LOOK: Police release Pemberton mug shots

The Olongapo City police on Saturday officially released the mug shots of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

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PHL orders crackdown on privileged jailbirds

Philippine authorities have given privileged inmates in the country's main prison until Christmas Eve to turn over their hidden guns, drugs and other contraband or the notorious facility will face a major shakedown.

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Palace: Aquino studying recommendation to pardon elderly inmates

Malacañang on Saturday assured the public it is studying a recommendation to grant executive clemency to elderly inmates.

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Ombudsman to probe Bilibid controversy

The Office of the Ombudsman has created a panel to investigate the alleged special treatment of some rich inmates at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

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Palace: No discussion yet on who will replace retiring Comelec chief

There is still no discussion—at least officially—at this time on who will replace Sixto Brillantes Jr., who is due to retire as Commission on Elections chairman in February, Malacañang said Saturday.

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No permanent replacement yet for Ona, Garin remains acting DOH chief

Acting Health Secretary Janette Garin will continue to run the Department of Health following President Benigno Aquino III's acceptance of Secretary Enrique Ona's resignation, a Malacañang spokesman said Saturday morning. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said, "Wala pa po, the president has not yet decided on who to appoint the successor to Sec. Ona. Undersecretary Garin will be the acting Health chief until any permanent appointment has been announced."

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Govt hospitals on code white starting Saturday

Government hospitals are going on Code White alert starting this weekend to prepare for revelry-related injuries or medical conditions.

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Holidays ‘prime time’ for thieves and snatchers, US reminds nationals in PHL

Saying the holiday season is a prime time for pickpockets and thieves, the United States Embassy in Manila on Friday advised its Americans in the country to take precautions against theft, robbery, and even violent crimes.

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A bigger music studio inside Bilibid for Colangco's rival gang leader?

The series of raids inside the maximum security compound in New Bilibid Prison have brought to light various gang rivalries inside the facility.

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LP official pushes for Mar Roxas-Grace Poe tandem for 2016

An official of the ruling Liberal Party on Friday floated the prospect of Sen. Grace Poe being tapped to be Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II's running mate for 2016.

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DepEd joins world in mourning Peshawar attack victims

The Philippine Department of Education on Friday joined the world in mourning the massacre of innocent students in a school in Pakistan by the Taliban.

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‘Ninong’ Noy plays Santa Claus to street kids

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday played Santa Claus to around 1,000 street children from Metro Manila, hearing their Christmas wishes and giving them Noche Buena packs.

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Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Misamis Oriental governor over missing car parts

The Second Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has convicted a former governor of Misamis Oriental in a malversation case in connection with missing spare parts and accessories from the province's two service vehicles amounting to more than P2 million.

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VACC to Pope Francis: Open your heart to death penalty

A Philippine anti-crime group on Friday appealed to Pope Francis to “open your heart and mind on the issue of death penalty,” noting the country's “alarming culture of impunity.”

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Did inmate singer Herbert Colangco have concert outside Bilibid without authorization?

Herbert "Ampang" Colangco, a convicted bank robbery gang leader who appeared to have turned his kubol inside the New Bilibid Prison into a recording studio, held a concert in a hotel in Pasay City last September despite having no authorization.

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De Lima to gang leaders: Surrender contrabands or we’ll turn NBP ‘upside down’

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday warned to turn the New Bilibid Prison "upside down" if gang leaders will not surrender all remaining contrabands in the facility before Christmas.

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Three prison officials sacked amid New Bilibid mess

Three prison officials were relieved from their posts Friday, days after surprise inspections that yielded items ranging from a jacuzzi to firearms in the national penitentiary's maximum security area.

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More prohibited items found during De Lima’s 2nd visit to Bilibid

More prohibited items were found during Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's second inspection at some quarters of the New Bilibid Prsion, a television report said Friday.

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PNoy accepts DOH chief Ona’s resignation

President Benigno Aquino III has accepted Health Secretary Enrique Ona's resignation, Malacañang announced Friday.

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Senate bill seeks to make poll duty non-compulsory for teachers

A bill giving public school teachers the right not to render service during elections has been filed in the Senate.

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Laude camp wants Pemberton moved to Olongapo City Jail

The camp of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude on Friday asked the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to transfer murder suspect Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton to the Olongapo City Jail.

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Sandiganbayan denies Jinggoy’s Christmas furlough

Senator Jinggoy Estrada will be spending the holidays in detention after the Fifth Division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan denied his request for a three-day Christmas and New Year furlough for lack of merit.

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Laude camp wants media coverage for murder case proceedings

The camp of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude on Friday said they will ask the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to allow media to cover the proceedings of the slay case.

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Under VFA, US has custody rights of Pemberton —San Beda Law dean

Amid calls for Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, suspect in the killing of Filipina transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, to be placed under the custody of the Philippines, a law professor on Friday said the United States government has more authority to do so.

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CAAP: No-fly zone in effect Jan. 15, 17, 19 for papal visit

Metro Manila chilled early Friday morning at 19.4 degrees Celsius, the lowest since the Amihan, or Northeast Monsoon started in the second half of October.

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PNoy tells youth: Don’t just spend time on selfies, be involved in govt

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday enjoined the Filipino youth to be involved in government instead of spending too much time on fads in the Internet age.

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PNoy tells youth: Don’t just spend time on selfies, be involved in govt

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday enjoined the Filipino youth to be involved in government instead of spending too much time on fads in the Internet age.

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Keep children from caroling on roads, DSWD asks parents

With just one week before Christmas Day, the Department of Social Welfare and Development appealed to parents to keep their children away from busy roads when caroling.

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Co-worker claims Sandiganbayan guard got solicitation money

A fellow security guard of the Sandiganbayan claimed that his co-worker, Ronald Allan R. Gole Cruz, received solicitation money from a private individual earlier this month.

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NDRRMC: Number of people affected by Ruby breaches 4M mark, damage pegged at P5.09B

The number of people affected by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) breached the four-million mark as of Friday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

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LOOK: Comelec’s Brillantes dresses up as Santa in last Christmas with poll body

For what could be his last time as Elections chairman, Sixto Brillantes Jr. dressed up as Santa Claus for the agency's Christmas program Friday.

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Prosecution blocks Jinggoy’s Christmas furlough plea

Government prosecutors on Friday blocked Senator Jinggoy Estrada's motion to be allowed to leave detention on Christmas and New Year, insisting that he should be treated no differently from ordinary prisoners.

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Laude sister finally sees Pemberton in person

Finally, a sister of slain transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude on Friday got to see in person the US Marine corporal charged for the murder.

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Convoy believed to bear Pemberton leaves Olongapo court

A convoy of vehicles believed to bear US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton left the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court before 10 a.m. Friday, after Pemberton's appearance before the court.

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Pemberton booked, but no arraignment yet

Murder suspect Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton underwent booking procedures Friday but his arraignment for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude did not push through as the US Marine's camp filed a motion to suspend proceedings before the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court.

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LIVE UPDATE: Pemberton arraignment for Laude killing

US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is to be arraigned Friday at the Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 74 for the murder of Filipina transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

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De Lima makes 2nd visit to Bilibid

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Friday morning made another visit to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, less than a week after finding several amenities there in a surprise visit.

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Laude family, militants arrive at Olongapo Hall of Justice to demand justice

The family of slain Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude arrived at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice early Friday for the arraignment of murder suspect US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.

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Pemberton to be arraigned Friday for Laude killing

Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the suspect in the killing of Filipina transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, will be arraigned Friday at the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74.

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SUV with diplomatic plates arrives at Olongapo hall of justice

A white sport-utility vehicle with diplomatic plates arrived at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice before dawn Friday, the day Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is to be presented before a court for the murder of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

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3-vehicle convoy seen leaving Pemberton detention facility

A three-vehicle convoy was seen leaving early Friday the facility in Camp Aguinaldo where Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the Marine charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, is detained.

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Pemberton can leave PHL if govt fails to gain custody over him, lawmaker warns

Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, the US Marine charged with murder for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, could leave the Philippines in a year's time unless the government takes custody of him.

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Makati’s cake supplier slapped with P46.6-M tax evasion case

The Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed a P46.6 million tax evasion case against a supplier of supplier of the Makati City Hall cafiteria and the Ospital ng Makati.

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Lacson wants to transfer his office’s rehab duties to NDRRMC

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson on Thursday proposed the transfer of post-disaster rehabilitation duties currently being handled by his office to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

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Pemberton arraigned Friday? US Navy inspects Olongapo court

Everything appears set for the arraignment on Friday of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, the Marine charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude.

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House OKs Sandiganbayan reform bill

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure introducing structural reforms in the Sandiganbayan to speed up the resolution of corruption cases.

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PNP: Stay away from these seven illegal firecrackers

The Philippine National Police on Thursday warned the public against using at least seven illegal firecrackers as its explosive content is beyond what the law provides for.

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‘Rich inmates help in prison wanting in resources’

The system in which wealthy prisoners of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) get to enjoy some privileges in exchange for their contributions for the improvement of the NBP facility is not a totally bad practice, the leader of a prison outreach program said on Thursday.

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DOH ‘welcomes’ NBI probe of controversial Ona procurement of vaccines

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday it welcomes the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probe on the allegedly anomalous purchase by Health Secretary-on-leave Enrique Ona of 1 million units of pneumonia vaccines worth P833.6 million.

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US State Dept. assures PHL govt of cooperation on Laude slay case

The United States, through its Department of State, on Thursday reiterated that it will cooperate with the Philippine government in connection with the October 11 killing of Filipino transgender Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in Olongapo City allegedly by a US serviceman.

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