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Cash Rewards Will Not End Political Killings, Bishop Says

Roy Lagarde

MANILA, May 8, 2009-The Arroyo administration's strategy to end political killings will not work, a Catholic bishop said.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said the P25 million fund to reward informants who could help solve political killings will never have much impact.

Pabillo, who heads the National Secretariat for Social Action- Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said a cash reward is not an effective way to reduce or cut crimes.

Forced Congress Holiday After 50 Representatives Watched the Pacquiao-Hatton Bout

Augusto F. Mesia, M.D.


There is something eerie each time Manny Pacquiao comes to Las Vegas, Nevada to fight in the boxing arena. Last Saturday, just like his fight against Oscar de la Hoya, the match between him and Englishman Ricky Hatton was attended by 50 Philippine congressmen even if it lasted only for 3 minutes.



The next day, only 131 Philippine congressmen out 263 reported for work.

Pacquiao Unveils His People Champ’s Party

Augusto F. Mesia, M.D.

Filipinos displayed almost total unanimity in support for Manny Pacquiao during his boxing bout with Ricky Hatton. The entire nation was ecstatic to watch the astounding victory that carved Manny’s name among the greatest boxers of the world. As his countrymen prepared for a hero’s welcome in Manila, a brewing firestorm of controversy had started.

3 Possible Swine Flu Sufferers in Cebu Quarantined

Augusto F. Mesia, M.D.

It’s a waiting game for three individuals who were quarantined in Cebu on suspicion that they harbor the H1N1 flu virus. A Filipino who was detected to be running fever by thermal scan at Cebu Airpot was isolated together with his wife after they arrived from their trip which brought them to Ireland, Hongkong then to Cebu via Cathay Pacific Fight.

Pacquiao Knocks Out Hatton in 2 Rounds

Vox Bikol

Put to rest doubts that Manny Pacquiao won against Oscar de la Hoya because the latter was too old. This time Pacquiao sent a young and strong Ricky Hatton into the canvass twice before knocking him out less than 10 seconds remaining in the second round of their battle for the IBO and Ring Magazine's Junior Welterweight title in Las Vegas.

The Pacquiao-Hatton fight was dubbed as the battle between East and West, Hatton being UK's boxing hero and Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the current pound-for-pound king, having a whole nation in his corner. Filipinos all over the world rejoice over Pacquiao's latest victory. The predominantly Briton crowd was stunned at the ease with which their champion get demolished.

SM Naga Opens May 1 Amid Typhoons

Karen Taduran

Naga City--Despite the continuous rain showers brought by typhoons Dante and Crising, the show must go on for Naga’s newest SM Prime holdings supermall, the SM City Naga, which opened to the public today, Labor Day.

At 9:00 in the morning, an hour before SM’s Grand Opening, mass of people from all over Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes,Sorsogon and Masbate, were enthused waiting outside the mall.

‘Dante’ Dumps Rains, Floods Camarines Sur Towns

Jonas Cabiles Soltes

NAGA CITY--Tropical Depression “Dante” flooded several towns while staying almost stationary over Bikol region for days.

The Naga City government through Mayor Jesse Robredo said it is monitoring the flood situation which as of 9:00 in the morning today has affected six villages here.

Registration on for 12th Tour of Camarines Sur

S. Nieves

Pili, Camarines Sur (28 April) -- Camarines Sur residents will be treated to another colorful and exciting cycling event as registration for the 12th edition of the Tour of Camarines Sur scheduled from May 25 to 27 is now in full throttle.

UNEP Performers Grace 2009 Heritage Fest

Vox Bikol

Known for their celebrated stature as world class performers, the UNEP Chorale together with the equally renowned UNEP Performing Arts group, were invited by no less than Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo to grace the opening night of the two-day Filipino Heritage Festival 2009 held from April 29-30 at the Plaza Quezon in Naga City .

Transport Strike Grinds Traffic to a Halt in Bikol

Alec Francis A. Santos

Legazpi City - A region-wide transport strike has resulted in paralyzing up to 85% of public transportation in Bikol. A week-long preparation culminated in a strike that paralyzed 70-80% of transportation in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Masbate. In Albay, the figure is higher at 95%.

Albay to Declare State of Imminent Danger to Fight Swine Flu

Mar S. Arguelles

 et al.

LEGAZPI CITY, April 30 (PNA) --- The provincial government of Albay will declare a state of imminent danger following the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration placing the swine flu virus epidemic under Alert Level 5, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said today.

Salceda said he has urged the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to convene for the immediate passing of a resolution on the declaration.

Private Schools, State Colleges to Unify in One National Games

Sonny Sales

NAGA CITY - - DURING THE CLOSING RITES of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games held here, PRISAA national chairman, Dr. Gonzalo Duque revealed that PRISAA national games next year will now be joint with the State Colleges Association Athletic Games to be held in Tacloban City in February of 2010.

NFA Buys 64,000 Bags of Palay for April

Sonny Sales

PILI, CAMARINES SUR - - DESPITE CHANGING WEATHER patterns in this region affecting its major crops, early summer harvest for palay is reported with significant yields with the national grains agency now acquiring some 64,000 bags of palay, procured from farmer stake-holders in Camarines Sur province this month.

CBCP Head Expresses Reservations on Additional Solons

Melo M. Acuña

 et al.

ILOILO City, April 27, 2009-The head of the Catholic bishops' leadership is apprehensive of the ruling which increases the number of lawmakers in Congress because it might cause more problems than gains.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a country suffering from political and economic crisis, the decision means additional burden to the public.

Church Leaders Blast Lozada Arrest

Roy Lagarde

MANILA, May 1, 2009- Some bishops have blasted the recent arrest of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada as "unacceptable" and Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) executive secretary Msgr Juanito Figura called it a "big blow to justice."

Figura who visited Lozada at the Manila Police District headquarters Friday morning said something is fundamentally wrong with the system of justice. "It appears to be selective justice, selective prosecution and selective framing of charges," he said.

Church Says Labor Has Priority Over Capital

Roy Lagarde

MANILA, April 30, 2009-The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Thursday urged employers and the government to recognize the contribution of the workers.

In his message on Labor Day 2009, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo lamented that workers in the Philippines are oftentimes deprived of the just share of the fruits of their work.

The archbishop said there should be interdependence between labor and capital to achieve economic progress.

Prelate Launches Prayer Crusade for Cory

Melo M. Acuña

BALANGA, Bataan, May 1, 2009 --Balanga Bishop Socrates B. Villegas called on the Catholic faithful and devotees of the holy rosary to actively participate in a prayer crusade for the healing of former President Corazon C. Aquino now afflicted with cancer of the colon, beginning May 1,  feast of St. Joseph the Worker, until May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Vox Bikol Columnist Joins URIAN

Vox Bikol

Vox Bikol columnist Tito Genova Valiente has been invited to be part of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the country's premier critics' group. Popularly known as URIAN, the panel of respected critics is responsible for bestowing the prestigious Gawad URIAN to the best of Philippine cinema.

RP-US Balikatan Mission in Bikol Ends

MA Loterte

Albay Province (30 April) -- United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, during her visit here Tuesday (April 28), promised that humanitarian missions will continue as component of the Balikatan Exercises, with the US-RP military counterparts building roads, school buildings, providing free medical services and other humanitarian projects for the Filipino people.

Activists to File Case at CHR for Police Violence During GMA Visit

Alec Francis A. Santos

NAGA CITY - Militants here have assailed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the violent encounter between protesters and plainclothes and uniformed police officers during the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last April 20.

The president was in Naga to grace the opening of the annual Private Association of Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA).

WHO Confirms 331 Cases of Swine Flu Worldwide

PNA

MOSCOW, May 1 (PNA/RIA Novosti) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially confirmed 331 cases of influenza A/H1N1, the technical name for the virus commonly known as swine flu, in 11 countries.

The United States has reported over 120 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 312 human cases of infection, including 12 deaths. The difference in some reported figures and those of the WHO may be down to the fact that not all countries have had all their cases confirmed by the global body.

Russia to Preside Over UN Security Council in May

PNA

UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (PNA/Itar-Tass) -- The Russian delegation will preside over the United Nations Security Council in May. Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin will replace the Mexican ambassador to the U.N. Claude Eller on Friday in the post of chairman.

The U.N. Security Council is expected to hold an open discussion on the situation in the Middle East early in May. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will preside over that conference. He will stay on an official visit in the United States since May 6.

NEDA: Gasoline Prices Should Be Lower Than P32/liter

PNA

MANILA, May 1 -- The National Economic and Development Authority on Friday said pump prices of gasoline should be lower than P32 per liter.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto said in a statement that based on the Department of Energy (DOE)oil monitor as of April 16, oil companies charged as much as P40.85 per liter of premium plus unleaded gasoline, P39.71 per liter of premium unleaded gasoline, and P39.07 per liter of unleaded gasoline, about P8 more than the estimated gasoline price of P32.

Government to Hold Forum on Swine Flu Scare

PNA

MANILA, May 1  -- Malacanang will hold next week a comprehensive forum on the swine flu virus to share information and best practices from experts and map out appropriate defensive strategies for public health.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the forum will serve as the focal point to marshal available resources, similar to the country's successful response to the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) scare several years ago.

U.S. Stocks Trade Mixed After Chrysler Files for Bankruptcy

Vox Bikol

NEW YORK, May 1 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Wall Street ended mixed Thursday after the third largest U.S. automaker Chrysler announced it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Wall Street opened higher in the morning as investors welcomed a surprise decline in new jobless claims and earnings beating estimates.

The U.S. Labor Department said initial claims fell 14,000 to 631,000 last week. Economists had predicted a rise. But continuing claims jumped to a new record.