Lawmakers eye creation of commission to streamline gov't bureaucracy

The House committee on government reorganization is now tackling a proposal to create a commission dedicated to finding ways to streamline the massive government bureaucracy.

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Supreme Court defends JDF

The Supreme Court has defended anew the controversial Judiciary Development Fund (JDF)—considered as the court's pork barrel—in a decision on a petition that sought its action against the “perceived hostility of the Congress.”

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Bongbong Marcos open to SK polls postponement

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed openness Thursday to the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections scheduled next month pending the enactment of a law reforming it.

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PHL mending ties with China but won’t drop arbitration case

The Philippines is taking steps to mend its relations with China, but emphasized that it will not drop its arbitration case against Beijing, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said on Thursday.

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Binay camp belies Mercado in Boy Scouts’ land deal

The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday denied that the Vice President received kickbacks amounting to P200 million in the land deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and developer Alphaland Corp.

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Trillanes resolution expands Senate probe to other organizations headed by VP Binay

The Senate panel looking into the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and other anomalies in the city will now also probe into supposed irregularities in the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) and Boy Scouts of the Philippines, which are both headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

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Start of SK gun ban postponed to Feb. 6

Citing "compelling reasons," the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday postponed the start of the gun ban for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections from Jan. 22 to Feb. 6.

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Palace exec: PNoy admin not responsible in seeking justice for Mendiola massacre victims

President Benigno Aquino III’s administration is no longer responsible in seeking justice for victims of the 1987 Mendiola massacre, a Malacañang official said Thursday.

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Preliminary probe on suspected Sinaloa drug cartel leader moved next week

The preliminary investigation on Horacio Hernandez Herrera, one of the alleged leaders of the Sinaloan drug syndicate in the country, was reset for next week as he failed to produce a counter-affidavit.

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Palace vetting candidates for new COA, Comelec, CSC chiefs

Malacañang is in the process of vetting candidates for the top posts of three key constitutional bodies: the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Audit (COA) and Civil Service Commission (CSC).

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Surprised? PHL ranks 9th in countries with worst traffic

The Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world with the worst traffic condition based on the latest study by a Serbia-based private research firm.

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PNoy’s call for swifter Senate probe on VP Binay still stands – Palace

After fresh allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay were revealed at the Senate, a Malacañang official said Thursday that President Benigno Aquino III still believes that senators should immediately present all evidence against the Vice President.

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Junjun Binay, Makati execs defy order to attend Senate hearing anew

Despite the threat of being cited in contempt, Makati officials led by Mayor Junjun Binay on Thursday defied again the order of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee to attend its hearing on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and other anomalies.

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Pag-IBIG president unaware that Omni Security is connected with Binay, Lopez

Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) president Darlene Marie Berberabe was unaware that the agency providing her security was allegedly connected with Vice President Jejomar Binay, who recommended it to her, and Pag-IBIG director Tomas Lopez.

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Solon eyes probe on ‘caged’ street kids for papal visit

Despite an earlier denial from Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, a lawmaker will still ask Congress to probe reports that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had locked up street children in Metro Manila to temporarily rid the region of “eyesores” during the five-day visit of Pope Francis.

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Ex-Vice Mayor Mercado: Binay got almost P200M from Boy Scouts' land deal

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado on Thursday accused Vice President Jejomar Binay of earning about P200 million in kickbacks from a land deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and developer Alphaland Corp.

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Militant farmers marking Mendiola massacre march to PNoy’s QC neighborhood

Militant farmers on Thursday started their commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre with a march to President Benigno Aquino III's neighborhood in Quezon City.

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Ex-Vice Mayor Mercado: Binay-led Boy Scouts had P600-M deal with developer

Former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado is determined to reveal details on an allegedly questionable sale of parcel of land owned by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines to a developer a few years ago, again, linking Vice President Jejomar Binay in the deal, a television report said Wednesday.

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Comelec suspends gun ban for 15 days

Citing a possible move in Congress to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the Commission on Elections on Thursday suspended for 15 days a gun ban for the youth polls.

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UK warns nationals in PHL vs. taxis

British nationals in the Philippines were advised Wednesday to be wary of taxis they ride, lest they end up being held up.

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Fresh corruption allegations to welcome resumption of Senate probe on VP Binay

After over a month's lull, fresh and "explosive" corruption allegations are are expected to welcome the resumption of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee's hearing on Thursday on the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building II and other alleged anomalies involving Vice President Jejomar Binay.

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Zamboanga mayor asks Congress to spare city from inclusion in Bangsamoro

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Erap, if he runs again, may take votes away from Binay, Poe in 2016 – partylist solon

The 2016 presidential race just got more interesting now that the Supreme Court has ruled that Manila mayor Joseph Estrada can run for public office, a party-list lawmaker said Wednesday.

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SK polls 2015: Comelec gun ban starts on Thursday

The Commission on Elections has reminded the public of a gun ban that will be in effect starting tomorrow in connection with the Sangguniang Kabataan elections in February, a report on GMA's “24-Oras” said Wednesday.

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Bilibid inmate eyes criminal raps vs. De Lima

The lawyer of one of the inmates transferred from the New Bilibid Prison to the National Bureau of Investigation compound is set to file criminal charges against Justice Sectetary Leila De Lima over alleged human rights violation.

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1,292 pass Pharmacist Licensure Exam –PRC

A total of 1,292 out of 2,295 passed the Pharmacist Licensure Examination given in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo this month, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Wednesday.

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Erap Estrada yet to choose between VP Binay, Grace Poe

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito indicated that the Estrada family has yet to choose between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe as its presidential bet in 2016.

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JV Ejercito and Jinggoy agree on one thing: Erap Estrada should retire in 2016

Hours after the Supreme Court gave what could be the last word on the restoration of his right to run for office, one of his sons in the Senate said it was his family's wish that Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada bow out of politics in 2016 rather than run for higher office.

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Erap Estrada still a force to reckon with in 2016, senators say

Former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada remains a political force to reckon with and a viable candidate in 2016 moreso now that the question on his eligibility to seek public office has been cleared, two senators said Wednesday.

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There will be no unconstitutional provisions in Bangsamoro law –panel chair

Congress will ensure the passage of a constitutionally-sound Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) even if it means making changes to the draft measure mutually agreed upon by the executive and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the chair of the ad hoc panel tackling the bill said Wednesday.

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PHL says China’s ‘massive’ reclamation work a serious concern

The Philippine government on Wednesday accused China of undertaking massive reclamation work on several reefs in the disputed South China Sea, expressing concern the activities could fuel tensions.

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PHL, US concerned over Chinese reclamation in South China Sea

The Philippines and the United States on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the ongoing Chinese reclamation of contested areas in the South China Sea, describing the status of structures there as “massive” and “growing.”

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Palace not worried about Erap’s political plans in 2016

Malacañang is not worried about the possibility of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada seeking a higher post in the 2016 elections.

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PNP frowns on ‘diaper cops’

The Philippine National Police says it felt insulted by the viral photo showing two individuals in cop shirts wearing adult diapers attending the papal event in Manila.

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Koko urges colleagues to emulate Pope Francis

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Wednesday urged elected officials and the Filipino people to heed the call of recent Philippine visitor Pope Francis to live simply, with integrity and honesty, and be champions of the poor.

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CBCP chief to Pope bashers: Leave ‘rabbits’ in peace

Leave the rabbits in peace! This was the appeal of Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Socrates Villegas to those criticizing Pope Francis' statement on responsible parenthood.

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SC sides with Bacolod bishop in 'Team Patay' issue

The Supreme Court has sided with the Bacolod Diocese for the issue on the controversial "Team Patay/Buhay" tarpaulins that were posted outside the San Sebastian Cathedral during the campaign season for the 2013 elections.

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SC dismisses Jinggoy’s petition vs. plunder case

The Supreme Court has rejected Senator Jinggoy Estrada's petition to invalidate the plunder case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam.

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Youth group dismayed by junking of Erap disqualification case

The Supreme Court's dismissal of the disqualification case against former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada did not sit well with a youth group picketing outside the high court on Wednesday.

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Erap happy, thankful for SC junking of disqualification petition

Former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday said he is happy and thankful the Supreme Court junked petitions for his disqualification.

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SC junks disqualification case vs. Joseph Estrada

The Supreme Court has junked the petitio lodged before it to disqualify former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

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US blog criticizes passing of host ‘like a beach ball’ at papal Masses

The Eucharist seemed to have been "desecrated" with lay people passing it on "like a beach ball at a concert" during the large papal Masses here last week, a US-based online magazine on "Catholic news, commentary, and information" said.

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SC to tackle Joseph Estrada disqualification case

Will the question surrounding former President Joseph Estrada's legitimacy as Manila Mayor finally be settled today?

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Pope Francis names Mindanao cardinal as envoy to Japan meet

Pope Francis has designated a Mindanao-based cardinal to represent him in an event in Japan this March, the Vatican Information Service (VIS) reported.

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Lotto bettor bags P16M prize in Superlotto 6/49 draw

A lone lotto bettor bagged the P16-million jackpot of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Superlotto 6/49 draw Tuesday evening.

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Pope Francis chose regular raincoat instead of special one in Tacloban, says stage designer

Amid heavy rain upon his arrival in Tacloban last Saturday, Pope Francis chose to use the regular raincoats worn by the pilgrims during his Mass.

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PHL-US strategic bilateral talks gets underway

The Philippines and United States on Tuesday started their fifth Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD), the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

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Issue on new committee handling Bangsamoro law could delay its passage—Marcos

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed apprehension Tuesday that the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law might be delayed after the inclusion of a third committee to handle it was questioned on the floor.

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Jesuit priest: Pope Francis good news for those in ‘fringes of the Church’

Pope Francis is an answered prayer for the the people who are having trouble with their faith. This was how Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, president of the Ateneo De Davao University, described the impact of Pope Francis' leadership of the Catholic Church with its 1.2 billion members.

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