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By the Bohol Standard

It’s now final. The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, had rendered a decision granting the petition of Candijay Mayor Sergio G. Amora, Jr., seeking to annul and set aside the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) two assailed Resolutions (dated April 29, 2010 and May 17, 2010, respectively), that disqualified him as mayoralty candidate in the Automated National and Local Elections last May 2010.

The SC decision, promulgated January 25, 2011, also chided the Comelec for entertaining such “outlandish” petition, which according to the High Court, should have been outrightly dismissed.

It may be recalled that when Mayor Amora was seeking for his third term as Mayor of Candijay, SB Member Arnulfo Olandria, a known ally of Trygve Olaivar, who ran against Amora, filed before the COMELEC a petition for disqualification against on the grounds that Amora’s Certificate of Candidacy (COC) was not properly sworn contrary to the requirements of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). Amora allegedly, merely presented his Community Tax Certificate (CTC) to the notary public Atty. Oriculo Granada, instead of presenting a competent evidence of his identity.

Subsequently, the Second Division of the COMELEC granted the Olandria petition and disqualified Amora from running for Mayor of Candijay. Amora filed a Motion for Reconsideration before the COMELEC en banc.

Meanwhile, the May 10, 2010 elections result showed Amora obtaining a majority vote of 8,688 or equivalent to 58.94% of the votes cast, as against Olaivar’s 6,053 votes (41.06%). Consequently, The Municipal Board of Canvassers of Candijay, Bohol proclaimed Amora as the winner for Mayor.

A week thereafter, on May 17, 2010, in another absurd decision, the COMELEC en banc, denied Amora’s Motion for Reconsideration and affirmed the first COMELEC Second Division Resolution. However, this time, notably, three (3) of the seven (7) commissioners dissented from the majority ruling. Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal wrote a dissenting opinion, which was concurred in by then Chairman Jose A.R. Melo and Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento.

On June 15, 2010, the Supreme Court issued a Status Quo Ante Order, regarding Amora’s Petition and the COMELEC’s resolutions. Mayor Amora through counsels Atty. Bienvenido Amora, Jr. based in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City and his wife Atty. Valerie del Valle Amora, together with Dimiao SB Member Atty. Nicodemus Tago, insisted that the Petition for Disqualification filed by Olandria is actually a petition to Deny Due Course since the purported ground for disqualification simply refers to the defective notarization of the COC.

Amora maintained that his COC is properly notarized and not defective, and the presentation of his COC to the notary public to whom he was personally known sufficiently complied with the requirements that the COC be under oath.

The notary public, Atty. Granada, a former Mayor of the neighboring town of Guindulman, Bohol, is, in fact, a close acquaintance of Amora, since they have been members of the League of Municipal Mayors â€" Bohol Chapter for several years, and that they consider each other as distant relatives, as Mayor Amora’s middle name is Granada. Amora further alleges that Olaivar, his opponent in the mayoralty post, is purportedly a fraternity brother and close associate of Commissioner Nicodemo T. Ferrer, member of the COMELEC Second Division that disqualified him and that Olaivar served as Consultant for the COMELEC assigned to the Office of Commissioner Ferrer.

The Supreme Court has found Amora’s petition as meritorious. It finds that the COMELEC ruling “smacks of grave abuse of discretion and whimsical exercise of judgment equivalent to lack of jurisdiction”.

“For as a court or any tribunal board, or officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions, the Comelec has acted without or in excess or jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion,” the SC said.

First, the High Court found out that it was a grave abuse of discretion on the part of the COMELEC to uphold Olandria’s claim that an improperly sworn COC is equivalent to possession of a ground for disqualification, which the Supreme Court term as “not by any stretch of the imagination can we infer this as an additional ground for disqualification from the specific wording of the Omnibus Election Code” and termed Olandria’s claim as “outlandish”.

“The absurd interpretation of Olandria, respondent herein, is not controlling; the COMELEC should have dismissed his petition outright”, the Supreme Court said.

The decision further emphasized that apart from the qualifications provided in the Constitution, the power to prescribe additional qualifications for elective office and grounds for disqualification therefrom, consistent the constitutional provision is vested only in Congress.

“We cannot overemphasize the principle that where a candidate has received popular mandate, all possible doubts should be resolved in favor of the candidate’s eligibility, for to rule otherwise is to defeat the will of the people”, the SC decision affirmed.

The High Court noted this as COMELEC allowed and confirmed the disqualification of Amora, even when the latter has already won and was duly proclaimed as Mayor of Candijay town.

With that, Amora’s Petition was granted and that of the COMELEC’s Second Division and En Banc aforementioned resolutions were “ANNULED and SET ASIDE”.

The Supreme Court En Banc decision was unanimous, with Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura signing the order and Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, heading the concurrence of the 14 members of the Supreme Court. One Associate Justice inhibited due to a relationship to a party involved in the case and another was on leave.

Mayor Amora said that since the issues are now finally resolved, it is now time to work, unify its people in an era of cooperation for the continued progress of his town.

By PNA

A Muslim non government organization leader on Sunday lauded the dawning of democracy in Egypt, describing it a grass-roots led movements to demand democracy and justice for the masses.

"As the Philippine nation prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its People Power Revolution in two weeks time, we watched with a feeling of "deja vu" as thousands of Egyptians gathered demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down," Amina Rasul, president of Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy, said in a statement.

She said over the last four weeks, the PCID has been watching the events unfolded in Tunisia and then Egypt.

"The last few days, with bated breath, we would say a prayer for the Egyptians gathered in Tahrir Square, their Liberation Square," Rasul said, adding: "Mabrouk, people of Egypt! A blessing has been bestowed upon you! Congratulations!

Rasul said the bravery of the Egyptian people must be commended against powerful Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

She said the last few days have been riveting, with the Egyptians overcoming their fear of their "Pharaoh" and his palace guards, demanding that he step down.

nindot ni buhatan ug nobela. the priest was removed, then ang babaye nabalo na pud. unya nagkita sila usab. ug nabuhi ang kanhi nilang pagbati. ug nagpakasal. and they live happily ever after. 

Mas maayo sa Pilipinas kay bisag payag ra, wala may snow sa gawas. 

Why Books Do Not Prepare Us For Real Love

As I now recognise, marriage is rarely in danger of being dull, and never in danger of being simple. The word marriage, suburban and colourless in its connotations, in fact hides a welter of intensity and depth that puts to shame the most passionate works of literature. read more here

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A man fatally stabbed his step-father, ex-girlfriend and her mother, before running over a pedestrian, in a 28-hour rampage in New York City, police said.

The man, alleged to be Ukrainian-born Maksim Gelman, 23, was armed with five knives when he went on a stabbing spree early Friday, officials said.

Four other people were also knifed but survived the attacks.

Mr Gelman was finally arrested on a train on Saturday morning after a all-night manhunt, police said.

Charges against him are pending.

"It's so horrendous and bizarre. We have no reason to know why he did this," said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

He said had not recalled seeing "anything like this" in the decades he had worked for the New York police department.
'Stabbed 11 times'

Police said the suspect had stabbed three people to death, hijacked two cars, ran over a pedestrian, and attacked several others in the violent spree which covered three New York City boroughs.

The attacks are said to have begun after 0500 local time (1000 GMT) on Friday when Mr Gelman allegedly killed his step-father, Aleksandr Kuznetsov, in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay neighbourhood.

The suspect had had a fight with his mother after she refused to allow him to use her car, a Lexus, and 54-year-old Mr Kuznetsov had intervened, police said.
Blood stains the sidewalk on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 outside of the home in the Brooklyn borough of New York, where police claim a 23-year-old Brooklyn man fatally The attacks began after an argument between the suspect and his mother

Less than six hours later, at about 1030 local time, Mr Gelman then went to his ex-girlfriend's home, where he killed her 56-year-old mother, Anna Bulchenko, according to Commissioner Kelly.

Returning home, Yelena Bulchenko, 20, is said to have discovered her mother and called police.

The attacker, who was still in the house, then chased her outside and stabbed her 11 times, police said.

Police said he then drove away in the Lexus, hitting another car in Brooklyn's Midwood neighbourhood.

When the driver confronted him, Mr Gelman allegedly stabbed him three times in the chest. The victim survived and is in a stable condition.

The suspect then allegedly hit a pedestrian, 62-year-old Stephen Tanenbaum, who died of his injuries. - BBC

You come to this place after you've just played "shatum"

Ug ang ubos inganaon pud, dili na siya ma-rape.

Sa atong balaod, bawal ang maestra mahigugma sa iyang estudyante, pero dili bawal ang estudyante mahigugma sa iyang maestra. Unfair man ni.

These girls are just corrupting the unblemished mind of a dog. 

The use of alcohol causes approximately 2.5 million deaths a year, and young people were especially vulnerable to its harms, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday in a report profiling 193 countries on alcohol controls.

"One third of deaths (from alcohol) are among young people," said Dr. Shekhar Saxena, director of the WHO's Mental Health and Substance Abuse department, adding that alcohol is responsible for nine percent of all deaths that occurred to people aged between 15 and 29.

"Alcohol is also a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries," the WHO expert stressed.

Saxena said alcohol consumption may lead to liver cirrhosis, epilepsy, poisonings, and mental disturbance which very often causes road accident or violent behavior.

Recent research even proved the links between alcohol abuse and cancers.

Vladimir Poznyak, the head of WHO's substance abuse unit who collaborated the report, said: "Six or seven years ago we didn't have strong evidence of a causal relationship between drinking and breast cancer. Now we do."

Restrictions on alcohol marketing and on drink-driving were tightened in some countries through the past few decades, but there are still many with weak alcohol policies and insufficient prevention programs.

The Global Strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, endorsed by WHO member states in May 2010, promotes a range of proven effective measures for reducing alcohol-related harm.

These measures include taxation on alcohol to refrain from harmful drinking, restraining availability through reducing alcohol distribution, raising age limits for the buyers and imposing effective drink-driving prohibitions. (PNA/Xinhua)

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested suspected drug peddlers in Western Visayas, PDEA officials said Saturday.

PDEA Region 6 Director Paul D. Ledesma said last February 5, drug suspect Ofelia Lomogdang Dedoyco was arrested in a buy bust operation at Garcia Apartment at Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

After the arrest, the PDEA operatives recovered two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, three lighters, one tooter, one improvised scoop, one pair scissor and one unit mobile phone used in the transaction. All items were recovered inside the home of the suspect.

A follow up operation was conducted which resulted in the arrest of Jimmy Gilapay Vallejera. He was apprehended inside his Mitsubishi Pick-up (LCM 941) at BS Drive, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

Confiscated from him were more or less 2.5 grams of shabu, P80 cash money and his service vehicle.

Last Feb. 6, another buy-bust operation was conducted with the participation of Iloilo City Police Office-City Anti Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group (ICPO-CAIDSOTG) at the vicinity of Barangay Dela Rama, Iloilo City which resulted in the arrest of Rene Esteban Abaya, a drug Watch Listed personality in the area.

Pieces of evidence confiscated from him were five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with a total approximate weight of 0.05 grams, P190 cash and P300 marked money. (PNA)

The Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) is seeking a US$ 10-million grant from the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) to improve the delivery of health services in the city.

CCMC chief Dr. Eduardo Sedoripa said they are proposing to use the fund, which will be at least P430 million, to purchase modern health care equipment and construct a new building for the city-run hospital.

”One of the perennial problems at CCMC is in terms of facility, that’s why we want to enter into a partnership with JICA. If the grant will be approved, it will address a lot of problems in the hospital particularly in terms of infrastructure,” he said.

Sedoripa said they are currently preparing the requirements needed by JICA for the grant which include a report on the current situation of CCMC.

He is also discussing with some members of the council possible areas where the new hospital building will be built once JICA approves the grant.

Sedoripa is asking the city government to prioritize CCMC.

”It’s an urgent matter (that we address the problems of CCMC) because we are dealing with emergencies that are life and death situations. I have committed to improve the facility and I can’t do it without the help of the city,” he said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he believes there is still room for improvement at the city hospital.

Dr. Charles Cabatana, CCMC training officer, said that the most common problem at CCMC is the lack of medicines. - pna

Cebu City’s two members in the House of Representatives said they will apportion some of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to extend financial assistance to informal settlers who will be affected by City Hall’s demolition of illegal structures along creeks and rivers.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (South District) will use P6 million of his PDAF for this purpose.

Rep. Rachel del Mar did not give a fixed amount, but said her office usually gives between P1,000 and P2,000 per family.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama welcomed the move of the city’s legislators.

“It’s a good thing that they are now coming in because that’s what I have been telling, that let’s all be one in addressing this problem,” he said

Councilor Alvin Dizon, who chairs the council’s committee on housing, said guidelines will be formulated in the giving of cash aid to ensure it will not be abused.

Dizon said giving financial aid to informal settlers will not encourage more people to settle in the city.

“Rather, this is a concrete example of the city’s commitment to ensure the welfare of its constituents. These people have been living in this city for more than 10 years and contribute significantly to our economy as workers, laborers and small entrepreneurs,” he said.

I was in China in 2007. Makahadlok ilang makililimos. Halos gukdon ka. Dagan nalang gyud ug makatagbo ka ug beggar sa China.

It's a double-edged sword. 

A syndicate might be behind the kidnapping and killing of six-year-old Ellah Joy Pique, a police official said.

Senior Insp. Maria Theresa Macatangay said the police are chasing three suspects, not just two.

Macatangay, chief of the Research Section of the Intelligence Division (ID) of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and team leader of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, said they have two new witnesses.

She said the evidence they gathered is enough to lead them to the possible arrest of the perpetrators.

Law enforcement agencies are also coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in identifying the suspects, a Caucasian man, a Filipino woman, and another man.

Ellah Joy, a grade one pupil of Canlajoan Elementary School in Minglanilla, in southern Cebu, was kidnapped last Tuesday by the suspects on board a black sports utility vehicle.

The victim’s body, which was wrapped with a bed sheet, was found dead the next day in Barangay Sayaw, Barili.

An official of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 revealed they have identified the owner of the black sports utility vehicle.

But BI 7 Director Casimero Madarang III said they find it difficult to cross-match the cartographic sketch of the Caucasian suspect with more than 7,000 registered foreign nationals in their database.

Senior Insp. Macatangay, though, said they will coordinate with the International Justice Mission (IJM) to check the identity of the foreigner.

IJM has a database of personalities involved in human trafficking, Macatangay said.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Erson Digal said they created a task group, which is composed of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7, Provincial Intelligence Branch, Regional Intelligence Branch, the Crime Laboratory and the Minglanilla Police, to solve Ella Joy’s case.

Parents and professionals angered by the murder of Ella Joy are raising a bounty on the heads of her killers.

They also want to raise enough funds to help the family of Ellah Joy Pique bring the culprits to justice.

"The amount pledged so far has reached P200,000," said Frank Malilong, a lawyer and Sun.Star Cebu columnist, who is coordinating the efforts. (PNA)

The Aquino administration is exerting necessary efforts to ensure the success of the ongoing peace talks between the government and insurgency groups in the country as it stressed the two key elements in winning the long elusive peace for all.

In his message at the culmination of the “Padyak para sa Kapayapaan” here, Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. noted the government’s stringent initiatives to win the peace through the delivery of justice and providing livelihood for the people.

“There are two key elements needed for the success of the peace talks: justice and the availability of livelihood,” Coloma noted stressing the importance of strengthening the criminal justice system.

With regards to livelihood, Coloma noted that the lack of gainful employment or economic opportunity more often leads to the commission of crimes due to poverty.

“Many crimes are committed out of hunger or out of desperation,” he said adding that these two key elements are being pushed by the President through various programs committed to poverty reduction.

He said that one of the concrete programs of the government geared towards poverty alleviation is the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program that will help at least 23 million families across the country.

“The CCT program is one of the aggressive and comprehensive programs of the Aquino government,” Coloma noted. “For the first time, the government has allocated 21 billion pesos for this program that will directly benefit the underprivileged Filipinos with the help of the local government units.”

Coloma asked the help of the people to promote Region 4A which includes the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON) as the premiere zone of peace and prosperity. He encouraged them to promote efforts that will help in winning the peace rather than waging war against insurgency in the region, and the whole country.

He also stressed the relevant role of mass media in the promotion and eventually attaining peace by sharing developmental stories to the people.

Also present during the event were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo, local government executives and members of various sectors of society.

“Padyak para sa Kapayapaan” is a bikathon and peace advocacy forum launched by the Calabarzon PNP in support of the Aquino administration’s initiatives to end the four-decade communist insurgency through the peace talks.

CALABARZON police director, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the national police believes that the peace talks is the best chance to foster trust and confidence among the negotiating parties and bring an end to the fighting between government forces and alleged members of the insurgency. (PNA)

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has directed parish priests and heads of chaplaincies in the archdiocese to recite a new “oratio imperata,” or mandated prayer, for good weather.

He also reminded the people to do their share in environmental conservation and protection.

In a circular dated Feb. 1, 2011, Palma said the prayer that should be recited in all masses was formulated following the unprecedented flash floods that hit the cities of Mandaue and Cebu last Jan. 25.

“This is a wakeup call for all of us and (that) has compelled us to undertake emergency preparedness measures in dealing with natural calamities if they happen again. More importantly, we cannot do these alone without the help of our Almighty Father,” he said.

“Like the disciples who called upon our Lord Jesus to calm the wind and the waves as they were crossing Lake Galilee, we now seek the help of our Beloved Sto. Niño, protector of Cebu, to spare us from further damage wrought by calamities,” he said.

The special prayer was formulated by Archdiocesan Commission on Worship chairman Msgr. Cristobal Garcia and approved by the Archbishop of Cebu. It was signed by Vice Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran Jr. and disseminated to parishes and chaplaincies.

In the same letter, the 60-year-old prelate also sought the intercession of the patroness of Cebu, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

“May we do our share to be responsible and faithful stewards of Mother Nature,” he said.

The prayer, in part, says, “Give us the fine weather we pray, so that we may rejoice in your gifts of kindness and use them always for your glory and good.”

The prayer for fine weather is Palma’s first oratio imperata since his installation last month. (PNA)

Cebu’s creative industries are seeking clear and transparent guidelines and information before government agencies implement Executive Order (EO) 23, which declared an indefinite log ban all over the country.

In a position paper, the creative industries â€" composed of the furniture, gifts, toys and home décor, fashion accessories and garments sectors â€" cited potential problems that may arise once the order is implemented.

They pointed out that the order could lead to an immediate increase in the cost of raw materials due to a perceived shortage of supply; that it could promote harassment and extortion activities at checkpoints even if their logs are sourced from legitimate sources; and that it could create multi-dimensional interpretations of its provisions.

Last Feb. 3, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed EO 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.

It is meant to protect the environment and prevent further destruction from natural disasters.

A budget of P10 million was approved as the seed fund for the creation of an anti-illegal logging task force, which will be headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Cebu creative industries, which comprise around 225 exporters that employ about 500,000 laborers, said that while the EO 23 addresses the “old problem of the wanton destruction and denudation of our forest resources by illegal loggers,” they are concerned about the potential adverse effects of the log ban.

“We pray that in order to eliminate ambiguities in the implementation of EO 23, clear and transparent guidelines should be issued and disseminated to all implementing agencies before implementation of the ban,” the sector said.

They appealed that all existing forestry agreements and contracts under the Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) project be allowed to continue, as these are in the mandatory list of the investment priorities plan.

The exporters also appealed that the government specify clearly the land classification â€" for instance, what are standard and natural or residual forests. EO 23 provides that forestry agreements shall be cancelled if permit holders engage in logging activities in any natural or residual forest, although previous policies allow the harvesting in residual forests covered by forestry agreements, if these forests are not located in protected areas, watershed reservations or areas above 1,000 meters above sea level and slopes above 50 percent.

Lastly, the exporters asked whether or not the ban will be applied on new holders of forestry agreements.

“We realize that retroactive application of the logging ban on any natural or residual forest would result in the termination of many existing forestry agreements and contracts, and holders of these contracts are still guided by old policies. They are just about to reap the fruits of the IFMA (a 25-year agreement), which may not happen if EO 23 is not implemented appropriately,” the exporters said.

Philexport Cebu, the umbrella organization of all export sectors of Cebu, also noted that early this year, a focused group discussion was conducted in Cebu by an international non-government organization (NGO) called TFT and the local office of Phildansk, on the “tighter implementation” of a law against unlawful trafficking of wildlife.

Philexport Cebu said that exporters were informed that among the guidelines of the Lacey Act is a certification system, which will be implemented to trace the source of wood products in order to ensure that these do not come from illegal suppliers.

The exporters said they are hoping their concerns will be considered, since the poor implementation of the ban might affect the export sector that is still recovering from a two-year recession that hit major developed economies and export markets. (PNA)
scs/EB/re

Perhaps the prizes were unclaimed because no one really won? Conspiracy theory.

The US fears that Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, may not have enough reserves to prevent oil prices escalating, according to confidential cables from its embassy in Riyadh.

The cables, the latest released by WikiLeaks, urge Washington to take seriously a warning from a senior Saudi government oil executive that the kingdom's crude oil reserves may have been overstated by as much as 300bn barrels â€" nearly 40 percent.

The revelation in the cables, which date between 2007-09, comes as oil prices have soared in recent weeks to more than 100 dollars a barrel on global demand and tensions in the Middle East.

Many analysts have suggested that the Saudis and their OPEC petroleum producing partners could pump more oil if rising prices threatened to choke off demand.

But in November 2007, former head of exploration at the Saudi oil monopoly Aramco, Sadad al-Husseini, was said to have told the US consul general in Riyadh that its 12.5m barrel-a-day capacity needed to keep a lid on prices could not be reached.

Saudi Arabia might reach an output of 12m barrels a day in 10 years but before then â€" possibly as early as 2012 â€" global oil production would have hit "peak oil," Husseini is quoted saying in extracts of the cables published by the Guardian Wednesday.

He said that at that point Aramco would not be able to stop the rise of global oil prices because the Saudi energy industry had overstated its recoverable reserves to spur foreign investment and Aramco had badly underestimated the time needed to bring new oil on tap.

According to al-Husseini, "the crux of the issue is twofold. First, it is possible that Saudi reserves are not as bountiful as sometimes described,” one cable said.

Seven months later, the US embassy in Riyadh went further in questioning “how much the Saudis can now substantively influence the crude markets over the long term.”

“Clearly they can drive prices up, but we question whether they any longer have the power to drive prices down for a prolonged period," a cable warned. - pna

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives arrested on Thursday Roger Dominguez, one of the suspected leaders of a car theft syndicate in the country.

Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, QCPD director, said Dominguez, brother of Raymond Dominguez, who was earlier charged with car theft with homicide, was apprehended by the QCPD-District Anti-Carnapping Unit (DACU) after he was flagged down for violating traffic rules along Timog Avenue.

Dominguez reportedly tried to pass himself off as a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), but was recognized by the arresting officer as the man wanted for a series of car thefts in Metro Manila.

Mantele said Dominguez is now under police custody at Camp Karingal in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

The Dominguez brothers are allegedly behind the death of car dealer Venson Evangelista, who was abducted and killed last month. They face at least 28 criminal cases in various courts in Bulacan and Pampanga since 2007. (PNA)

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Thursday that the government is correct in deporting the 24 Chinese nationals, including 14 who reportedly turned out to be from Taiwan, to the People’s Republic of China.

”Well, we maintain a One-China Policy and I think the Philippine government is correct. If we are going to deport anybody, then we have to deport him to the country that we consider to be the political entity representing a group of people like the Chinese,” Enrile said.

Upon the request of China, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested on December 27 the 24 Chinese nationals on charges of fraud.

”It is regrettable that some of these nationals of Taiwan happen to commit infractions of our laws and we could not possibly openly and officially deport them to Taiwan because we have no open formal diplomatic relations with an entity called Taiwan,” Enrile said.

Enrile explained that from a political international law viewpoint, “we recognize only one entity, Chinese entity, political entity that represents the Chinese people and that is the People’s Republic of China.”

The veteran lawmaker said the Philippines need not have to say sorry to Taiwan which protested the deportation of the 14 Taiwanese to Beijing.

”We are not living in a perfect world. They can all drive our people back to the Philippines and we will also drive their people out of the Philippines,” Enrile said. (PNA)

The government can now effectively respond to crisis and emergency with the full operations of the Presidential Situation Room (PSR).

President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his message at the inauguration of the PSR on Thursday, said the PSR has produced 104 concise, accurate and insightful reports that have kept him up to date on important events since October 2010.

These reports, the Chief Executive added, have also given the Cabinet relevant information that is needed to better respond to different challenges.

He also said that while the PSR was set up to provide him the capability to handle situations of critical importance to national security, it is also “a reminder of how much more effective we can be if we acknowledge the value of cooperation and unity."

“It is through enhanced cooperation that we can better serve our people at times when they need us most,” he stressed.

The President expressed confidence that in the years to come, the PSR, and the people who work in it will continue to deliver as the country faces the reality that the people are exposed to different kinds of threats to their lives and safety.

According to the President, in his short time in office, his administration has had its share of crises that included a hostage crisis, a bus bombing, and floods in different parts of the country. Thus, on Sept. 17, 2010, he issued Administrative Order Number 2 creating the PSR so the government can respond to these situations in the most effective way.

He further said that the PSR will soon be equipped with centralized electronic connections with the key national security agencies, primarily the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, the Office of Civil Defense, and the Department of National Defense. = PNA

Despite ongoing allegations of corruptions, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III, remains solid and professional.

In a media briefing in Malacanang, AFP Spokesperson General Jose Mabanta Jr. said the Aquino administration has already instituted reforms even before whistle blower Col. George Rabusa exposed the alleged misuse of funds and corruption within the organization.

“The Armed Forces right now is much, much better than few years back and we will pledge to perform better and be more professional,” Mabanta said adding that the military leadership fervently supports President Aquino’s “daang matuwid” (straight and honest path) campaign to professionalize their troops.

Mabanta urged both chambers of Congress to speed up its investigation of malpractices in the AFP “so that they can move on.”

He added that since the Aquino administration took over, malpractices in the AFP has stopped. “Malaki na ang ipinagbago (sa AFP) then and now,” he said.

Mabanta stressed that the AFP supports the administration’s pledge of right conduct and good governance, the promise of ‘daang matuwid’ that includes a commitment to genuine public service and transparency.

He admitted that before the expose’ came out, they already heard of such corruption within the organization. To prevent demoralization among the soldiers, the AFP, he said started implementing reforms in 2005.

Among these were the following: 1) organizational -- abolition of J6 (comptrollership office) and replaced resource management office, office of the internal auditor and management and fiscal office;

2)Systems -- imposing a no conversion/cash advance system, devolution of funds particularly the provision for command directed activities (PCDA); and leadership â€" by instituting the daang matuwid campaign of the Commander-in-Chief. - pna

President Benigno S. Aquino III will visit Jolo, Sulu on Friday to distribute relief goods to an estimated 300 victims of the flash floods in two municipalities and six barangays at the provincial capitol here.

The President will be accompanied to Jolo by Secretaries Voltaire Gazmin of National Defense, Corazon “Dinky” Soliman of Social Welfare and Development and Jesse Robredo of Interior and Local Government.

During his visit, the President will be briefed on the recent flash floods that struck the province. The briefing, which will be held at the Governor’s Conference Room, will be presided by Gazmin as chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, DND Undersecretary Benito Ramos, who is also administrator of the Office of Civil Defense and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan.

Considered the first phenomenon in the province, the flash floods followed two days of storm surges last February 1 and 2, which prompted Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin to declare a state of calamity in the entire municipality last February 4 to help the affected barangays utilize their calamity funds.

Affected by the flash floods were two municipalities, namely, Jolo and Patikul and six barangays in the province of Sulu.

After the briefing, the President will motor to the expansive multi-purpose gymnasium where some 300 of the more than 2,000 flood victims will be waiting to receive relief goods from the DSWD.

Some parts of Jolo are still under flood water since rains normally come at 8 p.m. everyday but no longer the magnitude of a surge, according to local residents here.

Invited to attend the briefing and the distribution of relief goods are the local officials of Jolo, Indanan, Patikul, Talipao, H.P. Tahil, Maimbung, Lugus, Parang, Pata, Pandami, Pangutaran, Omar, R. Caluang, Estino, Panamao, Tapul, Luuk and Siasi.

Also expected to attend are congressmen Habib Tupau Loong (1st district) and Nur Ana Sahidula (2nd district) of Sulu along with Vice Gov. Benjamin Loong with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Sulu. (PNA)

By Perfecto T. Raymundo Jr.

MANILA, Feb. 10 (PNA) -- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima on Thursday expressed confidence that the Taiwanese government will reconsider its reported retaliatory moves against the Philippines.

The said retaliatory moves were made following the decision by the DOJ, through the Bureau of Immigration (BI), to deport suspected members of an international fraud syndicate to the People's Republic of China (PROC).

De Lima aired the optimism in the wake of reports that Taiwan is mulling adverse economic and labor options against the country, particularly against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in that country.

"Taiwan is an important partner not only in trade and investments but also in our war against international crime syndicates," De Lima said.

"I am optimistic that the Taiwanese leadership will see the wisdom behind our move to deport the suspects to the PROC," De Lima added.

De Lima said that the Philippine government has decided that deportation to the PROC will ensure that the suspected criminal elements are successfully prosecuted.

"It is also consistent with our national interest that we protect our country and citizens from undesirable aliens," De Lima said.

De Lima said that the prosecution of the suspects in China for the crime of estafa or similar offenses is the best option since the victims are all residents of that country.

"Testimonies and presentation of evidence against the suspects will therefore be done more expeditiously," she pointed out.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) cracked down on the Chinese suspects in raids in the cities of Makati, Paranaque, Muntinlupa and Quezon.

The suspects are reportedly victimizing residents of mainland China in a massive criminal modus operandi using internet and telecommunications devices to access their victims and exact money from them. - pna

Philippines - tota sa China? Wala bay background sa International Diplomacy ang mga tawo behind Noynoy Aquino?

The government’s flagship anti-poverty program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), was further strengthened Thursday with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs).

The signed agreement was presented to President Benigno S. Aquino III in simple ceremonies at Malacañang’s Heroes Hall.

Aside from the MOA, a signed Joint Memorandum Circular as well as Administrative and Department Orders on the 4Ps were presented to the Chief Executive as part of the Departments of Health, Education, and Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to support the poverty alleviation project of the Aquino administration.

The MOA, which was presented by Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. and San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez concretizes the LGUs commitment to support the 4Ps.

“The ceremonial signing serves to advocate and promote joint endeavors with the Local Government Units and highlight joint efforts and thrusts in meeting the country’s Millennium Development Goals,” a statement from the DSWD read.

“It is also deemed necessary to formalize the partnership of the DSWD and LGUs to strengthen the implementation of Pantawid Pamilya (4Ps) and for the LGUs to pledge commitment to providing and delivering health and educational services necessary to meet the requirements of the program,” the statement further read.

Through this MOA, the Pantawid Pamilya aims to benefit 2.3 million families covering 936 municipalities and 74 cities in 79 provinces nationwide by December 2011.

Pantawid Pamilya utilizes the conditional cash transfer scheme made popular by successful social programs in Latin America. It provides cash grants to poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education.

The program seeks to alleviate the immediate needs of a chosen household and at the same time, invest in human capital for long-term results.

The convergence strategy of the DSWD for a synergized holistic approach in delivering social services serves to strengthen the sustainability of the program.

The three other documents presented to the President were: the Revised Joint Memorandum Circular on Pantawid Pamilya specifying the role and responsibilities of each partner agency to ensure availability of supply on health and education; the signed Administrative Order on Project RN-HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) which will employ 10,000 registered nurses who will undergo learning and development during their one year deployment to Pantawid Pamilya areas; and the signed Department Order declaring Jan. 29, 2011 as early registration day for SY 2011-2012.

The Department Order hopes to achieve the country’s Millennium Development Goals in education and is aimed at reaching out to all five and six year old children to register early to ensure enrollment in SY 2011-2012 which will also guarantee the early enrollment of the graduates of grade six students. (PNA)

I just prayed for the justice of this 6-year-old girl. It pains me to read this horrifying story.

Senior Supt. Edwin Nemenzo, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police-Calabarzon region, announced on Thursday the solution of the massacre of three persons in Kawit, Cavite last week.

In a report to Chief Supt. Leon Nilo dela Cruz, CIDG director in Camp Crame, Nemenzo said the Cavite massacre was considered solved after the two key suspects were arrested and two of their cohorts gave themselves up voluntarily to the police.

Nemenzo told Dela Cruz that his men, led by Chief Insp. Reynaldo Magdaluyo, arrested Ricardo Chavez, the alleged mastermind, and his suspected accomplice, Rodel Villasquez, in Barangay Zapote, Bacoor, Cavite.

Chavez was tagged as the brains in the killing of his cousin, Cristy Chavez Saromo, 36, her fiancé Edgar Zerida, and niece Dennis Chavez, Nemenzo said.

Police said the victims had multiple stab wounds in their bodies and their heads were wrapped with tapes when discovered at their residence in Barangay Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite last February 2.

Nemenzo said Chavez’s father had disclosed to probers the safe house of his son, resulting to his arrest and that of Villasquiz. Two other suspects, Annibal Hernandez and Raffy Ampisao, later gave themselves up to the police.

The CIDG IV-A director said the four suspects admitted participation in the crime and were charged with robbery with multiple murders.

Nemenzo said investigations disclosed that Chavez was allegedly borrowing P20,000 cash from cousin Cristy but she refused. On the other hand, Zerida, Cristy’s fiancé, scolded Chavez, prompting the suspects to kill them.

The CIDG official said the suspects were drunk and high on illegal drugs when they committed the crime. (PNA)

The Bicol Regional Science High School (BRSHS) here has been given allocation by the Department of Education (DepEd) a fresh amount of P1.150 million in additional subsidy to augment its regular allotment for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) this year.

The amount is based on a fixed and a variable allocation of P2,000 per student based on the current enrollment of the school, a DepEd order issued last January 19 and received by the BRSHS over the weekend said.

Eduardo Nañoz, the school principal, said that the order carries an instruction that 25 percent of the amount be spent in training and professional development of teachers and officials directly involved in managing the school as well as expenses for students’ participation in Science and Mathematics-related activities conducted by the DepEd.

Another 25 percent would go to the procurement of supplies and materials to support students’ researches and projects and to extra-essential services to support the school’s operations such as janitorial and security services, Nañoz said.

The order also stipulates that 20 percent of the fund should be used to purchase Science and Mathematics equipment including repair and maintenance of previously owned equipment, laboratory tools, including upgrading of computers, he said.

The next 18 percent is for the procurement of instructional materials such as textbooks for Science, Mathematics, English and other subject areas, professional books, video materials and software for these subjects as well as internet subscription, the school head said.

Finally, he said the remaining 12 percent would be for used to settle water and electric bills.

Any Advice How to Get a Korean Tourist Visa for Pinoy Visitor?
How much will it cost? How long is the processing? Thank you for the info.

kusog ug survival instinct ni nga dog. 

Cebu Pacific offers P999 seats to all Korea routes, P1,499 to Brunei and Ho Chi Minh

The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) holds a 50% off seat sale on all our domestic destinations from now until February 12, 2011 or until seats last, for travel from April 1 to June 30, 2011.

This 50% off seat sale is available to any of our 33 domestic destinations. This includes Boracay (Caticlan), Coron (Busuanga), Cebu, Legazpi, Zamboanga, San Jose, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Iloilo and Davao.

Grab the opportunity to travel this summer! Up for grabs with the same travel period are P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Brunei and to Ho Chi Minh. You can even connect from cities such as Davao to international destinations such as Vietnam on CEB’s very low fares!

Book early and catch the autumn season in South Korea! For travel from September 1 to November 30, 2011, you can avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila and Cebu to Seoul (Incheon), and Manila and Cebu to Busan.

Grab great deals on Cebu Pacific Fun Tours where you can combine your lowest roundtrip airfare with the cheapest hotel accommodation in your desired destination.

By Arman Carandang

Philippine sports officials yesterday expressed concern about reports Indonesia may not be ready to host the 26th Southeast Asian Games in November while maintaining that Philippine side of the preparations is on track.

Mark Joseph, president of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) and one of the most active officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), said the reports are compounded with rumors Indonesia would ask Thailand to save the

Games by agreeing to a hosting transfer.

“Yung preparations of Indonesia are delayed, but we in RP are still on track,” said Joseph.

Unlike in past SEA Games hosting by Indonesia, Jakarta will no longer be the main venue of the meet as organizers named the province of Palembang as the central hub.

While the Philippines, he said, is right on track in its own preparations, the country could not rush things just the same, owing to lack of an official calendar of sports from where preparations of participating countries are usually based upon.

The rule, according to Joseph, is for the calendar of sports to have been finalized last November (2010), the month, incidentally, the organizers started the official countdown to the Games opening ceremony on Nov. 11, 2011 (or 11-11-11).

The SEAG Federation is set to hold a meeting on Feb. 25, which is the second since May 10 last year when it held the same federation meeting as revealed in the SEAG profile posted on the internet.

Even the task force, which will be a joint effort between the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has yet to be formed, Joseph lamented.

The "Sarbanes-Oxley Act" is a comprehensive corporate reform package that was signed into the US law on July 30, 2002. The passage of the Act has been heralded by some as a historic occasion—calling it the most significant accounting legislation since 1933, while others have severely criticized the Act either as a "too little too late measure" or as a hasty knee jerk reaction to a temporary situation.   Without a doubt, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is the single most important piece of legislation affecting corporate governance, financial disclosure and the practice of public accounting since the US securities laws of the early 1930s. And, it is clear that public companies and the accounting profession have made tremendous progress in meeting the rigorous requirements of this legislation.

In the summer of 1969 Doris and Don Fisher opened their first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco, California. Don Fisher originally created Gap with a very simple idea: “to make it easier to find a pair of jeans.” (Fisher, 2008) Today, Gap Inc. encompasses four highly recognized apparel brand name stores in the world. These stores are Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy and Piperlime. Gap is one of the world’s largest specialty retailers and with stores all over the United States the corporation is growing and prospering, even in the hard economic times of 2009.   The success or failure of a company is the direct result of the management’s ability to monitor and regulate the sales and income and the expenses and cost of doing business. Annual financial reports show the solvency possibilities of a company.   - oppapers.com

There are three main reasons why the auditor should properly plan engagements: to enable the auditor to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence for the circumstances, to help keep audit costs reasonable, and to avoid misunderstandings with the client. Obtaining sufficient appropriate evidence is essential if the CPA firm is to minimize legal liability and maintain a good reputation in the business community. Keeping costs reasonable helps firm remain competitive. Avoiding misunderstandings with the client is necessary for good client relations and for facilitating high-quality work at reasonable cost.
Before beginning our discussion, we briefly introduce two risk terms: acceptable audit risk an inherent risk. These to risks significantly influence the conduct and cost of audits.

An accounting information system is system that keeps record for a business to maintain its accounting system. Accounting information systems combine the study and practice of accounting with the design, implementation and monitoring of information systems. The use of such systems uses modern information technology resources together with traditional accounting methods to provide the users with the necessary information to manage their Organisation. Accounting information systems has its strengths and weaknesses also, but strengths more so than weaknesses in some cases.
Basic accounting information systems include entering customers' records, billing customers, collecting customer payments, keeping track of inventory, purchasing new stock and materials, paying employees' etc. users of this accounting information can include internal and external parties. Internal users of accounting information include managers and owners.

Many investors believe they know everything there may be to know of companies, but the SEC made that all happen in its ruling about disclosers in its financial statements in 2002.   The SEC now was able to make it possible for everyone, not just insiders to see the company for who they truly were.   No creative accounting policy could be done with about a thorough explanation in the companies annual 10-K report.   The reason many of us understand these important changes are from the demise of companies as Enron, and WorldCom; which both used creative accounting techniques that were never disclosed to its shareholders.   The rules suddenly began to change and critical accounting polices began to become very important.   The importance of these policies is not only to clarify the data for investors, but also to explain where the company feels its changes are positive or negatively effecting the company. - oppapers.com

The importance of cost accounting plays a major role in our society, setting retail prices for merchandise and goods used by the consumer.   Billions of dollars are spent each year on goods and services that the average consumer may rely heavily upon, so it is only in good moral standing to regulate and restrict the amount paid for such materials.   In many countries including the United States the levels of income very from person to person.   Regardless of the amount of money earned per individual, the costs for available products should be fair and not subject to dramatic exponential increases or decreases.   Thus, the creation of a committee that determines a set price on all consumer goods, and devises a set of concrete standards that are to be lawfully followed by large corporations and businesses to the single individual.

The history of accounting is as old as civilization and is among the most important professions in economic and cultural development. Much of what we know about the daily lives of ancient people comes from accounting records, such as inventories and sales records, found at archeological sites.   People in all civilizations have maintained various types of records of business activities and the earliest known records kept are the clay tablet records for the payment of wages in the Mesopotamian Valley around 3500 BC. 

The Mesopotamian Valley is now mostly in the borders of Iraq.   The Valley, which included the city of Babylon, was an especially rich area of agriculture. As farmers prospered, support businesses and small industries developed and the area became a regional center for economic commerce. In fact, the Babylonian Empire was the most powerful state in that time and Babylonian became the language of business and politics.   

Founded in the United States in 1907 and Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United Parcel Service is the world's largest package delivery company. As the leading global provider of specialized transportation, UPS operates in more than 200 countries, with one of the most recognized and admired brands in the world.
      Through its core business of transporting packages and information, UPS has developed into a $3 billion dollar corporation, providing just the right mix of transportation, information, document management and supply chain solutions.   In addition, through its subsidiaries which include, Mailbox Express, UPS Airlines, UPS Capital Business Credit, UPS consulting and UPS Mail Innovations, the company also provides international support services such as custom clearance, freight forwarding and supply chain services that make it faster and easier to connect to a global economy.

Forensic accounting is a science that deals with the application of accounting facts gathered through auditing methods and procedures to legal problems usually dealing with financial and valuation issues (Grippo, 2003). Forensic accounting investigates an allegation where the results are presented in a legal setting. The increasing complexity of the business environment and the growing number of business-related investigations

As the complexity and scope of business has expanded through the world, the need to track financial information has grown. There has been a corresponding increase in illegal financial activity according to separate surveys by the U. S. Department of Justice, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) (Houck, Kranacher, Morris, Riley, Robertson, & Wells, 2006). An understanding of effective fraud and forensic accounting techniques can assist forensic accountants in identifying illegal activity and discovering and preserving evidence.

By Michaela P. del Callar and Aytch S. de la Cruz
Tribune

Taiwan has retaliated against the Philippine government by ordering the recall of its arepresentative to Manila, following the Aquino administration’s decision to extradite 14 Taiwanese to China.

Taiwanese media, quoting a Taipei Foreign Ministry statement issued late Monday, said Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (Teco) Representative Lee Chuan-tung, Taipei’s de-facto ambassador to the Philippines, is being recalled over the “inappropriate” deportation of the Taiwanese nationals to China. The ministry also said it will strictly screen all visa applications of Philippine nationals who are seeking employment in Taiwan.

Teco officials in Manila would not confirm if Lee has already left the country.

Manila does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-governing island that has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949, but still claimed by China as part of its territory.

Taiwan last week warned that it will “reexamine” its relations, including cooperation projects, with Manila as a consequence when the Taiwanese, along with 10 Chinese nationals, were deported to Beijing, despite Taiwan’s early request to Manila to deport its nationals to Taiwan. This request was reportedly ignored by the Aquino government.

Taiwan is home to around 100,000 Filipino workers.  Majority are employed in electronic assembly and manufacturing factories while around 20,000 work as caregivers, earning at least P30,000 a month.

Teco’s counterpart, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) expressed regret over the incident and appealed to Taipei not to let the incident harm its strong ties with the Philippines.

A business has a financial statement, a stock certificate is a reflection of a financial statement, each piece of real estate has a financial statement, and each of us as an individual human being has a financial statement attached to us…Everything â€" regardless of if it is a business, real estate, or human being â€" that transacts money has an income statement and balance sheet, whether or not they know it.

“Financial literacy is one of the most important investor basics, especially if you want to be a safe investor, an inside investor, and a rich investor. Anyone who is not financially literate cannot see into an investment. Just as a doctor uses X-rays to look at your skeletal system, a financial statement allows you to look into an investment and see the truth, the facts, the fiction, the opportunities, and the risk. Reading a financial statement of a business or individual is like reading a biography or an autobiography.”

Researchers have found a compound that tumors make when they are likely to spread, and said they hope to use to it predict which patients are most at risk of dying from their cancers.

And experiments in mice show there may be a way to block the protein, preventing cancer from spreading and becoming deadly.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, are at a very early stage. But a team at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Hong Kong and elsewhere said on Tuesday they will work to develop both a test and, perhaps, a treatment.

The protein is called CPE-delta N and ordinarily plays a role in processing insulin and other hormones.

"This form is present in large amounts in primary tumors that have spread or metastasized," said Y. Peng Loh of the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

"As everyone knows, cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, pass through surrounding tissues into lymph and blood vessels and these cancer cells then travel through the body and form tumors elsewhere."

This spread of tumors usually kills cancer patients. Early stage cancers that can be completely removed or destroyed usually do not kill the patient.

Loh's team described a series of experiments involving patients with liver cancer, a rare adrenal cancer, colon cancer and other types of cancer.

They tested the tumors of 18 patients with stage 2 liver cancer, which has spread but only within the liver.

"These patients would normally be told by their physicians that the cancer not likely to recur," Loh told reporters in a telephone briefing. They would not get chemotherapy after surgery.

This shallow seated tectonic earthquake with magnitude 6.8, struck the island of Bohol at 3:15 pm, caused panic to general public, damaged several houses and infrastructure and presented several geologic disturbances.  Its epicenter was located about 17 kilometers east of Tagbilaran City with a maximum felt intensity of VIII, based on Rossi-Forel Intensity Scale, in the towns of Jagna, Duero and Guindulman all situated on the lower area of the NE quadrant of the island.  It was felt at intensity VII in Garcia Hernandez, Loboc, Valencia and Anda, Intensity VI in Tagbilaran City, the rest among the 16 municipalities of Bohol and in the neighboring islands of Cebu and Camiguin.  Intensity V was felt over areas of Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao, Dumaguete City in Negros, Intensity IV in the areas of Canlaon in Negros and Cotabato City in Mindanao.  Reported felt intensities ranging from I to III was also felt as far as Palo in Leyte and Bislig in Surigao.
Observed geologic phenomena related to this event include ground fissures, landslides, rockfalls, ground subsidence and collapse, sand/mud fountaining and sudden increase on the sea level. Most of the manifestations were particularly observed and experienced by the towns of Jagna, Valencia, Duero, Guindulman and Garcia Hernandez. The force of the incoming waves from the sea caused Alijuan River in Duero to flow inland immediately after the earthquake.

Based on the orientation of the main fracture zones, focal mechanism solution and aftershock distribution, the earthquake may have represented subsurface rupture along segments of the NE-SW Alicia thrust fault. Studies by the Bureau of Mines (1986), however, point to the fact that in most portion of the fault is being overlained by Miocene to recent limestone which does not reflect any deformation suggesting that the fault has been inactive for quite a long time. This would pose a question as to whether the earthquake represented reactivation of an old fault or indicated new fault movement in the island.

Impact and damage documentation revealed that the worstly affected portion of the island was sustained by the eastern and southeastern coastal areas, observed to be mostly underlained by alluvial deposits which have tendency to amplify ground motions generated by an earthquake. Likewise, most of the damaged buildings were either old/poorly-built or lacked the necessary  reinforcements to resist strong ground shaking. About 3,000 units of houses, buildings and churches were affected and damaged where a total of 182 were totally collapsed including two historical churches built centuries ago. Some 200,000 sq.m. of fishpond in the town of Guindulman sustained damage due to cracked and collapsed dikes. Mud eruptions on these fishpens contributed to the death of fishes and prawns.

The bridge connecting the towns of Jagna and Duero collapsed. Roads to Anda sustained cracks and fissuring. Landslides and rockfalls blocked some portions of the roads that caused inaccessibility to some areas between Anda and Garcia Hernandez.

Six fatalities were reported and more than 200 were injured in the event. About 46,000 people were displaced by the event and at least 7,000 among them were rendered homeless. Estimated damage to properties is amounting to 154 million pesos. 

References:

Umbal, J.V., Masigla L.M., Medrano R. N. and Diolata G.P. - Report of Investigation
         on the February 08, 1990 Earthquake in Bohol Province. PHIVOLCS

Shocked and saddened by the death of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, the Senate decided on Tuesday to defer probe on the plea bargaining agreement between former military comptroller Carlos Garcia and state prosecutors.

”The prudent to do is to postpone or defer the hearings,” Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III said on the postponement supported by majority of his colleagues.

Reyes, one of the accused in the alleged corruption in the military, died from a gunshot wound on his chest in an apparent suicide Tuesday morning in front of his mother's grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was also saddened by the 'unfortunate' demise of his friend but as head of the Senate, urged his colleagues to pursue the investigation “in aid of legislation to perform the work for the people and the nation in order to help in its development in spite of this incident.”

”It’s unfortunate, we are sad that this happened, but we are doing a duty, and anyone who is hailed in this Senate to answer questions must be prepared to defend himself. Of course we will not tolerate any act that will demean or inflict indignities to a member of the public who will appear before us,” Enrile said in a short message he delivered at the plenary.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former Reyes' subordinate who named the former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff as one of the top officials involved in the corruption in the military, appealed to respect the privacy of the family of Reyes.

”First of all, I extend my condolences to the family of the late general Angelo Reyes. They need strength at this time,” Trillanes said. “Maybe for until we get to bury the departed out of respect but ultimately we have to continue with the investigation.”

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada also extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Reyes, calling the incident a 'truly a sad episode” in the country's history. - PNA

By Lilybeth G. Ison

Members of the Philippine government peace panel are set to leave for Kuala Lumpur this week to attend the 20th exploratory talks with representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Government chief negotiator Marvic Leonen, at a press conference on Monday at the University of the Philippines, said his panel will attend the two-day peace talks in Kuala Lumpur between the Philippine government and MILF.

The peace talks hosted by the Malaysian government will start on Wednesday.

"We leave for Kuala Lumpur very soon to attend the 20th exploratory talks with the representatives of the MILF," Leonen told the media in an interview.

He said the agenda for the meeting include the extension of the mandate of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) and the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG).

The IMT, together with the two Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) -- the local monitoring groups and the civilian protection components -- form the infrastructure for maintaining the ceasefire between the two groups.

On the other hand, the AHJAG is the mechanism to interdict criminal elements that stray into areas where MILF forces are dominant. This includes kidnapping and terrorist groups.

Leonen said the government panel is also keen on reviving another mechanism -- the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) -- as proposed by the MILF in past negotiations.

Through this mechanism, he said, young Moro leaders may further be trained to lead and manage in the future.

Leonen said government negotiators would also use the meeting to seek clarification from the MILF over an announcement it made over the weekend that one of its key commanders, Ameril Umbra Kato, had split from the 12,000-strong group. - pna

The Senate decided on Monday to shelve for a while its ruling on the motion to cite three former military officials for contempt in connection with the ongoing Senate blue ribbon investigation on the plea bargain agreement.

In an interview after a caucus on Monday afternoon, Senate blue ribbon committee chairman Teofisto Guingona III said that they have to study further the motion of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to cite former military comptroller Carlos Garcia for contempt for repeatedly refusing to answer questions.

”With regards to General Garcia, we have some people studying the matter. We sought it best to defer the issue, deciding on the issue until we have exhaustively studied the matter,” Guingona said.

The senators also deferred the decision on whether to cite former national defense Angelo Reyes for contempt for not attending the last two Senate inquiries.

”Secretary Angelo Reyes, so far we have issued invitations only. So we will subpoena Reyes formally. If he defies the subpoena, that’s the only time contempt issue will come in,” Guingona said.

After his name has been mentioned as one of the former military generals who received millions as payoffs, Reyes asked Senators Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Antonio Trillanes IV and Francis Escudero to inhibit from the ongoing Senate probe.

With regards to former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot, Guingona said there is no formal motion for contempt against Ligot, predecessor of Garcia.

”I guess we will just have to continue with General Ligot. Anyway, his wife has been invited for the next hearing,” Guingona said.

Guingona was referring to Mrs. Ligot who, according to Senator Estrada, owned two expensive houses in California and has travelled 42 times abroad. (PNA)

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) appealed to the public to report foreigners suspected of involvement in human trafficking and illegal recruitment, saying aliens are among the top operators and financiers of human trafficking syndicates in the country.

BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma made the appeal after he issued an order assigning 10 immigration intelligence agents to the bureau’s newly-formed trafficking in persons unit (TIPU) which was created last month to bolster the government’s anti-trafficking drive. He also vowed to keep the identities of informants confidential.

“We received intelligence information that foreigners are among the principal operators and financiers of these human trafficking syndicates,” Ledesma said.

He said that without the public’s cooperation, it would be very difficult for the bureau to track down these foreigners who are well-entrenched and believed to have the backing and protection of powerful people.

“Our intent in forming this team of operatives is to unmask the foreign human traffickers operating in our country so they can be investigated, prosecuted and jailed,” Ledesma said.

BI-TIPU head Epifanio Lambino Jr. also appealed to the various foreign embassies in Manila to share any information about foreigners involved in the human trafficking and illegal recruitment racket.

He likewise asked the bureau’s stakeholders, particularly its accredited travel agencies and consultancy firms, for similar information, which may be sent by email to xinfo@immigration.gov.ph or tipuimmigration@yahoo.com or through telephone numbers 527-4836, 522-4856 and 527-3273 or mobile phone numbers 0908-8612955.

A recent US State Department report included the Philippines among 58 countries on Washington’s "Tier 2" human trafficking watch list. The report said the Philippines is a "source country and, to a much lesser extent, a destination and transit country” for human trafficking, especially forced prostitution and labor.

“A significant number of Filipinos who migrated abroad for work were subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude and forced labor in factories, construction sites, and as domestic workers,” it said, adding that Filipino women had also fallen prey to sex trafficking in various countries. (PNA)

By Joel C. Atencio

MANILA, Feb. 8 (PNA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) said its investigators are looking at suicide angle as the possible cause of the death of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes Tuesday morning.

Reyes, 65, was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) in Quezon City at about 8:45 a.m. due to an apparently self-inflicted bullet wound in the chest.

On Monday, Reyes begged off from attending a Senate hearing on alleged financial fund scam in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz said the Marikina Police Station (MPS) theorized that Reyes committed suicide early Tuesday morning at the Loyola Memorial Park (LMP) in Marikina City where he visited the tomb of his mother whose death anniversary was Feb. 7.

Cruz said the MPS Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) are checking out the LMP complex for possible clues that might prove Reyes' death was a suicide.

The suicide theory was based on an eye witness account and from Reyes’ family members who were told to get inside the family car ahead of the former defense chief.

It was reported that after a single gunshot was heard, Reyes was found slumped on the ground with a book entitled “The Trump.”

Health Secretary Enrique Ona later told reporters at the QMMC that they are awaiting autopsy results of Reyes who also served as secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Environment and Natural Resources, and Energy.

A horde of grieving relatives and friends rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) on Tuesday morning as they heard the news of the alleged suicide of former Cabinet Secretary Angelo Reyes.

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was one of those who rushed to the QMMC.

Mrs. Arroyo condoled with Reyes’ wife, Teresita P. Reyes, and his five children, Pablo, Angelito, Marc, Carlo and Judd.

The former President was accompanied by former Presidential Management Staff chief Mike Defensor.

Reyes died in an apparent suicide after visiting the tomb of his mother early Tuesday morning at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. He was a key figure in the "EDSA 2" bloodless revolt that ousted President Joseph Estrada and installed Mrs. Arroyo as the new President in January 2001.

Reyes served in various capacities as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Energy (PNA).

The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) on Tuesday dismissed from the service a police officer and barred a former vice mayor who took the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Examination in his behalf.

In a five-page ruling, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez found PO1 Melvin Villocero of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Command of Palawan guilty of serious dishonesty.

Villocero was meted the penalty of dismissal from the service with all its accessory penalties.

The Ombudsman also found former Vice Mayor Danilo Chan of the municipality of Brooke's Point, Palawan guilty of serious dishonesty in the same case.

Chan was meted the accessory penalty of disqualification from employment in any branch, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned or controlled corporation.

Records of the case showed that Chan took the Oct. 19, 1997 CSC examination held at the Palawan National High School in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on behalf of Villocero.

In the said CSC exam, Chan obtained a passing rate of 83.78 percent for Villocero.

The records also contain a picture seat plan of CSC examinees showing the photo of Chan but beneath it was the name of Villocero.

Chan denied the accusation, saying that it is illogical for him to accomodate Villocero for moral and legal reasons.

However, the ruling said "Chan failed to convince this office by clear and convincing evidence that he was not indeed the person who took the CSC examination on October 19, 1997 for Melvin Villocero and that the photo as appearing in the seat plan was not his." (PNA)

The remains of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes was taken to the Arlington Funeral Homes on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City Tuesday noon.

Reports reaching the Department of National Defense (DND) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said Reyes’ remains will be available for public viewing. The Reyes family members said there will be changes in the funeral schedule. Interment will be announced later.

In a related development, the Marikina Police Station-Scene of the Crime Operatives (MPS-SOCO) recovered a bullet slug of a caliber .45 pistol near the grave of Reyes’ mother at the Loyola Memorial Park (LMP) in Marikina City.

Reyes, bearing a bullet wound in his chest, believed to be self-inflicted, was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Hospital at around 7:30 a.m. coming from the Loyola Memorial Park at nearby Marikina City where he visited the tomb of his mother.

He was pronounced dead at around 8:45 a.m. by attending physicians at the hospital, according to Health Secretary Enrique Ona. The Quirino Memorial Hospital is a DOH-run facility. - PNA

At least two government agencies, which the late Secretary Angelo T. Reyes served in the past, expressed condolences to the Reyes family on Tuesday afternoon.

They are the officials and employees of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Jesse M. Robredo and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), headed by Secretary Ramon JP Paje.

“We were saddened to hear the untimely demise of former DILG Secretary Angelo T. Reyes. He served the DILG from July 12, 2004 to February 15, 2006. His administration was characterized by his overall vision of a “sense of community under the rule of law,” Robredo said.

The DILG chief said this vision reads in part, “a strong nation starts with a strong sense of community, and community means caring for each other and aspiring for common dreams. It means looking beyond personal, family and parochial interests in favor of the common good.”

One of Reyes’ major accomplishments as secretary of the department was his successful crusade against criminality, particularly kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) incidents.

Robredo and the entire DILG family extend condolences to his family and loved ones.

For his part, Paje said the untimely demise of Secretary Reyes startled all of them at DENR.

“This is a sad day for the officials and employees of the DENR where Reyes served as Secretary for almost two years - from February 2006 to July 2007,” Paje said.

The DENR chief said there is no doubt that he served our country and environment with utmost dedication, energizing the DENR with his passion for results, his zeal for enforcing laws, especially the drive against illegal logging, and his keen sense of command and responsibility.

“Most of all, especially among the rank-and-file, we will always remember him as a kind and caring person, jovial and good-humored, and one who always patted one’s shoulder,” Paje said.

“Again, our sincerest commiseration to the family of the late Secretary Angie Reyes in their hour of bereavement. We join them in their prayers,” Paje said. (PNA)

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Tuesday provided hot meals and clothing for the 5,000 families rendered homeless in a big fire which hit a densely populated area in Diliman, Quezon City.

PRC officials said on Monday at 11:05 pm, a fire hit an informal settler’s residential area on Agham Road Corner Quezon Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

Two PRC Quezon City Chapter ambulances were dispatched, together with the PRC national headquarters’ fire truck.

Following this action, PRC’s mobile kitchen was also deployed around 6:50 am Tuesday to provide food and clothing for the victims.

Two PRC ambulances provided medical attention to 10 patients, two of which were rushed to East Avenue Medical Center for immediate medical treatment. (PNA)

Mao nanay resulta sa mag-addict-addict. Nganong mi-enter. Pagkaluoy sa bata. Unthinkable.

Cebu to Zamboanga to Cebu Superferry Boat Schedule
Cebu to Zamboanga: Friday: 11:59 p.m.
Zamboanga to Cebu: Sunday: 10:15 p.m.

Address in cebu: Pier 4, Cebu City

Cebu to Nasipit Superferry Boat Schedule
Cebu to Nasipit - Saturday: 11:45 p.m.

Superferry Cebu to Dumaguete to Cebu
Cebu to Dumaguete: Tuesday: 11:59 p.m.
Dumaguete to Cebu: Wednesday: 9:45 a.m.

Cebu Location: Just go to Pier Kwatro (4)

Cebu to Cotabato to Cebu Boat Schedule

Cebu to Cotabato: Every Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Cotabato to Cebu: Every Sunday: 10:45 a.m.

Cebu Address: Pier 4, Cebu City

Cebu to Cagayan Boat Schedule Superferry
Cebu to Cagayan
Monday: 9:45 a.m.
Thursday: 8:45 p.m.
Saturday: 11:45 p.m.

Cagayan to Cebu
Monday: 10:45 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:45 p.m.
Friday: 10:15 a.m.

Location: Supercat Terminal: Pier 4, Cebu City

Comment from around the world:

Life in North Korea is unlike life anywhere else. Because the country it so closed off, we don't see much of it. But the pieces that leak out are strangely fascinating. That's especially true when it comes to children. North Korean children are extremely disciplined. Take Kang Eunju, for example. She is an amazing guitarist. But even more amazing is the fact that she's still in Kindergarten.
Watch her body language.

Little North Korean Girl Playing Guitar 北朝鮮å°'女のã,®ã,¿ãƒ¼æ¼"奏
North Korean Girl A Guitar Expert

comment/reaction from YouTube - i'll tell you something. Many americans are incredibly lazy compared to many other countries. Our school systems are laughable as well. Different cultures have different values. I think many want the get rich or famous quick scenario while people over there work hard for the respect and money they earn. All i did when i was little was play and get in trouble. this little girl has some amazing dedication and will more than likely do something big with her life.

MTV Cribs: Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao Featured by MTV

Unsa sa inyong huna-huna?

You will not run out of money even if you spend 1 million dollar per day just for your meals.

Salamat Padre sa mga hulagway nga imong gipaambit diri.
Tinuod naay bag-ong merkado ang Anda pero way bisan usa ka dako nga gitampo ang Mayor niana. Ug way bisan usa ka pudyot nga paningkamot ang gitampo sa Mayor ana. Puro na donasyon ni Arthur Yap. Ambot ug dis-a ug kwarta si Arthur Yap nga bali mang daghana.

Ang nakaparat karon usa ray niabang sa merkado, bag-o lang nadugangan ug laing usa, ang Palawan Pawnshop. Unsaon ang abang sa merkado kay P100,000. Dili ma-refund kung maganse imong negosyo.
Murag wala kabalo si Arthur Yap gani nga gipamolitika ug ginegosyo sa politiko ang iyang gidonate nga merkado.

Pagkaluoy sa lungsod sa Anda. Tanang Bol-anon sa kalibotan nakahibalo sa pagkauyamot sa Anda. Ang wala ra nakahibalo ang mga namuno didto.

Not a good roommate kung maohon.

The UN refugee agency Friday warned that military operations against insurgents in Pakistan’s Mohmand agency could displace up to 90,000 people by the end of February if the fighting intensifies.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which aims to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide, fighting has already displaced some 25,000 people over the past week.

UNHCR has established two new camps, mainly to accommodate people who have been fleeing the Sagi and Dawezai areas of Mohmand agency since military operations intensified on January 27.

The agency said that many of those arriving at the camps have little more than the clothes on their backs, and winter clothes and shelter are urgently required.

The two camps are the first to be established by UNHCR for conflict-displaced Pakistanis within the tribal areas of the north-west since military operations against insurgents began in 2008.

In previous waves of conflict people fled to settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, seeking refuge in and around the city of Peshawar.

UNHCR has also deployed engineers, field and protection staff to Ghalanai,the administrative capital of Mohmand agency, and helped authorities to set up camps at Nahqi and Danish Kol to the north and north-east of Ghalanai.  - pna

electric chair for the dad, if in the Philippines, under our old law.

Anda Bohol: The Only Bohol Town Nga Walay Asenso

kanus-a pa man intawon magmata ang mga tawo sa Anda?

James Hardie Philippines Inc Cabuyao Laguna
San Isidro, Cabuyao, Laguna
Telephone No: 870-2500

Need Bowling Equipment or Billiard Tables in Philippines?
Call Puyat Sports
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The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said that there is a need to appoint a new Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner.

In a statement Thursday, PPCRV Chairperson Henrietta de Villa said that with the death of Commissioner Romeo Brawner, "it is more needed to press for the appointment of three more officials to complete the seven-man commissioners." “We are moved even more to press for the appointment of new Comelec commissioners now totaling three. This will gravely affects the forthcoming ARMM polls especially at this crucial time of the implementation of its poll automation,” she said.

On Thursday, Brawner succumbed to a heart attack while he was at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

With his death, the Comelec now has only four officials led by Chairman Jose Melo and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Nicodemo Ferrer and Moslemen Macarambon.

De Villa said they are saddened by the untimely death of Brawner, whom she described as a man of courage, integrity and determination.

“Commissioner Brawner, in our individual and collective experience of the Comelec during the 2007 National and Local elections, was a pillar of integrity, competence and courage. His decisions and judgments manifested a command of legal jurisprudence that was never devoid of humanitarian concern. What the PPCRV especially appreciates was his accessibility and openness to help clarify election-related confusion,” she said.

Kanang way pagkapalong nga pagbuga sa kalayo pareha ni godzilla pang-one-time ba.

Basin mao niy model sa washing machine, ug dili katabang.

Modern dialysis seguro.

Hahaha. This is cute, funny, and profound. Thanks for posting, insurectus!

Human's creativity never stops to amaze me.

playing farmville? the mom should have planted real plants.

The Sandiganbayan has dismissed an anti-graft case filed 17 years ago against former Mandaue City Mayor Alfredo Ouano for the alleged overpriced purchase of a parcel of land in Barangay Looc in Mandaue City.

Ouano confirmed the dismissal, adding that the anti-graft court's First Division gave credence to their defense that the lot in question was actually worth more than what the city government paid for.

He said the University of Cebu even wanted to buy the lot, but the landowners opted to sell the property to the city because it found the reason behind the purchase noble.

He said he got the City Government to purchase the 3,315-square-meter property in 1995, during his last term and intended the lot to be used for the construction of a school for Mandaue City residents who were poor yet deserving, and stressed they got it at a fair price of over P3,000 per square meter.

He lamented, however, that in 1998, members of the opposition in the City Council at that time went to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas with allegations of overpricing.

Based on previous reports, the City Government paid P10.9 million for the lot from Raul and Editha Cabahug, who, in turn, bought the property from Genoveva Cabahug, Raul’s mother, for only P1 million.

The anti-graft office found basis to indict Ouano and other city government officials criminally before the Sandiganbayan but dismissed the administrative aspect of the charge.

Among the respondents were then Pontico Fortuna, Noel Soon, Cesar Cabahug Jr., Rafael Mayol, Paulino Dy, Mark Lester Jeanjaquet, then city administrator Victor Biaño, then city treasurer Lorna Atega, Joaquin Garcia and the property owners, Raul and Editha Cabahug.

Ouano said five of the respondents are now deceased.

In answering the charge, Ouano and the other respondents said the amount with which Raul and Editha Cabahug got the property for should not be considered. - PNA

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has passed a resolution authorizing Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to grant a loan to an electric cooperative to solve the power crisis in Camotes Island.

The PB gave the governor the authority to lend P9.1 million to Camotes Electric Cooperative (Celco) so they can pay for the advance payment for fuel the National Power Corp. (Napocor) requested.

The cooperative will pay the provincial government the loan of P9,191,502 plus interest as specified in the payment schedule.

Monthly amortization is P268,596 for 12 months, which means Celco would have to pay P9,669,460 in total.

Residents of Camotes Island have been suffering from massive brownouts due to the lack of power supply.

Napocor can no longer generate power for the towns of Tudela, Poro and San Francisco due to financial constraints, as what their president stated in a meeting with the governor.

Garcia earlier said Capitol can lend money to the cooperative so it can buy fuel to operate its power generation plant.

Napocor’s 2.6-megawatt power plant in Poro town requires 6,000 liters for a 24-hour operation.

Sick and Tired of Ego Boasting in Facebook?
It pays to be humble and low-profile.

Sulayi daw ni sa Philippine Post Office, di ba maupaw nang envelope.

Ad Space Available: Inquire Inside

Air Phil Sale for Manila to Kalibo, Aklan, P598 only.

Air Philippines is a lot cheaper than Cebu Pacific. To book online, go to www.airphilexpress.com

The Sooner You Advertise, The Better

Veterinary personnel in South Cotabato have expressed alarm over the emergence of a suspected bacterial illness that already caused a number of infected goats in the province to go blind.

Dr. Raul Teves, animal diseases coordinator of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said Friday they monitored at least 42 suspected cases of the “pink eye” disease or infectious keratoconjunctivitis at a goat farm in Sto. Niño town in South Cotabato.

He said they already subjected the infected animals to several tests and sent samples to the Bureau of Animal Industry for further evaluation.

“If the samples will turn out positive, we will be facing this kind of disease here for the first time,” Teves said.

According to veterinary references, pink eye is an infectious and contagious bacterial disease of sheep, goats, and other animals that mostly occur in the summer and in young animals.

The disease, which tends to occur as an outbreak in a flock or herd, is caused by one or a number of different microorganisms and either carried by flies or dust to the eyes of the animal.

Although infected the animals rarely die from pink eye, it may cause temporary blindness that may eventually turn permanent in severe cases.

Based on their initial studies, Teves cited that overcrowding and poor ventilation mainly contributes to the spread of the disease.

“Dry, dusty conditions and irritants such as flies tend to predispose or exacerbate the disease,” he noted.

Teves said they initially dispatched their personnel to monitor the possible emergence of the disease in other goat farms in the province. - PNA

The Regional Development Council (RDC) here has approved a resolution for the proposed upgrading and expansion of the Guimaras Provincial Hospital.

The proposed project is eyeing a fund support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) of US$ 5 million which represents 40 percent of the total project cost.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the provincial government of Guimaras will shell out counterpart funds of 19 percent and 40 percent of the total amount respectively.

The project will be implemented within the next three years.

The Guimaras Provincial Hospital currently has a 75-bed capacity, which will be increased to 150 beds under the proposal.

It will also be provided with additional facilities and hospital equipment. (PNA)