Experts: Makati Science HS building construction should only cost between P489M to P644M

Experts said Tuesday the cost of construction of the Makati Science High School should be lower than the P1.3 billion the local government shelled out for it.

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French president Hollande to visit PHL in 2015, climate change tops agenda

French President François Hollande will visit the Philippines in 2015, in reciprocation for President Benigno Aquino III's visit to France last September.

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Aquino boards chartered flight for working visit to Singapore

President Benigno Aquino III and a Philippine delegation on Tuesday morning boarded a chartered flight to Singapore for a two-day working visit.

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4 to 6 million expected at Pope Francis’ Luneta mass

Organizers of Pope Francis' papal visit are bracing for four to six million people at the Mass the pope will lead at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Jan. 18 next year.

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Close to a year after Terminal 3 shooting, NAIA still lacks CCTV cameras

Close to a year since four people were shot to death at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, the Manila International Airport Authority has yet to finish installing security cameras at the country's primary airport.

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SC, parties all set for EDCA oral arguments

With the guidelines for the debate already in place, parties in cases contesting the constitutionality of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are set to lay their arguments on the controversial bilateral deal before the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

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House set to resume floor debates on Cha-cha, anti-political dynasty proposals

Discussions on two controversial measures — the anti-political dynasty bill and the charter change resolution — are set to resume on the floor of the House of Representatives now that the proposed 2015 national budget has been submitted to the Senate.

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Doctors’ group hits AFP, DOH execs for visiting quarantined peacekeepers

The Philippine College of Physicians has criticized military and health officials' for visiting peacekeepers from Ebola-hit Liberia at their quarantine facilities in Caballo Island over the weekend.

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Albay mulling school holidays during APEC-ISOM on Dec. 8 and 9

Classes in Albay province may be suspended on December 8 and 9, Monday and Tuesday, when the province hosts a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

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Solon seeks passage of Bill of Rights for Taxi Passengers

With the holiday season fast approaching, a lawmaker has renewed his push for the passage of a proposed “Bill of Rights for Taxi Passengers” to protect them from abusive and picky cab drivers.

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Only 2,000 attendees allowed for Pope Francis’ Mass at Manila Cathedral

Only 2,000 bishops, priests, and religious individuals are allowed to attend the Papal Mass at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015, the second day of Pope Francis' visit in the Philippines.

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VP Binay’s affidavit: Senators acting as judges, witnesses

Vice President Jejomar Binay has submitted an eight-page affidavit to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee formally denying the overpricing in the construction of the P2.7-billion Makati City Hall Building II and chiding senators for acting as prosecutors, judges and even witnesses against him.

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Senators remember Flavier as friend, confidant, father

Despite his achievements as a lawmaker, the late Senator Juan Flavier made his mark on his colleagues not just as an outstanding legislator but as a friend, confidant, adviser, and father.

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Bong Revilla leaves detention for overnight stay at St. Luke’s

Detained Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Monday left his detention facility at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame to undergo various medical checkups at St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) in Taguig City.

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Senate adjourns session early in honor of Flavier

The Senate on Monday adjourned its session early in honor of the late Senator Juan Flavier.

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AFP: Quarantined peacekeepers in Caballo Island all okay

The Filipino UN peacekeepers who are currently on their 21-day quarantine period at Caballo Island near Corregidor are in good condition, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc reiterated on Monday.

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Strike down EDCA, Laude kin ask Supreme Court

The family of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude on Monday asked the Supreme Court to declare the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States as unconstitutional.

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Gazmin: AFP to acquire P23B worth of new ships, equipment

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will soon acquire more than P23 billion worth of brand new boats, helicopters, rifles and other combat and communication equipment, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin announced on Monday.

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Turkish PM to diplomat: Don’t return to Turkey until MILF disarmament

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday pledged his country's full support behind the Mindanao peace process, particularly the task of disarming the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

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Justice irked by delays in Estrada bail hearing

Even justices of the Sandiganbayan have started to grow impatient with the slow pace of the bail hearings of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada, with Justice Roland Jurado, chairman of the Fifth Division, saying the 2016 elections might be over before a decision on bail can be reached.

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Osmeña: Give Drilon accuser one more chance to prove case

Senator Sergio Osmena III believes the Senate should give former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada another chance to present his evidence on the alleged overpricing in the P700-million Iloilo Convention Center.

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Osmeña: Senate might not pass PNoy’s emergency powers before 2015

Senator Sergio Osmena III on Monday expressed doubt that the Senate would approve before the year ends the bill granting President Benigno Aquino III special powers to address the looming power shortage next year.

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PNoy to hold bilateral talks with Turkey PM

President Benigno Aquino III is scheduled on Monday to hold a bilateral meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is currently on his first official visit to the Philippines.

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Tacloban mayor says Lacson tirades slowed down Yolanda rehab efforts

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Monday blamed Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson for the delay in the recovery efforts in the Yolanda-hit city.

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SWS poll result disproves critics of govt disaster response – Palace spokesman

The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll showing higher satisfaction rating for the Aquino administration proved critics of the government wrong, a Malacañang spokesperson said Monday.

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National Press Club draped in black as Maguindanao massacre anniversary nears

The facade of the National Press Club was draped in black Monday as the fifth anniversary of the infamous Maguindanao massacre nears.

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Senate probe not meant to persecute VP Binay, Trillanes insists

Insisting that the Senate probe on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall building II was not meant to persecute Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Monday said proposed measures have been submitted as a result of the ongoing investigation.

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Senate pays last respects to Flavier

The urn containing the ashes of the late Senator Juan Flavier was brought Monday morning at the Senate session hall to allow his former colleagues to pay their respects to him.

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Phivolcs: No tsunami threat from mag-6.7 New Zealand quake

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday allayed fears of a tsunami from a magnitude-6.7 quake that jolted New Zealand.

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Aquino govt satisfaction rating recovers in Q3 – SWS

The Aquino administration's satisfaction rating recovered in the third quarter of 2014, registering a "good" +35 in September from the "moderate" +29 in June, according to a poll taken by the Social Weather Stations.

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Overpricing at Makati Science High School? Just lies – VP Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday denied alleged overpricing in the P1.33-billion Makati Science High School saying that the allegations were just "lies" by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

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Admin ally: LP-NP alliance ‘unbeatable’ in 2016

Even though the Liberal Party (LP) and Nacionalista Party (NP) have yet to formally join forces, an official of the ruling party said Sunday that a coalition between the two will spell victory for their candidates in the 2016 national and local elections.

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Ending Iloilo Convention Center probe a betrayal of public trust, Mejorada warns

Former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada on Sunday said that ending the investigation into alleged overpricing in the Iloilo Convention Center "at a time when more questions emerged than were answered would be tantamount to betrayal of public trust."

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House eyes approval of emergency powers for PNoy before end of 2014

With Luzon facing a looming power shortage next year, the majority bloc in the House of Representatives will exert all its efforts to expedite the approval of the joint resolution granting President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers before the end of 2014, House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II said Sunday.

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DBM: Govt workers to receive bonus, cash gift, 13th month pay this week

Government employees will receive this week their year-end bonus, the last tranche of their 13th month pay, and a cash gift of P5,000, the Department of Budget and Management said Sunday.

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Twenty killed, including civilians in fresh clashes in southern Philippines

Twenty people died in a single day in the southern Philippines following a fresh outbreak of unrest in the strife-torn region, officials said Saturday. The military earlier said that 15 people were killed Friday after heavy fighting between government forces and al Qaeda-linked militants in the jungle region, where various Muslim extremist and bandit groups are active. A police report indicated civilians, including an eight-year-old girl were among fatalities in late last week's clashes.

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Palace: DSWD team to look into conditions at vagrant children’s facility in Manila

A fact-finding team of the Department of Social Welfare and Development will look into the conditions at a center in Manila for rescued vagrant children operated by the DSWD, after a photo of a "severely malnourished boy" in the facility circulated online, a Palace spokesman said on Sunday.

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Peacekeeper with malaria to finish 21-day quarantine on Caballo Island

The Filipino peacekeeper who tested positive for malaria will be sent back to Caballo Island in a week’s time to complete the 21-day quarantine once he has recovered from malaria, the Department of Health said Sunday.

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Groups picket Hacienda Luisita to mark 10 years after massacre

Militant groups on Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre with a picket seeking justice for seven farmers gunned down in the 2004 incident.

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Organizers remind Pinoys: No tickets to Papal visit events

Organizers of Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the Philippines in January on Saturday reminded Filipinos to be wary of those selling tickets to events related to the papal visit.

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Palace appeals to teachers not to go on mass leave

Malacañang on Saturday appealed to public school teachers not to push through with a reported plan to go on mass leave in an effort to acquire better pay and benefits.

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Makati Science High issue prejudged on ‘mere say so’, ‘cursory’ inspection – Binay camp

Some senators may have already prejudged alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati Science High School, the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay said.

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PNoy heading to Singapore Tuesday for 2-day working visit

President Benigno Aquino III will head for Singapore on Tuesday for a two-day working visit, Malacañang said Saturday.

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Palace asks public for understanding over inconveniences from papal visit preps

Malacañang on Saturday asked the public for understanding over the inconveniences that may be caused by ongoing preparations for the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines in January.

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Three dead after ambush in Basilan

Lamitan City chief Senior Insp. Gean Gallardo identified the victims as Noel Alvarez, his son Nolie, and their co-worker Alen Pioquinto.

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DOH: Pinoy peacekeeper negative for ebola, positive for malaria

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday that the Filipino peacekeeper who experienced fever and chills earlier Friday tested negative for the Ebola virus, but was instead infected by malaria.

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Palace condoles with families of soldiers slain in Sulu encounter

Malacañang on Saturday condoled with the families of at least five soldiers killed in an encounter with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu province on Friday.

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2 civilians killed, two others hurt in Cotabato mortar attack

Two people were killed and three others hurt in an alleged mortar attack by the memebers of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Pikit town in North Cotabato early on Saturday morning.

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Bishops to Methodist members: Discuss LGBT issues openly

For the first time, bishops of the United Methodist Church have called on its clergy and lay members to start openly discussing the issue of human sexuality, including the controversial issues concerning the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

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Palace renews appeal not to panic over Ebola as final info on isolated peacekeeper due Monday

As it expects the Department of Health to provide by Monday "final information" on a Filipino peacekeeper isolated due to fever symptoms, Malacanang on Saturday reiterated its appeal to the public not to panic over a possible Ebola threat.

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