Four large suitcases of evidence delay submission of Mamasapano report

The head of the police board that investigated the January 25 Mamasapano incident admitted Monday that the bulk of evidence they had to scrutinize—contained in four large suitcases—made it difficult for them to meet their March 9 deadline.

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Senators see nothing wrong with delay in submission of PNP report on Mamasapano

At least three senators on Monday said they see nothing wrong with the delay in the submission of the PNP Board of Inquiry's report on the Mamasapano clash which left 67 dead, including 44 Special Action Force commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and five civilians.

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Miriam wants probe on cancer patients’ lack of access to strong painkillers

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has sought for a congressional inquiry on the reported lack of access of cancer-stricken Filipinos to strong pain killers.

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Purisima refuses interview, won’t submit cellphone – CIDG chief Magalong

Resigned PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima has refused to be interviewed by the PNP Board of Inquiry (BOI) tasked to look into the bloody Mamasapano incident, the panel's head, Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit chief Director Benjamin Magalong said Monday.

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How can cabbies cope with income loss from P10 rollback? LTFRB chief gives tips

With a P10 rollback in the flag-down rate of taxis now in effect, cabbies need not worry too much about the potential loss of income if they are courteous and orderly to passengers.

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Submission of PNP report on Mamasapano clash deferred anew

The Board of Inquiry (BOI) created by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the bloody Mamasapano clash has asked for another extension in the submission of its report to PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina.

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Faced with criticisms, PNoy to host prayer meeting in Malacañang

Amid controversies facing his administration, President Benigno Aquino III will host on Monday afternoon a prayer meeting in Malacañang to be attended by leaders of various religious movements.

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Fewer crime victims in Q4 2014, but fear still high – SWS poll

Fewer Filipinos were victims of crimes in the last quarter of 2014, but fear of being victimized remained high, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations.

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Nothing stopping PNoy from appointing a new PNP Chief – Ping Lacson

Former Senator Panfilo Lacson, himself a former national police chief, said on Sunday that it was within the powers of President Benigno Aquino III to appoint a new Director General of the Philippine National Police.

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UNA claims 'express lane treatment' in Ombudsman investigation on Binays

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Sunday slammed the Aquino administration for its supposed “selective prosecution” of its opponents after the Ombudsman decided to proceed with its preliminary investigation of the alleged irregularities in the construction of the P2.2-billion Makati City Hall Building II.

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British lawyer Amal Clooney takes GMA's case to UN

International human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney has filed a case against the Philippine government before the United Nations over the continued detention of former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

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No suspension of environmental laws with granting of emergency powers – lawmakers

The suspension of environmental laws such as the Clean Air Act and the Biofuels Act will no longer be an option for the national government and local government units during the validity period of President Benigno Aquino III's emergency powers, a lawmaker said Sunday.

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Palace: Justice for SAF 44 will be pursued ‘with or without MILF input’

Malacañang on Sunday assured the public that the government will pursue justice for the 44 elite cops killed in the Mamasapano clash whether or not the Moro Islamic Liberation Front cooperates.

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LOOK: Militants light torches, call on PNoy to step down

Militant groups on Sunday marched to Mendiola near Malacañang in Manila to call on President Benigno Aquino III to step down from office.

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Malacañang has no hand in Binay raps – Coloma

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday denied that the executive has been meddling in the corruption investigations on Vice President Jejomar Binay being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

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Sen. Pimentel: Don’t drag PNoy into Mamasapano mess

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Sunday appealed to the public not to be quick to judge President Benigno Aquino III’s involvement in the botched Mamasapano operation. “Follow the evidence. Kung wala namang evidence na umaabot sa presidente, bakit natin pipilitin?” Pimentel said in an interview aired over Radio GMA’s DZBB.

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Mamasapano clash report must be sent to IMT but govt can get copy – MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is willing to share its report on the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash with the Philippine government but only through the International Monitoring Team because of protocols in the peace talks.

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US role in disastrous Mamasapano raid under scrutiny

A disastrous raid on alleged Islamic militants has ignited the worst political crisis yet for Philippine President Benigno Aquino—and questions about the extent of any US role in the operation are deepening his discomfort.

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Schools to hold quake drill on March 17

Schools and barangays are to hold an earthquake drill on March 17 as part of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's first-quarter simultaneous earthquake drill.

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Kin of SAF 44 demand justice 44 days after Mamasapano clash

More than financial assistance, families of the 44 Special Action Force troopers who died in a clash with armed groups last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao continued to clamor for justice in a solidarity march and mass held Sunday.

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Yolanda-affected folk urged to pray for peace to honor SAF 44

Residents of Eastern Visayas affected by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) were urged to offer prayers for peace to honor the 44 Special Action Force troopers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

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Beter watch what info you give to strangers, PNP cautions household members

When getting a call, household members should think twice before divulging names and other important information to strangers.

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LOOK: Unity walk, run held to seek justice for SAF 44 in Luzon, Visayas

A solidarity march was held early Sunday to call for justice for 44 Special Action Force members slain in a clash in Mamasapano in Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

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WWII Japan shipwreck salvage unlikely – Palace

The presumed wreck of one of Japan's most famous World War II battleships whose discovery in the Philippines was announced by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen this week was unlikely to be salvaged, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday.

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PNP tells owners: Beware of fake firearm licenses, permits

The Philippine National Police this week warned the public against fake firearm licenses and Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence.

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Mother Mary statue bought from PHL to Sabah sheds tears —report

A 33-centimeter statue of Mother Mary bought from the Philippines is attracting crowds in Sabah after it reportedly shed tears starting this week, a Malaysian news site reported Friday.

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Board of Inquiry: Clash report will satisfy families of SAF 44, surviving troopers

Members of the Philippine National Police' Board of Inquiry are confident that relatives of Special Action Force troopers killed in a firefight in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao on Jan. 25 will be satisfied with the results of their probe.

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Palace: National Museum to coordinate with parties on WW2 shipwreck off Romblon

The National Museum will coordinate with all parties concerned in verifying the supposed wreckage of the World War II Japanese battleship Musashi, Malacañang said Saturday.

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Provincial bus firm’s unit grounded after inspection; govt targeting drunk drivers next

At least one unit of a provincial bus firm was grounded after it flunked an inspection by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Saturday.

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Sandiganbayan denies Jinggoy’s motion to examine Luy’s computer hardrive

The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division denied Senator Jinggoy Estrada's motion the he be allowed to scrutinize pork barrel scam primary whistleblower Benhur Luy's computer external hard drive.

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Napoles mocks ‘pork’ scam witness’ testimony

Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, was unusually animated and perky during Friday's bail petition hearing, openly mocking former employee Merlina Suñas as she was grilled by the Sandiganbayan Justices.

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Former APEC Rep. Valdez now at Camp Bagong Diwa – BJMP

Former Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) party-list Rep. Edgar Valdez was transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Thurday night after his health improved.

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Survivors honored: Oplan Exodus had mission accomplished

The National Police Commission and the Philippine National Police on Friday honored 15 survivors of the Mamasapano mission.

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CAAP gets new firefighting vehicles

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Friday received the first batch of new firefighting vehicles to beef up the capabilities of Philippine airports.

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Congress urged to correct laws discriminating women

Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, the head of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Friday appealed to Congress to correct current laws discriminating Filipinas.

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Troops capture two BIFF camps; Usman still at large

Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman remained at large even after the Armed Forces of the Philippines captured two camps of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a report from GMA's “24 Oras” program said Friday.

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SAF men in Mamasapano operation may receive highest PNP award

Some of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) commandos involved in the operation in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao last January 25 may receive the highest police award.

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Roxas to ‘immediately submit’ BOI report on Mamasapano to PNoy, Senate

Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II on Friday promised to submit a copy of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) report on the Mamasapano incident to President Benigno Aquino III and to the Senate as soon as he receives it.

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VP Binay, son to face probe over 'overpriced' Makati City Hall Building II

Investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday filed graft and malversation complaints against Vice President Jejomar Binay, his son Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, and 22 other city officials in connection with the alleged overpriced construction of Makati City Hall Building II.

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Bishop sees ‘systematic cover-up’ in Senate probe on Mamasapano clash

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. on Friday described the Senate into the Mamasapano clash, where 68 were killed including 44 police commandos, as a “systematic cover-up” more focused on insulating President Benigno Aquino III from liability.

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PNoy not considering 2016 polls in search for new PNP chief – Palace

President Benigno Aquino III is not considering the 2016 polls in choosing the next Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, a Malacañang official said Friday.

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PNoy’s review of Mamasapano clash report to take time –Palace

It will take some time before President Benigno Aquino III can make final recommendations in connection with the January 25 Mamasapano clash, which left over 60 people dead, including 44 police commandos.

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PNP officers cleared of liability in Revilla, Estrada’s ‘party’ with Enrile

The relieved head of the PNP Headquarters Support Services has been cleared of criminal and administrative liabilities in connection to the alleged attendance of detained Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada during the party of fellow detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on February 14.

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PNoy won’t use govt funds to ensure BBL’s passage –Palace

President Benigno Aquino III will not use government funds to woo lawmakers into passing the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), Malacañang said Friday.

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Sereno sends team to Sulu to look into judge’s slay

Upon orders from Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, officials from the Office of the Court Administrator would be flying to Mindanao next week to look into the killing of a judge in Sulu province.

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Peace advocates mark national day of healing 40 days after Mamasapano tragedy

Civil society groups, peace organizations, and private individuals converged Friday to call for peace in Mindanao and ask the people to take a stand against war or any form of violence as they marked 40 days after of the Mamasapano clash in which 66 people were killed, a television report has said.

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De Lima to MILF: We prefer full Mamasapano report, not just summary

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima prefers to get hold of the full report of the investigation by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on the January 25 Mamasapano clash rather than just its summary.

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PNoy told SAF commandos: Forget I’m the President, ask your questions

In a phone interview with Unang Balita, Chief Supt. Moro Virgilio Lazo said President Benigno Aquino III told the attending SAF commandos that they would "be all co-equals" in the meeting, "so you [could] ask your questions."

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Telco needs court order to release time log of PNoy-Purisima messages

Smart Communications would need either a court order or written consent from the subscriber for it to release the time log of the controversial text messages between President Benigno Aquino III and resigned Police chief Director General Alan Purisima over the Mamasapano anti-terror mission.

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LTFRB brings down taxi flag-down rate by P10

Good news for taxi riders: the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has allowed a P10 rollback in the flag-down rate for taxis.

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