Manila Bulletin back issues from April 2009:
Philips promotes RP healthcare technology.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Philips recently unveiled the first 256-slice computed axial tomography (CT) scanner in the country, reaffirming its commitment to improve the quality of life of people worldwide.Philips President and Global CEO Gerard Kleisterlee, during a formal launch on March 19 at the St. Luke’s ...
ADB doubles trade financing to $1-B.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Asian Development Bank expanded Tuesday its trade financing program to $1 billion or nearly double the amount last year – a move that could generate up to $15 billion in much-needed trade support for Asia by the end of 2013.The global financial downturn has caused a dramatic cut ...
BSP reversing FX swap positions as they mature.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is reversing its foreign exchange (FX) swap positions as they mature to ease pressures on the peso and provide both dollar and peso liquidity.The central bank released $887 million to the system in February after allowing FX swap positions to mature.FX ...
SM Prime reports 7% increase in net income to P6.4-B in 2008.(Main Business)(Financial report)
Apr 01, 2009 ... SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the country’s leading shopping mall developer and operator, reported a seven percent improvement in net income last year to P6.41 billion from P5.97 billion in 2007 due to the opening of new malls.The firm disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that ...
Local BPO industry anticipates 50% growth in labor requirements.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Business process outsourcing (BPO) service providers are retaining their workforce in the global financial crisis.This year, 82 percent of BPOs even expect a positive employment growth rate, companies need to strengthen corporate strategies to attract new workers and retain their ...
Auto Show to showcase RP-made eJeepney.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Locally-assembled electric jeepney (eJeepney) will take center stage along with 40 other brands that will be showcased at the 2009 Manila International Auto Show, which aims to highlight car and equipment performance in terms of driving pleasure and fuel economy, and boost the local ...
EU assist to improve exports to Europe.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The three-year 7.47 million-euro (P361.62 million) trade-related technical assistance (TRTA-2) project is expected to improve Philippine exports to the 27-nation European Union (EU), the world’s largest market.European Commission (EC) ambassador Alistair MacDonald said the project, ...
12 firms eye $1.1-B biofuels investments.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... About $1.1 billion in new investments will be made by more than 12 firms that have signified interest in the biofuels industry even as the government is eyeing to increase the mandated blends to further boost growth.Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said during the Asia Biofuel Investment ...
PLDT, Cisco, Tata in 'telepresence' venture.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), in partnership with Cisco and India's Tata Communications, has launched Telepresence, the first visual conferencing public room in Asia Pacific.This latest technology solution allows corporations to enhance productivity while cutting on ...
Procter & Gamble investing P1 billion in 'value' packaging.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Procter & Gamble is investing over P1 billion on new value packaging that would give consumers more value for their purchases of laundry products in an effort to help consumers survive the economic crunch.P & G said that its initiative dubbed “Taba” value packaging would give ...
SMC buying out partners in 2 packaging units for P277 million.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is spending P277.1 million to buy out its partners in two of its packaging units in a move that will pave the way for the consolidation of its packaging investments in preparation for an initial public offering.In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange ...
ALI bares P7.2 billion Glorietta redevelopment.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. will spend P7.2 billion for the redevelopment of its Glorietta commercial center in Makati to include the construction of additional office space and one four-star businessman's hotel.At the sidelines of the firm’s annual stockholders meeting ...
Update schedule for www.mb.com.ph.(Main Business)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The News, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Sports sections and subsections of the Manila Bulletin online are updated daily at 11:00 p.m. The following subsections are updated on a periodical basis: * Environment – Monday * Property – ...
QC reiterates discounts for special kids.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A member of the Quezon City Council asked the public on Wednesday to immediately report business establishments to law enforcement authorities that refuse to avail them with the 20 percent discounts under the city’s “special children discount ordinance number SP ...
Urban poor stage passion of Christ.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Some 3,000 belonging to an urban poor group painted on Wednesday the woes and the plight of thousands of homeless people living in Metro Manila by staging their modern depiction of the passion of Christ in Quiapo, Manila.Members of the Urban Poor Associates, who were clad in ancient ...
Be careful, residents told.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Senior Supt. Romeo Magsalos, Marikina City police chief, on Wednesday asked residents to take extra precautions during Holy Week."As much as possible, residents must not leave their residence unattended,’’ Magsalos said, in flyers distributed to city residents.Criminal ...
Police officer assumes OIC post in QCPD.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A veteran police officer who rose from the ranks formally assumed his post as officer-in-charge of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday following the reassignments of several key police officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).Senior Superintendent Elmo San Diego, ...
Groups vow to block Charter Change.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Groups critical to the Arroyo administration said that they would pursue a series of massive mobilizations and signature campaigns to block the pending Charter Change resolution in the House of Representatives, unless the President will announce that she will step down in 2010.Saying that ...
Gov't sticks to negotiation.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The government will continue to negotiate for the release of three humanitarian workers held hostage by Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu, even as troops are repositioned for a possible rescue mission to free the hostages.Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Wednesday that negotiations with ...
Criteria for bidders adopted.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has adopted the eligibility criteria on the prospective bidder’s largest single contract as contained in the guidelines on the procurement of goods issued by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) to prevent a failure of public bidding on ...
Lebanon, Jordan now open for workers.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Malacañang was not spared from confusion on April Fools’ Day following conflicting announcements about the status of the deployment ban on Filipino workers to five Middle Eastern countries.When all the dust settled, it was made clear that President Arroyo approved the lifting ...
2010 polls security concern - Gonzales.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said Wednesday the 2010 presidential elections is a "national security concern," in response to calls for him to refrain from proposing schemes for a transition government to be elected in 2010 to pave the way for Charter change.Gonzales said the ...
Transport operators warned vs joining rally.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Consumer group National Council for Commuters’ Protection (NCCP) on Wednesday warned operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) that they would lose their franchise if they would join Friday's planned transport strike of transport groups under the umbrella of the Alliance of ...
Ex-energy chief named NREB person.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... President Arroyo has appointed former Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Vicente Perez as person of the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) that will help implement the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.Mrs. Arroyo also appointed Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) acting chairwoman Zenaida ...
Pimentel scores CARP exemptions.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A congressional move to exempt lands newly planted with sugarcane and coconut from the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) would defeat the purpose of the CARP law, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. said Wednesday.Pimentel, in a statement, expressed ...
Pistachios recalled.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) Wednesday ordered a recall on pistachio products sourced from manufacturer Setton Pistachio in California following an earlier recall by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to salmonella contamination.“We are recalling all pistachio ...
ASG leaders plan their next move.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... After sparing the lives of their hostages, the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders reportedly met at about 2 p.m. Wednesday in their mountainous enclave somewhere on Sulu island to plan their next move.The ASG gunmen spared the ...
Cardinal Vidal urges release of hostages.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Cebu City – Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on Wednesday appealed to the Abu Sayyaf rebels to release the three Red Cross volunteer workers they had kidnapped and held as hostages in Sulu.Vidal made the appeal after Pope Benedict XVI made the same appeal on Monday when Abu ...
Help for 5 kidnapped teachers sought.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday called on the government and military authorities to pay equal attention to the search and rescue efforts for the five kidnapped teachers in Zamboanga City.Escudero said the government should give the same attention it is now giving the abducted ...
DA bans cattle from Taiwan, Lebanon.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Department of Agriculture (DA) Wednesday banned the importation of cattle and other animals from Taiwan and Lebanon following the outbreaks of food and mouth disease (FMD) in those countries.Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap issued the ban after the Office International des Epizooties ...
Step up security, retailers urged.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... CEBU CITY – The Philippine Retailers Association in Cebu (PRA-Cebu) has urged retailers here to heighten security measures in their stores to ensure improved business operations.The PRA-Cebu, a group of 80 retail companies here, made the call during its general membership meeting in ...
Terrorist tag should stay, says Palace.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Malacanang said Wednesday the dropping of murder charges by a Dutch court against Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Ma. Sison is not enough to remove him from the European Union's list of foreign terrorists.Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Sison is accused of ...
AFP reports discovery of 20 rebel camps.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A total of 20 training and facility camps have been discovered in 11 provinces by forces of the Philippine Army last March in a bid to intensify campaign to end the insurgency by 2010.Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said troops from the 20th, 53rd, 58th, 69th , 79th, and 80th ...
2 catch last seats for Provincial Board.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBoC) of Abra to immediately reconvene and proclaim Patrocino Abaya and Serafin Alzate as the last two winning candidates for the positions of members of the Provincial Board of Abra representing the ...
Man faces life in prison for P200 worth of shabu.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A man may have to spend the rest of his life in prison for attempting to sell P200 worth of shabu to a policeman in a sting operation.Pasig City Regional Trial Court Judge Abraham Borreta found Ricardo Cruz guilty of selling shabu to a policeman posing as a buyer in a buy-bust operation on ...
Killer nabbed in Caloocan.(Main News)
Apr 01, 2009 ... A young man was arrested Wednesday for his alleged involvement in a fatal jeepney robbery holdup in Caloocan City.A police team nabbed Jericho Agustin in an operation following the robbery holdup.Agustin was tagged as one of the suspects in a recent robbery holdup inside a passenger ...
Feed the children.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The ironies of life. We are an archipelago of 7,000 islands buffeted by 26 typhoons each year and yet half of the population have no drinking water. Now we are seeing millions of children starving for food, in the middle of a tropical paradise of seafoods and wondrous fruits.It has gotten ...
World Autism Awareness Day.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... To encourage all member states to take measures to raise awareness of autism in society, the United Nations General Assembly supported a campaign to promote early diagnosis and intervention on autism and set April 2 of each year as World Autism Awareness Day.Autism or Autistic Syndrome ...
Remembering Pope John Paul II.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... We remember Thursday a gifted philosopher, a staunch defender of family and life, a friend of young and old alike, an advocate of justice and peace, and a well-loved pastor – Pope John Paul II.Four years ago, after stretching out his hands to give a “final ...
Jesus and Abraham.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... John 8:51-59Jesus said to the Jews, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps My word will never see death.” [So] the Jews said to Him, “Now we are sure that You are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps My word will never taste ...
For sustainable economic activity.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... As the leaders of the G-20 most developed nations meet in London for their summit today, much is expected, but little actually planned in terms of a clear action agenda which the G-20 ministers were supposed to create, but which they failed to provide. To fill that gap, Angela Merkel, ...
Murder without risk.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... There are factions or cliques organized to suppress and punish crime summarily when the processes of law appear inadequate. Who are some upholders of these processes? They include the citizens as hesitant witnesses/complainants, local officials, and law enforcers – the PNP, AFP, ...
Subsidiarity.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... The term “subsidiarity” has yet to enter into more common use in our country. Nonetheless, it is a fundamental social principle, and our observance (or non-observance) of it has great bearing on governance at all levels, including the governance of our public affairs.The root ...
Status and fame for local tourism.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... It seems unclear that despite the glowing publicity heaped on Philippine tourism all these years, it has been reported that lately the country got a lowly 81st spot among the tourist destinations in the world.So what are those flashy photos and accounts about our flourishing tourism ...
Rather, tighten your belt.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... "Please fasten your seatbelt" is the instruction we get when things are expected to be shaky in a plane. Same instruction may aptly apply to us as our economy expects some rough sailing ahead due to the lingering global financial storm. And it is not enough that we just fasten our ...
Birth Anniversary of Francisco Baltazar.(Opinion)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Francisco Baltazar produced many poems and songs Mahomet at Constanza, Almanzor y Rosalina, Orosman at Zafira, Don Nuño y Zelinda, La India Elegante y el Negrito Amante, Hatol Hari Kaya (a kundiman), Parangal sa Isang Binibining Ikakasal (a poem), Paalam sa Iyo (a song), Rodolfo at ...
Medical transcription service sector declines.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Cebu City — While the Philippines, especially Cebu, continues to be a magnet for business process outsourcing companies worldwide, the medical transcription sector is beginning to show symptoms of decline.Mawit Go, chief marketing officer of Northern Transcription Works (NTW) which ...
Call center agent found dead in hotel.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Lapu-lapu, Cebu — Another call center agent was found dead inside his hotel unit last Sunday in Barangay Gun-ob in this city in an apparent suicide case.John Israel Ladiao, identified as an employee of Teletech Customer Management Care on AS Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, was found ...
Jobs fair for Mid East employment slated.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Naval, Biliran — Behind the cloud of the global economic recession lies the silver lining that some countries in the Middle East like Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are still in need of dedicated Filipino migrant workers.Because of this, a Jobs Fair has been scheduled ...
Mantawi Festival kicks off.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Mandaue City, Cebu — The local government of Mandue City has officially launched this year’s Mantawi Festival to celebrate the Madauehanon and emphasize the city’s culture, heritage and tourist attractions amid the current global financial crisis.Mayor Jonas Cortes said ...
High-tech machines used to produce DVDs seized.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... ANGELES CITY — High-tech machines used in mass producing pirated DVDs (digital versatile disc) were seized here last Tuesday by operatives of the Optical Media Board (OMB) and the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).The group raided a factory in Barangay Pandan here after ...
Team seizes steel angle bars worth P3 million.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... TRECE MARTIREZ CITY — A monitoring team, which has launched a nationwide crackdown on substandard steel angles, has seized some P3 million worth of uncertified steel angle bars that do not have the required manufacturer’s logo in hardware stores in Batangas and Cavite.The ...
DPWH completes 586 projects in Bicol Region.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... LEGAZPI CITY — Vital infrastructure projects intended to spur the development of the Bicol Region and implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) have been completed.This was reported by DPWH Region V Director Orlando B. Roces to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane ...
EMB asked to look into river mess.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... MARILAO, Bulacan — Environmental and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza has directed the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) to look into the problem of waste dumping in the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System in Bulacan that made it one of the world’s dirtiest places ...
Gov't grants P7.36-M aid to 368 former rebels.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — As part of the government’s closure process of the old rebel returnee program in this province, 368 unassisted former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels received a total of P7.36 million livelihood support to help them uplift their ...
Duterte resigns as deputized representative of Napolcom.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY – Simultaneous with the ongoing public inquiry of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the alleged summary killings in this city, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced his resignation as the deputized representative of the National Police Commission (Napolcom).In his letter ...
New facility seen to hasten peace process.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... KIDAPAWAN CITY — Local officials in Maguindanao are certain the 5,000-seat convention center, which the President recently inaugurated, will help bolster the peace process in the province, believed to be a hotbed of secessionist movements in Mindanao.Local officials led by Autonomous ...
German gov't gives P1.3-M aid to Caraga.(Regional)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Germany is expected to provide a P1.31 million grant to the provincial government of Agusan del Norte to assist some 1,200 families that were heavily affected by natural disasters in early January, the German Embassy announced Wednesday.German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch is ...
Chowder chomps his way to kids' hearts.(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Cartoon Network expects to have another surefire hit in “Chowder” premiering on April 6, 6 p.m., aired from Monday to Friday. Chowder is a cross between a rabbit, a cat and a bear whose appetite for food often gets him into trouble. The show was launched at the Manila Ocean ...
'Crank'-ing it up.(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Three years ago, in the action movie “Crank,” Jason Statham played Chev Chelios, a hitman who literally had to fight to stay alive. He spent 24 hours fighting and killing to keep his adrenaline flowing—all to prevent a deadly poison from spreading through his veins. Now ...
Sheryl Cruz is Geoff Eigenmann's crush!(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Yes, for a long time now Sheryl Cruz has been Geoff Eigenmann’s crush. Sheryl herself admitted this, laughing as she said Geoff was not even 10 yet when he said the actress was his big crush. “His mom, Gina Alajar, and I used to work together in our younger days and Gina would ...
Michael Sarver eliminated on 'American Idol's' Motown week.(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... His rendition of The Temptations classic “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” was unanimously panned by the judges during performance night of “American Idol Season 8” (airing on Q Channel 11) and he was in the bottom three last week, so when Michael Sarver was called ...
New guys on the block.(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Three new singing acts with different voices and style to offer have reached the record bars with debut albums that should introduce them to fans generally looking for fresher faces. Vehnee Saturno discovery Keane Andeza looks up on Michael Buble while Canada-born Zacariah has the hats and ...
'New in Town' manages to convey positive inputs.(Showbiz)
Apr 01, 2009 ... We enjoy Renee Zellwegger in the “Bridget Jones” movies she did so we welcome the sight of her in the new romantic comedy, “New In Town,” set in the remote town of New Ulm in Minnesota which is covered by snow for about six months each year. The setting reminds us ...
Cavs win 13th straight; Lakers fall.(Sports)
Apr 01, 2009 ... Cleveland (AP) — LeBron James made two crucial three-point plays and finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their 13th straight NBA game, 79-73 on Tuesday over the Detroit Pistons.The Cavs trailed 69-67 midway through the fourth when James took over, ...