Filipino News

MANILA, Philippines

A Philippine state agency plans to sell reconstruction bonds of up to P50 billion ($1.1 billion) in 5- to 10-year maturities to fund rebuilding after recent devastating typhoons, Trade Secretary Peter Favila said on Thursday.

Favila told Reuters the government has yet to decide whether the amount will be raised in one offer or in tranches, but the National Development Corp (NDC) has discussed the debt issue with government financial institutions and private banks interested in participating in the offer. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA — The son of the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino has emerged as an early front-runner in May’s elections, adding to the pressure to live up to the promise of his famous name and prove he is capable of solving his nation’s deep-seated problems.

Benigno Aquino III, widely known by the nickname “Noynoy,” fared best among the current candidates in a poll released Wednesday. The Manila-based polling firm Social Weather Stations, which asked about 1,800 adults last month to name three suitable presidential candidates, said 60% named the 49-year-old member of the Philippine senate. His next closest competitor, Sen. Manuel Villar, was named by 37% of respondents. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines

President Arroyo called on rich countries yesterday to provide the bulk of funds for rehabilitating areas ravaged by tropical storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng,” saying the country had been a victim of climate change.

Mrs. Arroyo said the Philippines would need much more money
to fund relief and reconstruction efforts following the recent record rains brought by the two weather disturbances that left more than 710 people dead and caused billions of pesos in damage. Read the rest of this entry »

A regional official of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) has been arrested in Aurora province, police said Friday.

Delfin Pimentel, also known as Crispin, Medy, Liben, Tanda, was cornered by a composite police-military team in Dingalan town of Aurora last Tuesday, said Director General Jesus Verzosa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

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“Ituloy ang laban ni Ninoy at Cory!” (Continue the fight of Ninoy and Cory!) This cry reverberated across the land as a grateful nation buried former President Corazon Aquino last August 5. A sea of yellow engulfed these islands anew as people rekindled the spirit of Edsa Uno, flashing the L-sign and singing “Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas.” But the question remained: Who will lead this fight?

One name has emerged on a multitude of minds and lips: Benigno ’Noynoy’ Aquino III, only son of Ninoy and Cory, and incumbent senator of the Republic.

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Police foiled a drug store robbery in Balintawak, Quezon City after killing two gunmen before dawn Friday.

Superintendent Marcelino Pedroso, chief of the Quezon City police’s intelligence division, identified one of the two slain suspects as Robert Sapillan.

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COTABATO, Philippines

Government security forces killed a leftist guerrilla in an encounter in Davao del Sur province yesterday, a military spokesman said today.

Col. Ranier Cruz, commander of 1002nd Brigade, said soldiers were conducting community service shortly before 11:00 a.m. yesterday in Blasan village, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, when they encountered an undetermined number of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

A clashed ensued, leaving an NPA member dead.

Soldiers recovered one M-16 rifle from the battle site.

A party-list group representing the women’s sector at the House of Representatives on Thursday took up the cudgels for Rachel Tiongson, the live-in partner of deputy national security adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson whom he beat up in a fit of rage.

“By Singson’s own admission that he did beat up his live-in partner and said that she was even lucky because she was alive shows that he may be liable under the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Law (RA 9262),” said Gabriela Representative Liza Maza.

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