Businessman Antonio Tiu claims receiving threats

Businessman Antonio Tiu on Wednesday claimed that he was being blackmailed by some personalities from the government if he would not cooperate in the Senate investigation on various allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

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PNoy meets Cabinet to set Yolanda rehab priorities

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday convened his Cabinet to get updates on efforts to rebuild areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last year.

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Coming soon: Fake-proof postal ID

Soon, the Postal ID—one of six IDs acknowledged in government transactions—will be harder to fake with the addition of new security measures.

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PCSO: Lotto bettor wins P16M in Superlotto draw

A lone lotto bettor won P16 million in Tuesday night's Superlotto 6/49 draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

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NEA exec indicted for solicitating P1.5M from electric cooperative

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file criminal charges against National Electrification Agency (NEA) Acting Department Manager for Legal Services Omar Mayo for soliciting P1.5 million from the Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Inc (COTELCO) in May 2010.

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Govt response on Yolanda meets int’l standards —Palace

A Palace official on Tuesday maintained that the administration's response on the aftermath of super Typhoon Yolanda has met international standards, saying it took the government only eight months to transition its efforts from relief to rehabilitation.

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2 arrested in drug sting operation in QC

Two people were arrested while an undetermined amount of drugs was seized in a sting operation in Quezon City Wednesday morning.

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Red Cross: 40,000 families rebuilding homes after Yolanda as recovery phase sets in

Cash and food-for-work programs to enable 40,000 families to build their new homes and move into them in the next 15 months were underway as Tacloban residents the Philippine Red Cross cared for got their last tranche of emergency aid last month, the PRC said on Tuesday.

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House OKs bill granting students a 20% fare discount in all public transport

The 20 percent student fare discount may soon apply to airplanes and ferries, and not just in jeepneys and buses, after the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 5068 which provides the discount on all kinds of public transportation.

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House bill seeks to protect children caught in disasters

A year after the super typhoon Yolanda ravaged the country, a bill has been filed in the House of Representatives calling for a structural approach to ensuring that children are protected in the aftermath of disasters and emergencies.

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DOJ, attached agencies to keep 5-day work week

The Department of Justice and its attached agencies will keep a five-day work week, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said in a memorandum circular on Tuesday.

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Erice challenges Binay: Heed your frat’s creed, quit PNoy Cabinet

Can Vice President Jejomar Binay stay true to the creed of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega (APO)? An outspoken Liberal Party stalwart on Tuesday challenged Binay to follow the APO creed and resign from President Benigno Aquino III’s Cabinet if he can no longer be loyal to the administration.

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Results of Psychologist, Psychometrician licensure exams out

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday announced that 35 out of 53 passed the Psychologist Licensure Examination and 1,290 out of 3,283 passed the Psychometrician Licensure Examination in Manila in October.

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Palace remains mum on Iloilo Convention Center controversy

Malacañang remains mum on the issue of the allegedly overpriced construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), supposedly involving administration allies Senate President Franklin Drilon, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson.

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LPs rally behind Drilon, Cabinet members in Iloilo controversy

Top officials of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) on Tuesday rallied behind Senate President Franklin Drilon and other administration officials implicated in the alleged overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC), a day after the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee announced it would investigate the controversy.

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Ambush survivor says six soldiers fought valiantly before they died

The remains of one of the soldiers killed in an ambush by the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan on November 2 arrived at Villamor Air Base Tuesday evening.

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First dengue vaccine likely to launch next year – DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the possibility of the first dengue vaccine being available in the country by next year.

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Palace extends condolences to Arroyo family

Malacañang on Tuesday extended its sympathies to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over the death of her 13-month-old grandson on Sunday.

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Senate Blue Ribbon will only accept VP Binay, not his spokesmen

The chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday said it would not allow representatives to speak in behalf of Vice President Jejomar Binay when the hearing resumes on the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Building II and other allegations of corruption resumes on Thursday.

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VP Binay grants no interview after meeting with bishop

After an almost three-hour meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Vice President Jejomar Binay left the office of the Archdiocese of Manila Tuesday afternoon without granting any interviews.

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Arroyo convoy leaves VMMC for Forbes

The convoy left at about 4 p.m., shortly after the Sandiganbayan allowed Mrs. Arroyo to visit her grandson's wake, radio dzBB's Rowena Salvacion reported.

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House passes bill on Moro studies elective

A bill providing for the inclusion of Moro History, Culture and Identity Studies as an elective subject in colleges and universities is closer to becoming a law after hurdling the House of Representatives.

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Flavier, a tough act to follow – Ona

The work done by former Health Secretary and Senator Juan Flavier for the country’s public health program is a tough act to follow, on-leave Health Secretary Enrique Ona admitted Tuesday.

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VP Binay wants to face Senate inquiry, Tiangco says

Vice President Jejomar Binay wants to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Thursday to answer the allegations of corruption against him but continues to hear conflicting advice from his closest advisers as regards the inquiry.

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DOJ: Unliquidated cash advance only P890k, not P617M

The Department of Justice on Tuesday denied accumulating P617.44 million in unliquidated cash advances based on a Commission on Audit financial report last year.

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AFP files disbarment case vs. Laude’s lawyer

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has officially filed a disbarment complaint against lawyer Harry Roque, legal counsel of the family of slain transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.

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Flavier’s remains to be cremated Tuesday afternoon

The remains of former Health Secretary and Senator Juan Flavier will be cremated in Quezon City Tuesday afternoon, according to his son-in-law Roby Alampay.

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TG Guingona: Still no word from VP Binay on Blue Ribbon invitation

Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, on Tuesday said the panel had yet to receive a reply from Vice President Jejomar Binay on whether he would attend the Senate probe on various allegations against his family including the allegedly overpriced construction of Makati City Hall Building II.

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Senate blue ribbon seeks documents regarding alleged overpriced ICC

The Senate blue ribbon committee has asked former and incumbent government officials involved in the alleged overpriced Iloilo Convention Center to provide documents in connection with the construction of the controversial project.

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Ona admits taking a leave to extensively answer PNoy’s queries

On-leave Health Secretary Enrique Ona admitted Tuesday that he took a leave to extensively answer President Benigno Aquino III’s questions on the Health Department's immunization and other public health programs.

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Bello: I might think of running for president if PNoy supports me

Running for president may be the farthest thing in his mind right now, but Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello may think about this seriously following President Benigno Aquino III's dare that he run for the highest office in the land if he knows how to run the country.

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Govt lawyers want to limit Gloria Arroyo’s time at grandson’s wake to 24 hours

Citing former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's numerous ailments, the prosecution panel on Tuesday argued that the incumbent Pampanga lawmaker should only be given 24 hours to visit the wake of her departed grandson.

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Flavier’s remains at DOH for necrological service

The remains of former Health Secretary and Senator Juan Flavier have arrived at the Department of Health compound for the necrological service Tuesday morning.

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Arroyo at wake of grandson, requests privacy

Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attended the wake of her 13-month-old grandson on Monday evening after being allowed by the Sandiganbayan to leave the Veterans Memorial Memorial Center for two hours.

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Sandiganbayan allows CGMA to attend grandson's wake

The Sandiganbayan on Monday allowed former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo to temporarily leave the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to attend the wake of her late grandson.

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Gatchalian: Frat members suggested ‘controversial’ provision in anti-hazing bill

Fraternity members suggested the inclusion of a provision in proposed legislation against hazing that will hold the officers and alumni of fraternities and sororities as liable as members who participated in the act, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian said Monday.

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PNoy to Akbayan solon: Run for president if you have so many complaints

If you think you have all the right ideas, run for president. This was President Benigno Aquino III's message to his ally, Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello, who criticized some Cabinet officials over the weekend.

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Probe on PNP chief Purisima already underway – Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman assured a Senate panel on Monday that it is investigating alleged donations given to Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima.

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Jinggoy asks Sandiganbayan to nullify Luy’s immunity

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday challenged the immunity granted to primary whistleblower Benhur Luy, whom he described as the most guilty in the alleged pork barrel scam.

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Blue ribbon to probe alleged overpriced ICC project –Guingona

The Senate blue ribbon committee will formally investigate the alleged overpriced construction of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) and other issues related to it, its chairman, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, said Monday.

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US cancels port calls of three naval ships to PHL

The United States has canceled the visit of its three military ships to its former naval base in Subic Bay, Olongapo City in Zambales, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

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DOJ slaps drug raps vs. 4 Chinese in P7B shabu bust

The Department of Justice has recommended the filing of drug-related charges against four Chinese nationals who were arrested in a raid on a "mega" shabu laboratory and storage facility in Pampanga in September, where more than P7 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and ingredients for producing the drug were seized.

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Drilon okay with Senate probe of allegedly overpriced Iloilo Center

Senate President Franklin Drilon is open to a Senate investigation on the allegedly overpriced Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) as he expressed confidence that the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) would manage to defend the regularity of the project funded in part by his pork barrel allocations.

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PNoy: Ona went on leave to review PHL’s immunization program

CALAMBA CITY—President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said that he had asked Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona to reassess the country's immunization program, prompting the Cabinet official to go on a "personal" leave.

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PNoy: Abu Sayyaf to be hunted down, brought to courts

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday pledged that his administration will hunt down the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and bring its members to courts.

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Gloria Arroyo seeks temporary house arrest to attend grandson’s wake

Former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan for a nine day temporary house arrest to attend the wake of her 13 month old grandson who died Sunday of a congenital heart disease.

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De Lima: House anti-hazing bills too broad, may violate rights

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima would rather the House of Representatives limit the liability of fraternity and sorority members in proposed legislation to penalize hazing.

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CGMA to ask Sandiganbayan for furlough to attend wake, interment of grandson

Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will ask the Sandiganbayan for a furlough to attend the wake and interment of her grandson who died early Sunday.

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Chances of VP Binay attending Senate probe slim – JV Bautista

The chances of Vice President Jejomar Binay attending the Senate blue ribbon committee probe on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II appear slim after two of his allies were booted out of the subcommittee’s hearing last week.

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Despite reservations from allies, VP Binay wants to push through with Trillanes debate

Despite the misgivings of some of his allies in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Vice President Jejomar Binay is ready to face Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a debate, one of his spokespersons said Sunday.

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