Pinoy prospect Vic Saludar loses by 6th round KO in world title tilt

Filipino minimumweight prospect Vic Saludar was getting close to becoming a world champion, but all it took was a perfectly placed punch to the body from Kosei Tanaka to stop him in his tracks, New Year's eve in Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan.
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Light rains helped clear smog after New Year's Eve fireworks

Light rains in parts of Metro Manila helped dissipate the smog caused by the New Year's Eve fireworks, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
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DOH: 1 dead, 384 injured from firecrackers, stray bullets

Despite at least one death reported due to firecracker injuries, officials of the Department of Health on Friday noted a "general reduction" in the number of victims due to fireworks and stray bullets amid the New Year revelry.
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Two injured in Makati shooting

Two people were injured, including a 7-year-old boy, after a gunman continuously fired at them in Palar Village, Barangay Southside in Makati City, according to James Agustin of Super Radyo dzBB.
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Several fire incidents reported in Quezon City early New Year's Day

Several fires broke out in Metro Manila early Friday morning, Super Radyo dzBB reported, including a residential area fire at the corner of Maguinhawa and Madasalin Streets in Quezon City.
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Kapuso Countdown sa MOA dinagsa

Hindi natinag ng ulan ang saya ng mga nakiisa sa Kapuso Countdown to 2016 sa Mall of Asia sa Pasay City.
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New Year-baby born at Fabella Hospital

.A baby girl was born at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila at 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2016 - New Year's Day.
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Acetylene gang robs P3-M from QC pawnshop

A pawnshop in Quezon City was broken into by a so-called Acetylene gangthat carted away about P3 million of the establishment's earnings, according to a report by Tina Panganiban-Perez in GMA's “24 Oras”on Thursday.
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DOH blames smuggling for piccolo in PHL market

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday identified rampant smuggling as the primary factor for proliferation in the market of the illegal firecracker piccolo, which is the primary cause of firecracker-related injuries recorded so far.
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CA stops Manila court from checking PHL-US extradition pact

The Court of Appeals has temporarily stopped the Manila Regional Trial Court from requiring the Department of Justice to produce documents that would prove the validity of the Philippines' extradition treaty with the US.
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Pinoy boxer Warlito Parrenas bows to Japanese champ in 2 rounds

Hard-hitting super flyweight contender Warlito Parrenas of Negros Occidental was overmatched against WBO world bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue in his world title attempt at Ariake Colleseum in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday night, falling in two rounds.
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Hospitals on 'code white' as firecracker injuries rise before New Year's Eve

Hours before the New Year's Eve revelry, the number firecracker-related incidents rose to almost 200, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Thursday, with even more expected overnight.
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Yolanda rehab projects 63% 'accomplished' – NEDA

More than two years after super typhoon Yolanda ripped through the Visayas region, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Thursday said the implementation of projects, programs, and activities (PPAs) envisioned to bring forth rehabilitation and recovery to the devastated areas is nearing completion.
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PHL New Year revelry kills one, injures hundreds

Stray bullets and exploding firecrackers have killed one person and injured almost 200 others as the Philippines plunged into its annual chaotic New Year revelry, authorities said Thursday.
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Extra busy year for DFA

An initial legal triumph by the Philippines in its arbitration case against China over disputed territories, a visit by Pope Francis and the country's hosting of APEC leaders led by President Barack Obama highlighted an extremely busy but prestigious year for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
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Another child hit by stray bullet before New Year

A nine-year-old girl from Marikina City is the latest stray bullet victim before the New Year.
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Black Nazarene Thanksgiving procession delayed

Hundreds of devotees attended the thanksgiving procession of the image of the Black Nazarene at the Plaza Miranda early Thursday.
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Pacquiao to fight Bradley in April – reports

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring on April 9 in Las Vegas to take on Timothy Bradley for a third time, promoter Bob Arum told US media on Wednesday.
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House resolution to exempt Pia Wurtzbach's Miss Universe-earnings from taxes

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said on Wednesday that he would file a measure that would not only bestow on Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach the title of “Ambassador of Goodwill”, but would also exempt her from paying taxes on her pageant earnings.
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Personal vows not part of wedding liturgy – church official

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Socrates Villegas clarified in a Facebook post that the Catholic Church did not allow couples to recite their personal vows during weddings.
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BFP supports total ban on fireworks

The Bureau of Fire Protection said it was open to a total fireworks ban as this would drastically reduce the amount of fire incidents during New Year's Eve celebrations, GMA 7 news program “24 Oras” reported on Wednesday.
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Senate will not be distracted by the election fever – Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon promised the public on Tuesday that the upcoming campaign period for the 2016 elections would not distract the Senate from its work.
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Illegal fire crackers like bombs —PNP

Bomb experts of the Philippine National Police have compared the destructive power of huge illegal firecrackers to that of bombs, Emil Sumangil reported on GMA News' "24 Oras."
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Kin of Poe’s alleged biological ma offered DNA from remains —spokesman

It was the family of the late Victoria Rodriguez, Senator Grace Poe's alleged biological mother, who offered that her remains be exhumed so that DNA samples may be secured for tests that would verify whether or not she is the lawmaker's long-lost mother.
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PNoy pushed to pursue compensation for comfort women from Japan

Lawmakers urged President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday to explore the prospect of forging an agreement with Japan regarding Filipino women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War 2 after a landmark deal was reached by South Korea on the issue.
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Total ban the only solution to firecracker injuries, says DOH

Health Sec. Janette Garin on Tuesday reiterated that the yearly problem of injuries and even deaths caused by firecrackers during the holiday season will be only solved by a total ban on the said products.
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Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali is House's top spender in 2014

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali was the biggest spender among the 290 members of the House of Representatives in 2014, a recent Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed.
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Prelates urge faithful to buy food for the needy instead of firecrackers

To avoid injuries during the New Year celebration, two prelates have an advice: spend the money on food for the needy instead of on fireworks or firecrackers.
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DOH: More than 100 fireworks-related injuries recorded before New Year

More than 100 fireworks-related injuries have been recorded even before the New Year celebrations, the Department of Health said Tuesday.
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Trillanes, Pimentel, Alan Cayetano are Senate’s top spenders in 2014

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV spent the most in the Senate for 2014, a recent Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed. In a report that the COA published on Sunday as a paid advertisement in a national daily, the commission said Trillanes' office incurred a total of P86 million expenditures from January 1 to December 31, 2014.
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Meryll Soriano: Honor Thy Father brought back my trust in filmmaking

Ilang buwan lamang matapos maging Kapuso ang batikang host na si Willie Revillame, sumunod rin sa kaniyang yapak ang kaniyang anak at aktres na si Meryll Soriano nitong Mayo at nakabilang sa GMA Afternoon Prime drama series na “My Mother's Secret” kasama sina Gwen Zamora at Christian Bautista.
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BuCor considering demolition of cells in New Bilibid Prison

The Bureau of Corrections is now considering the demolition of prison cells in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, following the latest "Oplan Galugad" on Wednesday where contraband items were seized anew.
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Bodies of Grace Poe’s possible biological parents exhumed in Guimaras

GUIMARAS—The camp of Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday morning had the remains of her alleged biological parents exhumed at the East Valencia Public Cemetery in Buenavista town for purposes of DNA examination.
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Lawmaker urges public to double check quality of purchased fireworks

A day before the nation welcomes the New Year, a lawmaker urged the public to double check the fireworks they buy to avoid purchasing illegal and smuggled items that could be dangerous or even deadly.
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VP Binay hopes 2016 will bring ‘revolution of tenderness’

Vice President and opposition presidential bet Jejomar Binay on Wednesday expressed hope that what he considers as the era “vindictiveness and selective justice” would end with 2015, and that 2016 would usher in  a time of "tenderness."
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DOJ throws support behind CCTV bill

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has thrown its support behind a proposed law requiring business establishments and public offices to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to deter crimes.
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Solon seeks amendment of GSIS Act for retirees

A government employee who chooses to retire six months before he reaches the minimum 15 years of service for compulsory retirement may soon be allowed to claim the corresponding benefits for workers who meet that requirement if a bill now pending in Congress becomes a law.
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Three children hit by stray bullets ahead of New Year

Three children have so far been hit by stray bullets before the New Year. A child in Ormoc City, Leyte, was most recently hit, after one died by the same in Bulacan on Christmas Day.
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Group urges voters: Don’t to rely on surveys for your vote

A cause-oriented group last Tuesday urged voters in the 2016 national elections not to rely on surveys and popularity ratings in choosing their candidates.
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Gloria Arroyo brought home again to La Vista for New Year furlough

Former President and now Pamapanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is back again at her house in La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City for a court ordered New Year furlough.
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PNoy leads rites for 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday led ceremonies at the Rizal Park in Manila on the occasion of the 119th death anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
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More DNA samples taken from alleged Grace Poe relatives

Representatives of presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe flew to Guimaras, Iloilo on Tuesday to take more DNA samples from her alleged biological mother's relatives, GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported.
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DTI plans to impose an age limit on hoverboarders

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering prohibiting the use of hoverboards by children below 14 years old.
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Poe confident SC will reverse Comelec disqualification

Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday that she was confident that the Supreme Court would rule in her favor and reverse the Commission on Elections' decision to disqualify her candidacy due to her failure to meet residency and nationality requirements.
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Lawmakers renew call for probe on spoiled DSWD relief goods

Two militant lawmakers on Tuesday asked Congress to look into the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ability to  handle relief operations given reports on the spoilage of food packs and sacks of rice meant for Leyte calamity victims.
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Quorum woes hound House, Bangsamoro law

Congress has yet to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law More than a year after the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a landmark peace agreement aimed at ending more than four decades of insurgency in Mindanao.
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Poe: No reason to doubt Chiz's loyalty

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday said Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, her running mate in the 2016 elections, still has her trust and confidence amid accusations that he is abandoning her following her disqualification by the Commission on Elections
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DTI Usec. Cristobal to take over as interim Trade chief

President Benigno S.C Aquino III has appointed Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development Group Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. to take over as as interim Secretary of Trade and Industry effective December 31, 2015.
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PNoy, the SAF 44 and the Mamasapano clash

The year started on a not so pleasant note for President Benigno Aquino III when police commandos were killed in a what many called a misencounter in late January with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with which the government has signed a peace agreement.
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Palace: PNoy’s integrity, commitment reasons for Filipinos’ optimism

Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showing that majority of the Filipinos are optimistic of the coming year despite recent challenges that the country faced.
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CBCP urges voters to snub pro-divorce, death penalty bets

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday urged voters not to support candidates in the 2016 elections who are pushing for divorce, death penalty and other measures that it said are against the Church's doctrines.
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Arum shoots down discussion of Pacquiao vs. Broner

Manny Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has dismissed the possibility of his top prizefighter going against four-division world champion Adrien Broner for his last fight.
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AFP to conduct flyby of new fighter jets on Rizal Day

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will commemorate Rizal Day on Wednesday with a display of Philippine Air Force assets, including the two newly acquired FA-50 fighter jets.
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DOH: Firecracker-related injuries rise to 131

With two days left before New Year's Eve, cases of firearm and firecracker-related injuries continued to rise based on the latest report of the Department of Health (DOH).
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Pope Francis sad over Mindanao attacks, sends sympathies

Pope Francis has sent his sympathies to the families of those who were killed in the attacks claimed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters over the weekend.
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Poe asks justices in SET case to recuse from disqualification cases in SC

Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday asked three Supreme Court justices who are also members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal to recuse themselves from hearing the cases she filed to contest her disqualification in the May 2016 polls.
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PHL out of top 20 list of deadliest countries for journalists

For the first time in eight years, the Philippines is not included in the list of the 20 deadliest countries for journalists.
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PNoy trumpets achievements in New Year message

As President Benigno Aquino III celebrates his last New Year as the Philippines’ top leader, he expressed pride on how far the country has come in the last five years of his administration.
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SC issues amended TROs on Comelec's rulings vs. Poe

The Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that it is now also requiring the four complainants against Sen. Grace Poe's presidential bid to comment on the senator's petitions.
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LTFRB lifts ban on posting of political ads on passenger vehicles

Politicians running for public office can use buses, trains and jeepneys to advertise themselves starting next year after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) lifted the ban on the posting and display of election campaign materials on public utility vehicles (PUVs).
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Majority of Pinoys still hopeful for the new year

Nine out of 10 Filipinos will face the coming new year with hope despite challenges, a recent Pulse Asia survey showed.
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Stay away from boga, piccolo, DOH says

With only a few days before 2016, the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded the public to avoid using improvised toy guns or boga and the firecracker piccolo to mark the coming New Year.
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PNoy’s ups and downs in 2015 starts and ends with Pope Francis

The first highlight of President Benigno Aquino III's last full year in office was meeting Pope Francis in Malacañang during the pontiff's visit to Manila.
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Grace Poe confident SC will rule in her favor in DQ cases

Senator Grace Poe has expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will rule in her in her favor as regards her disqualification by the Commission on Elections.
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Solon bats for stricter firecracker regulation over rewarding LGUs

Instead of rewarding LGUs with no recorded firecracker-related injuries for the New Year, a lawmaker urged authorities Monday to step up the campaign against the use of illegal firecrackers and go after vendors of these products.
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PNoy declares non-working holiday in some provinces in January 2016

President Benigno Aquino III issued several proclamations declaring special non-working holidays in several provinces in January 2016 for the celebration of their respective founding anniversaries.
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SC TRO on Poe DQ has little effect on Comelec preps —spokesman

The temporary restraining orders issued by the Supreme Court against the Commission on Elections' rulings disqualifying Senator Grace Poe from next year's presidential elections is expected to have a minimal effect on the Comelec's preparations.
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Group blames Chiz for Poe's disqualification, calls him 'boy laglag'

A group of self-described supporters of Sen. Grace Poe on Monday gathered in front of the Supreme Court to accuse her running mate, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, of "abandoning" her following her disqualification by the Commission on Elections.
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Poe accuser confident SC will uphold Poe's disqualification

Lawyer Estrella Elamparo on Monday said she still trusts the Supreme Court (SC) will uphold the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) decision to disqualify Sen. Grace Poe from the 2016 presidential race.
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The Year's Best in Philippine Boxing

As the year of 2015 comes to a close, we take a look back at the highlights of our proud Filipino warriors competing in the Sweet Science.
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AFP to youth protesters in West PHL Sea island: Think of better activities next time

The military on Monday recognized the gallantry and patriotism of the youth volunteers who camped out at the disputed Pagasa island in the West Philippine Sea, but reiterated its call for the group to think of “better activities” next time.
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Supreme Court stops Poe’s disqualification from presidential polls

Senator Grace Poe might have received a belated Christmas present after the Supreme Court on Monday issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Commission on Elections from disqualifying the lawmaker from next year's presidential elections.
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China angered as Filipino protesters visit South China Sea island

BEIJING - China expressed anger on Monday after a group of Filipino protesters landed on a disputed Philippine-held island in the disputed South China Sea.
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Duterte camp: Comelec en banc’s decision to accept COC ‘a death blow’ on petition vs. him

The camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said the Comelec en banc's decision to accept his certificate of candidacy for president should lead to the dismissal of the petition filed against him and PDP-Laban's Martin Diño.
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Firecracker-related incidents on the rise as New Year approaches

The number of firecracker-related incidents continues to increase as the New Year draws near, figures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Health (DOH) show.
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Grace Poe should be dropped from list of candidates –Tatad

Former Sen. Francisco Tatad has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce the decision of its First Division to cancel the certificate of candidacy for president of Sen. Grace Poe.
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Piccolo still cause of most firecracker-related injuries —DOH

Piccolo is still the biggest culprit for firecracker injuries recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) since December 21.
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Grace Poe runs to SC to reverse DQ from May polls

Sen. Grace Poe rushed to the Supreme Court on the first working day after Christmas to contest the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) ruling disqualifying her from the 2016 presidential election.
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'Nuisance' Ely Pamatong petitions Comelec ruling

Nuisance presidential bet Ely Pamatong on Monday filed a petition against the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) decision disqualifying him from the 2016 presidential race.
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47 injuries due to firecrackers, stray bullets as of Sunday – PNP

As of December 27, a total of 47 incidents nationwide involving firecrackers and guns have been recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
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Lawmaker wants fines vs. HMOs that don’t accept senior citizens as clients

Health maintenance organizations that refuse to sign up senior citizens as clients may be fined as much as P300,000 if a bill now pending in the House of Representatives becomes a law.
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Palace denies watchdog’s claim that P3-T budget includes pork

Malacañang on Sunday denied a budget watchdog’s claim that the P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 is full of pork and lump sum appropriations.
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Anti-China group sails to Philippine-held island

Almost 50 young Filipinos are camping on a remote Philippine-held island in the South China Sea in a symbolic stand against China's claim to most of the waterway, officials said Sunday.
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Palace to monitor activities of youth group staying in disputed Spratlys

Malacañang on Sunday said it will monitor the activities of a group of youth volunteers who have traveled to the disputed Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
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Palace urges Pinoys to welcome New Year without firecrackers

With only four days left in 2015, Malacañang on Sunday urged Filipinos to usher in 2016 without firecrackers to avoid injuries and to enjoy the New Year's festivities safe from any harm.
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Palace belies claim CPP-NPA growing strong in Mindanao

Malacañang on Sunday belied the claim of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army that the rebels' influence in eastern Mindanao has been expanding.
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Solon bats for creation of nat’l registry of sex offenders

A registry containing all relevant information about convicted sex offenders may soon be established if a bill filed in the House of Representatives becomes a law.
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Lawmakers want gov't agencies to explain how revenues from sin tax are utilized

Two lawmakers have asked the House of Representatives to investigate the government’s alleged failure to allocate a considerable portion of the sin taxes it has collected for the universal health care program.
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Gloria Arroyo back at VMMC after Xmas furlough

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is back at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center after spending her 3-day Christmas furlough at her house in La Vista subdivision in Quezon City.
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5 stray bullet victims recorded ahead of New Year revelry

Five people have been hit by stray bullets fired during the holiday season, the Philippine National Police said Saturday.
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Dozens hurt in firecracker-related incidents during Christmas revelry

Dozens, mostly children, have been reported injured in firecracker-related incidents during Christmas revelries in different parts of the country.
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Poe camp to seek SC reversal of Comelec ruling on Monday

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe will file next week a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Commission on Elections ruling cancelling her certificate of candidacy for president.
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In Christmas message, Pope Francis calls for end to atrocities

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis urged the world in his Christmas message on Friday to unite to end atrocities by Islamist militants that he said were causing immense suffering in many countries.
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Media group mourns death of Inquirer’s Magsanoc

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday paid tribute to Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, describing the late Philippine Daily Inquirer editor in chief as one who "stood firm in the constant struggle for a free and independent press to her last breath."  
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Sellers bank on 'AlDub,' 'Kalyeserye' to boost fireworks sale

Wary of a possible slump in sales of fireworks because of the increase in prices, sellers have found a way to boost their sales — by naming their products AlDub, the phenomenal Kapuso love team of Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza and Alden Richards.
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PNoy spends Christmas Eve with sisters in Malacañang

President Benigno Aquino III spent Christmas Eve with his sisters and their respective families Thursday night at the Malacañan Palace.
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President Aquino condoles with family of Inquirer editor

President Benigno Aquino III issued a statement of offering his condolences to the family of Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Philippine Daily Inquirer Editor-in-Chief, who passed away on Thursday evening.
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PDI Editor in Chief writes 30

Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) Editor in Chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc passed away on Thursday.
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Bishops urge govt, NDFP to resume formal peace talks

A day before Christmas, ecumenical bishops urged the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) to resume formal peace talks, which have been stalled since 2011.
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Passengers still flock to bus terminals, airports on Christmas Eve

A day before Christmas, passengers still flocked to bus terminals and airports, hoping to make it to their hometowns before Noche Buena. 
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Comelec en banc: 'We're not completely bound by SET ruling' on Grace Poe citizenship

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is "not completely bound" by the ruling of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), which has declared Sen. Grace Poe as a natural-born Filipino, the poll body said.
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Comelec chair asks Congress to grant foundlings natural-born status

Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista dissented in the two rulings that Comelec en banc issued on Wednesday to uphold the disqualification of Senator Grace Poe from next year's presidential elections.
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PNP records four firearms-related injuries ahead of New Year celebration

A week before the country ushers in the New Year, two individuals have already been injured by stray bullets while two more sustained injuries due to indiscriminate firing.  
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Chiz scores Comelec for 'bullying' Poe

Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Thursday accused the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of "bullying" Sen. Grace Poe, his running mate in the 2016 elections, when it ruled that she is not qualified to run for president next year.
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SWS: Number of Filipinos who expect happy Christmas highest in 12 years

Seven out of ten adult Filipinos expect a happy Christmas this year, the results of the Social Weather Stations Fourth Quarter Survey has shown. The survey also found that almost eight out of ten Filipinos, or a record-high 77 percent of the respondents, believe it is better to give than to receive.
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Senate asked to include BuCor uniformed personnel in 2015 Salary Standardization Law

Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa has asked the Senate to include uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Corrections in its proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2015.
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PNP declares holiday truce with NPA

In keeping with the spirit of the Yuletide season, the Philippine National Police has declared a suspension of offensive police operations (SOPO) against the New People's Army.
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Poe failed citizenship, residency requirements, but didn’t intend to mislead voters

Commission on Elections chair Andres Bautista was a dissenting vote in both en banc resolutions which junked Sen. Grace Poe's appeals to reverse division rulings cancelling her certificate of candidacy for president.  
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Rains expected on Christmas eve

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Eastern Visayas and the province of Sorsogon, according to the  latest weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-Asa).
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Majority believes Poe tried to mislead voters, commissioner says

Majority of the members of the Commission on Elections en banc believe there was a deliberate attempt on the part of Senator Grace Poe "to mislead the electorate" when she said she was a natural-born Filipino and had the ten-year residency required of presidential candidates.
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P130M worth of relief goods distributed in wake of Nona, Onyok, amihan

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said P130-million worth of relief packs have been distributed to thousands of families affected by Typhoon Nona, Tropical Depression Onyok and the rains brought by the northeast monsoon last week.
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List of six vice presidential candidates may be final, Comelec says

The names of six vice presidential candidates has been uploaded in the Commission on Elections' Election Management System, Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said on Wednesday.
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Cardinal Tagle to Manila priests: Avoid celebrating Mass at political events

As the election season nears, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Wednesday reminded all parish priests in the archdiocese of Manila to avoid celebrating Mass at political events and campaigns.
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Funds enough for repair and rehab after Nona, PNoy says

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday personally assured local government officials in Northern Samar and Oriental Mindoro of sufficient funds for the relief and rehabilitation of areas devastated during the onslaught of Typhoon Nona.
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CA orders release of two suspected drug traffickers

The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the release of two suspected drug traffickers who were allegedly being held by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
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Pacquiao dedicates final fight to Miss Universe

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao vowed to dedicate the final bout of his career to newly-crowned Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.
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DSWD asks public: Don't give alms to street children caroling on the road

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday reminded the public not to give alms to street children singing carols to passing motorists especially as the holiday season approaches.
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Poe welcomes Comelec decision to include her in ballot

Senator Grace Poe welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to include her name on the list of presidential candidates.
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Palace hoping Poe appeal will get 'fair' ruling from SC

Senator and 2016 presidential candidate Grace Poe should get a decision “imbued with fairness and justice” before the Supreme Court, Malacañang said Wednesday.
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Grace Poe’s lawyer questions timing of Comelec ruling

Senator Grace Poe's camp on Wednesday questioned the timing of the release of the Commission on Elections en banc’s rulings disqualifying the lawmaker from the presidential elections in 2016.
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Military accuses NPA of violating holiday ceasefire

The military on Wednesday accused the communist-led New People's Army (NPA) of violating the holiday truce it declared when its members allegedly fired at Army soldiers in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
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Samar ambush won’t disrupt relief work in typhoon-hit areas – Palace

Malacañang said Wednesday that relief and rehabilitation work in areas devastated by Typhoon Nona (Melor) will not be disrupted following the ambush incident in Northern Samar.  
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DSWD on spoiled Yolanda relief goods: 'Heads will roll'

An official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday assured that officials of the agency responsible for the spoilage of relief goods intended for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda will face administrative and criminal charges over the incident.
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Grace Poe’s name stays on list of presidential bets, Comelec says

The Commission on Elections has decided to include Senator Grace Poe's name in the list of candidates for president even after the en banc's decisions upholding her disqualification by the Comelec's two divisions.
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How Comelec en banc voted on Grace Poe's motions for reconsideration

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista presented before reporters how the poll body's commissioners voted.
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PNoy's Christmas message: Lend cheer where it's needed most

In time for Christmas, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday urged the public to renew the spirit of “bayanihan” and lend aid to those who need it the most.
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Comelec en banc cancels Grace Poe's COC for president

The Commission on Elections en banc has junked both of Senator Grace Poe's appeals of the separate rulings of the Comelec's first and second divisions canceling her certificate of candidacy for president.
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Robredo, Sara Duterte meet over lunch in Davao City

Although they are supporting different presidential candidates for the May 2016 elections, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte took time off from their busy schedules to catch up on each other’s lives over lunch Tuesday.  
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Gloria Arroyo arrives home for six-day holiday furlough

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left her hospital detention on Wednesday morning for a six-day, court-granted holiday furlough, a report on "News To Go" said.
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Camps of presidential bets upbeat on improved ratings as campaign period nears

The camps of the leading presidential candidates on Wednesday expressed confidence that the ratings of their respective bets will still improve as the campaign period for the 2016 elections nears.  
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Broner: 'They want me to fight Pacquiao next'

American four-division world champion Adrien Broner has revealed that Manny Pacquiao's camp had reached out to him for a possible fight next year.
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Chiz maintains lead; Robredo, Marcos tied in second place

Senator Francis Escudero remains the front runner in the vice presidential race based on the latest Social Weather Stations survey, with his 30-percent rating in November still unchanged.
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Sotto most preferred senatorial bet; 2 others follow closely —SWS

Senator Vicente Sotto III still leads the most preferred senatorial candidates for the 2016 polls, pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS) said Wednesday.
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SWS: VP Binay, Poe, Roxas and Duterte in tight race for presidency

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe,  administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte are statistically tied as voters’ top picks to become the country’s next president based on the latest pre-election national survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).  
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Poe remains undaunted, says SC is next battleground

Senator Grace Poe remained undaunted amid the Commission on Elections en banc's decision to disqualify her from the 2016 presidential elections, saying the next battleground is the Supreme Court.  
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Comelec to start encoding 2016-poll data, but still no list of candidates

The Commission on Elections will be entering data into its Election Management System starting Wednesday, but the list of candidates would not be release by then, said Comelec  Spokesman James Jimenez.
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Grace Poe still a presidential candidate, spokesman says

Senator Grace Poe is still a candidate in the 2016 presidential elections, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
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Miss Universe official defends Steve Harvey after announcement mix-up

An official of the company handling the Miss Universe pageant defended host Steve Harvey after his announcement gaffe on Monday (Philippine time).
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UP student council chairman files 3rd DQ case vs. Duterte

The chairman of the University Student Council in UP Diliman has asked the Commission on Elections to disqualify Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from next year's presidential elections.
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DOLE reminds of pay rules for holidays in December, January

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) posted the pay rules for both regular and special holidays in December and January as a reminder to employers and their employees.
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OPAPP: Nothing illegal with resorting to car rental services

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Tuesday maintained that there was nothing illegal with the agency's multi-million peso worth of expenditure for vehicle rental services in 2014 which the Commission on Audit (COA) questioned in its annual audit report published recently.
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Comelec en banc disqualifies Grace Poe from presidential polls

The Commission on Elections en banc has upheld the rulings of the First and Second Divisions cancelling Senator Grace Poe certificate of candidacy and disqualifying her from next year's presidential elections.
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Officials laugh as PNoy teased about Pia Wurtzbach in Malacañang

It was an odd way of introducing the highest government official of the land, especially in front of congressional leaders during the ceremonial signing of the country's P3-trillion national budget, but President Benigno Aquino III was a good sport about it.
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PNoy to visit Nona-hit Oriental Mindoro Wednesday

President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled to visit victims of Typhoon Nona in Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday.  
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DOJ chief, Sol-Gen, 14 others vie for SC seat in January

Top lawyers of the Aquino administration will be among those who will be interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council when it screens candidates for the Supreme Court seat that Justice Martin Villarama will leave in January.
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Comelec rulings on Poe appeals expected Wednesday, says commissioner

A commissioner of the Commission on Elections on Tuesday said the poll body has cast separate votes on the two appeals filed by the camp of Sen. Grace Poe.  
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Duterte 'endorsement' helped Binay become No. 1

An ally of Rodrigo Duterte believes the Davao City mayor's pronouncements about supporting Vice President Jejomar Binay's presidential bid has helped the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) bet's performance in the latest Pulse Asia survey.
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Palace: ISIS has no training camps in the Philippines

Malacañang on Tuesday belied reports that international terror group ISIS has set up a training camp in the Philippines.  
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Ombudsman seeks graft charges against NTC regional director

The NTC Regional Office XII director in Koronadal City is facing graft charges for supposedly issuing a special permit to operate in favor of a radio station, without the property authority.
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Mar Roxas unfazed by ranking in Pulse Asia survey

Unfazed by the recent Pulse Asia survey ranking him fourth in the presidential race, administration candidate Mar Roxas on Tuesday said the most important poll is the one on May 9, 2016, the day of the presidential elections.
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Incumbent, former lawmakers dominate Pulse Asia survey on Senate bets

Incumbent and former members of Congress, as well as a former Cabinet secretary, would most likely win if the senatorial elections were held today, a recent survey conducted by pollster Pulse Asia showed.
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VP Binay leads in latest Pulse Asia survey on 2016 presidential bets

After months of trailing in the presidential surveys, Vice President Jejomar Binay has regained his lead in a poll on the preferred candidate for the highest elected post in the land.
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Former PHL's Miss Universe bets laud Pia Wurtzbach's Miss Universe win

Filipina beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach on Monday was named the new Miss Universe-- a title that has been elusive from the Philippines for 42 years.    Despite a mix-up that made headlines, the 26-year-old stunner has made an entire country overflowing with pride, including those who represented the country in the same pageant before her.
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Pia Wurtzbach had a video chat with her make up artist friend hours before the pageant

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the reigning Miss Universe 2015, spent several hours preparing for the prestigious beauty pageant held in the United States.
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Chinese nabbed for P15M worth of gift-wrapped drugs

Metro Manila policemen have arrested a Chinese citizen who yielded five kilos of methamphethamine hydrichloride or shabu worth P15 million.
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COA questions OPAPP’s use of P45M worth of car rental services in 2014

The Commission on Audit (COA) has questioned the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process' (OPAPP) use of rental vehicles in 2014 amounting P45,327,718 allegedly without the necessary authorization and with dubious supporting documents.
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File disqualification cases vs all presidential bets, Duterte ally dares

An ally of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Congress challenged defeated senatorial bet Rizalito David on Monday to file disqualification cases against all presidential contenders to prove he is not any one’s attack dog.
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Almost 80k still in evacuation centers due to Nona

A total of 17,808 families or 79,929 persons displaced by Typhoon Nona are still inside  evacuation centers managed by local government units in the Regions of Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol and Eastern Visayas as of 2 a.m. Monday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.
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Sandiganbayan grants Valdez eight-hour leave to attend son’s wedding

The Fifth Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has granted an eight-hour furlough to former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez so that he may attend the wedding of his son on December 27.
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65,000 workers affected by El Nino will be employed next year - DOLE

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced that about 65,000 workers in areas affected by El Nino will be employed under the cash for work program next year.  
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CA junks plea vs. P10 flag-down cut in taxis

The Court of Appeals has dismissed a petition seeking to bring the flag-down rate of taxi services back to P30.
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Lawmakers, groups react to Pia Wurtzbach’s answer on US bases in PHL

Gabriela, Bayan, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and former lawmaker Teddy Casiño react to Pia Wurtzbach's question on the US bases.
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Error robbed Pia of Miss Universe moment, says Margie Moran

The country's last Miss Universe before Pia Wurtzbach won this year's crown said it was "unfortunate" that an error in the announcement of the pageant winner marred the Filipino beauty queen's victory.
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Rizalito David asks Comelec to cancel Duterte’s COC for president

Broadcaster Rizalito David on Monday asked the Commission on Elections to declare Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's candidacy as PDP-Laban's substitute presidential bet as null and void.
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Laglag bala suspects seek more time, copies of video footages

The police and airport personnel implicated in the "tanim/laglag bala" scheme are asking for copies of the videos used by investigators to pin them down for the alleged extortion racket at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
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PNoy expected to visit victims of Nona, Onyok —Palace

President Benigno Aquino III is expected to visit areas affected by Typhoons Nona and Onyok a few days before Christmas, Malacañang said Monda
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PNoy’s last mission for AFP: Peaceful, successful 2016 polls

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga – With only six months left in office, President Benigno Aquino III on Monday ordered his 'last mission" to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP):  ensure the peaceful and successful conduct of the 2016 national elections.
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Malacañang hails Pia Wurtzbach’s Miss Universe win

Malacañang on Monday congratulated newly-crowned Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, calling her victory a "tremendous source of pride" for the Filipino people.  
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NDRRMC: Onyok displaced over 3k families in Mindanao

No casualties have been reported so far in the wake of Tropical Depression Onyok, but it has displaced a total of 3,343 families in the regions of Northern Mindanao, Davao and Caraga, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.  
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Top officials’ satisfaction ratings plummet in Q4 – SWS

The net public satisfaction ratings of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno slumped badly in the fourth quarter, according to a Social Weather Stations poll.
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Poe thanks ex-judge for help in finding her biological parents

Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe on Sunday thanked retired Judge Jesus Nograles Rodriguez Jr. for putting up a P300,000 reward for information on the senator's biological parents.
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PNoy to lead AFP’s 80th anniversary rites at Clark Air Base on Monday

President Benigno Aquino III will be leading the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 80th anniversary celebrations on Monday, December 21. This year, the event will be held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
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LP coalition shrugs off Duterte’s latest condition for a debate with Roxas

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's latest precondition for a square-off with administration standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II no longer surprises the Liberal Party coalition—and it's in fact getting tired of his colorful use of words.
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Death toll rises to 45 in storm-hit Philippines

The death toll from two storms which battered the Philippines rose to 45 Sunday as several towns remained flooded and rain kept falling in northern regions, disaster monitoring officials said.
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Comelec: Initial list of candidates to be released Wednesday almost final

The Commission on Elections on Sunday said the initial list of candidates to be released on Wednesday would be close to the final roster that would be included in the ballots for the May 2016 national and local polls.
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Solon wants 'safe place' for rape victims

Aside from providing immediate medical attention to sexual assault victims, a lawmaker urged officials of public and private hospitals Sunday to set aside a special place where these women could submit forensic evidence to authorities.  
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Belmonte still hopeful of BBL, 'Cha-cha' passage in 2016

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. remains optimistic that the House of Representatives will pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and the measure to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution before lawmakers go on break for the May 2016 elections campaign period.
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Over 200,000 people still displaced due to Nona

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday said more than 200,000 people remained displaced as parts of Luzon and Eastern Visayas continue to reel from the effects of Typhoon Nona.
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Donaire-Juarez slugfest nominated as fight of the year

The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) has included in Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire's fight against Cesar Juarez fight of the year nominations.
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Duterte won't debate with No. 4 Roxas: 'Mag-No. 2 muna siya sa survey'

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said a debate with co-presidential aspirant and administration bet Manuel Roxas II would only make sense if the latter improves his rankings in surveys, a report on “24 Oras” said.
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Fishing areas with red tide, according to BFAR

Paralytic shellfish poison caused by a red tide algae bloom persists in several fishing areas around the Philippines, rendering all types of shellfish gathered from these areas inedible.
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Mayweather would outbox, beat Golovkin - Roach

World middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin may be the most dangerous fighter in boxing today, but Floyd Mayweather is very well capable of outboxing the Kazakh warrior should they meet inside the ring according to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
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Miriam urges formation of task force to prevent abuse of OFWs

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Saturday called for the creation of a multi-agency task force that would focus on reports of abuse against overseas Filipino workers.
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Death toll climbs as more floods threaten PHL

Heavy rains pummeled the entire Philippines on Saturday, threatening to aggravate flooding that has prompted the government to declare a state of "national calamity."
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AFP clarifies: Holiday truce only covers operations vs. NPA

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday clarified that law enforcement operations of the Philippine National Police that it supports are not covered by the government's ceasefire during the holidays.
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Nona death toll rises to 34

Thirty-four people have been confirmed killed as of Saturday morning due to the onslaught of Typhoon Nona in Luzon and Visayas regions.
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Grace Poe's alleged uncle says family not after money

The alleged uncle of Senator Grace Poe explained on Friday that his family had never attempted to reach out to the presidential aspirant until recently because they feared it would look like they were after money.
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Roxas-Duterte feud: Challenge is now to debate, no longer to slap each other

After threatening each other with slaps, a fistfight and even a gun duel, administration standard bearer Mar Roxas and PDP-Laban presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have now challenged each other to a debate.
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Nona death toll now 23 –NDRRMC

Six more people were confirmed dead following the onslaught of Typhoon Nona, bringing the total number of fatalities to 23 as of Friday night, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
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No to Mar: Duterte to support Binay if DQ'd

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is going to support Vice President Jejomar Binay if he is disqualified from the presidential race.
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Grace Poe likens self to OFWs in wake of DQ due to residency problem

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday took her case before the migrant workers and their families as she cited what she believes is a supposed double standard in the treatment of Filipinos working aboard.
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PNoy declares state of national calamity due to Nona

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday declared a state of national calamity following the devastation caused by Typhoon Nona.
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PNoy OKs ceasefire with CPP-NPA until Jan. 3

President Benigno Aquino III has approved the unilateral declaration of suspension of military operations (SOMO) against the communist-led New People’s Army (NPA) rebels this holiday season, Malacañang said Friday.
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SC declares longer Xmas, New Year holidays for courts

The Supreme Court has released the schedule of Christmas and New Year's non-working holidays for employees of the judiciary.
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VP Binay’s Christmas wish is ‘political ceasefire’

Presidential aspirant VP Jejomar Binay on Friday called for a "political ceasefire" among candidates for the May 2016 elections.
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Angat dam breaches spilling level; 5 other dams in critical level

The water in Angat dam has surpassed spilling levels with a current water level reading of 213.20 meters compared to its spilling level of 212 meters due to the heavy rain brought by Typhoon Nona.
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Ombudsman asked to hold Comelec accountable for removing PCOS security features

A group on Friday asked Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to immediately act on the complaints filed against the Commission on Elections for removing four security features of the  Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines amid fears of cheating in the 2016 elections.
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Typhoon Nona’s death toll up to 17; Vis-Min warned vs. TD Onyok

The death toll from Typhoon Nona rose to 17 as of Friday morning, a disaster management official said.
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Petitioner wants Duterte as president, but not as Dino’s substitute

The broadcaster who filed a petition against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Martin Diño said he has nothing against the mayor and even wants him to be president.
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ACET results out for AY 2016-2017

The Ateneo de Manila University released on Friday the accepted and wait-listed applicants for Academic Year 2016-2017.
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Pacquiao emotional on his birthday

Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao became emotional on Thursday as he celebrated his 37th birthday, a report on Unang Balita on Friday said.
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Bondal files P828-M plunder rap vs. Junjun Binay and two IT firms

Renato Bondal, a former barangay chairman in Makati City, on Friday filed an P828-million plunder complaint against former Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay and two information technology companies whose stockholders were alleged dummies of the mayor's father, Vice President Jejomar Binay.
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Comelec decision accepting Duterte’s COC for president

The Commission on Elections en banc voted 6-1 on Thursday to accept the certificate of candidacy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for president. Here is a copy of the resolution.
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No electricity all over Sorsogon even past Christmas –PDRRMC

Sorsogon residents will likely have to get through Christmas without electricity in their homes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said on Thursday.
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Poe camp says Comelec should also accept Grace’s ‘honest mistake’

The camp of Senator Grace Poe is hoping that the Commission on Elections en banc will also give favorable consideration to what it called her "honest mistake" as regards her residency in the Philippines before running for senator in 2013.
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More than 1,500 pass UPCAT for 2016-2017 school year

The University of the Philippines (UP) on Thursday evening has released the results of the 2016 UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).
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Grace Poe asks Comelec to consolidate appeals of two DQ rulings

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday formally asked the Commission on Elections' en banc to consolidate her two pending appeals seeking to reverse separate decisions to cancel her certificate of candidacy for president.
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Downed communication lines delaying post-Nona updates –NDRRMC

Communication lines damaged by Typhoon Nona are delaying the entry of new information from affected areas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.
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PHL backs Timor Leste bid for ASEAN membership

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday reaffirmed the Philippines’ support for Timor Leste’s application to the Association of South East Asian Nations as the regional bloc’s 11th member state.
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Ex-Pasay mayor Peewee Trinidad asks court to reconsider graft conviction

Former Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao “Peewee” Trinidad has asked the Sandiganbayan First Division to reverse its ruling finding him guilty of graft over the alleged anomalous awarding of P489.950-million contract for the construction of a shopping center in 2004.
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Congress’ performance not about number of bills filed, passed —Belmonte

Less than a year before it adjourns and a new leadership is ushered in after the elections in May, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte on Wednesday said that the House of Representatives in the 16th Congress has done a good job of passing measures of national significance even if it passed fewer bills than in the previous Congress.
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Drilon: No efforts to block BBL in Senate

There is no effort in the Senate to block the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, Senate President Franklin Drilon said Thursday, as he remained optimistic of the measure's passage.
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Drilon: Comelec should postpone ballot printing, wait for SC decision

Senate President Franklin Drilon said Thursday the Commission Elections must postpone the printing of ballots and wait for the Supreme Court to decide on the disqualification cases against Senator Grace Poe. 
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Guanzon: Issue on notarized documents must be resolved first before Comelec accepts Duterte COC

The lone commissioner who dissented from accepting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's certificate of candidacy for president said the issue regarding his notarized documents should have been resolved first before the decision.
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Presidential candidates should take a lesson from AlDub —social media expert

More and more Pinoys are going online and this new landscape could play a big role in the 2016 national elections, if presidential candidates know how to utilize the platform, a social media expert said.
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DOJ wraps up prelim probe on Mamasapano clash

The Justice Department has wrapped up its preliminary investigation on most of the suspects in the deadly January 25 Mamasapano clash that left more than 60 people dead, including 44 elite policemen.  
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Drilon: 66 Senate bills enacted into law in 2015

Senate President Franklin Drilon lauded Thursday what he called as the strong legislative performance of the chamber with 66 of the 148 local and national bills it passed signed into the law by President Benigno Aquino III this year.
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8 dead, 12 hurt in Typhoon Nona’s wake —NDRRMC

Typhoon Nona may have dissipated into a low-pressure area but it left eight people dead and 12 others wounded, a disaster management official said Thursday.
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Comelec accepts Duterte COC for president

Voting 6-1, the Commission on Elections en banc decided on Thursday to accept the substitution of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as presidential candidate for PDP-Laban in the 2016 polls.
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Shafikov faces Barthelemy for vacant IBF lightweight crown

Unbeaten Cuban Rances Barthelemy fights for his second world title on Friday when he faces Russian southpaw Denis Shafikov in Las Vegas for the vacant International Boxing Federation lightweight crown.
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Roxas camp releases photo of Mar in Wharton alumni directory

The camp of administration presidential bet Mar Roxas released a photo of the candidate in Wharton School of Business' alumni directory.
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Poe: No 'lukso ng dugo' so far as search for blood relatives continues

Senator Grace Poe remains optimistic she would still be able to find her blood relatives as she admitted she did not feel any intuitive connection with the person who recently gave a DNA specimen.
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'Sad Christmas' as Nona leaves death, damage, floods in its wake

Rescuers on speedboats hauled rain-soaked residents off rooftops in the Philippine countryside on Wednesday after Typhoon Nona killed at least 11 people and cut power for millions.
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Being unable to pass 'acceptable' BBL is our biggest failure —House minority leader

The 16th Congress might have managed to pass several important measures that have been languishing in the legislative mill for several years, but House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora believes the lower chamber’s biggest failure is its inability until now to pass an "acceptable" form of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
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House ratifies bill giving VAT-exemption, more benefits to PWDs

A measure exempting persons with disabilities from paying value-added tax (VAT) is just one signature away from becoming a law after the House of Representatives ratified Wednesday the bicameral conference committee report on the measure
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P3-T nat'l budget for 2016 now ready for PNoy's signature

The proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 will now be submitted to Malacañang for President Benigno Aquino III’s signature after the House of Representatives ratified on Wednesday the bicameral conference committee report on the measure.
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FVR on Mar-Duterte spat: PHL president must be world-class

"Slapping each other, fighting each other will not make progress."
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Comelec panel to tackle Duterte disqualification case on Friday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division will tackle in a hearing on Friday morning the petition seeking to disqualify Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from the 2016 presidential race.
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Class suspensions for Thursday, Dec. 17 due to Typhoon Nona

Even as Typhoon Nona heads out to the West Philippine Sea, the tropical cyclone's effect is still being felt in several areas in the country. Listed below are areas that have suspended classes for Thursday, December 17.
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FVR on Duterte, Poe DQ cases: Let the people decide

"You may end up with only one candidate if we follow this process of elimination. This is not the way our people want it. Give the benefit of the doubt to the person most concerned."
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CA confirms CSC chief, 94 others

The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of Civil Service chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, Judicial and Bar Council member Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, 16 foreign service officials, and 77 military officials.
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House ends plenary debates on BBL

The House of Representatives on Wednesday terminated the period of interpellation on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), six months after the measure was introduced to the plenary.
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House leader asks Comelec: One more day for biometrics registration

A leader in the House of Representatives on Wednesday appealed to the Commission on Elections to give voters without biometric one more day to have their registration records updated.  
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PNoy orders immediate shelter assistance to Typhoon Nona victims

President Benigno Aquino III met with Cabinet officials Wednesday afternoon and instructed them to prioritize temporary shelter and restoration of power in areas affected by Typhoon Nona.
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Comelec to finalize voters' list after favorable SC decision on 'No Bio, No Boto'

With the favorable decision it got from the Supreme Court regarding its "No Bio, No Boto" policy, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can now finalize the list of voters for the 2016 national and local elections.
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Grace Poe camp to ask Comelec to consolidate two pending appeals

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday said it will be asking the Commission on Elections en banc to consolidate the two motions for reconsideration seeking to reverse two division decisions cancelling her certificate of candidacy for president.  
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Sotto: Comelec can't remove Poe's name from 2016 ballot

Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III is certain that the name of Sen. Grace Poe will not be removed from the list of official candidates in 2016.
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Poe camp cites SET ruling in appeal vs. Comelec First Division ruling

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the Commission on Elections' First Division to cancel her certificate of candidacy for president.
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Leni: Duterte needs gender sensitivity, anger management trainings

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo believes Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should undergo gender sensitivity and anger management trainings if he becomes the next president of the country.
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Palace: Congress leaders promised to pass BBL in January

Malacañang on Wednesday said leaders of Congress vowed to exert all efforts to have the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) approved next year after missing their initial December deadline.
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Mar to Digong: ' Let's level up'

After challenging Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to a fistfight and a slapping match, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas on Wednesday said he and the local executive should quit the mudslinging and focus on explaining their political platforms to the voters.
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Sandiganbayan asks for extension in resolving Jinggoy's bail plea

Senator Jinggoy Estrada might have to spend Christmas in detention as the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division is not poised to rule on his petition for bail for a plunder case anytime soon.
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Bongbong: Don't blame me for delay of BBL

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that he must not be blamed for the delay in the Bangsamoro Basic Law's (BBL) passage.
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Laude kin ask SC to order Pemberton transfer to Bilibid

The family of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to order the transfer of homicide convict US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
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Congestion to remain a problem despite new MRT train by February –official

Congestion and rush-hour queues will remain at Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) stations even if a new train begins its service in February 2016, an MRT official said Wednesday.
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PNoy OKs additional leave privileges for judges

President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 10709 providing for 30 days forfeitable leave privileges annually to all judges of first level courts.
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Laude sis sues Oban for disobedience over Pemberton detention

The sister of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude on Wednesday sued Undersecretary Eduardo Oban Jr., head of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, over the detention of US Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton at Camp Aguinaldo.
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COA calls out CHR for delayed release of cash aid for human rights victims

The Commission on Audit (COA) has called the attention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over the delayed release of the financial assistance of the human rights victims for 2014.
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Incumbent, former senators top Pulse Asia senatorial survey

Old timers in the Senate topped a Pulse Asia survey on senatorial candidates in the 2016 elections.  
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All set for plunder trial of Gigi Reyes, Janet Napoles

Pork scam witness Ruby Tuason will be the first to take the witness stand at the proper trial of the plunder cases filed against Jessica Lucila "Gigi" Reyes and Janet Lim-Napoles.
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Duterte to Belmonte: Don’t have the list of names of those I killed

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday did not get from presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte what he wanted—the list of names of criminals the mayor claimed he had killed for peace and order in Davao City.
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After TRO, SC gives green light for Comelec's 'No Bio, No Boto' policy

After temporarily stopping the controversial policy, the Supreme Court has finally decided to uphold the legality of the Commission on Elections' "No Bio, No Boto" rule for the 2016 national elections.
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SC sets oral arguments on Poe case for January 19

Sen. Grace Poe, a presidential aspirant in the 2016 elections, will have to spend Christmas and greet the new year without a final Supreme Court ruling on a disqualification case filed against her by Rizalito David.
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Duterte insists Mar is not a Wharton graduate

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night insisted that one of his presidential rivals, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas, is lying about his academic background.
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CA panel recommends confirmation of CSC chief

A Commission on Appointments panel on Wednesday recommended the confirmation of the appointment of Alicia dela Rosa-Bala as chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.  
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PNoy’s satisfaction rating down in SWS Q4 survey

President Benigno Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating suffered a nine-point drop from +41 in September to +32 this month, results of the fourth quarter Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed.
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Duterte: Mar should make the first move, a handshake is all that’s needed

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night said Liberal Party presidential candidate Mar Roxas II should make the first move so they can be friends again.
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Nine killed as Typhoon Nona causes chaos in central Philippines

Nine people were killed and hundreds spent the night huddled on their roofs in the central Philippines as floods generated by a powerful typhoon inundated villages, disaster officials said on Wednesday.  
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Roxas challenges Duterte to fistfight, mayor counters with gunfight proposal

Liberal Party presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday challenged PDP-Laban candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to a fistfight, even as the latter issued his own challenge for a gunfight.
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Salary hike for govt workers hits snag over military pensions

The passage of the proposed Salary Standardization Law IV, which had been approved on third and final reading Monday, hit a snag Tuesday evening after it was brought back for second reading due to senators' concerns over military pensions.
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Where did the country’s presidents study?

The public argumentof presidential hopefuls Mar Roxas and Rody Duterte regarding the former's educational attainment triggered discussions on the 2016 candidates' academic achievements.
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Tourist destinations among 19 areas with high terror alert warning

Nineteen areas in the Philippines, including famous tourist destinations, have been placed under high terrorism alert warning by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
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Before 'sampal' threats, Roxas, Duterte were dining buddies

Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas PDP-Laban presidential candidate Davao City Rodrigo Duterte now appear to be the worst of enemies among the presidential candidates in the 2016 elections. But less than four months ago, Duterte was even in Roxas' radar as a possible running mate.
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Nancy Binay wants a stop to Roxas-Duterte 'word war'

Senator Nancy Binay on Tuesday appealed to presidential candidates to cease from bickering and elevate the level of their campaign for the 2016 national and local elections.
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Belmonte: Better if Poe, Duterte are allowed to run for President

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte believes Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte should be allowed to run in the 2016 elections amid questions on their eligibility to run for president.
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Simbang Gabi is for worship, not courtship, couples told

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday encouraged men and women who are in a relationship to attend the traditional Simbang Gabi in order "put God in their friendship."
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Duterte to Belmonte: Slap Roxas if I name criminals I killed

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Speaker Feliciano Belmonte's challenge for him to identify the criminals he supposedly killed.
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Comelec en banc to make separate decisions on 2 Grace Poe appeals

The Commission on Elections' en banc will be handing down separate decisions on two appeals filed by Sen. Grace Poe.  
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Class suspensions for Dec. 16 due to Typhoon Nona

Classes have been suspended in several areas on Wednesday, December 16, due to Typhoon Nona.
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DOJ to form panel that will probe 6 'laglag-bala' extortion suspects

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will form a panel that will look into the criminal charges filed against six airport personnel tagged in the alleged tanim/laglag-bala (TaLaBa) extortion scheme at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
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Sandiganbayan OKs ex-police general's 2-day furlough

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has allowed former Police Director Eliseo Dela Paz to leave his detention for two days to undergo post-operation check-ups.
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Comelec moves release of list of candidates to next week

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has moved its initial loading of data, including the list of candidates, in the election management system from this week to next week.
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AFP determining if headless body found in Sulu that of beheaded Malaysian hostage

A headless body believed to be that of a Malaysian kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group was recovered from a shallow grave in Parang, Sulu, on Monday night, a military official said Tuesday.
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Typhoon Nona kills 4, cuts power ahead of Christmas

BULAN, Sorsogon - Tattered lanterns, festive lights and tin roofs littered towns in the central Philippines on Tuesday after Typhoon Nona (Melor) swept through, killing at least four people and leaving millions without power ahead of Christmas.
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Party-list coalition mulls bloc voting for senatorial race

With around 15 million voter constituents, the 40-member party-list coalition (PLC) in the House of Representatives is considering voting as a bloc for six senatorial candidates in the May 2016 elections.
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Mar Roxas to Digong Duterte: Suntukan na lang

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's threats that he would slap Mar Roxas won't do the Filipino people any good, the administration standard bearer told reporters on Tuesday.
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AFP: No word yet on holiday truce with CPP-NPA

There is no word yet if the Philippine military will declare a Christmas truce with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), even after the rebels declared a 12-day ceasefire.
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Right to vote more important than biometrics –ex-poll chief Monsod

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Christian Monsod on Tuesday added his voice to those opposing the poll body's "no biometrics, no boto" policy for the 2016 elections.
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Sandiganbayan expected to resolve Jinggoy’s bail plea this week

The Fifth Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan is expected resolve the petition for bail of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for his plunder case by Thursday of this week.
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Disqualification petition vs. Duterte submitted for resolution

The petition filed to disqualify Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte from the 2016 presidential elections has been submitted for resolution.
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One dead as Typhoon Nona continues westward

One person died in Northern Samar as Typhoon Nona continued on its westward path.
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Gov't offers P2-M bounty for arrest of DILG official's shooter

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has offered a P2-million reward for the immediate arrest of the gunmen who ambushed its  regional director in Calabarzon.
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CPP declares 12-day Christmas truce

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on Tuesday declared a 12-day Christmas truce.
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House panel urges BOC to weed out smugglers from list of importers

The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday urged the Bureau of Customs to remove dummy firms used as fronts by smugglers from its list of 12,810 importers and brokers.
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Miriam: Don’t be swayed by entertainment in candidates’ campaigns

Senator Miriam Santiago on Monday warned the electorate against being swayed by the entertainment certain presidential candidates are using in their respective campaigns.
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Wharton confirms: Mar Roxas graduated from school in 1979

The Wharton School has confirmed that administration presidential candidate Mar Roxas is one of its alumni.
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Miriam to challenge PNoy to a debate if he mocks her Facebook campaign

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said on Monday that she would have challenged President Benigno Aquino III to a debate if he named her as the presidential candidate who was banking on social media to campaign for the presidency.
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Audit on Makati City Hall Building II not yet complete, COA clarifies

The Commission on Audit (COA) on Monday clarified that its investigation on the alleged anomalies in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II, also referred as the Makati Parking Building, is not yet complete and may still be subject to changes.
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Comelec fails to rule on Poe's bid to reverse 2nd Division ruling

The Commission on Elections' en banc on Monday failed to rule on the appeal filed by Sen. Grace Poe on the Second Division's cancellation of her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the presidency.
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House panel chair irked by question if he resigned after backing Duterte

The chairman of the powerful Committee on Appropriations in the House of Representatives lost his cool in the middle of a committee hearing after one of his colleagues asked him if he still headed the panel even after expressing support for the presidential candidacy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
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House panel OKs bill institutionalizing CCT program

A measure institutionalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is one step closer to becoming a law after being endorsed for plenary approval Monday by the House appropriations committee.  
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Laude kin want Oban, 11 US security men cited in contempt

The family of slain transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude has asked a Pampanga court to cite in contempt Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement Executive Director Eduardo Oban for not bringing US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
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PAGASA, MMDA list flood-prone areas in NCR, other regions

The MMDA has released an extensive list of areas prone to flooding when rainfall intensity is more than 50mm/hr.
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Comelec raffles off order in official ballot among 202 party-list groups

The Commission on Elections on Monday held a raffle to determine the order of party-list groups in the ballot for the the May 2016 elections.
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SC allows executive judges to suspend work due to Nona

The Supreme Court has allowed executive judges to suspend work at trial courts in areas affected or set to be affected by Typhoon Nona.
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Senate OKs proposed salary increase for gov’t workers

Voting,  14-0, the Senate on Monday afternoon approved on third and final reading the proposed Salary Standardization Law IV (SSL IV) defining the new and upgraded salary scale for each salary grade of all government employees to be implemented in a four-year period.  
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Belmonte dares Duterte: Name criminals you killed

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Monday dared 2016 presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to name the criminals he has supposedly executed to maintain peace and order in Davao City.
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Grace Poe praying Duterte won’t be disqualified

Senator Grace Poe doesn't want Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to suffer the fate two divisions of the Commission on Elections want her to have.
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Roxas, Duterte exchange 'sampal' threats

The war of words between Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas and Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte heated up as both presidential candidates exchanged threats that they will slap the other.
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Drilon to Comelec: Resolve Poe, Duterte disqualifications cases ASAP

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday the Commission on Elections to decide as soon as possible on the disqualification cases filed against presidential aspirants Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
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750,000 evacuated as Typhoon Nona threatens central Philippines

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from central Philippines on Monday as a typhoon with winds of up to 150 kph (95 mph) made landfall, dumping heavy rain that could cause flooding, landslides and storm surges, authorities warned.  
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Class suspensions for Dec. 15-16 due to Typhoon Nona

Classes have been suspended in the following areas on Tuesday, Dec. 15 and Wed., Dec. 16 due to the effects of Typhoon Nona.
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Sandiganbayan junks case vs. Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano

The Sandiganbayan First Division has dismissed the felony case against Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and city administrator Jose Luis Montales “for lack of probable cause.”  
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PAGCOR turns over P2B for new public school classrooms

State-run agency Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Monday turned over an additional P2-billion fund to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the construction of classrooms in public schools nationwide.
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Typhoon Nona: Quick Links

GMA News Online compiled these links for easy access to information related to the effects and updates on Typhoon Nona.
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NDRRMC placed on red alert ahead of Nona landfall

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) went on red alert ahead of the expected landfall of Typhoon Nona over Sorsogon province on Monday night.
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Loved ones, supporters commemorate FPJ’s 11th death anniversary

White-clad loved ones and supporters of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. gathered at his flower-adorned mausoleum Monday morning to commemorate his 11th death anniversary.
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Bettor wins P212.5M Super Lotto 6/49 jackpot

A lone bettor won the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Super Lotto 6/49 jackpot worth P212,501,452 during Sunday night's draw.
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OIC concerned over languishing, watered-down BBL

The Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said on Sunday that it concerned over the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the Philippine Congress, and the amendments made to it that would reduce the Bangsamoro Government to nothing more than an ordinary local government.
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Comelec to discuss Poe, Duterte disqualification cases on Monday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will discuss the pending disqualification cases of Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor on December 14 (Monday), along with the deliberation of the final names of candidates in the 2016 National Elections.
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Peace panel chair prods Congress to pass BBL as session days dwindle

The government peace panel continues to hold out hope that Congress will pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in its remaining session days before the start of the 2016 elections campaign season.
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Palace: Bid to probe Duterte’s kill claims part of CHR’s duty

The Commission on Human Rights' appeal for authorities to investigate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte's claim of killing criminals is part of its duty, a Malacañang official said Sunday on state-run  dzRB radio.
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Solon pushes for creation of gov't agency to check cars' roadworthiness

Amid reports of road accidents caused by supposedly defective vehicles, a lawmaker is pushing for the creation of a governing body that will ensure the roadworthiness of automobiles and implement an effective automotive recall system.
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PNoy alerts concerned agencies as Nona approaches

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered all concerned agencies to prepare local communities that will be affected ty tropical cyclone Nona, which was forecast to intensify into a typhoon before it makes landfall Monday night.
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Palace welcomes adoption by 195 countries of Paris climate deal

Malacañang on Sunday cheered the adoption by 195 countries of the UN climate-rescue accord at the culmination of the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, France.
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China navy carries out more drills in disputed South China Sea

BEIJING - China's navy has in recent days carried out more exercises in the disputed South China Sea, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday, calling them routine drills.
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Copy of the UN climate-rescue deal forged in Paris, France

Copy of the UN climate-rescue accord forged in Paris, France and signed by 195 countries.
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Roxas: Vigorous discussions part of my partnership with PNoy

Ruling Liberal Party's presidential candidate Mar Roxas has had "differences in opinion" with President Benigno Aquino III over their six-year working relationship.
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Storm Nona nearing Eastern Samar, moves WNW at 19 kph

Tropical Storm Nona was estimated to be at 795 km east of Guiuan in Eastern Samar as of 4 p.m. Saturday, state weather forecaster PAGASA said.
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Nonito hampered by foot injury in win vs Juarez - Donaire Sr

Nonito Donaire Jr. is once again a boxing world champion after winning by unanimous decision against Cesar Juarez to capture the vacant WBO world super bantamweight title on Friday (Saturday, PHL time) at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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