Philippines News Agency back issues from February 2009:
Secretary Remonde: First order of business is dialogue with Palace Press Corps.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- As his first official act as newly-appointed press secretary, former Presidential Management Staff Director-General Cerge Remonde said today he will hold a dialogue with members of the Malacanang Press Corps to "solicit" their ideas and suggestions on how to further ...
Govt doing everything possible to mitigate impact of global crisis on Filipino workers.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Malacanang said today that the government is doing its best to mitigate the harsh effects of the global financial crisis on the Filipinos, and that plans and programs are in place to maximize assistance to displaced overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs). Press Secretary ...
ASEAN Secretariat holds forum on global financial risis.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- With the global financial crisis sending major economies into a recession, Asian countries should stand ready to make substantial adjustments to keep their economies afloat and support growth. This was the key message from the fifth Brown Bag Series by the ASEAN ...
LPG dealers caught hoarding will be sanctioned severely -- Echiverri.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- Caloocan mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri said Sunday that dealers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) caught hoarding the vital cooking fuel in order to jack up its prices will be charged criminally. He also said that businessmen found guilty of LPG hoarding will have ...
Efforts to revive Paranaque River starts, foundation says.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Save the Paranaque River Foundation Inc. started undertaking efforts to revive the Paranaque River not only to rid it with pollution but also to provide livelihood programs for the city constituents. Speaking at the Balitaan sa Tinapayan forum held on Sunday in ...
Navotas city govt launches heart care program.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Realizing the value of having a healthy heart, the Navotas city government has launched a series of activities that aims to improve the cardio-vascular conditions of all Navotenos starting this month. Dubbed the "Puso ng Navoteno: Alagaan, Pasiglahin Ngayong Buwan ...
Educator calls on private HEIs to look for 'win-win" solution to avert dropout rates in college.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Asian Institute of Management professor, Dr. Ned Norberto on Sunday called on private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country to look for a "win-win" solution to cushion the impact of the current global fiscal crisis on students as he expressed concern ...
PGMA invites Thailand Premier to visit RP.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has invited Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to visit the Philippines. The President extended the invitation Saturday when the Thai leader called on her at the Davos Congress Center. The two leaders of the ...
Don't forget the poor, PGMA urges world economic, political leaders.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (PNA via PLDT) -- Don't neglect the poor in the rash to maneuver the world economy out of the current crisis, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told her fellow participants in this year's World Economic Forum (WEF). "What is important here is that we must not ...
Japan urges GRP, separatist MILF to return to negotiating table.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Japan has reiterated its call for a ceasefire between government troops and separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and urged both parties to return to the negotiating table. Makoto Katsura, Japan's ambassador to the Philippines, noted that an ...
It's a matter of time, says PNRC on possible release of kidnapped Red Cross workers.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- "It's just a matter of time." This was the assessment made on Sunday by Corazon Alma de Leon, secretary-general of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) on the possible release of the three International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) workers being held captive in ...
Gordon seeks support from PMAP to his scholarship, bloodletting drive.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday asked the support of THE People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) to his scholarship program as well as to the Philippine National Red Cross' (PNRC) bloodletting drive. Gordon, who is also the PNRC chairman and chief ...
Senate probe on pre-need industry set Monday.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Senator Mar Roxas on Sunday said the Senate will begin its probe on the state of the pre-need industry on Monday, with focus on ensuring strict monitoring by the government of pre-need companies and protecting consumers' investments as the global financial crisis ...
I never made early declaration of running in 2010 while in Davao--Chiz.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Senator Francis Escudero on Sunday maintained he never declared any intentions of running for a higher post in the coming 2010 presidential elections while in Digos, Davao del Sur. Escudero issued this clarification and insisted that he was just being asked with a ...
RP banking system liquid amid global financial meltdown -- PGMA.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (PNA via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told the World Economic Forum (WEF) yesterday (Saturday) that the Philippines is prepared for the global economic downturn as the Philippine banking system is liquid, and the country has already readied its ...
PGMA tells WEF: 'We must not neglect the poor'.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (PNA/via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told the World Economic Forum (WEF) Saturday that contrary to the topic of the plenary session, the world economy could not possibly be rebooted. One of the six topics of the plenary session centered on the ...
Gordon wants to expand Senate's contempt rule.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday said he will file a resolution that would expand the grounds of citing a person in contempt. Gordon, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said the resolution would include provisions for direct and indirect contempt, noting ...
Teves credits PGMA for award as 'Finance Minister of Asia'.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Finance Secretary Margarito Teves credited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the citation he received from the internationally respected business magazine, The Banker, which named him the "Finance Minister for Asia." The President witnessed the ...
Binay made honorary chairman, lifetime member of YMCA.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay has recently been conferred honorary chairmanship and a lifetime membership by the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Makati. "Thank you to the YMCA for giving me these honors. Also, allow me to thank you all for your ...
Bakers assure no increase in bread prices.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The prices of bread and baked-food products will not increase in the near future as the effect of the implementation of the zero tariff on wheat will be felt starting this month, a bakers' association assured on Sunday. Speaking at the Balitaan sa Tinapayan forum, ...
Fil-Am gets national award for civic leadership.
Feb 01, 2009 ... CHICAGO, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- Ms. Emilie Gaborne Dearing, a Filipina-American nurse from Iloilo, was named to the Chicago Filipino American Hall of Fame 2008 for community and civic leadership. She received her crystal national award trophy at a recent gala dinner held at the Hyatt Regency ...
Northrail contractor asks SC to junk complaint seeking cancellation of USD 1-Bn contract.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- China National Machinery Equipment Corporation Group (CNMEG), the contractor for the USD 1-billion Northrail project, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC), seeking to dismiss a complaint filed by a group of lawyers asking for the cancellation of an ...
14-yr-old 2nd year high school student wins RP Sudoku Challenge.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- A 14-year-old second year high school student from Dagupan, Pangasinan overcame pressure and tension to beat other contestants and crowned herself as the Sudoku Grand Master of the Philippines in the 3rd Philippine Sudoku Super Challenge held at the SM North Edsa ...
SC orders Manila RTC to hasten suspects' bail application hearing on shipping magnate son's death.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- The Supreme Court (SC) has instructed the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) to quickly act on the application for bail of two suspects the Court of Appeals (CA) earlier cleared of any liability in the fatal stabbing of Francis Delgado, son of shipping magnate ...
PNP wants exclusive use of uniforms.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa has ordered for a review on the exclusivity on the use of police uniforms. The PNP Chief's order was brought upon by observations that some students, particularly Criminology students, are ...
DILG to local officials: Enforce fight vs illegal drugs.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Sunday warned local chief executives, saying they could be held criminally and administratively liable if they are remiss of their duties and responsibilities in the fight against illegal drugs. In making the warning, Puno reminded ...
BI bans Japanese wife beater.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Bureau of Immigraton Commissioner Marcelino Libanan has banned from entering the country a Japanese national for abusing and maltreating his Filipina wife, it was reported Sunday. Libanan issued the order placing the 59-year old Shinichi Ikeda in the BI blacklist at ...
Govt invests P18-B in emergency employment program.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine government has allocated P18 billion for the first phase of a massive livelihood and emergency employment program to generate jobs for Filipino workers who are expected to bear the brunt of the effects of the global economic crisis on the local ...
Nograles warns Legacy owner to attend House probe or face arrest.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Speaker Prospero Nograles on Sunday warned the owner of the Legacy Group to appear in the investigation being conducted by the House of Representatives over the controversy on the 13 rural banks closed down by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) or face arrest. He ...
SC junks Singaporean airline's refund petition.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court (SC) has junked the petition made by air carrier Silkair Ltd. seeking a P4-million tax refund after claiming that it is exempted from paying excise tax on its aviation fuel purchase as stated in an international agreement between the Philippines ...
MOL's Attraction makes maiden call at MICT.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' (MOL) container vessel Attraction made its maiden call (first berthing) at International Container Terminal Service, Inc.'s (ICTSI) flagship port Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) late last January. MOL Attraction, which has a ...
RP, South Africa sign MoC on development of judicial systems.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Philippines and South Africa have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) aimed at promoting not only their friendly relations but also the continuing development of their judicial systems. Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno and Constitutional ...
MUS-Marawi president to address campus land squatting.
Feb 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- The president of the biggest state university in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expressed alarm over rampant land squatting in the campus in Marawi City. In a statement, MSU president Macapagal Muslim said he considers this problem serious and ...
No forced return of evacuees in Mindanao -- AFP.
Feb 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The military here today denied reports that President Arroyo has ordered the forcible closure of evacuation centers in Maguindanao and bring back the internally displaced persons to their places of origin. Colonel Julieto Ando, regional Army spokesperson, ...
Explosive materials found in Agusan del Norte town.
Feb 01, 2009 ... CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City, Feb. 2 (PNA) --- Various materials for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found and excavated Sunday afternoon by a farmer in Purok 5, Barangay La Fraternidad, Tubay town, Agusan del Norte province, according to a flash report received at the ...
Police file complaints vs. Victory Liner Bus attackers.
Feb 01, 2009 ... LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- The police have filed the corresponding complaints against several persons who attacked the Victory Bus Liner terminal in Lingayen on November 26, last year. The suspects also shot and wounded six policemen in a mobile patrol car in the area. Senior ...
Math challenge? upsets overall performance of brightest students.
Feb 01, 2009 ... ALLEN, Northern Samar, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- The result of the 2009 Metrobank-Math Teacher Association of the Philippines (MTAP)-Department of Education (DepEd) Division Mathematics Challenge for secondary schools elimination round held last Jan. 31 showed upsetting overall performance of the ...
Zambo Norte pushes "high green" program.
Feb 01, 2009 ... ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte is continuously pushing the "high green" program that aims to convert the province into a food basket of Western Mindanao and eventually Mindanao in general. Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes said under ...
LGUs join DENR's all-out campaign against illegal logging, illegal mining operations.
Feb 01, 2009 ... NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Southern Mindanao Regional Executive Director (RED) Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thanked Governor Arthur Uy, of Compostela Valley province for his all-out support in the campaign against illegal ...
Editor of Mindanao's oldest weekly passes away (Obit).(Obituary)
Feb 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- Guillermo "Boy" Hagad, the editor-in-chief of The Mindanao Cross, Mindanao's oldest weekly newspaper, passed away on Saturday, three days after he suffered a hypertensive stroke. He was 70. Hagad expired at 3 a.m. on Saturday after he was placed on comatose ...
Civilians, Army foil bombing attempt in Maguindanao.
Feb 01, 2009 ... COTABATO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) --- Alert civilians prevented a bloody Saturday in Maguindanao when they quickly tipped off the military about their find, a powerful improvised explosive device (IED). Col. Marlou Salazar, Army brigade commander, said this was an attempt of rogue Moro Islamic ...
DOLE creates jobs for Bulakenyos.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MALOLOS CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bulacan, will create job opportunities for unskilled and displaced workers in the province to counter the effects of global recession. Gov. Joselito "Jon-Jon" ...
Only 68 cops serve city-bound San Pedro, Laguna.
Feb 01, 2009 ... SAN PEDRO, Laguna Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Only 68 policemen today serve the municipality of San Pedro, Laguna. This developed as Municipal Mayor Calixto Cataquiz recently announced a program to turn his locality into a chartered city. Cataquiz's quest for cityhood of his lakeside town became ...
Chinese, Koreans among top foreign retirees in Davao City.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Chinese and Korean nationals are among the top 200 foreigners who have availed of the retirement package of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in this city, an official said. Jaime Llames, officer-in-charge of PRA-XI satellite office, said to avail of the ...
PTT to invest P3B to put up 200 gasoline stations in Luzon and Visayas in 10 yrs.
Feb 01, 2009 ... BANGKOK, Thailand, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Luzon and Visayas will be the main concentration of Thailand-based PTT Public Co. Ltd. (PTTPCL) for its investment in the Philippines. Artasith Pothiapinyanvisuth, PTTPC executive vice president for commercial and international marketing for oil business ...
New PPI management pushes through with company rehab.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Despite the lawsuit filed by the disgruntled planholders of the Yuchengco group of companies who formerly owned the troubled pre-need Pacific Plans, Inc. (PPI), the new management of the said company assured its planholders that the pre-need firm's rehabilitation ...
Northwind expand capacity to 33 MW.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- Northwind Power Development Corporation (NPDC) has expanded its total capacity to 33 megawatts (MW). This, after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to the company last January 26, 2009 for Phase II of ...
"Mindanao 2000" renewed to alleviate financial crisis -- Leyretana.
Feb 01, 2009 ... DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- "The Mindanao 2000, an updated peace and development blueprint is hoped to alleviate the impact of financial crisis at times like this", according to Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, Sr. Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) chair. He said in light of ...
Nadal wins first Australian Open title.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MELBOURNE, Feb. 2 (PNA/Xinhua) -- World number one Rafael Nadal won his first Australian Open title after outplaying world number two Roger Federer in the men's final on Sunday. Nadal, the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic champion, finally made breakthrough at the hardcourt Grand Slam at ...
Speaking Out.
Feb 01, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The scenic Ermita Hill, one of the most historical places in Baler, Aurora Province, bore witness to the launching of the second Credit Surety Fund in the country two weeks back. From the windy hill, one has a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean and the beaches of ...
BF appeals to police to speed up manhunt vs gunmen who ambushed the son of an MMDA exec.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Metropolitan Manila Development authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on Monday appealed to police authorities to speed up the manhunt against the gunmen who ambushed the 14-year-old son and the driver of Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) chief Roberto ...
Navotas police gets 10 new motorcycle units.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- The Navotas city government recently donated some 10 new motorcycle units to its police force so that its law enforcers can have more mobility in going after criminal elements,. Navotas mayor Tobias "Toby" Tiangco said that the 10 motorcycle units which they donated ...
Oreta, MCCC donate P880,000 to informal dwellers.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Some 22 families informally residing in Lot 5, Block 10, C-4 Road Barangay Longos will be getting decent homes at last, thanks to an P880,000 cash donation by the Malabon Chinese Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Malabon mayor Canuto Oreta. The donation, which was ...
16,051 PNP personnel promoted nationwide.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Some 16,051 PNP personnel were promoted to the next higher rank in a nationwide simultaneous Oath-taking and Pinning of Ranks held today at the National Headquarters (NHQ) and various Police Regional Offices (PROs). Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director ...
Remonde calls for support in carrying out his new task.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) --- Press Secretary Cerge Remonde on Monday asked for support in carrying out his new tasks of communicating effectively the government's programs to the media and the people. Remonde made this call as he formally assumed his new post in a simple turnover ceremony held ...
2 big Muslim organizations support Razon as new peace czar.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) --- Two huge Muslim organizations with over half a million members all over the country passed separate manifestos on Monday expressing their full support to former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino I. Razon Jr. as the new chief of the Office of ...
DENR to awards P375,000 for wetland champions.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Prizes worth P375,000 and plaques await winners of the on-going second Philippine Wetlands Conservation Award competition under the auspices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB). The agency will ...
Visayas and Mindanao warned vs heavy rains.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- A tail end of a cold front is currently affecting central and Southern Philippines which could possibly bring torrential downpour in some areas in the region, the state weather bureau said. Northern and Eastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas can experience cloudy ...
DepEd-NCR resets start of drug testing on Feb. 4.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- To allow more time for consultations with parents of schoolchildren, the Department of Education (DepEd)-National Capital Region (NCR) has decided to reset Monday's scheduled start of the random drug testing in 15 selected public and private schools in Metro Manila ....
Senate starts pre-need industry hearing.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- The Senate starts hearing Monday on the state of the pre-need industry with focus on ensuring strict monitoring by the government of pre-need companies and protecting consumers' investments as the global financial crisis heats up. Liberal President Sen. Mar Roxas ...
No recession for RP, says analyst.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) --- The continued weak prices of oil in the world market coupled with strong domestic demand will shield the country from an economic recession this year, financial analysts said. Stock market and financial analyst Astro del Castillo said the price of crude oil has ...
Clean recycling jobs pushed amid job losses.
Feb 02, 2009 ... MANILA, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Recycling jobs can make up for the looming job losses due to the global economic slowdown. The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocate of green jobs from clean recycling, pushes for expanded recycling programs to stimulate job creation amid threat of massive unemployment ...
DOST to award Bicolano youth achievers in Science.
Feb 02, 2009 ... LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will award six Bicolano young achievers in Science on February 6 in this city. DOST Regional Director Tomas Brinas said this Youth Excellence in Science (YES) awards give due recognition to young Filipino ...
Soldiers capture rebel camp in Central Panay.
Feb 02, 2009 ... ILOILO CITY, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- An internal conflict could have triggered the recent firefight between two rebel groups in the mountain areas of central Panay and their armed squabbles led to the capture by government troops of the rebels' camp located in the jungles of Tapaz, Capiz and ...
Iloilo gov acts on E. Coli contamination in 5 towns.
Feb 02, 2009 ... ILOILO CITY, Feb. 2 (PNA) -- Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. has directed the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) headed by Dr. Patricia Grace Trabado to confer with the mayors and municipal health officers over the reported E. Coli contamination so that prompt action could be taken ....