Manila Bulletin back issues from December 2008:
UN's Ban Ki-moon urges leaders to think big on crises.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... DOHA, Nov. 30 (Reuters) - The world needs "to think big'' to solve the global financial crisis while helping reduce poverty, the UN Secretary-General said on Friday. Ban Ki-moon, speaking after an informal retreat with leaders attending a UN development financing conference in ...
Corporate income tax cut to 30% to lift business, generate more jobs.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto is confident that the reduction of corporate income tax from 35 percent to 30 percent next year would pave the way for more business and job opportunities despite the global financial crisis. "Lowering corporate income tax will help ...
Exporters gear up for challenging times.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The private and public sectors in the export industry have banded together to address the weak exports markets in light of the global economic slowdown. Exporters will gather on Tuesday to kick-off a weeklong National Exporters Week, an annual celebration organized by the Bureau ...
SMART launches RBAP partnership.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) has formally launched its partnership with the Rural Bankers' Association of the Philippines (RBAP) to provide its mobile commerce services to 696 RBAP-member banks all over the country. RBAP member rural banks can now reach over 34 million ...
$ 30-M 'malunggay' biodiesel plant pushed.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A biodiesel feedstock from "malunggay" oil is seen to emerge as a revolutionary biodiesel raw material as US's Green Energy Technology (GET) and Filipino firm Secura International Corp. (SIC) are investing $ 30 million in it. A biodiesel plant using malunggay oil may rise in two ...
P/$ rate stands at P48.96 /$ 1.(News In Brief)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The peso exchange rate closed at P48.96 to the US dollar last Friday at the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx). The weighted average rate stands at P48.799 Shipping firm sets expansion Davao-based Chelsea Shipping Corp. is investing P764.2 million to ...
Business and Society.(Business News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... It is quite clear that the Philippine economy has not completely decoupled from the U.S. economy. It might have been that, say 15 years ago, whenever the U.S. economy sneezed, we caught pneumonia. Today, when the U.S. economy is suffering from a bad cold, we have a slight fever ....
Cristine Reyes is a happy girl these days.(Celebrity World)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Upcoming star Cristine Reyes is a happy girl these days. Why? Because her teleserye, "Eva Fonda," will start airing today, Dec. 1. ABS-CBN bigwigs initially wanted it to be aired next year yet, but when they saw the finished product, they decided it was good enough to be aired as soon as ...
'Back to Back to Back' tonight at the Big Dome.(Entertainment)
Dec 01, 2008 ... All roads leads to the Araneta Coliseum tonight, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m., as three of the country's biggest acts -- Side A, Freestyle and MYMP -- share the stage for one night of pure musical artistry billed "Back to Back to Back: All Hits Live!" It is expected to be a full house as ...
Jose & Wally's 'Scaregivers' triumphs at the box-office!(Entertainment)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Comedians Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola's launching flick, the horror-comedy, "Scaregivers" is a certified box-office hit when it grossed R3.5 M on its opening day, Nov. 19! The film producers, APT Entertainment of Tony P. Tuviera and Vic Sotto's M-Zet Television, Inc., are very ...
Round D' Biz.(Entertainment)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Q Channel 11's "House Life," a home improvement show hosted by style icon and celebrity interior designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, makes creating the dream house within almost everyone's reach. Joining Tessa in dishing out useful tips on fabulous finds for the home are young and talented ...
'Pieta's John James Uy, an actor in the making.(On the Rise)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Before John James Uy was cast as Frank in the daily afternoon drama series "Pieta," the likes of Rafael Rosel and Victor Neri were first considered. Fortunately for him, both were busy with their respective careers. "When we first met they wanted me to play this rich bad guy ...
The children of 'Cory,' the musical.(Entertainment)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Since "Cory" deals with the life of Cory Aquino from childhood to her inauguration as president of the country, writer-director Nestor Torre had to look for a young actress who could act as well as sing. He turned to 10-year-old Mica Torre (no relation), a regular in many of his musicals ...
MOJO:LATIONS.(Entertainment)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The year has gone by so fast it seems. With December festivities rolling in, it's hard not to admit that time really does fly. With the end of the year festivities and happenings just around the bend, it's easy not stay abreast about the latest happening as we all succumb to the rush which ...
Bangkok protest strands 100,000.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- About 100,000 people have been stranded by the closure of Bangkok's two airports, dealing a severe blow to the country's reputation as a safe and reliable vacation destination. Anti-government protesters shut the country's primary international airport ...
Transport groups okay new round of fare rollbacks.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Transport groups have agreed on another round of fare rollbacks amid the continued decline in the prices of fuel products, particularly diesel -- the fuel used by most jeepneys and buses. Transport groups Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), ...
3 big oil firms willing to open books for audit.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Three of the country's biggest oil companies have accepted a challenge by Congress to open their books of accounts for examination by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Airing suspicion that oil companies have been exploiting the plummeting price of oil in the world market by ...
Bonifacio honored at rallies on 145th birth anniversary.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... National hero Andres Bonifacio was remembered and honored on his 145th birth anniversary yesterday, with programs and rallies in Metro Manila and other parts of the country linking his fight for independence to current issues, notably Charter change and the war on poverty ...
Arroyo leaves today for HK to attend Clinton Initiative meet.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... President Arroyo leaves today for Hong Kong to attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), organized by former US President Bill Clinton. The forum is set tomorrow and on Wednesday. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said that Mrs. Arroyo will deliver a speech during the ...
Senator Estrada, Lorna Tolentino bag top FAMAS awards.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Ms. Lorna Tolentino won the Best Actor and Best Actress trophies, respectively, for "Katas ng Saudi" during the 56th FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) awards presentation at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel last Saturday. ...
Workers are entitled to extra pay today, DoLE tells employers.(Main News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) reminded employers yesterday that their workers are entitled to extra pay when they report for work today, Dec. 1, a non-working holiday, since Bonifacio Day yesterday fell on a Sunday. Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito Roque ...
Spy cameras all over Manila to fight crime.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... It's Big Brother versus the bad guys. Spy cameras around Manila -- to be used by the Manila Police District (MPD) in a Big Brother-like, see-and-catch operation against robbers, snatchers and other criminals -- are expected to up and running before the year ends, MPD head Chief ...
Illegal fireworks could kill -- NPD chief.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Northern Police District (NPD) is warning residents of the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava) regarding the use of illegal firecrackers on New Year's Eve. NPD director, Chief Supt. Eric Javier said such fireworks are unsafe for their users since ...
Las Pinas heightens security measures.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Las Pinas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar has ordered intensified police patrol and visibility operations particularly this holiday season notwithstanding the fact that the reported crime rate remains low. Aguilar also enjoined residents for their cooperation in surveillance and crime ...
Lim orders arrest of cult members.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Due to alleged lawlessness caused by alleged gangs in the city, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has ordered the Manila Police to immediately apprehend anyone caught involved in the reported activities of a gangster cult frequenting the Holy Trinity Church area in Balic-Balic. The ...
Valenzuela barangays get new ambulances.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Twenty-seven brand-new and fully-equipped ambulances have been turned over to the heads of 27 barangays in Valenzuela City as part of the local government's aim of empowering the basic government unit in the city. Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian led local officials and barangay leaders ...
50 wheelchairs given to Manila by Taipei group.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim received 50 wheelchairs worth P200,000 donated by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines in cooperation with Taiwan Association, Inc. Lim welcomed the donation and thanked the delegation headed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office ...
QCPD heads for grand slam as top district.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) may be in for a grand slam as the best police district in the country after its personnel and officers made excellent performance during the Annual General Inspection and Operational Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE). ...
Science ministers push for acceptance of nuke energy in Asia Pacific.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Science ministers and nuclear science experts in the Asia Pacific continue to push for the inclusion of nuclear power as a clean development mechanism (CDM) to help combat the adverse effects of climate change. "We look at nuclear power as a clean energy source and initiate ...
Mining firm asks SC to stop Dec. 3 Diwalwal bidding.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Supreme Court (SC) has been asked to stop the Philippine Mining Development Corp. (PMDC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from bidding out on Dec. 3 portions of the 8,100-hectare Diwalwal Mineral Reservation in Mindanao. In an urgent motion, the ...
Gov't conditions imposed on Erap biofilm affirmed.(Metro and National News)(Television program review)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed a Malacanang ruling that imposed conditions for the airing on television of former President Joseph Estrada's biographical film entitled "Ang Mabuhay para sa Masa" (To Live for the Masses)." In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice ...
Comelec eyeing listing of 2.5 M new 2010 voters.(Metro and National News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting the registration of more than two million new voters locally and about half a million overseas for the May 10, 2010 presidential, congressional, local, and party-list elections. The Comelec, led by Chairman Jose A.R. Melo, has ...
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to attend 2008 Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting in Hong Kong on December 2-3, 2008.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo departs tonight to attend the 2008 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Asia Meeting in Hong Kong. The CGI meeting is the first to be held outside the United States and Asia's most influential leaders will be on hand for the event. The CGI Asia ...
Speaking Out.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... THE most eagerly anticipated and closely watched meeting of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is the policy meeting. And for good reasons. Held once every six weeks, the policy meeting provides economic analysts, businessmen, bankers and the media a sense of ...
Installing a governance score card.(Swimming Against the Current)
Dec 01, 2008 ... NOW that the organization has brought down to the level of operations units much of the burden for taking initiatives by which strategy is executed, it needs to install a system by which to get feedback on how those units are performing. It is essential that such a feedback ...
Presidential possibilities.(Merry-Go-Round)
Dec 01, 2008 ... REP. Mat Defensor of Quezon City says the Lakas-CMD should not kick out JdV just for saying everyone seems for sale in teh country. They should keep him and make him their presidential candidate in 2010. *** JdV will join street protests in denouncing the ...
Weighing In.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... IT will be December 1 when you read this. But it is November 30 where I am, which is a Chinese restaurant along Marcos Highway at 11 in the morning waiting for take-out food to materialize. There is a steady drizzle and as I gaze out of the restaurant's glass walls, I know it is a grey ...
World AIDS Day.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WORLD AIDS Day, observed on December 1 each year, is an opportunity for governments, organizations, communities, and individuals to speak out for stronger action to prevent new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and to continue to take action to end the suffering, ...
National Day of Romania.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TODAY is the National Day of Romania, a country with a long history of contributions to the world's cultural and scientific ideas. Romania has had a rich and colorful history. The "Hamangia Thinker" and the "Clay Tables of Tartiara" in 4000 B.C. are evidence of the country's ...
National Day of the Central African Republic.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TODAY is the National Day of the Central African Republic (CAR). The CAR is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the east, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. ...
Business Beat.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... THE Mumbai massacre may have edged the global financial turned economic crisis from the headlines in the last few days but we can be sure it will be back sooner than later. The last time it figured prominently in the papers, I remember that Treasury Secretary Paulson had decided ...
Remarks heard & read.(Elinando B. Cinco)
Dec 01, 2008 ... DREADFUL tragedies in India, riveting public disorder in Thailand and gripping economic turmoil in many parts of the world filtering into the domestic front have elicited remarks from various personages, as quoted in media, last week. The rundown: Last Thursday's ...
Second Thoughts.(Opinion and Editorial)
Dec 01, 2008 ... JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The feared backlash from the execution of the Islamic extremists convicted of the Bali bombing earlier this month has not materialized. But the government is sitting on a live explosive that it may inadvertently detonate to devastating damage. The ticking bomb is the ...
The healing of a centurion's servant.(Reflections Today)
Dec 01, 2008 ... WHEN [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion approached Him and appealed to Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You enter under my roof; only ...
Bulacan is RP's top earner.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MALOLOS CITY -- For the second consecutive year, Bulacan was the top income earner among the 79 provinces of the country in 2007. Records of the Commission on Audit (CoA) show that Bulacan collected P1.807 billion in gross income in 2007. Bulacan was followed by Negros ...
SC decision demoting 16 cities to towns hailed.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TARLAC CITY -- Tarlac City Mayor Genaro Mendoza hailed yesterday the Supreme Court's decision demoting 16 component cities to towns for violation of the Constitution and the Local Government Code (LGC). Mayor Mendoza said the decision of the High Court is a fair interpretation ...
Expired candies down 105 pupils in Benguet town.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MANKAYAN, Benguet -- At least 105 pupils at two public elementary schools in this town were hospitalized in the past two days for eating allegedly expired candies. The pupils reportedly found last Friday afternoon the candies dumped alongside the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road. ...
Guaio, others not joining celebration.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Everything is set for the celebration of the 437th founding anniversary of Pampanga (Ning Kapampangan) and the annual Sinukuan Festival, but Kapampangans will not see many of their top officials during the festivities set on Dec. 2-11. Pampanga Vice Gov. Yeng ...
DENR urges dredging of silted Aklan River.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... KALIBO, Aklan -- The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office in Aklan province recommended the dredging of the silted Aklan River to maintain the smooth flow of the said river. Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Baltazar Gerardo ...
Office supplies depot opens in Biliran Province.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... NAVAL, Biliran -- The Biliran provincial government, the Procurement Service (PS), and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in Region 8 have jointly established the 8th office supplies and equipment sub-depot here last week. This facility aims to ensure that government ...
Renewable Energy Congress helps stakeholders in Western Visayas.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... ILOILO CITY -- Around 200 top executives in the energy and utility industries, consumers, business, government, church, academe, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the region gathered for the Western Visayas Renewable Energy Congress held in this city recently. ...
8 Bohol towns streamline licensing process.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... TAGBILARAN CITY (PIA) -- Streamlining business process to make them investor friendly, Bohol Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council has accomplished with a partner the forging of agreements in training for eight towns here, a highlight in the first Bohol MSME ...
UK supports resumption of peace talks.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Three visiting Members of Parliament (MP) of the United Kingdom (UK) said the British government would like to see the resumption of the stalled peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). UK MPs Mark ...
Lanao Sur governor endorses Bishop-Ulama Council drive.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... MARAWI CITY -- Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal "Bombit" Alonto-Adiong Jr. yesterday expressed full support for the campaign of the Bishop-Ulama Council of the Philippines (BUCP) for the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to reopen and conclude their stalled peace ...
Church leaders seek solidarity for Peace Week.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... DIGOS CITY -- Leaders of various religious sectors have urged all the people in Mindanao to participate and support the ongoing celebration of the 8th Mindanao Week of Peace which will culminate Dec. 3, 2008. The theme for this year's celebration is "Integrity of Mind and ...
DENR officials vow support for Mindanao peace bid.(Provincial News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... BUTUAN CITY -- Top officials of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) have pledged to support the peace advocacy being initiated by a multi-sectoral group led by Butuan City Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos to achieve a lasting ...
Pacman must avoid Hoya's hook.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... LOS ANGELES -- The sun was already up Saturday but the weather remained icy when Manny Pacquiao came out of nowhere to begin his morning roadwork at the Pan Pacific Park in preparation for this Saturday's big fight with Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was joined in the ...
Hoya confident of win.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... LOS ANGELES -- Oscar De La Hoya is old for a sport that is mainly for young turks. But the Golden Boy doesn't feel that he is already pushing 36 and that he doesn't see himself leaving the ring the loser this Saturday when he clashes with Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las ...
Pacquiao ready to rumble.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... LOS ANGELES -- Freddie Roach was a picture of a satisfied man on Saturday afternoon after seeing the signs that suggest Manny Pacquiao is indeed ready to rumble. "He (Pacquiao) played a lot and that's usually a sign that he's ready to fight and tired of training," Roach told a ...
MVP wants local coach for Olympics qualifier.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- When the Philippine national team sees action in the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2011, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan wants a Filipino coach to handle the team and no one else. This was Pangilinan's reply when the issue of ...
Texters rap Beermen.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... SINGAPORE -- Veteran playmaker Jimmy Alapag led a strong Talk 'N Text finish as the Tropang Texters tripped the San Miguel Beermen, 85-80, last night in a lone KFC-PBA Philippine Cup game at the Singapore Indoor Stadium here. Despite suffering a foot injury early in the fourth ...
Eagles, Archers gain 'Champs' semifinals.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... UAAP rivals Ateneo and La Salle moved closer to another title showdown by downing separate rivals yesterday to barge into the Final Four of the Fil-Oil Flying V "Final Challenge" of the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championships at The Arena in San Juan City. The Blue Eagles, the ...
Arellano's HS program a big plus in NCAA bid.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Back-to-back champion Arellano University walloped Philippine Merchant Marine School, 91-60, to boost its title bid in the 2008 National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) basketball tournament recently at the TIP-Casal Gym in Manila. Orlando Daroya, who plays for ...
SSC completes sweep.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The journey to the top was long and perilous for San Sebastian College, but the reward was sweet, satisfying and special. After three straight failed attempts, the SSC belles finally reached the apex of success, beating the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses,16-25, 25-21, ...
Magnolia's Taylor is top PBL player.(Sports News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Chester Taylor may not be as popular as University of Santo Tomas teammates Jervy Cruz and Dylan Ababou, but the 6-foot-6 center knows his role very well. Given the exposure he needs, Taylor knows he can get the job done -- anytime. Aware of Taylor's talent, Magnolia ...