MikeLigalig.com

By Colby Martin

Colombian security forces attacked a camp belonging to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on March 26 in Vistahermosa, Meta department, killing 36 members of the guerrilla group and capturing three. The operation, which Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said resulted in the deaths of more FARC members than any other single strike in the 50-year-long conflict between the Colombian government and Marxist guerrilla groups, came shortly after a similar action in Arauca state in which 33 FARC members were killed and 12 were captured.

The operations were launched as part of an aggressive new Colombian counterinsurgency strategy dubbed Operation Espada de Honor ("Sword of Honor"), created in response to the increasing violent activity by the country's guerrilla groups. The plan expands the list of targets for security forces and the locations where they will engage guerrillas, with the goal of crippling the FARC both militarily and financially.

Espada de Honor is the latest of several plans by the Colombian government to combat militancy in the country. To fully understand the plan and its implications, it is helpful to examine the nature of Colombia's guerrilla groups, previous government counterinsurgency strategies and how the FARC has reacted to them.

There is no place like home. When all has been said and done, we shall all return to our roots.

By Delfin Mallari Jr.
PDI

MAUBAN, Quezonâ€"Mauban, a first-class municipality in Quezon, is finding cash in trash in what seems to be a thousand and one ways.
From discarded candy wrappers, juice packs, soft-drink plastic straws and other items, curtains, comforter, throw pillows, bags, hollow blocks and assorted things are coming out at the end of the production line.

“If the garbage item is recyclable, we will find ways to convert it into something useful,” said Erly Reasonda, head of the municipal environment and natural resources office.

She showed empty juice packs filled up with plastic trash sewn together to become a “comforter,” a soft, sturdy item that may serve as protective mat for baby baths and bedridden adults.

By Fernando del Mundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Coconut farmers can kiss goodbye their hopes of recovering nearly P60 billion worth of shares in San Miguel Corp. (SMC). The Supreme Court slammed the door to any further judicial action concerning a 20-percent bloc of SMC shares when it issued an “entry of judgment” after declaring on April 12, 2011, that the contested portfolio belonged to Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, current chairman of the highly diversified conglomerate and uncle of President Benigno Aquino III.

A six-page entry of judgment notice dated March 16 on Cojuangco’s SMC shares was sent on Tuesday to the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which sequestered the package after SMC stock certificates in blank were found in a Malacañang vault on the night the dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted during the 1986 People Power Revolution.

By Christine O. Avendaño, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The administration will field candidates in next year’s midterm elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and to make sure the elections will be clean, Malacañang wants the voter rolls in all of the region’s five provinces scrapped and replaced through a new registration of voters.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday during a break in discussions in Malacañang of the government’s preparations for the midterms, President Benigno Aquino III said he would make sure his administration’s ARMM candidates would be “those who share the same vision that we do have.”

By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Presidential adviser Nereus Acosta has asked the Sandiganbayan to review the Ombudsman’s decision to allow his aunt and co-accused, Nemia Bornidor, to turn state witness in a graft case against them. In a motion, Acosta and his mother Socorro, another co-accused,  alleged that Bornidor’s affidavit was “worthless” because she had offered them her affidavit “for sale.”

The Acostas and Bornidor are facing graft charges in connection with the alleged diversion of farm equipment purchased through Nereus’ priority development assistance funds, commonly known as pork barrel, when he was a Bukidnon lawmaker.

Every Filipino carries with him/her the image/reputation of the Philippines.

By Ruel Perez
Radyo Inquirer 990AM

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.  on Wednesday accused lawyers from the agency he used to head of “conspiring” to keep him in jail on charges of electoral sabotage in the 2007 elections.

In an emotional scene, Abalos berated Comelec lawyers led by Maria Juana Valeza, who attended hearing for his application for bail at the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 117 in Pasay City. Abalos was also dismayed when the court reset the bail hearing for April 18 after the prosecution witness, former Comelec executive Lilian Suan-Radam, was absent due to an ailment.

Boxing sensation and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao now plans to transfer his tax registration to either Manila or Laguna in protest of what he perceived was harassment done by a regional director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against him. In a text message,  Pacquiao’s chief of staff Franklin Gacal Jr. confirmed the plan, saying: “We will definitely transfer.” When the Philippine Daily Inquirer asked where, Gacal said “Laguna or Manila.” - source: PDI

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said the government has made headway in the dismantling of private armed groups more than a year before the mid-term elections in 2013.

Mr. Aquino said he recently had a meeting with concerned officials on the government’s operations against private armies and was informed that at least one group in Kalinga had been “neutralized.”

We Filipinos must learn to appreciate root crops which are more nutritious and delicious than rice.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xirfhb_watch-the-official-straw-dogs-trailer-in-theaters-sept-16_shortfilms
Straw Dogs Video Clip Preview

by DJ Yap
PDI

CruzIf the neighborhood precinct suddenly goes dark on Saturday night, do not fear. The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday announced it was joining Earth Hour 2012 by switching off lights for one hour in all its units and offices across the country on March 31 as a way to save on power.

“By switching off the lights and unnecessary electrical equipment in all units/offices, the PNP takes its share in mitigating the effects of climate change as it encourages PNP networks and communities nationwide to commit one hour as support to the event,” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.

By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on Wednesday ordered the relief of the chiefs of police of three towns in his home province of Camarines Sur for their reported failure to stop the proliferation of the illegal numbers game “jueteng” in their areas.

Sacked were Chief Inspector Benjamin Espana, chief of the Calabanga town police; Chief Inspector Ely Compuesto Jr., chief of Pili town police; and Senior Inspector Victor E. Azuela, acting chief of police of Bato town.

“We have a standing ‘One Strike Policy’ against Chiefs of Police who  are remiss in their duty to curb illegal gambling activities in their areas of responsibility,” Robredo said in a statement Wednesday.

By Amy R. Remo, Cathy C. Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Power consumers should brace themselves for higher electricity rates starting May as the Energy Regulatory Commission allowed state-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) to jack up its generation charges in Luzon, the Visayas and even in brownout-plagued Mindanao.

The ERC approved the increases in generation charges by 69.04 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh) in Luzon, 60.60 centavos per kWh in the Visayas, and 4.42 centavos per kWh in Mindanao. Currently, Napocor’s effective rate is P5.0160 per kWh in Luzon, P4.0740 per kWh in the Visayas and P2.9321 per kWh in Mindanao.

By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Supreme Court has blocked anew the government’s plan to present more evidence in a sequestration case it filed against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and several others in connection with their purchase of majority shares of a telecommunications company.

Maintaining its earlier vote of 7-7, the high tribunal dismissed for lack of merit the appeal of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) seeking a reversal of the Feb. 7, 2002, ruling of the Sandiganbayan which disallowed the deposition of Maurice Bane as additional evidence in the PCGG’s bid to take control of Eastern Telecommunications Phils. Inc. (ETPI).

The high court also dismissed the government’s motion asking Chief Justice Renato Corona to inhibit himself from the case after he was impeached by the House of Representatives.

By Dona Z. Pazzibugan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Despite the recommendations of an Army panel, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to begin court-martial proceedings against four Army commanders in connection with the Oct. 18, 2011 deaths of 19 soldiers in an encounter with Muslim secessionist rebels in Al Barka, Basilan.

AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa received the panel’s findings at the end of January but he has yet to act on it.
In a phone interview with reporters Wednesday, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista, head of the Army, admitted that the pretrial panel had recommended the case for military trial.

By Cathy Yamsuan
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senators disagree over whether Congress should grant President Benigno Aquino III special powers to deal with the power crisis in Mindanao.

Senator Panfilo Lacson claimed he heard the President himself say during a party hosted by Cavite Representative Ayong Maliksi that the administration “is already addressing the problem” that Mr. Aquino blamed on “decades of neglect, including failure to upgrade very old and obsolete equipment.”
“I bet those who are proposing such special powers don’t even have an idea of what powers they are talking about,” Lacson said.

by TJ Burgonio, PDI

Even United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) and United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp. (Cocolife) appear to be keen on “cashing in” on the 24-percent block of shares in San Miguel Corp. (SMC) that is awaiting final resolution in the Supreme Court.

Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Andres Bautista confirmed that UCPB and Cocolife had made a P15-billion “claim” on the SMC portfolio during last Friday’s dialogue with the coconut farmers, said Danilo Carranza, secretary general of Katarungan, a farmers’ federation.

Carranza wondered why UCPB and Cocolife wanted to dip into the block of shares when the court had already awarded this to the government for the benefit of the farmers.

by PDI

In December 2008, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) shut down 13 rural banks under the Legacy Group of Companies for being insolvent and for engaging in unsound practices.

The banks, which had a combined P14.03 billion in insured deposits in 132,642 bank accounts, were placed under the receivership of Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC). The closure of the banks prompted the filing of a string of charges against Legacy group founder and owner Celso de los Angeles Jr. and other Legacy bank officials.

De los Angeles denied any wrongdoing and blamed interference by regulators, unfair media reporting, extortion and adverse global economic conditions for the closure of the rural banks.

On Jan. 5, 2009, the BSP filed 49 counts of falsification of public documents against 16 officers, employees and agents of several Legacy banks who allegedly forged documents to support fictitious loans. The BSP said the “loans” were not really applied for by real borrowers but were siphoned off for the personal gain of bank officials.

On Feb. 6, the BSP filed 116 counts of falsification of public documents against 18 officers, employees and agents of four Legacy banks.
On Feb. 11, the Bureau of Immigration barred De los Angeles from leaving the country.

by AFP

Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday at the end of his visit to Cuba that no one should face limitations on “basic freedoms,” calling respect of freedom “essential.”

At a departure ceremony at the airport in Havana, in the presence of President Raul Castro, the 84-year-old pontiff called for the building of a “society in which all are indispensable actors in the future of their life.”

“May no one feel excluded from taking up this exciting task because of limitations of his or her basic freedoms,” Benedict said, urging the “building a society of broad vision, renewed and reconciled.”

Two Cebu Pacific flights have been cancelled due to bad weather in the Bicol region, the Manila International Airport Authority  announced Thursday.
The MIAA’s public affairs office said the cancelled flights were 5J 519, the airline’s 6:40 a.m. daily flight from Manila  to Naga City, and 5J 520, its return flight, which was scheduled to leave Naga at 8:50 a.m. - source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

A bill granting emergency powers to President Benigno Aquino III to address the energy shortage in Mindanao has been filed in the Senate.
Senate Bill No. 3167 known as the “Electric Power Crisis Act of 2012″ was filed Wednesday by Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV.

Under the proposed legislation, the President may enter into negotiated contracts for the construction, rehabilitation, improvement or maintenance of power plants, projects, and facilities.

“Out of abundance of caution, however, this measure expressly prohibits the government from granting sovereign guarantee for the payment of obligations incurred by the independent power producers (IPPs),” Trillanes said in a statement on Thursday.

by Ven Arigo
Bohol Standard Newspaper

A woman in her late 40s has accused Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan of physical harms inside his office when she inquired why the LGU cut the coconut trees in her inheritance land without permission.

Josephine Suganob Clarin was allegedly pulled from her chair and choked on her neck by the angry mayor until he was stopped by his driver, who brought her outside to avoid further harm.

Calipusan denied in a phone interview yesterday that he had ever done such to the woman, a 48-year-old unmarried resident of barangay Villafor in Loboc where the coconut land passed to her and other heirs of her father is located.

“We know the truth, what really happened,” said the mayor in a soft, confident tone, although he admitted the cutting of coconut trees to clear an area for a government project, a parking site for tourist vehicles.

Calipusan clarified that the project involves certain private lots of different owners but Clarin is not one of them and, thus, most of the trees cut did not belong to her property.

Clarin’s lot is beside the project site and only one or a few coconut trees there were cut because they were leaning and, therefore, hazardous as they could fall anytime, the mayor explained.

In her sworn affidavit, Clarin said she was “so shocked and helpless as I never expected that a mayor is capable of physically attacking not only a constituent but a woman no less.”

She came to the mayor’s office in the afternoon of March 9 for clarification on the cutting of at least three coconut trees in their land without permission.

The mayor then called LGU personnel Hanzel Serenio, who was on the site when the trees were cut, to join in explaining.

But in the course of their conversation, “the mayor got angry and to my shock pulled me from my chair. He was so strong that after pulling me, I hit my head to the door,” the woman recounted.

Because of the commotion inside, the mayor’s driver named Allan and his security aide entered to stop Calipusan from further harming her.

“But the mayor was able to reach me and choked me,” according to Clarin, prodding his driver to bring her outside Calipusan’s office.

In the phone interview, the mayor said he should instead be the one complaining against Clarin for offending not just his person but the mandated office he represents.

He said Clarin appeared confrontational and arrogant.

The mayor said his men would have asked permission from Clarin to cut some of her trees had they known that they already belong to her lot.

Calipusan said it was a certain Arcadio Calipusan who had Clarin’s trees cut since they were already leaning.

It was learned that the coconut trees grown on the land of the Clarin has been pawned to the family of Arcadio, who is a distant relative of the mayor.

As a condition in pawning, the family of Arcadio will only enjoy the fruits of the coconut trees while the Clarins remain the owners of the trees.

Arcadio was in the area when the trees were cut.

In her affidavit, Clarin said he was told by Arcadio that he advised the LGU personnel not to cut any tree unless they get permission from the Clarins as landowners.

Clarin narrated that she also confronted a certain Pedro Abid, the chainsaw operator, who merely told her to “just go to the mayor.”

Floated as a congressional hopeful in the Third District, the last-termer mayor said the LGU is willing to compensate for her trees cut but Clarin resisted.

Cutting even a single coconut tree requires a permit from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Clarin intimated in her sworn statement to file criminal charges against the mayor and/or his agents.

Calipusan said she has not received any formal complaint notice.

The woman also blottered with the town police the harming incident inside the mayor’s office.(Ven rebo Arigo)

There is a decent gym located at the second floor of City Square Building in front of BQ Mall.

By Edwin Fernandez
Inquirer Mindanao

The mayor of a Maguindanao town has been missing for  nearly three months now and is believed to have gone into hiding after being linked to the so-called “chainsaw massacre,” another in a chain of killings attributed to the once powerful Ampatuan clan that ruled the province for more than two decades.

Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman, Interior secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the long absence from office of Mayor Samer Uy of Datu Piang has prompted him to name an officer-in-charge to prevent a leadership vacuum. He said Vice Mayor Genuine Kamaong is now the acting chief executive of Datu Piang.

By Ador Vincent Mayol, Patricia Andrea Pateña
Cebu Daily News

A judge will decide today, Thursday, on the fate of the 16-year-old high school student of St. Theresa’s College who was barred from attending the graduation rites. The student isn’t alone in her misery. Four other female students executed an affidavit against the school officials after they were also prohibited from attending the ceremonies.

They accused the school officials of labeling them as “having loose morals, drunks and drug addicts” in a March 1 meeting held inside the principal’s office.
The school through their lawyer Romeo Balili submitted to the court yesterday nine photos which showed the 16-year-old dancing “suggestively” and engaging in provocative behavior.

By Dennis Santos, Karlos Manlupig
Inquirer Mindanao

The National Democratic Front organization in Mindanao said Thursday the New People’s Army will now include power companies among its targets for attacks  because they have been burdening consumers.

Jorge Madlos, NDF Mindanao spokesperson, said the power companies were exaggerating the existence of an energy crisis to justify increases in power rates.
“These power companies are engaged in theatrics so they can raise the price of energy,” Madlos said in a statement issued on the 43rd anniversary of the NPA.

By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net

”We are ready.” This is the statement of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin regarding the government’s security preparations for the upcoming Holy Week commemorations.

“We are ready for the Lenten season which will start next week,” Gazmin said.
Brigadier General Roberto Almadin , co-chairman of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council, warned that terror groups may take advantage of large gatherings in churches, cathedrals and tourist destinations frequented by the public during the long holidays.

Likewise, airports, seaports and other public transport terminals may also be targeted, said Almadin.
“That’s an assessment, it’s an opportunity for them so we are not discounting that possibility,” Almadin said, adding that terror groups were “media hungry”.

The purchase of good and dependable chairs did not undergo bidding organized by DepEd.

by Tetch Torres, PDI

An appointee of President Benigno Aquino III to the Supreme Court sponsored Thursday’s Mass at the Supreme Court in support of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Mass was the 14th to be held at the Supreme Court grounds since the defense team started presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice. The impeachment trial has been suspended for over a month; it will resume on May 7, 2012.

Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who sponsored Thursday’s Mass, is one of Aquino’s three appointees to the high tribunal. The two others are Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe.

By Karen Boncocan
INQUIRER.net

A lawmaker on Thursday called for the regulation of nursing review centers in the country. In a statement, Nueva Vizcaya Representative Carlos Padilla said that there was no agency tasked to monitor and regulate the activities of nursing review centers after the Supreme Court declared Executive Order 566 and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Memorandum Order 30 to be unconstitutional.

“There is no government entity which regulates nursing review centers and enforces precautionary measures that will stem the rampant abuses or violations of these nursing review centers,” the Nueva Vizcaya representative said.

Executive Order No. 566 directed CHEd to monitor the operations of nursing review centers while CHEd’s Memorandum Order 30 revised the rules and regulations on the establishment and operation of such centers.

By Frances Mangosing
INQUIRER.net

Most INQUIRER.net readers think Chief Justice Renato Corona should take the witness stand to personally answer allegations that he betrayed public trust and failed to declare his assets.

In an informal poll conducted from March 1 to 29, 80.13 percent or  5,694 readers answered “Yes” to the question, “Do you think Chief Justice Renato Corona should testify at the impeachment trial?”

Meanwhile, 19.87 percent or 1,412 readers did not agree that the chief magistrate should take the witness stand.

by TJ Burgonio
PDI

This coming Holy Week, do acts of mercy for Mother Earth, too.
Stay at home and save gas. If you’re going out for the traditional Visita Iglesia (church visit), join a car pool or, better, ride a bike. Share your food, clothes, and books with others. And reduce your trash.

The environmental network EcoWaste Coalition on Thursday shared these tips on how to spend an “eco-friendly’’ Holy Week.
“We urge our Christian brothers and sisters to voluntarily declare Palm Sunday to Easter ‘Walang Aksaya’ (zero waste) Week and avoid practices and activities that generate garbage and pollution during the holy days,’’ Ecowaste president Roy Alvarez said.

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A visit to a foreign computer company’s mission control facility in Taguig City on Thursday had President Aquino thinking about the need for correct information “perhaps devoid of human emotions” to effectively respond to disasters.

Mr. Aquino said emotional reports from the field carry with them the danger of causing inappropriate responses and a misdirection of the government’s resources.

“(One) can really see the potential of how we will be able to govern better because information will be delivered correctly, timely, and devoid perhaps of human emotions at times especially when it comes to disasters,” Mr. Aquino said at the inauguration of Hewlett Packard’s control facility and executive briefing center at the Intellectual Property Center in Taguig Thursday morning.

by Matikas Santos
PDI

Seventy-three percent of Filipinos personally believe that Chief Justice Renato Corona is guilty while 25 percent believe otherwise, the latest survey results from the Social Weather Station showed.

The results also showed that 73 percent of Filipinos want Corona to personally testify in his impeachment trial while 26 percent see no need for him to testify.

On whether Corona should resign, 49 percent of the respondents said that he should resign even if he is acquitted in the trial. Thirty percent said Corona should resign as soon as possible while only 18 percent believe he should resign only if found guilty in the trial.
Fifty-one percent of the respondents are satisfied with the trial process while only 20 percent are dissatisfied.

One person was killed while five others were wounded after two armed robbers lobbed a couple of grenades while fleeing with their loot from the Robinsons Galleria mall along Ortigas Avenue, corner EDSA, in Quezon City on Thursday, police said.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the two still unidentified suspects, clad in security-guard uniform, attacked two bank guards while they were walking inside mall on their way to deliver an undetermined amount of money to Sanrys Money Changer located at the mall’s ground floor at around 10:15 a.m.

Cruz identified the fatality as Rodrigo Villa, a security guard inside the mall.
Critically injured was Roderick Reloso, also a security guard. Also wounded were Paul Adrian, Johansen Donesia, Rabe Jeremy and Leah del Mundo, Cruz said.
The victims were rushed to Medical City and Rizal Medical Center for treatment, Bolalin said. - source: PDI

Manila to Boracay Cebu Pacific Promo Fare

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Neglect exercise and you will suffer terrible consequences sooner or later.

When you are taking exams, eat peanuts and your hunger will diminish.

Exercise is the best solution to obesity.

TAX ACCOUNTING IS A LAW. GAAP/PFRS IS AN ART.
1:30 - 5 p.m. Sofitel Hotel, Pasay City - Starts April 28, 2012
(Sessions: every Saturday of the month)

Mr.Emelino T.Maestro, CPA, Tax Consultant, Educator and Author of Several Tax Books will be conducting an intensive tax training program which will specialized on:

VAT ACCOUNTING

WITHHOLDING TAX

INCOME TAX

COMPONENTS:

     VAT SALES
     VAT PURCHASES
     GOVERNMENT VAT
     VAT IMPORTATION
     VAT EXEMPT
     OUTPUT VAT
     INPUT VAT
COMPONENTS:

     EXPANDED WITHHOLDING TAX (EWT)
     WITHHOLDING COMPENSATION
     FRINGE BENEFITS
     FINAL WITHHOLDING
COMPONENTS:

     REVENUE ACCOUNTING
ü  REGULAR
ü  SPECIAL
ü  EXEMPT
     EXPENSE ACCOUNTING
ü  COST OF SALE
ü  FINANCE
ü  DISALLOWED
ü  ADMINISTRATIVE

Mr. Emelino T. Maestro will empower you by efficiently complying with the BIR rules, timely extinguishing legal and moral obligations and optimizing tax shelters.

INVESTMENT FEE: P 200 + VAT per pax/per day/ per book. Just avail of the Successful Tax Practice Roadmap Book for only P 1,999.00. Otherwise, regular rate will be 5,000 plus VAT per pax / per day. The training includes all materials needed, snacks and certificate. A total of 45 hours will be needed for the course with FREE TAX CONSULTATION.

This program envisions that you shall become a competent Tax Accountant, Tax Bookkeeper and/or Tax Consultant for your business ventures there by decreasing your dependency to other people thus reducing your expenses.
For interested attendees, please fill out this registration form and immediately send as a reply to this email address cess_sevilla@yahoo.com or fax back to 415-3746 for
pre-registration purposes.

source: PNA

The Philippine Navy (PN) plans to send a contingent of Filipino sailors to the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN)'s Naval Shipyard X46 for training on the art of modern warship construction.

Naval Shipyard X46, also known as Hai Long Shipbuilding, is equipped with state-of-the-art shipbuilding equipment and is capable of constructing modern, high-speed warships weighing up to 500 tons.

This proposal came up during PN flag-officer-in-charge Vice Admiral Alexander Pama's visit to Vietnam early this month.

During his visit, the PN chief discussed the proposal with VPN head Admiral Nguyen Van Hien , who was described as very receptive to the proposal.

If the deal push through, PN personnel would gain more knowledge in refurbishing and repairing their naval vessels thus translating to saving as the PN would no longer rely on foreign and commercial dockyards for their maintenance.

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the diaper was forgotten.

New York City In All Its Splendor

The crime of resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person of Article 151 under Revised Penal Code has only the jail term of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding P500.

Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco (Lone District, Marinduque), author of House Bill 5816, said the bill seeks to address outdated fines and penalties of the 8-decade Revised Penal Code.

Velasco said that under the Code, when the disobedience to an agent of a person in authority is not of serious nature, the penalty of arresto menor or a fine ranging from 10 to P100 pesos shall be imposed upon the offender.

Under Velasco's bill, any person who resists or seriously disobeys any person in authority or the agent of such person while engaged in the performance of official duties shall be penalized with arresto mayor and slapped a fine not exceeding P40,000.

The bill shall penalize an offender with a fine ranging from P800 to P8,000 when the disobedience to a person in authority is not of a serious nature.

"The fine components of the law are still based on 1930 prices, the year the law was enacted. The massive inflation and devaluation our currency has gone through renders the punitive fine component of the RPC negligible," Velasco said.

source: PNA

By Robert D. Kaplan | March 28, 2012

While the foreign policy elite in Washington focuses on the 8,000 deaths in a conflict in Syria -- half a world away from the United States -- more than 47,000 people have died in drug-related violence since 2006 in Mexico. A deeply troubled state as well as a demographic and economic giant on the United States' southern border, Mexico will affect America's destiny in coming decades more than any state or combination of states in the Middle East. Indeed, Mexico may constitute the world's seventh-largest economy in the near future.

Certainly, while the Mexican violence is largely criminal, Syria is a more clear-cut moral issue, enhanced by its own strategic consequences. A calcified authoritarian regime in Damascus is stamping out dissent with guns and artillery barrages. Moreover, regime change in Syria, which the rebels demand, could deliver a pivotal blow to Iranian influence in the Middle East, an event that would be the best news to U.S. interests in the region in years or even decades.

she was more beautiful before cosmetics took over her face.

murag okay lang kaayo hubz kung kini nga linalang ang molusi sa dunggan.

basin giputol gyud ni sa kusinero.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JU2au9Izuw#ws
What will be Miriam Defensor-Santiago's Reaction to this video?

Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you're a smoker, quit as soon as possible, and if you don't smoke, don't start. You can also support smoke-free policies in your community and try to avoid secondhand smoke.

by Sunday Post

The marine resource-rich Danajon Double Barrier Reef (DDBR) strategically situated in Central Visayas covering four provinces is on the brink of extinction due to “destructive and unsustainable actions.” This stark reality has prompted local government units concerned for a collaborative efforts to push for concrete steps in managing and salvaging the unique coral eco-system and geologic formation from further damage because there’s so much at stake at it.

The so-called CeLeBoSoLe (for Cebu, Leyte, Bohol and Southern Leyte provinces) is now in full swing in reactivating the reef’s management council initiated by Bohol provincial government led by Gov. Edgar Chatto in collaboration with the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF).

Chatto’s administration is committed to ensure and strengthen environmental protection and management through effective partnership with the stakeholders and good governance. Initial meetings of the stakeholders have been held in this city and recently in Lapu-lapu City to tackle the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) forming the DDBR Management Council, said the Danajon Provincial Working Group. Next step will be a three-day visit to Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces next week to confer with officials concerned.

Small group discussion among the representatives has “focused on the revision of the MOA” and salient points, such as streamlining of the existing organizational structure, council membership and committee composition and other activities, explained executive director Atty. Rose-Liza E. Osorio of the CCEF in her letter to Gov. Chatto.

DDBR is “one among only six worldwide, this unique geologic formation has been carved for over 6000 years of coral ecosystem development. Historically known as the seed of marine diversity in this ecoregion, with its vast expanse of mangrove forests and extensive coral reef systems,” said the CCEF website. It encompasses the four provinces and independent Lapulapu City, Mactan island along with Baybay City, municipalities of Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Matalom and Bato of Leyte and Maasin City, Southern Leyte. In Bohol, it also covers the towns of President Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Trinidad, Bien-Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin and Tubigon. (RVO)

published by Sunday Post

Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim the other week asked Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Ma. Louisella Lucino to act on the tarpaulins put up by Rep. Rene Relampagos in different parts of the province. In his letter dated March 15, the city mayor referred to DILG Circular No. 2010 dated Sept. 23, 2010 issued by Secretary Jesse Robredo. “I am referring to at least two tarpaulin billboards of Cong. Rene Lopez Relampagos erected on two government projects being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways specifically the Bateria Bridge Repair in Tubigon town and the riprap project in the town of Cortes,” he added. Lim said that notwithstanding the text of the billboards, “nobody will miss the fact that this is a cheap attempt to circumvent” the DILG circular.

“To make matters worse, Cong Relampagos gives the impression that the erection of the tarpaulin billboard enjoys the blessings of His Excellency, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, which I doubt,” the mayor added. Lim said he brought the matter to Lucino’s attention “so you can make your own position on this: whether it is justified, or whether it violates the above-mentioned DILG Circular,” he pointed out. The mayor said he is concerned that the government is giving mixed signals to the people because while the DILG Circular is explicit in its intention, these two billboards convey at least a gray area that allows for circumvention, or a violation that has not been acted upon. Robredo’s Memo Circular 2010-101 said the practice of putting up billboards or signages bearing the names, initials and images of government officials on government programs and projects has been noticeably abused and misused by some public officials for their personal interests and has taken the credit away from the taxpayers who are the ones paying for such programs and projects through their tax payment.

In pursuit of the President’s directive issued during the 4th Cabinet meeting held on Aug. 5, 2010 where he directed all members of the Cabinet and other government instrumentalities to refrain from associating the President’s personality and identity in their programs and projects, and pursuant to the DILG’s thrust to uphold good local governance, Robredo said the practice of putting up billboards and signages and other information materials bearing the names, initials or pictures of government projects, and government properties such as firetrucks, ambulances, vehicles and others “are hereby prohibited”. Robredo directed all local chief executives to revisit all government projects and properties “to ensure that this policy is strictly observed”. The memo circular said information on government projects “should be limited to the name of the project and location, contractor, the date when it started and the project’s completion date”.

Get Moving

Obesity can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. To keep your body at a healthy weight and to fight high blood pressure and cholesterol, make physical activity part of your daily routine. Try to fit in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week. For example, you could take a brisk 10-minute walk 3 times a day, 5 days a week.

Eat Healthy for Your Heart

What you eat has a big impact on your heart health. When planning your meals and snacks, try to:

Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Check the labels on your food and select those with the lowest sodium. Too much sodium can increase your blood pressure.
Limit foods with high amounts of saturated fat, transfat, and cholesterol. You can find this information on the Nutrition Facts label.
Cook at home more often. Whenever possible, select foods that are low in sodium or have no salt added. Limit sauces, mixes, and "instant" products, including flavored rice and ready-made pasta and other canned goods.

Heart disease kills roughly the same number people in the United States each year as cancer, lower respiratory diseases (including pneumonia), and accidents combined.

Number of people in the United States who die from heart disease: 2,200 each day
800,000 each year (150,000 are under 65)

1 in 4 deaths in the United States is due to heart disease.

1 in 3 people (80 Million) in the United States have some form of heart disease, which can include severe chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

Number of heart attacks and strokes that occur in the United States: 2,000,000/year.
Heart disease and stroke cost the nation $444 billion/year in health care costs and lost economic productivity. - source: hhs.gov

Americans suffer more than 2 million heart attacks and strokes each year. Cardiovascular diseaseâ€"including heart disease and strokeâ€"is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every day, 2,200 people die from cardiovascular diseaseâ€"that's 815,000 Americans each year, or 1 in every 3 deaths.

Heart disease and stroke can be fatal, but they can also result in serious illness, disability, and decreased quality of life. Suffering a stroke may lead to significant disability, such as paralysis, speech difficulties, and emotional problems. Following a heart attack, individuals frequently suffer fatigue and depression, and they may find it more difficult to engage in physical activities. Heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of disability in the United States, with more than 3 million people reporting disability from these causes.

Cost of Heart Disease & Stroke to the United States

Together, heart disease and stroke are among the most widespread and costly health problems facing the nation today, accounting for more than $444 billion in health care expenditures and lost productivity in 2010 aloneâ€"and these costs are rising. On a personal level, families who experience heart disease or stroke not only have to deal with medical bills but also lost wages and the real potential of a decreased standard of living.
source

What are the warning signs of high blood cholesterol?

Most people do not have any signs.
Sometimes cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels of your heart and cause chest pains.

How do you find out if you have high cholesterol?
Go to the doctor and ask for a cholesterol test. The test will let you know how much good and bad cholesterol you have.
The doctor will tell you the number for your total cholesterol level.
Your total cholesterol number should be under 200.

What can you do?
There are things that you can do to lower your cholesterol.

Cut back on foods with lots of fat such as fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk, fatty cheeses, butter, margarine, oils, lard, and creams.
Cut back on food with lots of cholesterol, such as egg yolks and whole eggs.
Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Cut back on fatty snacks and desserts, such as candy, cookies, doughnuts, muffins, pastries and pies.
Exercise at least 30 minutes most days.
If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Try to lose weight by cutting back on the amount that you eat. Even a small amount of weight loss can help lower your bad cholesterol, and you will also help your health in other ways.
Ask your doctor if you need to take medicine to help lower your cholesterol. Triglycerides are another form of fat in your blood. They can also raise your risk for heart disease. Levels that are borderline high (150-199 mg/dL) or high (200 mg/dL or more) may need treatment.

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS, Columnist
New York Times

For the past few years, proponents of barefoot running have argued that modern athletic shoes compromise natural running form. But now a first-of-its-kind study suggests that, in the right circumstances, running shoes make running physiologically easier than going barefoot.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado in Boulder, began by recruiting 12 well-trained male runners with extensive barefoot running experience. “It was important to find people who are used to running barefoot,” says Rodger Kram, a professor of integrative physiology, who oversaw the study, which was published online in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

“A novice barefoot runner moves very differently than someone who’s used to running barefoot,” Dr. Kram says. “We wanted to look at runners who knew what they were doing, whether they were wearing shoes or not.”

Specifically, he and his colleagues hoped to determine whether wearing shoes was metabolically more costly than going unshod. In other words, does wearing shoes require more energy than going barefoot?

A few previous studies have suggested that in terms of physiological effort, it’s easier to go barefoot. After all, shoes have mass; they add weight to your feet, and pushing weight through space, as you do with every step while running, demands energy.

What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like material in your blood. Your body makes its own cholesterol. When you eat foods that have lots of fat or cholesterol, you can have too much cholesterol in your blood.
Cholesterol can build up on the inside the blood vessels of your heart. If too much cholesterol builds up, then the blood cannot flow through to your heart. This can cause a heart attack.

Did you know…?
Women over age 20 should have their cholesterol checked by their doctor.
Women over the age of 55 tend to have higher cholesterol levels than men.
High cholesterol can increase your chance of having heart disease.

By Lady Marie de la Torre

Local root crops such as gabi, kamote, tugi, ube and kamoteng kahoy, are no longer food of the poor since they reach the plates of the well-heeled who want to lower their cholesterol levels.

Trinidad P. Trinidad, Scientist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute- Dept. of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), said such local root crops were the best in lowering bad cholesterol levels among adults.

Trinidad, in her FNRI study, entitled "Acute Study of Five Root Crops" (Kamote, Gabi, Tugi, Ube , Cassava), tested 20 people (two males, 18 females), ages 30 to 55 years old, on the effects of eating root crops in their cholesterol level in their blood.

The respondents were in the borderline high cholesterol bracket or having 200-250 milligram of cholesterol, not into medication, non-smokers, and physically and mentally fit, she said.

Trinidad was invited to present her study to the journalists Tuesday at the Makati Shangrila Hotel in Makati City during the advocacy campaign of FNRI and Del Monte Philippines against hypercholesterolemia, a condition characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

The study showed that eating kamote and cassava, or kamoteng kahoy, significantly decreased the unnecessary cholesterol level of adults.

These root crops were found to be fiber-rich food and had health benefits like preventing unnecessary cholesterol level and fighting colon cancer, Trinidad said.

Eating of these root crops resulted in the lowering of bad cholesterol and in increasing High-density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, or good cholesterol, Trinidad said.

"The study results may have a significant role in the proper control and management of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases," Trinidad said.

Accordingly, findings of the World Health Organization and the Department of Health state that coincidentally , one out of three Filipino deaths is caused by cardiovascular diseases or CVDs.

Healthy living doesn’t happen at the doctor’s office. The road to better health is paved with the small decisions we make every day. It’s about the choices we make when we buy groceries, drive our cars and hang out with our kids. - Tara Parket-Pope, New York Times

by NR Ramos
Manila Bulletin

Kim Chiu suffered a minor accident while performing in a dance number on “ASAP 2012,” Sunday.

The hapless actress fell on her back after her dance partner, Enchong Dee, seemingly lost his balance after while trying to heave the almost reed-thin actress upon his shoulders.

Although the fall wasn’t hard â€" both were able to finish the performance without sustaining injuries â€" the incident was quite embarrassing for both actors and the show's coordinators.

by NR Ramos
Manila Bulletin

Multi-awarded actor Aga Muhlach is open to taking on another role very soon â€" that of politician.

“Yeah, of course! Why not?” said he at a recent media huddle that was tendered for his recent triumph as Golden Screen Awards Best Actor.

The actor has admitted taking the necessary steps that would bring him closer to fulfilling ambition and that is by registering as voter in sleepy San Jose in Camarines Sur.

As PCCO’s closure draws nearer, we are finalizing the PCCO CV consultants database and compiling all CVs for turnover to CIDA for their future use. If you are still interested to be included in the roster of consultants, we are requesting you to update your CVs by sending it directly to: Lissa_Morales@pcco.org.ph and MayFe_DeVera@pcco.org.ph on or before Wednesday, 28 March 2012, close of business (C.O.B.).


Kind regards,
May
MAY FE REYES-DE VERA
Resource Management & Communications Officer

Philippines-Canada Cooperation Office (PCCO)
The Program Support Unit of CIDA in the Philippines
9th Floor, Salcedo Towers #169 H. V Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village Makati City

Ridiculous Pictures, LLC. is a full service production company founded in 1991 by veteran film director Marty Thomas. Emmy award-winner Jon Zuber joined Ridiculous in 2005 as producer, screenwriter & partner.

In the world of modeling that has long been dominated by women, a new illuming light of freshness embarks upon the modeling industry. Stanley Cary, primarily recongnized as CARY, conveys extraordinary power, style, and intelligence, thus making him one of the most visible and sought after male fashion models in the industry to date.

Darden Purcell is a Washington D.C. based jazz vocalist. A multi-faceted musician, Ms. Purcell is an active featured soloist with big bands and small ensembles, band leader and vocal instructor. Ms. Purcell has collaborated with many of the world's top jazz artists including Jim Pugh, Chip McNeill, Dana Hall, Don Heitler, Glenn Wilson, Chip Stephens, Jeff Helgesen and many more.

An Iraqi immigrant and mother of five died Saturday of injuries from a severe beating in her El Cajon home, where a note warning the family to “go back to your own country” was left next to her.

El Cajon police said they are investigating the possibility of a hate crime.

The attack on Shaima Alawadi, 32, has shocked and grieved Muslims and others in San Diego and beyond.

“People who have heard of it are numb,” said Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the San Diego chapter of the Council on Islamic-American Relations. “I have had communications from the San Francisco Bay Area asking, ‘how can I help this family,’ and even around the country people are praying for the family.

“Given the fact of these notes left, we’re obviously concerned about the possibility of a hate crime. I don’t think anyone would disagree this is a coldblooded murder.”

source: utsandiego.com

basin kaha ang kusinero maoy niuna ug templa sa kagumkom nga panit?

Quote from: hubag bohol on March 25, 2012, 11:43:13 PM



He he...
tinapulan. pero para angay nga dili mas dako ang lain nga pie.

iya kunong giibot ang kutsilyo. unya human ug ibot, nawala sa balay. pagkabulok nga katurongan.

mao niy estudyante

by Bohol Chronicle

A local distributor of liquefied petroleum products tries to reinvigorate sales by reducing the selling price for every 11-kilogram tank by P22 or a matter of P2 per kilogram after the series of price increases nationwide slowed down the trade.

Engr. Teofilo Lim, a Gasul distributor in the province, said that his company implemented the rollback staring last Monday through a sort of summer sales promo.

His company now sells Gasul at P1,023 per 11-kilogram tank from the previous price of P1,045.

There has been no advise for price rollback, but Lim's company gambled on the strategy to entice consumers back.

Lim also said he heard in the news that some independent refillers implemented a P1 rollback and the P2 that his company implements already supersedes it.

On another round of rollback by P4 expected next month, Lim said still his company has to wait for the advice from Gasul-main.

According to Lim, the high prices of LPG already affected the sales of Gasul distributors as most consumers have already shifted to using electric stoves.

He also admitted that the price of Gasul in Bohol is higher in Cebu by almost P5 per kilogram.

March 2012 Cebu Pacific Promo

These activist groups are living in a world of illusions. When did a Philippine president become an oil tycoon-producer that he can control everything? Even the US Government is at the mercy of oil-producing countries.

Wake up, people. No non-oil producing country can stop the rising cost of fuel, not even America, the most powerful nation of the world.

a few weeks ago there was a bus accident involving a St. Jude Bus. Unfortunately, the news about it was suppressed.

basin naa poy shakoy earrings?

maayo nalang ilang basketbolan wood flooring. lisud ug adto mahitabo sa basketbolan sa dula sa purokay.

by PNA

The Philippine government has approved new visa policies that will extend the visa-free stay for foreign nationals to boost the country's competitiveness as a tourism destination, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said that the new policies were agreed upon by himself, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr.

"It now includes the increase in the visa-free privilege for 166 countries/territories from 21 to 30 days, granting of a 30-day visa-free stay to Chinese nationals travelling to the Philippines as part of a tour group handled by a Department of Tourism- accredited Philippine tour operator, and a 14-day visa-free stay for Indian nationals who have a valid American, Japan, Australian, Canadian, Shengen, Singapore, or United Kingdom visa," he said.

Jimenez said that the government has to address the perception abroad that it is difficult to enter the Philippines.

"With these visa reforms, we will be at par with the entry policies of our neighbors in the region and, for some markets, more liberal. This will definitely help in achieving our target of 10 million foreign visitors by 2016," he said.

Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia allow entry of nationals of most countries without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Tourists entering Cambodia are issued visas upon arrival valid for one month, except for nationals of ASEAN countries who are allowed to enter visa-free.

Quote from: hubag bohol on March 24, 2012, 06:26:42 AM
Balik ta sa nindot tan-awon...

pwede ba nato mabalakan ning maong dalilang, Hubs?

Exercise ug likayan ang mga bisyo nga maka-apekto sa blood flow. Naa sa dugo tanan ang hinungdan ngano motindog si manoy.

the brutality of poems at its best.

I had an experience in Bangkok: 5 hours of traffic jam. There was a protest against Thaksin, and the protesters blocked major roads of the city. If you don't have a book with you, it's terrible doing nothing inside a public bus.

By Leonardo V. Micua

Several unexplained whirlpools were found in the water of the Lingayen River, stirring wild speculations these are manifestations of the presence of underwater volcano in the area.

The emergence of the whirlpools in Poblacion Lingayen, near the boundary of Barangay Baay, prompted Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil and Lingayen Mayor Ernesto Castaneda to rush in the area last week.

The two officials took note that there were about six whirlpools that were seen in the area, a few of them from under thatched-roof houses near the northern end of the San Jose Bridge.

They let their staff take samples of the water which they promised to have these analyzed in the laboratory of the Bureau of Soils or the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Residents near the area, however, said the whirlpool emerged since after the a contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted a boring test on the soil near the San Jose Bridge.

The boring test done by the contractor involved the driving of a pipe 10 meters below obviously in preparation to the all-out repair of the San Jose bridge.

However, the people near the area believed the whirlpool of water may not be coming from an underwater volcano since their children swimming daily in the river did not notice any lukewarm water.

it seems wala mamatay ang bata, ms islander, kay narescue sa inahan. but the trauma of the child is terrible.

West Nile Virus

Since West Nile virus (WNV) was first isolated in 1937, it has been known to cause asymptomatic infection and fevers in humans in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. Human and animal infections were not documented in the Western Hemisphere until the 1999 outbreak in the New York City metropolitan area. Since then, the disease has spread across the United States. In 2003, WNV activity occurred in 46 states and caused illness in over 9,800 people.

WNV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds that have high levels of WNV in their blood. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV when they feed on humans or other animals.

WNV is not contageous from person to person and there is no evidence that a person can get infected by handling live or dead infected birds. But, to add a further level of safety, if birds or other potentially infected animals must be handled, a protective barrier (e.g., gloves, inverted plastic bags) should be used.

Most WNV infected humans have no symptoms. A small proportion develops mild symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph glands. Less than 1% of infected people develop more severe illness that includes meningitis (inflammation of one of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis. The symptoms of these illnesses can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Of the few people that develop encephalitis, a small proportion die but, overall, this is estimated to occur in less than 1 out of 1000 infections.

There is no specific treatment for WNV infection or vaccine to prevent it. Treatment of severe illnesses includes hospitalization, use of intravenous fluids and nutrition, respiratory support, prevention of secondary infections, and good nursing care. Medical care should be sought as soon as possible for persons who have symptoms suggesting severe illness.

Individuals can reduce their contacts with mosquitoes by taking these actions:
When outdoors, wear clothing that covers the skin such as long sleeve shirts and pants, apply effective insect repellent to clothing and exposed skin, and curb outside activity during the hours that mosquitoes are feeding which often includes dawn and dusk. In addition, screens should be applied to doors and windows and regularly maintained to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.

source: US Govt Data

by PNA

Despite the so many medications already available, the Iloilo local folks have come up with some alternative herbal medicines to help cure dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is caused by mosquito predators especially during the rainy days.

One of the most common herbal medicines they have discovered is the weed called as tawa-tawa in Western Visayas or gatas-gatas in Luzon area.

The decoction of the boiled tawa-tawa leaves is believed to increase the body fluids, which is commonly lost if the patient has dengue fever.

Others are using the nymph tree by burning the leaves. The smoke from the said tree is a good mosquito repellant.

Aside from these, there are also a few flowers and trees that are used as mosquito repellents.

These include pine, cedar trees and geraniums, daisies and chrysanthemums.

In fact, a very powerful commercial insecticide called pyrethrum is made from a member of the daisy family called Chrysanthemum cineranifolium.

However, the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture through Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo does not recommend drinking this herbal medicine since there was no research or study yet being conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) or any health institution.

Although, Toledo stressed that some of those victims who tried drinking this boiled tawa-tawa confirmed that it helped them recover, there is no sure-fire guarantee on its efficacy.

by PNA

The World Health Organization in the Western Pacific called on its member states to accelerate the fight against tuberculosis on the eve of the World TB Day which falls on March 24.

"Despite successes, the TB burden in the Western Pacific remains unacceptably high with more than 1.3 million people diagnosed and 260,000 deaths each year," Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, said here Thursday.

"Countries need to strengthen their health systems to prevent the development and spread of tuberculosis, especially multidrug- resistant TB (MDR-TB)," he said.

Worldwide, tuberculosis is the second top infectious killer. In 2011, 8.4 million people contracted and 1.4 million died of the disease.

Twenty-two countries carry 80 percent of the burden of TB, and four of those are in the Western Pacific Region -- Cambodia, China, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The TB death rate in the Region has fallen by 63 percent since the 1990, and the number of deaths is also declining. Nevertheless, major challenges threaten to derail efforts to control and eliminate tuberculosis in the Region, WHO said in a report.

Bol-anon gyud ka Padz. Pakisabaw.

source: Banat News

Usa ka mini bus driver nga gidudahang may anting-anting wala madutli sa bala sa .45 kalibreng pistola sa dihang gipusil kini sa laing drayber didto sa highway sa Sityo Lacaron barangay Pitalo lungsod sa San Fernando niadtong Martes sa buntag.

Ang maong kublan giila nga si Roed Cabrera, 33, minyo, nga taga San Isidro, San Fernando ug drayber sa mini bus sa rota nga Carcar- Cebu City.

Samtang ang suspek mao si Carry Orot, hingkod, minyo, nga taga Sityo Kamagayan, barangay Perelos siyudad sa Carcar ug drayber sa multicab nga pasaheroan.

Si Insp. Dexter Basiro, deputy chief sa San Fernando Police dihang nahinabi sa Banat News mibutyag nga ang biktima ug suspek nagkalalis niadto pang Sabado gumikan sa inilogay nila sa mga pasahero.

source: Banat News

Usa ka paralisadong lalaki kinsa giingong gibati na og kalaay sa iyang kahimtang naghikog sa punoan sa mangga didto sa Sityo Sun-ok, barangay San Jose lungsod sa Catmon sa miaging gabii.

Ang nagpakamatay mao si Amid Sayod Roble Jr., 26, ulitawo apan adunay kapuyo, paralisado nga nagpuyo usab sa nahisgutang lugar.

Si PO3 Juannario Sudaria sa Catmon Police sa pakighinabi sa Banat News mibutyag nga ang amahan nga si Amid Sayod Sr., mao nay nakadiskobri sa patay’ng lawas sa iyang anak nianang pagka alas 5:00 sa buntag.

Ang patay’ng lawas didto sa ilawom sa punoan sa mangga nga nagbitay nga nagdiwalwal ang dila nga adunay higot nga pisi ang liog kansang pikas tumoy didto igaid sa sanga sa mangga.

Dugang nahipos nga impormasyon sa kapolisan nagkanayon nga si Amid Jr. tulo na ka higayong misuway sa pakamatay pinaagi sa paghikog apan kanunay nga mapakgang sa iyang mga ginikanan.

Apan sa miaging gabii wala na kini mabantayi kay didto kini maghikog ilawom sa punoan sa mangga nga distansiya sa ilang balay. Adunay nahipos nga report ang kapolisan nga matud pa, usa sa gikagul-an ni Jr. Amid mao ang kanunay nilang panaglalis tali sa iyang kapuyo kansang ngalan wala makuha.

source: Banat News

Laing upat ka mga bata ang miduol ug nagpakitabang sa Provincial Women's Commission (PWC) tungod sa giingong pagpangabuso kanila sa ilang kaugalingong mga kabanay.

Gitug-an ni Hida Largo, ang Gender and Development Officer sa Cebu Provincial Women’s Commission nga ang inahan sa mga biktima maoy midangop sa ilang buhatan aron sa pagpangayo og tabang tungod sa pagpangabusong nasinati.

Sigon pa ni Largo nga ang mga bata nga nabiktima sa pagmolestiya nagpangidaron og 2, 7, 8 ug 11-anyos nagpuyo sa dakbayan sa Carcar kinsa pulos gihaylo sa 64-anyos nilang kabanay.

Wala hinuon ibutyag kung unsa ka duol nga paryente sa mga biktima ang suspek. Apan sumala pa sa inahan ngadto ni Largo nga gihaylo sa suspek og tambis nga prutas ang mga bata.

Dihang misalig na ang mga bata mao gihapon kini maoy iyang gigamit paghaylo aron mosugot ang mga bata sa yawan-on niining tinguha sa mga bata.

source: Banat News

Patay ang usa ka 60-anyos nga inahan ug anak niyang mananagat human makakaon sa gigisal nga isdang buriring nga ilang gisud-an sa pamahaw niadtong Domingo sa buntag sa barangay Daanlungsod sa lungsod sa Medellin.

Ang nangahilo ug namatay nga wala na madala pa sa tambalanan mao si Remedios Apas, 62, ug ang iyang anak nga si Lenito Apas, 30, pulos molupyo sa nahisgutang lugar.

Gibutyag ni Adelaida dela Cruz, ig-agaw ni Lenito dihang nakahinabi sa Banat News sa telepono human makakaon ang duha sa maong isda mireklamo silang nanakit ang tiyan ug naglimbag-limbag tungod sa kasakit dungan sa pagsuka-suka.

“Naglimbag-limbag gyud sa kasakit sa tiyan, si Lenito hapit gud daw kuno molusot sa bungbong, samtang iyang mama (Remedios) nagmulo sa tiyan unya nagsige’g suka,” matud pang Adelaida nga nahinabi sa Banat News sa telepono base usab sa gitug-an kaniya sa ubang mga kabanay.

Airlines today are planning to charge double for overweight passengers.