Aquino rejects money ban

President Benigno S. Aquino III is not amenable to the controversial money ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to concerns it may interrupt trade and other economic activities in the country. The President described the Comelec resolution that prohibits withdrawal of more than P100,000 from banks from May 8 to 13 as a “shotgun approach” against vote-buying. Incoming... 

Abang Lingkod still in elections

Extreme Leftist organizations are behind the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruling that disqualified 12 party-list organizations from participating in the May 13 elections. This was gathered as the Abang Lingkod party-list, an organization representing the agricultural sector, called on its supporters to ignore reports that the group is no longer participating in the May 13 elections,... 

Election Day is non-working holiday

Election Day will be a non-working holiday across the country. President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Monday, May 13, a special public holiday throughout the country to encourage the public to participate in the electoral process, presidential spokesman Edwin F. Lacierda said. Incoming search terms:copy of proclamation 571 (4)proclamation 571 (4)Proclamation No 571 (3)election day... 

US base just an option

Manila, Philippines – Malacanang defended Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin yesterday on the issue of possibly opening US bases here, saying that it is only one of the options. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the government is also studying the proposal to ensure that it will not violate the 1987 Constitution. The 1987 Constitution prohibits US military bases in... 

Cayetano warns on Cha-cha

HONG KONG – Re-electionist Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano warned yesterday that if Charter change (Cha-cha) would only create “divisiveness” and would jeopardize the country’s rosy financial footing, it would be better for the Congress leaders not to pursue it next 16th Congress. Cayetano said he is in favor of Cha-cha if such proposal that he branded as “double-edged... 

Ligot assets freeze order lifted

Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the lifting of the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) on the alleged undeclared P54 million worth of assets and bank deposits of retired Philippine Army comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and members of his family with a ruling that indefinite freeze orders violate a person’s rights under the Constitution. In... 

Mid-April poll

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelans will vote April 14 to choose a successor to Hugo Chavez, the elections commission announced Saturday as increasingly strident political rhetoric begins to roil this polarized country.  Read More »

Amend Charter for Sabah claim

Manila, Philippines – The 1987 Constitution provision that describes the territorial extent of the Philippines has weakened the country’s claim over Sabah, two Manila councilors have revealed. Councilors Edward Tan of the second district and Ernesto Dionisio of the first district said they have called the attention of former President Joseph E. Estrada, United Nationalist Alliance... 

Pinoy’s residency case in court

A Filipino maid has taken her fight for permanent residency to Hong Kong’s top court. Lawyers for Evangeline Banao Vallejos were presenting arguments to the Court of Final Appeal on Tuesday. Her legal team was granted permission last year to appeal a lower court’s rejection of her bid. Vallejos along with another Filipino national are seeking a landmark ruling that would let thousands... 

Fight continues

Manila, Philippines – The Marcos dictatorship has long been gone but the fight for other freedoms continues, according to a Palace official. Even as the government has made strides in nurturing the fruits of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. acknowledged yesterday that the nation must still be freed from the shackles of poverty and hunger.  Read More »