RP to ask private sector to build airport terminals

MANILA, Philippines—The cash-strapped Philippines said Wednesday it will call on the private sector to help build up to six airport terminals as it bids to boost the country’s finances through increased tourism. With the government needing to create jobs to ease widespread poverty while faced with a huge budget deficit for at least…

House to combine impeach raps vs Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines—The two impeachment complaints against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez will likely be consolidated when the justice committee in the House of Representatives tackles it next month, said Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the committee. ‘The complaints were referred to the committee on justice at the same time, hence consolidation of the complaints is possible,’ he said in a text message. Seeking clarification in plenary late Wednesday on the time…

Philippines to hand out excess rice to children

MANILA: The Philippines, the world’s leading importer of rice, said on Wednesday it would hand out 50,000 tonnes of the surplus grain to children. The give-away will free up space in 480 government warehouses where President Benigno Aquino has said unsold rice is rotting, National Food…

Meralco probing cause of brownout that hit Aquino’s residential area

MANILA, Philippines—Power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) confirmed Wednesday that a service interruption occurred on Times St., Quezon…

Arroyo keeps full schedule on last work day as President

MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was so busy on her last working day as the country’s chief executive on Tuesday that she admitted not knowing what to wear for Wednesday, when she shall step down from power at noon. ‘I haven’t thought about that yet,’ President Arroyo told reporters who asked what she would wear in her exit from Malacañang after nine years in power. The President, dressed in a pink suit and pink heels, had just come from conferring presidential awards to officials of the Commission of Elections led by chairman Jose Melo—one of four scheduled events that she had and which she met on her last working day as president

Philippines’ outgoing president calls for unity

MANILA, Philippines (AP): Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged the Philippines on Wednesday to unite behind her successor, who has promised to investigate her for alleged wrongdoing during her nine-year administration. In a nationally broadcast farewell message ahead of the end of her term on June 30, she recalled that she took power during turbulent times when massive anti-corruption protests forced her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, to step down in January 2001

Frost & Sullivan: On-Going Global Struggle to Reduce Emissions Necessitates Large-Scale Adoption of Solar PV Systems in Southeast Asia

Peso drops to P45.62 against US dollar over Euro zone debts

MANILA, Philippines—The peso fell sharply on Wednesday amid worsening fears of investors over the debt problems in the Euro zone. After declining on Tuesday, the peso shed off 38 centavos more on Wednesday to close at 45.62 against the US dollar from Tuesday’s finish of 45.24

Filipino troops chase militants after deadly raid

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine troops clashed Wednesday with a top Muslim militant commander and dozens of fighters suspected of trying to seize a key predominantly Christian southern city in a daring attack the previous day that killed at least 13 people. There was no word of casualties in the latest fighting between troops and more than 60 Abu Sayyaf gunmen led by Puruji Indama, a notorious militant whose brother was among the dead in Tuesday’s coordinated attacks on the Basilan provincial capital of Isabela, said Lt. Gen.

Mike Arroyo discharged from hospital, told to lose weight

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) First Gentlemen Miguel ‘Mike’ Arroyo left St. Luke’s Hospital in Taguig City around noon Wednesday with strict instructions from his doctors to lose weight

PNP chief to retiring police officers: Quit your posts

MANILA, Philippines—To further insulate the police force from partisan politics, Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered all unit commanders who are set to retire from April 15 to June 30 to relinquish their posts. In a directive obtained by the…

DoH warns public of dyed ‘fresh-looking’ meat

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DoH) warned Wednesday the public from buying ‘fresh-looking but actually dyed meat in wet markets due to health problems that might arise from meat consumption, an official said. Dyed pork, chicken and beef should not be consumed because they are possible sources of ailments such as poisoning…

Meralco doing its best to ensure electricity supply

MANILA, Philippines—Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor, assured the public on Wednesday that it was doing everything to ensure reliable and adequate power supply even prior to the automated elections on May 10. ‘We are performing necessary measures to ensure provision of adequate and reliable electric supply to all…

Thai police charge Philippines woman over cocaine haul

BANGKOK– Thai police said Wednesday they had arrested a Filipina at Bangkok’s main airport for trafficking cocaine worth 247,000 dollars.

Dismissed Napolcom official says calls agency rubber stamp

MANILA, Philippines — A member of the National Police Commission said on Wednesday that he has been sacked from his post, and proceeded to criticize the agency for being a mere ‘rubber stamp’ of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Napolcom Commissioner Mar General said he received a copy of the appointment papers of his replacement, a certain ‘Uro,’ a former congressman from Zamboanga, on Monday. But General clarified that officially, he has not received a notice of his dismissal

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