Belmonte on Miriam’s claim 2015 budget is pork-laden: That’s her opinion

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday brushed off Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s claim that the proposed P2.6-trillion national budget for 2015 is laden with hidden pork barrel or lump-sum funds that can be used at the President’s discretion.

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Garin to detractors: ‘Let the DOH move on’

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin on Tuesday appealed to their detractors to let the department "move on" and do its work "with or without" Secretary Enrique Ona, who is currently on leave.

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SolGen: EDCA not a guarantee of US defense if China attacks

The country's Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States carries no assurance that the superpower will come to the Philippines' defense if China attacks in connection with the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea, the solicitor general said on Tuesday.

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Vietnam warships visit PHL amid South China Sea dispute

Vietnam on Tuesday showed off its two most powerful warships in the first-ever port call to the Philippines but an official said it was not trying to challenge China's superior naval forces amid tension in the South China Sea.

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China says Manila violated its sovereignty with fines on fishermen

China said on Tuesday that the fines imposed by a court in the Philippines on nine Chinese fishermen for catching sea turtles in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea had violated its sovereignty, in the latest row between the two over territory.

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Sandiganbayan allows Jinggoy to undergo therapy in Cardinal Santos

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday allowed detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to leave Camp Crame twice a week for two weeks to undergo physical therapy for shoulder pain.

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Palace: 2015 budget not for 2016 polls, follows SC rulings

Malacañang on Tuesday maintained that it followed Supreme Court rulings against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) in crafting the proposed 2015 budget, which is now being questioned before the high court.

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Proposed 2015 national budget not riddled with ‘pork,’ Chiz insists

Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday denied that the 2015 proposed national budget is riddled with "pork," assuring the public that the “lump sum” funds in the measure will not be a source of corruption.

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Pinoy peacekeeper back on Caballo Island after recovering from malaria –DOH

The Filipino peacekeeper from Ebola-hit Liberia who fell ill with malaria two weeks ago has been taken back to Caballo Island to complete the 21-day quarantine period, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

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BuCor director, prison guards get death threats from drug lord inmates —De Lima

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Tuesday revealed that Bureau of Correction director Franklin Bucayu and prison guards have received death threats from drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

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SC junks ER Ejercito’s motion vs. disqualification

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision unseating Laguna governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito.

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SC asked to declare proposed 2015 budget unconstitutional

Former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to declare the P2.606 trillion proposed 2015 budget unconstitutional for allegedly containing funds already declared illegal by the high court.

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DFA: Note verbale sent to China over reclamation activity on Kagitingan Reef

The Department of Foreign Affairs has already sent a note verbale to China protesting Beijing's reclamation activity on a Philippine-claimed reef in the disputed South China Sea.

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Ad hoc panel holds executive session on Bangsamoro bill

The ad hoc committee tackling the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) decided to hold a closed-door session for the first time Tuesday.

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Bongbong questions P12.9B budget for projects not under DILG’s mandate

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday night questioned the P12.9 billion allotment for water supply, low-cost housing and other projects to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which were contained in the errata submitted by the Department of Budget and Management.

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BI lifts ban on blacklisted HK journalists

The Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday lifted a ban on nine Hong Kong journalists, upon the recommendation of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

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Pag-IBIG clarifies: No multimillion-peso contracts with Omni Security

The Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) on Monday disputed reports it gave multimillion-peso contracts to Omni Security Investigation Inc. whose officers were contributors to Vice President Jejomar Binay's election campaign in 2010.

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39% of Pinoys see their quality of life improving – SWS

Nearly two out of five Filipinos or 39 percent were optimistic that their quality of life would improve in the next 12 months, a 2014 third quarter poll taken by the Social Weather Stations found.

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Lone bettor bags P70.1-M Grand Lotto jackpot

A lotto bettor is now P70 million richer after bagging the jackpot in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Grand Lotto draw Monday night.

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Miriam links ‘lopsided’ 2015 budget to 2016 polls

Senate Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday criticized the proposed 2015 budget, describing it as “very lopsided” and even linking it to the 2016 national and local elections.

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Jinggoy doubts authenticity of files in Benhur's hard drive

Benhur Luy, the principal witness in the 'Pork Barrel Scam' cases, admitted on Monday that for up to two weeks, he was not in possession of the hard drive that supposedly contains records of the alleged activities of lawmakers who transacted with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

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Mothers of missing UP students ask CA to transfer Palparan to regular jail

The mothers of missing University of the Philippines students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan have asked the Court of Appeals to have retired General Jovito Palparan Jr. transferred to a regular jail, saying he should not be in military custody.

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UP Diliman grad tops list of Chemical Engineer Licensure Exam passers

A total of 596 out of 871 passed the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination, with a graduate from UP Diliman topping the list, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Monday.

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Sotto finally shakes Acting Health Sec. Garin’s hand

After almost three hours of grilling the Department of Health, acting Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III finally shook hands with acting Health Secretary Janette Garin, but not without telling her to be more careful next time.

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Conviction of 9 Chinese poachers will not affect PHL-China ties –DFA

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday defended a local court’s decision to convict nine Chinese fishermen of poaching in Philippine waters, but stressed it will not further strain Manila's ties with Beijing.

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Miriam: Let Senate examine EDCA

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday urged Malacañang to bring the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to the Senate for ratification after some Supreme Court justices said ruling on the deal would be premature.

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DFA verifying Chinese construction activity in South China Sea

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday said it is verifying reports that China’s reclamation activity on a Philippine-claimed reef in the disputed South China Sea is already in its advanced stages.

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House panel approves FOI bill

The House committee on public information approved on Monday the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill Monday, almost a year after a technical working group (TWG) began deliberating on the measure.

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Nine Chinese ‘poachers’ convicted despite Beijing’s warnings

A Palawan court on Monday found nine Chinese fishermen guilty of poaching and environmental crimes for fishing in disputed waters, in a case that has strained relations with China.

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DFA to ask for lifting of ban on HK journos

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said it will ask for the lifting of travel ban on nine Hong Kong journalists who were barred from entering the country for heckling President Benigno S. Aquino III at an economic summit last year.

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Miriam urges colleagues: Reject House-approved definition of savings

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday urged her colleagues to reject the redefinition of ‘savings’ introduced by the House of Representatives, saying it is unconstitutional and diminishes Congress’ power over the ‘purse.’

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Palace asks BI to review blacklist order vs. 9 Hong Kong journalists

Malacañang has already requested the Bureau of Immigration to review the blacklist order issued against nine Hong Kong television and radio journalists who allegedly heckled President Benigno Aquino III last year.

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Sotto questions DOH’s plan to purchase ‘abortifacient’

Acting Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III on Monday questioned the inclusion of procurement budget for subdermal implants — which he claimed to be an abortifacient — in the proposed Department of Health (DOH) budget for 2015.

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Acting Health Sec. Garin attends Senate budget deliberations

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin arrived at the Senate Monday morning to attend the deliberations on the budget of the Department of Health amid concerns from senators.

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Son of Taiwanese fisherman killed in 2013 encounter arrives in PHL for hearings

The son of a Taiwanese fisherman shot dead in an encounter between Philippine officials and a Taiwanese fishing boat off disputed waters in 2013 arrived in the Philippines over the weekend to testify in a court case against Coast Guard officers.

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Journalists remember 32 colleagues slain in Maguindanao Massacre

Dozens of foreign and local journalists lit candles on Sunday to remember the 2009 murder of 32 journalists in the southern Philippines, the biggest recorded killing of media workers in history.

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Treating churches like businesses scandalous, Pope Francis tells faithful

Pope Francis has criticized priests and laypeople who turn their parishes into a "business" by charging for baptisms, blessings, and Mass intentions.

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Govt vows justice five years after Maguindanao massacre

Top officials vowed on Sunday to deliver justice as the Philippines marked the fifth anniversary of a political massacre that killed 58 with no one yet convicted and several would-be witnesses murdered.

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Palace lauds victorious Pacquiao for exhibiting Pinoys’ unwavering spirit even amid adversity

Malacañang lauded Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao for his unanimous victory against undefeated American boxer Chris Algieri in their fight in Macau Sunday.

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SC doing all it can to speed up Maguindanao Massacre trial – Chief Justice Sereno

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno assured the public Sunday that the Supreme Court is doing everything it can to speed up the Maguindanao Massacre trial

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Sereno: SC doing everything to speed up trial on Maguindanao massacre case

On the 5th anniversary of the worst election-related violence in Philippine history that left 58 people dead, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno assures the public that the high court is doing everything to fast-track the proceedings of the Maguindanao Massacre case, according to a "Balintanghali" report on Sunday.

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DTI steps up surprise inspections in provinces

With the holidays drawing closer, the Department of Trade and Industry stepped up its surprise inspections in stores selling Noche Buena items in the provinces.

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PhlPost issues Philippine festival masks stamps

Stamp collectors, get ready: The Philippine Postal Corp. has issued another set of stamps, this time celebrating the colorful Philippine festival masks.

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PHL can deny entry to foreigners who disrespect authorities – Immigration bureau

The Bureau of Immigration can blacklist foreigners for disresepcting symbols of Philippine authority but this can be subject to an appeal, a bureau spokespeson said Saturday.

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‘Concerned’ Hong Kong to contact PHL over reporters' blacklisting

Hong Kong authorities will contact their Philippine counterparts over the supposed blacklisting of nine Hong Kong journalists from covering the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that the Philippines will host in 2015.

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4 papal stamp tilt winners announced, may personally present work to Pope Francis

Four more lucky people may get to meet Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19.

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WHO briefs AFP chief Catapang on Ebola

World Health Organization representatives in the Philippines on Friday briefed Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on the Ebola virus disease.

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Pacquiao bout to be live-streamed on Caballo Island

The much-awaited fight between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and American slugger Chris Algieri will be live-streamed on Caballo Island, where Filipino UN peacekeepers who came from Ebola-hit Liberia are quarantined as a safety precaution against the virus that killed thousands in West Africa.

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Palace: Cops, DTI to provide twofold protection for Xmas shoppers

Malacañang on Saturday expressed confidence the Philippine National Police and the Department of Trade and Industry can provide two-fold protection for Christmas shoppers as the holidays draw closer.

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PNoy to consider best replacement for retiring Comelec chief

President Benigno Aquino III will consider the best replacement for Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. when he retires in February 2015, Malacañang assured the public Saturday.

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