Light rains helped clear smog after New Year's Eve fireworks

Light rains in parts of Metro Manila helped dissipate the smog caused by the New Year's Eve fireworks, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
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DOH: 1 dead, 384 injured from firecrackers, stray bullets

Despite at least one death reported due to firecracker injuries, officials of the Department of Health on Friday noted a "general reduction" in the number of victims due to fireworks and stray bullets amid the New Year revelry.
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Two injured in Makati shooting

Two people were injured, including a 7-year-old boy, after a gunman continuously fired at them in Palar Village, Barangay Southside in Makati City, according to James Agustin of Super Radyo dzBB.
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Several fire incidents reported in Quezon City early New Year's Day

Several fires broke out in Metro Manila early Friday morning, Super Radyo dzBB reported, including a residential area fire at the corner of Maguinhawa and Madasalin Streets in Quezon City.
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Kapuso Countdown sa MOA dinagsa

Hindi natinag ng ulan ang saya ng mga nakiisa sa Kapuso Countdown to 2016 sa Mall of Asia sa Pasay City.
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New Year-baby born at Fabella Hospital

.A baby girl was born at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila at 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2016 - New Year's Day.
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Acetylene gang robs P3-M from QC pawnshop

A pawnshop in Quezon City was broken into by a so-called Acetylene gangthat carted away about P3 million of the establishment's earnings, according to a report by Tina Panganiban-Perez in GMA's “24 Oras”on Thursday.
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DOH blames smuggling for piccolo in PHL market

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday identified rampant smuggling as the primary factor for proliferation in the market of the illegal firecracker piccolo, which is the primary cause of firecracker-related injuries recorded so far.
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CA stops Manila court from checking PHL-US extradition pact

The Court of Appeals has temporarily stopped the Manila Regional Trial Court from requiring the Department of Justice to produce documents that would prove the validity of the Philippines' extradition treaty with the US.
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Hospitals on 'code white' as firecracker injuries rise before New Year's Eve

Hours before the New Year's Eve revelry, the number firecracker-related incidents rose to almost 200, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Thursday, with even more expected overnight.
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Yolanda rehab projects 63% 'accomplished' – NEDA

More than two years after super typhoon Yolanda ripped through the Visayas region, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Thursday said the implementation of projects, programs, and activities (PPAs) envisioned to bring forth rehabilitation and recovery to the devastated areas is nearing completion.
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PHL New Year revelry kills one, injures hundreds

Stray bullets and exploding firecrackers have killed one person and injured almost 200 others as the Philippines plunged into its annual chaotic New Year revelry, authorities said Thursday.
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Extra busy year for DFA

An initial legal triumph by the Philippines in its arbitration case against China over disputed territories, a visit by Pope Francis and the country's hosting of APEC leaders led by President Barack Obama highlighted an extremely busy but prestigious year for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
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Another child hit by stray bullet before New Year

A nine-year-old girl from Marikina City is the latest stray bullet victim before the New Year.
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Black Nazarene Thanksgiving procession delayed

Hundreds of devotees attended the thanksgiving procession of the image of the Black Nazarene at the Plaza Miranda early Thursday.
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House resolution to exempt Pia Wurtzbach's Miss Universe-earnings from taxes

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said on Wednesday that he would file a measure that would not only bestow on Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach the title of “Ambassador of Goodwill”, but would also exempt her from paying taxes on her pageant earnings.
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Personal vows not part of wedding liturgy – church official

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Socrates Villegas clarified in a Facebook post that the Catholic Church did not allow couples to recite their personal vows during weddings.
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BFP supports total ban on fireworks

The Bureau of Fire Protection said it was open to a total fireworks ban as this would drastically reduce the amount of fire incidents during New Year's Eve celebrations, GMA 7 news program “24 Oras” reported on Wednesday.
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Senate will not be distracted by the election fever – Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon promised the public on Tuesday that the upcoming campaign period for the 2016 elections would not distract the Senate from its work.
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Illegal fire crackers like bombs —PNP

Bomb experts of the Philippine National Police have compared the destructive power of huge illegal firecrackers to that of bombs, Emil Sumangil reported on GMA News' "24 Oras."
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Kin of Poe’s alleged biological ma offered DNA from remains —spokesman

It was the family of the late Victoria Rodriguez, Senator Grace Poe's alleged biological mother, who offered that her remains be exhumed so that DNA samples may be secured for tests that would verify whether or not she is the lawmaker's long-lost mother.
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PNoy pushed to pursue compensation for comfort women from Japan

Lawmakers urged President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday to explore the prospect of forging an agreement with Japan regarding Filipino women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War 2 after a landmark deal was reached by South Korea on the issue.
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Total ban the only solution to firecracker injuries, says DOH

Health Sec. Janette Garin on Tuesday reiterated that the yearly problem of injuries and even deaths caused by firecrackers during the holiday season will be only solved by a total ban on the said products.
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Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali is House's top spender in 2014

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali was the biggest spender among the 290 members of the House of Representatives in 2014, a recent Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed.
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Prelates urge faithful to buy food for the needy instead of firecrackers

To avoid injuries during the New Year celebration, two prelates have an advice: spend the money on food for the needy instead of on fireworks or firecrackers.
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DOH: More than 100 fireworks-related injuries recorded before New Year

More than 100 fireworks-related injuries have been recorded even before the New Year celebrations, the Department of Health said Tuesday.
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Trillanes, Pimentel, Alan Cayetano are Senate’s top spenders in 2014

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV spent the most in the Senate for 2014, a recent Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed. In a report that the COA published on Sunday as a paid advertisement in a national daily, the commission said Trillanes' office incurred a total of P86 million expenditures from January 1 to December 31, 2014.
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Meryll Soriano: Honor Thy Father brought back my trust in filmmaking

Ilang buwan lamang matapos maging Kapuso ang batikang host na si Willie Revillame, sumunod rin sa kaniyang yapak ang kaniyang anak at aktres na si Meryll Soriano nitong Mayo at nakabilang sa GMA Afternoon Prime drama series na “My Mother's Secret” kasama sina Gwen Zamora at Christian Bautista.
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BuCor considering demolition of cells in New Bilibid Prison

The Bureau of Corrections is now considering the demolition of prison cells in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, following the latest "Oplan Galugad" on Wednesday where contraband items were seized anew.
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Bodies of Grace Poe’s possible biological parents exhumed in Guimaras

GUIMARAS—The camp of Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday morning had the remains of her alleged biological parents exhumed at the East Valencia Public Cemetery in Buenavista town for purposes of DNA examination.
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Lawmaker urges public to double check quality of purchased fireworks

A day before the nation welcomes the New Year, a lawmaker urged the public to double check the fireworks they buy to avoid purchasing illegal and smuggled items that could be dangerous or even deadly.
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VP Binay hopes 2016 will bring ‘revolution of tenderness’

Vice President and opposition presidential bet Jejomar Binay on Wednesday expressed hope that what he considers as the era “vindictiveness and selective justice” would end with 2015, and that 2016 would usher in  a time of "tenderness."
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DOJ throws support behind CCTV bill

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has thrown its support behind a proposed law requiring business establishments and public offices to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to deter crimes.
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Solon seeks amendment of GSIS Act for retirees

A government employee who chooses to retire six months before he reaches the minimum 15 years of service for compulsory retirement may soon be allowed to claim the corresponding benefits for workers who meet that requirement if a bill now pending in Congress becomes a law.
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Three children hit by stray bullets ahead of New Year

Three children have so far been hit by stray bullets before the New Year. A child in Ormoc City, Leyte, was most recently hit, after one died by the same in Bulacan on Christmas Day.
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Group urges voters: Don’t to rely on surveys for your vote

A cause-oriented group last Tuesday urged voters in the 2016 national elections not to rely on surveys and popularity ratings in choosing their candidates.
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Gloria Arroyo brought home again to La Vista for New Year furlough

Former President and now Pamapanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is back again at her house in La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City for a court ordered New Year furlough.
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PNoy leads rites for 119th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday led ceremonies at the Rizal Park in Manila on the occasion of the 119th death anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
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More DNA samples taken from alleged Grace Poe relatives

Representatives of presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe flew to Guimaras, Iloilo on Tuesday to take more DNA samples from her alleged biological mother's relatives, GMA 7 news program "24 Oras" reported.
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DTI plans to impose an age limit on hoverboarders

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering prohibiting the use of hoverboards by children below 14 years old.
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Poe confident SC will reverse Comelec disqualification

Senator Grace Poe said on Tuesday that she was confident that the Supreme Court would rule in her favor and reverse the Commission on Elections' decision to disqualify her candidacy due to her failure to meet residency and nationality requirements.
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Lawmakers renew call for probe on spoiled DSWD relief goods

Two militant lawmakers on Tuesday asked Congress to look into the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ability to  handle relief operations given reports on the spoilage of food packs and sacks of rice meant for Leyte calamity victims.
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Quorum woes hound House, Bangsamoro law

Congress has yet to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law More than a year after the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a landmark peace agreement aimed at ending more than four decades of insurgency in Mindanao.
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Poe: No reason to doubt Chiz's loyalty

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday said Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, her running mate in the 2016 elections, still has her trust and confidence amid accusations that he is abandoning her following her disqualification by the Commission on Elections
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DTI Usec. Cristobal to take over as interim Trade chief

President Benigno S.C Aquino III has appointed Trade Undersecretary for Industry Development Group Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. to take over as as interim Secretary of Trade and Industry effective December 31, 2015.
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PNoy, the SAF 44 and the Mamasapano clash

The year started on a not so pleasant note for President Benigno Aquino III when police commandos were killed in a what many called a misencounter in late January with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with which the government has signed a peace agreement.
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Palace: PNoy’s integrity, commitment reasons for Filipinos’ optimism

Malacañang on Tuesday welcomed the results of a recent Pulse Asia survey showing that majority of the Filipinos are optimistic of the coming year despite recent challenges that the country faced.
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CBCP urges voters to snub pro-divorce, death penalty bets

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Tuesday urged voters not to support candidates in the 2016 elections who are pushing for divorce, death penalty and other measures that it said are against the Church's doctrines.
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AFP to conduct flyby of new fighter jets on Rizal Day

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will commemorate Rizal Day on Wednesday with a display of Philippine Air Force assets, including the two newly acquired FA-50 fighter jets.
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DOH: Firecracker-related injuries rise to 131

With two days left before New Year's Eve, cases of firearm and firecracker-related injuries continued to rise based on the latest report of the Department of Health (DOH).
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