere in the country, hosting the most number of wintering water birds escaping the harsh winter climate in neighboring countries like China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

According to the WBCP, around 72 species of migrant birds are found in the grassland and wetlands in the three bird watching villages of Tortugas, Puerto Rivas and Sibacan in this city.

Balanga has a record of 15,521 migratory birds in a single sighting, said WBCP.

Among the common species of birds found in the city are the Asian Golden Plover and Kentish Plover.

Aside from the plovers, also present in the wetlands of Tortugas, Sibacan, Puerto Rivas Ibaba and Puerto Rivas Itaas, all seaside villages in Balanga, are bird specie terns, egrets, black-winged stilt, heron and black-headed sea gull. (PNA)

A kidnapped Filipino-Chinese businessman was released unharmed by his captors on Tuesday night, a police official said Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag, director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Police Regional Office (PRO-ARMM), said 75-year-old Rodolfo Chio was freed unhurt by his abductors.

Latag said Chio, owner of Caltex Station in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, was released at around 6 p.m. along General Luna Street in Cotabato City.

It was not clear, however, whether ransom was paid in exchange of Chio’s release.

Chio was snatched by armed men last Sunday at his residence in Poblacion, Datu Piang. - pna

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here expressed alarm over a report of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) that at least 70 percent of the population in Dagupan City is considered indigents.

The figure given to the SP in last Monday’s session by Leila Natividad, CSWDO officer-in-charge raised some eyebrows if not furor because it would make it appear that the city of some 150,000, which is the trading center of the north, is now teeming with mendicants.

Though Natividad clarified that the 70 percent is a rough estimate, Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the city council, said this is quite alarming because it could be assumed that there are now about 105,000 warm bodies in Dagupan who are indigents.

She said though the number of indigents in the list are divided into four categories, the first category of which are those belonging to the poorest of the poor.

The OIC CSWDO classified indigents as those belonging to families whose monthly income is not enough to pay for their needs, like food, shelter and clothing.

Natividad appeared before the SP to appeal for the passage of a resolution that would formalize the composition of the Local Verification Committee (LVC) whose members were already designated by Mayor Benjamin Lim as gleaned from his letter to the SP dated November 11, 2010.

The creation of the LVC was in connection with the implementation of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction Project (BHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as gleaned from an October 29, 2010 letter to the SP of DSWD Regional Director Leonardo Reinoso.

Natividad was endorsed by Mayor Lim as one of five members of LVC. The others are James Louel Fernandez, project evaluation officer II of the City Planning and Development Office, Lina Tan of the Liwawa Ed Asinan Foundation, a non-government organization; Romualdo Siapno, president of the Dagupan Bangus Jaycees; and Pastor Mario Tomboc, school administrator of the Living Lights Foundation, a faith-based group.

According to the DSWD, the LVC will validate and finalize the list of poor households in every barangay based on a survey conducted by NHTS-PR in 2009. This seeks to enlist other potential households that were not part of the earlier list. - pna

Three civilians, including a distinguished botanist, were killed at an encounter between soldiers and rebel forces in neighboring Kananga town last Monday.

The fatalities were part of a five-man team conducting a bio-diversity survey at the Leyte Geothermal Production Field (LGPF) reservation area when they were caught in the crossfire.

Killed were Dr. Leonard L. Co of the University of the Philippines; Sofronio G. Cortez, forest guard of Energy Development Corp.’s (EDC) Environment Management Division; and Julius Borromeo.

One member of the team, Policarpio Balute, was wounded while another one, Roniño Gibe, a contractual forester of EDC’s Community Partnerships Department, was not hurt but experienced shock.

Dr. Co was working as a consultant of EDC on preserving endangered plant species. Borromeo and Balute are both members of Tongonan Farmers’ Association and served as guides to the team. They were at a clearing within a forested area near well pad 403 in Sitio Mahiao, Barangay Lim-ao when gunfire burst between the two forces.

Lt. Col. Federico Tutaan, commanding officer of 19th IB which conducted the operation, said his men didn’t see the civilians. He doesn’t discount the possibility they may have been hit by friendly fire, but it could also be that they were shot by the insurgents. The only way to find out, he said, is to wait for the investigation result of the Scene of the Crime Operatives.

Lt. Col. Tutaan explained they were on heightened alert since October 12 upon receiving reports from EDC’s intelligence network of rebel sightings in Barangays Paglaum and Tinagbuan as well as Sitio Palale. The enemies, numbering about 30, are led by Ka Tibor and Ka Matus, leaders of the Communist Party of the Phils. Visayas Region Executive Committee, according to the intelligence report. - pna

source: PNA - At least 2,500 tricycle operators and drivers of Dagupan are asking the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here for authority to increase their fare from the present minimum of P7 for the first four kilometers to P12 for the first two kilometers.

This was gleaned from a letter of Norme Quinto, president of the Federation of Accredited Tricycle Association in Dagupan City (FATODAG) to Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez, SP presiding officer, through Councilor Karlos Reyna, chair of the SP committee on Public Utilities.

The matrix of the existing fare rate is posted inside the side car of the motorized tricycle in full view of the passenger for his or her information.

However, it was observed that many tricycle drivers in the city are already charging much more than the existing minimum fare despite the fare matrix, to the consternation of the riding public.

The letter of FATODAG was approved by presidents of six tricycle associations in Dagupan, namely Amador Taganna of CentroDag, Celso Descallar of MOTODA, Richard de la Cruz of PogoChico TODA, Calixto Garcia of KATALOGO, Jess Benavidez of DETRA and Gualberto Tamayo, chairman of DC Toda.

FATODAG is seeking amendment of City Ordinance 1863-2006 entitled Revised Tricycle Fare Ordinance of 2006 that fixed the minimum rate of tricycles from P7 minimum for the first four kilometers and P2 for every kilometer thereafter.

They likewise asked that the special fare for tricycles in waiting area at P30 for the first two kilometers and P2 per every kilometer thereafter.

An estimated P7 million worth of high grade cocaine was seized by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in an anti-illegal drug operation Tuesday morning in Miag-ao, Iloilo.

PDEA-6 regional director Paul Ledesma reported that the buy-bust operation they conducted at 8 a.m. that led to the arrest of the suspect Carlito J. Sangrador in Barangay Maninila, Miag-ao was a success.

Ledesma said the drug-bust operation has led to the seizure of an estimated 1.4 kilos of suspected high-grade cocaine from the possession and control of Sangrador.

The illegal drugs haul was an aftermath of an intelligence information from the police in Guimbal, Iloilo which alerted the PDEA, prompting the conduct of an entrapment operation against the suspect.

Ledesma said the highly prohibited drugs will be brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory in Camp Delgado for examination while criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or illegal drugs act is being readied to be filed against the suspect.

Meanwhile, C/Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), lauded the PNP personnel who provided the information that resulted in the arrest of Sangrador as well as PDEA for the successful operation. (PNA)

The city mayor here was wounded when he was shot by an unidentified suspect in front of a hotel in the city proper Monday night, police said Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, Cagayan province police director, said Tuguegarao City Mayor Delfin Ting was talking to two of his security escorts in front of a hotel when he was shot around 6 p.m.

The mayor was reportedly hit on his left lip with a bullet that exited through his nose.

The bullet reportedly came from a caliber .22 pistol.

The victim was rushed by his aides to a hospital for immediate treatment. He is now in stable condition.

Aplasca said that investigators and members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) rushed to the scene and are now conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident to identify the motive, the suspects and the mastermind.

In a radio interview Tuesday morning, Tuguegarao City Liga ng mga Barangay president Larry Ting, son of wounded mayor, claimed that politics could be behind the shooting incident. He didn’t elaborate. (PNA)

Three successive tectonic mild quakes hit General Santos City and Davao Oriental province, both in Mindanao and Batangas area in Southern Luzon for a period of 24 hours between early Monday and early Tuesday.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) satellite office here.

Seismographs of the local Phivolcs recorded a magnitude 3.3 quake at about 1:58 a.m. Tuesday in General Santos City with its epicenter located at 42 kilometers southeast of the said city with a depth of 10 kilometers. Intensity 2 was felt in General Santos City.

Earlier, a magnitude 4.3 tremor happened in Davao Oriental province in Mindanao at 12:19 a.m. on Monday. The epicenter of the quake was traced at 88 kilometers southwest of Mati, Davao Oriental province with a depth of 17 kilometers but no reported intensity occurred.

Meanwhile, Philvocs-Sinait said a magnitude 3.2 quake occurred at 10:56 a.m. last Monday in Batangas province with its epicenter located at four kilometers southwest of Lemery, Batangas with a depth of 32 kilometers. Intensity 2 was felt in Ilijan, Batangas.

Local Phivolcs researcher Julius Galdiano said that there was no reported damages after the three mild quakes. - pna

Sen. Edgardo Angara has underscored the importance to resurrect the Galleon Trade for a more dynamic foreign, trade and economic relations between the Philippines and Spain as well as with other Hispanic countries.

Angara, who recently received the 2010 Premio Casa Asia award from a 10-man jury members of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affair’s cultural branch in Madrid for his exceptional efforts to encourage understanding and strengthen relations between Spain and the Philippines through various programs and projects, said as natural partners, Spain and the Philippines should revive Galleon Trade.

“We should resurrect our long and fruitful ties created during the 16th century. Back then, this association brought trade, investment, agriculture and the enrichment of our culture and language. In modern times, more dynamic trade between Spain and the Philippines would mean a great deal of shared knowledge in a wide range of categories, from historical preservation to research and technology,” he said.

Angara authored Republic Act No. 1987 which proclaimed June 30th as the official Philippine-Spain Friendship Day that further demonstrated his dedication to this cause.

He said foreign relations between the Philippines and Spain has been reawakened since the first celebration of the first Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in 2003.

“Eight years later, we have achieved huge strides in the area of legislation, culture, education, language, and sports through this interaction,” he said.

Angara, through the help of the Spanish and Mexican embassies, also spearheaded the recent celebration of the Dia del Galeon which commemorated the historic and cultural ties forged during glory days of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. - pna

A 54-year-old woman was killed while eight others were injured when a powerful explosion rocked a clandestine fireworks factory in Barangay Marungko here Monday night.

In a report to Bulacan police director Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, Chief Inspector Arwin Tadeo, Angat police chief, identified the fatality as Linda Reyes, who was declared dead on arrival at the Norzagaray General Hospital.

The injured were identified as Edgardo Padua, 17; Gena Barcial, 33, Juvilyn Alvarez, 16; Angelita Dizon, 45, Julia Aspe; 30, Alejandro Cruz, 36, Angelito Cruz, 30; and Wiwi Lorenzo, 30.

The victims suffered burns and were brought to different hospitals for treatment.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were reportedly making skyrockets when the accident occurred.

Villanueva said the blast was believed to have been triggered by the cutting of fuse (mitsa) that caused a spark and ignited a stockpile of pyrotechnics products stored inside a warehouse where firecrackers are also being illegally manufactured. - pna

Barangay officials were urged on Monday to properly turn over possession of guns to their respective successors or have their registration renewed to avoid "police actions."

Sr. Supt. Roberto Aliggayu, director of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (NEPPO), said incumbent barangay heads who are leaving positions after the barangay elections should have the short certificate of registration duly accomplished in favor of their successors while reelected ones must renew their licenses.

This, as police reported that at least 29 assorted firearms formerly registered under the names of barangay officials in Nueva Ecija are "unaccounted for" and are "subject to police operation," ranking police officials said over the weekend.

Aliggayu said the figure was part of the 131 firearms purchased by the various local government units in the province and covered by the short certificate of registration being issued to barangay captains.

Of the unaccounted firearms, police said, 10 each from the towns of San Antonio and Gen. Tinio; Science City of Munoz, 5; and Sto. Domingo,5.

Aliggayu said police conducted an audit of firearms issued to local officials, including barangay captains prior to the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and urged them to come up with a report on their status.

"Failure to account these guns will mean we will subject them to police operations," the police chief said, explaining this would mean application for court warrants and searches.

"They cannot deny ownership of these firearms since they have been registered under their names.

Police records showed that among the municipalities that procured guns for their security units and barangay officials were Quezon, Talugtog, Cuyapo, Sto. Domingo, San Antonio, Carranglan, the city of Gapan and the provincial government of Nueva Ecija with ten units each; Science City of Munoz,20; and Gen. Tinio town, 15.  - pna

A notorious drug pusher in Barangay Habog-Habog, Molo district here was arrested by police authorities on Monday.

Collared by elements of the Molo police in an anti-illegal drugs operation was 33-year-old Joel de los Santos, also a resident of the said barangay.

Chief Inspector Nestor Santasera, deputy chief of police of Molo Police Station, said the suspect was placed under surveillance operation for almost three weeks based on information that he was into the illegal drugs trade in their locality. Thus, a drug-bust was conducted that led to his outright arrest.

Recovered from his control and possession was a sachet of suspected shabu and the marked money including drug paraphernalia.

De los Santos was ordered detained at the Molo police station for the filing of illegal drug charges.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) has created anew Task Force Bakhaw in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

C/Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr. said they would reactivate the task force to totally eradicate illegal drugs and drug-related crime incidents in the area.

The task force, headed by Police Supt. Leo Batilis, is composed of operatives from the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, Regional Public Safety Batallion, Iloilo City Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). - pna

Police operatives here arrested one of the province's most wanted criminals using a warrant of arrest served against the suspect at his residence in Barangay Guerrero Dingras, Ilocos Norte last Monday.

Ilocos Norte provincial director Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan identified the arrested person as Michael Taylan.

Chan said Taylan is the prime suspect in the gunslaying of former Laoag City Councilor Pepoc Pastor.

Taylan is facing a murder charge in court.

In Laoag City, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 sentenced to life imprisonment a big-time drug pusher whom local policemen arrested in March this year.

Police identified the convicted drug pusher as Virgilio Ganitano, a resident of Barangay Rioeng in Laoag City.

Sixteen lovely ladies will vie for the Miss Teen Dumaguete and Miss Dumaguete 2010 on November 23 at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex in Dumaguete City.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said the city government has sent an invitation to world-class renowned boxing champion Rep. Manny Pacquiao to be the guest of honor during the selection and coronation night.

He is hoping that Pacquaio will accept the invitation of the city government considering his hectic schedule after the victorious fight against Antonio Margarito last Sunday.

The mayor said the fiesta celebration will be highlighted with Miss Teen Dumaguete and Miss Dumaguete pageants and the Sandurot Festival on November 21.

The fiesta celebration is guided with the theme “Celebrating the legacy of a gentle and vibrant community.”

The winner for Miss Teen Dumaguete will represent Dumaguete City for the regional search for Miss Teen Philippines, while Miss Dumaguete 2010 will become the ambassador of goodwill and take the lead in promoting Dumaguete as the city of gentle people and a university town.

The candidates are also expected to join in environmental activities as their contribution for the promotion of a healthy environment.

The candidates for Miss Dumaguete are Marie Flor Enopia representing barangay Candau-ay; Ivy Clemente for Taclobo; Emma Louise Martin for barangay Bantayan; Barangay 8 Harlee Jell Tia; Bunao - Amelia joy Eamiguel; Barangay Camanjac is represented by Janine Rose Estrabela; Daro- Saraya Kimberly Gamo and for Tabuc- tubig Kimberly Ann Cimafranca.

While the candidates for Miss Teen Dumaguete are representing different secondary schools in Dumaguete City that includes Bianca Jane Dagoy for Camanjac National High School, Piapi High School â€" Regene Ybanez, Junob National High School -Jerrya Pinili, Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial-Dumaguete Science High School- Shaina Dawn Navarro, Christelle Marie Medalle for Negros Oriental High School, Kristene Khea Gonzalez for Herminigilda Flores Gloria Memorial High School, Dumaguete City High School â€"Liezel mae Maceda and Taclobo High School â€" Ronalyn Umbac. (PNA)

The Mindanao 2020 (M2020) Framework initiated by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will be launched anytime this month.

MinDA chair Luwalhati Antonino said alongside with an improved quality of life for every Mindanawon, the M2020 also carries the vision of “peace once and for all” in Mindanao.

This means with an improved quality of life, a peaceful and sustainable developed Mindanao comes, Antonino said.

She said the final draft of the M2020 was completed on Monday based on the data furnished by MinDA.

This will be followed by a Mindanao-wide validation conference on the document on November 18 in Cagayan de Oro City after which as joint steering committee and management committee meeting will be held on November 19.

It will be finalized launched during the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents of Mindanao (CONFED Mindanao) oathtaking in Malacanang on the third week of November.

Lasting peace under the M2020 will be achieved through a dynamic and inclusive economy, human development and social cohesion, Antonino said.

She said M2020 is promoting culture-based, self-reliant and responsive governance. It is a 20-year peace and development framework for Mindanao from 2011-2030. - pna

The headquarters of the four-brigade, 6,000-strong 10th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army will be transferred from Camp Felix Apolinario, Panacan in Davao City to the military hill camp at Tuboran, Mawab, this province by December, this year.

Col. Domingo Tutaan, 1003rd Brigade commander, in his recent courtesy visit to City Mayor Rey Uy, said the 10th ID has the four brigades under its command -- the 1001st Infantry Brigade covering Compostela Valley, the 1002nd IB for Davao del Sur, the 1003rd IB under him and for Davao del Norte and the rural areas of Davao City, and the 701st IB for Davao Oriental.

Tutaan said under 1003rd IB are the 60th Infantry Batallion and 3rd Special Force for Davao del Norte and Laak, Compostela Valley, and the 84th IB and 69th IB for Davao City.

A batallion is composed of some 450 soldiers, and Tutaan alone has some 1,350 men under his brigade, which is in Asuncion.

The 10th ID came from the split of the Zamboanga-based Southern Command (Southcom), the largest unified command of the military in Mindanao, made by former President Arroyo in late 2006 for more effective troop management and control. It is in charge for the Southeastern Mindanao.

The Tuboran Hill at the centre point along Mawab zigzag cliff has been a headquarters home of various Army infantry brigades and batallions since the early '80s.

Meanwhile, Mayor Uy said with the latest development in the military is expected to further spark the economy of Tagum City.

He said huge purchases on foodstuffs and supplies made by the division would practically be made in nearby Tagum City.

Besides the foodstuffs and supplies that would be procured from the city, Army men coming from different locations would most likely spend for their rest and recreation (R&R) during off-duty hours in the city which has lively sexy pubs, disco, videoke and drinking joints at night.

But already, Col. Tutaan has warned soldiers that Army officials will not tolerate and will deal sternly with soldiers who make misdemeanors in public while having R & R in Tagum City and other towns.

He conveyed to Mayor Uy that he has been reminding his soldiers if somebody among them commits misdemeanor in public and violates a law, he will be put behind prison bars by the police and the Army will pursue administrative charges against him. - pna

A P40-million engine testing center of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) here will be put up before the year ends.

LTO Operations Division Chief Eleanor Calderon said the Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC), another unit under his office, will be established within SM City complex.

Calderon said the MVIC will serve as stopping point of all motor vehicles, private or public, before their applications are renewed. This features a machine from France that would check the parts of the vehicle as well as its road-worthiness.

"We do check the vehicles. We have a drive testing area but we have it within the compound. We make the most out of our space and put up cones to see the efficiency and skills of the driving applicant. If we have this MVIC probably we could start looking into requesting from the national government to provide us a big area for drive testing," Calderon said.

She said the city alone has almost 300,000 registered motor vehicles to which 90 percent are private vehicles. Fifty percent of the total number of motor vehicles is comprised of motorcycles.

"Registration from the city increases every year to up to 10 to 15 percent from previous years," Calderon said.  - pna

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the province turned over Friday a cheque of P900,000 as livelihood assistance to the city government.

DOLE district officer lawyer Jose Ogang personally delivered the check to Dumaguete Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, who graciously acknowledged the great contribution of the department in its campaign to uplift the living condition of its constituents.

Sagarbarria said the amount would finance the continuing livelihood and skills training program of the city under Edward Mondarte.

Instead of cash, Sagarbarria said trainees would be supplied with the necessary equipment in their respective field of endeavors, manicure sets, scissors, among others.

The mayor intends to distribute the tools and equipment in December.

Meanwhile, the tourist police in Dumaguete received communications equipment for use in its beat patrols along the boulevard and in major city streets.

Sagarbarria distributed five more radio handsets and two cellphones to the tourist police in simple rites at the mayor’s office Friday.

He said the official cellphone numbers of the tourist police would be posted in strategic areas of the city for tourists to contact in case they need assistance. (PNA)
RMA/jfp/Juancho Gallarde

Four American expatriates and a Filipino lawyer have individually filed a case of estafa with the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor's Office Monday against an alleged Filipina felon who claims to own a vast property in this resort island.

In a press conference, the complainants presented themselves as Canadians Peter Eckart and Peter Tayler, including Americans Spencer Anderson, Evelyn Anderson and a Filipino lawyer, Lucas Licerio who are residents of Boracay.

They claimed to have been duped by a certain Dolly Khana who claimed as proprietor of the Boracay Luxury Homes.

"Khana have duped the foreigners of around P100 million for the past years and they wanted to get it back. They are businessmen in the United States and wanted to retire for good in the country but the suspect duped them by promising them real property ownership in Boracay," said Atty. Gina Garcia, their lawyer.

Atty. Lucas Licerio said that in 2007, Khana approached him as agent to sell his lots in Boracay Island. Though as an agent, Khana has claimed ownership of the lot and sell it to the foreigners.

"We believe Khana have victimized more foreigners but were afraid to come out in the open for certain reasons. We have documents to show that Khana have already been convicted of estafa charges in California, USA," said Garcia.

Garcia said that they presented themselves in a press conference to encourage other victims to come out in the open and, at the same time, warn other would-be investors against dealing with Khana.

The Anderson couple also claimed that they have been harassed by Khana and threatened their lives if they still continue their plans of pressing charges against her in court. The Anderson couple had filed complaints with the police consisting of eight alleged harassment cases they experienced with Khana.

The complainants also maintained that the Security and Exchange Commission, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, have maintained that Khana's Boracay Luxury Homes and its attached companies were not registered and is not a taxpayer.

"One of the scheme of Khana is to place a full-page color advertisements in several national magazines and other prominent publications in the country, promoting her Boracay Luxury Homes. Khana seemed to be an influential person," said Garcia.

Last October 8, a dozen of agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), including the ABS-CBN Iloilo swooped down on this resort island on reports that a group of children were being held hostage by Atty. Licerio. The reports however turned out negative while Licerio believed that Khana is behind the scheme of giving the NBI false information.

Currently, Khana is in Boracay avoiding attempts by the media to get her side. (PNA)
DCT/ajp/JNAguire/vlo

An alleged abortionist has been facing triple murder and intentional abortion with serious physical injuries after she was arrested inside her house in Lutuacan, Kabugao, Apayao on Monday.

Police Sr. Supt. Nestor Bergonia, Apayao provincial police director, told the PNA over the phone that suspected abortionist Matrina Bulut, 60, yielded to the Apayao police intelligence operatives and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Quezon City.

Bulut was earlier indicted for the deaths of Wonina Agsayang, Alona Agsayang and Edna Galingay, who allegedly sought her help to induce their babies.

Judge Quirino Andaya of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 26 in Luna, Apayao issued the arrest warrant against Bulut due to the court charges lodged against her. (PNA) DCT/SCD/BV/mba

A Pacific Fleet's task force led by the Admiral Vinogradov destroyer left the Far Eastern port of Vladivostok on Wednesday to join the international anti-piracy mission off the horn of Africa.

"The previous four task forces escorted more than 100 merchant ships of various countries. None of them was seized by pirates," a Pacific Fleet spokesman, Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov, said.

The Admiral Vinogradov destroyer is accompanied by a salvage tug and the Pechenga tanker.

The task force is to replace the current naval group led by Northern Fleet's Admiral Levchenko Udaloy class guided-missile destroyer. The group, which also includes the Olekma tanker and the SB-36 tugboat of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, arrived in the Gulf of Aden on July 3.

The Russian Navy has maintained a presence off the Horn of Africa since October 2008, with warships operating on a rotation basis. (PNA/RIA Novosti)

While intelligence assessments consistently paint a grim portrait of thousands of missiles and rockets showering down on Israel's civilian population and infrastructure in the future, the Jewish state unveils its next- generation missile-defense system.

Arrow III, an interceptor designed to knock out ballistic missiles, has until now been shrouded in secrecy. A full-scale model was put on display at the second annual International Aerospace Conference and Exhibition held in Jerusalem on Monday.

In line with the perception that the upgrading of existing systems is a never-ending process in light of changing threats, the engineers who are developing Arrow III have been tasked with achieving a daunting technological feat: creating a booster-rigged kamikaze satellite that will collide with incoming long-range ballistic missiles beyond Earth's atmosphere with pinpoint accuracy.

Like its two older siblings, the development of Arrow III by the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is being underwritten by the United States. The system is expected to become operational by 2015, according to project director Yoav Turgeman.

Following the aftermath of the 2006 Lebanon war, in which an estimated 4,000 Katyusha rockets and mortars slammed into northern Israel, the country's best and brightest engineers were recruited in a national mission to come up with countermeasures.

Enormous financial resources, including a substantial U.S. investment, were poured into their creation. The bulk of the effort is shouldered by IAI and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a division of the Israeli Defense Ministry. A host of smaller local defense contractors supplement the projects.

At the government-sponsored conference, missile defense program directors were each given 15 minutes to update an audience of military and civilian professionals on the progression of leading missile-defense systems.

Some are already operational, while other systems are still under development and slated to be operationally ready in the coming years. The Israeli missile-defense concept presented here on Monday is described as a multi-tier active air defense (MTAD), a network which aims to provide a comprehensive shield against a multitude of threats on several fronts.

At the lowest tier of MTAD is Iron Dome, which intercepts rockets at ranges of 5 to 70 km. Rafael developed the system in record time "about two-and-a-half years from the drawing board to the operational stage," said defense officials.

Israeli Channel 10 TV on Sunday broadcast the first footage of recent live testing of Iron Dome in southern Israel. Israel Air Force crews manning the fire control center burst into cheers as the system succeeded in destroying a salvo of three Grad and two Qassam rockets.

The next tier of the shield is David's Sling, designated to intercept an assortment of more powerful rockets. Developed jointly by Rafael and U.S. missile giant Raytheon, the system is scheduled to become operational by 2013, IAF northern air defense chief Col. Zvika Haimovitch said at Monday's conference.

Officials said the defense network as a whole is expected to be fully operational by 2015. "Within the coming five years, we will see this doctrine implemented, a vision turned into a reality," Haimovitch said.

The defense experts who took the stage also spoke at length about worst-case scenarios that they envision unfolding, a sobering reminder that the present relative calm in Israel's skies could shatter in a moment.

"The firepower in terms of missiles and rockets now available to Israel's enemies is growing," said Uzi Rubin, the founder and first director of the Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) in the Ministry of Defense, estimating that Israeli cities might be hit by upwards of 13,000 missiles and rockets.

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Maychicken Mayweather Jr Still Scared of Manny Pacquiao

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By Reuters

Energy drinks are hugely popular, but each one could be giving you more caffeine than a cup of coffee, a study said.

In addition, that caffeine could combine with other ingredients in potentially risky ways, with the use of energy drinks with alcohol a particular concern.

"What we know is that a typical energy drink can have as much as a quarter cup of sugar, and more caffeine than a strong cup of coffee," said John Higgins of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, who led a study that appeared in this month's Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

Caffeine content of energy drinks ranges from 70 to 200 mg per 16-oz serving. By comparison, an 8-oz cup of coffee can contain between 40 to 150 mg depending on how it's brewed.

Even more of an issue is how ingredients often not mentioned on the labels -- such as the herbal stimulant guarana, the amino acid taurine, and other herbs, minerals and vitamins -- might interact with the caffeine, he told Reuters Health.

The concern is how such interaction might affect heart rates, blood pressure and even mental states, especially when consumed in large amounts, with alcohol, or by athletes.

Higgins and colleagues reviewed medical literature on energy drinks and their ingredients between 1976 and 2010, only to find there has been little research into their impact.

Some small studies, usually on physically active young adults, have shown the drinks can increase blood pressure and heart rates. But evidence of more serious effects such as heart attacks, seizures and death are anecdotal, they wrote.

Norway, Denmark and France banned Red Bull after a study showed rats that "were fed taurine and exhibited bizarre behavior, including anxiety and self-mutilation."

"We're not rats, but consumption has been shown to be positively associated with high-risk behavior," Higgins and his colleagues wrote.

Energy drinks are often promoted to, and used by, athletes for an "extra push." But Higgins and his group noted that based on the way caffeine and some other ingredients affect the body, there's a risk that energy drinks can seriously dehydrate users.

"The possibility of dehydration and increased blood pressure make water or lower-octane sports drinks, which contain electrolytes, some minerals and carbohydrates, a better choice," he added.

Non-athletes should drink no more than one a day, never mix them with alcohol, and drink lots of water after exercising. People with hypertension should never drink them, and people with health conditions such as heart disease should consult their doctors before using the drinks. - Reuters

Women in the Philippines rank food a lot higher than their sex life among the main things that make them happy, according to a government survey released Wednesday.

Both Filipino men and women ranked family, health and religion in that order as the three most important things that made them happy, the National Statistical Coordination Board found in a poll.

Female respondents, however, put food in fifth place, just ahead of work. Love life came 10th and and sex life at 18th, just one rank above the bottom.

For men, love life figured in 6th place and sex life 10th, with food at 9th.

And this can lead to trouble, said the agency's secretary-general Romulo Virola.

"This is easy to trivialise, but the unmet expectations for love and sex by either partner can surely lead to problems, and must be managed properly and professionally," he wrote on the government agency's website.

For the Philippine poor, the survey found that men ranked their sex, love lives and food at the top while women said family, love life and food were top of their lists. - by Agence France Presse

A 64-year-old grandfather failed to finish the megabout between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito after suffering a heart attack in the middle of the fight.

Victim Dominador Lacida, a pastry vendor, died while watching the fight in Cagayan de Oro City Sunday afternoon.

His relatives said Lacida had finished cooking pastry early to watch the fight with neighbors. Witnesses said Lacida suddenly fell off his seat and started trembling.

The victim was immediately brought to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Relatives said they are now worrying about Lacida's burial expenses, noting that the grandfather was the sole breadwinner of the family. From a report by Sheila Joy Labrador, ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao

You're welcome, Mulligan. The copy is an HD one. I like the British commentator, all praising Pacquiao's skills.

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Why Mayweather is Hiding From Manny Pacquiao
Proof Why Mayweather is Afraid of Pacquiao

Pacquiao Has Compassion on Margarito

President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, who once again won the admiration of his countrymen in pulling off another convincing win over Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito.

After meeting with some 1,000 members of the Filipino community at the Yokohama Futaba High School on Sunday afternoon here, the President said he was able to talk and congratulate Pacquiao shortly after the fight at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

“Pinuri natin sa ipinamalas niya kanina dahil pinahanga na naman niya ang mga Pilipino,” the President said.

The President said he would meet with Pacquiao once the boxing hero returns to the country. (PNA)

A woman claiming to have won a P14-million lotto jackpot said she was duped by a syndicate at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The woman from Tarlac province, who requested anonymity, said she immediately went to the PCSO's national office in Quezon City after winning a P14-million 6/45 lotto jackpot last February.

She said a female PCSO employee named Loida Guevarra asked her to sign a special power of attorney and told her to open a bank account, where the lotto prize would be deposited.

The woman said the P14 million did not reach her bank account. She also said that she has confirmed with PCSO that the lotto prize has already been claimed.

Atty. Lauro Patiag, manager of the PCSO's legal department, denied the woman's claim. He said that the real winner of the 6/45 lotto prize was a resident of Metro Manila and not from Tarlac.

"Hindi totoo iyan... May ibang nanalo na taga-Metro Manila," Patiag said.

He, however, said that they will still look into the allegation of the woman. -- Report from Kori Quintos, ABS-CBN Central Luzon

No one from Asia was included in ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time. Although Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to hold 7 championship belts in as many divisions, he was not included by ESPN. Some American sports writers are plain stupid. Here's the list: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest110

Love happens in unexpected places. It comes at unexpected moments.

For the first time since news swirled around of a new romance in his life about two months ago, President Aquino confirmed reports he and his personal stylist Liz Uy are dating.

Interviewed here on the eve of the 18th APEC Leaders' Meeting, the 50-year-old bachelor said he saw nothing wrong if he and the 28-year-old stylist spent time together every now and then.

"We have been spending time together as our schedules would permit, but I guess, at this point in time, that is the extent of it," said the president, in response to queries from reporters.

Asked if this could be considered "panliligaw" (courting), the president replied: "At the present time, I'm just recovering also from a recent engagement, and there's just too many things. And the schedules on both sides are such that it's difficult to find common time, and especially when you are not given private time." - Lynda Jumilla, ABS-CBN

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has assumed jurisdiction over the labor dispute at the Visayan Electric Company (Veco), averting a labor strike in Metro Cebu’s lone power distribution company.

The labor department has ordered the Veco management to reinstate the union president in its payroll and the union to refrain from carrying out a strike because of its impact on consumers.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz issued the order last Nov. 10 while the labor dispute between the management and union of Visayan electric company (Veco) is being resolved.

She placed the management and the Veco Employees Union under the compulsory arbitration of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

Baldoz ordered Veco to reinstate union president Casmero Mahilum in its payroll.

This means that Veco continues to pay Mahilum his wages and benefits but does not actually allow him to work.

The labor secretary ordered the union not to carry out its plan to strike until the labor case has been resolved.

The union filed a notice of strike last Oct. 28 after talks over their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) bogged down.

Veco management has been assuring that power connection and other operations would remain unhampered because systems have been put in place.

Both the management and the union said they will respect the Dole order which “refrains them from committing any act that will worsen the situation."

Baldoz noted Veco’s being the second largest electric utility in the country with a franchise coverage of 672 square kilometers with a population of about 1.73 million. - PNA

The gang war between “Bloods” and “Crips” in Dumaguete and the neighboring town of Sibulan continues unabated with the recent shooting to death of a gang member along Perdices Street, the city's main thoroughfare early dawn Thursday.

Jelo Rosales, 15, and a native of Pamplona, Negros Occidental sustained a gunshot wound at the back of his head that cause his instantaneous death.

Initial investigations disclosed that a chase between two persons ensued from the Quezon Park before bystanders heard a burst of gunfire.

Recovered at the crime scene were a home-made .22 caliber revolver with five live ammunitions, an improvised mask, and an eye spray believed to be owned by the victim.

Early morning of the same day, a sales lady found a deformed slug of a cal. 45 pistol inside a nearby shop where she worked.

Last week, Marlon Huquiriza, a gang member was fatally shot here last week allegedly by rival gang members.

But police records showed that Huquiriza had a pending robbery case in Valencia and was also tagged as among the culprits in a number of robbery incidents in Sibulan.

His companion, Raymond Sakam is presently placed behind bars for illegal possession of firearms. (PNA)
RMA/jfp/Juancho Gallarde

Do You Want to Sleep Alone Tonight?

Photos of Alleged Mistress of Vice-Pres Jejomar Binay

Husband Found Wife Having Extra-Marital Affair

By Sheryll Mundo, ABS-CBN News

A female staff member from the Clinton Foundation who shouted at Vice-President Jejomar Binay and asked him to leave a VIP area where former US President Bill Clinton was staying before his speech at the Manila Hotel has apologized.

Binay said he was shooed away by the staffer from the VIP holding area where Clinton would wait before speaking at the Manila Hotel forum entitled "Embracing Our Common Humanity."

"Sabi ko lang (I said) you're ordering us to leave the room, but don't shout. You know I happen to be the Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines," the vice president recounted saying to the female staffer.

Binay said that he obediently exited the VIP room and that the female staffer immediately apologized to him.

"Sabi ko OK lang. Kailangan titindig tayo at punahin iyon (I told her it was OK. We should stand up and call their attention to their mistakes also)," the vice president added.

He added that Filipinos should always hold their heads high especially when they are being mocked and disrespected. "Sana lagi taas noo tayo kapag tayo minamata o hindi ginagalang," he said.

A staff member from the Office of the Vice President said that they will write a letter to the Clinton Foundation to seek clarification on the incident.

The staff said they made arrangements with the US Secret Service for the presence of Binay at the event.

The Clinton Foundation staff member who shouted at the Vice-President said she was not informed by the US Secret Service about the arrangements made for Binay.

By Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star)

Three political ambassadors who were coterminous with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been reappointed to their respective posts while the former head of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) was named new ambassador to Tokyo.

Senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who asked not to be named, told The STAR that former Ambassadors Francisco Benedicto, Maria Consuelo Puyat-Reyes and Mercedes Arrastia-Tuason have been reappointed.

The officials said Manuel Lopez was nominated ambassador to Japan after former ambassador to Tokyo Domingo Siazon ended his tour of duty last Sept. 30.

Benedicto was reappointed ambassador to Beijing. Puyat-Reyes, the longest-serving ambassador from the Ramos administration, was reappointed to the Philippine embassy in Chile, while Tuason was reappointed Philippine ambassador to Vatican. - Phil Star

Four Filipino teachers stationed in China’s northern provinces of Liaoning and Jilin have been named by the provincial government as “Outstanding Foreign Experts.”

Frederick S. Lomibao was cited for his work as an English-language teacher, and the recognition buoyed up the pride and spirits of Filipinos in China, which recently arrested a former Filipino teacher in the southern province of Guangdong on charges of drug-smuggling.

Lomibao received his award from Liaoning Governor Chen Zhenggao and was cited “for his outstanding contribution to the economic, scientific, technological, educational and cultural development of the province,” according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA also reported that three Filipino teachers in neighboring Jilin province to include Ma. Socorro Rodriguez, Arnel Genzola and Lileth Mesias Reyes also received the “Outstanding Foreign Expert” award” from the Jilin Provincial Government.

They were cited “for their contributions to the province's economic and social development” and the DFA’s report did not say in what field the three were being recognized.

Lomibao told the Philippine embassy in Beijing that the award “will not only bring honor to our country but also give inspiration to other Filipinos at home and abroad.”

Lomibao has been teaching English in China for six years, and is now employed at a private school in Liaoning’s Yingkou City. “When I was with the other awardees, I (felt) very proud representing our country (in China),” he added. - PNA

By Delon Porcalla, Phil Star

Government workers will receive the remaining half of their 13th month pay and P5,000 cash gift beginning Nov. 15, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said yesterday.

Pursuant to Budget Circular 2010-01, the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM) has released P12.8 billion to fund the balance of benefits. The first half of the 13th month pay had been disbursed last May.

State workers will also get more than half of their 13th month pay because of basic salary adjustments under the Salary Standardization Law III. The DBM will release an additional P2.1 billion to fund the adjustment. The 13-month pay is equivalent to one-month salary while the P5,000 cash gift applies across the board.

All government employees with the exemption of consultants and job-order workers will receive the 13th month pay and the cash gift.

By Kenneth Ragpala, filipinoboxingjournal.com

John Scully, former super middleweight intercontinental champion and current analyst for ESPN Boxing, does not believe that Pacquiao’s camp is plagued with distractions. Scully also went into details how the same tactic was supposedly employed by Muhammad Ali’s camp many years ago, when Ali fought many thought an inferior opponent.

“What people fail to realize is that 24/7 is an edited show.”

He also believes that Pacquiao will be the winner against former welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito. That said, Scully still believes that Margarito can still pull an upset.

“If I have to bet $10 right now, I would bet on Pacquiao.”

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By Michael Lim Umbac

Former US President Bill Clinton sees more babies as an advantage for the Philippines, whose exploding population is projected to reach 94 million by the end of the year.

That cheerful note was sounded Friday by Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez, quoting Clinton who spoke on “the challenge of globalization” on Wednesday at the Manila Hotel.

As highly industrialized nations grapple with the economic and social costs of an aging population, Clinton noted that “you [Filipinos] have a huge population, which is [something] positive, and you have massive natural resources.”

Golez capitalized on that statement to hit back at his colleagues advocating the passage of the long-pending reproductive health (RH) bill that upholds maternal health and seeks to provide couples an informed choice on various methods of family planning.


“Obviously, Clinton can see and understand what procontraceptives people refuse to seeâ€"that our people, our children and our babies, present and future, are assets and not liabilities,” Golez said in a text message.

The Population Commission says that some two million Filipino babies are born annually, representing a population growth rate of 2.04 percent.

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Either Antonio Margarito is a braggart or he genuinely believes he’s due for another world crown.

Addressing World Boxing Council president Dr. Jose Sulaiman during Wednesday’s prefight press conference, the three-time world champion guaranteed a victory over Manny Pacquiao in their battle for the 154-pound super welterweight title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

“I want to tell Mr. Sulaiman that there will be a new Mexican champion on Nov. 13,” said Margarito.

The 79-year-old Sulaiman apparently pricked Margarito’s ego when he noted that Pacquiao was responsible for 12 of the Filipinos’ 24 victories over Mexicans in 61 previous WBC title duels.

Among Pacquiao’s victims were Jorge Solis, Hector Velasquez, David Diaz and Oscar Larios. - Associated Press

Wolfpack, Davao City had long adopted it almost a decade now. A fine of P10,000 will be slapped on anyone who violates the smoking ban. Many people love Davao City because no one smokes in all bars, restaurants, or in any public places.

By Steve Rosenberg BBC News, Moscow

A newspaper in Moscow has named the Russian intelligence agent it claims helped America break up a Russian spy ring last summer.

The paper, Kommersant, says a Col Shcherbakov of the Russian foreign intelligence agency had been working for the Americans.

Ten Russian sleeper agents were arrested and sent back home, in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War.

It was the biggest US-Russian spy scandal since the end of the Cold War.

Col Shcherbakov had a senior role in Russia's foreign intelligence agency, Kommersant says; his job: to plant moles in the United States, secret agents deep under cover.

But at some point the colonel changed sides.

Quoting intelligence sources, the newspaper says Col Shcherbakov fled to America in June, just three days before President Dmitry Medvedev's official visit to the US.

A few days after that, once the Russian president was back in the Kremlin, the Russian agents were seized.

Kommersant cited sources who claimed Col Shcherbakov visited one of the arrested spies, Mikhail Vasenkov, in prison to try to convince him to confess.

But the spy, who went by the alias Juan Lazaro, insisted he was not Russian.

Col Shcherbakov then presented Mr Vasenkov's dossier to US officials, according to the newspaper.
'Major blow'

A year before the spy scandal, Col Shcherbakov had reportedly been offered a promotion at work, but had turned it down, to avoid having to take a lie detector test.

The newspaper claims Col Shcherbakov's bosses had overlooked the fact his daughter had been living in America for years.

Kommersant quotes an unidentified Kremlin official as suggesting that a Russian hit squad was already planning to kill the colonel.

The Kremlin source predicted Col Shcherbakov would spend the rest of his life fearing retribution.

A spokesman for Russia's foreign intelligence agency refused to comment on the newspaper report.

But Gennady Gudkov, deputy chairman of the Russian parliament's security committee, confirmed that Kommersant's report was correct.

"Shcherbakov turned over our agents in the USA - I knew of this long before the publication today in Kommersant," Mr Gudkov said.

"It is a major blow to the image of the Russian intelligence services," he told Reuters news agency.

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer

He has a reputation as some sort of “Rambotito,” (Read: mini Rambo) but he’s in no mood to pick a fight this time and would rather forgive and forget.

On Wednesday, while cooling his heels at the Manila Hotel lobby for Bill Clinton’s lecture on “Embracing Our Common Humanity,” Vice President Jejomar Binay was asked by the staff of the former US leader to leave the VIP holding area, according to his media officer, Joey Salgado.

“Everybody out!” an American woman yelled, Salgado said.

Binay, looking smart in a barong tagalog, was then in the company of Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but the two former Presidents were allowed to remain in the area and wait for Clinton’s arrival, Salgado said.

Binay dutifully complied and walked away.

As Makati mayor, Binay volunteered to fight coup plotters throughout the Corazon Aquino administration and came to be called, by some wags, a local Rambo.

But Salgado said the Vice President was “not making a big fuss about it” and quoted him as saying he would rather “forgive and forget.”

Clarification sought

Binay instead would ask for clarification from the Clinton Foundation, US Embassy and Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The presence of the Vice President at the forum was pre-cleared with the US Secret Service,” Salgado said. “We’re waiting for a report from protocol.”

US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr., interviewed at the annual Veterans Day rites at Manila American Cemetery, said he was unaware of the faux pas.

“I walked with him to his seat. I took a photograph with him. I sat beside him. And I was pleased to hear former President Clinton recognize him, recognize President Arroyo and former President Ramos,” Thomas said.

Estrada’s experience

It wasn’t the first time a Philippine vice president had a run-in with Clinton’s people.

During the 1996 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by the Philippines, then Vice President Joseph Estrada blew his top at the US Secret Service agents in charge of security for then US President Clinton.

Estrada led the group who welcomed Clinton at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on the night of Nov. 23, 1996. Security was very tight.

The US agents, carrying metal detectors, frisked everyone who was allowed on the tarmac, including members of the host country’s Presidential Security Group.

Estrada was then told by a Clinton aide not to tail him too closely. Estrada reportedly blurted out: “I’m the Vice President of this country. Nobody tells me what to do in my own country!” With a report from Inquirer Research

By Daxim Lucas, Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Catholic Archbishop Oscar Cruz, the Church’s well-known crusader against the illegal numbers racket “jueteng,” said ranking government officials should stop betting in the lotto and just leave the game to the masses.

Cruz made the statement after several senators admitted they themselves had been placing lotto bets.

“It is not in accord with proper values that these honorable gentlemen would still play lotto,” Cruz said. “They already have more than enough. They should leave it up to the ordinary citizens and not meddle with it anymore.”

Lotto is also gambling

Cruz said these officials should be reminded of delicadeza (sense of propriety) and the dignity of the office they occupy. He added that the senators also could not claim that they were betting in order to help the poor.

“If they want to help the poor, then why is it that they don’t bet if the jackpot price is small?” Cruz said.

Even lotto has “that element of gambling because they buy tickets in order to win money that belonged to others,” he added.

“That is the essence of gambling. In gambling, when they put a bet, (they think) ‘the money has to be mine (while) everybody else wants my money to be theirs.’”

Dream on

Sen. Joker Arroyo said he didn’t know anything about lotto but that people were free to dream.

In an interview on dwIZ radio, Arroyo said: “I don’t know the game, I’m ignorant of that kind of gambling. P20 for P380 million? That is for the greedy.”

Arroyo said the only game of chance he played was Black Jack.

When told that six of his colleagues were regular lotto bettors like many Filipinos, Arroyo said: “They are praying to win just like everyone else. I’m just joking. But if they like to, they can dream.” With reports from Philip C. Tubeza and Gil Cabacungan Jr.

Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdialao Jr, CALABARZON (comprising the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police director, on Monday reminded his provincial police directors that the PNP’s “One â€"Strike Policy” against illegal gambling is not exclusive only to jueteng (illegal numbers game), and directed them to run after operators of all forms of illegal gambling, including ‘sugal-lupa”.

Pagdilao warned he will make it his personal policy to implement the ‘One Strike Policy” in response to news reports regionwide about the rampant activities of illegal gambling operators involved in “color games”, “drop balls” and other “sugal lupa” in CALABARZON.

The PNP regional director particularly directed the provincial police director of Cavite and Rizal to crackdown on the gambling operations in Imus, Dasmariñas City and Cavite City and General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite and in Angono, Cainta and Rodriguez in Rizal. Pagdilao also ordered his commanders to strike hard at illegal gambling activities of certain Emily of Imus, Egay Lumagui of Cavite City, a certain Jayson of GMA and Jessica of Dasmariñas City as well as the operations of a certain Toyang of Angono, Nelma of Cainta and Josie of Rodriguez, Rizal.

Pagdilao directed his provincial commanders to strictly account and monitor the compliance of chiefs-of-police of the said cities and municipalities regarding illegal gambling activities. - PNA

Forty-nine communist New People’s Army (NPA) members, including seven leaders, yielded to the government troops from Oct. 1 to date following intensified military operations and nation-building activities all over the country.

Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade said on Wednesday the most recent was the surrender of an NPA leader identified as Ronald Balko Pundong, alias Brian, a former medical and team leader of Team Abe, Squad Premira, Platoon Mazda, Guerrilla Front 71, Far Southern Mindanao Regional Committee, in Sarangani province on Oct. 23.

Reports reaching the Philippine Army headquarters revealed that Pundong, plagued by his conscience, opted to surrender upon realizing that the organization he considered as enemy is the same one that helped his wife recovered from illness.

Last Oct. 7, the Peace and Development Team of the 73rd Infantry Battalion conducted a medical and dental civic action program (MEDCAP) in Sarangani province which helped civilians in the area, including Pundong’s wife.

Meanwhile, another surrenderee further exposed the NPA’s continued recruitment of minors in the organization. A certain Kitkity Suyam y Laos, alias Ronnie, 24, a regular member of the Kometing Larangan Gerilya (KLG) Marko, Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), revealed that he was recruited by the group of communist leader Lupito Wigit Dawala, alias Tangkib, way back in 2003. Laos was only 17 years old then. - PNA

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is currently is seeking support from Ilonggo community based in the United States to donate for a shallow well project in various relocation sites.

Earlier, the city government here admitted that various relocation sites intended for displaced indigents lack water sources.

Mabilog said most household does not have easy access to water which is essential for daily use.

The mayor admitted that the water pipes from the city’s only water service provider, the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), has not reach most relocation sites.

He said connections are also limited since some relocation sites are far from the nearest pipeline.

Iloilo City has more than three relocation sites where displaced families are being accommodated. These are families affected by major projects such as the Iloilo Flood Control and those living in danger zones like creeks.

These relocation sites also includes those in Barangays Sooc in Arevalo district, San Isidro in Lapaz and Balantang in Jaro district.

Mabilog said he hoped to generate support from Ilonggos abroad for the noble project.

Each shallow well project cost around US $ 565 only, said the mayor.

Mayor Mabilog is on official travel to the US this week. He is set to meet Ilonggo communities in the states of Chicago and Maryland and lobby for support to various city projects. (PNA)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here said that the One Town One Product (OTOP) program has definitely boosted tourism revenue in the countryside.

DTI information officer Ruby Melliza said that towns with OTOP have significantly increased their annual revenue since the program started last 2005.

She said that that towns with fully developed OTOP are earning more through product exports, while the countryside economy has provided livelihood to local talents.

Melliza said that town products have found its way to national markets through the OTOP. She cited the loom weaving industry in Brgy. Aparicio in the town of Ibajay and in the municipality of Numancia, Aklan.

She stressed that the fiber and piña clothes from these areas are now being sought after for its quality, after it was chosen as the OTOP of the region. Likewise, some bulk buyers have pre-ordered large quantities of piña cloth for their annual fashion show.

Melliza also cited the Floriculture industry as one of the OTOPs of the province of Capiz that has experienced a boost on income. She said that since it was identified as OTOP, some tourist and floriculture enthusiasts have started visiting the various flower gardens in Capiz.

Some floriculturist have received orders and reservations of flowers for weddings. The flower industry has also enjoyed increasing number of local workers in the past months especially that the November and December holidays near.

The DTI said that some flower buyers in the region have started buying flowers in Capiz, instead of ordering them in Baguio and Davao.

Melliza also said that OTOP allows the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using indigenous materials.

Still, the DTI said that some towns have yet to realize the importance of OTOP. Most of the 117 towns in the region have yet to properly identify their OTOP, said Melliza. (PNA)

Worldwide smartphone sales almost doubled in the third quarter this year, in part driven by strong demands for Apple's iPhone and handsets running on Google's Android mobile operating system, research firm Gartner said on Wednesday.

A new report from Gartner showed that global smartphone sales surged to a record of 81 million units in the quarter, accounting for 19.3 percent of overall mobile phone sales and representing an increase of 96 percent from the same period a year ago.

"This quarter saw Apple and Android drive record smartphone sales," Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner, said in a statement.

Apple's share of the smartphone market surpassed BlackBarry maker Research In Motion (RIM) in North America to put it second behind Android, while sales of Android phones also grew rapidly, making Android the No. 2 mobile operating system worldwide after Symbian which runs on many of Nokia's handsets.

Nokia, Samsung and LG remained the world's top three mobile device manufacturers but with reduced market share. Apple rose into the top five for the first time in the quarter, surpassing RIM for fourth place.

Overall, worldwide mobile phone sales totaled 417 million units in the third quarter, up 35 percent from the year-ago period, according to Gartner.

"This is the third consecutive double-digit increase in sales year-on-year, indicating that consumer demand is healthy," Milanesi said.

Gartner analysts said they now expect overall mobile phone sales worldwide to grow over 30 percent in 2010 from the previous year. (PNA/Xinhua)

The Department of Tourism (DOT) here said that foreign nationals are still visiting the country, especially the world-famous Boracay Island despite travel advisories from their home countries.

DOT said that tourists coming from United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) are still visiting despite travel warnings issued by their respective countries recently.

DOT also said that tourists from Australia, Canada and New Zealand are also coming and setting aside warnings from their embassies.

Since January up to October, DOT said that Boracay had 5,441 visitors from Australia, 3,497 from Canada, 398 from New Zealand, UK with 5, 231, and 11, 982 American visitors.

Likewise, Boracay had more than 20 thousand foreign tourist coming from European countries such as France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

DOT said that this is a good indication that tourists feel safe in visiting the country and that the region experiences peace and security.

DOT is also glad that Asian tourists are still flying in recently. DOT has recorded some 9,164 Koreans, 2271 Chinese, and 4,492 Taiwanese who were in the island for the month of October alone. - PNA

Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Anthony M. Golez said the proposed division of Bacolod City into two districts means more fund coming from the national government.

“Two districts would mean more social services for Bacolod and more funding coming from the national government,” Golez in a statement released to the local media stated.

Golez explained that his proposal for dividing the city into two legislative districts has no political motive.

The first termer solon is expected to file the bill titled “An Act Providing for the Apportionment of the Lone Legislative District of the City of Bacolod” within the week or as soon as all the documentary requirements have been completed. (PNA)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has joined search and rescue operations on a Panamanian cargo vessel, with 25 Chinese crews on board, that sank off Itbayat island in Batanes on Wednesday morning.

The Manila-based PCG , citing alert message from Chinese Defense Attache Senior Colonel Chen Fangming, identified the Panamanian cargo vessel as “Masco Diamond,” which was heading towards Indonesia from Lian Yungang, China.

Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman, quoted the alert message as saying that Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) lost contact with the cargo vessel at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The PLA recorded the vessel's last location around 21° North, 123° East of Itbayat, Batanes.

"We hope that the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard can send some ships to search and rescue them," the PCG quoted the message as saying.

PCG has also approved the request of the 11th Regional Japan Coast Guard Operations Center to allow the entry of a Japanese P-3C Orion plane into the Philippine area of responsibility for the aerial search.

It also said that it was continuously monitoring for possible responses in connection with the Notice to Marines it has issued.

The PCG immediately sent vessels BRP EDSA-Dos (SARV-002) and BRP-Nueva Vizcaya (SARV-3502) to conduct SAR operations upon receiving the the alert message.

The Coast Guard Aviation Group (CGAC) also deployed one of its twin engine islander plane (PCG-251) to conduct regular aerial survey in the waters of Batanes.

By Eddie O Barrita

A senior executive of a Cebu-based shipbuilding company said the Philippines is now the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world.

Jon Erramon Aboitiz, Tsuneishi president and chief executive officer (CEO), said that with the combined output of the Balamban, Cebu shipyard of Tsuneishi and Hanjin in Subic, “the Philippines has become the fourth largest shipbuilding in the world.”

Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu Inc. (THICI) is a joint venture between Japan’s Tsuneishi Group and the Aboitiz Group, of which Aboitiz is also chairman of the board.

The company, established in 1994, builds bulk carriers, as well as car and truck carriers for international clients.

Aboitiz said the company started with less than 2,000 workers, but now employs 11,000 workers with an annual payroll of about P2 billion.

On Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III went to the company’s sprawling shipyard in Balamban town, some 50 kilometers west of Cebu City, and commended the Filipino and Japanese joint venture for completing the largest ship ever built in the country, the mv Tenshu Maru.

The mv Tenshu Maru, a 180,000-DWT bulk carrier, stretches 286.9 meters long and 45 meters wide, with a gross tonnage of about 92,400.

In his speech after the ceremony of naming the mv Tenshu Maru, the president thanked Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu, Inc. “for the jobs you have provided for our people, for the trust and confidence in our nation, and for expressing your solidarity with our agenda of hope.” - pna

Nearly 100 Filipino athletes and team officials entered the imposing Hai Xin Sha stadium here on Friday along with counterparts from 44 other nations as the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) gathers the continent’s finest in the world of sports to articulate its contributions to the growth of the revered international Olympic movement.

At the forefront of the Philippine delegation, which will march 29th in the order of the OCA protocol, is flag-bearer Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, whose story book triumph as an 11th hour entry in show jumping of equestrian at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, boosted the nation’s spirit at a time when hearts were torn after the loss in the Filipino passion that is basketball.

“We were moved by her message in the send-off First Friday mass for the Asian Games. She provided us with so much inspiration,” noted athletes from different disciplines.

Cojuangco-Jaworski arrived Thursday along with athletes from billiards, swimming and taekwondo and the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee, Jose Cojuangco Jr., who will join the dignitaries, members of royal families and heads of states at the grandstand of the “Island in the middle of the Sea,” the more popular English translation for Hai Xin Sha.

In an hour-and-a-half pre-parade show, China will put poetry in motion with songs that speak of the purity in children’s hearts and dance numbers that personify Hongmian, a flower well-loved by the fishermen who gave rise to the city nestled by the Pearl River.

Pearl’s wharf will host 45 boats, representing all member countries, for the Hai Xin Sha gallery to marvel at while a fireworks show commences from around the stadium and the grandiose Hai Xin television tower, now a tourist attraction because of its height and colors.

Just before the torch arrives for the lighting of the Games cauldron, symbolizing the ongoing games, acrobatic shows, a puppet show and the melodrama characterizing the former life of Guangzhou are unveiled for hundreds of thousands expected to attend the debut of the city in this once every four years gathering of sports greats.

The event becomes solemn when People’s Republic of China President Hu Jintao declares the Games open and OCA President Sheikh Ahamad Al Fahad Al-Sabah delivers his remarks.

Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Liu Peng, the country’s Minister of the General Administration of Sports, will be the first to rise to welcome the athletes and delegates soon after China’s national anthem Yi Yong Jun Jin Xing Qu is played. - PNA

These days when Western medicines have become too expensive and scarce, it is good to note that Filipinos can rely on herbal medicines which are available in abundance, locally.

Available in commercial quantities and at much cheaper price, in Tacloban City, Leyte, are herbal medicines that are used as traditional and alternative medicines in the Philippines.

This was learned from Ms. Evelina Juaban, the Manager of the Herbal Processing Plant in Tacloban City, of the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care of the Department of Health.

Ms. Juaban who was guest of the Philippine Information Agency, at the cable television program called Panindugan, said that there are many plants, about 400 of them in the Philippines, which have medicinal or therapeutic values.

However, the Department of Health through its Traditional Health Program has endorsed 10 medicinal plants, which have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various ailments.

Today, the Tacloban Herbal Plant of PTAHC has come up with the Lagundi tablets made from natural Lagundi (Vitex negundo), which is known in English as the "5-leaved chaste tree". Its main use is for the relief of coughs and asthma. The tablets are available in 300 mg.

There is the 250 mg. Sambong tablet made from sambong leaves (Blumea balsamifera), known in English as Blumea camphora, a diuretic that helps in the excretion of urinary stones and can also be used as an edema.

Both the Lagundi and Sambong tablets are sold wholesale at a price of P150 per box of 100 tablets. This means that each tablet costs only P1.50 whole or P2.00 each at retail price.

Another is the Tsaang Gubat 250mg tablet. Known with the scientific name Ehretia microphylla Lam., this herbal medicine is effective in treating intestinal motility and also used as a mouth wash since the leaves of this shrub has high fluoride content.

The fourth is Akapulco (Cassia alata) which is also known as "bayabas-bayabasan" and "ringworm bush" in English. This herbal medicine is used to treat ringworms and skin fungal infections.

The Ampalaya (Momordica charantia), known as "bitter gourd" or "bitter melon" in English, is most known as a treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus) for the non-insulin dependent patients. Ms. Juaban said it is the leaves of the Ampalaya which is used.

Bawang (Allium sativum), popularly known as garlic, mainly reduces cholesterol in the blood and hence, helps control blood pressure. Ms. Juaban cautioned the public, however, that the potent substance in bawang is only soluble in oil, thus, for those who are using bawang to reduce their cholesterol, they should sauté the bawang in healthy vegetable oil. Eating the bawang raw will only give one a heart burn.

Bayabas (Psidium guajava) or "guava" in English, is primarily used as an antiseptic, to disinfect wounds. Also, it can be used as a mouth wash to treat tooth decay and gum infection.

Niyog-Niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.) is a vine known as "Chinese honey suckle". It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina. Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal. One should crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia pellucida) is also known as "pansit-pansitan." It is effective in fighting arthritis and gout. The leaves can be eaten fresh (about a cupful) as salad or like tea. For the decoction, boil a cup of clean chopped leaves in 2 cups of water. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain, let cool and drink a cup after meals (3 times per day). Decoctions must be made just for one day use only.

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) is commonly known as Peppermint, this vine is used as an analgesic to relive body aches and pain. It can be taken internally as a decoction or externally by pounding the leaves and applied directly on the afflicted area.

There are other herbs and herbal remedies like banaba, virgin coconut oil, mangosteen, gumamela, luyang dilaw, silymarin, countless of them.

Long, before the introduction of modern medicines and Western curative methods, herbal medicines had been widely used in the Philippines.

The curative effects of the herbs were tested by traditional healers on their patient on try-and-error basis. The knowledge and skills on the curative application of any give herbal medicine has been handed down from generation to generation.

Apart from prescribing herbs medicines, the traditional healers were known to give psychological comfort and moral support to their patients. In the old days, they were well respected and enjoy high social status. - PIA