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What is commitment?

What is true love?

Define success?

What is truth?

What is the meaning of life?

What is beauty?

A man is hiking up a snowy mountain, he comes across a cabin. Inside the cabin is a small fire and two dead men. How did they die? (They did not burn to death.)

Mel Colly stared through the dirty soot-smeared window on the 26th floor of the office tower. Overcome with depression he slid the window open and jumped through it. It was a sheer drop outside the building to the ground. Miraculously after he landed he was completely unhurt. Since there was nothing to cushion his fall or slow his descent, how could he have survived?

A pot of gold is on a square island surrounded by a chasm 10 metres wide and of infinite depth. You have two 9.8 metre poles. How do you get across to the pot of gold and get back with it.

A man is found hanging in a completely empty warehouse high off the ground. How did the man manage to hang himself.

Jack and Jill are found dead, lying on the floor in the living room of a house, in a puddle of water. How did they die?

A man walks into a bar and asks the barman for a glass of water. The barman pulls out a gun and points it at the man. The man says 'Thank you' and walks out.

This puzzle claims to be the best of the genre. It is simple in its statement, absolutely baffling and yet with a completely satisfying solution. Most people struggle very hard to solve this one yet they like the answer when they hear it or have the satisfaction of figuring it out.

A man went to a party and drank some of the punch. He then left early. Everyone else at the party who drank the punch subsequently died of poisoning. Why did the man not die?

Why is it better to have round manhole covers than square ones? This is logical rather than lateral, but it is a good puzzle that can be solved by lateral thinking techniques. It is supposedly used by a very well-known software company as an interview question for prospective employees.

One day Kerry celebrated her birthday. Two days later her older twin brother, Terry, celebrated his birthday. How?

A man is wearing black. Black shoes, socks, trousers, jumper, gloves and balaclava. He is walking down a black street with all the street lamps off. A black car is coming towards him with its light off but somehow manages to stop in time. How did the driver see the man?

A man and his son are in a car accident. The father dies on the scene, but the child is rushed to the hospital. When he arrives the surgeon says, "I can't operate on this boy, he is my son!" How can this be?

There is a man who lives on the top floor of a very tall building. Everyday he gets the elevator down to the ground floor to leave the building to go to work. Upon returning from work though, he can only travel half way up in the lift and has to walk the rest of the way unless it's raining! Why?

If women ran the Pentagon, would missiles and submarines be shaped differently?

If pro is the opposite of con, is progress the opposite of congress?

If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?

Hitler was elected to parliament, and the ancient Greek parliament, which was more representative than what we have today, voted to kill Socrates for teaching young men to think, so is Democracy the best we can do? If people vote to violate their own rights or those of others, is it okay, just because the majority wants it that way? (Another question: Why did we start calling our constitutional republic a democracy just because it votes for it's leaders?)

If the laws are recognizing more and more that animals shouldn't be treated cruelly, do animals have "rights," as children do? Children are dependent but with basic rights. If animals are the same, are their "owners" obligated to give them them proper food and medical care, and should they be prosecuted if they fail to provide it? Should they be forced to care for pets for life, with no option to have them killed when they become inconvenient?

When several million want a given person or party in power, but can never elect them because only Democrats and Republicans will be elected by the other 90 million voters, can they believe that this is a representative government? Would a system that allowed them to send their own representatives to congress be more fair? Is there a way to devise a system which allows any million voters that agree on a candidate to have representation? (There are a couple million libertarians, for example, who never get represented.)

If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?

If you were under house arrest and you lived in a mobile home, wouldn't you be able to go anywhere you want?

If an atheist has to go to court, do they make him swear on the Bible?

Kraft Foods (Philippines), Inc. (KFPI), a fully owned subsidiary of Kraft Foods Inc. (Kraft), one of the largest U.S.-based food business in the world, implements full EDI (electronic data interchange) with 2GO, its national distribution center 3PL provider in the Philippines.

The project successfully went live last August 16, and coincided with KFPI’s SAP rollout in the Philippines.

The project involves creation of system interfaces between 2GO and KFPI’s SAP system, following UN/EDIFACT standards. It aims to automate and improve synchronization of master data, order processing and inventory movements within the two systems, thereby ensuring inventory accuracy and facilitating order fulfillment.

Kraft Foods Philippines handles the manufacturing and/or distribution of various food products currently available in the market. These products include processed cheese more popularly known as Cheez Whiz, Kraft Cheddar and Eden; spoonable products known to many of us as Miracle Whip and Kraft Mayonnaise; powdered beverages Tang and Kool Aid; baking powder known to us as Calumet; confectionery such as Toblerone and Cadbury; and snacks/biscuits popular all over the world such as Oreo, Chips Ahoy!, Tiger, and Planters. These are products found in every home, in every country, worldwide.

2GO, as KFPI’s 3PL partner, manages its National Distribution Center (NDC) warehouse, and is responsible for delivering their products nationwide.

In partnership with leaders in the call center and systems integration industries, we provide a convenient solution for your passport application, certificates and VISA requirements.

2GO has changed and elevated the way the public transacts with government agencies, embassies and other institutions through hassle-free, technology-driven and customized courier services.

For passport application and renewal, call the Teleserv DFA hotline at
(+632) 737-1000 or visit www.teleserv.ph.

After you have accomplished all the requirements at the DFA office for your passport application or renewal, you have the option of having 2GO deliver
your passport to your home.

To track your passport via sms:
Text 2GO <space> 1 <space> Consignment Note No.

and SEND TO:

    * 2390 (for GLOBE subscribers)
    * 267 (for SMART subscribers)
    * 2248 (for SUN subscribers)

To track your passport online click here click here.

To get your NSO documents (birth, marriage, death certificates, etc.) processed and delivered from the comfort of your home or office, you can call the Teleserv NSO Helpline Plus hotline at (+632) 737-1111.

For more information, visit www.teleserv.ph.

Get your travel documents in the convenience of your home! Apply for your VISA to Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and United Kingdom.

Whether you are a student moving to Manila for college or a sales executive being assigned to the province, leading supply chain solutions provider 2GO has found probably the most convenient and affordable way for you to ship all those clothes and other knickknacks in less than a week!

And this is via the Budget Box, the latest addition to 2GO’s product offerings that is in line with its passion to provide flexible solutions.

Cheaper, one price a box
With dimensions similar to the very familiar Balikbayan box, 2GO currently provides the box for free in its outlet with a fixed shipping charge. For as low as P369, one can send cargo to Manila from the Visayas (and vice versa), P420 for North Mindanao, and P465 for South Mindanao. These rates are subject to additional charges, such as door-to-door delivery fee if requested by the customer.

With a maximum weight of 50-kilograms, the Budget Box is suitable for budget-wise customers who need to send in bulk. The delivery leadtime is six days.

For cargos exceeding the weight limit, customers can opt to avail the Day 3 and Day 6 LCL (less-than-containerload) service of 2GO.

Go international at a budget
For international shipments, 2GO has also started offering the International Budget Box which features all-in fixed rates to the US, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom and Australia.

Since VAT and valuation fees are already included in the International Budget Box rates, the cost of the service is very reasonable at P2,200 for a 1-kilogram box and P2,800 for a 2-kilogram box for all packages going to the US.

For more information on 2GO's products and services, customers may visit their www.2GO.com.ph or call the hotline number (+63 2) 5287-136.

2GO is a business unit of Aboitiz Transport System Corp., the only integrated transport solutions provider in the country.

A girl of 14 killed a man in his home after learning that he would not be charged for an alleged sex attack on her, the Old Bailey has heard.

On the morning of his death Robert Daley was told by an officer that his case was being dropped by prosecutors.

Later, the defendant visited Mr Daley's flat in Ferndale Road, Stockwell, south London, with a boy of 14. Mr Daley, 45, was found with stab wounds soon after.

The teenagers, now both 15, deny murdering Mr Daley in April.

The defendant, her 16-year-old sister and a woman had accused Mr Daley of sexual assault, but all three continued to be in contact with him, Jonathan Rees QC, prosecuting, said.

The jury heard that after learning he would not be prosecuted, Mr Daley called the 16-year-old girl.

She sent a text back saying: "Stop calling and texting me. I really don't want anything to do with you. - BBC

 Considered as a rare privilege to the delight of the Jagnaanon faithful, the bishop of the Diocese of Grand Falls, Newfoundland in Canada, the Most Reverend Martin Currie, made a brief visit at St. Michael the Archangel Parish of Jagna last Jan. 23.

Jagna's parish priest and the newly appointed Episcopal Vicar and chairman of the on-going Formation of Talibon Clergy, Monsignor Orencio Jubac, E.V. led the faithful community of Jagna in welcoming the visiting bishop who officiated the early Sunday Holy Mass as well as High Mass.

In his monition at the 6:00 o'clock Holy Mass aired live over Radyo Natin FM Station, the 52 year-old hockey and golf enthusiast bishop, indicated that his visit in Jagna and to the bishop of Talibon the following day, is part of his sacred mission to look for more priests who are willing to work in his own diocese in Newfoundland, Canada.

"I need more priests in my diocese because the harvest is great but the laborers are few", Bishop Currie informed as he urged the faithful people to pray for more vocation.

In his homily, he invited the congregation to recall the day of their individual baptism.

"Pope John XXIII considered the day of his baptism as the mot important day of his life becaue he rightfully became a child of God, a follower of Christ," the Bishop explained.

Before the final blessing, Msgr. Jubac likewise informed the congregation that the Diocese of Grand Falls has the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as the seat of the Episcopate.

Presently, the said diocese is composed of thirty parishes, only nineteen of which have resident Pastors while the remaining eleven are without resident pastors amidst its Catholic population of 35,000.

Being the 8th bishop whose motto is ââ,¬ËœDominus Sperantium Fortutudo" (ââ,¬Â¦those who hope in the Lord will have their strength renewedââ,¬Â¦. Isaiah 40:31) , He will lead the faithful of Grand Falls as they celebrate their 105th anniversary in 2006.

To date, the Diocese of Talibon has allegedly sent one priest on loan to Grand Falls in the person of Rev. Fr. Deodoro "Along" Caga, the former parish priest of La Hacienda and a native of Candijay, Bohol.

By Wenny Reyes w/ report from Boy Cenita

Two persons long wanted by police on Monday afternoon voluntarily surrendered to mayor Osaias Flor Jr.

The surrender was made at the office of the mayor.

The surrenderees were identified as Danilo Quisto Olaybar, 36, married, a resident of sitio TTFA (Panaghiusa), Barangay San Vicente this town, and Isaias Polistico Credo, 29, married, of Sitio Lipoton, Zamora, Talibon. Both are facing the same homicide case docketed as Criminal Case No. 02-952.

Mayor Flor immediately turned over the accused surrenderees to P/Insp. Domino Pelecio who immediately commit the same to the BJMP District Jail in Talibon town.

The mayor told the Chronicle that he had long heard of the surrender yet he was unaware the suspects would surrender to him.

Be that as it may, Flor said he was glad of the decision saying if they are innocent of the crime being charged, then they are now free from being wanted persons.

Sometime last week, Mayor Flor also had a hand in the surrender of an escapee who bolted the PNP lock-up jail here.

Flor expressed optimism there maybe another surrender in the offing but he refused to elaborate.

BBC: Blackberry has announced its answer to Apple's iPad with a device called the Playbook.

The company unveiled its tablet computer to much anticipation at its developer conference, Devcon, in San Francisco.

It is one of the first business-centric devices in the tablet market.

Analysts said that is release was a clever move by the Blackberry maker Research In Motion whose smartphones dominate the business sector.

'Cutting edge'

"This is one of the most exciting times in our history," said Mike Lazaridis, RIM chief executive officer.

"RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry with cutting-edge hardware features and one of the world's most robust and flexible operating systems," added Mr Lazaridis.
Mike Lazaridis holds the Playbook Mr Lazaridis says it is an "exciting time" for RIM

Analysts have said the Playbook will give RIM an opportunity to dominate in a market it is familiar with and where it enjoys a solid reputation.

"RIM's Blackberry Playbook tablet looks to be a real challenger to Apple's iPad, playing on its business credentials, rather than being just another joy machine'," Stuart Miles, editor of mobile technology website Pocket-Lint told BBC News.

"Whether RIM can deliver what it promises in the business environment with a selection of new apps on yet another operating system will be the real test though. Either way, it's clear that the battle of the tablets is now full steam ahead."

By Ma. Elena Catajan
Sun Star

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet â€" A nursing student filed both administrative and criminal charges against two doctors of the Benguet General Hospital (BGH).

Mary, not her real name, 19, filed charges against doctors Relante Raper, a surgeon and Elmer Jimenez, a general practitioner under the sexual harassment law with immorality and acts unbecoming of a doctor.

Mary, in her affidavit, said on December 1, she was assigned to assist in a surgical operation procedure and the attending physicians were Raper and Jimenez.

While the operation was going on, Raper suddenly asked her, “Do you believe that we made a book with doc [Jimenez]? It says in the book we made that those assisting in mastectomy must undergo examination because there is a possibility that they too may have a breast mass.”

“I was shocked with the question, since it already had a sexual intonation in it, however I just kept quiet.” said Mary.

Allegedly, Raper continued to ask Mary, “So miss [Mary] do you believe? Are you willing to have yourself examined by us after the operation?”

The nursing student said she felt very uncomfortable, intimidated and harassed.

“Considering that the first statement pertained to breast examination, the next question pertained to his desire to examine my breast,” she claimed.

Raper also asked about the job of Mary’s father. When she told them, “Philippine Navy po,” Raper allegedly told Jimenez, “Patay tayo dito.”

Jimenez then said, “Ok lang doc, may eight hours pa tayo tumakas.”

“I already felt fear and anger with their comments and insinuations, but I still held my temper because they were doctors and among our training officers.” Mary said.

Mary added, “Despite all the sexual harassment they have hurled upon me that day, I just kept quiet until my duty for the next day was finished, but deep down inside me I was trembling with fear, anger and grief…”

By Paul John F. Barrosa
Inquirer Southern Luzon

A 16-year-old girl, believed to have been raped before she was murdered, was found by her parents and village officials at around 5 a.m. Monday in a forested area in the village of San Pacual in Tinambac, Camarines Sur, police said.

The girl, whose identity was withheld, was found bathing in her own blood and her clothes totally tattered, said Senior Police Officer 4 Romy Fabiano, public information officer of the Camarines Sur Provincial Police Office.

Fabiano said the girl, who had been reported missing since Sunday night, died from multiple stab wounds.

Nasunog ang lawas sa usa ka ulitawo human siya nakuryentihan sa alas 6:20 sa hapon niadtong Lunes didto sa probinsiya sa Cotabato.

Giila ang biktima nga mao si John Klin Ynion, 19, ug molupyo sa Barangay Tubon, Pigcawayan sa maong probinsiya.

Si Chief Inspector Abello Jungaya, hepe sa kapulisan sa Pigcawayan, nagsulti nga naglakaw lang ang biktima gikan sa iyang pinuy-anan paingon sa usa ka tindahan aron mopalit og sigarilyo. Apan wala niya mamatikdi ug natumban niya ang live wire gikan sa poste sa Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) nga natumba gumikan sa makusog nga hangin ug ulan.

Patay gilayon si Ynion sa kakusog sa boltahe sa kuryente nga iyang natamakan. Dunay mga tawo duol sa nahitaboan apan nahadlok nga luwason ang biktima sa diha nga ilang nakita ang nag-aso-aso ug nagkalayo nga linya sa kuryente.

Andam sab nga mopasaka og kaso ang pamilya sa biktima batok sa Cotelco gumikan kay wala dayon milihok bisan kon gipahibawo na sa mga barangay opisyal nga dunay natumba nga poste. - Sun Star

By Sun Star

HUMAN sa nahitabong mangilngig nga aksidente sa kadalanan, nanimalos karon ang wala mailhing mga armadong tawo ngadto sa mga operator sa "uso-uso" jeepneys nga nagabiyahe dinhi sa siyudad sa Davao.

Mga armadong tawo way kahadlok nga nagdala og armas bisan pa man gipatuman ang Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban aron makabawos pinaagi sa pagpusil sa duha ka "uso-uso" jeepneys didto sa Roxas Avenue sa ala 1:45 sa hapon niadtong Lunes.

Unang gipusil sa mga armado mao ang Isuzu Jeep nga dunay plate number LBV-996 ug gipanag-iyahan ni Racman Lingas nga nagpuyo sa Barangay Sirawan, distrito sa Toril.

Si Joe Lao, 30, drayber sa maong jeep, nagbutyag nga gikan sila sa CM Recto paingon sa Roxas Avenue apan gibabagan sila sa duha ka wa mailhing mga tawo dayon gipusil ang jeep sa lima ka higayon.

Maayong pagka-igo sa iyang walang headlight, tuong signal light ug radiator gamit ang .45 kalibre nga pistola base sab sa lima ka baseyo ug upat ka slug nga nahipus sa kapulisan.

Sa unahan nga bahin didto sa Padre Gomez kanto Roxas Avenue, gipusil sab sa duha ka mga armado ang jeep nga dunay plate number LWS-844 nga gipanag-iyahan ni Raul Axalan nga taga St. Jude, Toril, ning siyudad.

Si Arnulfo Suizo, 51, drayber sa maong jeep, nagbutyag sa kapulisan nga gipusil sab sa mga tawo ang armado ang headlight, ug radiator gamit gihapon ang .45 kalibre nga pistola base sa tulo ka baseyo nga nahipus sa kapusilan.

Si PO2 Leo Lozarito sa San Pedro Police Station nagbutyag nga maniid sila sa maong lugar sa pamasin nga mailhan ang mga armadong tawo.

Tungod niini, nangahadlok na ang mga operators ug drivers sa "uso-uso" jeepneys nga basin sila ang isunod sa mga armadong tawo. (AD)

ANG drayber sa "uso-uso" jeepney nga maoy hinungdan sa pagkamatay sa siyam ug misamad sa 14 ka mga pasahero sa aksidente sa kadalanan niadtong miaging semana, pormal nang gipasakaan og kasong reckless imprudence resulting to homicide and multiple injuries niadtong Lunes.

Si Joel Pilone Recopelacion, 49, nagpuyo sa Dream Land, Barangay Dumoy, gidemanda pinaagi sa summary inquest procedure human niya gibangga ang gimaneho niini nga jeep nga dunay plate number LWJ-710 didto sa Crossing Bago Aplaya sa alas 9:45 sa buntag niadtong Septyembre 24.

Ang kaso nakadoket sa IS # XI-02-INQ-10-I-00942 didto sa City Prosecutor's Office (CPO), Hall of Justice, Ecoland, ning siyudad.

Si Recopelacion maoy nagmaneho sa jeep nga gikan sa Toril Poblacion padulong sa City Proper apan nabangga sa Fuso 10- wheelers truck nga dunay plate number MDS 694 nga gimaneho ni Martin Gayeta Jr., minyo ug nagpuyo sa Napo, Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

Sa maong hitabo, nakabsan sa kinabuhi mao sila Nancy Diaz, 44, nagpuyo sa Manggahan, Toril; Evelyn Rapales, 25, nagpuyo sa Susana Homes, Barangay Sirawan; Analiza Joya, 19, nagpuyo sa Barangay Dalaiao; Zaldy Lorono, 48, nagpuyo sa Punong, Lizada; Jenny Beth Roble, hamtong, nagpuyo sa Punong Lizada; Ruby Jane Roble, 10, nagpuyo sa Punong Lizada; Faustina Roble, 53, nagpuyo sa Punong Lizada, Kenny Jay Samling, 20, nagpuyo sa Crossing Bayabas ug walo ka buwan nga bata nga gisabak ni Jenny Beth.

Samtang gipahiluna ang pagpalubong sa mga nangamatay, padayon sab gitambalan karon sila Annaliza Coquilla, 35; Nyan Gabriel Coquilla, 5; Benny Ann Tabague, 19; Ernesto Avelino, hamtong; April Rose Tion, 17, estudyante sa UIC; Mary Rose Nim, 18, estudyante; Marilene Lorico, 27; Yohan Rasay, 20; Liza Casquejo, 36; John Suaner, 20, estudyante sa UIC; Cristine Ivy Diaz, 16, estudyante sa USeP; Naomi Akamae, 28; ug Ma. Lourdes Limosnero, 37. (AD) - Sun Star

By Charlie Señase, Edwin Fernandez
Inquirer Mindanao

Police authorities confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of at least six suspects in Saturday night’s gang-rape of a 21-year-old nurse in South Upi, Maguindanao.

Senior Superintendent Marcelo Pintac, Maguindanao police director, said police have been preparing formal charges against the six suspects.

The suspects â€" Michael Candelario, Jeffrey Fernandez, Glen Saldua, Roscon Sanglap, Darwin Escalona and Eugene Biscarra, all residents of Barangay (village) Timanan â€" belong to prominent families in the town.

South Upi Councilor Warlito Bansigan told reporters on Tuesday that the suspects, who have been in prison, did not resist arrest.

But all of them denied taking part of the rape, he said.

The victim works under the government’s Nurses Assistance for Rural Services (Nars) program.

Bansigan said that based on the investigation conducted by the local police, the victim and some of her co-nurses had a night’s out at a local videoke house, where they drank alcohol.

The six suspects joined them there.

Bansigan said it was about 10 p.m., Saturday, when the group decided to part ways, with the victim heading for her house, just a few meters from her workplace.

He said that when the victim's colleagues learned she had not returned home, they alerted the police.

“They found her in a grassy area at the back of the town hospital and she was unconscious,” Bansigan said.

When the victim regained consciousness, she told authorities she had been raped.

Ezra Jed Macabenta of the Tagbilaran City Science High School (TCSHS) brought home gold and bronze, teams and individual categories respectively, from the 1st International Young Mathematicians' Convention (IYMC).

The Boholano math wizard with the rest of the Philippine delegation topped in the IYMC held at the City Montessori School in Genti Nagar, Lucknow, India, in December 2004.

The Philippine delegation and its awards during the IYMC:

Team competition math quiz, gold ââ,¬â€œ Austin Pua, UNO High School; Gian Chua, UNO High School; EJ Macabenta, Tagbilaran City Science High School.

Math Relay, gold ââ,¬â€œ Ganet Go, Shangkai Shek High School; Charles Ang, St. Stephen's High School.

Individual Competition ââ,¬â€œ Ganet Go, gold; Charles Ang, bronze; EJ Macabenta, bronze, Jexglon Portacion, Gen. Santos SPED Integrated School, bronze.

Coaches ââ,¬â€œ Dr. Eduardo de la Cruz, Dr. Simon Chua and Anthony Ang.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim sponsored the trip of Macabenta. (Bong Recemilla)

Bohol Wisdom School, which used to be the premier Chinese school in the province is now a college.

The elevation of the school into a college is prime for the institution which has served the Boholanos for over 70 years. The school started as Bohol Chinese School with campuses along Libertad Street (now CPG Avenue).

After its student population grew beyond the capacity of the old campus, the institution, later known as the Bohol Wisdom School transferred to its present location in a sprawling lot along CPG North Avenue, across the New Capitol Site.

By the coming school year in June, Bohol Wisdom College will be opening Teacher Education offering Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED) and subjects on Mathematics, Science, English, Early Childhood Education.

Teacher Education is the flagship course of the new college, says board of trustees chair/pres. Mario Uy.

The school envisions to produce more globally competitive teachers with professional know-how and communicative compe-tence.

The school has announced that the aptitude exams for first year college applicants will be on March 20 for the second batch. Reservation is now being accepted for limited students.

By Julie M. Aurelio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A cager of the Philippine Basketball Association is now facing charges in court for allegedly pouncing on an irate fan during a basketball game in 2009.

Burger King player Wynne Arboleda was indicted for slight physical injuries while his teammate Mark Yee was cleared of the raps.

The case stemmed from a fan's complaint, Alain Katigbac, who alleged that the two attacked him during a basketball game last year.

Katigbac alleged that Arboleda and Yee attacked him during a PBA game between the Smart Gilas and Burger King teams after the complainant joined in booing Arboleda over his fouls against the Smart Gilas team players.

By Michelle Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has filed a P5.37-billion syndicated estafa (fraud) case against officers and the owner of Legacy-affiliated banks.

PDIC said the latest case, filed with the Department of Justice, was so far the biggest in terms of amount involved.

The state-owned deposit insurer earlier filed 22 cases against people involved with the operation of banks tied with the Legacy Group, owned by Celso de los Angeles Jr.

De los Angeles, 58, was transferred last month to a jail compound in Ormoc City to face the nonbailable charge of syndicated estafa filed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

He was brought to Ormoc Sugar Planters Association-Farmer’s Medical Center a day after his turnover to the Leyte subprovincial jail. The hospital stay of De los Angeles, who has throat cancer, was approved by Judge Clinton Nuevo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 12.

The latest PDIC case involves Dynamic Bank, one of the banks under the Legacy Group.

PDIC said in its complaint that De los Angeles and several officers of Dynamic Bank “conspired and benefited from the misappropriation and conversion of the bank’s funds amounting to P5.37 billion.”

Charged were De los Angeles, Germiniano Noche Jr., Ampere Elman, Flora Bulasag, Danilo Consul, Teofila Garcia, Bartolome Quintana, Emilio Quintana, Vicente Quintana, Analea Galban, Cleofas Ordonia, Brenda Sombillo, Leny Yanoria, Jocelyn Arroyo, Rafael Cueto, Grace Delgado, Emylyn Geli, Carmela Illenberger, Sherwin Masusis, Arnel Ligan, Rizalina Alvez and Geraldine Palo.

Deposits stolen

Authorities working on the case said people involved in the operations of the group’s banks would entice people to deposit money by offering above-market interest rates and then steal the deposits through various means, such as falsely declaring that the funds were used for loans.

In the latest case, PDIC alleged that De los Angeles and the others created various fictitious loans, including motorcycle loans, and diverted the funds to the savings accounts of Legacy Motors Inc. and OneCard Company Inc. that were found to be also owned by De los Angeles.

Fictitious bank accounts

PDIC, which tapped the assistance of external auditing firm Punongbayan & Araullo in working on cases against the Legacy group, said De los Angeles and his “conspirators” withdrew P5.37 billion from the savings accounts and then “deposited” the money in fictitious bank accounts.

“PDIC is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to uncover the fraudulent schemes and irregular transactions by Legacy owner Celso de los Angeles Jr. and officers of his Legacy banks,” PDIC president Jose Nograles said in a statement.

PDIC said the fraudulent activities involving the Legacy Group had so far created the heaviest burden on the deposit insurer.

Insurer pays P9.52 billion

PDIC, which is mandated to insure bank deposits, said that as of Sept. 15, it had verified and approved P10.26 billion worth of claims by depositors of various Legacy-owned banks. The amount covers 91,077 claims.

Of the amount of claims approved, P9.52 billion has so far been paid. The amount involves 87,997 claims, PDIC said.

Dynamic Bank is one of the 12 Legacy-affiliated banks that were ordered closed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and placed under PDIC’s receivership since December 2008.

Other Legacy-affiliated banks are the Rural Bank of Parañaque, Pilipino Rural Bank, Rural Bank of Bais (Negros Oriental), Rural Bank of San Jose (Batangas), Bank of East Asia, First Interstate Bank, Philippine Countryside Rural Bank, Nation Bank, Rural Bank of Carmen (Cebu), Rural Bank of DARBCI, and San Pablo City Development Bank.

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months wards off baby infections, further evidence suggests.

Regardless of other factors, such as good healthcare and vaccination programmes, breastfeeding still gives babies a boost, say Greek researchers.

They say it is the composition of breast milk that helps babies fight infections.

The findings, from a study of 1,000 vaccinated infants, are published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood.

Researchers say the benefit only comes with exclusive breastfeeding - mixing breast and bottle will not achieve the same.

World experts already recommend that infants are exclusively breastfed for at least the first six months of life.
Natural boost

For the study, the researchers tracked the health of 926 infants for a period of 12 months, recording any common infections these babies had during their first year of life.

All the newborns were routinely vaccinated and had access to a high standard of healthcare.

Almost two-thirds of mothers were breastfeeding at one month, but this figure dropped to just under a fifth at six months.

Overall, 91 of the infants were exclusively breastfed for a full six months.

Subsequently, these infants had significantly fewer common infections during their first year of life than their peers who were either partially breastfed or not breastfed at all.

These included respiratory and ear infections, as well as thrush.

And the infections they did pick up were less severe, even after adjusting for other factors that might influence infection risk, such as number of siblings and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Professor Emmanouil Galanakis and his team say it is the composition of breast milk that explains their findings. - BBC

By Brian Rokus
CNN Special Investigations Unit

MORRISONVILLE, Ill. â€" Matt McCormick was in the seventh grade when Father Alvin Campbell gave him a ride home from a baseball game.  As they were driving along country roads, Campbell put his hand on McCormick’s thigh and “just left it there.”

It was the first time the priest had touched him. During the next three years, McCormick says, the abuse would go much further.

That was 25 years ago.  Just three months ago, he learned that Pope Benedict XVI played a role in keeping his abuser in the church when CNN told him about a letter signed by the pontiff â€" then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger â€" refusing to defrock the pedophile priest.

Walking around the 1,000-person Illinois farming town where he grew up, McCormick pointed out where he was molested: inside the church school, inside the rectory, and inside the church itself.

read more at http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/24/sex-abuse-victim-learns-of-pope’s-role/

By Karin Zeitvogel
Agence France-Presse

She stood motionless on the pavement near Washington's National Mall, beams of late summer sun caressing her sleek body as dozens of men ogled her and made secret wishes.

“She,” German luxury carmaker Porsche's new 911 GT3 R Hybrid, is the world's first hybrid GT racing car, and it was in the United States to compete in the American Le Mans Series, a proven ground for green technology race cars.

At a Washington event, it showed off sleek lines and the ground-breaking new hybrid technology, developed for racing but which Porsche ultimately wants to incorporate into its normal carsâ€"not that Porsche does any normal cars.

"This car shows that being environmentally efficient doesn't have to be boring. It can be fast, it can be sexy, it can be competitive," says Patrick Long, a 29-year-old Porsche factory driver and one of a handful of men to have gripped the wheel and shifted the gears of the new Porsche GT hybrid.

"Hybrids don't have to make no noise and drive slowly down the road. They can be loud, exciting race cars," he said.

The car has the body of a 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R with a four-liter, flat-six, 480 horsepower combustion engine in the rear.

Up front, its unique hybrid system harnesses two electric motors and a flywheel to generate, store, and release power. The Porsche is the first car to use an electromechanical flywheel as the battery, said Christoph Michalik, Porsche's director of motorsports strategy and planning.

When a driver brakes on one of the many curves on a race course, the electric motors, which are coupled to the wheels, generate an electric current that powers up the flywheel, located in the front passenger seat.

Energy is released from the flywheel during normal acceleration and automatically delivered to the front wheels to support the combustion engine and reduce fuel consumption.

yanni (live! At The Acropolis) - aria
Yanni Live Concert

eric clapton - tears in heaven
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton

PDI: Environmental health and justice advocates on Monday asked senators to enact a law to bring the reckless use and disposal of plastic bags under control.

A text survey conducted by the EcoWaste Coalition among its partner groups revealed a range of proposals on what an effective law should stipulate to effectively prevent and reduce waste and pollution from plastic bags. The top 12 ideas that the groups would like to see in the envisioned plastic law are as follows:

1. Ban the practice of giving free plastic bags to consumers in all commercial establishments.

2. Impose plastic bag environmental tax or levy.

3. Prohibit the use of plastic bags (i.e., thin film single-use plastic bags) as “banderitas.”

4. Phase out and eventually ban plastic sando bags.

5. Bar the importation of plastic bags and other single-use disposables such as polystyrene food and beverage containers.

6. Require commercial establishments to offer reusable alternatives to plastic bags.

7. Direct supermarkets and other retail and wholesale shops to allow their customers to bring and use “bayong” and other substitute containers for goods purchased.

8. Stipulate producer responsibility and accountability, including a mandatory take back for used bags.

9. Reinforce the prohibition against the littering, dumping, and burning plastic waste.

10. Put up livelihood programs in the countryside to support the production of bayong and other reusable bags from native materials.

11. Provide continuing public education on the health, environmental, and climate impacts of plastic bags.

12. Observe and participate in the “International Plastic Bag Free Day” every 3rd of July.

Among those that responded in the survey were Buklod Tao, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Kinaiyahan Foundation, Miss Earth Foundation, Mother Earth Foundation, Philippine Earth Justice Center, and Zero Waste Philippines.

According to the groups, plastic bags end up mostly in the seas and dumpsites where they take a long period of time to break into miniscule bits of toxic chemicals, polluting the soil and water as well as the food chain when animals mistake them for food.

As explained by Senator Manny Villar in Senate Bill 1103, “plastics are essentially non-biodegradable, take more than 100 years to dissolve, pollute the air and water, and damage natural habitat.”

Citing information from the UN report “Marine Litterâ€"trash that kills,” the EcoWaste Coalition said that plastics comprise 90 percent of floating marine debris worldwide. In the Philippines, a plastic discards survey organized by the EcoWaste Coalition and Greenpeace in 2006 showed that 76 percent of garbage found drifting in the historic Manila Bay were plastic materials, 51 percent of which were plastic bags.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago in her explanatory note for Senate Bill 1543 said that “somewhere between 500 billion to a trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year and millions end up in the litter stream outside of landfills.”

In introducing Senate Bill 1368, Senate Loren Legarda said that “in all instances plastic bags are easily moved from place to place, clogging drainages in streets, polluting waterways and even endangering fish and ecosystems,” adding that “the production of these bags requires considerable amounts of crude oil and natural gas.”

apo hiking society - kaibigan
Kaibigan by Apo Hiking Society

APO HIKING SOCIETY - AMERICAN JUNK
American Junk by Apo Hiking Society

Germany marks 20 years since reunification next Sunday, an economic powerhouse and confident world player still battling to bridge enduring gaps between the west and former communist east.

"Reunified Germany has accomplished great things," said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere ahead of the celebrations, adding that "people in the west and the east can be proud of what they have achieved together."

"The whole world is amazed at us," screamed the Bild daily recently, crowing at reunited Germany's successes: Europe's top economy is enjoying record growth rates, low unemployment, and buoyant exports.

Meanwhile, Angela Merkel, the respected chancellor who grew up in East Germany, plays a leading role on the European and world stage, as her country lobbies for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, following a 2003-2004 stint.

Slowly shaking off its painful history, Germany is also playing a bigger role in Afghanistan, recently conducting a raid in Baghlan billed as the first operation of its type since World War II.

"Since 1990, a great deal has been achieved in a short time," de Maiziere told reporters.

However, if outwardly the reunified Germany seems a success story that appeared far-fetched in the heady days after the Berlin Wall fell, hefty economic and social divisions remain.

Despite an estimated 1.4 trillion euros ($1.8 trillion) in transfers from west to east, the former communist part of the country continues to lag behind, with unemployment nearly twice as high and living standards much lower.

Hans-Werner Sinn, president of the influential Ifo economic institute, told AFP: "The convergence of east Germany and west Germany is just not taking place."

"If you want to have convergence and you are behind, then you need to run faster and they (the east Germans) haven't done this."

Sinn estimated east Germany's output per capita, a commonly used measure of living standards, is 65.8 percent that of the west.

Not one of Germany's top 30 companies has headquarters in the east and a recent study for IW Consult ranked six east German states in the bottom seven for economic development.

Adding to its plight, nearly three million have left east Germany since reunification as people search for work on the other side of the former border.

While it is not all doom and gloomâ€"living standards have improved since 1990 and unemployment is much lowerâ€"one recent survey showed less than half of all Germans (46 percent) saw reunification as positive.

Matthias Platzeck, the state premier of Brandenburg, the region surrounding Berlin which used to belong to East Germany, caused uproar last month when he spoke of the "annexation" or "Anschluss" of the east by the west.

Reunification marked the beginning of the "de-industrialization of east Germany," he told Spiegel magazine, adding: "For many of us, this day isn't just one of good thoughts.

"I don't know what there is to celebrate."

Hans-Dietrich Genscher, a former West German foreign minister who shares credit for bringing about reunification, said some progress had been made but plenty remained to be done.

"We are over the hump but not yet there. You can't change 40 years of communist government overnight and we have already achieved a lot. We said it would be a long and rocky road," he told reporters.

Others were more pessimistic. Asked how long it would take before the east finally catches up, Ifo's Sinn said: "I don't see the prospect of that happening. It will be a backward region for a long period ahead.

The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights is preparing the drafting of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) for its next meeting in November in Thailand, it was learned.

In a news release, the commission said it has finalized its five-year work plan, including its budget for the period 2012-2015 after it convened its third meeting on 20-24 September 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

During that meeting, representatives also discussed the implementation of the Priority Programmes/Activities for 2010-2011 as a follow-up to its adoption at the recent 43rd Asean Ministerial Meeting (Hanoi, July 2010).

On the sidelines of the Third Meeting, the commission also met with the Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism, which is an entity associated with Asean. The two sides exchanged views on the directions for their future cooperation.

Asean groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It seeks regional integration at the socio-economic, political, and cultural levels.

The British government has given Chevening Scholarships to three outstanding Filipinos who will pursue further studies at different educational institutions in Britain starting this month.

The Filipino scholars are Ian Norman Dato, Edzyl Josef Magante, and Dave Jesus Devilles.

Dato, formerly an Undersecretary at the Department of Justice is pursuing a Master of Laws Degree in Public International Law at the University College London.

Magante, Court Attorney VI in the legal staff of Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio Morales is taking up a Master of Laws in International Business Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Devilles, Public Relations Specialist at Energy Development Corporation is pursuing further studies in Corporate Communications and Reputation Management at the University of Manchester.

Of the scholarship, Dato said it “empowers qualified individuals to be more engaged in and useful to society. That is what attracted me most to the Programme. I saw how empowered its alumni have become and they, in turn, were able to contribute more to Philippine society.”

For his part, Magante said he aims to use what he would learn “to become an instrument of positive change.”

“I have observed that we can only be one of three types of people: the first type are those who are part of the system and often make it worse; the second type are those who are indifferent about what is happening in our country; and the third type are those who want, and are willing to work for, positive change. I consider myself as belonging to the third type,” he said.

Devilles said a Chevening scholar will enjoy not only knowledge, but honor and goodwill too.

“We are delighted that Filipinos are among the recipients of this year’s Chevening scholarships. These scholarships are highly sought-after, with thousands of applicants from all over the world. The Chevening programme is a wonderful link between the UK and the Philippines and underpins our growing education links,” said British Ambassador Stephen Lillie in a news release.

“UK education is among the world’s best. Its tradition of excellence combined with modern innovation and flexibility makes UK education recognized and respected all over the world.”

The scholarship program has consistently produced graduates who have consequently made exemplary achievements in their careers. Most recently, Chevening alumna Flora May Cerna was bestowed the 2010 Aquino Fellowship for Public Service for encouraging several government organisations to create more transparent and accountable processes as head of the Department of Research and Project Development at the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN).

Chevening Scholarships are granted by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to young individuals in the early stage of their careers who have the potential to become leaders, decision makers, and opinion formers in their chosen field. The scholarships were named after Chevening House in Kent, the UK Foreign Secretary's official country residence.

The US military has overseen the destruction of 9,500 copies of a book it claims printed intelligence secrets.

The Pentagon paid publisher Macmillan's $47,000 (£30,000) printing costs then had the copies pulped, officials said.

A new censored edition of Operation Dark Heart: Spycraft and Special Ops on the Frontlines of Afghanistan by Lt Col Anthony Shaffer was released on Friday.

The Pentagon said the initial manuscript had not been properly vetted.

"The publisher understood that we were concerned that classified information not be published and so they worked with us to make sure that did not happen," Pentagon spokesman Col Dave Lapan told the BBC.

Col Lapan said Lt Col Shaffer had initially cleared the manuscript with his local reserve unit, but higher authorities within the military were only notified after it had been sent to the publisher, and they objected to some information included.

In the book, Lt Col Shaffer describes intelligence operations aimed at disabling Taliban insurgents and criticises what he describes as bureaucratic bungling that hampered the effort, according to publicity material.

"In the end, everyone is curious to find out what really is in the book. It's all worked out," Joe Rinaldi, spokesman for Macmillan imprint Thomas Dunne Books, told the BBC.

A food production company was ordered to pay nearly £17,000 after a man found a dead mouse in a loaf of bread as he made sandwiches for his children.

Stephen Forse, of Kidlington, Oxfordshire, had already used some slices when he came across the mouse.

Mr Forse purchased the loaf online, through a Tesco branch in Bicester in January 2009.

Premier Foods was fined £5,500 and ordered to pay £11,109.47 in costs at Oxford Crown Court.

In July, the company, which makes Hovis bread, Branston pickle and Bisto gravy, admitted to having failed to maintain acceptable standards at its British Bakeries site in London.

Mr Forse said he had already used some of the bread when he noticed "a dark-coloured object embedded in the corner of three or four slices".

"Initially I thought it was where the dough had not mixed properly prior to baking," he said.

"As I looked closer I saw that the object had fur on it."

Mr Forse said he continued to prepare some sandwiches for his children and their friends from another loaf of bread.

"I checked carefully each slice in turn as I felt quite shaken," he added.

"As I was feeling ill I couldn't face eating anything myself. I sat with the children as they ate theirs."
Tail missing

Mr Forse contacted Cherwell District Council and environmental health officers visited the family's home to collect evidence.

During the visit one of them identified it as a mouse minus its tail.

"Her comments made me feel ill once again as there was no indication as to where the tail was," added Mr Forse.

"Had it fallen off prior to the bread being wrapped or had any of my family eaten it with another slice of bread on a previous day?"

Actress Gloria Stuart, who played an elderly shipwreck survivor in the film Titanic, has died at the age of 100.

The blonde actress appeared in several films during the 1930s, before retiring from acting in 1946.

Stuart resumed acting in later years and at 87 became the oldest actor ever to be nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Rose Calvert, a 101-year-old Titanic survivor.

Stuart died in her sleep in her Los Angeles home, her family said.

The native Californian also starred in The Invisible Man and two Shirley Temple movies.

Stuart, who studied drama and philosophy in college, helped found the Screen Actors Guild, a trade union that represents actors.

She was under contract with Universal Studios and 20th Century in the 1930s.

The Hollywood veteran was diagnosed with breast cancer about five years ago, but survived the disease.

"She just paid no attention to illness. She was a very strong woman and had other fish to fry," Stuart's daughter, Sylvia Thompson, said.

Titanic became the world's highest-grossing movie of all time in 1997, until the movie Avatar claimed the title in 2009. -bbc

Asay mas comfortable ka?

The Department of Finance (DoF) will endeavor to focus on more efficient tax collection measures on professionals in an effort to curb graft and corruption in the private sector. In a recent meeting with Cebu business leaders during his last visit here, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said Government is bent on intensifying its campaign in collecting appropriate taxes from professionals like lawyers and doctors, noting that there are some "unscrupulous" professionals who are not paying the correct taxes. "These professionals, like doctors and lawyers need to shape up in terms of paying the right taxes. Unfortunately, there are some who underpay their taxes. If you see the amount (they pay), you can have an immediate heart attack," Purisima said. Apart from lifestyle checks on professionals that will be implemented by an inter-agency program of the Government, Purisima emphasized the huge collectibles of taxes that can be extracted from lawyers and doctors.

"We call on those from the private sector to help Government also in identifying those professionals who are not paying their taxes correctly," Purisima stressed. Citing official data, he said the Government is only able to collect some 13 percent of total tax collectibles due it. Apparently, he said there is a "huge leakage of tax collection." According to him, paying taxes religiously will be very beneficial for the country's economy because this will enable Government to fund more infrastructure projects. With the current administration's thrust in curtailing graft and corruption, Purisima likewise assured the local business community that "the Government will take care of the money collected." - Manila Bulletin

Tourists, both foreign and domestic, including residents continue to feel the atmosphere of economic development as Australian officials started the implementation of some P44 million worth of provincial road projects on the so called "Paradise Island" of Siargao in Surigao del Norte on Saturday. Australian officials led by Deputy Ambassador Andrew Byrne, and Minister- counsellor Tito Mitra of the Australian Embassy in Manila spearheaded the groundbreaking ceremony for the road projects in the two villages of this town leading to the various resorts on the island. During the groundbreaking ceremony, the Australian officials were also accompanied by provincial and municipal officials led by Surigao del Norte Representatives Francisco T. Matugas (1st District) and Guillermo Romarate Jr. (2nd District), Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas, General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon, and Del Carmen Mayor Junior Coro.

The road project is part of the five-year P250 million Australian grant for Surigao del Norte's Road Improvement Project (RIP), said Matugas. The ground works for the P14 million Barangay 5-Catangnan Road, and the P30 million Sta. Monica Road is expected to immediately commence to hit the targeted timeline of completion, Matugas said. "This is really a big help by the Australian government. Also, a big boost to our growing tourism industry on this island," added Matugas. He said the Australian assistance is expected to generate livelihood opportunities for the villagers, and increase local revenues and employment on the island. - Manila Bulletin

The city government here is keen on considering private investments that would develop a massive shuttle transit and ditched its earlier plan to establish a light railway transportation (LRT) system, a move that is expected to save millions of pesos worth of investments but maintaining the goal to devise an efficient public transportation in the region.

Jason C. Magnaye, Davao City Investments and Promotion Center (DCIPC) officer-in-charge, disclosed this development over the weekend during the presentation of the 2010 Investment Priorities Plan of the Board of Investments (BoI) here Magnaye said the local government is seriously considering a private sector investment in adopting the bus rapid transport (BRT) system "as a cheaper alternative to the light rail transit that we have all been hearing about for several years now.""The specific prescription on the modes of transport infrastructure such as mass rail transit may possibly limit other modes available that can be more affordable and economically viable given the limited resources available," he explained.

The DCIPC acts as the technical secretariat of the City Planning and Development Office of the city government here that implements the policies and guidelines, and performs duties related to infrastructure and investments in this city.Speaking before private investors and several local government chief executives in Davao Region, Magnaye explained that the BRT system would make use of buses in providing a faster and efficient service than ordinary bus lines.By making an efficient bus transit, he said the city government would make improvements to existing infrastructures as well as rescheduling the existing routes of other public vehicles. - Manila Bulletin

A dead fetus was found floating on Agusan River in Mindanao in southern Philippines, local police said.

SPO3 Irish Fe Benegian of the Butuan Police Office’ Women and Child Protection Division (WCPD) said last Friday, wood sawmill worker Eldy Lumabas found the fetus inside a plastic bag floating on the river in the village of Pangabugan here.

Lumbas reported the matter to his co-workers, who later reported the incident to the Butuan City police.

The police later brought the fetus to St. Peter Funeral Homes. â€"With Sophia Dedace/VS, GMANews.TV

Did/do you have a Kissing Friend?

by Manila Bulletin

The last day of the Bar examinations at the De La Salle University (DLSU) on Taft Avenue, Manila literally ended with a loud bang yesterday after a late afternoon explosion that wounded at least 44 people, mostly students, police said.

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified 18 of the wounded, all students, taken to the Ospital ng Maynila (OsMa) and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) but also said the total number of victims may go beyond 44. The OsMa admitted victims Joanna Katrina Ledda, Arvin Francis Rosales, Philip Edwin Teelo, Gennilyn Ong, Cyril Ferrer, Kathleen Samba, Azenith Gonzalvo, Jamell Ann Marie, and Renald Sudla. PGH records, as of 8:30 p.m., identified victims taken to the hospital as Raissa Laurel, Diana Espiritu, Claudine Abrogena, Datu Mohammad Abdul, Generson Mercado, Milanes Rainier, Eunice Abdon, Diane Camita, and Donelle Quilates. As of press time at 11 p.m. yesterday, the MPD continued to monitor more reports of victims of the blast since they had been admitted in separate hospitals - OsMa, PGH, Manila Doctors Hospital, and Manila Medical Center. MPD officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Roberto Rongavilla said it is not yet clear if the explosion, which occurred between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. shortly after the Bar exams ended, was caused by either an improvised bomb or pyrotechnics. But witnesses on the scene claimed that it was an explosion and not just a ruckus that happened in front of the DLSU. ''We were not sure at first if it is an explosive or a drum that we heard at first. You can't tell the difference then because of the boisterous students from different universities. But the cheer suddenly turned into screams of panic,'' said a Bar examinee who was across the street from DLSU when the explosion happened.

Police operatives will dig deeper regarding the discovery of an alleged "sex initiation" conducted by a group of students in city schools.

SPO2 Generosa Bolotaolo of the Children and Women desk of the city PNP said the alleged male "sex initiator" was already invited to the city police headquarters for investigation as two of the young female victims positively identified him as the perpetrator.

The initiator whose name was withheld by the police is reportedly a computer science student of Holy Name University.

Conception Bagotchay, principal of the Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School said they already gathered testimonies from among the members of the group who likewise pointed to the same sex initiator whose roots is from Mindanao, but is presently residing in the city.

Bagotchay said that the discovery of the group started when a parent contacted the school as to the whereabouts of her daughter since it was already late in the day and their daughter was not yet home. It was traced that the girl was recruited by the group.

Testimonies revealed they were "sexually abused" by a sex master as an initiation to get accepted in the group. The investigation of the school further revealed that the two young girls who underwent the "sex initiation" in remote areas were tasked by the sex master to recruit three other students with a stern warning that failure to deliver recruits will put them into another sexual intercourse with the sex master.

Police said formal charges will be filed momentarily against the suspect.
School authorities asked parents to monitor the arrival of their children from school. The other indication of being recruited to this group is the child's frequent request for money since they were asked to contribute weekly for the group's survival

Meanwhile, another report of similar initiation of recruits was also unearthed at the University of Bohol high school department. The group operating at the university is likewise being monitored by the police.

The suspected sex master will be arrested in due time once formal charges can be filed in court, the police said. (Anthony Aniscal)

By Bohol Chronicle

Police declared an intensified campaign against robberies which escalated during the past few days in the various towns of the province.

PNP Prov'l Director Constantino Barot, Jr. called to an early morning emergency meeting last Tuesday station commanders from 10 town which PNP considers as critical areas in terms of robbery incidents.

These are the towns of Loon, Buenavista, Catigbian, Tubigon, Danao, Panlao, Loboc, Sagbayan, Triidad and Talibon.

He urged the station commanders to disseminate to the public their hotline numbers so information on the presence of suspicious looking persons can be relayed immediately to the police.

For the provincial PNP command, the hotline numbers are: 0912-8089279 (Smart), 0917-3051833 (Globe), while for the Phil. Army its 0908-2682695

He gave the station commanders marching orders to focus on unsolved robberies while intelligence network should be beefed up

LATEST INCIDENTS

Businessman Juan Tabada of Trinidad town was gunned down last Thursday after he tried to resist hold-uppers who flogged down his motorcycle at around 7pm .

Two unidentified suspects waylaid him, poked a gun at him and declared hold-up. When Tabada resisted, the suspect shot him. The robbers carted away P120,000 cash. The suspects immediately fled towards the town of San Miguel, using the victim's motorcycle as their get-away vehicle.

The police earlier recorded an incident of theft in barangay Tawala in the town of Panglao wherein the victim was an American national.

The victims Michael John Puz and lawyer Lisle Wadingan, discovered that there rented room at Sun Apartelle Resort in Tawala, Panglao was ransacked by unidentified suspects.

The suspects took away their laptop, cellphone and jewelries.
Police suspects an inside job as latent prints left by the suspect came from the main entrance with no sign of forced entry.

The other major crime that Barot reported during the PPOC meeting was the incident of attempted rape victimizing a British national, Michelle Mooskyj at around 3 p.m. of August 25.

The victim first met the suspect, Junder Anuever, on August 14, so she had no doubts when he offered her a ride (motorcycle) to Bohol Plaza Resort where she was billeted.

Meanwhile, Absalona Betinol 28, married of Poblacion Centro, Clarin town was robbed by two unknown suspects armed with short firearm. On motorbike from Bato, Buenavista town, the Betinol was accosted and held at gunpoint while robbers took P12,000 cash, gold necklace and cellphone. The suspects fled towards Baluarte, Buenavista town

In Sierra-Bullones, Lucille Jaum 24, single of Cambuac, Sikatuna town and Alina Digal 40, of San Agustin, this town were divested of cash worth P5,000 by two robbers. The victims were collecting money from their clients in the area.

Gualberto Camaso 44, of Liboron, Calape town and an employee of Cebu Micro Enterprises Inc., was the third victim in the series of robberies this week.
         
Police said Camaso lost P12,000 in cash to two masked robbers somewhere at barangay bacani, Clarin town. The motor-riding suspects fled towards Catigbian town.

The most recent shooting incident was reported in Ubay town the other where Alberto Boyles, 68 of San Francisco was shot while his wife, Maria, 61 was hit in her left leg. The couple was asleep in their hut around 11 p.m. last Thursday when awakened by the unknown assailant.

Police said, the suspect barged iand accosted the 68-year old victim and was ordered to kneel but the victim refused due to old age. The suspect shot the victim at close range using a .45 caliber pistol.

The old Boyles was hit in the chest and was declared on arrival at a hospital, while the wife was rushed to a city hospital. Police recovered a .45 caliber empty shell at the crime scene.

MONITOR EVEN
W/OUT TERRORISTS

Despite the absence of terrorists, the new PNP director said the police are "not taking chances, and continued to constantly monitor suspicious activities."

"The declaration that the province of Bohol is insurgent-free does not guarantee that Bohol is totally insulated. The threat of the communist terrorists' return to Bohol can be effectively addressed through collaborative involvement of the local government unit-led Bohol Local Integrated Security System (BLISS)," Barot said.

He solicited for the "collaborative efforts of all stakeholders" for the province to remain "a safe place to live, work, invest and do business in".

Barot also dismissed the unconfirmed reports on movement of the Special Partisan Unit (SPARU) of the New People's Army within the province, saying the police still have to confirm the information.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The police provincial director also reported that during the period, August 11-September 20, police have arrested 12 persons in the seven anti-illegal drugs operations which resulted to the filing of seven cases in court.

In its 15 operations against illegal gambling, the police arrested 13 persons and filed nine cases in court.

In the seven operations against illegal possession of firearms, police arrested 13 persons through three instances of alarm call, one police patrol, and three search warrants served. At least six cases had been filed in court.

The 13 operations against illegal fishing during the period resulted to the arrest of 49 persons-five without permit, six using compressor and mesh net, and two for illegal extraction. At least seven cases had been filed in court.

The police force started conducting check points in strategic areas starting midnight last night to monitor prohibited activities within the election period which started yesterday up to November 10.

Prohibited acts during this period includes carrying of firearm or deadly weapons, including wearing of uniforms, insignias, among others.

Other prohibited acts during this period are alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct as provided in Section 5 of Republic Act 8189; illegal release of prisoners; organizing or maintaining reaction or strike forces or similar forces, transfer and detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers; suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer; and use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates whether or not such bodyguards are regular members of officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or other government law enforcement agency.

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquierer

Prosperous city-state Singapore  recognizes the many opportunities for trade and investment in the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said here on Friday after the bilateral meeting between President Benigno Aquino and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

“During the meeting, President Aquino emphasized the strengths of the Philippine economy and the many opportunities for trade and investment. These were recognized and welcomed by Prime Minister Lee,” said Romulo, who was with Mr. Aquino during the meeting.

“It is in this particular context that President Aquino expressed his satisfaction over the success of the recent air services negotiations between the Philippines and Singapore which would result in increased tourism flows and investments between the two countries,” he added.

Under the expanded bilateral air services pact, Singapore and Philippine carriers will be allowed to fly up to 14 weekly services to and from each other’s capitals.

These would translate to up to 32 flights a week by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to Singapore weekly.

Also present during the meeting were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo.

Mr. Aquino thanked Lee for an invitation to visit Singapore.

He also thanked Lee for Singapore’s grant of scholarships to Filipinos to pursue their education in the city state.

In another bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 65th United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Aquino reiterated an invitation to Malaysia for it to act as a mediator in the country’s peace negotiations with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

President Aquino extended the invitation in a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

President Aquino told the Malaysian leader the Philippines was ready to resume the stalled peace process in October. He assured the Malaysian leader of “his clear and complete commitment to the peace process and his determination to realize all our hopes and dreams for peace and Mindanao,” Romulo added.

Daghan na bitaw pud naghilak tungod aning mga irresponsible barber nga magtuman ug ilang style. Ilabina ug mahibaloan ka nga naay ROTC sauna, magpatuyang nalang pud ang barber ug puong sa imong buhok bisag nanumbra na sa requirement sa ROTC.

A barber was jailed Friday morning after he allegedly maliciously shaved the head of a police station chief in Cebu City.

Sr. Insp. Mario Monilar, chief of the Guadalupe Police Station, told reporters he went to Style Barbershop at the corner of M. Velez and V. Rama streets to have his hair cut. He was in civilian clothes.

Jessie Tacumba, 32, was cutting his hair, when Monilar noticed an uneven length. The police official told Tacumba to fix it.

Tacumba, a barber for 18 years, used an electric razor and shaved Monilar’s head instead.

”When he screwed up my haircut, I introduced myself as a policeman,” Monilar said.

He asked Tacumba to go with him to the station where the latter could cut his hair properly.

When Tacumba refused, Monilar called SP01 Galo Amper and PO3 Edgardo Miego.

Although they did not handcuff Tacumba, they still brought him to the station and put him behind bars.

Tacumba, who has two little children, said he already apologized. He did not mean to embarrass Monilar.

”I did not mean to mess up the haircut,” he said.

Monilar said he sensed something wrong with Tacumba after the latter stabbed the balloon brought by his wife.

Despite the “embarrassing” haircut, Monilar said he forgave Tacumba, although he still charged him with unjust vexation and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority Friday afternoon.

Monilar said this will teach Tacumba not to bully future customers. (PNA)

The FAREST in the land! All domestic seat sale as low as P299 for the holiday season

Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers more chances for low fares, even during peak travel season, in an all-domestic seat sale from now until September 27, 2010 or until seats last.

This special holiday seat sale is for travel from December 1-15, 24-25 and 31, 2010, as well as January 1, 6-15, 2011.

Up for grabs are P299 ‘Go Lite’ seats for the airline’s select Cebu hub flights. These are flights from Cebu to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

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This is unthinkable. I don't know how to react. Kaugalingong anak iyang gipanamastamasa kada adlaw. Grabe naman pud ang uwag aning tawhana.

Manny Pacquiao will be in major trouble the moment he steps in the ring with Antonio Margarito, according to the Mexican’s chief trainer.

Speaking to fightchronicles.com, Robert Garcia expressed confidence that they have already solved the Pacquiao puzzle and is looking to stop the Filipino ring icon for the first time in more than a decade.

“We’ve been watching a lot of Manny’s fights and we know exactly how to attack him,” he told Joseph Padullon of fightchronicles.com. “We have been especially interested in his fights with (Miguel) Cotto and (Juan Manuel) Marquez.”

Pacquiao, of course, struggled in his two fights with the counter-punching Marquez. Although victorious against Cotto last November, the Filipino ended up with a busted ear, a result of the Puerto Rican's deadly left hooks.

Garcia also went as far as predicting the fight’s outcome.

“(An) 11th-round knockout. This isn’t going to just be a win for Margarito, this is going to be a (expletive) beatdown we put on him (Pacquiao),” he said.

“A big time beating is what we got for Manny Pacquiao,” Garcia added.

Pacquiao and Margarito tangle on Nov. 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title. - By Dino Maragay, Philippine Star

A Philippine court has sentenced a father to 14,400 years in prison after he was convicted of the near-daily rape of his teenage daughter over the course of a year.

A trial court originally condemned the man, a motorcycle taxi driver, to die in March 2006 after he was convicted of 360 counts of rape allegedly carried out during the year his wife worked in Hong Kong.

The Philippines repealed the death penalty in June 2006 and the Court of Appeals in Manila affirmed the conviction on Sept. 8 but lowered the sentence to 40 years' imprisonment _ the maximum now allowed by law _ for each count of rape, according to a copy of the decision obtained Friday.

The then-13-year-old victim, now 22, said her ordeal began in January 2001, when her mother left for work in Hong Kong as a domestic helper and left her three children with their father in Los Banos, a township just south of Manila.

She said he forced her to have intercourse with him almost every day, except when she had her period or on holidays, when he would make her perform oral sex.

The ordeal only ended after she and her siblings spent a vacation with their mother's relatives. Reluctant to return to her father at the end of the vacation, she broke down and told her family about the abuse. Her mother returned home from Hong Kong and helped her file the case. - associated press

Note to all Philippine congressmen: Please restore death penalty

Demand for the iPhone 4(IP4) may be dampened by the well publicised antenna attenuation issue which affects signal strength.

OSK Investment Research, in its research note on the telecommunication sector, cited a survey by an independent consumer outfit in the United States, which said 20 per cent of likely IP4 purchasers cited the antennae issue as a key reason affecting their purchasing decision.

The research house also said the sale of IP4 could also be curbed by the growing number and rising popularity of Android smartphones which overtook iPhone sales in the US in first-quarter of 2010.

"Based on our channel checks, sales of android smartphones are gaining momentum with the slew of promotions and the introduction of new models over the past month," it added.

Maxis recently unveiled the latest android-based HTC Wildfire and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, which was being retailed between RM549 and RM799.

This, according to OSK Investment Research, was relatively more affordable than the IP4 which was expected to debut in Malaysia by the end of the week.

"Although the iPad has not been officially launched locally, we believe there is already a small and growing base of users who have purchased their devices from abroad and from the gray market," it said.

Maxis is expected to hold a grand launch party for invited guests at the stroke of midnight on Sept 24 and the device will be available the next day at selected outlets and at all other outlets from Sept 27.

In terms of the sector pick, OSK Investment Research chose Axiata, which was the only domestic telecommunication company offering regional growth with a maiden dividend anticipated in the 2011 financial year.

"Although Axiata's mobile subsidiary, Celcom Axiata, does not offer the iPhone, it is witnessing strong growth in the sale of its Blackberry and mobile broadband plans," OSK Investment Research said. (PNA/BERNAMA)

By Lawrence Agcaoili  (The Philippine Star)

International credit raters issued yesterday a stable credit rating outlook on the ongoing bond-exchange exercise of the Philippine government involving a bond-sale component where it intends to raise $500 million and at the same time swap $2.5 billion worth of existing global-denominated bonds.

New York-based Moody’s Investor Service and Standard and Poor’s as well as London-based Fitch International Ratings issued their respective credit rating and sovereign credit rating outlook on the debt exchange offer of the Philippines.

Moody’s assistant vice president and lead sovereign analyst for the Philippines Christian de Guzman said it has assigned a foreign currency rating of Ba3 with a stable outlook to the securities under the Philippines’ forthcoming bond exchange offer that includes a new global bond issuance and a re-opening of a pre-existing bond issuance program.

“The rating is anchored by the continued strength in the sovereign’s external payments position and a favorable outlook for domestic-demand driven economic growth. In addition, the rating is supported by a relatively sound and liquid banking system, which poses manageable risks to the government’s balance sheet,” De Guzman explained.

De Guzman pointed out that the country’s resilient overseas remittances during the crisis and the subsequent export recovery have boosted foreign exchange reserves to a historically high level, providing the economy and government finances a significant buffer against external shocks. “The stable outlook is also influenced by the continued ability of the country’s central bank to anchor inflationary expectations under its formal inflation-targeting framework,” he said.

According to him, Moody’s is convinced that inflation would remain within the target of 3.5 percent to 5.5 percent this year and three percent to five percent for 2011 set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

He pointed out that Moody’s continued to maintain a sovereign credit rating of three notches below investment grade for the Philippines due to the continued weaknesses in revenue collection as well as a large public-sector debt overhang.

“Furthermore, the pre-crisis trend towards fiscal consolidation has not been restored given the larger-than-expected expenditure outlays so far this year,” De Guzman said.

Fitch Rating primary analyst Andrew Colquhuon expects no sovereign rating implications to follow from the country’s offer to exchange up to $3 billion from $17.7 billion of its outstanding sovereign Global bonds.

“Fitch views the recent global bond offering and debt exchange as part of the Republic’s broader liabilities management program,” Colquhuon said.

The offer of exchange is extended to holders of 14 bonds maturing from 2011 to 2031, and is scheduled to expire on Sept. 28, 2010. Eligible bonds maturing from 2011 to 2017 can be exchanged for newly-issued US dollar-denominated Global Bonds maturing in 2021. The Philippines’ 6.375 percent $1.85 billion Global bonds maturing in 2034 would be re-opened, for which eligible bonds maturing from 2011 to 2031 could be exchanged.

Coquhuon said Fitch has assigned a ‘BB’ Long-term foreign currency ratings to both securities under the Philippines’ forthcoming bond exchange offer. It rates the country’s sovereign credit at two notches below investments grade.

“Philippines’ sovereign ratings reflect a balance between the strength of external finances well-supported by strong foreign remittance inflows against some poor economic fundamentals, such as low investment and incomes, and weaknesses in the public finances including the sovereign’s chronically-low tax take,” he explained.

On the other hand, S&P assigned its ‘BB-’ senior unsecured debt
rating to the proposed US dollar-denominated global bond issue by the Republic of Philippines. It also affirmed its ‘BB-’ senior unsecured debt rating on the Republic’s outstanding bond maturing in 2034, which will be tapped into as part of the exchange offer. The rating is equivalent to three notches below investment grade.

The central parity rate of the yuan, China's currency Renminbi (RMB), rose 62 basis points Monday to a new record high at 6.711 per U.S. dollar, according to the data released by the China Foreign Exchange Trading System.

China's central bank announced on June 19 this year that it would further the reform of the formation mechanism of the yuan exchange rate to improve its flexibility. (PNA/Xinhua)

Stock markets in the sheikhdoms of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both of which belong to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), surged Sunday as the Gulf state has been added to the FTSE Global Equity Index as a secondary emerging market.

The shares of 21 companies have been added to the FTSE's Global Equity Index, officially after the close on Sept. 17, a move which eases global fund managers to invest into the UAE capital markets.

Consequently, the DFM General Index in Dubai gained 2.17 percent to close at 1,682.82 points. Dubai Islamic Bank surged 4. 63 percent to close at 2.26 dirhams (0.62 U.S. dollar). As more and more UAE residents returned from annual leave taken during Ramadan, traded value climbed by 35 percent to 430.96 million dirhams (117.43 million dollars). Around 238 million shares changed hands at the DFM, 47 percent more than last Thursday.

At the Nasdaq Dubai, the sheikhdom's international market, shares of DP World dipped 0.91 percent to finish at 0.542 dollar as investors booked profits after the share's rally during last week. Depa Limited, a Dubai-based interior designer, gained 0.16 percent to close at 0.61 dollar.

In Abu Dhabi, the ADX General Index advanced by 0.98 percent to close at 2,632.27 points. Shares of Aldar Properties, the sheikhdom's real estate bellwether, were the most liquid, gaining 2.92 percent to close at 2.48 dirhams (0.68 dollar).

Shares of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), the third largest lender in the UAE by assets, extended their rally, gaining 5.24 percent to close at 2.19 dirhams (0.6 dollar). ADCB surged 30 percent in value in the last four weeks. The bank is currently building up "a state-of-the-art online banking platform," according to Arup Mukhopadhyay, executive vice president and head of consumer banking at ADCB.

At the Bahrain Stock Exchange, which closed down 0.41 percent at 1,437.23 points, only three shares posted sufficient trading volumes to post price changes. In the fourth quarter of this year, the Kingdom of Bahrain will open a new market, the Bahrain Financial Exchange, a multi-asset class market which aims to compete with the Nasdaq Dubai.

The Riyadh-based Tadawul bourse in Saudi Arabia ended 0.12 percent lower at 6,356.35 points as the market's petrochemical giant Sabic lost 0.56 percent and close at 88.25 Saudi riyals (23. 53 dollars).

In Kuwait, the KSE Market or Price Index dipped 0.69 percent, closing at 6,791.8 points, while the QE Index in Doha, Qatar, added 0.52 percent to finish at 7,593.87 points. (PNA/Xinhua)

Regulators are not prepared as yet to give its final approval on the sale of the assets of Export and Industry Bank to Banco de Oro Universal Bank even as the shareholders of both lenders have come to an agreement.

Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.(PDIC) president Jose “Jopot” Nograles on Tuesday said that while the shareholders of both banks might have given their respective management teams the power to consummate the sale, the regulator’s approval should soon follow.

Both the PDIC and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have to signify their assent to the sale of EIB assets to BDO, which will happen only upon meeting of certain conditions.

“The Export and Industry Bank as well as Banco De oro need to meet certain terms and conditions before we can act on their proposal,” Nograles said in a text message.

The terms and conditions were not specified but Nograles made it clear the asset purchase by BDO cannot be made basis for assent on the part of the PDIC at this point.

On Monday, EIB shareholders approved and confirmed the sale of all the bank’s assets as well as the assumption of all its liabilities by BDO, mindful that none of its shareholders will benefit from the transaction in accordance with strictures set by both the PDIC and BSP.

The Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday also said the indefinite suspension of the trading of EIB shares in the market would be lifted on Monday next week, Sept. 27.

EIB shares have not been allowed to trade for more than a year already, in part as consequence of the bank’s request for such suspension.

EIB has used the time to craft a financial rehabilitation program and find an investor that could help pay back P19 billion worth of assistance from the PDIC.

In the transaction, BDO gained P 20.6 billion worth of EIB assets plus access to some 50 of its branches but assumed P 31.6 billion in liabilities.

Kept out of the deal were the bank’s subsidiaries â€" EIB Savings Bank, Banclife Insurance Co. inc. and EIB Securities Inc. (PNA)

The Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance renaming a street after a deceased popular sports columnist, while members of Cebu media are celebrating the 16th Cebu Press Freedom Week this week.

The council approved Councilor Edgardo Labella’s proposal to rename Acacia St., in Barangay Camputhaw to Manuel N. Oyson Jr. St.

Oyson, acknowledged as the “dean of Cebu’s sports writers,” had served as a sports reporter in various Cebu publications such as the Morning Times, Daily News and Republic Daily in the 1950s.

His sports column “Counterpunch” appeared for more than two decades in Sun.Star Cebu, starting with the paper’s inaugural issue on Nov. 25, 1982. He religiously wrote that column until shortly before his death, in February 2006.

Oyson was also a long-time stringer of the Philippines News Agency (PNA) Cebu Bureau, covering sports.

The Cebu Citizens’ Press Council (CCPC) with the Cebu News Workers’ Foundation (Cenewof) and the Cebu Press Freedom Week Inc. (CPFW) had requested the City Council to name a street after Oyson.

Through the years, the organizations have encouraged renaming some streets in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City where deceased deserving journalists once resided, in their honor.

In his ordinance, Labella said that Oyson, in his columns and stories, encouraged the development of sports in and among the barangays to help combat illegal drugs.

A resident of Barangay Camputhaw, Oyson also helped promote cultural shows as president of a local organization of journalists and sports tournaments that encouraged local sports such as “arnis” and eskrima.”

Oyson was credited with co-founding the Cebu Sportswriters Association and was a founding member of the All-Cebu Spots Awards in 1977 and Cebu Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

According to Labella, the awards project in which Oyson was fully involved has been a pet undertaking of the City Government.

Apart from serving as a sports columnist, Atty. Oyson also served the government as Commission on Elections 7 assistant director.

”Oyson was a government official, a journalist and a sportsman whose contribution to his community and country made him a pride of Cebu City worthy of recognition,” said Labella. (PNA)

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Radio station DYRC, Cebu’s oldest radio station, signed on air again Tuesday, after being silent for more than 11 years,

DYRC would have turned 70 years old Tuesday. It was established by the Cebu Broadcasting Company, a sister company of the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC).

With its return to the airwaves, radio station DYRC will not only offer the same programming of news and public service it became famous for, but also try to attract a new audience through innovations, an official said.

Nino Padilla, who will lead DYRC’s news management, said the new management of MBC was committed to introduce technical innovations that would update the station.

After DYRC went off the air in 1999, DYXR Aksyon Radio of the Padayon Pilipino Foundation took over its frequency, promising to compete in Cebu’s crowded radio market.

But after 10 years on the air, Aksyon Radio folded weeks ago.

Padilla said they plan to repackage the station for a new generation of listeners.

One of its technical innovations is the introduction of a 10,000-watt digital transmitter, the first of its kind in the country, said Padilla.

The station will also offer live streaming through the Internet, so it can reach audiences abroad. It will emphasize public service, rather than entertainment, he said.

Its personalities will be a mix of veteran and new broadcast journalists. Former reporter Ramil Paican will serve as the station’s production manager.

Former DYRC talent Fr. Dan delos Angeles, who served the station years ago as a reporter, will serve as one of its news anchors.

Other personalities expected to be heard on DYRC are Roel Cabanero, Dennes and Malou Tabar, Fr. Carmelo Diola, Ricky Poca, Ramil “Inday Misyel” Albano, Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon and lawyers Divine Marcial-Flores, Gloria Estenzo-Ramos and Antonio Oposa.

As part of its programming, DYRC said it will adopt its mother company DZRH’s flagship public service program “Operation Tulong,” which they will dub “Dangpanan.” It will focus on providing free medical, dental and legal services to the poor. (PNA)

By Joel C. Atencio

Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines, maker of Sustagen and Alactagrow-brand baby's milk, said on Tuesday that its two products are safe for public consumption amid a recall order by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

An official of Mead Johnson Nutrition, the manufacturer of Sustagen Junior Milk Drink Powder Vanilla Flavor (for toddlers 1-3 year old) and Alactagrow Bibo Trio Milk Supplement, told reporters these products are safe for consumption.

"All the products of Mead Johnson passed FDA healthy requirement and considered to be safe for consumption and of high quality," said Janryll Fernandez of Mead Johnson Philippines (MJP) in a luncheon press briefing at the Makati Shangri La Hotel in Makati City.

Fernandez said the two milk products were earlier recalled by FDA for fat level content that were allegedly non-compliant with FDA standards.

The FDA said the standard required for fat is between three and six grams per 100 calories.

FDA reported that Sustagen Junior Milk Drink Powder Vanilla Flavor contained only 1.5 gram fat per 100 calories.

The Alactagrow Bibo Trio Milk Supplement, on the other hand, has fat content of 1.34 gram per 100 calories.

Fernandez said the findings of the FDA was merely a technical compliance issue since a new Code of Standards was released.

"We have a certificate approved by FDA. We have passed all health requirements, it is just that the new code is implemented," Fernandez said.

According to Fernandez, Mead Johnson will be accepting "recalled" products, in cooperation with its distributors and retailers as mandated by FDA.

MJP is set to resolve issues with FDA as they will launch new formulation this week.

MJP downplayed the FDA's recall orders for Sustagen Junior and Alactagrow, saying these were based on non-compliance with certain technicalities and not with safety requirements.

"Safety is Mead Johnson's highest priority and the company spares no effort to comply with the laws of all the countries in which it operates," Fernandez told reporters.

Last Sept. 16, the FDA issued recall orders for the two products after finding their fat content to be below standard.

"Continuous distribution of the said product(s) presents gross deception to the consuming public and may even present risk of illness or injury to the consuming sector of the public, the young children," the FDA said in Advisories 2010-009 and 2010-010.

Acting FDA director Nazarita Tacandong appealed to consumers who had bought the products to return them to Mead Johnson Nutrition Philippines or its licensed distributors.

But according to MJN, “The Philippine FDA has issued a Class III order, the lowest level, which is used for products that have technical compliance issues."

The classification means that the use of the product "is not likely to cause adverse health consequences," Fernandez said. (PNA)

Freddie Roach will employ the same formula that will help Manny Pacquiao get past Antonio Margarito on November 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The celebrated trainer, in the country to oversee Pacquiao's training, on Tuesday made a very rare appearance at the PSA Forum at Shakey's along UN Avenue.

Roach came with two boxers, Glen Tapia and Manuel Medina, whom he brought in from Los Angeles last Sunday as sparring partners. Two more are coming in soon.

"We have four sparring partners. We plan to do 150 rounds of sparring," said Roach, reminding everyone that it's basically the same number they've had for their recent fights.

"I wanted to keep the number down but with Manny I don't think that's possible. He just keeps on working harder everyday. On Tuesday we'll begin sparring," added the American trainer.

Pacquiao entered his second day of training under Roach at the Elorde Boxing Gym in Quezon City Tuesday, and the chief trainer said there's enough time to get him in tip-top shape.

Roach said the entire team will leave for Baguio City Thursday evening and based on his plan everybody stays there until the third week of October.

"Then maybe on the 20th of next month we move to Los Angeles for two weeks and then the last week at Dallas. Baguio is a nice place to train. It has the altitude and not the traffic," he said.

Pacquiao normally does the entire training in LA except for the Marco Antonio Barrera fight in 2007 where he trained briefly in Cebu, and the Miguel Cotto fight last year where he also stayed in Baguio.

Roach said he does not see any distractions while Pacquiao trains in Manila and in Baguio. He knows that Pacquiao is aware of the importance of this fight for the vacant WBC super-welterweight crown.

It gives Pacquiao a chance at an eighth world title in eight different weight classes. So far, he's the only one with seven.

"As long as he works hard at the gym I'll have no problem with that," said Roach, adding that on fight night he'd make sure he'll be inside Margarito's dressing room when they wrap his hands.

"I'll be the one to check on that," said Roach of the 5-foot-11 Mexican who was suspended last year for illegal handwraps during his fight with Shane Mosley in January of 2009.

Roach said Margarito can be a dirty fighter, and can do "anything to make him win the fight." - PNA

By Zinnia B. Dela Peña  (The Philippine Star)

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. has granted South Africa-based Gold Fields Switzerland Holdings AG (GFS) an 18-month option to acquire one-third of its stake in 60 percent-owned subsidiary Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc.

GFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gold Fields Ltd., the fourth largest gold producer in the world with an annual production of over 3.5 million ounces. It plans to acquire a total of 60 percent interest in Far Southeast from major shareholders Lepanto and Liberty Express for $340 million.

The option requires GFS to solely fund pre-development expenses, including exploration and a feasibility study, of the project and contribute $110 million into Far Southeast Gold.

The agreement also calls for GFS to pay a non-refundable option fee of $10 million.

If the option is exercised by GFS, Lepanto’s interest in Far Southeast will be reduced from 60 percent to 40 percent.

The Far Southeast mine site is located within an existing mining camp and is in close proximity to two other mines historically operated by Lepanto, one of which is currently in production.

Located in Benguet, the mine site has ready access to established infrastructure, including roads, tailings facilities, power and water. While there has not been sufficient work completed to declare a mineral resource for Far Southeast, drilling undertaken over a number of years indicates the presence of a large, concealed gold-copper mineralised porphyry system.

“This transaction provides Gold Fields with a unique and exciting opportunity to gain exposure to what will undoubtedly prove to be a world-class deposit. It also advances our strategy of growing each of our three international regions to one million ounces, either in production or in development, by 2015,” Nick Holland, chief executive officer of Gold Fields, said.

“We now have exciting growth projects in each of the regions in which we operate. In South Africa we have the world-class South Deep mine; in South America we have the Chucapaca project in Peru; in West Africa the Yanfolila project in Mali, and now Far Southeast in the Philippines, which forms part of the Australasia region,” Holland added.

The Gold Fields Group has 48,500 employees in the 13 countries where it operates. Gold Fields Ltd.’s shares are listed on the stock exchanges of New York, Johannesburg and Dubai. It has a market capitalization of over $10 billion.

Lepanto voluntary sought the suspension in trading of its shares on Monday to make way for this material disclosure. Its stocks rose 15 percent yesterday to close at 38 centavos apiece from 33 centavos last Friday.

Aside from Far Southeast, Lepanto intends to develop the Victoria gold mine with a capital infusion of P600 million. The money will be used to expand the mine’s capacity from 1,000 to between 1,500 to 1,800 tons a day.

By Ted P. Torres  (The Philippine Star)

The Philippines is among the lowest-ranked country in terms of infrastructure in Southeast Asia, according to the Asia Pacific Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Report for 2010 and 2011.

With the average rating for Southeast Asia in terms of the quality of infrastructure at 4.2, the Philippine infrastructure rating of 2.8 was only slightly better than the 2.6 rating for Vietnam
and the 2.5 rating for Indonesia.

For the rest of the Southeast Asian region, the highest infrastructure ratings were Singapore’s 6.7, Malaysia’s 5.6, Thailand’s 4.8, Brunei Darussalam’s 4.7, and Cambodia’s 3.1.

The global average stands at 3.8.

The MDG report said that for the Asia Pacific region to achieve its goals, it will require basic infrastructure, particularly better road transport, water supplies, sanitation, electricity, information technology, telecommunications and urban low-income housing.

The report is the result of a collaboration among the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The development of infrastructure has led to economic development and poverty reduction, the report noted.

Infrastructure includes roads, railway system, power or energy, water supply, information and communication technology.

The study looked at the extent of road development in the region using the rating of zero, as the poorest development, to seven as the best.

In terms of electricity supply, the Philippines ranked fourth from the last with a mark of 4.2, just ahead of Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. The Southeast Asian region’s average rating was 4.2, as against the 4.7 rating of East Asia.

By Lawrence Agcaoili  (The Philippine Star)

The country’s balance of payments (BOP) surplus went up by 25.3 percent in the first eight months of the year due to robust remittances from overseas Filipinos as well as strong foreign exchange inflows from investments, data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

Data showed that the BOP position posted a surplus of $3.478 billion from January to August this year or $703 million higher than the surplus of $2.775 billion registered in the same period last year.

The BOP refers to the difference of foreign exchange inflows and outflows on a particular period and represents the country’s transactions with the rest of the world.

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the improved BOP position was registered in the first eight months of the year despite the 24.5 percent drop in BOP surplus to $40 million in August this year from $53 million in the same period last year.

“The BOP is relatively low for August as inflows from BSP’s income and foreign exchange operations were offset by significant payments by the National Government of its maturing foreign exchange obligations,” Tetangco stressed.

The country’s BOP surplus plunged to $89 million in 2008 from $8.67 billion in 2007 due to the full impact of the global financial crisis. The BOP position recovered last year with a surplus of $5.295 billion. This year’s surplus would stablize as the growth of imports would outpace the growth of exports.

The BSP’s Monetary Board sees the country’s BOP surplus hitting $3.7 billion instead of the original target of $3.2 billion due to robust foreign exchange inflows from the higher investment inflows, disbursement of official development assistance (ODA) loans from multilateral lending agencies, and the money sent home by Filipinos abroad.

As early as June, the original BOP surplus target of $3.2 billion set by the BSP for 2010 was already breached.

“Inflows from portfolio investments, remittances, and export receipts for the balance of the year are likely to result in continued surplus in the external position,” Tetangco added.

Latest data showed that money sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) went up by 7.1 percent to $10.679 billion in the first seven months of the year from $9.973 billion in the same period last year.

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio  (The Philippine Star)

Isuzu Philippines Corp (IPC) announced yesterday they will be cutting costs in order to export locally produced Crosswind in Central America.

Outgoing Isuzu President Keiji Takeda said that the price requirement of Central America do not match the cost of production and logistics costs. “We are continuing our effort to minimize the gap.”

Takeda said that the discrepancy between the cost and sales price is between $1,000 and $1,500 per unit. Takeda said they cannot export in other ASEAN countries because majority of this countries are right hand drives while the Philippines is a left hand drive country.

Likewise, he said they are mulling the possibility of exporting the Microbus. “I don’t know whether there is a market or if there is a potential to export in Central America,” Takeda said.

For the Microbus, he said there is still no orders even for the local market because it has not yet met their target price of P1.3 million. “The cost is bigger than that. We are going to try cost reduction and maximize our efficiency.”

Takeda said they are considering sourcing some of the parts locally in order to minimize the costs. “Most components are imported. We are trying to localize the production one by one.”

Also, he said they would like to make the Microbus more compact both in length and in height.

Meanwhile, Takeda said first quarter sales reached 2,600 which is a 20 percent improvement from last year’s figures. He said they are on track to meet their target of 10,500 full year sales. Sales last year was 9,200.

Takeda said January to February sales were below target but March was a better month. In fact, Isuzu has ramped up its production in their local plant by using 60 percent of their plant, an improvement from last year’s 50 percent capacity utilization.

At the same time, Isuzu has announced the appointment of Ryoji Yamazaki as its new company president effective April 1, 2010.

The Pamilyang Overseas Filipino Workers-Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Network Foundation Inc. (Pamilyang OFWs) announced yesterday that Honda Cars Makati Inc. and Isuzu Alabang will join the Handog kay P-Noy Jobs and Livelihood Expo 2010 (Part 1) and the 7th Filipino Seafarers Family Expo & Forum which is slated Oct. -8 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

Pamilyang OFWs marketing officer Christine Roque said Honda will showcase its latest cars and sports utility vehicles while Isuzu will display its Crosswind and D-Max service vehicles. Roque said the back-to-back expo is a one-stop-shop for jobs, livelihood, investment and business opportunities which aims to empower the OFW and micro, small and medium entrepreneurs as well as their families through information, opportunities and benefits.

The back-to-back expo â€" which is the third of Pamilyang OFWs’ quarterly expositions this year â€" is also aimed at ensuring the transformation of a majority of OFW families into community entrepreneurs.

The nine million OFWs, which include the seafarers or sea-based workers, are not just “modern-day heroes” but also “great investors” whose remittances help keep the Philippine economy and corporate earnings afloat.

By Lilybeth G. Ison

A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday questioned the alleged lump sum allocation for the Department of Agriculture (DA) amounting to a whooping P17.6 billion in funds for "unclear and undetermined projects."

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano said the lump sum allocation, which include the P5.2 billion funding for the nationwide implementation of the National Rice Program, "is vulnerable to corruption."

Mariano divulged to media the breakdown of the proposed P17 billion lump sum fund under DA for 2011 -- P50 million for the Young Farmers Program; P170 million for payment of right of way; P1.8 billion for the repair of irrigation facilities nationwide; P500 million for the Balikatan Sagip-Patubig; P250 million for the feasibility study and detailed engineering of various projects nationwide; P100 million for the so-called "4H club"; P5.217 billion for the National Rice Program; P483.6 billion for the National Corn Program; P2.5 billion for the repair, rehabilitation and construction of farm-to-market roads in key production areas; P926.8 million for the High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC); P682 million for the National Livestock Program; and P5 billion for the public-private partnership.

He said that while the DA was allocated with lump sum project allocations, "the government slashed and even proposed zero-budget for several attached agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) which provide direct services and assistance to farmers."

Such agencies include the National Food Authority (NFA) which got a zero budget for next year as compared to the P8 billion budget for 2010; the National Tobacco Administration (NTA), which also got a zero budget for 2011 while it received a P115 million budget allocation for the year; the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation (Quedancor), also has zero allocation for next year but received P190 million for 2010; the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) also has zero budget for next year but has P60 million for the year; and the National Agribusiness Corporation, who also has a zero budget allocation but received a P20 million budget for 2010.

On the other hand, Mariano said agencies that have slashed budget for 2011 according to the DA proposed budget for 2011 include the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) -- from P645 million this year, was down to P539.9 million for 2011; the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) -- from P214 million to P113.771 million.

He said the proposed budget of the DA for 2011 "will further worsen the rice crisis and food insecurity in the country."

"Unscrupulous rice traders operating the domestic rice cartel will have a heyday with NFA’s zero budget and intervention in the market through unjust rice pricing and manipulation," he noted.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Director Romeo Recide, at the sidelines of the hearing of the committee on appropriations of the House of Representatives, said that as the agriculture sector failed to recover this year from the negative output for 2009 due to severe damages inflicted by tropical storms "Ondoy" and "Pepeng," the farm sector may post flat growth for 2011.

He said the damage was exacerbated during the first half of 2010 by the onslaught of the El Nino weather phenomenon.

"Previous events last year and this year will just even out, hence growth could be flat (in 2011), based on our estimate," the BAS director said.

"There's a long way for us to catch up, considering that output last year was negative. There could be a chance for positive growth but most likely it will be flat," he added.

Recide said various intervention measures are being implemented at the grassroots level to help the agriculture sector rebound.

Such intervention include the scrapping of the seed subsidy for the wet season after reallocating the remaining P1.3 billion from the rice program to other production interventions supporting the sufficiency program for the year.

The shift is in line with government’s "Agri Pinoy" program that is geared toward rice self-sufficiency by 2013.

According to the DA, the bulk of the P1.3 billion will be spent on irrigation, post-harvest, seed production assistance, organic production assistance, research and development, extension services, and production loans.

The Department of Budget and Management has slashed to P37.7 billion the proposed P58 billion budget requested by the agriculture department. (PNA)

An open letter from actor Jon Voight to President Obama:

June 22, 2010

President Obama:

You will be the first American president that lied to the Jewish people, and the American people as well, when you said that you would defend Israel, the only Democratic state in the Middle East, against all their enemies. You have done just the opposite. You have propagandized Israel, until they look like they are everyone's enemy â€" and it has resonated throughout the world. You are putting Israel in harm's way, and you have promoted anti-Semitism throughout the world.

You have brought this to a people who have given the world the Ten Commandments and most laws we live by today. The Jewish people have given the world our greatest scientists and philosophers, and the cures for many diseases, and now you play a very dangerous game so you can look like a true martyr to what you see and say are the underdogs. But the underdogs you defend are murderers and criminals who want Israel eradicated.

You have brought to Arizona a civil war, once again defending the criminals and illegals, creating a meltdown for good, loyal, law-abiding citizens. Your destruction of this country may never be remedied, and we may never recover. I pray to God you stop, and I hope the people in this great country realize your agenda is not for the betterment of mankind, but for the betterment of your politics.

With heartfelt and deep concern for America and Israel,

Jon Voight

Australian scientists on Tuesday revealed the most complete picture yet of the way Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) maintains its infectious grip on the body, pointing to new ways to combat it.

The Melbourne-based research has explained how the virus hides dormant versions of itself in a reservoir of cells out of the reach of conventional treatments but still able to "wake up" in the future, posing a major hurdle to any total cure for HIV.

"Once HIV gets into these cells, the virus can then go to sleep, " Co-Head of the Burnet Institute's Center for Virology and Director of The Alfred's Infectious Diseases Unit, Professor Sharon Lewin told Australian Associated Press (AAP) on Tuesday.

"These silently infected cells are not cleared by anti-HIV drugs or the immune system (meaning) once a patient stops the anti- HIV drugs, the virus can then wake up and gets going again.

"Understanding this mechanism will enable new treatment options to be developed which could block latent infection."

The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science this week.

Prof Lewin said it had remained a mystery as to how the virus gained access to the body's resting CD4-T cells and how it could then lie hidden for years despite prolonged treatment with anti- HIV drugs.

"Our team of researchers has now identified the path by which the virus can infect resting CD4-T cells and establish latency," Prof Lewin said.

"We have shown that a family of proteins, called chemokines, that guide resting cells through the blood and into lymph node tissue can 'unlock the door' and allow HIV to enter and set up a silent or 'latent' infection."

Prof Lewin said understanding how the virus achieved this should speed up the development of new and more potent treatments for HIV, that could possibly block the virus from establishing latency while also targeting its more active presence in the body.

Professor Brendan Crabb, Director of the Burnet Institute, said the breakthrough was a long time coming and heralded the beginning of a new chapter in the fight against HIV and Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

"We (the global scientific community) have been working on HIV for close to 30 years and it's really only now that we're beginning to see that a cure for HIV might be achievable and needs to be a major scientific priority," Professor Crabb told AAP.

The research was a collaborative effort involving scientists from the Burnet Institute, The Alfred, Monash University of Australia, University of Montreal, Canada and the Westmead Millennium Research Institute in Sydney. (PNA/Xinhua)

By Manila Bulletin

Actress-TV host Ruffa Gutierrez insists that accusations pointing towards her as the main source of the malicious gossip concerning Shaina Magdayao and John Lloyd Cruz are all lies.

Guiterrez refuted the issue-which was used as a headline by a tabloid-in yesterday's episode of "Paparazzi," a showbiz talk show she hosts.

"Napa-'Oh my g***' na lang ako [when I read it],"' she said. " I couldn't do that [spread malicious rumors], syempre."

Gutierrez is supposed to have done so to get back at Cruz, with whom she had a short-lived love affair right before he got into a relationship with Magdayao.

Gutierrez claims she remains cordial with Cruz.

"I've no reason to do that...actually, not many know this but John Lloyd and I are very much okay as friends," she maintained.

According to Gutierrez, she learned only about the issue from co-hosts Cristy Fermin and Mo Twister.

Both concurred.

"Napag-usapan kasi namin ito ni Mo at narinig niya [Guiterrez]. Tinanong niya lang kami at duon niya rin lang nalaman," Fermin said.

Gutierrez said she also sent a message via mobile phone to Cruz to confirm the rumor.

"...and that afternoon nang nalaman ko ang balita I texted him [Cruz] right away kung tutoo, and sinabi niya sa akin na hindi tutoo and...I would like to believe him," Gutierrez explained.

Gutierrez went to implore the media not to involve her in the issue.

"Dapat 'wag kaming pag-awayin. I would never do that na magkakalat anything about John Lloyd. May respeto ako sa kanya, maganda ang pinagsamahan namin. We're still okay as friends and I would never do that to him."

Meanwhile, the sticky rumor still continues to gain ground even as Magdayao's father has threatened to explore legal possibilities aimed towards finding the real culprit in the spread of the rumor.

By Tessa Jamandre
VERA Files

Even before the diplomatic tension created by the Aug. 23 hostage crisis has subsided, President Benigno Aquino III will have to deal with another strain on the country’s relationship with China: the dormant yet sensitive issue of the contested Spratly Islands.

The Spratlys dispute will be high on the agenda when Aquino meets his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday in New York.

The ASEAN-U.S. Leaders Meeting is expected to tackle the territorial dispute in the context of maritime security under the broad agenda “Maintenance of Regional Stability.”

The meeting comes after the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced on Tuesday it was pushing through with the plan to develop Pag-asa Island, which is part of the Spratlys group, into a tourist spot.

AFP Spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta said major repairs are underway for the airstrip and the pier on the main island of Pag-Asa that needed “a lot of renovation due to poor maintenance, longstanding neglect and deterioration.”

Last Thursday the Department of Foreign Affairs received a call from China’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Liu Jianchao, who said the plan was not a welcome pronouncement at a time when the two countries were still ironing out the issue of the Aug. 23 hostage incident that killed eight Hong Kong tourists.

The ambassador also asked about the final report of the government probe on the incident which was still not ready then. The report was presented to the President only last Friday.

But in an interview with defense reporters last month, Navy Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez said repairs on the eroded part of the Pag-asa airstrip was ongoing. As a result, supply missions to the Philippine-claimed Kalayaan Island Group had to be done monthly now, compared to the previous quarterly.

Cortez also confirmed that an incident at the Ayungin shoal became the subject of a Chinese protest in July. Soldiers stationed there were accused of firing a warning shot at a Chinese vessel. A Philippine Navy ship is beached at Ayungin shoal and serves as housing facility for AFP troops manning the area.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing summoned the Philippine Embassy in Beijing over the incident, but Cortez clarified that Philippine troops stationed there never fired a warning shot.

“Based on our inquiry, there was no shooting that happened. Actually we just flashed a light at them. To actually fireâ€"that needed clearance from the top because that’s an act provoking the other country. We had that investigated and there was none really,” Cortez said.

Before the July incident, the DFA also received a diplomatic protest from the Chinese Ambassador on alleged construction activities on the same shoal, which the Philippines denied.

The Philippines occupies nine of the islands in the disputed Spratlys chain or Nansha islands in the South China Sea (SCS). Five countries lay overlapping claims to the Spratlys which are believed to be oil-rich. The Philippines along with fellow ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei contest ownership with China and also with Taiwan.

During the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders Meeting in New York on September 24, other items on the agenda also include “Regional Architecture and Plans for the Future” that will cover US eventual participation in the East Asia Summit (EAS).

There is also an item in the agenda called “Economic Cooperation” where the U.S. will talk about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other areas of ASEAN-US economic cooperation.

In the draft joint statement of the 2nd ASEAN-U.S. Leaders Meeting prepared by the U.S., the leaders are expected to “oppose the use or threat of force by any claimant attempting to enforce disputed claims in the SCS.”

ASEAN prefers to limited the text to “reaffirming the importance of freedom of navigation, regional peace and stability, unimpeded commerce in respect for relevant universally agreed principles of international law and the peaceful settlement of dispute in the SCS.”

Both the U.S. and ASEAN however agreed on the text that supported a full implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS and encouraged the eventual conclusion of a regional code of conduct in the SCS.

Among those agreed upon by ASEAN and China in the declaration is to “undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner.”

In a meeting in Washington preparatory to the 2nd ASEAN-US summit, U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary Kurt Campbell and National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Jeffrey Bader briefed ASEAN ambassadors about their discussions with the Chinese government during a recent visit to Beijing.

The State Department officials said the meeting “provided clarity on expectations and behavior of all states in SCS and that they explained to China that the US statement on SCS do not seek to single out China but was a message to all states.”

In a DFA report about the highlights of that meeting, the exchange of views on regional issues showed that “the US wants to strike the exquisite balance” on issues involving maritime security to ensure that they do not create new venue for US-China tensions.

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NTT Communications (NTT Com) announced on September 21 that its subsidiary NTT Communications (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will be opening a branch office in Ayutthaya, Thailand on September 30. The new Ayutthaya Branch will be the company's third branch office and will provide multinational companies in Thailand with ICT solutions including services such as network, data center and security, system integration and Internet access service.

Situated 70 km north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya had prospered as a capital city in previous times, and since the 1990's has launched a large-scale industrial estate and developed as an industrial district to attract many companies. Over 500 Japanese and other multinational companies, including electronics and automotive manufacturers, are currently located in the region.

The addition of the Ayutthaya Branch expands NTT Com's network of subsidiaries and offices to 73 cities in 29 countries/regions.

"The launch of the new Ayutthaya branch office will enable NTT Com to access within 30 minutes neighboring industrial estates such as one of Thailand's biggest, Rojana Industrial Park, and Hi-Tech Industrial Estate, where over sixty percent of the settled companies are from Japan, as well as Thailand's first industrial estate, Nava Nakorn," said Tsuyoshi Kawashima, Ayutthaya Branch manager and the concurrent president of NTT Communications (Thailand), "NTT Com expects enhanced support and the immediate dispatch of engineers in case of trouble at the industrial estates."

About NTT Communications Corporation

NTT Communications provides a broad range of global networks, management solutions and IT services to customers worldwide. The company is renowned for reliable, high-quality security, hosting, voice, data and IP services, as well as expertise in managed networks and leadership in IPv6 transit technology. NTT Communications' extensive infrastructure includes Arcstar (TM) Global IP-VPN and Global e-VLAN, as well as a Tier-1 IP backbone reaching more than 150 countries in partnership with major Internet service providers, and secure data centers in Asia, North America and Europe. NTT Communications is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, one of the world's largest telecoms with listings on the Tokyo, London and New York stock exchanges.

Cebu Pacific Air Malaysia Seats as Low as P999!

Also offers P999 seats to Mindanao

Cebu Pacific launches a Mindanao and Malaysia seat sale from now until September 23, 2010 or until seats last.

For travel from November 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011, avail of P999 'Go Lite' seats from Manila to Kota Kinabalu and hit the beaches of this exotic place.  You can also grab P1,999 'Go Lite' seats from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and marvel at the hustle and bustle of this cosmopolitan city.  You may also choose to fly from Manila to Brunei for the 'Go Lite' fare of P1,499 and soak in the rich culture this place has to offer.

Meanwhile, for travel this November 1 to December 31, 2010, guests can fly from Davao to Zamboanga and Iloilo for the 'Go Lite' fare of P999. For the 'Go Lite' fare of P1,199, fly from Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian and Zamboanga.   

By ABS-CBN

Actress-television host Toni Gonzaga has no regrets that she finally admitted in public her squabble with friend and former “Entertainment Live” co-host Mariel Rodriguez.

Gonzaga, now host of “The Buzz,” said her admission is the first step toward healing, especially since "for the longest time," she had kept all her emotions bottled up inside.

“I’ve been doing that since June na tuwing may magtatanong sa akin, okay lahat. Ang hirap na pati sarili mo niloloko mo para lang wala ng ma-issue sa inyo…. Dumating ako sa point at dumating ang hangganan ko na ayoko nang sabihin na okay ako kasi hindi naman po ako okay,” she said.

Speculations abound that Gonzaga and Rodriguez’s feud began after the cancellation of "The Buzz" host's movie project with Robin Padilla.

Rumors also have it that Rodriguez had been badmouthing Gonzaga, prompting the latter to confront the “E-Live” host.

Gonzaga maintained that there is no truth to the rumors. Up until today, however, she is keeping her mouth shut with regard to what caused the misunderstanding.

She explained that she doesn’t want the issue to be blown out of proportion. She also said she doesn’t want to drag other people into the controversy.

“Para sa akin sapat na na inamin ko na nasaktan ako dahil from there I can move on from here. I can say I’m already in the process of healing,” she said.

She is not closing her doors though to a possible reconciliation with Rodriguez. She said she just needs time to heal before she can speak with Rodriguez again.

By Bohol Chronicle

A privilege speech of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Godofreda Tirol prompted an investigation by the SP Committee of the Whole on the operation of Zest Air Philippines following an issuance of tickets without corresponding scheduled flight.

On what merely appeared as a cancelled flight, Tirol suspected that the airline issued the tickets to passengers when there had been no flight scheduled.

Among the passengers who were denied of a direct return flight to Manila from Bohol happened to be professors of the University of the Philippines who were Tirol's guests.

Tirol aired out disappointment on how the airline personnel cursorily advised clients to just take the Cebu-Manila flight instead of arranging for an alternative means to serve their clients.

She said they seemed to have been expecting passengers to raise such concern and had prepared a ready answer, considering the possibility that there had been no flight scheduled and the airline just kept on issuing tickets to passengers.

Tirol's visitors had booked for a roundtrip two months in advance and had enjoyed the Manila-Bohol flight but missed the return trip supposedly scheduled Wednesday afternoon last week, after Zest Air management canceled the afternoon flight due to aircraft maintenance routine.

Tirol's concern had been referred to the Committee of the Whole during the regular session last Friday as suggested by Board Member Dionisio Balite. Tirol, at first, recommended it to be referred to the Committees on Tourism, Trade and Industry, and on Public Utilities.
         
A committee investigation on Zest Air shall ensue then, she said.

In future sessions, the SP may invite Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)- Tagbilaran Manager Edgar Solis to shed light on the matter, Tirol said.

She said the CAAP record will show if indeed Zest Air had scheduled flights from Monday to Friday, especially on the dates when passengers who were issued tickets had been denied the trip.

The CAAP record will be the determining factor, as she also noticed that after the news broke that the matter had reached the SP session, reports had it that Zest Air instantly had a flight scheduled.

As of Friday afternoon, Zest Air Tagbilaran-Manila flights had resumed to normal schedule -now back to twice a day - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Zest Air also had explained that they tried to reach out to the passengers two weeks before the cancelled flight, but the cellphones of Tirol's visitors were allegedly unattended by then.

According to Tagbilaran personnel of the airline company, their Manila bosses are willing to come to explain their side in case they would be invited to the SP investigation.

Tirol also relayed the disappointment of her visitors that the airline personnel would have left it all to them to find ways to return to Manila, instead of offering alternatives considering that it was the airline company that caused the inconvenience.

The passengers also expressed disappointment that in the course of finding ways to solve the problem, the airline personnel had to borrow their cellphones and used up their loads in transacting with other people and offices that could possibly lend help.

Tirol said the SP may get the opinion of the Provincial Legal Office on the matter.
She pointed out that the cost of transferring flights and the amount of time that it shall consume would be more than what the passengers had prepared for.

She said she opted to raise the matter before the SP, so that it can be recorded and that a legislation may be drafted from it to protect the consumers and bail out the other airline companies from a possible sweeping stereotype on Bohol flights.

By Bill Ventura

The husband of the woman, who allegedly abandoned her baby at a trash bin inside a Gulf Air plane, was startled with the reports and that he was taken aback by the sudden arrival to Apayao of his wife from Qatar, despite having a three-year contract as domestic helper there.

This was the confirmation of P/Insp. Jeffrey Vicente, Flora town deputy police chief, as Maria Mercedes (not her real name) of Anninipan village in Flora town in Apayao Province left for Qatar only in June 2009, her second time to work abroad as overseas contract worker, and was due to be back in 2012.

The woman’s native home -- the upland and mountainous Apayao, which was then a sub-province of Kalinga and formerly within the Cagayan Valley region, was under the jurisdiction of the Cordillera region but it was a neighboring province of Cagayan and Isabela provinces in Cagayan Valley (Region 2).

The woman, who has two children with her husband, has been ‘severely humiliated’ and that she has been remorseful of what she had done, officials in the province said.

The woman’s husband has declined to give any comment to the police or to the media amid the furor involving his wife’s abandonment of her baby. The husband told the police that they would wait for the result of the formal investigation by authorities regarding the incident.

“So far, the family has been asking that the issue must not be publicized to avoid further humiliation,“ Vicente told this reporter over the phone.

Vicente said the husband reported to the police that he agreed to allow his wife to join the NBI agents for questioning on the abandoned Gulf Air baby.

Even the Apayao provincial police office has been surprised by the sudden ‘invitation’ by the NBI to the mother of the abandoned baby.

Police Superintendent Nestor Bergonia, Apayao provincial police director, told this reporter that they were surprised by the sudden ‘invitation’ to the Gulf Air baby’s mother without their knowledge.

“We were not informed. No coordination at all with the Apayao police,” he added.

However, the Apayao police, through the Flora municipal police station and the town government officials, have assured the family of the said woman of security and protection from humiliation due to the reported abandonment of her baby, he said. (PNA)