Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Let CHED do its work
BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children---with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts…” (Psalm 103:17-18, the Holy Bible).
-ooo-
LET CHED DO ITS WORK: Now, there are two branches of government looking into supposed additional miscellaneous charges being made by schools and universities against their s... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Criminals getting younger by the day
BY ISMAEL AMIGO
OUR National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, must be turning in his grave right now.
He has all the reason to do so because some of the youth he called as "future of the nation" are turning into criminals, no thanks to the Juvenile Justice System Act of 2006.
Criminals are getting younger and younger by the day since the law that exempts minors 15-years old and younger from criminal liability, and allows punishment for those 15 to 18 if proven they acte... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
NATIONAL government spending has started to pick up in April, as the utilization of Notice of Cash Allocations (NCA) has improved to 88.9 percent as of April from 82.0 percent as of March, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Government disbursements in April amounted to P112.1 billion, or 8 percent lower than the P121.9 billion spent in April 2010 and 14 percent lower than the program of P130.1 billion. Disbursements in the first four months of the year amounted to P461... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
THE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) will increase domestic flights in the 4th quarter of 2011, making available 33% more seats compared to the same period last year.
CEB will take delivery of 3 more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in October, allowing the airline to offer the lowest possible fares in the market and mount more domestic flights. “This is in line with CEB’s continued commitment to promote tourism and economy in the destinations it flies to. Fo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
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BUSINESS
“WE HAVE strived to increase tax collections without imposing new taxes and we have been very aggressive in eliminating wasteful spending,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, in response to the Government’s highest monthly fiscal surplus in 25 years.
The national government recorded a surplus of P26.258 billion for the month of April, which brings its fiscal position for the first four months of the year to a surplus of P61 million.
“According to our economic managers, this ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has said the Philippine economy is likely to grow 4.8 percent to 5.8 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to last year.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga told reporters that the agriculture and services sectors contributed to the growth in the January-March 2011 quarter.
In the first quarter of 2010, the economy grew by 7.3 percent.
The government expects the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
SHOWBIZ
COMEDIAN Vhong Navarro will stay a "Kapamilya" for three more years.
This after the comedian, who started as a member of all-male dance group Streeboys, signed a fresh 3-year contract with ABS-CBN.
The contract signing was attended by top ABS-CBN executives.
He has been a Kapamilya talent for more than a decade now.
Navarro said he is thankful for the trust and opportunity given by the company. The “Showtime” host vowed to work harder in his upcoming projects.
The comedian-actor also said he w... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
SPORTS
Tiger Woods continued to slip the golf’s world rankings from eighth down to 12th position, the first time he has been outside the world top 10 since winning the Masters in 1997.
His high profile infidelity that led to a costly divorce from his wife has devastated him mentally. Followed by a long lay-off after the incident, has affected his game.
Since his comeback, he has yet to regain his luster performance and the lost glory where he was once the top player and the dominant athlete of the g... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
METRO
TAGUIG City Mayor Lani Cayetano has ordered the concerned local departments to step up the campaign against rabies through mass vaccination of pet dogs.
“Rabies is a grave concern for pets, their owners and the public in general. By having their pets vaccinated, they not only protect them from rabies but also contribute in preventing the spread of rabies-related incidents,” Cayetano said.
For this year, the mayor said, a six-man team from the City Agriculture Office is going to conduct anti... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
METRO
TO IMPROVE the health condition of pregnant women in Quezon City, the QC government has given free health insurance coverage through the Philhealth, to some 200 pregnant women in two barangays in the city.
The distribution of QC-sponsored Philhealth cards is part of the drive of QC to watch over the health of expectant mothers, especially the indigent ones.
With the number of women dying of childbirth unabated, the insurance serves as an intervention to maternal deaths by providing health benfi... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
METRO
THE city government of Malabon has released the mid-year pay and cash gift of its 900 employees
Malabon Mayor Canuto "Tito" Oreta said the mid-year bonus and cash gift was meant to provide the city employees with the cash needed for tuition fees and school supplies this opening of classes.
The mid-year pay is equivalent to half of an employee's regular salary plus a P2,000 cash gift from the local government unit.
Oreta said the City Treasurer’s Office (MCTO) has assured him that there is suff... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
METRO
CALOOCAN Mayor Enrico Echiverri has instructed Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri, to form risk reduction teams in all barangays of the city as a way of preparing for any possible disaster that may hit the country.
He said this is necessary so each barangay may immediately respond to the need of residents wherever fires, typhoons, earthquakes or any other type of disaster strike.
Echiverri said the volunteers who would be picked from each barangay will underg... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
METRO
METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis N. Tolentino clarified that its speed guns used to monitor overspeeding vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue could be used to monitor and apprehend overspeeding vehicles even at night.
This clarification was made in the wake of an erroneous statement uttered by MMDA Deputy Chairman Alex Cabanilla during a House committee hearing on Wednesday (May 25). Cabanilla reportedly said the speed guns could not work at night because photos... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
NATION
DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje on Wednesday ordered the department's lawyers to start summary proceedings against personalities behind the smuggle try of some P35-million worth of turtles and corals seized from two container vans last May 1 aboard a vessel that came from Cotabato province.
Paje gave the order as he condemned the poachers and their financiers who, he said, “have practically robbed the present and future generations of Filipin... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
NATION
THE government will tap the private sector and encourage volunteerism in a move to meet its target of halving the country’s 3.6 million housing gap by the time President Benigno S. Aquino III bows out of office in 2016.
“Since the resources of government are limited, we will fast-track the implementation of our sustainable communities, including the immediate development of other proclaimed sites for housing under PPP (Public Private Partnerships)schemes,” Vice President and Development ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
NATION
WITH the onset of rainy season, Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to immediately insure all school buildings and properties in the country’s northeastern seaboard where disasters usually strike.
Escudero made his call as he pursued this plan together with the DepEd and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), who will serve as the education department’s insurance underwriter.
“When disaster ravages the country, one of the first to go down... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
NATION
FORMER President and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants the government to address the problem of compulsive gambling, calling it a “growing public health concern that needs immediate attention”.
In line with this, Arroyo has filed author of House Bill 3599, which seeks to lessen the social impact of the problem of gambling in the country by providing counseling support and information dissemination on its condition and treatment.
“Compulsive gambling is character... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
In :
NATION
SENATOR Manny Villar has proposed to reduce the working hours of all public school teachers to a six-hour per day or a total of a 30-hour workweek to make them more effective and productive.
“Teachers clamor for higher pay but shorter working hours. Their work schedule leaves them stressed out and exhausted. Reducing their number of working hours will allow them to have more time to innovate and enhance classroom teaching and result to a more productive workforce,” Villar said.
Villar filed... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
OPINION
People power vs. a popular president?
BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh…” (Romans 13:13-13, the Holy Bible).
-ooo- IS PEOPLE POWER POSSIBLE AGAINST A POPULAR PRESIDENT? Is it really possible to oust a hug... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Too little, too late
BY ISMAEL AMIGO
PRESIDENT Aquino's order to crack down reckless drivers is a case of "too little too late". Had Malacanang ordered it earlier, several lives could have been saved, including that of journalist Lourdes Simbulan, better known in the media industry as Chit Estrella, whose taxi she was riding been was rammed by a bus along Commonwealth Avenue. But lives have already been sacrificed and now, P-Noy’s move is seen as a “knee-jerk” reaction to a problem that c... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
THE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) was named the most sociable airline in the world recently by Planely.com, an air travel-focused social networking site that saw 142 airlines joining its contest. Planely’s service allows passengers to register their flights, and the website shows them who they will be flying with so they can meet and help pass the time, network or taxi-share. Nick Martin, founder and CEO of Planely said, “We’re delighted to see how... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
SMART Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), posted continuous gains in mobile internet with five percent increase in its earnings in the first quarter of 2011.
“Despite the lower revenues, our margins actually improved as we continue to manage our cash expenses closely and prudently. Mobile subscriber take-up remains surprisingly resilient but revenues are under pressure as a result of lower volumes in both voice and text – the numb... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
EXPORTS of Philippine-made goods in March grew by 4 percent to $4.35 billion from last year's $4.18 billion, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported Tuesday.
For the first three months of the year, exports rose by 7.8 percent to $ 12.215 billion from $11.33 billion in the same period last year.
Electronics exports fetched $ 2.38 billion in March, up from $ 2.015 billion in February.
Sales of coconut oil, including crude and refined, amounted to $ 183.19 million, up by 78.5 percent compared... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
SHOWBIZ
ANOTHER big name is set to join TV-5.
Actress Lorna Tolentino is set to transfer to the Kapatid Network after her contract with ABS-CBN expires.
In her official Twitter account, Tolentino said her manager Lolit Solis met with TV5 executives last May 12 about her possible transfer.
“My manager Nay lolit will have meeting with tv5. Then we will talk about the offer. Im already old so what is best po sana. Thank you,” she said.
According to Tolentino, nothing is final yet about the negotiation b... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
SPORTS
DURING his sponsorship speech for the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) Act, Senator Edgardo J. Angara has praised the achievements of Filipino athletes despite the challenges they face including lack of training facilities and other resources
"While the Philippine athletic system still needs a lot of work in terms of national sports infrastructure and policies, we should be immensely proud of our athletes for these hard-fought victories, for triumphing in spite of these shortcomings," ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
LRT
SENATOR Ralph Recto appealed on Sunday to Malacanang to defer the bidding for the P15-billion management contract of the bundled Metro Rail Transit–Light Rail Transit (MRT-LRT) systems until Congress enacts the law setting up the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG).
Recto said among the powers of the proposed GCG is to review the operations of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to determine if they should be abolished or privatized subject to the approval of President Ben... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
METRO
THE United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) has named Makati City a ‘Role Model City’ in its global campaign to make cities resilient to disasters, including those brought about by climate change.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said the recognition came as a ‘pleasant surprise’ to the city government since it was their duty as public servants to exhaust all possible means to minimize the impact of disasters on the lives and properties of city resident... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
METRO
NAVOTAS Mayor John Rey Tiangco said the city government is now putting the finishing touches on its contingency measures for the opening of classes on June 6.
According to Tiangco, the ongoing preparations also involve the local Police Department, City Traffic and Parking Management Office (CTPMO), Engineering Department, Public Information Office (PIO), Barangay Operations Center (BOC), Health Department, and the School Division.
As part of the preparations, Tiangco ordered the deployment of t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
METRO
CALOOCAN Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri has ordered the inspection of all dormitories, boarding houses and similar buildings in the city as a means of looking after the safety of students who will be moving in to their temporary homes upon the opening of classes this June 6.
Based on Executive Order (EO) No. 12-11 issued by Echiverri, a task force for the inspection of such building will be formed, to be led by City Administrator Russel Ramirez; Fire/Supt. Roel Jeremy Diaz will serve as de... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
METRO
THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said it received from the Department of Health some 167 kits of medicines against Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) inside its jails.
BJMP officials said the medicines were donated by the regional office of the DoH-National Capital Region (NCR), one of the many agencies who have waged war with the disease common among inmates.
BJMP Chief Jail Director Rosendo M. Dial said PTB remains the second leading cause of death among inmates in Philippine jails... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
NATION
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has said it is planning to buy a submarine for the Philippine Navy (PN) to strengthen and improve its security capability.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban said the Navy’s Philippine Fleet is doing a study about the acquisition of such a submarine. It is conducted by the fleet’s office of plans and programs under Lt. Cmdr. Merlito Martinez.
The AFP chief stressed, however, that they are looking at the long-term prospects of acquiring a submarine... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
NATION
SENATOR Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos,Jr., chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, received the eleven members of the House of Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, who called on him and whose main interest is to discuss the experiences of the Philippines in regulating and developing the whole local government system, including the Barangay as a community and public administrative unit.
The visit also served as a manifestation of potential expansion of diplomati... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
NATION
SENATOR Manny Villar called on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to crack down on licensed recruitment agencies that demand money in exchange for the retrieval of passports and other documents by job applicants.
The pro-OFW legislator said that his office has received reports about certain licensed agencies that withhold their passports and refuse to return them despite several months of waiting for their deployment to push through.
"I urge the Philippine Overseas Employm... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
NATION
TO DRIVE home his seriousness and determination in fighting corruption, President Benigno S. Aquino III has put himself at the helm of the Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption.
“Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap means that good governance will be our overarching strategy in pursuit of inclusive development. It also means that the President will be leading the charge against corruption,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.
“The President is serious a... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Sunday, May 22, 2011,
In :
NATION
A HUGE success! In a nutshell, this was how Puregold marketing manager Kelvin Kuan, described the recent 6thPuregold Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention held last May 18-21 at the World Trade Center. Kuan said the event’s mission of giving people a chance to have their own small business, avail discounted products and gain knowledge on how to expand their livelihood through seminars were all accomplished. “Masasabing mission accomplished dahil natupad lahat ng goals ng con...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
AS TESTAMENT of its commitment to help overseas Filpino workers (OFWs), Puregold will put up a special booth during the 6th edition of its highly-successful "Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-sari Store Convention" that will be allocated for “modern-day heroes” who want to put up a sari-sari store. OFWs and their families will be taught on how to start the business and have an alternative livelihood during the convention slated from May 18-21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Vice Pres... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
SOME of the biggest names in the business sector will impart their knowledge on how to start a small- and medium-scale business during the 6th Edition of Puregold’s "Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-sari Store Convention" from May 18-21, 2011 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Dr. Francisco Colayco, a well-known entrepreneur, a venture developer and a financial advisor, leads the list of personalities who will tackle different aspects of business that would be helpful to would-be entrepr... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
VICE President Jejomar Binay and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has been invited guest of honor and speaker during the opening ceremony of the 6th Puregold Sari-Sari Convention slated May 18-21, 2011 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.
Big names in business as well as celebrities and Puregold endorsers in Boy Abunda, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon are also expected to grace the occassion.
And as testament of its commitment to help OFWs, Puregold will put up a special b... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
THE Senate Committee on Local Government will hold another public hearing in Marawi City next week before submitting its committee report on the Malacanang-backed proposal to postpone the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) polls originally scheduled for August this year to 2013.
Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, committee chairman, emphasized that there is a need to conduct further hearings as to provide the bases for any conclusions in the eventual committee report.
Marcos emphasiz... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
President Aquino said the plan will allot government land to an initial 560,000 families (a third of the more than 1.4-million informal settlers in the whole country) determined to be “squatting” in Metro Manila.
He said a unique “opportunity” had presented itself after an inventory led by the Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources had discovered that 1.5-million hectares of government land were readily available.
“We can give each of those 560,000 families t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
NATION
PRESIDENT Aquino has expressed full confidence in his Cabinet as he made it clear that he is not considering any revamp within the officials in the Executive department.
“I am empowered to reorganize the Executive branch to a large degree at any given time. Tinatanong ako kung may Cabinet revamp, kung sino ang papalitan ko, sabi ko, I’m happy with the Cabinet… so why should there be a revamp?” the Chief Executive said.
The President cited the dedicated performance of his Cabinet exertin... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
LRT
THE government will not be at the losing end of a deal privatizing the right to run the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).
While admitting the government will cough up P15 billion to pay for the services of the private sector, Transportation Secretary jose de Jesus said the amount is what it will actually spend if it were the one operating the mass rail systems.
DeJesus explained that the government will only bid out the 4- to 5-year operation of MRT-LRT, and will still own ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Forget the past, let’s move on!
BY ISMAEL AMIGO
THE Aquino government should take the cue from the survey conducted by StratPOLLS Inc., where seven out of 10 Filipinos expressed support for burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. According to StratPOLLs, 71.6 percent favored Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani while 28.4 percent answered in negative. The survey had 250 respondents. Approval for a hero's burial for Marcos was high in Las Piñas wit... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Yardstick for next Ombudsman, SC justices
BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO
LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death…” (Romans 8:1-2, the Holy Bible).
-ooo-
SANDIGAN STANDS UP TO PUBLIC PRESSURE: Balls, and lots of it, is how I view the Sandiganbayan decision approving the plea bargain deal between the Ombudsman and former AFP co... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
OPINION
 ‘We can only hope’ BY BENJIE ALEJANDRO ARMED Forces chief Gen. Eduardo Oban, Jr. is optimistic that China would abide on the existing code of conduct that govern the claimant countries on the Spratlys to avoid the use of force in settling conflicts or differences.
China has announced that it will deploy an additional 36 ships in the South China Sea within a five-year period.
Beijing actions will only ‘militarize’ the area. Other claimant countries who have a military capacity to increase...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
FILIPINOS' continuing fascination with useful applications in smartphones will result in bigger demand for mobile units, capable of carrying platforms such as android and the more famous Apple, an official of a local telecom giant said. "This presents an opportunity for us to produce more enriching and relevant experiences for our subscribers when they use their mobile phones," Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu said during the Mobile Marketing Conference organized by the Internet and ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
SEM-CALACA Power Corp., a unit of DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group, will start the expansion of the 600-megawatt Calaca-coal fired power plant this year, a company official said. Sem-Calaca director Nestor Davidas said the target is to expand the plant's capacity by another 600 MW but the first phase would be to construct two units of 150 MW circulating fluidized bed power plant. "The 2 X 150 MW CFB coal power plant is the first phase of the total 4 x 150 MW. We hope to break ground w... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
TWO new Shoe Mart (SM) malls, one of which is in Tianjin, China, are set to rise in two years boosting the retail giant's presence not just in the country but in the region. "A bigger and bolder SM Prime has since emerged, ready to take on the vast opportunities that will come from a robust and still growing Asian economy. Examples of this new momentum we are experiencing are the projects we are undertaking in Cebu City and in Tianjin, China,” Hans T. Sy, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) p... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
SHOWBIZ
ROBIN Padilla's daughter, Kylie, will star in the upcoming Kapuso series "Blusang Itim".
Kylie will portray the role of Jessa, which was first portrayed by actress Snooky Serna.
In the remake of the 1986 series, Kylie will star opposite Carl Guevarra and Frank Magallona.
Kylie admitted that she is nervous, especially that this is her first starring role. "May kaba siyempre ng konti kasi mas malaki na yung responsibilidad pag ikaw na yung bida," she said.
Now that she is paired with two of the bes... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Friday, May 13, 2011,
In :
SPORTS
FOR the nth time, Dionisia Pacquiao, or "Mommy D" to the millions of Manny Pacquiao fans, has pleaded his son to stop fighting.
But Manny would have to defy his mother once again as Top Rank has already arranged his next fight for November this year.
In a radio interview from General Santos City after his son defeated Sugar Shane Mosley via unanimous decision, Mommy D said Manny's best "Mother's Day" gift for her is his retirement from boxing.
"Parang awa mo na Manny, itigil mo na ang pagboboksi... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 3, 2011,
In :
NATION
By Ismael Adesas Amigo
OBVIOUSLY, Ombudswoman Merciditas Gutierrez finally succumbed to the political pressure heaped upon her by the Aquino Administration but she beat them to the draw by abruptly tendering her irrevocable resignation effective May 6, 2011.
The question now lingers: Will the nature of political vindictivism now stop and gear up to pro-people, pro-pregress thrust?
Or, will the other GMA remnants like Prospero Pichay follow the same route and silently fade away from public servi... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 3, 2011,
In :
NATION
AN AVIATION expert yesterday warned on a clear and present danger hanging over the airline industry with the continuing brain drain of experienced pilots and airline technicians that may result in a desperate shortage of aircraft captains worldwide.
“All major airlines are now competing against each other for services of good aircraft captains and the Philippines are greatly affected by it because our pilots are lured by huge salaries being offered,” said Capt. Benhur Gomez, a former safety ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, May 3, 2011,
In :
NATION
 SENATOR Manny Villar said the newly created crisis team for overseas Filipino workers should also include consultation with the OFW sector to make sure all bases are covered in the quest to handle situations affecting Filipinos abroad more effectively.
"To make this team more effective in the handling of future crisis situation, it would be ideal for the body to consult respected migrant workers group like Migrante International, Blas Ople Foundation and others," Villar said.
Executive Order 3...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, May 2, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Cong. Peping lambasts LPBY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him….” (Hebrews 11:6, the Holy Bible).
-ooo-
CONG. PEPING LAMBASTS LP: Calling news reports and opinion columns naming him as the leader of an opposition group against President Aquino as “miserably misleading”, former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, May 2, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Desperate move?
BY ISMAEL AMIGO
MANY people see President Aquino's visit to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and a provincial bus station in Cubao, Quezon City during the Holy Week break as a desperate move to prop up his approval rating.
While it’s good to show the public that he is a hands-on Chief Executive, some, including former President Fidel Ramos, are saying that he should let the Philippine National Police (PNP) handle such situations.
FVR described P-Noy’s move as “bakya”... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, May 2, 2011,
In :
OPINION
Another crisis in the offing
BY BENJIE ALEJANDRO OSAMA Bin Laden is dead. For the Americans and its allies he was as ‘terrorist’ a cold-blooded assassin. To the oppressed Muslims around the world Bin Laden was a hero , a martyr for their cause.
Now that Bin Laden is ‘terminated’ will the American soldiers leave Afghanistan at once?
To those who followed Bin Laden he was the symbol of al Qaeda. The United States can claim a great victory. Al Qaeda can proclaim his martyrdom.
According to ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
CUSTOMS Commissioner Angelito Alvarez has ordered the adoption of worldwide freight rate reference for containerized cargoes to deny tax cheats one of their age-old tricks for duties and taxes avoidance.
Alvarez said the Bureau of Customs was losing more than P1.3 billion a year from freight undervaluation due to absence of a reliable reference rate which the agency’s assessment personnel could use to check under-declarations in freight charges.
Until recently, mere photocopies of the bill of... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
BUSINESS
IN AREAS where there are no roads nor would be too costly to construct one, farmers are now literally “clinging on” agricultural tramlines.
Made of steel cable, pulleys and steel cage as “cable car” or carriage, a tramline has become a cheaper, more efficient and faster mode of transporting farm products from isolated areas to the nearest road onto trading posts or public markets.
Thanks to the ingenuity of Department of Agriculture (DA) engineers, particularly at the Philippine Center ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
LRT
A ranking official of an association of employers in the country welcomes using the railway’s stored value tickets as non-wage incentives to employees. Rene Cristobal, member of the Board of Governors of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), said the rails’ stored value tickets could join the package of non-wage benefits from employers like free sacks of rice, uniforms and medicines. Cristobal, who is also chairman of ECOP’s corporate social responsibility committee and... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
LRT
THE two stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 that were closed after a freak accident involving two trains last February finally reopened last April 11.
LRT-1's Roosevelt and Balintawak stations resumed operations on Monday at 5 a.m.
Last Feb. 18, two LRT trains on the way to Roosevelt station collided at the reversing track at the LRT-1 in Quezon City. An investigation showed one of the drivers was texting when the incident occurred.
The two stations are part of the North Extension Pr... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
LRT
PRESIDENT Aquino has officially launched the first batch of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects expected to stimulate the economy and provide thousands of employment opportunities.
The first batch of five infra projects are the following: LRT 1 extension/upgrading and privatization of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and privatization of MRT 3 Operation and Maintenance (O&M), both up for public bidding this month (March); the Daang Hari Road - South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
LRT
LRT seems to be preggy moms' favorite transportation for delivery.
Another pregnant woman on board almost gave birth in one of the stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Authority in Line 1 on Wednesday morning.
Mary Ann Opedra, 22 years old of E. Rodriguez St. Baclaran, Pasay City delivered her first child at Pasay General Hospital at around 8:44 am after being rushed by LRT frontline personnel to the nearest hospital near Libertad Station.
Accompanied by her husband Renato, On-duty Head Guar... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
METRO
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has ordered Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino to implement the centralized ticketing system and put up designated passenger waiting areas in all bus terminals to avoid chaotic situations during holiday seasons where thousands of commuters flock to the provinces.
The President issued the directives to Tolentino when he visited the Araneta Center bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City recently where he personally check the securi... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
METRO
THE city government of Makati has distributed cash assistance to fire victims at Laperal compound to encourage them to voluntarily leave the fire-razed property in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the city is providing P3,000 for individuals and P5,000 for families as cash assistance, particularly for individual boarders and families renting rooms inside the compound.
Based on a census conducted by the city Social Welfare Department (SWD), 90 per cent of the settl... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
METRO
QUEZON City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista, Pag-ibig Fund Chairman Darlene Marie B. Berberabe, and Habitat for Humanity director Ricardo N. Jacinto agree to pool resources for Quezon City's massive, socialized housing and resettlement program.
Mayor Bautista unveiled the city's 1.58 hectare eco village at Barangay Payatas, Quezon City, which will house from 300 to almost 500 families. QC-LGU purchased the property and will invest P23 million in road, drainage, streetlights and other infrastructur... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
METRO
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to provide one million peso fund assistance to local government units to level up solid waste management compliance in Metro Manila.
“The DENR is ready to provide as much as one million pesos to each local government unit within Metro Manila to assist them in monitoring the compliance, particularly of subdivisions and condominiums, in the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003,” DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said.
Re... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
NATION
UNSCRUPULOUS individuals may soon face stiffer penalty once a bill that addresses rampant smuggling of imported vehicles becomes a law.
Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus said House Bill 4362 seeks to squarely address the problem of smuggling of imported vehicles and penalize individuals involved in the illegal activity.
"The occurrence of registration of imported vehicles without clearances from the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) remains unabated despite existing laws," s... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
NATION
THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) expects the Philippine aviation sector to regain its Category 1 status from the United States Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) within the year.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to get back the FAA’s Category 1 rating within the year or early next year,” Glicerio V. Sicat, DOTC undersecretary for civil aviation and railways, said.
Sicat said the upgrade of the country's aviation sector will allow local airlines to expand their ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Tuesday, April 26, 2011,
In :
NATION
THE Reproductive Health (RH) bill issue has turned into a virtual "religious war" after the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and other religious groups expressed support behind the controversial piece of legislation.
The INC, which has about six million members and is known to vote as a bloc, said it is "ready to support the bill on reproductive health as long as there are no immoral elements in them."
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), for its part, has strongly oppo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, April 25, 2011,
In :
SHOWBIZ
TELEVISION host/actress Ruffa Gutierrez revealed that estranged husband Yilmaz Bektas wants to nullify their marriage as soon as possible.
Ruffa filed for annulment last 2009 after her marriage did not work out with the Turkish businessman "Nagmamadali na din siya. Hiwalay na kami since 2007 and four years na eh."
According to Ruffa, she's just waiting for the annulment because they've moved on with their separate lives. Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, April 25, 2011,
In :
SPORTS
PLENTY of college players have declared for the June 13 NBA draft, but some have left the door open to return to college by not agreeing to terms with an agent. This week, Kentucky's Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones did just this.
Sports Illustrated reports that the reluctance to sign with an agent may be because of the rocky labor situation in the NBA.
NBA rookies don't generally get paid until the middle of November and agents sometimes lend them money to get through till their first big pay... Continue reading ...
Posted by Metro Express News on Monday, April 25, 2011,
In :
SPORTS
PHILIPPINE Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Chito Salud expects the D-League could ably fill in the void left by the now-defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL).
“The competition is very fierce. You can see everyone, from the players and even the coaches and owners, giving their all in every game," said Salud, referring to the 13 teams that have joined the D-League.
Salud also believes that the D-League will be a continuing endeavor of the PBA since Board had already approved resid... Continue reading ...
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