The Manila Times back issues from December 2008:
Bangko Sentral expects uptick in bad loans in 2009</headline>
Dec 03, 2008; ... THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects an up tick in bad loans next year due to slower economic growth. BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the nonperfor-ming loan ratio of banks would stay at four percent.Based on its latest report, the BSP said the bad loan ratio ...
Anti-graft court files charges against Malay mayor, officials:Ombudsman finds illegal the construction of a hotel/resort in Boracay
Dec 03, 2008; ... THE Office of the Ombudsman Field Investigation Office (FIO) filed administrative and criminal charges against the Mayor and other officials of the municipality of Malay, Aklan for allowing the construction of a hotel-resort in a protected forestland. With the said order of the ...
Big oil firms slash LPG prices by P4 per kilo
Dec 03, 2008; ... Big oil firms greeted the start of the yuletide month with a hefty cut in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, a day after smaller players implemented their own rollback. In separate statements Tuesday, Total (Philippines) Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. announced a P4 per ...
BDO expands network, consolidates banking units
Dec 03, 2008; ... BANCO de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) said it has consolidated its business franchise as it absorbed its two thrift units and investment house.BDO said it would expand its network by absorbing Equitable Savings Bank and BDO Elite Savings Bank as well as investment house PCI Capital Corp ....
Debt watchdog opposes Maynilad water rate hike
Dec 03, 2008; ... A DEBT watchdog on Tuesday expressed strong opposition to the planned water rate hike by Maynilad Water Services Inc. and called on government to intervene on the matter. Diane Roa, Freedom from Debt Coalition advocacy coordinator, said her group opposes the rate hike being asked by ...
GMA welcomes Hillary's appointment
Dec 03, 2008; ... President Gloria Arroyo welcomed the appointment of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as the next US Secretary of State, saying that she expects a good working relationship with the former first lady. President Arroyo sent her congratulatory message to Mrs. Clinton through her ...
Maynilad to conclude rate rebasing consultations
Dec 03, 2008; ... MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. is set to conclude on Thursday the series of public consultations for its upcoming rate rebasing exercise, which will set its new water rates for the next five years.In a statement, Maynilad said that it would outline by tomorrow the details of its ...
Nonvoice BPO sees opportunity in crisis
Dec 03, 2008; ... INDUSTRY officials said on Tuesday that the nonvoice segment of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and nontraditional markets offer greater opportunities as the Philippines' largest source of voice clients, the US, has just announced a recession. "Voice is just a small ...
Feel it:Awareness is the first step to better treatment of breast cancer
Dec 03, 2008 ... When detected early, breast cancer is highly treatable and possibly curable. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and effective hormonal treatments have helped many women with early-stage breast cancer triumph over the disease.Unfortunately, more than 10,000 Filipino women every ...
Defense Secretary assures military operations to continue in Sarangani
Dec 03, 2008; ... MAASIM, Sarangani: Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Monday the military operations against groups of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah "Bravo" Macapaar, who were tagged responsible for a series of attacks in Central Mindanao."There ...
Breast cancer screening at every age
Dec 03, 2008 ... THE C Network and I CanServe foundation have recently partnered on a campaign for early breast cancer detection by launching "Ating Dibdibin" and "Take Your Breast Care to Heart" breast self-exam instructional videos. Dawn Zulueta narrates the Filipino version "Ating Dibdibin," and Lea Salonga ...
Govt forces clash with NPA rebels in Davao
Dec 03, 2008; ... FOUR soldiers were wounded including an officer in a clash with suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) Monday afternoon on Davao Oriental. Wounded were identified as First Lt. Francis John Gabawa, commanding officer of the 1st Platoon Bravo Company of the 67th Infantry ...
Filipinos introduceTV 'inovention'</headline>
Dec 03, 2008; ... If it were up to young Filipino inventors, calling the television set an "idiot box" would be a thing of the past. The 20-something executives of Inovent Inc. recently unveiled what they claim to be the world's first "intelligent TV," which they branded as "Ilumina." It features a ...
Govt cancels additional offshore borrowing
Dec 03, 2008; ... DESPITE weak tax collections, the government is putting off a plan to raise funds abroad even if its sale of its stake in the Philippines' largest oil refiner fails this month. Citing its "good cash position," National Treasurer Roberto Tan said the government is confident of foregoing ...
House formally kills 4th impeachment
Dec 03, 2008; ... As expected, the House of Representatives on Tuesday formally and overwhelmingly voted down the fourth and latest impeachment complaint against President Gloria Arroyo. Voting was still taking place as of press time-and was expected to continue until the end of the night, as most ...
Harbour sweeps first round eliminations
Dec 03, 2008; ... DEFENDING champion Harbour Centre continued its mastery over Hapee Tothpaste with an 87-77 victory Tuesday to sweep the first round of the eliminations of the 2009 Philippine Basketball League PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The six-peat seeking Batang ...
Magpantay stuns US junior champion
Dec 03, 2008; ... RENO, NEVADA: The Philippine representatives in the World Junior Pool Championship made the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) smile when they arrived. On Monday, one of them made the host country's billiard governing body cry. Jonas Magpantay, the least heralded ...
LTFRB confident on fare rollback
Dec 03, 2008; ... Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Thompson Lantion expressed confidence Tuesday that there would be a fare rollback to be announced after his agency meets with transport groups on Wednesday. The agency set a hearing today for a fare rollback following ...
MILF cold to resumption of peace negotiations
Dec 03, 2008; ... THE recent appointment of Rafael Seguis as head is of the negotiating panel of the government talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not enough to convince the rebel group's leadership to return to the negotiating table. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said ...
House to probe P1-billion coal contract
Dec 03, 2008; ... THE National Power Corp. (Napocor) is now under scrutiny from the House Committee on Good Government which ordered an investigation into the P1-billion coal contract awarded by the state firm to an unknown coal supplier. The investigation was ordered thru House Resolution No.790 filed ...
New York-based magazine cuts BSP chief rating
Dec 03, 2008; ... NEW York-based magazine Global Finance cut its rating for Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. among the world's top central bankers, citing the official's slow response to surging inflation early this year. In its latest annual survey, the publication said ...
Pacquiao ends training, says he's '100 percent ready'</headline>
Dec 03, 2008; ... LOS ANGELES: Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya closed their training camps Monday and headed for Las Vegas, just five days before their much-hyped "Dream Match" at the MGM Grand Arena. Looking extremely fit and in high spirits, Pacquiao said he is "100 percent ready" for his clash ...
Palace for 'Cha-cha,' not term extension
Dec 03, 2008; ... Malaca¤ang wants Charter change or "Cha-cha" after all. It clarified, though, that amendments to the 1987 Constitution should not include term extension for President Gloria Arroyo and other elective officials. Efforts of its political allies to effect constitutional changes, ...
Peso, local stocks fall after US confirms recession
Dec 03, 2008 ... THE rally in the local stock market fizzled while the peso gave up gains from last week after Wall Street plunged on confirmation that the US is already in recession. At the Philippine Stock Exchange, the 30-company composite index fell by 4.65 percent or 91.7 points to 1,879.87 while ...
Pinoys Survive Siege, Make It Home Safely
Dec 03, 2008; ... All of them seemed just too happy to have come home. A total of 424 Filipinos that had been stranded in Bangkok because of political unrest in Thailand arrived at 11:19 p.m., Monday, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on board Philippine Airlines (PAL) Flight 733. ...
Patrimonio sisters make it to second round
Dec 03, 2008; ... FILIPINO wild cards Anna Christine and Anna Clarice Patrimonio downed separate rivals Tuesday to reach the second round of the Phinma International Junior Tennis Championships Week 2 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.Anna Christine, 16, survived Chinese qualifier Zhu Ai Wen 7-5, 7-5 ...
PLDT sees slowdown in mobile phone subscriber growth
Dec 03, 2008; ... HONG KONG: Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. said mobile phone subscribers' growth would slow next year due to the weakeconomic environment and a maturing traditional market. Manuel Pangilinan, PLDT chairman, told reporters that the number of mobile phone subscribers ...
Opposition scores ban on Erap film
Dec 03, 2008; ... The Court of Appeals' recent ruling upholding the ban on a film depicting the life of former President Joseph Estrada is tantamount to curtailing the freedom of expression, the United Opposition said Tuesday. "Under our Constitution, the right of every individual to speak out his mind, ...
President wants carbon credit system retained
Dec 03, 2008; ... President Gloria Arroyo said she wants the carbon credit mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol to be retained to effectively fight global warming. The President, who spoke at the opening plenary session of the first Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting in Hong Kong, said the Philippines ...
RP keeps hold of third place
Dec 03, 2008 ... JAZY Sports Beacon Phils. held its ground against the fancied Indonesian and foreign riders in the 80-kilometer eighth stage inside the coastal town of Surabaya to protect its No. 3 spot in the overall standings of the Speedy Tour d' Indonesia on Monday. Noted sprinters Ericson and ...
Save Quezon Province Movement wants Supreme Court to stop plebiscite
Dec 03, 2008; ... WITH barely two weeks left, the Supreme Court's (SC) intervention was again sought Tuesday to stop the scheduled plebiscite on December 13 for the division of Quezon province.In a four-page urgent motion for partial consideration, lawyer Frumengio Pulgar, chairman of the Save Quezon ...
Taiwan shoe makers eye RP production
Dec 03, 2008; ... SEVERAL Taiwanese shoe manufacturers are interested to relocate production lines in the Philippines, an industry official said. On the sidelines of the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion Exporters' Forum, Roger Py, Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. director-general, told reporters that ...
Seven-year rate rises on market demand, easing inflation
Dec 03, 2008; ... THE government on Tuesday secured only part of the amount it intended to borrow through the sale of seven-year bonds or debt papers, as investors sought a higher yield. At an auction of seven-year Treasury bonds, the government raised P4.918 billion out of the P6 billion it had planned ...
Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine eye share of second spot
Dec 03, 2008; ... DEFENDING champion Sta. Lucia Realty and the newly resurgent Rain or Shine shoot for a share of the No. 2 spot when they battle each other Wednesday in the 34th KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum. A win by either the Realtors or the Elasto Painters, both sporting identical ...
Vaccination a must:In the age of HPV vaccines and affordable single-visit testing are no excuses
Dec 03, 2008; ... "Women need to know that cervical cancer can be cured only if detected early," declares Dr. Cecilia Llave, chairperson of the UP-PGH Cancer Institute and program director of the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network (CECAP). "One of the primary goals of CECAP is actually to establish cervical ...
Surviving cervical cancer:The women of Bravehearts
Dec 03, 2008; ... There are 500,000 new cases and 250,000 deaths reported each year affecting women worldwide. It is the second most obtainable cancer in the world.For more than 20 years the incidence and mortality rate for cervical cancer remained unchanged with one out of three Filipino women dying ...
BPOs optimistic about business next year-survey
Dec 04, 2008 ... Despite fears of a global recession, local non-voice business process outsourcing (BPO) service providers are optimistic about business next year, an industry survey showed. Findings from an online survey conducted by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), ...
Fare rollback starts December 15-LTFRB
Dec 04, 2008; ... Public utility vehicles would roll back their minimum fares starting December 15, the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Wednesday. The rollback was agreed on by the government and the public-transport sector during their meeting at LTFRB in ...
Life plans boost October pre-need sales by double digits
Dec 04, 2008 ... THE number of pre-need products sold picked up by double digits in October, with life products leading the pack, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said. Data from the regulator showed that plans sold that month rose by 13.29 percent to 19,043 over a year ago, and by 4.43 ...
GMA Network, others sue ABC-5
Dec 04, 2008 ... GMA Network Inc., Citynet and ZOE Broadcasting have filed a lawsuit against ABC-5, Malaysian company Media Prima Berhad (MPB) and MPB Primedia for allegedly entering into an unlawful blocktime agreement. In a statement, GMA said it asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to nullify ...
Arnold Arre's latest baby:The graphic novelist talks about his new novel 'Martial Law Babies'</headline>
Dec 04, 2008; ... Sample panels courtesy of Arnold Arre Arnold Arre is in the forefront of the new breed of Filipino artists who were instrumental in the metamorphosis of the art of Philippine comics. The art form, now characterized by more complex plots and the enhancement of digital imaging technology ...
BOI grants tax perks to projects worth over billion pesos
Dec 04, 2008; ... THE Board of Investments last week granted tax incentives and other perks to five investments, including a cargo vessel operation, two low-cost mass housing projects, a software development venture and a hybrid rice seed production deal. The combined amount of investments given the incentives ...
Arroyo family claim stalls land reform in Negros
Dec 04, 2008; ... Getting the land-not landing in jail-was the hope Alexander Celis nurtured when he and other Negros farmers trekked recently to the Land Registration Authority (LRA) office in Quezon City. The main reason for their trip was merely to convince President Gloria Arroyo to speed up agrarian reform ...
Defensor: Simple majority vote on impeachment
Dec 04, 2008; ... The fourth impeachment complaint against President Gloria Arroyo was trashed at the plenary during nominal voting that ended 12:47 a.m. of Wednesday. Voting against the complaint were 183 lawmakers and 21 for it. There were three abstentions. After the voting, the chairman of the House ...
BPI says bank lending growth may slow next year
Dec 04, 2008; ... THE Philippines' third biggest lender said loan growth would ease next year but still rise by double-digits amid a global economic slowdown. Aurelio Montinola, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president, said easing inflation would sustain lending at the double-digit levels next ...
Enrile to block term extension
Dec 04, 2008; ... Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday vowed to block moves of proponents of Charter change or "Cha-cha" to postpone the 2010 elections and extend the stay in office of President Gloria Arroyo and other elective officials. His promise came as Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas 2nd also on ...
Maynilad to tap Laguna Lake for water supply
Dec 04, 2008; ... MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said it plans to tap the Laguna Lake to boost water supply in the southern part of its concession in the West Zone of Metro Manila. In a statement, Maynilad said that it is eyeing the development of a 10-million-liters-a-day Muntinlupa Water Treatment Plant ...
MPIC sets five-year capex to expand North Harbor
Dec 04, 2008; ... HONG KONG: Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) plans to allot billions of pesos over five years to expand and modernize the Philippines' largest and busiest port. Manuel Pangilinan, Metro Pacific chairman, said the company's preliminary estimate for its North Harbor investment is about P5 ...
Fitch affirms ratings for DBP
Dec 04, 2008; ... Fitch Ratings Inc. has affirmed its ratings for Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) as the bank shows strong balance sheet and solvency position and adequate profitability."These factors should underpin the bank's ability to negotiate the more difficult operating environment, ...
Modest economic growth in Q3 of 2008 seen
Dec 04, 2008; ... The Philippine economy is likely to grow at a modest pace in the fourth quarter of 2008, boosted by strong consumer spending and the construction sector. "I don't see we're going to hit 3 percent [in the fourth quarter]. Public and private construction will be strong. The real-estate sector ...
Sandiganbayan convicts former governor of Antique of graft:Contractor given benefits by Planeras to disadvantage of province
Dec 04, 2008; ... THE Sandiganbayan third Divisionon Wednesday found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of graft and corruption former Gov. Jovito Plameras of Antique. In the 49-page ruling of the anti-graft court, written by Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz and was concurred by ...
Previous TransCo management blamed for transmission mess
Dec 04, 2008 ... A HIGH-ranking official of the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) on Wednesday blamed the state grid's previous management for losing the legal battle to maintain the transmission facility in Dasmari¤as Village, Makati City. "From 2000 to 2006, starting when the case was filed, it ...
SBMA wants architect to prove his accusation of impropriety
Dec 04, 2008; ... SUBIC BAY Freeport: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator (SBMA) Armand Arreza challenged Tuesday architect Felino Palafox Jr. to "name names" in his accusation saying that an executive of SBMA had asked him for an 18-percent commission in exchange for a favor. "He should prove ...
Power-sector privatization risks delay as Calaca sale hits snag
Dec 04, 2008; ... BUOYED by the recent sale of a number of state-owned power plants, the Philippines' power-sector privatization and restructuring program risks a reversal, as the sale of the Calaca coal-fired generating plant hit another snag, with its new foreign owner claiming the facility is ...
SSS disburses billions for bonuses, pensions
Dec 04, 2008; ... STATE-RUN Social Security System (SSS) said its pensioners would receive their 13th month bonus before the year is over. In a statement, Romulo Neri, SSS president and chief executive, said the pension fund has released P8.15 billion for the said 13th month bonus. Neri said ...
Senate arrests 'Joc-Joc':Blue-ribbon to expand inquiry to include whistle-blower's murder
Dec 04, 2008 ... The alleged brains behind a scam involving millions in fertilizer funds was arrested by the Senate on Wednesday night. The Senate blue-ribbon committee hours earlier ordered the detention of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante for his "continuous lying, ...
Thrift lenders' bad loans on the rise amid weak lending
Dec 04, 2008; ... THE amount of bad loans of the country's thrift banks rose in August amid weak lending, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Wednesday. In a statement, the BSP said the bad loan ratio of the thrift industry increased to 6.63 percent that month from 6.34 percent in July, even as ...
'Joc-Joc' detention indefinite until he tells truth
Dec 05, 2008; ... If Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante stops lying on what he really knows about a multimillion racket involving government money, then the Senate would free him from detention, the chairman of the Senate blue-ribbon committee said on Thursday. If, however, Bolante, a former Agriculture ...
5.6M Filipinos are out of school
Dec 05, 2008; ... The Department of Education(DepEd) on Thursday admitted that there is still a large number of school-aged children out in the streets, and that these young people face exploitation in all forms. Department records showed that for school year 2007-2008, some 2.2 million children aged six ...
Amazing grace:A Palanca-award winner inspires with prose
Dec 05, 2008; ... Grace comes in countless forms. It maybe a simple touching gesture, drop of tear, unheard cry, kind word or gentle smile, however, sometimes in this fast-phased world we hardly acknowledge grace that comes from above. For us to be reminded with the small gifts that sometimes left ...
Atienza presses administrative, criminal charges vs. Malay officials:Ombudsman's move strengthens SC decision to uphold sovereignty of Boracay
Dec 05, 2008; ... ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza vowed to continue the prosecution of administrative and criminal charges against Mayor Ceciron Cawaling of Boracay and other municipal officials on Boracay Island who allowed the construction of a hotel-resort on a protected area ....
Arum says Pacquiao 'will shock the world'
Dec 05, 2008; ... LAS VEGAS: Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum on Wednesday predicted that Pacquiao "will shock the world" and knock out Oscar de la Hoya in the late rounds of their mega fight here on Saturday night. "I tell you, this coming Saturday, Manny Pacquiao will stop Oscar de la Hoya in the ...
Cagayan town mayor, three others killed in ambush
Dec 05, 2008; ... A town mayor of Cagayan and three of his security escorts were killed while four other were wounded after they were ambushed by a group of unidentified men Wednesday night in Cagayan. Authorities identified the victim as Mayor Raul de la Cruz, 61, of Rizal town in Cagayan. ...
WB to fund RP subsidies for poor
Dec 05, 2008; ... THE World Bank would fund the Philippines' education and health subsidies for poor families amid the global financial crisis, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. The government is tapping the multilateral lender for a proposed P25-billion five-year social ...
Security Bank raises capital to support core business
Dec 05, 2008; ... SECURITY Bank Corp. (SBC) said it raised additional capital to support its lending activities. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), SBC said it boosted its capital by an additional P3 billion through the sale of lower Tier 2 notes to the public. Tier 2 capital ...