PNoy interviews Espina, Garbo for top PNP post

President Benigno Aquino III has begun screening candidates for the new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief. As part of the process, Aquino on Monday interviewed PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Deputy General Marcelo Garbo Jr, chief of the PNP directorial staff, according to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

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New SAF chief to troopers: I am back home

"I am so elated to be back home." This is what newly-installed Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) acting Director Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo said on Wednesday during the assumption of command ceremony at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

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Acting SAF chief installed more than a month after Mamasapano clash

More than a month after the deadly Mamasapano clash, Police Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo was formally installed as the new acting head of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF).

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NBI to probe cops for MILF, civilian deaths in Mamasapano

The National Bureau of Investigation will also look into the accountability of police commandos over the deaths of Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and civilian residents in Mamasapano during the Jan. 25 misencounter, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said on Wednesday.

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June would be last chance for BBL — Senator Guingona

Time is running out for the propsed Bangsamoro Basic Law, and if both houses of Congress fail to pass the bill by June, it would be too late, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III said Wednesday.

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With more definite findings on son Jolo’s condition, Bong Revilla not seeking additional furlough

Detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. will no longer be asking the Sandiganbayan for additional furlough after doctors released more definite findings on the condition of his son, Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla, who sustained a gunshot wound on the chest Saturday night.

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Lani feels ‘sweet happiness’ seeing Bong reunited with family

Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla has expressed elation that her husband, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., was able to spend five hours with their family Tuesday at the hospital where their son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, is confined for a gunshot wound.

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First order of business: New SAF chief to sit, consult with troopers

Incoming PNP-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) head Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo on Wednesday said he will sit down with his men to hear their thoughts and grievances after the deadly Mamasapano operation last Jan. 25.

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Bangsamoro block grant not ‘pork,’ BBL panel chair clarifies

The chairman of the House ad hoc committee tackling the Bangsamoro Basic Law has disputed allegations that the block grant to be given annually to the Bangsamoro region is a form of pork barrel, and vowed to put safeguards in the bill to ensure the fund won’t be misused.

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As days get warmer, DOH offers tips vs. food poisoning

Cook food thoroughly and keep it at a safe temperature. These were among the tips issued by the Department of Health to protect against food poisoning as the days become warmer.

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Alan Cayetano claims he has evidence to prove MILF coddled Marwan

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front coddled Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, and the government knows about it, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Tuesday.

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DENR starts adding air quality monitoring stations

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has started to add air quality monitoring stations as part of the implementation of the Clean Air Act of 1999.

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Solon wants to know why contractor submitted losing bid for poll machines

A lawmaker wants Indra Sistemas S.A. to explain why it participated in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) bidding for new voting machines for the 2016 elections despite allegedly knowing that it will lose.

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Displaced families in Maguindanao stumped on where to get food, medicines

Maguindanao has declared a state of calamity to make funds available for relief operations for residents who fled their homes due to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' ongoing all-out offensive against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

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Army clears alleged BIFF training camp in Maguindanao

A suspected training camp of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao was reported cleared on the fifth day of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' all-out offensive against the outlawed armed group, GMA News' “24-Oras” program reported on Tuesday.

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MILF adamant: Surrender of fighters in Mamasapano has no basis

The surrender of Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters who figured in the Mamasapano incident has no basis under its existing agreements with the government, the chair of the MILF negotiating panel said on Tuesday.

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Trader bares ukay-ukay racket involving accredited BOC shredder

A company accredited by the Bureau of Customs to destroy seized ukay-ukay (used) clothes is actually selling them, a report on “24 Oras” said Monday.

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Bong Revilla to wounded Jolo: We have to be strong

Detained Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said that he was sad over his supposed inabillity to comfort and attend to his son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, who sustained a gunshot wound over the weekend.

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Bishops urge PNoy to apologize over Mamasapano incident

President Benigno Aquino III should apologize for his role in the January 25 Mamasapano operation, which left over 60 people dead including 44 policemen, some Catholic bishops said Tuesday.

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Solons wary of P27-billion annual lumpsum for Bangsamoro

Two lawmakers from Mindanao have expressed concern over the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law's provision for a P27-billion annual block grant for the new autonomous government in Muslim Mindanao, citing the undue advantage it would have over the country's other local governments.

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No rush to finish Mamasapano report –Poe

There is no rush in the crafting of the Senate committee report on the January 25 Mamasapano incident, said Senator Grace Poe, whose committee led the investigation on the incident, on Tuesday.

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Palace appeals to lawmakers: Don’t dilute Bangsamoro law

Malacañang on Tuesday appealed to lawmakers not to dilute the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which faces skepticism in Congress following the deadly January 25 Mamasapano clash.

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PNP sees irregularities in supposed Revilla, Jinggoy attendance during Enrile party

The PNP on Tuesday said it has found irregularities in the supposed attendance of detained Senators Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada during the 91st birthday celebration of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile last February 14 inside the PNP General Hospital.

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Bong Revilla arrives at hospital, reunites with son Jolo

Detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Tuesday afternoon arrived at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City to visit his son, Cavite Vice. Gov. Jolo Revilla, who was recuperating from a gunshot wound.

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Lawmakers seek TRO vs. MRT, LRT fare hikes

Another group of petitioners, this time led by lawmakers, including Sen. JV Ejercito, has asked the Supreme Court to stop the fare rate increase of the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit.

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Fire Prevention Month marked with unity walk, new fire trucks

The Bureau of Fire Protection conducted a unity walk on Tuesday as part of its activities for public awareness in line with Fire Prevention Month, a TV report said.

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Bong Revilla leaves Crame to visit son Jolo at hospital

Detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Tuesday afternoon left the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame to visit his son, Jolo, at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City.

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Senate summons text messages re Mamasapano ops between PNoy, Purisima

The Senate has summoned a telecommunication company to provide a copy of the Jan. 25 text messages between President Benigno Aquino III and resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima.

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Order of Malta turns over 700 houses for Yolanda survivors, eyes further cooperation with PHL

The head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on Tuesday turned over 700 newly constructed houses to the Philippine government for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which hit central Philippines over a year ago.

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PNP to give Jolo Revilla family ‘space’

The Philippine National Police on Tuesday said it would give the family of Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla some space as the police created a task force to investigate the shooting incident involving the son of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.

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Gun-cleaning a common excuse of people attempting to commit suicide –Dr. Fortun

People who attempted to commit suicide by shooting themselves usually use accidental firing of the weapon as excuse to cover up their act, Dr. Raquel Fortun said Tuesday, citing her experiences as a forensic pathologist.

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Jolo Revilla still in ICU, has ‘foot-long’ gunshot wound –lawyer

Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla's doctors “have insisted” to keep him in the ICU for the meantime, in order for them to determine if the gunshot wound he sustained over the weekend is healing properly following surgery, according to the family's spokesperson, lawyer Raymond Fortun.

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Sandiganbayan sets conditions for Bong Revilla’s visit to son Jolo

While the Sandiganbayan has allowed detained Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. to visit his son Jolo in the hospital, the anti-graft court set conditions for the visit, including limiting his access to communication devices, and forbidding him from giving interviews.

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Roxas: Enrile’s condition ‘stable’

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile's condition has improved after he was rushed to the Makati Medical Center for pneumonia last week, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said Tuesday.

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Malta head of state pays courtesy call on PNoy, to turn over houses for Yolanda survivors

The head of state of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta paid a courtsy call on President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday morning as part of his seven-day official visit to the Philippines.

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Sandiganbayan allows Bong Revilla to visit son Jolo

Detained Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. will be allowed to visit his son Jolo today at the hospital, after the Sandiganbayan allowed him a temporary five-hour furlough.

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Journalism mentors: Media platforms should 'act together' to face old, new challenges

Times and technology have changed in the news media professions but some challenges remain the same for both traditional channels and new platforms, two leading journalism said in the latest round of the Metrobank Fellowship in Journalism media training series.

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Infant among Australia suspect's sex abuse victims – NBI

An 18-month-old girl was among the children allegedly sexually abused by an Australian man arrested in the Philippines last month, government investigators said Monday.

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Key House members not keen on tax exemption for boxing champ Rep. Pacquiao

House Ways and Means committee chairman Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo, a lawyer, said the tax exemption eyed for Pacquiao will raise questions about fairness in the application of the law.

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Lawyer denies Jolo Revilla was having problems with girlfriend Jodi Sta. Maria

The camp of Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla on Monday countered allegations that the local official tried to take his own life due to pressing personal and family problems.

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Bangsamoro law remains in limbo in the Senate

The House of Representatives might have adopted a schedule for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law amid the continued controversy over the Mamasapano incident but the measure remains in limbo in the Senate.

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NGCP: Expect brownouts in Zamboanga City on Tuesday

A power interruption is expected in parts of Zamboanga City on Tuesday, March 3, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Monday.

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Palace: Purisima, Napeñas committed lapses in Mamasapano operation

Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas committed operational lapses during the deadly January 25 Mamasapano mission, Malacañang said Monday.

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Certified urgent, bill extending agrarian reform program languishes at House

The chairman of the House committee on agrarian reform wants to know why a bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) has yet to be tackled on the floor despite being a priority measure of the Aquino administration.

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PNP won't stop personnel from joining march for SAF 44 on Sunday

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will not stop its personnel from joining a protest march on Sunday to call for justice for 44 of their comrades who died in the bloody Mamasapano encounter in January.

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Prosecution does not object to Revilla’s request to visit son Jolo

The prosecution in the plunder and graft cases of Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Monday did not object to his motion to visit his son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, who is confined in a Muntinlupa hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest.

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MILF’s Jaafar: No decision yet on surrender of fighters

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has yet to decide whether to surrender its members who were involved in the January 25 Mamasapano clash that left 44 elite policemen dead.

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PNP probe on Mamasapano incident almost finished – spokesperson

The Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry is almost finished with its investigation on the bloody January 25 Mamasapano incident and is just finalizing the contents of their report, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said.

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NCRPO warns public vs. SAF 44 scams as 40th day after clash nears

As the 40th day after the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash nears, Metro Manila police on Monday warned the public against possible "SAF 44" scams to seek donations.

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Sotto asks Senate to pass resolution for Enrile’s house arrest

Acting Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III on Monday took up the cudgels for detained Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and moved that the chamber pass a resolution for Enrile's house arrest.

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