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A suspect in the gruesome massacre of 10 persons during a bank robbery in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is now in police custody.

Jake Javier, 23, of Tanauan City, Batangas was turned over today to the custody of the Philippine National Police by Chairperson Leila De Lima of the Commission on Human Rights.

Javier is the subject of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Honorable Marino Rubio, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 24 of Biñan, Laguna for alleged involvement in the bloody heist of the RCBC Branch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on May 16, this year.

Javier will be brought before the court, as a procedural action, where he is charged for the crime of Robbery with Homicide. State Prosecutors have recommended No Bail for Javier's temporary liberty.

Through his counsel, Atty Efimaco Magpantay, Javier is set to file a motion requesting the court for transfer of detention to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame. - PNA

Police authorities rescued at least nine people from a landslide that hit the gold-rush area in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, this province around 6 a.m. Thursday.

Compostela Valley police director Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa said a house belonging to the Elimino family was destroyed after the landslide hit Purok 17 in Mt. Diwata.

The nine victims were immediately rescued by policemen who rushed to the area upon receiving the report.

First to be rescued were James Tumala, 16; Grace Sorilla, 25; JC Atun, 22; and Junjun Ayco, 21.

Four hours later, the police also recovered Michael Cañete, house owner Felix Elimino, Samuel Catzo, Ariel Daghay and Rex Gomez.

All victims were rushed to a nearby health center. - PNA

Filipino journalist Aries Rufo received the Asia Pacific regional winner of the European Commission's Lorenzo Natali Prize, given to journalists committed to human rights and democracy.

The ceremonies were held in Strasbourg, France on November 17.

Rufo was one of five regional prize-winners from all over the world, winnowed from among more than 1,500 nominees from over 150 countries. He won for his article about threats to the judiciary in the Philippines and received Euro5,000 and a trophy.

The article, "A Cry for Justice: 44 Judges Killed in Recent Years", appeared in “Newsbreak” online magazine on January 4, 2008.

In applauding this first Natali Prize for the Philippines, European Commission Ambassador Alistair MacDonald expressed the hope that “the work of Rufo, and of all the other journalists who have the courage and tenacity to address these issues, would serve as an inspiration to Philippine society, and act as a beacon for fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law.”

”By drawing attention to the crimes committed against judges, the article had underlined the crucial importance of impartial justice in ensuring the rule of law in a democratic society, and the threats which can still exist against those who work for the rule of law,” according to MacDonald.

A total of 17 prizes were awarded: one Grand Prize, plus five regional prizes (for Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East, each with 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes), and a Special Television and Radio Prize.

Larisse Houssou of Benin received the Grand Prize for his article on Darfur entitled "Trained to kill...". Aries Rufo of the Philippines won the 1st prize for the Asia-Pacific region, with the 2nd and 3rd Asia-Pacific prizes going to journalists from India.

In awarding the prizes, European Commissioner for Development Louis Michel said: "Committed journalism involves risks but embodies an ideal, that of freedom of expression. Journalism that is committed to human rights, democracy and development proves that the ideals of the Enlightenment are alive and well in our world."

The Natali Prize affords an opportunity to recognize the achievements of journalists who have always acted in the interests of society, democracy and fundamental freedoms. Journalism is real-life education in citizenship. Without lively, independent journalism, democracy would be illusory, its board said. - PNA

Thanks to the power of the web and live broadcasts on television, the conspiracy theories surrounding the events of 9/11 - when terrorists attacked the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington - have surpassed those of Roswell and JFK in traction. Despite repeated claims by al-Qaeda that it planned, organised and orchestrated the attacks, several official and unofficial investigations into the collapse of the Twin Towers which concluded that structural failure was responsible and footage of the events themselves, the conspiracy theories continue to grow in strength.

At the milder end of the spectrum are the theorists who believe that the US government had prior warning of the attacks but did not do enough to stop them. Others believe that the Bush administration deliberately turned a blind eye to those warnings because it wanted a pretext to launch wars in the Middle East to usher in another century of American hegemony. A large group of people - collectively called the 9/11 Truth Movement - cite evidence that an airliner did not hit the Pentagon and that the World Trade Centre could not have been brought down by airliner impacts and burning aviation fuel alone. This final group points to video evidence which they claim shows puffs of smoke - so-called demoliton squibs - emerging from the Twin Towers at levels far below the aircraft impact zones and prior to the collapses. They also believe that, on the day itself, the US air force was deliberately stood down or sent on exercises to prevent intervention that could have saved the lives of nearly 3,000 people.

Many witnesses - including firemen, policemen and people who were inside the towers at the time - claim to have heard explosions below the aircraft impacts (including in basement levels) and before both the collapses and the attacks themselves. As with the assassination of JFK, the official inquiry into the events - the 9/11 Commission Report - is widely derided by the conspiracy community and held up as further evidence that 9/11 was an "inside job". Scientific journals have consistently rejected these hypotheses. source: Telegraph.co.uk

Somalian pirates on Tuesday hijacked an Iranian-operated vessel with seven Filipinos among its 25-man crew off the pirates-infested high seas of Somalia at the Gulf of Aden, bringing to 134 the number of Filipino seamen now held as hostages inside Somalia’s isolated village of Eyl, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.

The hijacking of the Hong Kong-flagged “M/V Delight” brought to eight the number of vessels with Filipino crew members captured and still in Somali custody since Sept. 17, said DFA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Claro Cristobal.

Records show that five of these vessels were hijacked by Somali pirates in the month of November alone, in wanton demonstration of sheer criminality and total violation of international law.

All 25 crew members of “Delight” appear unharmed, according to reports to the DFA by the Philippine embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the closest Philippine mission to Somalia.

Cristobal said the embassies in Manama (Bahrain), Tehran (Iran) and Nairobi (Kenya) have been instructed to coordinate with government and international maritime authorities for the safe release of both hostages and vessels.

The still-detained vessels also have other foreign crew members, and their respective embassies generally work together with representatives from the Philippines, their manning agencies and ship owners in negotiating for the release.

It is generally known that multimillion-dollar ransoms are paid by ship owners for the release of hostages, though the DFA denies being involved in ransom talks.

As of Thursday, Nov. 20, the vessels and the date of their capture with the respective number of Filipino crew members are:

“M/T Centauri” captured on Sept. 17, with 26 Filipinos; “M/T Capt. Stefanos" (Sept. 21), with 17 captives; “M/T African Sanderling" (Oct. 15), with 21 Filipinos; “M/T Stolt Strength" (Nov. 10) with 23 Filipinos; “F/B Tiany #8” (Nov. 14) with three Filipinos; “M/Sirius Star” (Nov. 15) with 19 Filipinos; “M/V Chemstar Venus" (Nov. 16) with 18 Filipinos, and “M/V Delight” (Nov. 18) with seven Filipinos. - PNA

The political opposition will be facing a major debacle if ever it chooses ousted President Joseph Estrada as its standard bearer in the 2010 presidential elections.

This was the assessment of Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez, Sr. amid reports that preparations are underway for the ousted president's candidacy this forthcoming 2010 elections.

A former movie actor who rose to local and national politics, Estrada clinched the presidency in 1998 with the widest margin of votes, only to be ousted two years later amid accusations of rampant graft and corruption under his leadership.

He was succeeded in January 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was then the incumbent vice-president.

Estrada was tried and convicted by the Sandiganbayan on charges of plunder but President Macapagal-Arroyo granted him a presidential pardon in the spirit national unity and reconcialiation.

According to Gonzalez, the 1987 Constitution explicitly provides that a former president of the country is barred to seek re-election of the same post.

The DOJ chief added that the term of office of Estrada was considered "completed" because of his ouster from power and the plunder charges of which he was convicted with finality.

Gonzalez pointed out that the opposition should first resolve the issue of legality of the candidacy of Estrada before he makes a comeback in the political limelight.

At the same time, Gonzalez clarified that the administration remains unperturbed and unaffected assuming that Estrada will attempt to take a second shot to the presidency in the elections. - PNA

How was your birthday celebration, Mari?

The Philippine peso strengthened against the US dollar Wednesday even after opening near the 50-level for the day.

It closed at 49.89, better than day-ago's 49.94 finish, which was its two-year low.

It started the day at the Philippine Dealing System shy of 50:1 dollar at 49.99, which is also its weakest trade Wednesday.

Strongest trade level during the process was registered at 49.84, bringing the day's average at 49.95, near Tuesday's average rate.

However, volume of trade remained low after only reaching $ 292.8 million from day-ago's $ 498.64 total.

Traders, earlier in the day, attributed the unit's resistance to fall to the 50 to a dollar level to central bank's intervention.

Monetary officials, on the other hand, said they keep the foreign exchange rate determination to the market and only intervene to address sharp volatilities in the rate.

Aside from risk aversion due to the current global economic and financial environment, traders traced the unit's weakness to the lower import growth figure of the Philippines that the government reported recently. - PNA

By the Bohol Chronicle

Tagbilaran City lawmaker Zenaido Rama cries foul over "attempts to cover up" the inquiry on the audit report of the 2007 financial transactions of the city government.

The minority bloc councilor said fellow lawmakers and City Auditor Teresita Irig "were ganging up" on him instead of enlightening the public on questions he raised in a privilege speech regarding the handling of millions of city funds as contained in the 2007 Commission on Audit (COA) report.

The statement of Rama came after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session last Friday where Irig and City Accountant Kurt Bungabong were invited to shed light on the COA report.

Instead, Rama found himself being the subject of tirades from among his colleagues regarding figures raised in his privilege speech.

"I could sense, they are trying to protect some people," Rama said over dyRD Action Line indicating that several names of city officials will be dragged into the multi-million fund mess.

Several times during the SP inquiry, Irig called Rama's privilege speech as "twisted" and "erroneous."

To the disappointment of Rama, fellow lawmakers identified with the majority bloc also directed derisive remarks on the issues raised in his privilege speech.

"That was very unfortunate, instead of answering my queries, I became the subject of a smear drive with the intention to discredit my expose," Rama stressed.
         

The lawmaker said he was "not satisfied" with the SP proceedings last Friday but however vowed to dig deeper into the audit report mainly on the P6.5 million unliquidated cash advances of city officials.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg. I don't care who are those involved in this mess. I have no hidden agenda and I am doing this in the spirit of transparency," Rama said.

He said more details of the COA report will be revealed to the public.

REVEAL CASH ADVANCES

Kag. Lucio Balbin urged during the SP session that the names of city officials and employees with unliquidated cash advances be revealed.

The city accountant also could not provide the details of the cash advances he claimed some of these accounts were in the process of liquidation.

Kag. Rama likewise inquired why the city auditor did not take note of "lavish, excessive, extravagant and unconscionable expenses" especially on catering for meals at the City Hall.

On the other hand, Kag. Bebiano Inting also questioned why the P2.8 million cost of the geophysical and geosensitivity survey of the proposed Big Bug (sports center) was charged to the account of "construction in progress" when it should have been treated as an outright expense since the project was not pursued.

Moreover, Inting also scored the subsidies to economic enterprises units of the city that have been sustaining losses for the past years. Among the enterprises is the Motor Pool and the Market Operations run by the city which have been reporting losses in the millions of pesos every year.

He said, the subsidies should not be charged to a receivable account since there is no chance of recovering the amount that would in turn "window dress" or overstate the city's financial statement.

It was however agreed by the SP to endorse in writing the queries raised by Rama to be answered by the city auditor.

For his part, Kagawad Oscar Glovasa, chair of the committee on appropriations asked that pending issues raised out of the 2007 COA report can be addressed to his committee.

OFFICIALS NOT FOLLOWING AUDIT RULES

In a separate interview over dyRD Action Line, city auditor Irig admitted that there are several city officials and employees who do not abide with government accounting procedures.

She said, no matter how often she have been reminding "accountable officers" of their duty to liquidate cash advances, there are still many who do not follow liquidation procedures.

The city auditor said COA is there to ensure that regulations are complied in handling government funds. In fact, Irig said she has been sending demand letters for officials and employees to liquidate their cash advances. However, the COA official failed to bring the list of names of officials and employees who have unliquidated cash advances.

She will be asked to identify these local officials with unliquidated cash advances.

There are specific punishments cited by COA for personnel violating rules and regulations of utilizing funds of the government. The COA report is a public document and any law-abiding citizen can have access to it.

According to Irig, Rama "misquoted" some items in the COA report. She did not elaborate.

However, the COA official explained that "for lack of a better word, I said during the SP session that the privilege speech was 'twisted."

The COA report which was reviewed by the COA regional office was received by the city government on July 8, 2008.

"We were awaiting committee on appropriations of Kag Glovasa to take it up, but nothing came out, thus, decided to deliver that privilege speech," Rama explained.

The COA Report controversy is not expected to end with last Friday's session with both sides anticipating end-game strategies of the opposing camp.

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Hi Mari, when was your birthday?
Happy Birthday ha.

Thanks Gem for your thoughtfulness.

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Mobile phone chip designer Arm has announced an alliance with the makers of the Ubuntu open source software.

The deal will produce a version of the operating system for small net-browsing computers known as netbooks.

It marks a departure for Arm, which before now has been best known for designing the chips inside smartphones and feature phones.

The new operating system for Arm-powered machines looks set to be available in April 2009.

Battery power

Rob Coombs, director of mobile marketing at Arm, said he expected to see the first devices running the version of Ubuntu by the time of the Computex show in June.

The devices will be based around the Arm7 architecture and, in particular, the Cortex A8 and A9 processors. - BBC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxdxILzmgrE

Beaches in Bohol. Compilation of photos from different sources. Special thanks to Ryan Macalandag for the Pamilacan Photos found at Flickr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI7xax3q_UU

Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan. TBTK Bohol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijqMLqmYXMk

Mini-hydro Power Plant in Sevilla Town. By Nestor Daarol of DYTR.

South Korean officials say gunmen have hijacked a Japanese cargo ship off the coast of Somalia carrying 23 crew including five South Koreans.

The ship was seized in the Gulf of Aden on Saturday, officials said.

The condition of the crew is not known and it is not clear if the pirates are demanding a ransom.

So far this year, Somali pirates have seized more than 30 vessels, making the shipping lanes through the Gulf of Aden the most dangerous in the world.

A South Korean foreign ministry official said the 23 abducted sailors included Filipinos as well as the five South Koreans.

Last Wednesday, the Russian navy said Russian and British ships had repelled a pirate attack on a Danish ship in waters off Somalia.

Tanker seized

Hours earlier, pirates had seized a Turkish chemical tanker off the coast of Yemen, along with its 14-member Turkish crew.

And last Monday Somali pirates hijacked another chemical tanker with 21 Filipino crew on board.

Pirates are still holding the Ukrainian ship MV Faina off the Somali coast for a ransom of $20m (£12m).

In October, 22 sailors - eight South Koreans and 14 Burmese - were freed after a month of captivity when their South Korean shipping company paid a ransom to Somali pirates.

By Bohol Chronicle

Tarsiers, considered as the mascot for Bohol is now like signature shirts displayed in places visited by tourists.

This, after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reportedly gave new permitees the right to bring tarsiers in their areas of business. Coupled with this setback of DENR's role as supposed protector of these tarsiers is the lack of inventory of tarsiers up to this day.

A survey conducted yesterday by dyRD's "Radyo Merkado," a weekly public affairs program, registered a resounding call for government authorities to take drastic action on how to preserve these tarsiers.

The public clamor to conserve the tarsier came after reports surfaced that new tarsier display areas were recently issued permits by DENR. These are in Loay, Panglao, Sagbayan and Albur towns.

PENRO Nestor Canda confirmed to the Chronicle that new permits were issued by the regional DENR offices without passing through the local DENR.

Respondents of the survey expressed concern on the life span of the tarsiers, considered endangered, if no inventories be made especially that they are being "commercialized" at the various display centers.

"One day Boholanos will wake up with no more tarsiers to be part of the tourism jewel of the province," most of the respondents said.

The radio program was jammed with calls and text messages expressing concern for the preservation of tarsiers, citing that the natural habitat in Corella should be enhanced in order to project that indeed these tarsiers are being "taken care by the Boholanos."

Presently, most tourists will get to see the tarsiers after taking their lunch at the Loboc River floating restaurants. It maybe noted that complaints were recently received regarding the imposition of P50 to view tarsiers in Loboc town.

With this recent development on new issuance of permits by DENR, the Tarsier Foundation, Inc. based in Corella town is contemplating for its possible closure if government will fail in its role to protect the tarsiers.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

Bol-anon kiddie singing group, the Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) did one for the record again when it bagged the Best Performance In A Concert By a Group during the recent 21st Aliw Awards at the Manila Hotel November 11.   

The award is LCCs second from Aliw; in 2004, LCC also bagged Best Choral Group Award, after winning First Prize in the Europe and Its Folksongs Festival and Competition in Barcelona. 

Aliw Foundation and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts put up the award.
This year, the award is in recognition of the group’s outstanding performance during the Encuentro Filipino series of concerts, which opened at the PETA Theater Center. The Manila concert was to launch the two-month United States and Canada concert tour, choir director Lutgardo Labad said in a statement.

The Encuentro Filipino concerts adopted a concept and stage direction by Labad, himself a renowned Boholano musician and musical director and choir musical director Alma Taldo.

The choir took the Encuentro tour while it represented the country in the international Filipino Hispanic heritage conference in the US: at the University of California in Riverside and in Dartmouth College at Hampshire College under heritage musicologist Dr. William Summers, the articulate Labad said.

Encuentro Filipino in Manila also featured an interactive demonstration and lectures by distinguished Filipino music scholars, discussing topics focusing on music borne out of the Philippine and Spanish interaction, the former head of the Capitol Center for Culture and the Arts Development (CCAD) explained. 

In Manila, the choir performed with other nationally acclaimed singing groups: the Ateneo Chamber Singers, UP Cherubims and Seraphims, Mandaluyong Children’s Choir and the UP singing Ambassadors. 

Later, the LCC performed a total of 19 concerts in 17 full houses in the USA and Canada in a period of seven weeks, he added 

At the concerts, performing close to a total 10,000 people, Encuentro impressed Boholano, Filipino-American, Filipino-Canadian communities in Olympia, Seattle, Riverside, Los Angeles, New Hampshire, Baltimore, Washington DC, New York, Houston, Toronto, St. Louis, Overland Park, Kansas City, San Francisco, Lincoln, Eagle Rock LA, and San Diego. 

Encuentro was sponsored by a network of partners and friends led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, OISHI and BENCH, Provincial Government of Bohol, Offices of Congressmen Adam Jala and Edgar Chatto, Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Neri Lim and Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan, BAMMI led by Mr. Jenju Lapez and Mrs. Tita Lapez, LAMMI, TBTK New York and the Confederation of Boholanos in the United States and Canada or CONBUSAC, PETA and many others.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA

Eight fishermen from Loon are now safe after a Japanese fishing vessel fished them out, reports from the local Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) bared.

If information upon which the recent certification of a barangay official in Pangasinan is based is true, the Boholano fishermen from Looc, Cabilao Island in Loon town are now in Japan. 

According the Germinal Barangay Chairman Romeo Celeste, the Boholanos had temporarily settled in his barangay in Bolinao town as fishermen before the incident.

However, while on a fishing expedition at the South China Sea on the heat of the typhoon Rolly, their boat sank, November 9.

The fishermen, identified as Carmelito Lapez, 29 married boat operator, Glen Silva, 25 single, Angelito Najaro, 46 single, Jayson Consejeros, single, Danilo Labesores, single, Manuel Sungcoa. 26, Elmer Perges, 28 and Renato Peñaranda were on board F/B Richard when it capsized.

With their failure to return, they have been reported missing in Bolinao town.

Recently however, information reaching Chairman Celeste stated that the fishermen have survived and are in custody of the officers and men of a foreign fishing vessel.

In his certification dated November 14, 2008, Chairman Celeste said F/B Richard owners Leonidez / Edith Catacutan obtained reliable information about the missing fishers’ whereabouts. 

The Catacutans are Germinal residents. 

According to the information, the fishermen have been in custody of a Japanese vessel; Torben Spirit, one operated by Teekay Shipping Corporation.

By Sen Guingguing
Sunday Post

Six incidents, by any mean violent, happened in Bohol the week that was, and claimed the lives of eight persons.

Four of the eight fatalities died as suicides in as many cases and in as many places. The rest diedâ€"with two each, of drowning and gun shots.

Those who died of drowning were minors as they were swept away Tuesday by the rushing river flow in sitio Fatima, barangay Buenavista, Carmen town.

According to Carmen police reports, the two boys were  carried by their mother in crossing the river with the belief that it was safe to do so. Apparently not knowing it is so deep, crossed they did and were washed away by rampaging floodwaters. The fatalities identified as Jundy, 5 and Edward, 2, all surnamed Casinday, were found lifeless a kilometer away from where the accident took place. They were holding hands when found dead.

The other violent incident happened in Danao town when two persons were shot dead.

They were identified as Joel Nuez, Jr. and Bienvinido Anedes when they were ambushed by an unidentified assailant. Personal grudge was identified as the motive of the killing.

Meanwhile, a teenage girl  committed suicide last week after she was advised by her parents to stay away in the meantime from love affairs. The girl’s name and address were not  known in the report.

In another incident in Pres. Garcia, a man identified as Crisanto Dokdok tied a nylon rope in his neck resulting in his instant death.

According to Pres. Garcia police, before he took his life by hanging, he had a heated altercation with his wife due to jealously.   

The other suicide incident involved a couple identified as Nilo and Monica Salceda. Police reports said the couple boarded a motorcycle enroute to the back of the Dauis church then to the sea.

While there, the husband holding the head of his wife, and then pushed it under water causing her to drown. When he saw his wife lifeless, the husband then swam himself with the apparent intention of suffocation of  seawater. He then floated like his wife dead.

It was learned that the couple left in the wake of their death several little kids.

BBC: A manhunt is under way in western Germany for a convicted drug dealer who escaped by mailing himself out of jail.

The 42-year-old Turkish citizen - who was serving a seven-year sentence - had been making stationery with other prisoners destined for the shops.

At the end of his shift, the inmate climbed into a cardboard box and was taken out of prison by express courier. His whereabouts are still unknown.

The chief warden of the jail told the BBC this was an embarrassing incident.

The prison authorities in Willich, near Duesseldorf, said the man, who was tall and broad-shouldered, had hidden in a box that was about 150cm by 120cm.

When the weekly express courier arrived to pick up several boxes of merchandise, the one containing the prisoner was also loaded into the back of the lorry.

Shortly after it had passed through the prison gates, the inmate made his dash for freedom by cutting a big hole in the tarpaulin of the lorry and jumping off.

The driver alerted the police after he noticed the tarpaulin flapping in the breeze.

By Gloria Jane Baylon

The Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) will be in force from December 11 this year, with the swapping last Friday of a diplomatic note between Manila and Tokyo for its implementation.

The Japanese embassy in Manila announced that the free trade agreement (FTA) was signed by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Japanese Ambassador to Manila Makoto Katsura here.

As of press time, the Department of Foreign Affairs has no official announcement yet.

All legal procedures for the JPEPA have been completed, the Japanese announcement said.

The Philippines is the eight country with which Japan has signed an FTA, joining Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico and Chile. A separate comprehensive trade agreement had also been signed with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) itself.

The pact would pave the way for Filipino nurses and caregivers to get employment as health workers across Northeast Asia’s richest nation, known for its high number of aging population .

Between April and June, next year, the first batch of such professionals â€" initially on a six-year employment contract -- are expected in Japan but they must first undergo training in Nihongo (Japanese language).

Should they fail to qualify and meet other stringent Japanese standards, they could be sent back, the JPEPA stipulates.

JPEPA was signed on September 9, 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Helsinki (Finland) during the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) at the time.

Soon after, the Japanese lawmaking body, known as the Diet, approved the treaty in December 2006. The Philippine Senate delayed the early ratification of the pact due to what some of its members claimed are unconstitutional provisions in the agreement.

After more scrutiny and intense debate, JPEPA was eventually approved last September, this year.

The agreement aims to promote a freer flow of goods, persons, services and capital between the two countries, partnership in intellectual property, competition policy, improvement of business environment and bilateral cooperation. - PNA

By Gerry Plaza
Inquirer.net

Star Magic, the talent management arm of ABS-CBN, refused comment on businessman Cedric Lee’s interview with a show biz oriented magazine wherein he denied he was the father of contract artist Vina Morales’s unborn child.

“We are not in the position to comment (about the interview). Vina is still in the US right now,” said Rikka Dylim, Star Magic PR head, in a text message to the Inquirer. Despite her pregnancy, Vina is on a concert tour of the US.

In his denial, Cedric told the show biz magazine S! that Vina never mentioned him as the father of her child in her interview with ABS-CBN’s showbiz oriented talk show “The Buzz” in September confirming her pregnancy, adding that it was only the interviewer Cristy Fermin who mentioned his name.

A check with the video of the September 28 episode of “The Buzz” revealed that when Cristy asked Vina, “Pinaninindigan ba ni Cedric Lee ang baby mo?” Vina answered, “Yes po, very supportive siya. He will always be there for me, for my baby.” In her response to Cristy’s question, Vina referred to Cedric but did not categorically mention his name.

Vina has entered her fourth month of pregnancy, more than six weeks after she admitted she was happily expecting her first child.

By Frinston Lim
Inquirer.net

Suspected gasoline thieves hijacked an oil tanker, killed its driver, and siphoned off part of its cargo of gasoline and diesel, police said Saturday.

Renato Yangan, 48, a resident of Tagum’s Barangay San Isidro, was found slumped behind the wheel of the tanker he was driving which was parked in front of a rice mill the national highway in Canocotan village past 4 p.m. Friday, Tagum police chief Dario Gunabe said.

The tanker, owned by Phoenix Gas Corporation and loaded with gasoline and diesel, left Davao City for Pantukan, Compostela Valley, on Thursday, investigators said.

Police said a manager of the gas company reported to the authorities Yangan’s failure to reach his destination and that he did not return calls to his mobile phone late Thursday evening.

"Voluminous liters of diesel and gasoline were lost so this is clearly a case of highway robbery," Gunabe said, adding the victim sustained several stab wounds on the body.

Gunabe said the assailants apparently used an ice pick in stabbing the victim to death.

Preposterous. Kining mga tawhana nakaminos sa mga Filipino. Abi nila mailad gihapon ang tao. They thought motuo gihapon ang tao sa ilang mga botbot.

Taga asa imong Papa, Jane? Stay with us and join our conversations. In the coming days or months, basin naay imong makaila nga paryente diri.

BBC: Thomas Beatie, the US "pregnant man" who gave birth to a daughter in June, is expecting his second child.

The 34-year-old made the announcement in a television interview with Barbara Walters of ABC News.

Mr Beatie was born female but underwent gender reassignment and is now legally male. He kept his female reproductive organs so he could have a family.

The baby was due in early June, he told the TV host. He felt good and everything was going well.

"I had my checkups with my hormone level... everything is right on track," he said,

Thomas Beatie grew up in Hawaii as Tracy Lagondin, but began to live as a man when he was in his twenties.

He had breast surgery to remove glands and flatten his chest but kept his female reproductive organs.

He has been married to his wife, Nancy, for five years and the couple bought sperm from a donor when they decided to start a family.

Mr Beatie gave birth to their baby daughter, Susan, the natural way, after a lengthy labour.

After the birth, he told Ms Walters, he did not resume taking male hormones because the couple wanted to have another baby.

Calle, the easiest and cheapest route is Baclayon.

At Alona Beach, Panglao, Bohol. Photo by c. e. sargent of flickr.

Bohol's Secret Beauty. Photo by Ryan Macalandag.

Savor Bohol's Dazzling Beauty. Photo by Ryan Macalandag.

Retire and Relax in Bohol Island. Photo by Ryan Macalandag.

Bohol Solitude. Photo by dezphaire of Flickr.

The Pamilacan Island We Never Knew. Photo by Ryan Macalandag

A Beauty to Behold at Pamilacan Island, Bohol. Photo by Ryan Macalandag

Pamilacan Island Beckons. Photo by dezphaire of Flickr

Happy Birthday, Balong. Wa ko kabalo today is your most special day. How will you celebrate your birthday?

Holders of TubagBohol.com email can now engage in voice and video chat. To activate this feature, you must first download this plugin.. Click Here to download the voice and video plugin..

To those who wish to own a TubagBohol.com email, just send a PM to Ginger (Hazel aka Gingah) or write her an email at ginger@tubagbohol.com. It's absolutely FREE.

Great to see you all. Thanks Zel for posting the pictures.

By Gerry Plaza
Contributing Editor
INQUIRER.net

A spellbinding victory for Philippine cinema.

Visitors to the Cable News Network entertainment website voted Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala,” which starred Nora Aunor as a simple provincial girl turned faith healer, as the best movie of all time in the Asia-Pacific region, outclassing such greats as Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

Others in the top 10 that vied for the honor, in which “Himala” was the only Filipino film, included Andrew Lau and Alan Mak’s “Mou Gaan Dou (Infernal Affairs)” from Hong Kong, Chan-wook Park’s “Old Boy” from South Korea, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)” from Japan, Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” from India, Peter Weir’s “Gallipoli” from Australia, Wong Kar Wai’s “Chung Hing Sam Lam (Chungking Express)” from China, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s “Gabbeh” from Iran.

According to the CNN website, critics, industry insiders, Asian film stars, and CNN viewers chose the movies that landed in the shortlist of ten films. The online poll that ran in October determined the winner.

The Filipino classic, which was written by Ricky Lee and originally released in 1982 for the Metro Manila Film Festival, was announced the top vote-getter in the popular vote and named the winner of the CNN-APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time on Tuesday at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Hundreds of film industry luminaries from around the world attended the event.


With Bayani San Diego, Jr.

Naa koy nailhan apelyido "Gulay." So, Vegetable na ni sa English. This is a realistic list, Belle.

US scientists may have uncovered a reason why heart attacks and strokes occur most often in the early hours.

The Emory University team say daily rhythms in the activity of cells that line blood vessels may be key.

They found the activity of these cells was at its lowest ebb in the early hours of the morning.

The study, presented to an American Heart Association conference, suggests this might make blood vessels less able to relax, raising the risk of problems.

Cells called endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow are thought to play an important role in maintaining the lining of the blood vessels.

These cells are essentially stem cells that help replace the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels at the site of an injury, and build new vessels at sites deprived of adequate blood supply.

The Emory team looked to see whether cell activity, and the properties of the blood vessels changed at different times of the day.

They tested 12 healthy middle aged volunteers every four hours throughout a 24-hour period. - BBC

The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed the petition filed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) seeking the reversal of the decision of the appellate court directing the AFP and the PNP to open their camps for inspection by the families of two missing individuals.

The minute resolution penned by Associate Justice Martin Villarama of the CA former 5th Division said the appellate court did not find sufficient basis to reverse its earlier ruling on the case.

Earlier, the CA granted the petition for writ of amparo filed by Leny and Lolita Robiños to bring to the court their missing relatives, Romulo Robiños and Ryan Supan.

The CA also directed former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. to stop harassing the two petitioners.

It also ordered the AFP and the PNP to open its detention facilities for inspection.

Ordered opened for inspection were the detention cells of the Philippine Army's 69th Infantry Battalion in Mexico, Pampanga, Bamban, Tarlac and its mother unit the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija, as well as the 24th IB detention centers in Limay, Bataan.

In their motion for reconsideration filed through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), both the AFP and the PNP argued that not all the portions of the said detention facilities can be opened for inspection due to security reasons.

The respondents also denied allegations that they abducted Robiños and Supan, explaining that the alleged kidnapping incident is now under investigation.

However, the CA maintained that the respondents did not present valid arguments to warrant the reversal of its Nov. 29, 2007 decision. - PNA

Inspired by the election of Sen. Barack Obama as President of the United States, Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay today accepted the challenge of various people’s organization for him to run for president in 2010.

Binay, who turned 66 years old today, said the "voters' revolution" will install a government that will restore the people's dignity, give priority to health care and education, look after the elderly, and promote transparency and accountability in government.

"This is our revolt -â€" a voters' revolution, a grand, all-or-nothing plan to rescue our orphaned Republic at sa araw na ito, kaarawan ko pa man din, muli kong iniaalay at ipinauubaya ang aking sarili sa ating mga kababayan, at tinatanggap ang inyong hamon na pamunuan ko ang ating himagsikan tungo sa isang maunlad at iginagalang na Pilipinas," he said on Tuesday in front of more than 2,000 supporters from the city and the provinces carrying streamers like "Obama of the Philippines" and "Jojo Binay for President" that gathered at 7 a.m. for a Thanksgiving Mass at the Makati City Hall quadrangle to mark his birthday.

Before speaking, Binay received from leaders of various people's organizations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao resolutions signed by their members, urging the opposition leader to run for president in 2010.

In accepting the resolutions, Binay said he has never rejected any challenge in his life, citing his appointment in February 1986 as acting mayor of Makati by former President Aquino.

The mayor's acceptance speech ended with the supporters releasing yellow and blue balloons with the print "Makati ngayon, Pilipinas bukas”

Binay is also the president of the United Opposition (UNO), National President of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) and National President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. (PNA)

The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted ranking officials of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Cagayan de Oro City who were charged for seizing three container vans bound for Japan.

Acquitted of the charges for violation of Section 2203 of the Tariff and Customs Code were Sr. Supt. Raul Basilio Donida Boac, Inspector Ramon Betuin Golong, SPO2 Cesar Fantone Beltran, SPO2 Roger Alcantara Basadre and SPO1 Benjamin Castañeda Alfonso.

The decision of the SC Second Division, in effect, reversed the ruling of the Sandiganbayan penalizing the accused with imprisonment of one year and disqualification from holding any government office.

The latter were also deprived of the right of suffrage and to run for any elective position for a period of 10 years.

The SC said that the anti-graft court erred in meting out the punishment because the accused were able to establish that they only did their duty and to ensure that no smuggling activities would take place within their jurisdiction. - PNA

The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs recently presented its “Distinguished Alumnus Award” for 2008 to Philippine ambassador to the Netherlands, Romeo Arguelles.

Arguelles had also been Ambassador to Japan, Germany and Peru.

The award recognizes Arguelles “for the professional service he had rendered to the Filipino people and the government of the Philippines.”

The award was presented in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on Oct. 24 by Prof. John Keeler, dean of the university’s Graduate School of Public Administration.

Keeler had earlier written Arguelles of his selection, noting that his remarkable career and professional accomplishments “brought honor to the school.”

Arguelles, said Keeler, is a role model for graduate students. - PNA

After resuming operations last week without the suitable permits and clearances, the city government of Pasay on Tuesday ordered the closure of the newly-rebuilt Baclaran Galleria shopping complex in Baclaran area.

The closure order will be served on Wednesday by Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) officer-in-charge Garry Domingo as a result of the recommendations of a BPLO team that inspected the building last Monday.

"The building itself is still under construction, but when we inspected it on Monday, there are already eight to ten stores that have opened, when, in fact, the city engineer office has yet to declare it safe for occupancy. Wala pa silang occupancy permit, at lahat nung nagbukas ng tindahan, wala pang mga business permits," the BPLO head told the PNA.

Domingo said the building complex still had no occupacy permit from the city engineer's office, and a business permit from the BPLO, when it partially opened last Saturday.

The reconstructed Baclaran Galleria mall, which was razed to the ground in a ten-hour fire last January 3, is owned and operated by the Quezon City-based Transnational Construction Corp. (TCC).

He said Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad has been apprised of the TCC's violations, and ordered a check if the company's real property tax payments are in order.

After serving the closure order, the BPLO will then forward the matter to the city's legal office for the filing of appropriate criminal charges, he added.

The building will only be allowed to reopen until the TCC has complied with the requirements.

The surprise inspection was conducted by the BPLO of the reconstructed Baclaran Galleria mall following the complaint filed by a group of nine former tenants who claimed to have been swindled by the TCC management. - PNA

Two years ago the price was around P120. I guess we have the most expensive cement price in Asia.

The committee on trade and industry of the House of Representatives will undertake a full-blown investigation into the reported upsurge on the price of cement in the country, for the purpose of preventing it from "spiraling uncontrollably."

The impending probe had been set in motion through House Resolution no. 625 filed by Quirino Rep. Junie E. Cua, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, who expressed concern over the constant and steady increase in cement prices since 2002.

The investigation aims to compel LaFarge, Holcim and CEMEX, the three leading manufacturers of cement in the country, to submit their "actual cost structures to determine if there is really excessive profiteering."

Cua said the congressional investigation is also aimed at determining the actual capacity utilization of cement plants to ascertain the real domestic supply situation.

He said the three cement manufacturers, which control over 80 percent of the market, dominate the cement industry in the Philippines.

LaFarge controls 31 to 32 percent of the market. Holcim also controls 30 to 31 percent, while CEMEX has a market share of 18 to 20 percent.

"LaFarge's, Holcim's and Cemex's control of the local market can be traced to their seemingly unimpeded acquisition of or investment into Filipino cement companies," Cua said.

Data from the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) revealed that there had been an 84 percent increase in the price of cement from 2002 to 2007.

Cua explained that the average prevailing price of cement per 40 kg/bag in December 2007 was P175 as compared to only P95 in December 2002. The cost of cement again increased in April this year by P5 to P8 per bag due to the surging prices of fuel and petroleum products.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Tuesday ordered the immediate implementation of the preventive suspension orders slapped by the Sandiganbayan on Western Samar Governor Milagrosa Tan and by the Office of the Ombudsman on Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia in connection with two separate complaints for graft and other criminal charges filed against them.

In separate directives, Puno ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional directors concerned to carry out the suspension of the local chief executives, in compliance with orders issued by the 4th division of the Sandiganbayan against Tan last Oct. 17 and by the Ombudsman against Garcia last Nov. 5.

At the same time, Puno directed Western Samar Vice Governor Jesus Redaja to assume the post of governor of the province in an acting capacity for the duration of Tan’s suspension, which will last 90 days as ordered by the anti-graft court.

In the case of Garcia, who was suspended for a period not exceeding six months without pay by the Ombudsman, Puno ordered Bataan Vice Governor Serafin Roman to assume the post of governor in an acting capacity.

The DILG chief likewise instructed the regional directors concerned to report on their compliance with the suspension orders within five days from the implementation of such directives to the Sandiganbayan in the case of Tan, and to the Ombudsman, in the case of Garcia.

“Let me point out that the DILG is merely implementing these preventive suspension orders issued by higher authorities against the two governors,” Puno said in a press briefing. “We are duty bound to comply immediately with these directives.”

The two governors were separately ordered by Puno to “cease and desist from further exercising the powers and performing the duties, functions and responsibilities” of their respective offices for the duration of their suspensions.

Besides Tan, the Sandiganbayan also placed on preventive suspension provincial administrative officer Rolando Montejo, provincial accountant Romeo Reales, provincial budget office Maximo Sison and property inspection officer Numeriano Legaspi in connection with eight counts of graft filed against them before the anti-graft court.

The Office of the Ombudsman lodged the cases at the Sandiganbayan against Tan and the four other public officials of Western Samar in 2004 based on the complaint of Fr. Noel Labendia, parish priest of the Diocese of Calbayog and founding leader of Isog Han Samar Movement, an anti-corruption group in the province.

The complainant accused Tan, Montejo, Reales, Sison and Legaspi of conspiring to approve the anomalous purchases of P16.1 million worth of supposed “emergency supplies” for typhoon victims of the province without the benefit of any public bidding.

In Garcia’s case, he and three other provincial officials of Bataan â€"- legal officer Aurelio Angeles Jr., treasurer Emerlinda Talento and administrator Rodolfo de Mesa -- were ordered suspended by the Ombudsman pending their trial on charges of plunder, falsification of public documents, and malversation of public funds in connection with the complaint filed against them for alleged involvement in the anomalous sale of a private property three years ago.

Puno also furnished Finance Secretary Margarito Teves a copy of the suspension orders against Garcia and the three other provincial officials since the provincial treasurer covered by the directive is under the latter’s office.

Puno asked the Department of Finance to inform the Ombudsman of its compliance with the Ombudsman’s directive.

According to the investigation conducted by the Ombudsman, the Bataan Provincial Government caused the tax delinquency sale in February 2004 of the properties of Sunrise Paper Products Industries, consisting of a paper plant and two parcels of land in Barangay Doña, Orani, Bataan.

The province acquired all the properties for the amount of tax delinquencies in accordance with RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, there being no bidder during the public auction.

On March 5, 2005, the Bataan Provincial Government moved for the consolidation of its titles over the properties. But on April 21, 2005, Sunrise assailed the validity of the tax auction of its properties before the Bataan Regional Trial Court.

Two other creditors of Sunrise also filed their interventions in the said civil case.

Although Sunrise and the Bataan Provincial Government later settled their claims amicably, Josechito Gonzaga, Ruel Masino and Alfredo Santos â€" all former workers of Sunrise -- filed graft charges against Garcia and the three other provincial officials of Bataan before the Ombudsman. - PNA

I love the Jewish people. God bless Israel. Peace and blessings to Jerusalem. God will never turn His back on Israel. The promise given to Abraham will live throughout history.

The Big 3 oil companies on Tuesday announced they will reduce the prices of liquefied petroleum gasoline (LPG) by as much as P6 per kilogram.

The announcement was made by giant oil firms Pilipinas Shell, Chevron and Petron.

On the other hand the Eastern Petroleum through its president Fernando Martinez revealed that they will be slashing their auto-gas by P2 per liter and will take effect 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The big LPG price adjustment of Shell would take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, bringing down the price of an 11-kilogram LPG tank by P66.

The similar price cut for Petron would be implemented an hour after Shell does or at 1 a.m. of Wednesday.

Petron officials said the new price cutback was triggered by the continued lowering of contract prices in the world market.

In all the successive price rollbacks, Petron has accumulated a total of P10 per kilogram rollback on its LPG products, P4 of which were slashed last week.

LPGMA President Arnel Ty, though explained that the call of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes for a bigger and more substantial price cut was “unlikely."

He said the request is difficult to implement because the figure that has been coming out is only the best price cutback they can give to their consumers. - PNA

By Joanne Santiago
PNA

The record high prices of oil and food in the international market that resulted in the volatilities in the capital markets did not dampen the growth of the domestic trust industry after it posted a double-digit growth in the first half of 2008.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in its Status Report on the Philippine Financial System for the first six months this year, said the trust industry grew by 10 percent this year.

It, however, said that this is a big drop from the 20.7 percent it posted during the same period in 2007 and the 34.9 percent in the second half of 2007.

BSP attributed the growth of the trust entities assets to the 25.1 percent expansion of investment management account (IMA), which, on the other hand, is a far cry from the 116.8 percent growth it registered during the same period last year.

Trust and other fiduciary accounts (TOFA) expanded faster from January to end-June this year at about 15.8 percent from the 12.7 percent year-ago, the central bank said.

Lower figures was also noted in the common trust funds/unit investment trust funds (CTFs/UITFs), which posted a 23.4 percent growth “as investors opted for higher yield trust products.”

“Risk-aversed client investors were drawn towards IMA, which were largely placed in the special deposit account,” the central bank reported.

From January to June this year, the industry’s assets and accountabilities totaled to P1.18 billion or a 10 percent jump amounting to P106.8 billion from year-ago’s P1.07 billion.

Trust resources during the same period had a 22.1 percent share of on-balance sheet accounts of the country’s financial system.

Universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) remained the industry’s prime mover as they account for 94.5 percent to the sector’s total assets. U/KBs’ total asset during the period grew by 13.3 percent to P1.11 trillion from year-ago’s P982.2 billion.

The two chambers of the 14th Congress -- the Senate and the House of Representatives -- clashed over the issue as to where the former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante would appear first for the investigation on the P728-million fertilizer fund mess.

Palawan Rep. Abraham Kahlil Mitra, chairman of the agriculture committee, in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, confirmed that Bolante received personally and signed the invitation of the House for him to appear in its investigation on the fertilizer fund scam issue which starts on Wednesday.

He however said that Bolante wrote to him, of which a copy of the letter were distributed to media, saying that much as he (Bolante) would like to contribute to the success of the hearing, he is presently under the custody of the Senate because of a warrant of arrest issued against him on December 12, 2005, and therefore not in a position to honor the invitation of the Lower House.

Bolante asked the agriculture committee to help him secure the necessary clearance from the Senate for him to attend the House probe and to give him a copy of the questions to be asked so he may know the scope to be covered by the House inquiry.

Mitra however stressed that the House of Representatives "don't need to ask permission of the Senate for Bolante to appear in House hearings."

"We can conduct our own investigation regarding the fertilizer fund mess," he said.

Senator Manuel Roxas II earlier said he expects "inter-parliamentary courtesy" to prevail in the plan of the House of Representatives to invite Bolante in its probe ahead of the Senate inquiry which is scheduled on Thursday.

"Si Joc-Joc haharap sa Senado sa Huwebes. Si Joc-Joc ay nasa Senate custody ngayon at may inter-parliamentary courtesy naman (Bolante will face the Senate on Thursday. He is under Senate custody and there is inter-parliamentary courtesy)," Roxas said in a radio interview. - PNA

The committee on Constitutional amendments at the House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to conduct public consultations on Charter change (Cha-cha) as its members failed to concur on whether to push through with amending the 1987 Constitution.

Panel chair Rep. Victor Ortega, during the hearing this afternoon, said representatives from various sectors, including the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), will be invited for the public consultations to be held on November 25.

He also urged other congressmen to invite whomever they deem necessary for the public forum so the House panel can thresh out the different arguments on the controversial issue.

Several congressmen, during the hearing, presented the results of their informal consultations with their constituents when they had a month-long recess, with majority saying their people favor Charter change.

Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia said, "there is really no serious need for consultations on whether we need Charter Change or not. The need for change in the Constitution is obvious."

"As of now, the vote to amend the Constitution does not depend on the people. It is with us, and we represent the people... It is a question of political will on the part of the House and on the part of the Senate," he said.

On the other hand, 4th District Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino said the House panel must first identify provisions in the Constitution that may be changed or amended before asking the public to decide whether they favor Charter change.

"I believe the need for change has already been established... I think it's more effective for us to come up with a manner by which to effect Cha-cha, but at the same time mitigate the suspicions (that it will be used to extend terms)," he said.

For his part, opposition lawmakers such as Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez maintained that public consultations must be exhausted before the House panel can decide on whether to push through with Charter Change. - PNA

Twenty-three more Filipino seafarers were kidnapped by pirates in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia on November 10 (Manila time), bringing to 89 the number of Filipino seaman still held in the area, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The latest victims, aboard the chemical tanker “M/T Stolt Strength,” were reported by the Philippine embassy in Nairobi as unharmed, DFA spokesman Claro Cristobal said today. The tanker flies the Philippine flag. Nairobi is the nearest Philippine embassy to Somalia, which has a paralyzed government.

Still in Somalian hands are the Filipino crewmembers of “MT African Sanderling” (21 Filipinos), seized on Oct. 15; “MT Stolt Valor” (two Filipinos), seized on Sept. 15;; “MV Centauri” (26 Filipinos), seized Sept. 17; and the “MV Capt. Stephanos” (17 Filipinos), seized on Sept. 21.

As in previous cases of piracy and kidnapping, the DFA disclaims any payment of ransom, but it is widely believed that manning agencies and operators pay millions in dollars. - PNA

By Helen Flores 
Philippine Star

Divers yesterday recovered 17 more bodies from the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars, bringing to 192 the total number of bodies so far retrieved, Coast Guard officials said.

Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Philippine Coast Guard commandant, said divers of the local salvaging firm Harbor Star found the 17 bodies on the navigation deck of the 23,000-gross-ton vessel.

The M/V Princess of the Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines Inc., capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon last June 21 at the height of typhoon “Frank.”

The Cebu-bound vessel entered the eye of Frank and was buffeted by strong winds and waves, causing it to tilt by 40 degrees to its port side (left side) and turn over completely.

There were more than 800 people on board the vessel. The Coast Guard said at least 33 survived the sea tragedy, more than 200 were confirmed dead, and about 515 remain missing.

Meanwhile, Tamayo said the Coast Guard rescued all 11 crewmembers of M/V Carnel-5 that capsized off Lubang Island over the weekend.

The Caloocan City Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) has reported a total of 1,255 additional establishments that opened for business for the third quarter. 

Mayor Enrico Echiverri said the increase in investments represents a 7.8 percent growth in the city’s economic activity, bringing the total number of businesses to 16,104 from 14,849 previously registered establishments by the BPLO.

The BPLO said the highest increase was in the general merchandise category, with 552 newly registered firms bringing the total to 7,378 businesses.

Businesses belonging to general contractor and services posted 419 new registrations for a total of 4,589 firms, the mayor said.

There were 74 new eateries, bringing the total of food establishments to 535.

Real estate firms recorded a 6.2 percent growth; amusement firms, 4.92 percent; manufacturing, 3.78 percent; and import-export firms, 2.65 percent increase.

Miscellaneous and other businesses posted a 10.9 percent increase.

By Reinir Padua
Philippine Star

A man killed his ex-girlfriend’s live-in partner at past midnight yesterday after she spurned him when he tried to woo her back.

Eddie Miras, 32, was arrested at 10 a.m. yesterday when he asked his former girlfriend, Arne Casabon, to meet him at a park in Quezon City hours after he stabbed dead Wilson Lopez, 34.

“He (Miras) sent me a text message and asked where I was and if I was alone. He wanted me to meet with him at the Quezon Memorial Circle. He didn’t know that I was already with the police,” Casabon said.

Casabon said she and Lopez have a child and had been together for almost eight years. She said she ended her affair with Miras when she met Lopez.

“But he (Miras) wouldn’t let me go and would still send me text messages,” she said.

According to case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Mario Turiano, the incident happened just outside the house occupied by Casabon and Lopez on Banlat Road in Barangay Tandang Sora at around 1 a.m. yesterday.

Miras showed up at the house, asking Casabon if they could get back together. Moments later, Lopez arrived from work and saw Miras, a sight that irritated him, according to Turiano. He left the house to buy beer at a nearby store.

By Reinir Padua
Philippine Star

A politician from Negros is reportedly funding a robbery gang operating in Metro Manila, police said yesterday following the arrest of two alleged gangmen.

“We received information that a politician in Negros is acting as a financier of this robbery group,” Superintendent Franklin Moises Mabanag, Quezon City police Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief, told The STAR.

Police arrested Edgar Mellama and Kenny Relos last Nov. 5 during a stakeout of a house in Dupax Compound, Barangay Bagbag in Novaliches,

Mellama and Relos, who are residents of Dasmariñas, Cavite, are originally from Escalante, Negros Occidental.

When they were arrested, police seized from them an Armscor .38 caliber revolver and an MK4 fragmentation grenade.

A team led by Superintendent Antonio Yarra and Chief Inspector Enrico Figueroa conducted the stakeout after receiving a tip that a robbery gang was using a house owned by a certain Pat as a hideout, Figueroa said.

Two witnesses to a recent robbery at the Balintawak branch of Wilcon Builders have identified Mellama and Relos as among those who barged into the store, Figueroa added.

Mellama has pending arrest warrants issued by a Negros Occidental court for murder, illegal possession of firearm, and theft cases earlier this year, Figueroa said.

The owner of an Indian food store in Bristol has received an apology letter and £100 from a former drug addict who stole cigarettes from the shop in 2001.

Imran Ahmed, 27, who runs Raja Foods in St Marks Road, Easton, said he was stunned to open the remorseful letter.

It begins: "Dear Sirs, I am writing this letter to make amends to you for something I have done in the past."

Mr Ahmed said the thief's change of heart was "really good" and he intends to give the money to a drugs' charity.

The thief's letter continues: "About seven years ago I was walking past your shop late one night when I noticed that someone had broken into it.

Make amends

"I used this opportunity to enter your shop where I stole 400 cigarettes. The money enclosed (£100) is to pay for those cigarettes which I stole from you.

"At that time I was heavily using drugs and my life was in a mess, now I no longer use drugs and I strive to lead a decent and honest life.

"As part of my ongoing recovery I try to put right all of the wrongs I have done in the past, at least where I can, and this is why I am giving you back the money which I stole from you.

"I regret the harm I caused you in the past and I sincerely apologise to you for it.

"I was very wrong to do this and I hope that returning the money will make up for this harm, at least in some small way." - BBC

P.S. Maayo unta ug ing-ani ang mga politiko sa Pilipinas.

Hi Gener,

Everyone is welcome here. Feel free to roam around.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a proposed measure, which seeks to enhance the country's global competitiveness in telecommunications services.

House Bill no. 3040 authored by Reps. Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas) and Ferjenel Biron (4th District, Iloilo) grants the Convergence Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. (CICTSI) a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain telecommunications systems throughout the country.

Mandanas, chairman of the House Committee on Southern Tagalog Development, said the CICTSI intends to do its share in improving and augmenting the present telecommunications system in the country by availing of state-of-the-art and appropriate technologies that would allow the most effective and efficient delivery of its services to many Filipinos especially those in the countryside.

Telecommunications is as vital as the country's natural resources. "For the country to cope with the growing demand for such services, we must open new doors to promote the upliftment and improvement of our present telecommunications system," he said.

"Telecommunications services provide a unifying, uplifting and democratizing force for a country like the Philippines with a widely dispersed population and an uneven level of development," he added.

Under the measure, the CICTSI shall establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, throughout the country and between the Philippines and other countries, wireless telecommunications systems including mobiles, cellulars, pagers, fiber optics, multi-channel multi-point distribution system (MMDS), local multi-point distribution system (LMDS), satellite transmit-and-receive systems and other value-added services of telecommunications systems technologies that are convenient or essential to efficiently carry out the purpose of the said franchise. - PNA

Thank you for the info, Ging. It's absolutely true. I have an eerie feeling reading your post.

I agree with you, Raquel. Give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and give to God what is due to God, Jesus said in the Gospel. Jesus paid his tax to the Roman government.

I haven't read any posts in which Vito touted his blessed singleness. Mrs. Truty, try to visit the two other forum sites where Vito is frequenting.

This man never gives up. Hope is alive in his soul. May Christ pour out His grace upon this man.

Gov. Felipe Nava and some 500 of his constituents were among the thousands of passengers who were stranded in various city ports here late Thursday afternoon due to Typhoon Quinta.

These stranded islanders were on their way home to Guimaras province, barely 15 minutes travel onboard the motorized passenger vessels from mainland Iloilo, but were stranded after the Coast Guard authorities here cancelled early Thursday afternoon all ferry vessels plying Iloilo-Guimaras and vice versa due to rough seas brought about by the storm.

Gov. Nava said some 350 passengers have been stranded at Brgy. Ortiz jetty port while 150 more at the Parola port along Fort San Pedro area.

Stranded passengers had to pass the night elsewhere at the Iloilo port with food assistance provided by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) here and Gov. Nava himself.

The Guimaras governor likewise confirmed that there were also stranded passengers at the Guimaras port on their way to mainland Iloilo. They were, however, brought to the Guimaras Provincial Capitol for accommodation.

The Coast Guard here has ordered the grounding of all inter-island passenger vessels throughout Western Visayas after the PAGASA placed the city and province of Iloilo and neighboring provinces in Panay island and across Negros island under storm signal number 1. - PNA

You have the point, GEC. The text says "what he did was displeasing to the Lord." I believe it was the act of adultery that displeased God. Onan's spilling his semen to the ground was only consequential to his primary sin, which is sleeping with his brother's wife, because he feared pregnancy.

What was there to spill if, in the first place, he did not sleep with his sister-in-law?

The Bible is not so clear on whether withdrawal constitutes sin.

How about a rape victim who bears a child from a rapist? If the rapist spilled his semen to the ground to avoid pregnancy, will that act make the rapist less devilish?

The question now is: which is sin? The act of raping? Or the act of spilling the semen to the ground?

Mothers in Kenya have marked Barack Obama's historic win in the US presidential elections by naming their newborns after him and his wife.

More than half of the babies born in a Kisumu Hospital on the day after the election were named either Barack or Michelle Obama.

Kisumu is close to the village where Mr Obama's father was born and raised and Mr Obama is a local hero.

The region erupted in celebration after he won the race for the White House.

Out of 15 babies born in the New Nyanza Provincial Hospital in the western city of Kisumu on Wednesday, five boys were named Barack Obama and three girls were called Michelle.

Pamela Adhiambo, who gave birth to twins â€" a boy and a girl - on the night after the elections, named them Barack and Michelle Obama.

"I made up my mind to name them long before the elections, and even if Obama had not won, I would still have done the same," she said.

Some of the mothers said they admired the couple and hoped that their children would be inspired to reach for great heights by sharing the names. - BBC

The Panay Electric Company (PECO) has assured refunds of meter deposits, including interest estimated to be more than P30 million, to almost 18,000 power consumers in this city starting early next year.

This was announced by PECO spokesman Randy Pastolero, after seeing this week city mayor Jerry P. Treñas here to assure of the refund as ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Pastolero said that PECO is currently updating the list of bonafide power meter depositors and may adopt the policy of Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) in giving priority payment to its consumers posting less than 100 kilowatthour power consumption.

In Iloilo City, power consumers posting less than 100 KWH consumption may run up to more than 17,000 concessionaires and the refund of meter deposits will hopefully start by January 15, 2009.

Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) reiterated its 2007 order to all power distribution utilities in the country to submit collection of meter deposits by consumers in their respective areas.

The order came on the heels of Resolution No. 2008-1259 of the Iloilo City Sangguniang Panlungsod, seeking ERC’s opinion and intervention on the refund of meter deposits collected by PECO in the city. - PNA

The Provincial Board of Negros Oriental will hold a public hearing on Thursday in aid of legislation, of an ordinance that seeks to regulate the conduct of medical missions, fact-finding missions and similar activities in Negros Oriental.

Board Member Mellimore Saycon, peace and order committee chair, said the activity will support the proposed ordinance that he has authored and submitted to the legislative body.

To recall, special investigator Jess Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) had suggested during a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting last month that medical missions and similar civic activities carried out in Negros Oriental be regulated.

His recommendation stemmed from heightened media publicity in the region on questions surrounding the death of a young nurse during an encounter between New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and military troopers last September 18 in southern Negros Oriental.

In that incident, 21-year-old Rachelle Palang of Consolacion, Cebu was among the three suspected NPA rebels killed, although her family had insisted that she was on a medical mission here.

But the military said Palang was allegedly carrying a firearm during the encounter. - PNA

 Budol Budol gang is on the loose in Bicol to loot small business and individual folks with their 'shining' deceit, various police offices warned.

Reports reaching the regional police office said the group has duped at least four persons in Daet town in Camarines Norte.

The notorious gang, known for their modus operandi of deceiving targets with stacks of ordinary papers disguised as bundles of money, had victimized Roderick Dejeto, 19, of Magallanes Iraya village, this town; Raymart Abejo; Zharina Saavedra, 14, student of Vinzons Pilot High School; and Marvin Guelas, 17, student of Lourdes College.

The police said the gang had fooled Dejeto before victimizing the three others.

Investigators said that the elements of the gang had tricked the victims into believing that they (gang members) were looking for a delivery truck to transport their merchandise. After which, another person, who was found out later to be part of the group, approached them and offered help to transport the supposed merchandise.

The gang members, who have not yet been identified, then asked for the victims’ personal belongings, including their mobile phones, in exchange for bundles of money purportedly amounting to P15,000 â€" supposedly meant as a guarantee.

After they had given some of their personal belongings, the victims said the gang members, acting as if they were real merchants, ran away, leaving behind the “money bags,” which they found out later to be mere stacks of paper. - PNA

I worked in Davao City for nearly 2 and a half years and I never had any typhoon experience.

Nine passengers were killed while an undetermined number remained missing after a passenger boat, "Roliv IV", capsized some 200 meters off the shore of Sitio Ulpok, Barangay Maliogliog, Bagongon Island of Concepcion town, around 12:00 o’clock Thursday noon.

This was disclosed by Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias, a native of Concepcion town, after he was informed of the incident noontime today.

Assistant Secretary Banias said Bagongon Island is one of the island barangays of Concepcion, located some 12 kilometers away from the town proper.

The passengers went to the town proper morning of the same day since it’s a market day.

Banias said, probably they were not informed about tropical depression Quinta such that they hurried to go home at around noontime.

When pumpboat Roliv IV was about 200 meters away from the shore, one of its outriggers was hit by big waves, causing the pumpboat to capsize.

Those who were killed were identified as Gigi Villaran, Tonya de la Cruz, Juanito Musico, Shiela Olano, Miriam Salundagit, Carmen Padrillan, Aida Libre, Cana Caberoy and Jerson Caberoy. - PNA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xtpw9341KA

Filipino Nurses Abused by Recruitment Agencies? Sad truth...

The Australian embassy in Manila has confirmed reports that four members of an Australian family in the resort island of Boracay are being detained by armed "thugs" since Wednesday night.

Embassy press officer Kiel Enrique said the family has contacted Manila and consular assistance is being extended to the family of four "to ensure their welfare and safety."

The head of the family, Greg Hutchinson, said the family is being held against its will in their own apartment at the resort hotel named "SandCastle."

Australian Greg Hutchinson, who reportedly still has 11 years remaining of a 30-year lease on the luxury resort, claimed that electrical and telephone connections to his apartment were cut off and the emergency exit blocked with an industrial gas cylinder, an explosive equipment.

Enrique also said the embassy’s consul is in communication with local police who had advised that “officers were on the scene to resolve the matter.”

Hutchinson indicated in earlier reports that the Wednesday caper is an "organized campaign" to force him out of Boracay. "This type of intimidation has been going on for three years," he said, and he thought it would go.

The police chief of Boracay, Col. Arnold Ardiente, reportedly claimed he had offered Hutchinson and his family safe passage out of the resort but that they refused to leave and are waiting for their lawyer.

The armed men, masked in balaclavas, reportedly did not fire a shot but the sight of them brandishing their weapons as they forced their way into the property frightened the staff and guests who then scampered away. - PNA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQtWylEOhAs

Bol-anon Teachers of the Third District Renews Service Commitment. Video by Nestor Daarol.

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 28, was crowned king of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan on Thursday, becoming the world's youngest reigning monarch.

At a ceremony in the white-walled Golden Throne Room at Tashichhodzong, the seat of the government, Wangchuck was crowned by his father Jigme Singhe Wangchuck.

The king has received the title of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King.

His 52-year-old father abdicated two years ago, as part of a series of reforms to turn the country into a democracy.

The country, home to less than 700,000, held its first democratic election for a new prime minister and parliament in March this year.

Celebrations in Bhutan will last for three days.

Recent mishaps involving inter-island vessels and ensuing poor and inadequate rescue operations at sea has dented Philippine tourism anew with the British embassy on Thursday advising British tourists against traveling by sea.

“You (British people) should be aware that maritime rescue services in the Philippines may not be as comprehensive as they might be in the United Kingdom,” the advisory said. It noted that “inter-island travel by small boats can be dangerous as storms appear quickly.”

The embassy also advised its estimated annual 70,000 British tourists to “include safety measures in all your travel plans. Seek advice from local contacts, avoid travel off the beaten track and always leave travel plans with friends, colleagues or relatives. Safety standards on taxis, buses and boats can be low.”

The advisory came after the passenger ferry boat “MB Don Dexter Cathlyn” sank off Masbate island on its way to Sorsogon province on Monday, reportedly due to bad weather and overloading. More than 40 people are confirmed dead, and a few still missing.

Last June, the headline-hogging sinking of the ship, “MV Princess of the Stars” off the Sibuyan Coast in Romblon, caused the death of more than 700 passengers. Rough seas due to typhoon “Fengshen” overpowered the ship and caused it to keel.

 The Philippine peso lost P0.49 to 48.55 against the US dollar Thursday on news of more negative figures on US economy.

The unit’s performance during the day is contrary to how it fared Wednesday when it closed at 48.06, which is an improvement of P0.35 against Tuesday’s finish on news that US Senator Barack Obama won the US presidency.

At the Philippine Dealing System, the unit opened at 48.50, lower than the previous day’s 48.10.

Highest trading level for the day stood at 48.15 while weakest was at 48.56.

This placed the average at 48.48, weaker than day-ago’s 48.07.

Total volume of trade continue to decline at $ 548.47 million from the previous day’s $ 775.1 million.

Traders said remittances of overseas Filipinos in time for the holiday season failed to bouy the local currency as the global financial crisis continues. - PNA

An Abu Sayyaf Group sub-leader who carries a P2-million bounty for his capture was arrested by Marine troops in the province of Sulu on Wednesday.

Joint Task Force Comet Commander Maj. Gen. Juancho M. Sabban identified the bandit as Sakirin Andalan Sali alias Kirih-Kirih, 44, a resident of Brgy Gagguil, Panglima Estino.

The Marine operatives apprehended Sali, who was positively identified by his former comrade under ASG Commander Galib Andang alias Robot, at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at Brgy. Walled City, Jolo municipality. He has a standing arrest warrant for multiple murders and frustrated murder.

Sabban said the arrest is the result of the government's continuous manhunt operations on the remaining leaders and members of the bandit group. - PNA

A Chinese drug safety watchdog has halted all production at the Wandashan Pharmaceutical Company in northeastern Heilongjiang Province after it sold contaminated drugs.

At a press conference on Thursday, the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) said Wandashan was the manufacturer of an herbal injection suspected of causing three deaths last month.

"This is a serious incident caused by drug contamination," said Yan Jiangying, SFDA spokeswoman.

The herbal injection product, known as ciwujia, was soaked by rain while in storage and thus contaminated by bacteria. It happened in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, during a storm on July 1 of this year, Yan said.

The Wandashan Pharmaceutical Company's salesperson in Yunnan, surnamed Zhang, sold the contaminated products after changing packaging with new labels forwarded by the company.

"The company's action seriously violated the drug management law and it should be punished for producing the drug," Yan added.

The Eee PC has a sturdy display with a high-resolution screen. At 1024 x 600 pixels, images are clear and sharp, making it more comfortable on the eyes reading and editing documents. On the top of this screen is the 1.3 Megapixel Webcamera that works synchronously with the 802.11g wireless to provide web conferencing anywhere, anytime for easier web communications and increased work efficiency. 160GB of storage allows you to easily manage photos, music and data files more efficiently.

The exclusive Super Hyper Engine, technology found only in the Eee PC, is incredibly efficient and saves up to 15% of power. Preinstalled on the Eee PC to provide you a familiar interface is Microsoft's Windows XP Home, Windows Live Messenger and Works for numerous office applications, that allows anyone to learn, work and play. With all of these features the Asus Eee PC makes for a fantastic purchase as a well-equipped second notebook or a Web access tool, so beat the crowds, and get yours today before they sell out! Intel UMA Graphics Card 0.3 Megapixel Webcamera WiFi 802.11b/g Wireless 10/100Mbps LAN Hi-Definition Audio Speakers and Microphone Memory Card Slot - MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD) Card, SDHC Connections - 3 x USB, VGA, Headphone, Microphone, RJ-45 (LAN) Approximate Unit Dimensions - 8.86 (W) x 6.69 (D) x 0.79 ~ 1.33 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 2.49 Pounds

To read more laptop reviews, click here

The Asus Eee PC 1000H provides the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body with an extra-large 10-inch screen, and is now powered by the latest Intel mobile processor. Designed specifically for mobile devices, the 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor uses a brand new design structure new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--to conserve energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. Coupled with the ASUS exclusive Super Hybrid Engine, you'll also enjoy up to 7 hours of battery life with this Windows-powered laptop.
To read more of Asus laptop review, click here

Stylishly and intelligently designed for mobile professionals, Apple's MacBook Pro now includes Apple's Multi-Touch technology (which debuted with the MacBook Air), allowing you to pinch, swipe, or rotate to enlarge text, advance through photos, or adjust an image. And it gets a serious speed bump from Intel's latest 2.4 GHz 45-nanometer Penryn series Core 2 Duo processor, which also helps to reduce power requirements and save on battery life. This model (MB133LL/A ) also has a mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display measuring 15.4 inches and a state-of-the art NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT video card with 256 MB of GDDR3 video RAM. Click Here to read more of this Apple MacBook Pro Review

A great choice for business travelers who like to travel light as well as those who need extra-long battery life, this affordable ultra-lightweight Acer Aspire One (LU.S040B.162) weighs just over 2 pounds and is packed with a 160 GB hard drive and Windows XP operating system. It has a vibrant 8.9-inch CrystalBrite WSVGA LED backlit display, integrated webcam for easy video chatting, and Intel's latest mobile processor--the Atom. Offering a cool deep blue hue, the netbook's smooth surface is comfortable to touch, and it's accented with distinctive details, such as the attractive orange hinge ring.



To read more laptop review, click here

Acer redefines mobile connectivity with the Aspire one, a netbook (or mini-notebook) packed with fun and powerful computing features in a diminutive 8.9" form factor weighing as little as 2.2 lb. Aimed at business professionals, students and world travelers, it offers a choice of operating systems, wireless connectivity, Internet access, built-in webcam and the storage space needed for digital photos. It's time to simplify your life with the Aspire one.

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    * CPU: Intel Core Solo 1.6 GHz
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    * One free mini PCI slot for WWAN, 160GB hard drive (2.2 pounds)

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The man behind Jurassic Park novel passes away. Farewell Michael Crichton.


John Michael Crichton, M.D. pronounced /ˈkraɪtÉ™n/ [1], (October 23, 1942 â€" November 4, 2008 was an American author, film producer, film director, medical doctor, and television producer best known for his science fiction and techno-thriller novels, films, and television programs. His books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. His works were usually based on the action genre and heavily feature technology.

Many of his future history novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and science background. He was the author of The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Disclosure, Timeline, State of Fear, Prey, and Next. He was also the creator of ER, but most famous for being the author of Jurassic Park, and its sequel The Lost World, both adapted into high grossing films and leading to the very successful franchise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSYla0y9Wcs

Author Michael Crichton Talks on DDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noec6Xkx73k

Michael Crichton's View on Global Warming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv9OSxTy1aU

Novelist Michael Crichton Talks on Environment

An Auckland man whose rape victim drove him to the police station while he slept has been found guilty of the crime by a district court jury.

Vipul Romik Sharma, 22, was found guilty of abduction and two counts of sexual violation by rape yesterday after a four-day trial in the Auckland District Court.

He was acquitted of one charge of threatening to kill.

Sharma met the woman at a central city bar and, with another man, drove her first to Mission Bay and then to a South Auckland park where he raped her in the back seat of his car.

After the attack he allowed her to drive and fell asleep in the passenger seat - so she drove him to Auckland Central police station where she raised the alarm. - New Zealand Herald

Quote from: insurectus on November 06, 2008, 01:15:48 AM
I heard Obama hates outsourcing jobs

In his acceptance speech during the Democrats National Convention, Obama said he will impose more tax to US companies that outsource jobs.

It's a myth. Your memory will remain intact, but your mode won't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXkBuWNx88

Victory Speech of Barack Obama