PHL now only 3rd deadliest for journos, CPJ says

While the Philippines has only one confirmed case of media killing in 2014, the country remains third deadliest place in the world for journalists to work, according to the international watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

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COA sees red flags in DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya Program

The Aquino government’s flagship anti-poverty program suffers from a long list of problems, among them some P330 million in unpaid cash disbursements.

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Court grants Pemberton’s motion to suspend proceedings for two months

The Olongapo City court has granted US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton’s motion to suspend his trial, in a murder case that could test the strength of security ties between the Philippines and the United States.

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PNoy agrees to wind up Lacson’s duties as Yolanda rehab adviser

President Benigno Aquino III has “agreed in principle” to wind up Secretary Panfilo Lacson’s duties as presidential adviser on rehabilitation and recovery in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

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Graft raps filed against ex-GOCC exec for unauthorized hires

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Tuesday approved the filing of graft charges against Danilo Crisologo, former president of Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC), a state-owned defense technology company, in connection with the unauthorized hiring of additional employees.

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PNP to cancel some trips this holiday season

The Philippine National Railways' Metro Commuter line will cancel some late trips on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and some early trips on Christmas and New Year's Days.

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2 more Bilibid inmates contest transfer to NBI headquarters

Two more convicts uprooted from the New Bilibid Prisons following a raid that exposed their VIP treatment have run to the Court of Appeals to contest their supposed illegal transfer from the national penitentiary.

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Grenade, firearms, drugs found under cemented bench at Bilibid – De Lima

The discovery of prohibited items and other contraband inside the New Bilibid Prison does not seem to stop.

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Lawyer in Laude case: Enough evidence for murder

Saying the Olongapo prosecutors had enough evidence to allege murder in the killing of Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude, a lawyer for her family on Tuesday said they will oppose the appeal suspect Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has filed before the Department of Justice.

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Mar can still catch up in pre-election presidential polls – Abad

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is being groomed to be the administration’s standard-bearer in the 2016 polls, can still catch up in pre-election presidential surveys, Liberal Party (LP) stalwart and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad Jr. said Tuesday.

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Sandiganbayan denies Dennis Cunanan’s motion to travel to US

After receiving favorable rulings from the two divisions of the Sandiganbayan, on-leave Technology Resource Center (TRC) director general Dennis Cunanan's planned month-long trip to the United States will still not push through.

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Solon wants Jan. 23 declared First Philippine Republic Day

A lawmaker from Bulacan wants January 23 of every year declared a special working holiday in the Philippines to commemorate the declaration of the the first Philippine Republic at the Barasoain Church.

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MMDA man dragged by SUV dies after days in a coma

The traffic constable who went into a coma after being dragged by the SUV of a motorist he tried to apprehend on Friday, died of his injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

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Lack of authority made Yolanda rehab work most difficult—Lacson

Even with 30 years as a law enforcer and 12 years as a lawmaker, outgoing presidential adviser for rehabilitation and reconstruction Secretary Panfilo Lacson finds the job he has held for less than a year the most difficult.

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Ombudsman to file raps vs. ex-MWSS exec over unliquidated funds

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing of charges against former Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) deputy administrator Cristeto Dinopol for allegedly failing to liquidate funds amounting to P26,652.

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VP Binay hopes worst of corruption allegations is over

Hounded by corruption allegations, Vice President Jejomar Binay is looking at 2015 with hopes that the worst is over, but still not that optimistic.

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No work in NCR on Jan. 15, 16 and 19 due to papal visit –Palace

Malacañang has declared Jan 15, 16 and 19, 2015 as special non-working days in Metro Manila due to Pope Francis' visit.

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DOH: 6 children injured by firecrackers so far

More than a week ahead of the New Year's Eve revelry, the Department of Health has reported that six children have been injured by firecrakcers since the department and select public and private hospitals started the annual 16-day anti-firecracker campaign last Sunday.

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AFP to be on alert during CPP anniversary

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will be on alert right after Christmas as the Communist Party of the Philippines (AFP) commemorates its 46th anniversary.

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16 passed Technical Evaluation for the Upgrading as Professional Electrical Engineers

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Tuesday announced that 16 passed the Technical Evaluation for the Upgrading as Professional Electrical Engineers given this month.

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US cautions nationals worldwide vs Sydney lone wolf attack

United States nationals in the Philippines and around the world were warned this week against a possible repeat of the so-called lone wolf attack in Sydney, Australia last Dec. 15.

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Gloria Arroyo convoy leaves VMMC

A convoy bearing former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City at 10:17 a.m., radio dzBB reported.

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PNoy signs 2015 national budget redefining savings in wake of DAP ruling

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday signed the P2.606-trillion national budget, which contained a modified definition of savings after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled the administration’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as partly unconstitutional.

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NLEX asks motorists: Bring exact change for toll

With the holiday exodus expected to peak this week, the North Luzon Expressway advised motorists on Monday to bring exact change for their toll.

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No more special holding areas for convicts removed from NBP

The 20 convicts who were removed from the New Bilibid Prison after a raid by the Department of Justice will be detained in common holding areas together with other inmates upon their return to the national penitentiary, the new NBP superintendent said on Monday.

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Closed roads, suspended arrivals during Pope’s visit

Some roads around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be closed to traffic while no arriving flights will be allowed at certain times when Pope Francis arrives and leaves the Philippines this January.

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UNA exec: Pacquiao an able lawmaker despite missing House sessions

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao frequent absences at the House of Representatives isn’t nessarily proof he’s taking his lawmaking duties lightly, his colleague and party-mate in the opposition United Nationalist Alliance said Monday.

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Pope Francis to meet with leaders of other religions at UST

Pope Francis will be meeting ten leaders from other religions during his visit at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, officials said Monday.

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LTO to bus operators: No standing passengers allowed for long trips

As the Christmas exodus continued to peak, the Land Transportation Office reminded bus operators against accommodating extra passengers who will be forced to stand during the long trip.

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Miriam goes after governors, mayors in new pork scam inquiry

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Monday sought a Senate inquiry on the reported misuse of some P2.7 billion in pork barrel funds by some governors and mayors in 2013.

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Cabinet to decide if Lacson should vacate his post – Palace

Cabinet officials will study Secretary Panfilo Lacson’s proposal to transfer rehabilitation and recovery duties being handled by his office to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), a Malacañang official said Monday.

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Pemberton runs to De Lima, seeks dismissal of murder case

Murder suspect US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton has asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to dismiss the case filed against him for the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey "Jennifer" Laude in Olongapo City.

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Prosecutors want Olongapo judge out of Laude murder case

Government prosecutors on Monday asked Olongapo City Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde to inhibit herself from hearing the murder charges filed against US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton in connection with the killing of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, a television report said.

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PNoy to sign 2015 national budget on Tuesday

President Benigno Aquino III will sign the P2.606-trillion national budget on Tuesday, a Malacañang spokesperson said Monday.

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Convict files writ of amparo to contest transfer from Bilibid

The family of one of the convicts who were transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to another detention facility has filed a writ of amparo before the Court of Appeals, asking the appellate court to allow his loved ones to visit him especially over the Christmas holidays.

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Solon wants higher salaries for doctors in govt hospitals

A lawmaker, who is also a doctor, has proposed increasing the salaries of government physicians by more than double to encourage more of his colleagues to serve in public hospitals and medical centers.

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PNoy: Govt won’t commit same mistakes in handling disasters

After his administration drew flak last year for its supposedly slow response after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), President Benigno Aquino III said Monday his government properly handled preparations for Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) this time around.

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It will be a lonely Christmas for me, Bong Revilla says

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. expects his Christmas to be lonely after the Sandiganbayan recently denied his petition to post bail for the plunder charge he is facing in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-billion peso pork barrel fund scam.

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SC: No work at courts on Jan. 2

Workers in courts may have a relatively uninterrupted Christmas break as there will be no work on the first Friday of 2015, the Supreme Court said Monday.

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PNoy visits Eastern Samar to provide temporary jobs to Ruby victims

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday visited towns in Eastern Samar hit by Typhoon Ruby (Hagupit) earlier this month.

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Grace Poe says 2016 polls not her priority; VP Binay grateful with SWS survey result

Despite being a consistent topnotcher among possible presidential bets, Senator Grace Poe reiterated Monday that planning for the 2016 presidential polls is not on her mind yet.

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Sandiganbayan grants Gloria Arroyo four-day Christmas furlough

Christmas would be merry for former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the Sandiganbayan's First Division allowed her to leave her detention for four days during the holidays.

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LOOK: NCR cops have service firearms sealed for the holidays

Police in several parts of Metro Manila had their service firearms sealed for the holidays on Monday, to make sure they do not use them to ring in the New Year.

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Phivolcs: No tsunami threat from mag-6.6 quake in Molucca Sea

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Sunday night allayed fears of a tsunami from a magnitude-6.6 quake that occurred in the Molucca Sea in Indonesia.

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Solon wants additional financial perks for barangay officials

A lawmaker has proposed granting additional allowances and financial incentives to barangay officials in recognition of their vital function in the enforcement of laws and implementation of government programs.

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Cleaning up Bilibid a government priority – Palace

Cleaning up the New Bilibid Prison is a priority for the government, a Palace official said Sunday after guns, drugs, and other contraband items were found during surprise inspections there.

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Solon wants equal application of adultery laws

A lawmaker has filed a bill to amend the Revised Penal Code to make provisions on adultery and concubinage applicable to both men and women.

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PNP to start taping cops’ gun muzzles Monday

Starting Monday, expect most members of the Philippine National Police to have their service firearm muzzles sealed for the holidays.

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Lacson to resign as rehab czar by Feb. 2015

Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery chief Panfilo Lacson is set to resign from his Cabinet post by February next year, as soon as his office completes the transfer of its post-Yolanda reconstruction and rehabilitation duties to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

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Holiday travelers reminded: Avoid colorum boats, keep cars roadworthy

Avoid taking colorum vessels and make sure your vehicles are roadworthy. These were among the pieces of advice transport officials offered to Filipinos joining the exodus to the provinces for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

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