Latest

LEGAZPI CITY-Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino acknowledged on Tuesday the surge in the latest Pulse Asia survey of his cousin and rival, former Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro.

"My younger cousin's increase in figures in the latest survey, I admit, is dramatic," Aquino said.

The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted the first week of December showed Teodoro up by three points from his previous survey rating.

"But the increase is only in terms of small numbers."

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 22- The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the allocation of P6 million for medicines and portable toilets for distribution in all evacuation centers in Albay province.

The DOH prompted to provide additional assistance to the province after Albay governor Joey Salceda issued a strict policy to ensure clean sanitary facilities at the evacuation centers.

As of 12:00 noon Tuesday, the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) recorded at total of 45,366 persons evacuated or 9,441 families.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and long-time partner, PhilHealth, recently signed a memorandum of agreement whereby PVB will be providing PhilHealth Region 3 employees ATM and payroll services including PVB's unique "5-in-1" card that works as a company ID, ATM, timekeeping card, debit card, and discount card . The MOA was signed by PVB President and CEO Ricardo Balbido Jr. (2^nd from left) and PhilHealth President Dr.

Last December 22, the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP) which is headed by Mr. Tomasito Monzon called for a press conference in which it was announced that the implementation of the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project (LCDP) was indefinitely suspended. The stated reason for the suspension was the unresolved matter regarding the relocation of more than 70 families who were identified as being adversely affected by the dam project. Once this issue has been addressed, that is, once the families have been relocated (the target date is 30 January 2010), the implementation of the dam project would resume.

A sister vacationing, a Japanese brother in-law updating his memories of Bikol from his geography classes, and another Japanese getting a chance to confront the colonial roots of a faith were my companions in driving through Canaman, Magarao, Bombon, Quipayo and Calabanga.

Germany's president Horst Köhler spoke to the nation this Christmas. One might wonder and ask: Does Germany have a President? Does it not have a Chancellor? And in fact that is correct. True political power in Germany is concentrated in the position of the Chancellor, who happens to be Angela Merkel.

We from Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR) are saddened by the fact that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her economic spokesperson Gary Olivar are callous to the plight of Mayon residents who have been evacuated due to the volcano's imminent eruption.

With President Arroyo going to Hong Kong to have a vacation while many Albayanos are facing the loss of their lives and property she only showed her true nature and that she does not care for Albayanos or for Filipinos. She only thinks of what can extend her hold to power.

HERE IS THE LETTER I sent last December 14 to Emman Llagas, president for Bicol of the Kilusan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas. This is in connection with the ongoing radio airing of political advertisements employing children as voice talents. A copy of the letter was also sent to each media outfits in Naga.

Philippine politics is riddled with fraud, deceit, corruption, bribery, and manipulation. Politicians have been used to capitalizing on the weakness and powerlessness of the poor, and profiting from the silence and poverty of Filipinos. The son and daughter of a dictator mustered the callousness to run for senator and governor. An ousted president has filed his candidacy in a desperate attempt to go back to Malacanang.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

This is the message of Christmas that we take to heart each year.

This Christmas is even more special since it comes with our celebration of the Year for Priests that Pope Benedict XVI opened on June 19, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the 150^th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, patron of parish priests.

MANILA - The Ampatuan massacre last November 23 shocked the nation and the world. It was shocking not only because of its ferocity, claiming the lives of 57 innocent people including passersby, and barbarity, which included the rape of women, desecration of bodies and beheading of some victims, but also because of the brazenness in the commission of such abhorrent atrocities.