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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Soliman ordered on Friday the shipment of relief goods for the victims of tornado and flash flood in the island province of Sulu, south of this city.

Jolo Mayor Hussin Amin said Friday that Soliman has assured him of relief assistance when they talked over the phone concerning the fate of the families displaced by the freak tornado and flash flood.

Amin said the relief goods that Soliman promised him will come from the DSWD regional office based in this city.

He disclosed that initial reports reaching his office showed that at least 1,140 families with 4,560 dependents were displaced by the two incidents, which killed five people including an infant and injured 20 others.

He disclosed that the remains of three of the five casualties were recovered Thursday night while the other two were found early Friday.

Amin said the freak tornado hit Barangay Asturias as water in the mountains cascaded to the lower grounds, especially the town center, around 8 p.m. Thursday.

The freak tornado and flash flood were spawned by continuous rains brought about by the low pressure area in several areas in Mindanao the past few days.

Amin said the relief goods are set to arrive Saturday in Jolo from this city aboard a boat of the Philippine Navy.

Elsewhere in Sulu, Joint Task Force Comet chief Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo said that around 700 families were forced to evacuate to higher grounds as precautionary measure since a storm surge hit some coastal villages in Panamao. - PNA

More than 5,000 people joined a fun run against illegal drugs here on Friday.

Senior Supt. Roberto Aliggayu said some 2,000 of the participants came from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other uniformed personnel while the rest were civilians.

Co-organized by the provincial government of Nueva Ecija and the PNP, the activity called "Takbo Laban sa Droga" started 5:30 a.m. at the Benigno Aquino Freedom Park here.

Governor Aurelio Umali and Vice Governor Jose Gay Padiernos were among the finishers at the five-kilometer category while Aliggayu finished the 10-kilometer event.

"This activity aims to rouse awareness of Novo Ecijanos on the evils of drugs as your police experts continue to implement the law against anyone involved in illegal drugs operation," Aliggayu said.

The provincial police chief could not cite figures but said problems on illegal drugs is one of the top priorities of his command.

"This is about supply reduction and demand reduction," he said. (PNA)

Beautiful Bohol

Ngano ang tawo mosimhot man jud bisan nakahibawo nang daan nga baho ang gisimhot?

Another fire hit this city where a nine-month-old baby was burned to death while his older sister was injured late Wednesday afternoon.

Fire investigators revealed that CJ Jumuad, 9 months, was left behind by his relatives inside the residence as the fire suddenly broke out and gutted the entire house in just a few minutes.

CJ’s sister, Angelie, two years old, was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) but was already declared out of danger.

The children’s mother was not around when the fire broke out around 5:00 in the afternoon and razed their house in Purok 8, Upper Catitipan, Buhangin.

Neighbors of the victims said they failed to rescue the nine-month-old infant since the fire was already spread out.

About 1,000 residents of eastern Pangasinan benefited from the medical and dental mission conducted by the Philippine Medical and Dental Society of Florida, USA from January 31 to February 4.

Led by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Dalmacio Miranda Jr. and Dr. Ma. Luisa Braga-Miranda, the mission is composed of some 100 Fil-Am doctors and nurses.

The Miranda couple are family internists in the U.S.

It was also a homecoming for Dr. Miranda Jr., son of the late Tayug Vice Mayor Dalmacio Miranda Sr. and a graduate of the Luna Colleges in Tayug in 1956.

Tayug Mayor Carlos Trese Mapili welcomed the medical and dental mission during a short program at the town auditorium on January 31, thanking them for coming to the town and sharing their talents and expertise for the benefit of the people of eastern Pangasinan

In their five-day medical and dental mission, they operated and treated patients at the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital (EPDH), the Tayug Family Hospital and the Tayug National High School.

Dr. Jovencio Tumbaga, EPDH director, hailed the medical and dental mission for working closely with EPDH doctors and nurses during the mission.

The group also sent out smaller teams of doctors and nurses to treat other patients in San Manuel, Asingan, Rosales, Sta. Maria, San Quintin, San Nicolas, Natividad, Umingan and Balungao. (PNA)

Illegal fishers in the Lingayen Gulf will soon be on the run with the arrival sometime this year of a fast craft from the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group.

Newly-assumed PNP Maritime Group Director David Martinez said the fast craft will reverse the present situation when illegal fishers are practically outrunning lawmen who are chasing them in the Lingayen Gulf.

Martinez, who called on Police Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Rosueto Ricaforte Thursday, admitted they have no floating asset whatsoever and every time they chase illegal fishers, they have to rent local fishing boats.

He admitted that running after illegal fishers is one of the mandates of the PNP Maritime Group whose regional headquarters is located in Dagupan City.

To date, he said, the blast fishers have lied low because of the dangerous high waves in the Lingayen Gulf but once the sea calms down, he expects them to renew their illegal operations with impunity.

By that time, he said, the PNP Maritime Group in the region will be ready and will let the blast fishers know that there is a law.

He called on residents near the shore to report to his office any ongoing blast fishing activities in their areas and if possible identify the blast fishers. - PNA

A big fire struck the old city hall building of Butuan Friday morning, destroying several offices, including those of the vice mayor and the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) and its session hall.

The early morning fire happened while the city was still reeling from the effects of the heavy flooding since Sunday that displaced 15,875 families or 78,415 individuals and caused multi-million-peso damage in agricultural crops and infrastructure facilities.

"Several important documents were gutted in my office and other documents at the session hall," said Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun.

The fire, which started at 4:45 a.m., gutted the Vice Mayor's Office, City Treasurer's Office, City Commission on Audit, Association of Barangay Council, SP Hall, Manpower's Office, Professional Regulation Commission, Transportation's Office and the Commission on Elections office.

The fire also destroyed several apprehended motorcycles that were under legal litigation.

The Butuan City Fire Department still cannot determine the cause of the fire which was declared under control at 6:30 a.m.

Initially, the city fire department estimated the damage at P15 million.

City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. (PNA)

It’s all systems go for the launch of Project Kabayanihan at the San Pedro Astrodome, Pacita Complex here with Presidential sister Balsy Aquino-Cruz as guest of honor and speaker leading the rites.

Project Kabayanihan, an undertaking by various non-government organizations, aims to tap the country’s senior citizens and the youth in initiating and implementing projects and programs designed to uplift their lot, the well-being of their communities, and assist government in achieving programs benefiting the country and the Filipino people.

The launching rites will be participated in by more than 1,500 presidents of elderly and youth organizations in the province of Laguna, including thousands of their members, said Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz of this fast developing metropolis, some 30 kilometers south of Manila.

Cataquiz said the launch will be graced by national and local officials, among them, Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Reynaldo Arquiza, Paranaque City Representative and former Laguna Vice Governor Edwin Olivares, Rep. Dan S. Fernandez of the 1st district of Laguna, Fortune Tobacco Corporation president Ramon Farolan, Laguna Gov. ER Ejecito and his wife, Maita Gomez Ejercito, president of the Laguna Mayor’s League; executives of various private Companies in the province, several mayors and barangay officials in Laguna.

Mayor Cataquiz said several distinguished personalities from movie and media have been invited to grace the launch, namely bemedaled actresses Gloria Romero, Boots Anson-Roa, actor-comedian Leo Martinez, and other movie and media persons.

The launch of Project Kabayanihan is hosted jointly by the local government of San Pedro, Kabayanihan 2011 headed by Atty. Alexander Lacson and the 40,000-man strong Municipal Alliance of Senior Citizens Association of San Pedro, Inc. (MASCASPI) composed of 40 chapters spread in various subdivisions and villages in the town’s 20 barangays.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Arts ambassador Boy Abunda will be in Davao City Friday to promote the Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF) 2011.

NCCA Sub-commission on the Arts (SCA) head and PIAF director Ricardo de Ungria said the international event is in celebration of the National Arts Month which falls on February.

“PIAF is the biggest celebration of the arts in the country,” De Ungria said.

He said PIAF is a month-long activity being conducted by the NCCA nationwide.

“It aims to promote Philippine culture and the arts, and highlights the empowerment of the Filipino creativity and imagination,” he said.

He said this year’s celebration will be a call to hope, a challenge to act, an invitation to commit, a celebration of creativity, and an affirmation of the Filipino’s inner strength that can be a catalyst for social transformation.

As its contribution to the PIAF celebration, NCCA’s National Committee on Literary Arts is also holding the Taboan: International Writers Festival on February 10-12 at Hotel Mandaya in Davao City.

Taboan is already on its third year, the first two years of which were held in Luzon and Visayas.

“This time Taboan will be held in Davao and will focus on Mindanao-based writers and the island group’s literature,” De Ungria said.

Abunda and De Ungria are urging Mindanaoans and the Filipinos in general to take part and witness in the various activities scheduled in celebration of the country’s culture and arts.

Earlier, De Ungria met with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to inform that Davao City has been chosen to be the Focus City for PIAF events in Mindanao.

In response, Mayor Carpio declared February 6 to 12, 2011 as Philippine International Arts Festival Week in the city.

Three flagship projects of the festival will be implemented in the city during the week namely, the 3rd TABOAN International Writers Festival of the Committee on Literary Arts and the Cinema Rehiyon3 of the Committee on Cinema, and the Organik Muzik of the Committee on Music.

Also, the “Panit-Bukog” Traveling Exhibition of the Committee on Visual Arts will be held in Davao at the same time, as well the International Rondalla Festival in Tagum in the third week of February. There will also be architectural exhibitions, musical performances, and dance shows in the same period at the different malls in Davao and in the Museo Davaoeno as well, De Ungria added. (PNA)

By Jerome Aning

The Department of Health recorded 174 new HIV cases in December 2010, bringing the total number of infections for the entire 2010 to 1,591, the highest since the agency began gathering monthly data on the dreaded disease way back in 1984.

Statistics from the DOH's Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry Report released on Thursday showed that HIV/AIDS cases totaled 6,016 from 1984 to 2010. It was the first time that the infections breached the 6,000 mark.

DOH data show that of the 6,016 cases monitored since 1984, about 833 were reported to have developed into full-blown AIDS and 315 were reported to have died of AIDS.

Before December's 174 new cases, the highest tally was recorded in April 2010, when 154 new cases were reported.

Ironically, the government observes AIDS Awareness Month every December.

HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune systems are severely undermined, which could lead to full-blown AIDS and then death. A cure for AIDS has yet to be found although there are drugs that can delay the HIV infection from becoming full-blown AIDS.

Of the 174 new cases in December, three were reported to have progressed to full-blown AIDS cases bringing the total number of new AIDS cases for the entire 2010 to 20.

In December, about 97 percent of the cases came from sexual contact, with 168 cases. The other five new cases were transmitted through injecting drug use while the last one did not identify the mode of transmission.

Also, 14 of the new HIV cases were found to be male overseas Filipino workers, all of whom acquired the virus through sexual contact.

Of the 1,591 cases for 2010, about 95 percent were males aged 19 to 41 years old who got infected through sexual contact.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recorded a total of P383.7 million damage in infrastructure in the Visayas and Mindanao brought about by heavy rains.

The DPWH Bureau of Maintenance' latest report said the most affected province is Agusan del Sur with a total of P96 million damage to national roads and bridges.

Among the impassable road sections in the province are in Barangay Sto. Niño, Berseba and Bayugan along Bayugan-Calaitan-Tandag Road, Brgy. Anibongan, Prosperidad, Brgy. Los Arcos and Sitio Magsaysay along Awa-Azpetia-Lianga Road.

In Agusan del Norte, the Kabalalahan Section along Buenavista-Bunaguit Road and Brgy. Dankias along Butuan City-Malaybalay Road in Butuan City are also impassable due to flooded road sections.

In Surigao del Sur, the Tago-San Miguel bridge along Gamut-San Miguel Road is closed to traffic because of collapsed slope protection structure and scoured bridge foundation.

Along the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, the Sampinit-Unaban-Pocto Section and Badjang Bailey Bridge is closed to traffic because of flooded road section.

In Eastern Visayas, the following road sections along Pangpang-Palapag-Mapanas-Gamay-Lapinig Road in Northern Samar are hardly passable due to rock slides and washed out road surface: Nipa-Mapanas, Panhagdaan, Sitio Malabago, Nipa, Palapag, Pampang and Lapinig.

In Leyte, the Tebangco-Catmon-Manlawaan-Gimarco Road and Cabungaan-Tabunok-Consuegra Road are also hardly passable due to rutted road surface.

Meanwhile, in the Cordillera Administration Region, the Tiiwan Section along Banaue-Hugduan-Benguet Boundary Road is still closed to traffic because of landslides.

The respective DPWH regional and district offices have already deployed emergency crews and equipment to conduct repair works and slide-clearing operations.

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the commemorative activities marking the 111th anniversary of “one of the most enduring journalistic institutions in the country” â€" the Manila Bulletin, in ceremonies held at the broadsheet’s main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday.

In his speech keynoting the historic event, President Aquino, who was joined by MB chairman Don Emilio Yap as well as local government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and media practitioners, commended the paper’s longevity as he looked forward to its next 111 years of journalistic excellence.

“For over a century, the Manila Bulletin witnessed the difficult periods in our history â€" chronicling the valiant battles our nation has fought, surviving the ownership changes from American to Filipino publishers, and only becoming even stronger for these challenges. No publication has seen this country through five republics, and thus, your history has already become entwined with ours,” the President said.

“I am confident that Manila Bulletin will be around for the next 111 years. Don Emilio Yap has shown that this publication is heading in the right direction, with his dedication to the Filipino people through his work, not just as a newspaperman, but also as a philanthropist - directly giving our countrymen needed assistance,” he added.

He vowed to “partner with you and give you good, honest news to report” by continue doing my utmost best in fulfilling my responsibilities to this nation.”

“I am here to make the lives of each and every Filipino easier - I am here to make your job easier. You have vowed to put “good news here,” and I will personally partner with you and give you good, honest news to report, especially now that we have restored a transparent relationship with the people,” the President said. - PNA

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of having a good and honest media, one that not only dwells on the trivial issues but on the relevant ones as well.

In his speech keynoting the 111th Anniversary of Manila Bulletin on Wednesday at its main office in Intramuros, Manila, the President said Filipinos deserve no less than this.

“I always make it a point to remind our friends in media to help elevate the level of discourse in our country. And while I accept that there are certain things about my private life that will always be of interest to the public, it would be better if you give the same amount of attention to issues that matter as well,” the President said.

The President lamented that instead of highlighting the P29-billion worth of government owned and controlled corporations’ dividend that went into the country’s coffers last week, media chose to “speculate about whether I will have a date this Valentine’s Day.” “It was discouraging,” the President said.

He, however, said that he believed in media’s ability to weed out the relevant issues from the not.

“I believe in your (media’s) ability to discern what is relevant, the same way I believe in our people, that they are capable of rebuilding this country,” the President said.

“What our country asks of us is simple: that the media remain fair, that the people work hard while maintaining their calm demeanor, and that our public servants do their jobs with honesty and competence. These are very challenging things, but if we hold strong and remind ourselves of our dreams of this country reaching its actual potential, then what can we not do?” he added. (PNA)

M&S Money has revealed that mothers are the biggest influences on people's financial habits.

M&S Money surveyed 1000 people to find out about how their family has influenced their finances. The research reveals that 36% say that their mothers have had the most influence on the way they handle their money, compared to 32% who say it is their fathers.

Grandparents (3%) and siblings (1%) have little influence while 24% say their family have no influence over their financial habits at all. It seems the people surveyed also follow their own gender as a role model; women are most likely to say it is their mother that has most affected their financial habits (39%) while men are most likely to say that it is their father (36%)

When it comes to their daily spending, more than twice the number of people would consult Mum for her point of view instead of Dad. 22% would ask their mother about their day to day finances, while just 8% would consult their father on matters such as shopping or saving. Indeed, 6 in 10 people say they are not like their fathers at all when it comes to their finances.

It is only when the stakes are high that we turn to our Dads for occasional advice. When making large financial decisions such as buying a house or a car, one in five (20%) would turn to their father for advice compared to 11% who would ask their mothers.

Despite more people saying their Mum has been the biggest influence on their money habits, more than half (55%) of people say their father took control of their household finances while they were growing up, while for 40% it was their mother.  - source: PRweb.com

By Lilybeth G. Ison

Amid the increasing incidents of carnapping in the country, especially in Metro Manila, lawmakers filed proposed measures that would impose stiffer penalties for the carnappers.

Malabon City Rep. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel filed House Bill No. 4033, to make the crime of carnapping a non-bailable offense.

The bill seeks to amend Section 13 and 14 of Republic Act No. 6593, known as the "Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972."

"Carnapping, by nature, is a dangerous, threatening crime. I consider it no different from other crimes that physically harm victims and other forms of theft. If we are able to hold alleged suspects for other crimes against persons directly, this crime against property should be non-bailable," she said.

Lacson-Noel considers the proposed measure to also fill in the current gaps in law enforcement.

"I can understand the frustration of our policemen who give their lives in trying to put carnappers in jail only to find out later that that they (carnappers) are out on bail faster than getting them behind bars. I also sympathize with citizens whose sense of security is threatened by reports of crime. It is our duty to them, to ensure that we are able to protect their rights to feel safe in their own neighborhoods. We need to amend the law on this if only to provide higher protection to our policemen and our citizens," she said.

Similar bills have been filed at the Upper Chamber by Senators Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV and Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

On the other hand, Buhay party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng has proposed to penalize carnappers with life imprisonment regardless whether the crime was committed with or without violence, force, intimidation and execution.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced on Thursday it has launched a “one stop shop” which helps cooperatives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) boost their businesses by helping them gain access to much-needed funds.

DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes said the program will enable ARBs secure vital business and license permits from concerned government agencies.

Delos Reyes said the DAR-Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Development (BARBD) launched the “enhancement of village level processing center” to make it more convenient for farmers’ cooperatives to venture into businesses of their own choice.

He said the center also seeks to provide farmers with adequate and timely interventions through livelihood seminars/workshop aimed at developing their business acumen.

It also helps them in acquiring proper equipment and in establishing processing centers, which are pre-requisites for securing business and license permits. (PNA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday signed Executive Order No. 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.

EO 23 revokes, amends and/or modifies all executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with the said EO.

In signing the EO, the Chief Executive directed to prohibit itself the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from issuing logging contracts/agreements in all natural and residual forests such as Integrated Forest Management Agreements (IFMA), Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreements (SIFMA), Community-Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) and other agreements/contracts with logging components in all natural and residual forests in the country.

Likewise, the DENR is prohibited from issuing or renewing tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide except for clearing of the road right of way by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from the said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal.

The EO further stated that the tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act may be allowed subject to existing guidelines of the DENR.

Existing IFMas, SIFMAs, CBFMAs and other agreements and contracts shall be reviewed and evaluated by the DENR and immediately terminate contracts and agreements of those who violated twice the terms and conditions of their contracts /agreements and existing forest laws, rules and regulations, and if the holders of these contracts/agreements engage in logging activities in any natural or residual forest.

According to the EO, the DENR shall strictly implement a forest certification system in accordance with the United Nations standards and guidelines so as to ascertain the sustainability of legal sources and chain of custody of timber and wood products nationwide.

The DENR shall close and not allow the sawmills, veneer plants and other wood processing plants to operate if they fail to present proof of sustainable sources of legally cut logs for a period of at least five years within one month once the EO on illegal logging takes effect.

The EO further orders the DENR, through the Department of Agriculture-DENR- Department of Agrarian Reform Convergence Initiative, to develop a National Greening Program (NGP) while the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education shall initiate the educational drive campaign.

The Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) shall help in the establishment of communal tree farms for firewood and other purposes and the Department of Social Welfare and Development shall identify the upland farmers covered by the NGP as priority beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program.

On the other hand, the Department of Budget and Management shall provide the necessary funds for the production of quality seedlings for the NGP from available funds of the government and the private sector.

Other sectors and agencies are also ordered to raise funds for tree planting activities.

The DepEd shall be the priority recipient of all confiscated logs.

The DENR Secretary shall chair the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and the members shall include the secretaries of the Interior and Local Government and National Defense, the Chief of the Philippine National Police and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or their authorized representatives.

The Task Force will enforce and lead the anti-illegal logging campaign and ensure the implementation of the EO under the supervision of the DENR.

It shall also assist the DENR in the implementation of other environmental laws.  - pna

Tarsier Beauty

Bar Question

Abe, married to Liza, contracted another marriage with Connie in Singapore. Thereafter, Abe and Connie returned to the Philippines and lived as husband and wife in the hometown of Abe in Calamba, Laguna. 1) Can Abe be prosecuted for bigamy?
SUGGESTED ANSWER:
1) No, Abe may not be prosecuted for bigamy since the bigamous marriage was contracted or solemnized in Singapore, hence such violation is not one of those where the Revised Penal Code, under Art. 2 thereof, may be applied extraterritorially. The general rule on territoriality of criminal law governs the situation.

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Is A Food Processor Necessary? I don't think it is necessary. It seems to me that the only necessary function it offers is that of being a blender/mixer. That's all.

The families of the slain journalists in the infamous Maguindanao massacre hailed Wednesday the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) to junk the petition of former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. to exclude him from the multiple murder charges earlier filed against the suspects in the carnage.

Myrna Reblando, vice chair of the Justice Now Movement (JNM), said the CA has proven that the charges against the Ampatuan patriarch and other massacre suspects are solid and were backed by strong evidences.

“We welcome the decision of the court denying his request. He has been directly implicated in the massacre,” said Mrs. Reblando, wife of slain Manila Bulletin reporter Alejandro “Bong” Reblando.

She also noted that the former governor purportedly played a crucial role through the discovery of the backhoe owned by the Maguindanao provincial government at the massacre site.

The backhoe was allegedly used by the suspects led by the governor’s son and former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor Andal Jr., in burying the victims at a hilly portion of Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town on November 23, 2009.

At least 58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the massacre.

Ricardo Cachuela, JNM chairperson, said they are happy that the elder Ampatuan was not excluded as a massacre suspect.

“We’re hoping that the arraignment for him and the others will soon follow,” Cachuela said.

Maria Priscilla Reblando, daughter of Reblando, stressed that Ampatuan should rot in jail.

“He must not be excluded in the multiple murder charges. He was part of the planning as testified by a witness,” the daughter said.

Without the “blessing” of the Ampatuan patriarch, Priscilla said the gory crime that shocked the world would not have happened.

The former governor, in effect, is the “mastermind of that massacre,” Priscilla said.

Lakmudin Saliao, reportedly a longtime house help of the Ampatuans, earlier testified that the clan patriarch was “on top of the whole thing.”

Ampatuan’s request to be excluded from the massacre case was junked Monday by the Court of Appeals’ Special 11th Division.

“After a careful scrutiny of the records of this case, we find and so hold that there is no grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of the Department of Justice…On this note, the petitioner’s main petition, as well as the supplemental petition, must therefore necessarily fail for lack of merit,” portions of the 27-page decision read.

Associate Justice Noel Tijam penned the decision and concurred by Associate Justices Antonio Villamor and Amy Lazaro-Javier.

Ampatuan is currently detained at a maximum prison facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, along with massacre principal suspect Andal Jr,

Other clan members who are currently detained in connection with the massacre are suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, former Shariff Aguak Mayor Anwar Ampatuan, former Maguindanao Vice Gov. Sajid Ampatuan and former Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan.

The Ampatuan town massacre was the worst election-related violence in the country and the single largest attack against the media anywhere else.

Former Buluan vice mayor Esmael Mangudadatu had sent his wife and several relatives to file his certificate of candidacy for governor when flagged down and eventually slaughtered in Ampatuan town. The media workers were there to cover the filing. - PNA

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

MANILA, Philippines â€" “Ayokong abutin nang 30. Gusto ko ikakasal ako nang 25 or 26.”

This was what sexy actress Cristine Reyes revealed in a taped interview aired on the Jan. 31 episode of “Showbiz News Ngayon.”

While she denied the rumor that she and current flame Rayver Cruz were already saving up and planning for their wedding this early, she mentioned that they had indeed talked about marriage, though not seriously.

“Ang OA mo! Hindi! Ilang months pa lang ba kami. Dream namin 'yun pero hindi pa po namin pina-plano ng seryoso. Pangarap namin. Nag-iipon pa ko,” she clarified.

The young couple’s controversial relationship made headlines during the last few months of 2010. Every piece of news about them--from being together despite Rayver allegedly pursuing Sarah Geronimo, to Cristine’s latest Twitter outburst directed at the pop star--was closely monitored.

Unaffected by their detractors, Cristine said that she knew they wouldn't be able to please eveyone about their relationship so she gave a straightforward message to their detractors:

“Open naman 'yung mind namin na talagang may mga taong hindi magiging masaya for us. Hindi naman kami nagpapaapekto sa mga salita lang.

“Sa mga nagsasabi na hindi kami magtatagal, baka hindi sila masaya sa buhay nila kaya nasasabi nila 'yung mga bagay na 'yon,” the “Kristine” star said.

Some 56,135 families or about 281,638 individuals were affected by flooding and landslides for the third time this year in the now calamity-stricken Caraga region, according to an updated official report from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, OCD-Caraga regional director, told the Philippines News Agency that the OCD updated report was only reflective of the situation Wednesday morning. Same report was also forwarded to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in Manila.

Gobenciong said that out of the number of families or individuals affected by flooding and landslides, a total of 3,761 families or about 16,806 individuals were evacuated from five provinces of the region.

As this developed, the Caraga Police Regional Office has augmented staffing at the OCD Caraga regional office situated at T. Calo Street, Butuan City which is also already flooded.

Three police personnel from the Office of Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal were deployed to OCD.

PNP-Caraga has deployed a total of 2,025 personnel or policemen and women including equipment and vehicles to augment search, rescue, evacuation and relief operations in different provinces and municipalities in the region.

DSWD released P178,920 worth of relief packs to 700 families evacuated in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, a lakeside municipality, the updated OCD report said.

At lakeside Jabonga town, Agusan del Norte, about 110 families or 430 individuals were evacuated from 10 affected barangays affected by flooding.

A total of 80 houses were partially damaged while seven houses were washed away by the flash floods in the region.

In Surigao del Sur, 780 families from 156 barangays from the total 14 municipalities were affected. About 156 families or 780 individuals were evacuated to different designated evacuation centers.

In Dinagat Islands, some 149 families or about 570 individuals were evacuated from municipalities of San Jose, the capital town, Libjo and Basilisa to different designated evacuation centers, Vice Governor Jade Ecleo said. - PNA

Around 6,000 workers from Western Visayas have already benefited from the productivity training program of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

Board Secretary Nesa Nolido said the training was on human resource strategy known as ISTIV which stands for Industrious, Systematic, Time-conscious, Innovative and strong Value for work which was availed by both workers and establishment owners.

ISTIV, which started in 1998, is the flagship productivity training of the RTWPB designed for micro, small and medium enterprises, she said.

Nolido said the trainings can be done at the plant level or upon request of the company or establishments and through public offering or initiated by the RTWPB.

The two-and-a-half day training; one day for workers and the rest for supervisors and owners, culminates with the preparation of an action plan, she added.

The action plan will reflect the wastage generated and the proposed measure the establishment will undertake to improve their services.

Thereafter, the RTWPB will check on the establishments to determine if the plan of action was successfully implemented. (PNA)

A town mayor and five others were injured Wednesday morning when an Isuzu Elf smashed into their van along the Cauayan-San Mateo road in Barangay San Fermin, this city.

Police operatives identified the victims as Cabatuan, Isabela Mayor Cid Dayrit, Restituto Talipada, Manolo Tejada, and a certain Bonnie, all occupants of the Nissan Urvan; and Christine Buenas and her child, both passengers of the Isuzu Elf.

Dayrit, who complained of chest pains, sustained a broken right arm and smashed ribs.

Talipada’s legs were pinned inside the car and it took the rescuers from the Rescue 922 more than an hour to help him out.

Dayrit and his companions were on their way back to Cabatuan town from Cauayan City proper when their van collided with the light truck, which tried to overtake another car along the provincial road shortly past 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.

The police have arrested four barangay officials - a village chief and three barangay councilmen - and two village watchmen who were implicated in the killing of a mango plantation owner in an east coast village of this city, the local police reported Wednesday.

The police identified the arrested officials as Pedro Rodriguez, barangay captain of Tolosa; Kagawads Bonifacio Bello, Reinerio Galcing, and Florante Mendoza; and, Barangay Intelligence Network members Joseph Nazareno and Rene Ferrer.

The Zamboanga City Police Office' (ZCPO) Police Station 3 tagged them as the suspects in the killing of Mercidito Santos, a mango farm owner.

The police reported that Santos was found dead last Sunday night in a ravine in Cacao, 17 kilometers east of this city, which is an adjacent barangay of Tolosa.

Investigation showed that Santos, before he was found dead, was arrested by the two BIN members - Nazareno and Ferrer - early Sunday.

The police said that Santos arrived home Sunday night with a wound in his neck and sought the help of his sister.

The police said the victim’s sister sought the assistance of Rodriguez to bring her brother to the hospital.

However, Rodriguez and the other suspects claimed that they were ambushed by an unidentified gunman along the way and that Santos was hit.

The suspects claimed they have abandoned their motorcycles and ran for safety.

The responding policemen however noted that there was no sign of ambush while Santos was found dead a few meters away from the suspects' motorcycles.

The police said the barangay officials and village watchmen were subjected for inquest proceeding Wednesday before the City Prosecutor's Office. (PNA)

The Quezon provincial police office on Wednesday said the driver of the Eagle Star passenger bus that figured in an accident last Monday along the national highway in Pagbilao town has surrendered to police authorities.

Senior Supt. Erickson Velasquez, Quezon police director, said Pepito Santuele, driver of the passenger bus, surrendered Tuesday and told the police he did not escape as reported.

”I just went to have my injuries treated at the hospital,” Santuele said.

Among the 57 bus passengers, 30 of them including a one-year-old toddler were injured, the police said.

Velasquez said investigators, however, discovered that Santuele has no driver's license and already figured in a road accident sometime in March last year.

Last Monday, the passenger bus driven by Santuele with plate number TXP-443, was enroute to Manila from Ormoc City in Leyte when its brakes failed along a zigzag road, forcing it to fall into a 30-foot ravine near Camp Trining in Sitio Amao, Barangay Malicboy in Pagbilao.

Velasquez identified those injured as Rodpas Patalaga, 29; Judith Cabo, 33; Ginafe Tapalis, 18; Rosemarie Tante Quilaquel, 40; Elizalde Metula, 33; Edemar Metuda, 5; Vivencio Lluana, 49; Teresita Quino, 64; Mara Fe Alcantara, 30; Nora Espinosa, 39; Liezel Laure, 16; Joseph Espinosa, 41; Jurelyn Ortega, 23; Mauie Ortega, 3; Lorena Lipon, 36; and Lawrence Cardillo, 8;

Rogelio Niemes Jr., 28; Joeboy Verzosa, 26; Jocelyn dela Cruz, 35; Roland Casinto, 22; Abet Suralta, 18; Melvin Suralta, 23; Cynthia Manases, 23; Flordeliza Miza, 20; Rodge Vincent Misa, 1; Nerie Lascanas, 36; Jim Daang, 17; Marlito Rudente, 22; Mark Anthony Salas, 17; and Jojo Sorino, 19.

Police said all of the injured suffered lacerations and bruises and were treated at a hospital in Lucena City. (PNA)

By Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer

When then Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo decided in 2004 to look into irregularities in military transactions following the filing of plunder charges against comptroller Carlos Garcia, he had only one person in mind to head the team: auditor Heidi Mendoza.

Marcelo did not know her personally, but her body of work spoke for herself, and her reputation as a no-nonsense auditor preceded her.

On Tuesday, Mendoza testified at the House of Representatives to dispute the position of government prosecutors that the evidence against Garcia in the plunder case was weakâ€"all, she said, in her “active and committed search for truth.”

Marcelo continues to believe that he made the right choice.

In an interview Tuesday, he said he had asked for Mendoza for the special military investigations because she had led the team that conducted an audit of the city government of Makati.

He said there had been talk of death threats and harassment over the earlier audit but that Mendoza’s team nevertheless came through with a “complete” and “thorough” report.

“Because of her reputation, I requested her,” Marcelo said. “I didn't know her. I only met her when she reported to me. I said, this is a person who not only has integrity but competence as well.”

At first glance, nobody would suspect that the slim, soft-voiced, 48-year-old mother of three was the driving force behind many explosive reports on government irregularities.

Naked through the streets

But as Mendoza spoke at the House inquiry into the controversial plea bargain between Garcia and government prosecutors, her steely resolve to do what was right shone through.

So convinced was she of the strong evidence against Garcia that, she recalled, she and state prosecutors promised each other that they would run naked through the streets of Quezon City in protest if the case against the military comptroller would be dismissed.

After sitting through the seven-hour hearing conducted by the House committee on justice, Mendoza appeared tired. She told reporters that her back ached.

But she was unmoved from her stance that there was evidence against Garcia: “I am rather consistent on this. I believed from the start that there is evidence.”

Mendoza, whose father was a policeman, stressed that she had nothing against the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit or the Armed Forces.

Heavy toll

“It is out of my commitment to my responsibility as an auditor, a public auditor, that I need to bring out the truth and bring the report to the people, to whom I am accountable,” she told reporters.

Mendoza’s commitment has taken a heavy toll on her family. It has also prompted her to resign from her new job in an international organization.

She made no bones about her children’s discomfort over her decision to speak out publicly against the prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman.

“I fear for my children,” she said. “I pity them because they should not have been dragged into this. Since the day I decided to be interviewed [on the issue], it had been very difficult for my children because life now is never ordinary.”

Because Mendoza now has to be extra-careful, the family cannot easily go outâ€"“and that’s something my children hated,” she said.

She has to make sacrifices now, including distancing herself from her loved ones: “I cannot afford to go home and rest with my children because I want to defuse security threats. So I will be on my own. I will be in a place that I cannot disclose, away from my children.”

Mendoza aired a suspicion that attempts were being made to tap her mobile phone.

“I keep on changing my SIM card,” she said. “Siguro maraming gusto makichismis sa mga tawag ko (Maybe some people want to listen in on my calls.”

Demolition job

Mendoza also has to deal with security issues now, which makes her independent spirit uncomfortable.

“I’m a very, very mobile person. I want to move on my own. I don’t want any security [detail]; I am just forced to have one because it is needed. If I will be asked, I don’t want to have security [guards],” she said.

Mendoza said she had not received any threats since making public her sentiments on Garcia’s plea bargain. But she said she had learned that a “demolition job” was being planned against her.

But she appeared to take this in stride, saying: “That’s part of any effort to tell the truth.

“What I am saying is I just did what is right, what should be done. I am not a party to anybody’s agenda. It is my sole conviction and it is a response of my call as a Christian and as an auditor of the republic.”

Peace advocates in Mindanao are opposing the proposal to postpone the forthcoming 7th elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Since its creation in 1990, the regular regional balloting has been postponed eight times.

There are groups pushing for the deferment of the ARMM’s supposed seventh regional polls to give the legislature ample time to amend its charter, R.A.9054, for its governing mechanism to have more powers and fiscal capabilities based on the outcome of the tripartite review by Malacanang, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) of the Sept. 2, 1996 government-MNLF final peace pact.

During a round table discussion at the Notre Dame University here spearheaded by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and Konrad Adenauer foundation, many peace advocates believed that postponement of the August 2011 ARMM elections would project that the government is not capable of administering a peaceful and orderly elections.

Peace advocate Fr. Eliseo Mercado, director of IAG, said deferring the election may create an impression that ARMM is weak that it cannot even administer a regional poll.

“It’s the legitimacy of the electoral exercise in ARMM that we want to uphold so let us not postpone it,” Mercado said.

In a random interview, 18 of 23 officials of various peace advocacy outfits, some of them involved in foreign-funded projects complementing the Southern peace process, said they are against the postponement of the elections.

The current leadership of the ARMM is pushing for the postponement of the August polls to synchronize with the 2013 national and local polls.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, ARMM executive secretary, said postponing the ARMM’s August elections will also give the region’s cross-section a respite from the deep-seated animosities among powerful clans that pitted candidates during last May’s local elections and, subsequently, in the October barangay polls.

By doing so, Sinarimbo said both houses of Congress would also have ample time to amend the ARMM charter and include into it the recommendations of the government, the MNLF and the OIC in the implementation of the 1996 peace accord.

The OIC, an association of 50 Muslim states, including wealthy petroleum-exporting states in the Middle East and Africa, helped broker the government-MNLF peace pact.

Some sectors also favor the postponement because it will pave the way for the completion of the ongoing GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima on Wednesday disclosed that she sees a problem with the plea bargaining agreement (PBA) entered into between the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) and former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller, retired Maj. Gen. Carlos F. Garcia.

De Lima said that she saw how the Ombudsman firmly justified the PBA.

"If you have an Ombudsman who does not seem to realize that public funds are involved, in that case, then, you have a problem," De Lima said.

De Lima asks: "How can the Ombudsman say that the plunder case against Gen. Garcia is weak, when the statement of the spouse of Garcia was referring to commissions and kickbacks?"

"Kickbacks presuppose public funds and aren't in most cases before the Ombudsman are about public funds?," De Lima stressed.

"So, we have a problem here kung hanggang ngayon hindi pa nila alam na public funds ang kailangang protektahan ng ating (if until now they have not realized that public funds must be protected by our) anti-graft institution like the Ombudsman," De Lima said.

Likewise, De Lima agreed with the opinion of former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo that a statement of a co-conspirator is a strong evidence in the plunder case against Garcia.

On the withdrawal of the extradition proceedings in the PBA, De Lima said that, instead of working on the extradition proceedings and making sure that the extradition proceedings succeed, they're avoiding the extradition proceedings.

"That (extradition) is the way of ensuring the appearance of Mrs. Garcia para ma-confirm yung sworn statement niya (to confirm her sworn statement)," De Lima said.

De Lima added that such positions are "so disturbing" for her.

De Lima pointed out that, indeed, it's necessary that the Ombudsman should seriously reexamine and reassess their position with the end in view of withdrawing the PBA as well as the Sandiganbayan to take a second look at the PBA.

However, De Lima clarified that she respects the Ombudsman as an institution whoever occupies the position such that the Ombudsman come and go, in the sense that the integrity of such an institution must be preserved and protected. (PNA)

A mother and her two children were burned to death when a fire gutted their house in Purok 2, Barangay Malalag, here Wednesday morning.

Report reaching the police regional office identified the victims as Lorgenita Dadolo, 30, and her children, Jessamae, 8, and Justine, 6.

Dadolo was the caretaker of the house being rented by Lucy Berger located in Bagumbayan Village, Malalag, Davao del Sur.

The three victims were trapped inside the house when the fire broke out around 4:30 in the morning.

Fire investigators attributed the incident to electrical overload. (PNA)

Sakto pud. 

Sama sa harana, mas solemn and romantic pud kung voice lang, walay kaskas sa guitara.

Manila News: Ban Plastic Bag

The EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, has expressed its support to the proposal made by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urging local government units (LGUs) to impose strong measures to curb plastic pollution.

“We praise Chairman (Francis) Tolentino’s eagerness to ban plastic bags and containers similar to what Muntinlupa and other innovative LGUs have done. Phasing out these problematic materials will significantly address our garbage and climate woes,” said Troy Lacsamana of the EcoWaste Coalition's Task Force Plastics.

MMDA Chairman Tolentino had earlier commended Muntinlupa City for enacting City Ordinance 10-109, the first citywide ban on plastic bags and polystyrene food containers in Metro Manila, which took effect last January 18.

“The MMDA strongly encourages LGUs to adopt similar strong measures such as this to combat the dangerous effects of environmental degradation which leads to massive flooding and climate change,” said Tolentino in a statement published in the agency’s website.

Resolute action to control, if not eradicate, plastic pollution will also benefit LGUs in terms of meeting their waste reduction targets, as well as in trimming down the associated disposal costs.

Prior to Muntinlupa's action, Los Baños in Laguna, Carmona in Cavite, Sta. Barbara in Iloilo, Lucban in Quezon and other LGUs have imposed prohibitions or restrictions on the use of plastic bags in their areas of jurisdiction. Internationally, other countries are also doing away with plastic bags, observed the EcoWaste Coalition.

The Coalition urged LGUs to integrate the banning of plastic disposables in their climate mitigation and adaptation plans. (PNA)

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on Wednesday asked local government units (LGUs), particularly the barangays, to support the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Robredo also warned his office would impose sanctions against barangay officials who would refuse to act as witnesses in the government’s anti-drug campaign, particularly in the implementation of search or arrest warrants against known drug pushers and drug dens in their areas.

The DILG chief issued the warning amid reports coming from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that some village officials in Metro Manila refuse to act as witnesses in their anti-drug drive.

Robredo cited Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991 that states that the DILG Secretary can discipline, suspend or remove from office any local government official, including barangay officials, for dereliction of duty.

During a consultative meeting with the local peace and order council of Quezon City led by Mayor Herbert Bautista the other day, Director Wilkins Villanueva told the DILG chief of their predicament with barangay captains in their anti-drug campaign.

“It is the duty of barangay officials to act as witnesses in the implementation of all our search warrants, especially in known drug dens and tianggehans. But some of them refuse to go with us, afraid of the people who are subject of the warrants. In other occasions, the subjects of the warrant are their relatives,” Villanueva said.

In response, the DILG chief said one of the duties and functions of the barangay officials was to “enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within their areas and perform duties and functions that are prescribed by law” for the maintenance of peace and order.

Robredo assured Villanueva that the DILG would issue a corresponding memorandum to all barangay officials next week to remind them that it is part of their obligation to help and assist government law enforcement authorities perform their functions and duties.

The DILG chief said it is the priority of President Benigno Aquino III to address the growing illegal drug problem in the country.

Three weeks ago, Robredo said, the DILG sent a team to the PDEA office to discuss improved coordination between the DILG, the PDEA and local chief executives in the implementation of the government’s anti-drug campaign. (PNA) - pna

Pilipinas News: Corruption in Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Philippine Air Force (PAF), one of the major service commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), believes that the corruption issue in the AFP will soon die down and those at fault will be brought to justice.

"The present PAF dispensation upholds such values as Integrity, Service above self, Teamwork, Excellence and Professionalism (InSTEP) that the morale of the troops remains high despite the negative implications of the recent controversies rocking the AFP hierarchy," said Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Miguel Okol.

Okol said the PAF leadership remains steadfast in its belief that the recent corruption issues, while too damning and unfortunately tend to generalize, will soon be resolved and will be put to rest.

"After both sides of the issues are taken into a proper forum of reason and resolve, it provides a venue to once and for all expose the truth and to regain public trust and confidence because scalawags are not tolerated in the AFP," said Okol.

Okol said that to sustain the highest standards of public service ingrained in every member of InSTEP Air Force, the PAF has embarked on a continuous training such as the Air Force Leadership Excellence (AFLEX) Forum with the objective of institutionalizing the PAF core values.

Manila News: Car-related Crime
Following a spate of car theft incidents in the past weeks in Metro Manila, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Virginia Torres has vowed to cooperate fully with the police and other government agencies investigating on the possible involvement of some government officials in carjacking.

Torres has defended the agency over the allegation that some of its officials are conniving with carjacking syndicates who manage to register “hot cars”.

As early as December 29 last year, Torres already created a study group that will conduct an immediate review of all existing policies and requirements on motor vehicle registration “to determine if the requirements remain responsive to the times”.

Torres developed a task force headed by Executive Director Redentor Reyes to investigate suspected staff involved in carnapping syndicate.

"There is no sacred cow, we conduct a proper investigation here, we give them due process of administrative and face criminal prosecution if they are found involved in carnapping," Torres said.

“I will look into it and I will see to it that my orders are complied with immediately” she stressed.

Torres maintained that the agency does not allow any vehicle registration without the necessary requirement including the macro etching clearance from the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

"The LTO cannot register any vehicle without the requirement from the police and macro etching Clearance certificate from the PNP crime lab here a vehicle chassis number and filters the number of motor vehicles, so when you complete the requirements from the PNP, we can register the vehicle ," Torres explained. - pna

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday vowed to enforce the full force of the law against pranksters responsible for bomb threats that are now flooding the police hotlines in the aftermath of the Makati City bus bombing.

PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo also supported the call of the Catholic church urging pranksters to stop making phony bomb threats that only cause public anxiety.

Bacalzo vowed to apply the full force of the law against persons making prank calls, false bomb threats, and scare text messages.

Bacalzo’s pronouncement amplified the warning aired on Monday by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, against pranksters behind false bomb threats and scare messages.

“We would like to remind the public that anybody caught giving false bomb threats or giving false information will be investigated by the Department of Justice,” Valte said.

Bacalzo said the text scare being spread around is untrue and is obviously designed only to create panic.

“Public vigilance is the best response to this situation. Panic will only make matters worse,” said Bacalzo.

Bacalzo urged the public to immediately report persons responsible to emergency Hotline 117 or to via text message to 0917-847-5757.

Bacalzo said scare messages should be disregarded and deleted at once to break the scare chain.

Meaning of A.D.   

or ad
adverb
indicating date: used to indicate a date that is a particular number of years after the birth of Jesus Christ. Full form anno Domini

Because of its literal Latin meaning, "in the year of the Lord," ad is traditionally put before the numeral to which it relates, so that it makes grammatical sense if understood in its expanded form: ad 1453. In practice, ad is usually put after the numeral, and it is also acceptable to put it after the identification of a century, as in the fifth century ad. Some writers prefer to use p.e. (Present Era) or c.e. (Common Era) as alternatives in order to avoid the association with Christianity. 

A.A.   

abbreviation
1.  Alcoholics Anonymous
2.  arms antiaircraft
3.  U.S. education Associate of Arts

A. N. Other   

noun
U.K. unnamed person: somebody who has not as yet been named, e.g. in an incomplete list of participants or contributors

A&L management   

or A/L man·age·ment
noun
profit and loss management: the management of a company's assets and liabilities. U.K. term P&L management

A to Z   

noun
1.  collection of street maps: a book containing maps and alphabetical lists of street names and map references for a town or city
2.  alphabetical guide: an alphabetically arranged reference work
an A to Z of cooking terms

Meaning of a tempo   

a tem·po [aa témpō]
adverb, adjective
in previous tempo: in or back into a previous musical tempo (used as a musical direction)

[< Italian, "in time"]

Meaning of A share   

(plural A shares)
noun
U.K. share without voting rights: a share in a company that does not entitle the holder to voting rights and that may carry other restrictions

Meaning of a priori   

a pri·o·ri [ pree áwree, ày prī áwrī]
adjective
1.  based on something known: working from something that is already known or self-evident to arrive at a conclusion
2.  assumed: known or assumed without reference to experience

[Mid-17th century. < Latin, "from the previous (one, cause, hypothesis)"]

-a pri·o·ri, adverb
-a·pri·or·i·ty [ pree áwrÉ™tee, ày prÄ« áwrÉ™tee], noun 

Meaning of a posteriori   

a pos·te·ri·o·ri [ po steeree áw ree, ày po steeree áw rī]
adjective, adverb
deriving knowledge from experience: reasoning from observed facts or events back to their causes

[< Latin, "from what comes later"]

Meaning of A list   

noun
people most in demand: the people most sought after or most in demand for an activity such as a social function or for recruitment to a team or organization (informal) (hyphenated when used before a noun)

Meaning of A level   

(plural A lev·els)
noun
U.K. school examination: in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the advanced level of any subject studied to gain a General Certificate of Education qualificationIt is divided into two levels, AS level and A2

[Shortening of Advanced level]

Meaning of à l’espagnole   

adjective
with tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic: prepared in a style inspired by Spanish cookery, usually containing tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions, and garlic, and fried in olive oil

[< French, "in the Spanish style"]

Meaning of à la mode   

à la mode [ laa má¹"d, àllÉ™ má¹"d]
or a la mode [ laa má¹"d]
adjective
1.  with ice cream: served with ice cream
apple pie à la mode

2.  fashionable: in the latest fashion (dated)

[Late 16th century. < French, "in the style"]

You're right, Hubs. It has an Italian origin meaning "in chapel style."

How to Avoid Workout Injury
Your body will thank you later by helping to prevent any possibility of an injury from occurring. Know your bodyââ,¬â,,¢s limitations and listen to it when itââ,¬â,,¢s telling you something.
If you typically have had knee or back problems avoid harsh exercises that strain those areas. You must acknowledge your weaknesses and strengths and tailor your exercise program to meet those requirements. Men tend to do better with activities focusing on weight lifting and nautilus machines, whereas women excel with exercises that incorporate more diagonal planes of motion such as Pilates, yoga, or spinning.
How to Avoid Workout Injury - read more here

Meaning of à la king   

à la king [ laa kíng, àllə kíng]
or a la king [ laa kíng, àllə kíng]
adjective
in cream sauce: cooked in a cream sauce with green peppers and mushrooms

Meaning of à la grecque   

à la grecque [ laa grék, àllə grék]
or a la grecque [ laa grék, àllə grék]
adjective
cooked in olive oil sauce: cooked in a sauce made with olive oil, lemon, wine, and herbs, and served cold

[< French, "in the Greek style"]

Meaning of à la carte agency   

(plural à la carte a·gen·cies)
noun
advertising agency providing individual services: an advertising agency that provides services adapted to a client's specifications

Meaning of à la   

à la [ laa, állə]
or a la [ laa, állə]
prep
like: in the style of somebody or something

[Late 16th century. < French, shortening of à la mode de "in the fashion of"]

Meaning of a fortiori   

a for·ti·o·ri [aa fàwrtee áwree, ay fàwrtee á¹" rï †]
adverb

with more reason: for an even stronger reason

[Early 17th century. < Latin, "from the stronger (reason)" < fortis "strong"]

Meaning of à deux   

à deux [ d]
adverb, adjective
for two: involving only two people and therefore private

[Late 19th century. < French]

Meaning of à cheval   

à che·val [ shə vl]
adverb
made on two numbers: by placing a bet on two adjacent numbers, e.g. in roulette or cards

[< French, "on horseback," used to mean "with one foot on each side." Because the risk is shared equally between two cards]

Meaning of a cappella   

a cap·pel·la [kə péllə, àkə péllə]
adverb, adjective
by voices only: unaccompanied by musical instruments

[Late 19th century. < Italian, "in chapel style," that is, "in the style of church music"]

Meaning of à gogo   

à go·go [É™ gá¹" gï ']
adjective (dated informal)
1.  bustling: in a whirl of activity
The club was completely à gogo by nine in the evening.

2.  galore: as much as anybody could want
caviar à gogo

[Mid-20th century. < French, "joyfully" < en gogues (see agog) by repeating the go-]

à la carte   

à la carte [ laa krt, àllə krt]
or a la carte [ laa krt, àllə krt]
adjective, adverb
separately priced: with each dish on a menu priced separately

[Early 19th century. < French, "by the menu"]

2011 Supercat Schedule: Cebu to Tagbilaran to Cebu

Cebu to Tagbilaran
Daily:
8:30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.

Tagbilaran to Cebu
10:30 a.m.
2:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.

You deserve the new Supercat!
Location: Pier 4, Cebu City, Philippines

Smart vs Globe: what's your preference

Supercat Boat Schedule: Cebu to Ormoc to Cebu
Cebu to Ormoc
Daily:
5:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
4:40 p.m.

Ormoc to Cebu
8:20 a.m.
1:45 p.m.
7:15 p.m.

Superferry Boat Schedule: Cebu to Manila to Cebu
Cebu to Manila
Monday: 4:45 pm
Tuesday: 9:45 pm
Wednesday: 5:45 pm
Thursday: 9:15 a.m.
Friday: 9:15 p.m.

Manila to Cebu
Sunday: 8:45 a.m.
Monday: 10:15 p.m
Wednesday: 7:45 p.m.
Thursday: 10:45 pm
Friday: 8:15pm

Location: Pier 4, Cebu City

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim says he is to invest $8.3bn (£5bn) in 19 countries, mainly in Latin America.

The bulk of the money, some $3.6bn, is destined for his businesses in Mexico, including telecommunications, mining and road-building.

Drug-related violence affecting some regions of Mexico was no reason to stop investing in the country, Mr Slim said.

Last year he knocked Bill Gates off the top of Forbes magazine's billionaire's list with a fortune put at $53.5bn.

The planned $3.6bn for Mexico, a 13% rise on last year, would go to a range of sectors, with the bulk going to telecommunications, Mr Slim told a news conference in Mexico City.

"Whoever doesn't invest, be it out of fear or caution, will be left behind," he said.

Mr Slim said he believed the Mexican economy would continue to grow in 2011 and 2012.

Violence and insecurity in the country were serious problems, he said, but violence could be found everywhere. - BBC

Vir, someone is looking for a place to stay in Tagbilaran, Bohol. Please forward this forum post to her email address: mickeyjenmark@yahoo.com (Jen Flores)

Real estate developer Primary Homes Inc. has lined up at least four projects for the year, including a seaside community.

Primary Homes president Stephen Charles Liu said that these will be a mix of condominium, subdivision and townhouse units with a capital expenditure of about P2 billion.

Liu, who recently unveiled the showroom of their Avalon condominium project at the Cebu Business Park, said the market for condominiums in Cebu is growing as the urban area gets denser.

Liu revealed that they have had six condominium buildings and have delivered 1,000 units.

He also believes they have developed more than enough low cost units, pointing out that the La Guardia Flats 1 and 2 in Lahug, Cebu City range from P1 to P2 million.

Liu said they have done well with the La Guardia Flats, adding that they were one of the first to deliver in that market on time.

“We are ahead in our delivery. Others are ahead in their announcements,” he said.

Liu said Primary Homes Inc. has delivered 5,000 low cost units. Last year, their company finished five projects.

Industry leaders said the construction and real property industry is expected to do well this year, with an estimated 3.5 million backlog in housing that needs to be met. (PNA)

There are various techniques of microphones that can be used in various environments to record drums. Let us learn those in details. Like in the home studio environment the most common and the most successful way to get a perfect sound is to use the triangle miking style. This style involves three mics, hence called triangle. The first mic is placed on the kick drum, and the other one on the either side of the kit. This method will allow catching us a bit of the drum kit. - read more here

Nature's work of art, indeed.

Hubs, maybe your dog has a strong belief that a tai is somewhat like a performance-enhancing drug.

ang pangutana karon kung tinuod ba kaha ni nga babae or basin nagpabaji-baji ra.

That's the revised version unta, Hubz. hehehe

Guest, Please Do Not Enter

posted by JeffreyW of skyscrapercity.com forum

http://www.gwapito.com/school-bukel-ii//

English Pronunciation Reeducation

People in Manila have a notion that they are the center of correct accent and right pronunciation.

But the longer I stay in the capital city of the Philippines, the more it revealed to me that Metro Manila is too a cradle of funny and erroneous pronunciations.

If you’ve been born in Manila or Luzon, this is for you. If you’re a promdi (from the province), this is a guide for you not to mimic the tagalogs’ pronunciation blunders.
English word Tagalog pronunciation (Incorrect) Correct pronunciation (click the speaker icon)
Battle Bat-tell http://www.answers.com/battle
Boxing* Boksing http://www.answers.com/boxing
Boyfriend Boypren http://www.answers.com/boyfriend
Concert Koonsert http://www.answers.com/concert
Eagle Egel http://www.answers.com/eagle
Fifty Peptee http://www.answers.com/fifty
Five Pive http://www.answers.com/five
Girlfriend Gerlpren http://www.answers.com/girlfriend
Google Gogell http://www.answers.com/google
Office Opis http://www.answers.com/office
School Is-kool http://www.answers.com/school
Seconds Sekoons http://www.answers.com/seconds
Single Sing-gell http://www.answers.com/single
Stupid Is-toopid http://www.answers.com/stupid
Taft Tap http://www.answers.com/taft
Triangle Trayang-gell http://www.answers.com/triangle
Uncle Ang-kell http://www.answers.com/uncle

*Because of the popularity of the sport, this error has spread throughout the country.

I therefore conclude that the tagalogs/Luzonians have been fed with erroneous english pronunciations all along.

Read more: http://www.gwapito.com/school-bukel-ii/#ixzz0LyegWLQB

You Need to Fee

In Case of Emergency

With or Without Splash Guard

Cockroach Gets Cancer?

New Endorser of Jollibee?

Hamburjer

Strictly Massage Only

Philippine Transportation in Remote Provinces

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Some P160 million “pabaon” (send-off money) was allotted to then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Diomedio Villanueva when he retired in May 2002, whistle-blower George Rabusa said Monday.

The former military budget officer said he withdrew P10 million 16 times for Villanueva on orders of his boss, then military comptroller Carlos Garcia.

Rabusa said he delivered the money to Garcia, who he assumed turned this over to Villanueva.

“I gave everything to him. The amount totaled P164 million, including a P4-million interest. He was the one who gave it to Villanueva,” he said of Garcia in a phone interview.

Rabusa said he had kept copies of certifications from a manager of Security Bank on the deposits and withdrawals he made with the bank before the Anti-Money Laundering Act was enacted.

Rabusa declined to say how much retirement money Roy Cimatu, who replaced Villanueva, received, saying he would disclose this at the Senate blue ribbon committee’s resumption of its hearing scheduled for this week.

In a TV interview, he said Villanueva and Cimatu received more than P50 million in send-off money, but did not specify the figures. Villanueva was AFP chief of staff for 14 months (from March 2001 to May 2002) and Cimatu for just four months (from May 2002 to September 2002).

Philippine Request

Elevator for Heart Exercise

Bulletin Board sa Pilipinas

If the bride and the groom are only familiar with the missionary position, then the dogs are kind enough to offer them a perfect alternative. 

Basin gatuo sija nga baje pud sija. 

The lovely dogs are just demonstrating the correct way of doing it. 

16,000 Tickets Sold in Few Hours

Pacman Fever hit MGM Grand this morning with one of the biggest ticket runs in Las Vegas boxing history. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT, 16,000 tickets were sold to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Sugar Shane Mosley world welterweight championship. Barely 1,000 seats remain for Pacquiao’s return to the Fight Capital of the World, where he hasn’t fought since 2009. “Incredible. Simply incredible,” exclaimed Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum when he heard the news today. “I have never promoted a fight that has sold so many tickets so quickly. Manny Pacquiao never ceases to amaze the world with his achievements. The excitement he generated today with the initial ticket sales makes it feel like fight week already!”

Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) defends his WBO welterweight title against three-division world champion and future Hall of Famer Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) on May 7 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Remaining tickets, priced at $1,000, $750, and $300, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. - forwarded by MPDumadag

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday said that she sees no problem with the investigations to be conducted by other government agencies in connection with the expose' of former military budget officer retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa.

De Lima said that the investigations have different objectives such that the Senate is in-aid of legislation, fact-finding is the target of the Department of National Defense (DND) for their ongoing internal operations while the DOJ is for the prosecution and to hold liable the responsible generals.

However, De Lima clarified that she would only create a panel which will receive the affidavit of Rabusa.

Earlier, Rabusa divulged before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Teofisto Guingona III, about the alleged P50-million "pabaon" (send off gift/token) to retiring Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Rabusa particularly pointed to former AFP Chief-of-Staff retired Gen. Angelo Reyes as a beneficiary of the P50-million token. (PNA)

Ipagawas ang inyong mga tigmo nga wala pay nakatubag.