Manila Bulletin back issues from February 2008:
US recession seen to drive demand for BPO facilities here.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Emmie V. Abadilla Despite the appreciation of the peso, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) players in the Philippines are continuing to expand, projecting an annual growth of 40 percent to $ 7 billion this year from the 2006 level of $ 5 billion. ...
Petron set to inaugurate new plants.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: James A. Loyola Petron Corporation announced it will inaugurate its petrochemical feedstock facilities -- the Philippines' first -- a Petro Fluidized Catalytic Cracker (PetroFCC) and a Propylene Recovery Unit (PRU) at its Bataan refinery on February 28. The ...
US plans new WTO challenge vs China.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... GENEVA (AP) -- The United States has told China to get serious about relaxing the restraints on financial information providers in a letter that could represent a final warning before the US asks the WTO to intervene in the matter, the Associated Press learned Wednesday. In the ...
Ayala unfazed by looming US slump.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II is unfazed by the fears of a possible US economic slowdown or even recession as he believes this will only have temporary effects on the local economy which will continue to do well. Zobel explained that while the US ...
US Fed cuts rate further by 0.5% to 3%.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve on Wednesday cut a key interest rate for the second time in just over a week, reducing the federal funds rate by a half point. It signalled that further rate cuts were possible. The Fed action pushed the funds rate to 3 percent. It followed ...
P/$ rate closes at P40.55/$ 1.(News In Brief)
Feb 01, 2008 ... The peso exchange rate closed higher at P40.55 to the US dollar yesterday at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx) from P40.72 the previous day. The weighted average rate appreciated to P40.626 from P40.650. Total volume amounted to $ 680.55 million. BSP cuts key rates ...
Carbon tax sought for use of fossil-based fuels.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Myrna M. Velasco The heavily-taxed energy sector will have another financial burden with the "carbon tax" intended for the use of fossil fuels as proposed by participating sectors at the 2008 Philippine Energy Summit. As the participating stakeholders conceded ...
DA allocates P358 M for veggie farm area expansion.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Melody M. Aguiba The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P358 million for the expansion of vegetable farms by an additional 11,000 hectares this year as part of raising food security. DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap said in a statement that government is ...
Atlas Mining boosts shipments of nickel ore to Australia.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation reported that it had shipped a total of 55,447 wet metric tons of laterite nickel ore at an average grade of 1.49 percent nickel (approximately 544 tons contained nickel on a dry basis) to Australia and China. The firm ...
TMPC targets 10% sales growth in 2008.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat Dominant market player Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. is targeting 10 percent increase in sales this year over last year, higher than the industry's conservative growth target of 6 percent for the year. TMPC president Hiroshi Ito ...
Intex pushes Mindoro nickel project.(Business News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Intex Resources Philippines, Inc. announced that it will move Mindoro nickel project forward to the next stage -- a Definitive Feasibility Study -- following the completion of its Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) which showed very encouraging results for the project. The results of ...
Why dowdy Taylor Hicks looks so chic now.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Once described "the least likely Idol," Taylor Hicks, fifth season winner of the popular TV singing contest, American Idol used to be compared to comedian show host Jay Leno, what with his salt and pepper hair, "old-school" fashion sense and slightly "tubby" demeanor. But that ...
'Round the Biz.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... 'Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat,' now on video From the creative team of "Ang Cute ng Ina Mo" comes "Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat" -- another comedy about a friendship that never ends. Brite (Rufa Mae Quinto) owns a funeral parlor, Dolly (Eugene Domingo) is a struggling piano teacher, Gay ...
The Juicy Corner.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Gretchen Barretto is still mum on split with lover Gretchen Barretto's split with long-time lover and live-in partner Tonyboy Cojuangco has been the talk of the town this week. Yet Gretchen has not talked to the press to explain her current situation. Is it true that ...
Maroon 5 is ready to rock Manila.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Their latest album is titled "It Won't Be Soon Before Long"--and guess what, Pinoy fans of Maroon 5 won't have long to wait before the band behind hits like "She Will Be Loved" and "This Love" comes to Manila for the first time for a show on March 5 at the Araneta Coliseum. ...
'Cloverfield' star was initially clueless on film's premise.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Like the rest of the world, actor Michael Stahl-David was introduced to J.J. Abrams' furtive disaster movie Cloverfield wearing an imaginary blindfold. "I had no idea what this movie was going to be about. I thought it was something I was going to be completely ashamed of," he ...
'Martin Nievera XXV' tonight at the Big dome.(Celebrity World)
Feb 01, 2008 ... All's set for Martin Nievera's 25th anniversary and birthday concert aptly billed "Martin Nievera XXV," tonight at the Araneta Coliseum, and so as they say, all roads will lead to the Big Dome for another milestone of the "Concert King." The concert is in celebration of Martin's ...
Comic Ai-Ai takes the affairs of her heart seriously.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: WALDEN SADIRI Comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas turned serious when she started talking about the current state of her heart. Ai Ai confessed that she finds it hard to keep her dalliances away from the probing public and the prying eyes of the nosy entertainment press. ...
Mojo:lations; Sunny side up.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... After a long day of getting things done, I received a phone call from Nivea's amiable Rica King. Trying to pick out her voice from the loud music and laughing in the background, I playfully made taray and asked her how things where going at her brand's Nivea Sun weekend event at Davao's ...
Cheating allegations fail to affect GMA 7's sales and ratings.(Entertainment)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: WALDEN SADIRI After all that's been said and done by its rival network, GMA Network President and COO Manuel Quiogue is ecstatic that his network posted "a sales record" last December. It's also on its way to breaking another record this month. Quiogue said ...
Gov't bares 7.3% 2007 GDP growth; With robust 7.4% recorded in fourth quarter Gov't bares 7.3% 2007 GDP growth, strongest since 1976.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Edu Lopez The Philippine economy as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.3 percent in 2007, exceeding market expectations and the strongest growth registered since 1976, Socio-economic Secretary Augusto Santos said yesterday. He said that with a ...
Promote what's good & true, denounce the false -- Papal Nuncio.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Leslie Ann G. Aquino Promote what is good and true, denounce what's false. This was the appeal of Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams to media practitioners during the Federation of Catholic Broadcasters (FCB) meeting at the National Office of Mass ...
Nograles is choice of 5 groups for Speakership.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Ben R. Rosario Five groups of congressmen led by the Mindanao Bloc and the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) said yesterday they will make their move to unseat Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. on Monday. Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles, head of the House ...
GMA declares full, unwavering support for JdV.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Genalyn D. Kabiling President Arroyo yesterday declared her full and unwavering support for House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. to block persistent moves by congressional allies to oust him due to alleged loss of confidence. The President promised to dissuade ...
4 ASEAN nations want regional human rights body.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Charissa M. Luci and Ellalyn B. De Vera The national human rights institutions (NHRIs) of four Southeast Asian countries yesterday batted for the immediate creation of an independent body to deal with human rights violations in the region. Purificacion ...
Education sector holds Nat'l Congress at Manila Hotel.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Natalie Jane Malayo More than 400 educators, government officials, and industry leaders convened yesterday as the Presidential Task Force on Education (PTFE) held its first Biennial National Congress on Education with President Arroyo as keynote speaker at the Tent City ...
PNP seeks DoJ clarification on arrest orders by Congress.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Aris R. Ilagan The Philippine National Police (PNP) has sought the legal opinion of the Department of Justice regarding the extent of police authority to implement arrest orders issued by both Houses of Congress in the exercise of their contempt powers. PNP ...
Atienza welcomes move questioning his EO 003.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday welcomed the move of 15 women asking the Court of Appeals to nullify Executive Order 003 which he issued as mayor of Manila. "This will allow us to uphold the legality of my administration's ...
Loren voices concern over revenue shortfall.(Main News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Sen. Loren Legarda warned yesterday that government's failure to meet revenue targets may result anew in underspending on health, education, and poverty-alleviation to the detriment of the majority of poor Filipinos. The chairwoman of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee, ...
Retiring Borra, Tuason bid farewell to Comelec.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: E. T. Suarez Commission on Elections (Comelec) acting Chairman Resurreccion Z. Borra and most senior Commissioner Florentino A. Tuason Jr., who are both retiring tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, said yesterday during the testimonial tendered in their honor that even if ...
P75-B economic stimulus package must pass Congress, says Villar.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Senate President Manuel "Manny' B. Villar Jr. yesterday said the constitutional rule stating that any spending of tax peso must be through an appropriation of Congress should be followed in allocating funds for the P75-billion economic relief plan. "I think the President should ...
Scribes ask Makati court to extend TRO against gov't officials.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Leonard D. Postrado Scribes who lodged a class suit against government officials for the alleged threats against them yesterday asked the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to extend the 72-hour Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that barred authorities from arresting ...
BIR probing insurance companies.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Jun Ramirez The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) decided yesterday to investigate insurance companies to determine causes of lower income and business tax payments last year. BIR Commissioner Lilian B. Hefti issued the directive to Large Taxpayer Service ...
SC affirms Barbers' appointment.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Rey G. Panaligan The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed the appointment by President Arroyo in 2002 of Robert Dean Barbers as general manager and chief executive officer of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). In a decision written by Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna, ...
DA launches rice conservation drive at food exposition.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Marvyn N. Benaning Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap yesterday launched the campaign for rice conservation during the opening of the 2008 Food Expo at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. A joint project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the ...
Around The Nation.(Metro & National News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Annular solar, total lunar eclipse this Feb. Madel R. Sabater Two eclipse events will occur this month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday. Based on its astronomical diary for February, ...
The Court of Appeals: The Second Highest Court of the Land.(Opinion & Editorial)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Organized on February 1, 1936, the Court of Appeals was initially composed of a Presiding Judge and 10 Appellate Judges appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission of Appointments of the National Assembly. It had exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all cases ...
GMA-JdV ties: Have they frayed?(Merry-Go-Round)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Floro M. Mercene Mindanao solons are tugging at the leash and want to elect one of their own as Speaker to take the place of Joe de Venecia. That old regional spirit is burning again but is dominated by the Pangalatoks. *** The ...
Fragile modus vivendi; "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." - Shakespeare's HENRY IV.(Chaff from the Grain)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Hector R.R. Villanueva It appears that party alliances are beginning to unravel with possible fallouts and future repercussions that cannot be ascertained or predicted. The Lakas-CMD National Directorate Assembly to be held on February 7, 2008 at the historic ...
Subprime and Davos.(Voice from the South)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Fr. Emeterio Barcelon, SJ Reactions to the Subprime mortgage crisis in Davos ranged from gloom to optimism. The official Davos meeting had an atmosphere of gloom although individuals presented in the BBC panel of important people projected optimism. The gloom ...
Stop the killing.(Opinion & Editorial)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Bernardo M. Villegas Exactly 20 years ago, then President Corazon Aquino proclaimed the month of February as "Respect and Care for Life Month." More than ever, we have to intensify the celebration of the Pro-Life month of February because the last 20 years ...
Birth Anniversary of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, Foundress of the RVM Sisters.(Opinion & Editorial)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Christianity is one of the many legacies of Spain to the Filipino people. The women of the Philippines materially helped in strengthening its foundations and spreading it all over the country. Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo was one of the many unsung Filipinas who ...
The broadband issue, still unfinished business.(Punchline)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Fred M. Lobo Little "wars" on leadership and contentious issues have erupted in Congress. Beware: Non-resolution and bad resolution could have damaging effects on the nation. * * * President Arroyo has called on her allies at the House ...
JPEPA now.(Opinion & Editorial)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Elinando B. Cinco Like the perennial ecclesiastical conflict between agnostics and heretics, issues emanating from the Senate never fail to attract public attention - and controversy. In fact, there is no denying that the Upper House these days thrives on ...
New spat won't hurt Taiwan Ma's poll bid.(Opinion & Editorial)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Benjamin Yeh Agence France Presse TAIPEI (AFP) - A controversy over US residency is unlikely to derail Taiwan presidential frontrunner Ma Ying-jeou's campaign despite raising questions about his ability to handle a crisis, analysts said. Ma, the opposition ...
Seed grows of itself.(Reflections Today)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Mark 4:26-34 Jesus said, "This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ...
Cordillera tribal leaders seek extension of CARP; Criticize solons in the region for being silent on farmers' plea.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Dexter A. See LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Tribal leaders in the different parts of the Cordillera criticized lawmakers in the region for allegedly being silent on the move to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), saying that the program has helped ...
Tribes seek Atienza's action on barricade.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Ceasar M. Perante KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya -- Bugkalot tribes in the mineral-rich villages of Pao and Kaguidugen in this upland town are asking Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza to issue an order that would stop anti-mining groups from barricading ...
Cell phones valued at P22.5 M shipped back to Hong Kong.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Jonas Reyes SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Fifteen boxes of brand-new cellular phones valued at more than P22.5 million were shipped back to Hong Kong due to misdeclaration. The contraband goods that were held by Customs officials assigned at the Subic Bay ...
Scrapping of VAT on power, water and food sought.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Joe Magbanua LEMERY, Batangas -- The Consumers Union of the Philippines (CUP), meeting with local consumers, said it will appeal to Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Miguel Zubiri to include in their bill the scrapping of VAT (value added tax) on electricity, food and ...
Negros mayors unite in fight vs IRA cut.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Edith B. Colmo BACOLOD CITY -- Mayors of 14 cities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have manifested unity against the reduction of their shares in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) resulting from the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities. ...
Beltran hits arrest of farmer in Bacolod.(Provincial News)(Conference notes)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Marvyn N. Benaning Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran has condemned the arrest and detention of Randall Echanis, National Deputy Secretary-General for External Affairs of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), a national peasant organization. He was ...
Two militant groups disagree on CARP extension.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Edith Colmo Two so-called cause-oriented groups, a peasant and a farmer' group, disagree over the issue on whether or not the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) should be extended or not. The two groups with conflicting principles on the land reform ...
Leyte seeking identity as reg'l IT capital.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... TACLOBAN CITY -- Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla declared he would like to change the perception of Leyte province that from an agricultural province into one known for information technology (IT). The governor stated this during the recently held Asia Pacific Economic ...
Boracay unfit for big-scale development -- DENR.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Danny Fajardo BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan -- Boracay Island is not fit to large-scale construction and development, an official from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. DENR provincial officer Raoul Lorrilla explained that the island is ...
MILF, MNLF leaderships are about to forge unity; Son of Libyan leader Col. Ghaddafi pushing unification effort.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Edd K. Usman Leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are about to forge unity through a planned Bangsamoro Solidarity Council (BSC) under the auspices of Saiful Islam Muammar Al-Ghaddafi. Ambassador ...
ID system in Sulu is illegal, Pimentel says.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) said yesterday the mandatory issuance and wearing of identification (ID) cards by residents of Sulu should be disallowed for being illegal. Pimentel said the wearing of IDs was ordered by the military without waiting ...
Gov't troops attack, overrun rebels' camp in Davao Oriental.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Mike U. Crismundo MAWAB, Compostela Valley -- A combat battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) attacked and overran a big camp of New People's Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao, signaling the start of an all-out push to end the almost four decades of Maoist ...
Davao doctors buck bid to amend Generic Act.(Provincial News)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Ben Arche DIGOS CITY -- The Davao del Sur Medical Society (DDSMS) has joined the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) in its bid to allow physicians to prescribe branded but expensive medicines to their patients. More than 100 members of DDSMS expressed ...
Moving heaven and earth for upgrade.(Society)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Rachel C. Barawid "I'm still here ..." " ... We are now undertaking the necessary measures to rectify deficiencies identified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in its International Aviation Safety Assessment," said Daniel A. Dimagiba, who was ...
Year of the Rat at SM Supermalls.(Society)
Feb 01, 2008 ... In the year of the rat, we can expect 12 months of plentiful opportunities and prospects. This is good to know especially if you are planning to make some long-term investments, start new projects, or keep the home fires burning brightly. Chinese New Year ...
The svelte city slicker; Chevrolet Optra Turbo Diesel AWD.(Drive)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Byline: Inigo S. Roces In the office, we have a little book called The World's Worst Cars. In it are the stories behind such phenomenal failures such as the DeLorean DMC 12 and the Edsel. There's also a small section that pokes fun at some brands' cruel naming ...
Toyota offers 6th Triple Crown promo.(Drive)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) is celebrating its sixth consecutive time of achieving the Triple Crown title. The Year 2007 was another success for the automotive company as it garnered the number one position for the Passenger Car segment, Commercial Vehicle ...
2008 Honda Accord bags awards for safety.(Drive)
Feb 01, 2008 ... The 2008 Honda Accord's safety performance has received 5-star frontal crash safety rating from the National Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) for both driver and front passenger. NHTSA is a U.S. government agency, part of the Department of Transportation, responsible for ...
Suzuki Alto: Your first car.(Drive)
Feb 01, 2008 ... Every car owner should have a good memory of his first car whether it's bought with hard-earned money or given as a gift. The search for "the one" can be exhausting as it is exciting. If you're now in the process of choosing your first car, consider a compact, ...