Philippine Headline News, February 25, 2014

PH-US MILITARY TALKS HIT SNAG

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:34

by Roy Mabasa, Manila Bulletin The Framework Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation and Rotational Presence between the Philippines and the United States suffered another setback after a key member of the local negotiating panel was sacked supposedly due to disagreements with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario over certain provisions of the framework. Well-placed sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) told Manila Bulletin that Foreign AffairsAssistant Secretary Carlos King Soreta was removed from his position even before President Aquino announced a few days ago that the agreement is nearing completion.

NOY: PEOPLE POWER WILL SEE US THROUGH

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:32

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) People power helped the country survive even the worst of calamities, President Aquino said as he highlighted the spirit of the EDSA People Power revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship 28 years ago today. “Like what we showed in 1986, we again proved to the world the extraordinary concern of a Filipino for a fellow Filipino. It’s really a great honor for me to serve as President of a country that is unshakeable, and whose spirit of cooperation becomes stronger in times of challenges.

AFP CHIEF: CHINA FIRED WATER CANNON VS. PINOY FISHERMEN AT PANATAG SHOAL

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:30

By Agence France-Presse Armed Forces chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Monday accused China's coast guardof firing water cannon at Filipino fishermen for the first time to drive them away from a disputed sea shoal. At a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Bautista said Chinese vessels fired cannon on January 27 near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal – the subject of a bitter territorial row in the strategically important South China Sea.

PACMAN IN TOP SHAPE

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:29

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, Manila Standard Today TRAINER of the Year Freddie Roach buckled down to work with Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao at his training camp in General Santos City on Monday and was pleased about the condition of his prized possession. Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told the Manila Standard that Roach was “very happy” and that the Filipino ring icon went 13 rounds on the punch-mitts. Pacquiao may begin sparring on Tuesday with undefeated former Floyd Mayweather Sr. protege Lydell Rhodes (19-0, 9 KOs).

WHY NOT GILAS IN GOVERNORS CUP?

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:27

By Joaquin M. Henson (The Philippine Star) It’s been done before so why not enter Gilas as the 11th team in the PBA Governors Cup? The national team is scrambling for practice time and won’t be complete until the PBA season ends July 15 at the earliest assuming there are players in coach Chot Reyes’ roster battling in the third conference finals. It’s not just practice time that’s critical, it’s also the opportunity to play games, to re-familiarize with each other, to soak in Reyes’ system.

MOM SAYS MARTINEZ CAN GO FOR BRONZE IN 2018

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:26

By Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBNnews.com After his remarkable debut in the Sochi Winter Games, Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez will target at least a bronze medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, according to his mother, Teresa. Martinez drew worldwide attention when he made history as the first figure skater from Southeast Asia to compete in the event in the Winter Olympics this February in Sochi. He finished in 19th place in a field of 30.

‘KUKUNIN PA RIN NAMIN YAN’: MARC PINGRIS VOWS SAN MIG COFFEE WILL STILL WIN PHILIPPINE CUP

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:26

By Mikkel Bolante, InterAksyon For San Mig Super Coffee Mixers star forward Marc Pingris, Sunday just wasn’t their night. They dropped an 81-74 result against Rain or Shine in Game Five of the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup finals, allowing the Elasto Painters to extend the series. “Sayang, binigay namin lahat. Hindi para sa ‘min. Kita mo naman kung gaano dinepensahan si Paul Lee at si Jeff Chan pero talagang pumapasok yung shots, kahit na may challenge na, kahit may tao na,” Pingris said after the game.

ABAD’S IMPRIMATUR ON DAP TO IAS FOR BOGUS JANET NGOS DEALS SEEN

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:22

By Charlie V. Manalo and Gerry Baldo, Tribune Despite denials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad that no Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP) funds were given to congressmen and senators to impeach then sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Renato Corona, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), through its spokesman, Rep. Tobias Tiangco, yesterday in a press statement released to the media, pointed out that DAP funds coursed through government agencies dealt with Janet Lim-Napoles’ bogus non-government organizations (NGOs), have Abad’s imprimatur. UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco yesterday dared DBM’s Abad to publicly make a full report on all DAP releases.

DRUG LORDS USING CASINOS TO LAUNDER MONEY — POLICE

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:22

by Aaron B. Recuenco, Manila Bulletin Casinos are reportedly being used by illegal drugs operators to launder millions of pesos from their operations and keep them away from the prying eyes of law enforcement agencies. This is the reason why the Philippine National Police (PNP) is seeking a meeting with casino owners and managers to craft measures to stop such a modus operandi, according to Supt. Roque Merdegia, head of the Legal and Investigation division of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF).

COURT ALLOWS NAPOLES TO UNDERGO CHECK-UP AT HOSPITAL BUT NOT AT ST. LUKE'S

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:19

By InterAksyon The court has allowed Janet Lim-Napoles to undergo check-up at a hospital after the alleged mastermind in the pork barrel scam complained of abnormal menstrual bleeding and her doctor said that she might have tumor in her ovary.  But Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court-Branch 150, denied Napole's motion to be examined at Luke's Medical Center (SMLC) in Taguig City.

DON’T TEST MY PATIENCE, PNOY TELLS DOE, DBM EXECS

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:19

by Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin This year’s EDSA People Power commemorative activities initiated by President Benigno S. Aquino III started on a sour note. Aquino, who traveled to Davao Oriental to kickoff the 28th EDSA People Power revolution anniversary, took pride that life is back to normal since the onslaught of typhoon “Pablo” in December, 2012, only to be upset upon learning that power has not yet been restored in many barangays.

CUNANAN LIFESTYLE CHECK OK, SAYS DOJ

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:19

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) The Department of Justice (DOJ) is open to subjecting former Technology Resource Center (TRC) general manager Dennis Cunanan to a lifestyle check to dispel questions on his credibility as a state witness in the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she sees no problem with the suggestion of Sen. Grace Poe that government scrutinize Cunanan’s lifestyle, including his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

SC JUSTICE FEARS CYBERCRIME LAW PROVISION MAY INCREASE PORN SITES

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:18

By Tetch Torres-Tupas, INQUIRER.net Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio fears that the declaration of the cybersex provision as constitutional in Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act could trigger an increase in free pornographic websites. In his separate concurring and dissenting opinion, Carpio on Monday said free pornographic websites should be the one banned under the law instead of its fee-based counterparts because it is accessible to minors.

NFA STILL ALLOWING RICE SMUGGLING AMID CRACKDOWN - RECTO

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:17

By Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News Rice smuggling continues amid the crackdown already being implemented by the Senate and government agencies, Senator Ralph Recto said. At the hearing of the Senate committee on agriculture and food on Tuesday, Recto said he received information rice smuggling persists especially at the compounds of the National Food Authority (NFA).

EUROPEAN TRADERS: TRUCK BAN WON’T END ROAD JAM

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:15

By Kristyn Nika M. Lazo, Jaime R. Pilapil and Ritchie A. Horario, Manila Times The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) on Monday urged the city of Manila to scrap its truck ban, saying it is not a solution to the traffic problem and will only choke business. “Simply put, forcing the port and the truckers to work inefficiently and limiting trucks to circuitous routes on longer stretches of city roads increase overall traffic,” the group said.

20 METRO SCHOOLS MAY IMPLEMENT 4-DAY WEEKS OVER ROAD PROJECTS - DEPED

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:13

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com The Department of Education said at least 20 schools in Metro Manila may implement a four-day week to help reduce the daily volume of commuters as major road works begin in the National Capital Region. At Monday's hearing of the Metro Manila Development committee in the House of Representatives, Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali named the school as:

BABAENG NABUNTIS NI MARK, INALIPUSTA

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 00:05

By Gorgy Rula, Abante Tonite POSITIBO ang karamihang feedback sa pag-amin ni Mark Herras tungkol sa pagkakaroon niya ng anak. Sunud-sunod ang mga text messages sa amin na nagtatanong kung sino ang babaeng nabuntis ni Mark. Hindi lang maganda ang komento sa babaeng nabuntis dahil naturingan pa naman itong handler ng aktor, tapos, hinayaan niyang may mangyari sa kanila at nagpabuntis pa.