The Manila Times back issues from April 2008:
71% see themselves as poor or very poor, says Pulse Asia poll
Apr 01, 2008; ... Around two of every three Filipinos believe that the national economy is worse than it was three years ago, the latest Pulse Asia survey showed. The survey results were released Monday. The Pulse Asia survey also showed that around three of every four Filipinos consider themselves as ...
ANALYSIS: Why Valero's power can't beat Pacquiao's punching efficiency
Apr 01, 2008; ... NOW that World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Edwin Valero of Venezuela can fight in the US, a match-up with World Boxing Council counterpart Manny Pacquiao can be arranged. Valero boasts of a perfect knockout record, of which 19 of his 23 stoppages were in the first ...
Bacoor applies 4-day workweek summer
Apr 01, 2008 ... BACOOR, Cavite: The local government announced the implementation of a four-day work week up to May 30, with business transactions at the municipal hall starting at 8 a.m. up to 7 p.m. from Mondays until Thursdays. However, critical services like health and police work will remain on an ...
BayanTel reports net income surged in 2007
Apr 01, 2008; ... Bayan Telecommunications Inc. on Monday announced that its net income surged last year on the back of higher revenues from its voice services. In a statement, the Lopez-led telecom company said net income last year went up 319 percent to P2.2 billion from P526 million in 2006. The ...
Basic Energy, Chevron signs possible biofuel supply agreement
Apr 01, 2008 ... BASIC Energy Corp. announced on Monday that it signed an agreement with Chevron Philippines Inc. for a joint study on the feasibility of an ethanol supply contract. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Basic said it signed a memorandum of understanding to determine whether ...
BSP: Inflation to breach target
Apr 01, 2008; ... THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to breach its target for the year, with price increases seen to have accelerated further last month due to record prices of oil and food products. BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflation for March is projected to be within the ...
Relearning the ABCs in Singapore
Apr 01, 2008; ... (Continued from last week) Confucius and our parents. In our conversations with the foster mother of our daughter, I gathered some images of her devotion and dedication to her aging parents. Without fail, she visits her mom and dad at least once a week and makes sure she celebrates ...
RP's best coffee found in Sultan Kudarat-traders
Apr 01, 2008 ... DAVAO CITY: Coffee industry players in Sultan Kudarat province are very proud of their coffee products saying "it is the best coffee in the country," reported the Philippine News Agency. Department of Trade and Industry Sultan Kudarat provincial caretaker Carlito Nuñez said it was the ...
Senators rap sec. Ermita on 'infirmed rules'
Apr 01, 2008; ... Senators scored Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita Monday for saying that all the measures passed by the Senate could be null and void because the chamber still had to publish its rules as required by the Supreme Court in its decision on the Neri case. Ermita also cited the decision as ...
US-based Filipino neurologist discovers 'Lubag' treatment
Apr 01, 2008 ... BACOLOD CITY: A Filipino neurologist based at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, brings hope to thousands of men diagnosed with X-Link Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP) Syndrome or Lubag, after discovering an effective symptomatic treatment for the disease, reported Panay ...
Laguna College tops first national biotech quiz
Apr 01, 2008 ... SAN PABLO, Laguna: Students from Laguna College recently topped the First National Biotech Quiz for High School held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management. The team from Region IV - Calabarzon composed of John Rafael Alicando, Zarina Alimagno, and Princess Rozin Yambao and their ...
Manila Water to incorporate new subsidiaries
Apr 01, 2008 ... Manila Water Co., a unit of the Ayala group, will incorporate two subsidiaries that will handle its domestic and foreign expansion and allow fund-raising activities independent of its parent. In a briefing, Antonio Aquino, Manila Water president, said the new units to be incorporated ...
Most productive committee chairmen: Chiz, Pia, Angara
Apr 01, 2008; ... SenATOR Francis Escudero is the runaway leader among Senate committee chairmen in the number of reports approved for plenary session before the Lenten recess. He is followed by Sen. Pia Cayetano and Sen. Edgardo Angara. The three are collectively responsible for 19 of the 42 ...
Stonemaker to ship to Iran
Apr 01, 2008; ... PIEDRA Systems Inc. will ship manufactured stones to Iran, a company executive said Monday. Alan Guzman, Piedra Systems Inc. vice-president, said the company was chosen by the Iran-based Environmental Architecture Gallery to provide the manufactured stones for its Iran and Dubai ...
Stalled road projects may push through
Apr 01, 2008; ... THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Monday expressed optimism that the second phase of the National Road Improvement and Management Program (NRIMP) will push through soon. Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said Monday that they received some positive ...
Palace Eyes Stopping Land Conversion To Avert Crisis
Apr 01, 2008; ... Malacañang wants to stop the conversion of prime farmlands for uses other than agricultural and to repeal the truck ban to avert a possible rice shortage, the National Economic and Development Authority said Monday. Augusto Santos, the agency's director general, said President Gloria ...
Globe bucks plan to open SMS service to non-telcos
Apr 01, 2008; ... GLOBE Telecom Inc. is bucking a plan of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to classify short messaging system (SMS) or text messaging as a value added service. Text messaging remains the bread-and-butter of local telecom companies. If the NTC plan pushes through, then even ...
Razon warns misuse of 'Mamang Pulis' Ids
Apr 01, 2008; ... The Philippine National Police (PNP) has cautioned the public anew against scrupulous individuals who use the name of the police force to get away with illegal activities. "I have ordered all PNP units to arrest anyone who will defame the police row and its leaders by stating that they ...
Philippine foreign debt rises on weak dollar
Apr 01, 2008; ... THE Philippines' outstanding external debt rose last year, as foreign exchange revaluations and net loan availments went up due to a weak dollar against other currencies, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Monday. Despite the increase, the Philippines' capacity to service its ...
GMA strikes back at critics: Fighting graft, boosting reforms among priorities
Apr 01, 2008; ... Battling corruption, sustaining economic reforms, and encouraging more investments are her higher concerns in her last two years in office, President Gloria Arroyo told industry leaders in Hong Kong on Monday. PRESIDENT ARROYO TOLD THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES THAT THE ...
Government needs higher tax revenues
Apr 01, 2008; ... Raising taxes while channeling resources toward high-quality spending can help the government sustain growth and reduce poverty, the Philippines Development Forum's working group said. Government and members of the international development partners' community said an additional 1.5 ...
Govt fails to secure short-term borrowings anew
Apr 01, 2008; ... THE government on Monday failed to complete its short-term borrowings for the year, as investors pushed up the rate for the one-year debt paper. At Monday's auction, the Bureau of Treasury accepted banks' bid of 5.705 percent for P1.9 billion of 364-day Treasury bills. The government ...
Bubbly Colbie: The cyberspace phenome behind the year's smash single "Bubbly" is out to win more hearts
Apr 01, 2008; ... If you haven't heard the song "Bubbly" yet, then you probably don't know what a computer is either. When the relatively unknown Colbie Caillat (rhymes with "ballet") posted the song on MySpace.com, it was played some ten million times by people from all over the globe. Not surprisingly, ...
Decision on Gen. Garcia's case deferred anew
Apr 01, 2008; ... THE Sandiganbayan Second Division has deferred anew its promulgation of the perjury case field against retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia. According to Sandiganbayan Justice Edilberto Sandoval, more time is needed to study the details of Garcia's case involving his 1998 Statement of Assets ...
Empire East launches transit-oriented projects
Apr 01, 2008 ... Middle-income residential condominium developer Empire East Land Holdings Inc. announced Monday the simultaneous launching of its three "transit-oriented" projects within Metro Manila. In a statement, the Alliance Global Group Inc. unit said its new projects that include San Lazaro ...
Food for thought from Senator Loren Legarda
Apr 01, 2008; ... TIME was when the Philippines could claim to be one of the rice bowls of Asia. But, alas, now though not exactly with begging bowl in hand but more like check book, the Philippines has to go shopping elsewhere in the Asian neighborhood for this most basic staple without which no Filipino dinner ...
Erap urges activism among new graduates: "As you very well know, only last year, I also graduated from detention," said the former president
Apr 01, 2008; ... Goa, Camarines Sur: Former President Joseph Estrada expressed full of hatred and tirades against President Gloria Arroyo during the 7th commencement address in Partido State University (PSU). "I rejoice with you on this happy occasion because I know and have felt the happiness attached ...
IPVG unit buys US firm
Apr 01, 2008 ... IPVG Corp. told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday that its wholly owned unit has bought US-based Interactive Teleservices Corp (Influent) through cash and shares to be issued to the selling shareholders. In a disclosure, IPVG said IP Contact Center Outsourcing Inc. (IPCCO) entered ...
High Court ruling can cover all Senate hearings: Spokesman of Supreme Court says ruling on Neri case can apply to all Senate hearings without published rules
Apr 01, 2008; ... Malacañang is right after all in saying that all Senate investigations conducted without published rules are "null and void." The Supreme Court Spokesman, Lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, on Monday pointed out though that only Chairman Romulo Neri of the Commission on Higher Education is ...
Gabby Concepcion may be back for good
Apr 01, 2008; ... After 13 long years, former matinee idol Gabby Concepcion is back in the country. Concepcion left the Philippines after being hounded by controversies in his personal and professional life. He eventually settled and lived a quiet life in the United States. He was close to making an ...
Blames lower forecast on inflation: Globe rules out double-digit growth, cites inflation
Apr 02, 2008; ... GLOBE Telecom Inc. on Tuesday said it would be hard to replicate the double-digit revenue growth this year owing to higher inflation. "We are seeing some softening in the trend of our revenue growth and it has something to do with the overall consumption because of the inflation and ...
Boxing world wants to catch Pacman fever
Apr 02, 2008; ... THE people from the boxing community are trying to catch a fever these days. It is called the PacMan fever. Trying to dodge the hammer from newly crowned World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao's left hand has its own plus-sides. For fighting the ...
Customs to reshuffle, replace nonperforming section chiefs
Apr 02, 2008 ... THE Bureau of Customs is gearing to meet its revenue collection target for the first quarter of the year by reshuffling its poor-performing section chiefs. Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales said the reshuffle would take effect immediately once the bureau is done with the ...
"I condemn that kind of thinking," says Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
Apr 02, 2008; ... The threat of the New People's Army (NPA) to intensify its attacks on civilian targets is merely an act of desperation bordering on terrorism, said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Monday. "This already borders on terrorism, which is highly condemnable because the ideology behind ...
DBM releases fund for Clark power upgrade
Apr 02, 2008; ... CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga: President Arroyo has allocated P3 billion to upgrade the power requirements of locators and the entry of bigger investors into Clark. Levy P. Laus, president/CEO of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said on Monday that upon the President's instructions, the ...
Cites inflation, US slowdown: WB cuts RP growth forecast
Apr 02, 2008; ... THE World Bank on Tuesday cut its economic growth forecast for the Philippines, citing higher consumer prices and the US slowdown. In its East Asia and Pacific Update, the Washington-based lender downgraded its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 5.9 percent this year ...
Singapore airport eyes development of DMIA
Apr 02, 2008; ... CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga: The Changi Airport International (CAI) of Singapore is seriously considering the development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in the latter's bid in becoming the Philippine's premier gateway. CAI Vice-President for Strategic Projects Jose ...
SPECIAL REPORT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: BPI-DOST Awards: Private initiative in the service of public good
Apr 02, 2008; ... Now on its 19th year, the annual BPI-DOST Science Awards are given to outstanding students from all over the country who have excellent research projects in mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, and computer science. The awards were established in 1989 by the BPI ...
Taiwanese firms seen to invest more in RP
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Manila Economic and Cultural Office has reported that Taiwanese firms plan to increase their investments in the Philippines and step up recruitment for their labor pools to match their expansion thrusts. Taiwan investments in the Philippines totaled $782.3 million last ...
State asset sales to take hit from risk aversion
Apr 02, 2008; ... PHILIPPINE asset sales will take a hit from renewed risk aversion arising from the US' economic woes at a time when the government requires additional resources to prime the pump and keep the domestic economy afloat, according to pundits. In a research note, Development Bank of ...
Program for improving English proficiency
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Department of Education recently launched the "Project: Turning Around Low Performance in English" (Project:TURN) which seeks to reverse the low performance in English of 1,898 elementary and 264 high schools nationwide, whose students got a Mean Percentage Score of 34 percent and below in ...
Unilever sees market share in food, toiletries expanding
Apr 02, 2008; ... UNILEVER Philippines Inc. plans to increase its market share in the food and toiletries categories, the company's top executive said Tuesday. Sanjiv Mehta, outgoing chief executive officer of the company's local unit, said in a briefing the company expects double-digit growth this ...
Public Works agency to celebrate 110 years
Apr 02, 2008 ... Former top executives of the Department of Public Works and Highways will gather in a simple and nostalgic ceremony at the agency's operations room on Wednesday, March 31, 2008, to kick-off the series of events in commemoration of the department's 110th anniversary on June 23. Public ...
Rebels warn of more attacks on gov't targets: The NPA, which celebrated its 39th anniversary on March 29, is still fighting to establish a Maoist state
Apr 02, 2008; ... ZAMBOANGA CITY: Communist rebels on Monday warned of more attacks against government and military targets in the southern Philippines. The rebels belonging to the New People's Army (NPA) also vowed to execute soldiers and policemen who committed serious violations of human rights and ...
Rice subsidy ruinous-WB: Policy cost govt 1.6% of GDP in 2000 to 2005
Apr 02, 2008; ... THE World Bank estimated that the country's rice-subsidy policy cost the government an average of 1.6 percent of its economic output in 2000 to 2005. In its report East Asia: Testing Times Ahead, the Washington-based lender warned the Philippine government and its neighboring countries ...
SC defends lowering of passing rate for exams
Apr 02, 2008; ... It is within the Supreme Court's authority to adjust the passing average of the yearly Bar Examination. The High Tribunal spokesman, Lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, made the clarification Tuesday following the court's decision to lower the 2007 exam's passing rate from 75 to 70 ...
Seaside town denounces illegal mining
Apr 02, 2008 ... RESIDENTS of a seaside town in Zambales have sent out an urgent appeal for their forests and environment now under threat of destruction due to ongoing mining operations, said local officials. Mayor Luisito Marty of the mineral-rich-town of Sta. Cruz said hundreds of residents along the ...
MMDA impounds 140 'colorum' buses
Apr 02, 2008; ... TRAFFIC law enforcers of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) impounded and spray-painted some 140 apprehended passenger buses since Monday, The Manila Times learned Tuesday. MMDA Traffic Operations Center Enforcement Unit Head Roberto Esquivel led the anti-colorum ...
Napocor slams smear campaign on bidding
Apr 02, 2008 ... THE National Power Corp. (Napocor) denounced over the weekend a "concerted black propaganda campaign aimed at ruining the corporate image and reputation of the state owned power firm through baseless allegations and pure lies by its detractors in the media." In a statement, Dennis Gana, ...
Numbers games
Apr 02, 2008; ... I see that there is a lack of statistical correlation on trade and investment between The Philippines and China. China apparently says that it exports and invests $30 billion in the Philippines whereas the Philippines records Chinese imports and investment at $8 billion-a significant difference ....
Oil import bill up on demand
Apr 02, 2008; ... DESPITE record prices, the Philippines imported more oil last year due to higher demand accompanying the country's record economic expansion, the Department of Energy said Tuesday. Energy department data showed the country's oil import bill rose by 10 percent to $8.8 billion from $8 ...
Philippine Cup finalists debut in Fiesta Cup
Apr 02, 2008; ... PHILIPPINE Cup finalists Sta. Lucia Realtors and Purefoods TJ Giants open their accounts Wednesday in the 2008 PBA Fiesta Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. The Realtors, gunning for back-to-back championships, meet the Alaska Aces at 4:50 p.m. while the Giants collide with sister team ...
Olympic hopefuls to compete in qualifying events
Apr 02, 2008; ... Filipino athletes hopeful of landing a seat in the coming Beijing Olympic Games must have to make it through separate qualifying tournaments in their respective sports. This developed after the International Olympic Committee has ruled that only third world countries or those ...
Lim orders takeover of Tondo abattoir
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Manila City government has formally taken over the operation of a slaughterhouse in Vitas, Tondo after its former owner, a private meat-processing firm, failed to pay their dues to the city government. Mayor Alfredo Lim issued the directive Tuesday, thus putting the formerly Dealco ...
Limit to GMA's power to appoint justices sought
Apr 02, 2008; ... A VETERAN legislator is determined to clip portions of the powers vested on the President by seeking amendments to the Constitution to free the judiciary branch from "any presidential and political interference," which may lead to questionable decisions from the High Tribunal and a possible ...
Local banks urged to upgrade financial services system to match expansion
Apr 02, 2008; ... The expansion of Philippine banks would need corresponding upgrade in financial services system to maximize their revenues, a top official of Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS), a provider of core processing for financial institution, said. "Banks are struggling in ...
Lozada fails to attend CA hearing
Apr 02, 2008; ... SENATE witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. failed to appear Tuesday before the Court of Appeals (CA) for the continuation of the hearing on his petition for a writ of amparo.The petition for a writ of amparo was filed in Lozada's behalf by his brother, Arturo, over Rodolfo's claim that he was ...
Major fast-food companies to serve half-cup rice
Apr 02, 2008; ... TOP Philippine fast-food chains have agreed to offer half servings of rice amid a supposedly looming shortage in the country's rice supply, media reports said on Tuesday. Popular fast-food chain Jollibee now offers half-rice servings at P5.50 (13 US cents) each. A full cup of rice, ...
Megaworld buys Ayala Land subsidiaries
Apr 02, 2008 ... MEGAWORLD Corp. told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday that it bought out three units of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) so the acquirer can develop a property in Makati. In a disclosure, Megaworld said it bought 100 percent equity shareholdings in the three ALI subsidiaries for P902 ...
High Court grants habeas data for JDV son: Jose de Venecia 3rd slams military for invading his right to privacy; Enrile scored in his petition
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the petition of businessman Jose de Venecia 3rd for the issuance of the writ of habeas data to put a stop to the military's alleged invasion on his right to privacy. De Venecia's petition now goes to the Court of Appeals, which will hear his ...
Children under fire, literally, in militarized zones
Apr 02, 2008 ... A year has passed since the death of Grecil Buya and the number of children who are victims of militarization is growing, the Children's Rehabilitation Center (CRC), a child rights organization in Southern Mindanao, said. On March 31, 2007, a 9-year-old girl named Grecil Buya was ...
Govt lifts truck ban
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has lifted the truck ban in Metro Manila during rush hours as a remedy to supposedly impending increases in prices of basic commodities. The truck ban has been blamed for delays that cost merchants time and money before their ...
Chinese firm to invest $2B in 'Boni,' Samar
Apr 02, 2008; ... A Chinese company engaged in property development has pledged a $2-billion investment in the Philippines, President Gloria Arroyo announced on Tuesday during the second day of her Hong Kong visit. President Arroyo said the Hong Kong-based Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. owned by Hui Wing ...
ICTSI subsidiary to take over operation of NCT-1 in Subic Freeport
Apr 02, 2008; ... International Container Terminal Services Inc. on Tuesday announced that its subsidiary will take over the operation of the New Container Terminal-1 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the port operator said the Subic Bay International ...
Kuwaiti court affirms OFW's death sentence
Apr 02, 2008; ... The Philippine government on Wednesday pledged to exhaust all means to save the life of May Vecina, a 28-year-old Filipina from North Cotabato after the Kuwait high court affirmed her death sentence. Vecina, or May Membrini, as her name was given in court documents, was convicted of the ...