Dagupan Election 2013 showdown Fernandez-Fernandez vs. Lim-Siapno

DAGUPAN CITY, –The big and influential political clans of Dagupan on Friday joined hands to support Belen Fernandez for mayor and Michael Fernandez for vice mayor as candidates of the Liberal Party even as Mayor Benjamin Lim filed his certificates of candidacy with newcomer Alex Siapno as his runningmate under the Nacionalista Party. The two Fernandez filed their COCs before the City Elections Office at 2:00 p.m. Friday, accompanied by former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., his wife Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, former mayor Alipio ...

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Filipinos face 12 years in prison for online libel under new law

LOS ANGELES — Filipinos who libel others on Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere online could be jailed for up to 12 years under a law that went into effect last week in the Philippines. The new law against cybercrime includes a disputed provision that imposes much steeper penalties for committing libel on the Internet than offline. It allows police to shut down websites and do some monitoring of email and online activity without a warrant. Fears of an increasing government grip on online speech triggered an uproar among Filipinos, who have been...

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Philippines, Japan OK P4-B Loan

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe have signed and exchanged notes on the ¥7.775-billion (P4.098-billion) loan for the Development Policy Support Program on Investment Climate (DPSP-IC). The ceremonies were held Friday at the DFA Main Building in Pasay City and were witnessed by representatives from several government agencies. The DPSP-IC loan will support the national budget in financing policy reforms for the improvement of the country’s investment...

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Ranking NPA leader nabbed in QC

MANILA, Philippines—State authorities on Saturday arrested a top leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) who had received military training in Libya and had a P5.6 million bounty on his head. A statement from the military’s Southern Luzon Command said alleged NPA leader Benjamin Mendoza and three companions were arrested shortly after midnight outside a hideout in Quezon City. The military said 61-year-old Mendoza (aka Lorens/Kenji/Dave) was a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ Central Committee and secretary of the Southern...

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Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo can win any post if she runs now; but will the legend wane?

After making the decision to run for Congress, Leni Robredo, a widow at 47, now stands on the cusp of history wondering if she can indeed cross into the world her husband had inhabited. But the wooing of the heir to Jesse Robredo’s legacy had not been so easy. Had she been the average political animal driven by greed for power and glory, she might have announced she would follow her husband’s steps into politics way back in August. It would...

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tropical storm " marce" weather update

Issued at: 5:00 a.m., 03 October 2012 At 4:00 a.m. today, the Tropical Storm "MARCE" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 310 km West of Iba, Zambales (15.4°N, 116.7°E) with maximum winds of 75 kph near the center center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It is forecast to move Southeast at 07 kph. ...

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Philippine cybercrime law under fire, 6th petition filed

A group of petitioners in Philippines, consisting of lawmakers, bloggers and students, have sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the country's implementation of its Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012--making it the sixth filed against the controversial legislation. According to GMA News Online on Monday, the petition centered on the definition of online libel stated in the law, specifically...

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Comelec chief welcomes Padaca’s appointment as commissioner

MANILA, Philippines — Finally, the male-dominated Commission on Elections (Comelec) will have a “referee” when it finds itself in a debate and at a deadlock on issues facing the poll body. Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. had this to say, on Tuesday, as he welcomed the appointment of former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca as an addition to the currently six-member en banc. Brillantes was also thankful that his wish to have a woman commissioner...

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Battle For 2013 Begins

MANILA, Philippines --- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday presented to his “bosses” the 12 individuals that would compose the LP-Akbayan -NPC-LDP-NP Coalition’s senatorial slate at Club Filipino in San Juan City. Sen. Franklin M. Drilon, coalition campaign manager, said the senatorial slate is aiming for a 12-0 knockout victory over the opposition in the May, 2013, mid-term elections. Aquino, who is also the chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), said the vote of the Filipino people, whom he calls the “boss,” will be substantial in...

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20 file COCs; ‘colorful’ bets rule 1st day

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 20 candidates filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office during the first day of filing Monday. Of the 20 candidates, 10 were from the prominent parties expected to go neck in neck in the 2013 mid-term elections this May. Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who is part of the administration’s ticket led by President Benigno Aquino III’s Liberal Party, was the first candidate to file when the Comelec office opened at 8 a.m. Eight of the senatorial candidates...

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awesome new PBA commercial featuring Turf Wars

Here’s the new full-length commercial for the PBA 2013 season, which debuted during the league’s opening ceremonies on Sunday. The video features PBA players in the Ube Republic, Gatas Republik, Barako Brigade, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Batang Pier, Bansang Meralco, Petroniverse, Bayan ng Rain or Shine, San Mig Coffee Planet, and TNT Nation.Sa’n Ka?! Kampihan N...

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Philippines sends more troops to guard disputed islands

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has deployed 800 more Marines and opened a new headquarters to guard its interests in the disputed Spratly islands, which China also claims, a senior military official said Sunday. Straddling vital shipping lanes and believed sitting atop vast reserves of mineral deposits, including oil, the Spratlys chain in the South China Sea has long been considered a flashpoint for conflict in the region. Apart...

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Mar to vacate LP post

Manila, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) president and incoming Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Manuel Roxas II will be taking a leave of absence as LP president as he aims to focus on his new post in the DILG. President Benigno S. Aquino III administered the oath-taking of new DILG Secretary Mar Roxas in Malacanang yesterday. The oath taking, held yesterday at the reception hall of Malacanang, was witnessed by Roxas’ wife, broadcaster Korina Sanchez ­ Roxas; the wife of the late former DILG Secretary...

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