Aquino arrives from Singapore, chats with Garin at the airport

President Benigno Aquino III arrived home Wednesday evening from Singapore, where he went on a two-day working visit.

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2015 govt feeding program to reach 2M wasted and severely wasted children

Some two million wasted and severely wasted children all over the country are set to benefit next year from the government's 120-day feeding program after the Senate increased the funding for it.

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Garin defends ‘unprotected’ visit to quarantined peacekeepers

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin has admitted she may have committed some “lapses” in visiting the Filipino peacekeepers from Ebola-stricken Liberia unprotected, but said Wednesday she is still keen on attending budget deliberations in the Senate next week.

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Maguindanao massacre suspect wants P11.4M bail reduced

An accused in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre has asked the court to lower the P11.4 million bail requirement for his temporary freedom.

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Arroyo ally revives call for Christmas furlough for ex-President

A former Cabinet member under the administration of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has renewed his call for the Sandiganbayan to allow the detained lawmaker to spend the Christmas holidays with her family in light of her deteriorating health.

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Napolcom asked to soon resolve admin raps vs. cops in Maguindanao massacre

Families of 13 victims in the five-year-old Maguindanao massacre on Wednesday asked the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to "immediately resolve" the four-year-old administrative case they had filed against local policemen implicated in the November 23, 2009 killings.

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Malacañang condemns witness’ killing in Maguindanao

Malacañang on Wednesday deplored the killing of a witness in the Maguindanao massacre case. At a press briefing, deputy presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte also offered sympathies to the family of the slain witness, Dennis Sakal.

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13 suspected Abu Sayyaf members nabbed in Sulu

Thirteen suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group were arrested before noon Tuesday in Sulu, Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said Wednesday.

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To prove alibi, Zaldy Ampatuan camp presents airline exec, Maguindanao admin officer

The camp of mulitple murder suspect Rizaldy "Zaldy" Ampatuan on Wednesday presented an airline supervisor and a Maguindanao administrative official to prove his claim that he was not involved in the planning and carrying out of the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre in Ampatuan in Maguindanao province.

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Pia Cayetano to welcome Garin to Senate with ‘hand on heart’

When Department of Health officer-in-charge Undersecretary Janette Garin arrives at the Senate on Monday, Senator Pia Cayetano would greet her with neither a handshake nor a kiss but with the a handless greeting made necessary by the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa.

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Songs, prayers of the faithful for Papal Mass at Manila Cathedral may be in PHL languages

The Songs for the Papal Mass at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, 2015 might be in different Philippine languages, if not, the prayers of the faithful might be, a television report said on Wednesday.

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Drilon wants Roxas to be LP’s standard-bearer in 2016 polls

If Senate President Franklin Drilon would have his way, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas will be the Liberal Party's standard-bearer in 2016.

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Cardinal Tagle: Only two of Pope Francis’ events open to public

Only two of 11 events during Pope Francis' visit to the Philippines will be open to the public, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said.

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PHL wants ‘concrete actions’ amid Chinese leader’s vow against violence in resolving sea row

Although the Philippines welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment that China will not use force in resolving the South China Sea disputes, Manila said Beijing’s assurance should be matched by its actions.

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Pinoy peacekeepers to receive arrival honors, additional allowance after quarantine

The 25 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who were part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping team from Liberia will be given arrival honors and additional allowance after they completed the mandatory 21-day quarantine on Caballo Island.

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Napoles kids refuse to enter plea in graft raps

Unlike their mother, the children of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on Wednesday refused to enter any plea in the numerous graft cases filed against them in connection with the multibillion-peso fraud.

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PNoy: Improved administration ratings show Pinoys don’t fall for falsehoods

President Benigno Aquino III looks at the improved satisfaction ratings of his administration as an indication that Filipinos don't fall for falsehoods.

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VP Binay visits folk in Cebu

While his critics continue to hurl accusations against him before Senate hearings, Vice President Jejomar Binay spent two days in Cebu province this week.

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Garin may have to wear protective gear during budget debates next week

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin may have to wear a protective gear when she goes to the Senate next week during the budget deliberations of the agency’s proposed 2015 budget.

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UP sets mandatory holiday breaks Dec. 18-23, 29

The University of the Philippines community may enjoy a "mandatory" holiday break from Dec. 18 to 23 and on Dec. 29, UP president Alfredo Pascual declared.

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Senate wants those earning up to P82k to be included in 13th month pay tax exemption

If the bill seeking to increase the tax exemption cap for 13th month pay and other benefits would be passed into law, those earning up to P82,000 would also be covered.

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PNoy seeking consensus on 2016 bet, but not in talks with VP Binay

President Benigno Aquino III is currently seeking consensus among his allies on whom to anoint as his successor, but Vice President Jejomar Binay is not being involved in this process.

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PRC: Marine Deck, Master Mariner and Chief Mate exam results out

Forty new master mariners, 263 new chief mates and 1,329 new navigational watch officers-in-charge passed the latest round of licensure examinations the Board for Marine Deck Officers gave, the Professional Regulation Commission said Tuesday evening.

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SEC documents show links between alleged ‘bagman’ companies and VP Binay

A GMA News Research study has found Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents which show a connection, through several companies, between a Gerardo S. Limlingan Jr. and Vice President Jejomar Binay, GMA 7 news program “24 Oras” reported on Tuesday.

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US embassy gives heads up on possible delays in visa processing

Citing some technical difficulties, the United States Embassy in Manila advised the public of possible delays in visa processsing and in sending and receiving communications.

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VP Binay threatens to sue accusers

Vice President Jejomar Binay has threatened to sue the individuals who are implicating him in various anomalies involving corruption, a report from GMA News TV's “State of the Nation” said Tuesday.

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Ex-AFP chief Biazon: Is ASG sending a message amid BBL hearings?

Former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief and incumbent Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon on Tuesday called for a deeper investigation on the clash that occurred between the military and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Talipao, Sulu on Friday.

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Some SC justices: ‘Raise EDCA issues before the Senate’

Saying it would be premature for them to rule on the matter, several Supreme Court justices on Tuesday said issues raised against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) would best be resolved in the Senate.

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Doctors’ group says immunization rate low even with enough vaccines

Amid the controversy over the Department of Health's (DOH) procurement of some P833.6-million worth of anti-pneumonia vaccine two years ago, a doctors' group said the government should address the fact that vaccination is not carried out enough even when there is enough supply.

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Youth solon: SC declaring EDCA unconstitutional at top of ‘Christmas wish list’

With the holiday season drawing closer, Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said there is no better Christmas wish that could be granted for nationalist youths than for the Supreme Court to strike down the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA)

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Ombudsman Morales opposes six Bangsamoro bill provisions

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has opposed six provisions in draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.

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DOH: Second peacekeeper falls ill on Caballo Island

Another Filipino peacekeeper currently on Caballo Island in Cavite has fallen ill, a report from GMA's “Balita Pilipinas” program said Tuesday.

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US suspect in murders of Filipina, British bf extradited to PHL

An American man has been extradited to the Philippines to stand trial for the murder of a retired British policeman and his Filipina girlfriend, the Department of Justice said Tuesday.

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Grace Poe bares one reason why she won't run in 2016

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday doesn't want to go through what her father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., experienced in 2004.

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De Lima insists on constitutionality of justice system under Bangsamoro Basic Law

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday maintained that the establishment of an autonomous justice system under the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is in accordance with the Constitution.

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Palace: Execs behaved ‘responsibly’ when they visited peacekeepers

Top officials of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acted "responsibly" when they visited quarantined Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia, Malacañang said Tuesday.

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Trillanes questions completion certificate for unfinished Makati Science building

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday questioned the issuance of a completion and acceptance certificate for the 10-storey Makati Science High School building despite its being unfinished.

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PNP to public: Don’t fall for rumors of papal visit security threats

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday appealed to the public not to believe rumors that there are security threats to Pope Francis' upcoming visit and the Philippines' hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015.

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Monitor your temperature, solon advises DOH’s Garin

Former military chief and incumbent Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon on Tuesday advised acting Health Secretary Janette Garin to monitor her temperature for 21 days following the latter's visit to the Filipino peacekeepers undergoing a 21-day quarantine on Caballo Island.

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Ex-ally says VP Binay owns units in 60 percent of Makati condos

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Tuesday alleged before the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee that presumptive presidential candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay, was given units in 60 to 70 percent of condominium buildings in the city in exchange for faster processing of permits, tax relief and other privileges for the developers.

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EDCA oral arguments start; Saguisag says Aquino has no say on EDCA

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement started on Tuesday, with former Senator Rene Saguisag insisting President Benigno Aquino III has no authority to decide on the controversial bilateral pact.

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Apology not a bad idea, says ex-DOH Sec. on AFP, DOH execs’ visit to peacekeepers without protective gear

It is "not a bad idea" for Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin to issue an apology for not wearing protective gear during their visit to quarantined Filipino peacekeepers on Caballo Island, former Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral said Tuesday.

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SC denies Laude plea to intervene in EDCA cases

The Supreme Court has denied a bid from the family of slain transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude to intervene in the pending cases against the controversial Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the US.

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Bong Revilla leaves St. Luke’s Medical Center after checkup

After an overnight stay at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. left for the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame at noon Tuesday.

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Ex-Makati Vice Mayor Mercado donates part of alleged Binay property to govt

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Tuesday voluntarily surrendered to the government a part of the 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas, which is registered under his name.

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PNoy’s Singapore trip to cost P11.6M

President Benigno Aquino III's two-day trip to Singapore will cost the government P11.6 million, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said Tuesday.

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COA: Initial cost estimate for Makati Science building was only P348.6 million

Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido Tan on Tuesday said the initial estimate cost for the 10-storey Makati Science High School with dormitories was only P348.6 million. Documents from the Makati City Hall showed the local government has shelled out P1.3 billion out of the P1.5-B budget for the 54-classroom school building.

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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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