Abandoned bag in pushcart triggers bomb fears at NAIA-1

A portion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 was cordoned off for more than 30 minutes Monday afternoon after a shoulder bag left on a pushcart triggered fears it could be a bomb.

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Palace exec takes ‘MRT challenge’ during rush hour, rides LRT too

President Benigno Aquino III's deputy spokesperson, Undersecretary Abigail Valte, took the challenge for public officials to ride the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) during rush hour on Monday morning.

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PNoy emphasizes government role in preventive medicine

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday led the launching of a mass immunization program against measles and polio by the Department of Health (DOH), highlighting the importance of preventive medicine.

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NAIA on full alert after suspected car bomb intercepted, 4 held

At least four people were taken into custody after authorities intercepted a suspected car bomb at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 before dawn Monday.

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Palparan supporters show up early in Bulacan for his pre-trial

Supporters of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. on Monday showed up early at the Bulacan Provincial Jail to show their support, hours before his pre-trial.

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DSWD wants P4.8B to provide allowances to 740K senior citizens in 2015

Around 740,000 indigent senior citizens may receive a P500 monthly allowance next year if Congress approves the P4.8 billion budget sought by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its social pension program for the elderly.

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CA junks Mancao's plea to clear him in Dacer-Corbito murders

The Court of Appeals has junked a motion by Police Sr. Supt. Cesar Mancao asking it to declare evidence against him in the Dacer-Corbito murder case insufficient.

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UN Security Council president lauds PHL peacekeepers

The United Kingdom on Sunday lauded the Filipino United Nations peacekeepers at Golan Heights for showing their courage and standing their ground against Syrian rebels who tried to take their position.

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Palace: Troops safe but still committed to peacekeeping mission

A Palace Official on Sunday confirmed that Pinoy peacekeepers who were earlier embroiled in a seven-hour firefight with Syrian rebels have been moved to a more secure location. Despite the attack on Filipino troops, the country assured the international community that it is not abandoning its role as a member of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.

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UNA to Abad: Reveal detailed list of lawmakers who received DAP funding

Citing information that a senator allegedly received P1 billion from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has reiterated its call for Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad to submit copies of all request letters from legislators in relation to the controversial economic stimulus initiative.

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NDRRMC to go on highest alert during Papal visit

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will be on highest alert during the visit of Pope Francis to the country this coming January.

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SC congratulates retired Justice Azcuna on ICJ selection

The Supreme Court on Sunday congratulated former Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna for his selection to the International Commission on Jurists.

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SC maintains it sought budget for eCourts

Contrary to Malacañang's claims, the Supreme Court sought a budget for the judiciary's electronic courts.

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Palace: SC did not seek funds for e-courts for 2014, 2015

Malacañang on Saturday said the Supreme Court did not seek funding for electronic courts (e-courts) for 2014 and 2015, in reply to reports quoting Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as saying a lack of funds may threaten the creation of such courts.

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Palace: PHL govt has contingency plan for peacekeepers in Golan Heights

The Philippine government has contingency plans for at least 75 Filipino peacekeepers locked in a standoff with Syrian rebels at Golan Heights, Malacañang said Saturday.

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VP Binay: PNoy’s statement should stop talks on term extension

President Benigno Aquino III’s announcement that he will celebrate the end of his term by July 1, 2016 should be enough to stop those who are pushing for his term extension, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Friday.

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Desaparecido wall at UP Diliman to mark Int’l Day of the Disappeared

A wall commemorating people who disappeared in the Philippines was set up at the University of the Philippines, as the world marks the International Day of the Disappeared on Saturday.

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DepEd chief: Formation of god-loving learners still part of vision

The Department of Education over the weekend reassured the public it has not abandoned its vision of forming God-loving learners.

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Better to just watch out for pork funds still in nat’l budget—Monsod

Anti-pork barrel advocates will have difficulty gathering enough signatures for the people's initiative they've started to enact a law against lump sum appropriations in the budget, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Christian Monsod said on Friday. "Bantayan lang nila 'yung circumvention—'yung [sasabihin na] wala nang PDAF, pero meron na namang ibang paraan," he added.

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Military prelate asks for prayers for Pinoy peacekeepers in Golan Heights

Philippine military Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak on Friday sought prayers for some 75 Filipino United Nations peacekeepers locked in a standoff with armed Syrian rebels in Golan Heights.

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Ex-Comelec chief Monsod warns vs. clipping SC’s power

Limiting the judiciary's reach on the executive and the legislative branches will only upset the government's system of accountability, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Christian Monsod said Friday.

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Economic provisions in cha-cha a ‘blank check’ for more power for Congress – Monsod

A member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission said Friday that a promise by House officials to limit Charter change to economic provisions is only a discreet way to get more power for themselves.

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JPE writing second book, to be published ‘after he’s gone’ –daughter

With his health failing, Senate Minority Floor Leader Juan Ponce Enrile is making use of his time in hospital detention by writing his second book, his daughter Katrina Ponce-Enrile said Friday.

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Vietnam sentences two Filipino drug smugglers to death

A Philippine man and woman have been sentenced to death in Vietnam for smuggling nearly five kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine into the communist country, reports said Friday.

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Court orders prosecution, defense in ‘pork’ cases to settle pre-trial concerns in 10 days

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday ordered the prosecution and defense panels in the pork barrel scam cases to finish in 10 days their pre-trial conferences or face fine.

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DOJ Usec. Justiniano defends inclusion in prosecution team in ‘pork’ cases

Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano defended to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division his deputation as part of the special prosecution team to handle the pork barrel scam cases.

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PNoy takes swipe at Noli De Castro in ex-VP’s turf

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday took an apparent swipe at former Vice President Noli de Castro, whom he described as a vocal critic who supposedly helped worsen Filipinos’ suffering.

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Alleged bodyguard of Andrea Rosal seeks SC refuge vs. arrest

The alleged "bodyguard" of the late communist spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal's daughter on Friday sought refuge from the Supreme Court to contest his supposed illegal arrest.

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‘Napoles’ name not in COA report on pork barrel scam’

The names of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and her nephew Ronald John Lim didn't appear in any of the documents the Commission on Audit used in its special audit of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, a COA official told the Sandiganbayan on Friday.

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Senator Grace Poe takes ‘MRT challenge’

A senator on Friday got a firsthand feel of the hardships faced by commuters taking the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).

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Admin raps to be lodged vs. NBP exec, docs, jail guards over Camata hospitalization

The Department of Justice has ordered the filing of administrative charges against a ranking official, two doctors, and seven jail guards of the New Bilibid Prison for recommending and allowing the hospitalization of a high-profile inmate outside the NBP without the necessary permits.

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New York Times didn’t know what it wrote about—Palace

Members of the New York Times staff behind the editorial accusing President Benigno Aquino III of “political mischief” did not fully grasp the topics they wrote about, Malacañang said Friday.

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We cannot secure Jinggoy in Camp Bagong Diwa, BJMP exec admits

The head of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Metro Manila admitted Friday that they lack the facility and personnel to detain and secure another high-profile inmate like Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

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CBCP head chides DepEd for removing ‘God’ from vision statement

The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Friday chided the Department of Education for removing the "formation of functionally literate and God-fearing Filipinos” from its vision statement.

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Sandiganbayan upholds suspension of Jinggoy for 90 days

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Friday upheld its decision to suspend Senator Jinggoy Estrada from his post for 90 days.

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AFP: Pinoy troops in Golan Heights safe, in touch with PHL military

The Philippine peacekeepers caught in a standoff at Golan Heights are relatively safe and remain in touch with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military said Friday.

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Napoles arrives at Sandiganbayan for bail hearing

Trader Janet Napoles arrived at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City early Friday for the continuation of her bail hearing in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

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A 2nd PNoy term, curbing SC powers are 'threats' to PHL democracy – New York Times

President Benigno Aquino III's hints at running for another term in 2016 and his suggestion to curb the powers of the Supreme Court are “threats” that “jeopardize Philippine democracy”, the New York Times said in an editorial posted on the NYT website Thursday.

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DENR hopes to reverse deforestation by end of 2014

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said the agency hopes to reverse deforestation in the Philippines by the end of 2014.

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Comelec: No discrepancy between official tally, decrypted ballots in precinct recount

There was no discrepancy between the official tally transmitted by the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine and the votes in the decrypted ballots for defeated 2013 senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva in one precinct in Nueva Ecija, according to the initial examination of the Commission on Elections.

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PNoy: Let's not talk about the ice bucket challenge

The Internet has been abuzz with the ice bucket challenge, but the Philippines' top elected official doesn't even want to talk about it.

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Makati Business Club’s survey says ‘no’ to PNoy term extension

Although a known supporter of President Benigno Aquino III, the Makati Business Club is not inclined to support moves to amend the Charter to extend's the president's six-year term.

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Sereno a quiet giver, shuns ice bucket challenge

The public will most likely not see Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno doing the ice bucket challenge.

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Ombudsman Morales satisfied with ‘pork’ proceedings

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Thursday said she was so far satisfied with the performance of government prosecutors trying the respondents in the multibillion-peso pork barrel fund scam.

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CJ Sereno: It was ‘constitutional duty’ to oppose Jardeleza

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday said that she was merely exercising her "constitutional duty" when she opposed the nomination of former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza to the Supreme Court.

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VP Binay not likely to attend Senate probe on ‘overpriced’ building –spokesman

Vice President Jejomar Binay is not likely to show up at the Senate committee hearing on the alleged overpricing in the construction of Makati City Hall Building 2, his spokesman said Thursday.

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UNICEF to help gov’t strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has teamed up with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to work on a national results-based monitoring and evaluation system (M&E) for the government.

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Pimentel wants to limit SC’s power to stop impeachment of justices

While President Benigno Aquino III wants the Supreme Court’s power to interfere in all issues to be clipped, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Thursday the High Tribunal should be limited in stopping impeachment proceedings against its justices.

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Solon opposes bill penalizing use of private photos, videos for commercial purposes

An party-list lawmaker is opposed to a bill to penalize photographers and videographers for using private images of individuals for commercial purposes.

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Fertilizer Fund Scam cases strong, Ombudsman insists

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Thursday maintained that the plunder case filed by her office against former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo and Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante is strong.

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Luy never handed Revilla kickback money, never saw him endorse ‘pork’ projects

Benhur Luy, the primary whistleblower in the pork barrel scam, ended his testimony in the bail petition of Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, one of three lawmakers accused of pocketing millions in public funds through a scheme that diverted the money to bogus NGOs.

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PNoy washes hands of FOI bill delays, passes responsibility to Congress

The executive branch should not be blamed for delays in the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, President Benigno Aquino III said.

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Amid House moves vs. JDF, Sereno appeals for bigger judiciary budget

Amid the ongoing investigation at the House of Representatives on the controversial judiciary fund, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday appealed once more for Congress to approve a higher budget for the judiciary.

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Drilon accepts ice bucket challenge; Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara join craze

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Thursday accepted the challenge of Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas to take the widely popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

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Senate panel recommends special audit on local, foreign aid for Yolanda victims

A special audit should be conducted on the donations, whether cash or in kind, received by the government for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, the Senate finance committee has recommended.

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MILF opposes Islamic State ‘virus’

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has condemned extremist jihadists in Iraq and Syria, and vowed to stop the spread of their "virus" in the Philippines.

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PNoy: Impeach raps just personal attack from left-wing groups

President Benigno Aquino III has dismissed the impeachment complaints filed against him as a form of personal attack from left-wing groups.

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Tupas takes ice bucket challenge, nominates Sereno, Jardeleza, Drilon

Taking Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's challenge, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas on Thursday became the latest Philippine government official to take the widely popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

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Sandiganbayan bars Napoles camp from examining Benhur bank records

The Sandiganbayan First Division on Thursday denied multiple motions of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles subpoenaing whistleblower Benhur Luy's bank and land records.

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PNoy supports anti-dynasty bill, but wary of curtailing politicians’ rights

President Benigno Aquino III has expressed support for a bill against political dynasties, but at the same time aired concerns that such a legislation may curtail the rights of politicians like himself.

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Legal handbook for Pinoy Muslims launched

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) on Wednesday launched its first legal handbook for Muslim Filipino communities in the country to help them advocate their rights.

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Coast Guard men want raps junked: No proof Taiwanese fisherman really died

Claiming there is no admissible evidence the victim really died, the Coast Guard personnel implicated in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in Balintang Channel in May 2013 said the homicide charges against them should be dismissed.

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CBCP chief raises bioethical concerns on Ice Bucket Challenge

The wildly viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge may be for a good cause, but it may have some bioethical issues, the head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines warned.

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PNoy appeals to media: Highlight anti-crime efforts too

President Benigno Aquino III has appealed to the media to highlight not only "sensational" crimes, but also his administration's gains in combating criminal elements.

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PNoy: Bangsamoro bill ready for Congress deliberations

President Benigno Aquino III has expressed confidence that the draft version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law he is now reviewing is already ready for Congress deliberations.

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PNoy: SC’s meddling in all issues already too much

The Supreme Court SC's power to meddle on all issues brought before it is already too much and already needs to be clipped, President Benigno Aquino said.

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PHL readies for Pope Francis' surprises

Philippine Catholic Church officials are preparing to deal with any possible surprises Pope Francis may pull off during his upcoming visit to the Philippines.

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Magdalo solon bats for increased AFP funding as China builds more structures

Magdalo party-list Representative Ashley Acedillo on Wednesday called on the government to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program as China continued to build new infrastructures on West Philippine Sea despite territorial disputes, GMA News' "24 Oras" reported on Wednesday.

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Arroyo says gov’t failed to prove plunder, asks court to dismiss case

Saying the prosecution failed to present enough evidence that would lead to her conviction, former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday asked the Sandiganbayan to dismiss the P366-million plunder charge filed against her.

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Lacierda declines Ice Bucket Challenge, to donate instead

His fellow Cabinet officials may be doing it, but presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda will not jump on the ice bucket challenge bandwagon.

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DND, DOH ink deal on veterans’ healthcare coverage

The Department of National Defense and the Department of Health have signed an agreement for the continued hospitalization of over 36,000 veterans and their dependents in DOH-accredited hospitals and centers throughout the country.

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Retiring Navy captain under investigation over 1997 cop killing in Cagayan

A Navy captain who is about to retire late this year is currently under investigation in connection with his alleged involvement in the killing of a police officer in Cagayan more than 10 years ago.

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Mar Roxas bristles at question over DILG's P5.6-B lump sum

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II seemed to have lost composure during Wednesday’s hearing of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations after an opposition solon slammed the P5.66 billion lump sum item in the DILG’s proposed budget for 2015.

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Lacierda’s latest slips of the tongue: President Mar, Pangulong Binay

President Benigno Aquino III's spokesman seems to be giving the public a preview of 2016—at least through slips of the tongue.

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Koko Pimentel: VP Binay likely to be summoned to parking complex probe

Vice President Jejomar Binay will most likely be invited to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry on the alleged overpriced construction of the P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building 2, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Wednesday.

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It’s NP vs. NP as Binay faces P2.7-B parking complex mess

It appears the Nacionalista Party tag team of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV will get to tangle with one of their own in the case of Vice President Jejomar Binay and the allegedly overpriced P2.7-billion Makati City Hall parking complex.

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Palace appeals to public: Trust PNoy on Cha-cha, term extension

The public should trust President Benigno Aquino III to do "the right thing" after conducting consultations on two controversial issues: Charter change and term extension, a Palace spokesperson said Wednesday.

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PNP: Dennis Roldan guilty verdict ‘a big boost’ for anti-kidnapping efforts

The conviction of actor and former Quezon City congressman Dennis Roldan is a "big boost" for the police's anti-kidnapping efforts, the Philippine National Police said Wednesday.

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Miriam says lung tumor shrinking

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Wednesday said the tumor in her left lung has decreased in size after a six-week treatment.

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UNA exec milking Cha-cha issue dry – Lacierda

A Malacañang official on Wednesday blamed an official of the opposition coalition for supposedly floating various issues using President Benigno Aquino III's statement that he is considering Charter change (Cha-cha).

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De Lima considering protection for witnesses vs. Binay

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima isn't taking lightly the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendation that the witnesses against Vice President Jejomar Binay in the alleged overpricing of a P2.7-billion parking complex be placed under the government's Witness Protection Program.

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Govt working to avert water crisis – Palace

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda On Wednesday said government officials are working with Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. to address possible water shortages in the coming months.

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Probers of fatal field trip find violations by BSU, travel agency

The fact-finding committee on Wednesday said the Bulacan State University and the travel agency it contracted committed several violations in connection with last week's field trip where seven students drowned.

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Palace won’t defend VP Binay from kickback allegations

Malacañang is not about to come to Vice President Jejomar Binay's defense on accusations that he pocketed kickbacks from the construction of a multibillion-peso Makati building.

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VP Binay denies ex ally’s claim that getting kickback is normal in Makati

Vice President Jejomar Binay denied Wednesday the statement of former vice mayor Ernesto Mercado that it was normal in Makati for the officials to get kickbacks from projects.

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Roxas defends lump sum funds in proposed 2015 DILG budget

Secretary Manuel Roxas II on Wednesday defended the alleged controversial item in the proposed P104.5 billion budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government for 2015.

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VP Binay: No plan yet to file charges vs. detractors

"Ipagpapasa-Diyos na lang natin yung ginagawa niya sa amin." With this, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Wednesday that he still has no plans to file any charges against his detractors.

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De Lima welcomes appointment of UP Law Prof Hilbay as acting SolGen

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of University of the Philippines College of Law professor Atty. Florin Hilbay as acting Solicitor General.

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VP Binay links Senate probe on ‘overpriced’ building to upcoming survey

Denying irregularities in the construction of Makati City Hall Building II, Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday linked the ongoing investigation by the Senate blue ribbon committee to an upcoming surveys.

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UP Law prof named acting SolGen

University of the Philippines College of Law professor Atty. Florin Hilbay has been appointed acting solicitor general, Malacañang confirmed Wednesday.

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FDA advises public on voluntary recall of Nicorandil

Consumers were advised late Tuesday about the voluntary recall of specific batches of Nicorandil (Aprior) 5 mg and 10 mg tablets.

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From cager to congressman to convict: Dennis Roldan’s fall from grace

From the hard court to the House of Representatives to National Bilibid Prisons, Dennis Roldan — convicted Tuesday for the kidnapping of a Filipino-Chinese boy in 2005 — has spent most of his adult life in the limelight, whether he liked it or not, or for good or bad.

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SC gives green light to try Orient Bank owner, execs

The Supreme Court has ordered a Manila court to proceed hearing the estafa cases against the executives of Orient Commercial Banking Corporation (OCBC), including its owner, Jose Go, for alleged falsification of checks.

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PNoy’s advisers on legislative agenda told to perform job better

Officials of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) on Tuesday received a scolding from the Senate committee on finance following the huge number of bills vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III during the 15th Congress. The PLLO, an attached agency in the Palace, is tasked to promote the legislative agenda of the executive department.

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Next hearing on PNoy impeachment raps to be ‘crucial’ –Tupas

Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas on Tuesday said the "first battleground" for the impeachment complaints against President Benigno Aquino III will be in the deliberation for sufficiency in substance scheduled next week.

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Jinggoy camp wants DOJ exec out of prosecution team in ‘pork’ case

The camp of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday formally asked the Sandiganbayan to remove Justice Undersecretary Jose F. Justiniano from the team of state lawyers assigned to handle the pork barrel scam, saying he shouldn’t hold two positions at the same time.

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Blue ribbon panel to start probe on Malampaya scam next month

Amid clamor from senators, the Senate blue ribbon committee will finally start its investigation on the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam next month.

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VP Binay calls ex-ally a liar, denies earning from P2.5-B complex

Vice President Jejomar Binay denied Tuesday that he received kickbacks from the construction of the Makati City Hall's parking complex. He branded as lies former Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado's statements that he benefited from the construction of the allegedly overpriced building.

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Victim’s kin laud Dennis Roldan’s conviction in kidnapping case

The family members of the Filipino-Chinese boy who was kidnapped by a group led by former Quezon City congressman Dennis Roldan in 2005 on Tuesday welcomed his conviction by a Pasig court.

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SC denies solon’s bid to remove three justices from HRET

The Supreme Court denied on Tuesday a request made by Marinduque Rep. Regina Ongsiako-Reyes last week to disqualify three magistrates from the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal due to conflict of interest.

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Erap on ice bucket challenge: ‘Palabas lang 'yan’

Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada on Tuesday declined to participate in the wildly successful ice bucket challenge, which seeks to raise awareness for ALS or Lou Gherig's disease.

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Palace gloats over low turnout in anti-pork rally

A day after a sparse anti-pork barrel rally, Malacañang said President Benigno Aquino III still enjoys majority support from Filipinos.

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It’s final: BIR can’t get hold of justices’ SALNs

The Supreme Court has ruled with finality to deny a request from the Bureau of Internal Revenue to get copies of the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of justices in the country.

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Comelec chief: No budget for new PCOS machines for 2016 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer purchase new Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines for the 2016 local and national elections, its chairman said Tuesday, citing budgetary constraints.

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PNoy to hold on to Abad, DAR chief – Palace exec

President Benigno Aquino III will not heed an administration congressman's call for Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes' removal from the Cabinet, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.

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Bondal admits allegation of overpricing of Makati city govt cakes just a ‘wild guess’

Lawyer Renato Bondal admitted Tuesday that his accusation that the cakes given to senior citizens by the Makati city government were overpriced was just a "wild guess."

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House panel says 1st impeach complaint vs. PNoy sufficient in form

With 53 affirmative votes, the House committee on justice declared Tuesday the first impeachment complaint against President Benigno Aquino III as sufficient in form.

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Only first 3 impeachment complaints vs. PNoy to be considered – Tupas

Only the three impeachment complaints against President Benigno Aquino III filed before he delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address in late July will be considered by the House committee on justice, Rep. Neil Tupas said Tuesday.

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VP Binay benefited from ‘overpriced’ Makati building, former vice mayor Mercado claims

Vice President Jejomar Binay benefited from the construction of the alleged overpriced building in Makati, according to his former vice mayor and friend, Ernesto Mercado, who also admitted that he himself benefited from the project.

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Rep. Binay hurt by Alan Peter’s accusations

An emotional Makati Rep. Abigail Binay admitted Tuesday that she was hurt by the accusations hurled against her by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano whom she considers as a friend.

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GMA anchor Melo del Prado files libel raps vs. PDI staff, ex-NABCOR officials for alleged ‘pork’ payoff

GMA Network radio anchorman Carmelo Magdurulang del Prado (a.k.a. Melo del Prado) on Tuesday filed a libel complaint against staff members of the Philippine Daily Inquirer for its issues last March claiming he received so-called payoffs in the guise of ad expenses from the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund.

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Sen. Jinggoy Estrada arrives at Sandiganbayan for ‘pork’ hearing

Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada arrived at the Sandiganbayan Tuesday morning in connection with criminal cases lodged against him over the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.

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Walang Pasok: Tuesday classes suspended in some areas due to rain, flooding

Classes in several areas and schools were suspended on Tuesday due to heavy rain and flooding.

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Liberal Party committed to passing Anti-Political Dynasty Law – Roxas

Although Malacañang isn’t keen on fast-tracking the passage of a bill against political dynasties, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said Monday that the ruling Liberal Party is committed to passing the long-awaited measure, which is now under debate on the House of Representatives floor.

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Erap: President's endorsement no guarantee of electoral victory

Former President Joseph Estrada, now mayor of Manila, said on Monday that a president's endorsement will not have a big impact on election day.

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Crime volume down by 15.63% in first half of 2014 –PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded fewer crimes in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

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Back-to-work splash: De Lima to take ice bucket challenge Tuesday

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima may be the next high-profile Philippine personality to take the viral ice bucket challenge seeking to raise awareness of and funds for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

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Trillanes: Unless parking building has golden railings, floors, it’s overpriced

Senator Jose Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday said that while the Senate blue ribbon committee will make good its promise to inspect the controversial parking building beside the Makati City hall, he is almost sure that with a cost of P2.7 billion, it is in fact overpriced.

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Rallyists vow more anti-‘pork’ protests

Anti-pork barrel rallyists vowed more protest actions as they ended their rally Monday afternoon in Mendiola, meters away from Malacañang.

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Will PNoy sign people’s initiative? Define ‘pork’ first, says Palace

Will President Benigno Aquino III himself sign the petition for a people’s initiative against the pork barrel system? Malacañang said supporters of the signature drive should first be clear with their definition of “pork barrel” before making such a challenge to the President.

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Parishes and barangays next stop of anti-‘pork’ drive

After Luneta, the next stop of the proponents of the people's initiative to abolish the pork barrel system will be the parishes and barangays “where the people are,” a member of the preparatory committee said Monday.

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No report of Filipinos recruited into ISIS—AFP

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said it had yet to validate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that Islamic State jihadists had recruited Filipinos.

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Lawyers’ group to PNoy: Remember Cory, forget Cha-cha

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Monday said President Benigno Aquino III's desire to amend the 1987 Constitution casts doubts on whether he is still fit to govern the country.

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Corruption, dispute with China cause PHL to slip in peace index

Despite the historic signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro earlier this year, the Philippines has slipped further down the pole in terms of peace. The Philippines ranked 134th out of 162 countries in the Global Peace Index for 2014, down five notches from last year. The country remains one of the lowest ranked in the Asia-Pacific, due in part to prevailing problems of terrorism and corruption in the country. The report also mentioned the territorial dispute with China.

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Police say 5k attended anti-‘pork’ event at Luneta, militants claim 20k

Police in Manila estimated at least 5,000 people attended a mass action against the pork barrel system at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday.

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Aquino dared to sign people’s initiative vs. ‘pork’

The party-list group Bayan Muna on Monday dared President Benigno Aquino III to sign the people's initiative against the pork barrel system to prove he's against the post-enactment allocation of lump sum funds in the national budget.

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Beauty queen, students, Makati residents join anti-‘pork’ rally in Luneta

Former Beauty queen Ma. Isabel Lopez and her daughter Mara were among those who joined the protest rally in Luneta against the pork barrel system and term extension of elected officials. "You don't need to be a beauty queen to be aware of what is happening in the country. Everybody should stand up, kahit mahirap, kahit mayaman," said Mara. "I pay my taxes pero nakikita ko pa rin yung masasamang kalsada, situation of the poor," she added.

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Pro-PNoy group says actvity not purposely organized to coincide with anti-‘pork’ rally

A leader of a group supportive of President Aquino has denied speculations that it purposely held its own activity at the Ateneo de Manila University on Monday to counter the protest rallies staged by militant groups at Luneta on the same day.

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Cardinal Tagle calls for culture of integrity in message to anti-‘pork’ marchers

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Monday called for a culture of integrity and loving service as he expressed solidarity with Filipinos taking part in activities to scrap the pork barrel system.

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Aquino arrives in Taguig for National Heroes’ Day rites

President Benigno Aquino III arrived before 8 a.m. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City for rites marking National Heroes' Day.

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Barricades set up at Mendiola vs. anti-‘pork’, Cha-cha protesters

Barricades were set up at Mendiola Bridge near Malacañan Palace early Monday in anticipation of protests against the pork barrel system and moves to amend the 1987 Constitution to allow a term extension for President Benigno Aquino III.

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Bikers, early birds among early signatories to people's initiative vs. ‘pork’

Bikers and early birds in Manila were among the early signatories to a people's initiative seeking to scrap the pork barrel system on Monday.

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Aquino to lead National Heroes’ Day rites in Taguig

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday will lead rites marking National Heroes' Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

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Stage, booths at Quirino grandstand ready for pork protest

A stage and booths were set up at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila early Monday in preparation for the protest action against the pork barrel system, which has been linked to the loss of billions of pesos in public funds to corruption.

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Palparan wants trial before Sandiganbayan, not Bulacan RTC

Citing threats to his life, retired Major General Jovito Palparan said Sunday he will file a motion to be transferred from Bulacan Provincial Jail to a military detention facility.

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