President B. S. Aquino 3rd’s fight for political survival appears to have taken a turn for the worse after the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) survivors of the January 25 massacre in Mamasapano, Maguindanao reportedly asked him “behind closed doors” to resign. Until then, the call on Aquino to “step down” has come from the National Transformation Council and various other groups who want him to account for his numerous constitutional violations and for his role in the Mamasapano massacre.
Highly informed sources said the SAF resignation… Read more »
First of Two Parts
For most journalists of my generation, Jose Almonte –ex-President Fidel Ramos’ most trusted confidante, even his ideologue, some say–was a shadowy figure, the former president’s top spook.
He was the strategist behind such historic moves as the formation of the RAM during the Marcos dictatorship, the “Big Bird” project that would have hoodwinked the strongman… Read more »
AFP to ‘decimate’ terror groups
Bent on stopping the reign of terrorism in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday vowed to decimate all rebel and terror groups to bring normalcy to the South. Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, newly-installed AFP spokesperson, said … Read more »
High Court likely to void BBL – Miriam
THERE is a big chance that the Supreme Court (SC) may declare the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) unconstitutional because President Benigno Aquino 3rd has no authority to enter into a peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), … Read more »
President’s critics bound to fail – Palace
Malacañang on Thursday said groups calling for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino 3rd are “opportunists” who have no clear solutions to the country’s ills and therefore are bound to fail. According to Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., these … Read more »
Convicted Pinay gets reprieve
A Filipino woman sentenced to death in Indonesia has been given a reprieve, with her case forwarded to that country’s Supreme Court for final ruling. Charles Jose, Philippine Foreign Affairs spokesman, on Thursday said the District Court of Yogyakarta on … Read more »
Palace not keen on opposing house arrest
MALACAñANG has not opposed proposals to place former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile under house arrest. Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Thursday said President Benigno Aquino 3rd is taking the position of Justice Secretary Leila … Read more »
The Latest News
- Japan builds ‘schools of peace’ in N.Cotabato conflict affected town
- President Aquino orders PNP, Napolcom to submit reports on SAF complaints after 30 days – DILG Chief
- Plane skids off New York runway as winter storm hits US
- Amputee tells Boston trial he saw alleged attacker
- Men more narcissistic than women – study
- IS ‘bulldozed’ ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud, Iraq says
- S. Korea police probing US envoy attacker’s links with North
- Mindanao power supply stable now – NGCP
- Harrison Ford ‘battered but OK’ after LA plane crash
- Generally fair weather on Friday
Business
- Feb inflation reverses slowdown; up at 2.5%
- PH calls on APEC to strengthen trade, investment links
- Reforms must be country-tailored – FSB
- PSEi dips on water rate ruling
Editorial
Transparency is not negotiable
We use in today’s editorial excerpts from a column by election system expert and IT Lito Averia to press the Comelec to get rid of the Smartmatic-PCOS machines in the 2016 elecions. * * * Filipinos who voted in the 2010 and 2013 elections should be asked: “Did you see how your votes were recorded and, if so, were they recorded... Read more »
Sports
Everybody loves Manny – Bob Arum
Fast Times
AUDI AVANT: A glance into the future
Keeping up with the Joneses 2015 Honda CR-V 2.4L SX 4WD
Mitsubishi Mirage breaks fuel-efficiency record
The Philippines’ most popular cars in 2014
Nation
ILP pay mode splits lawmakers
THE House panel in the bicameral conference committee is not amenable to any changes in its version of a proposed joint resolution granting emergency powers to President Benigno Aquino 3rd to address a looming power crisis this summer. Rep. Reynaldo … Read more »
How PH saved persecuted Jews
During World War II, the Philippines became a sanctuary for over 1,300 Jewish refugees from Austria and Germany who had escaped the Holocaust, according to a Filipino-American scholar. Dr. Sharon Delmendo said recently that there could have been more, up … Read more »
‘Forgotten’ SAF troops get P100K
The city government of Makati has extended financial assistance to 19 members of the 84th Seaborne Company of the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police who were part of the Mamasapano operation on January 25. Makati Mayor … Read more »
FOI bill tossed to plenary
The Freedom of Information (FOI) bill was finally tossed for plenary debates three months after it was approved by the House public information committee. The move came after the House appropriations committee unanimously approved the budget for the FOI measure. … Read more »
More funds sought to protect biodiversity
More than 90 experts from the Asean region and the United States gathered in Pasay City (Metro Manila) on Wednesday to support increased financing to protect the region’s rich biodiversity. During the two-day “International Conference on Conservation Finance,” delegates from … Read more »
Lawmakers file motions against train fare hikes
Lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives are the latest petitioners against fare hikes in Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) and Light Rail Transit I and LRT 2. They are Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito and Buhay … Read more »
Analysis & Commentary
Philex ‘lost’ P61.8M in 2014
PHILEX Mining Corp.’s financial statement for 2014, which was audited by SGV & Co., showed a net income of P702.8 million, more than double the previous year’s P312.4 million. This profit was derived from revenues that increased just 2.51 percent … Read more »
To the East is Baler
THIS time I went east of Manila to Baler in the province of Aurora. It used to belong to Quezon Province which was formerly called Tayabas. But it has always been isolated by geography and as a consequence developed its … Read more »
Sunday for women and the FALLEN 44. Hail Bobby Murphy
WE have antitrust laws because “possession of unchallenged economic power deadens initiative, discourages thrift and depresses energy; that immunity from competition is a narcotic, and rivalry is a stimulant to industrial progress; that the spur of constant stress is necessary … Read more »
DOTC ‘best-kept secret’ milking cow
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), unlike other government agencies notorious for graft and corruption, has been a “best-kept secret” as a lucrative mine or milking cow for cronies of President Noynoy. Reports coming from reliable sources claim that … Read more »
Goodbye Spock; hello Vikings
LEONARD Nimoy was Star Trek’s iconic Mr. Spock to three generations of my family—my dad, myself and my son. He shuffled off this mortal coil one week ago on February 27, 2015 at the age of 83. I used to … Read more »
Investment as a legislative oxymoron
ONE unexpected positive to come from the otherwise questionable decisions by the leaders of both houses of Congress to end hearings on the Mamasapano Massacre is that Congress is again free to do some actual work. Unfortunately, some of that … Read more »
Legal Advice
Dad’s death benefits can only be claimed by designated secondary beneficiaries
Dear PAO, My husband and I have been living separately for about 10 years before he died two years ago in their province. He went home to their province to find a decent job, however, he was not able to … Read more »
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