Don’t use minors in propaganda BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

Special investigator Jess Cañete of the Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental yesterday warned political candidates not to exploit minors in campaigning for the May 13 polls.

This was after a 14-year-old parking attendant said that he and his companion were paid P50 each last week to distribute a two-page document at the Dumaguete Public Market.

The boy said that on April 21, two men asked him and his companion to distribute three plastic bags of folded sheets of paper.

He said it took them half a day to do it and they went to the Marian Priests Center at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral compound later for the feeding activity conducted by the Franciscan sisters of the Diocese of Dumaguete. A volunteer saw the bundles of paper and called the attention of Sr. Maria, who told the boys to stop distributing them.

The document attacked incumbent Gov. Roel Degamo for his alleged sexual abuses of women, three of whom were named. The second page was a copy of a case filed against the governor for acts of lasciviousness when he was still a councilor of Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The case, raised by Degamo’s political opponents last year, was reported to have been dismissed already.

Cañete appealed to bets to stop using black propaganda to discredit their opponents and called the distribution of the document as a desperate act of a candidate.

Cañete said that, if there is enough identification and evidence against the perpetrators, he will make sure that they will be prosecuted.

He also said that exploiting minors for such practice is a violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Anti-Child Abuse Act.*JFP

PHL suspends importation of live shrimps from Asian neighbors April 30, 2013 1:09pm

The Philippines has stopped the importation of live shrimps to prevent the spread of Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS)—now prevalent in neighboring countries—among local species, the the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Tuesday.

BFAR Director Asis Perez said EMS is prevalent Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China and Indonesia. “We are dealing with a disease unknown to us, all the more that measures must be undertaken,” he said.

An EMS infected shrimp usually dies within the first 30 days of its life, according to the bureau.

It also banned the entry of crabs and lobsters which can carry and transmit the disease. The bureau said it is also monitoring the spread of EMS in Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia.

“The Philippines remains EMS-free as of the moment and BFAR is exhausting all efforts to remain so,” Perez noted. While the the cause of EMS is still unknown, BFAR said infected samples exhibit slow growth, corkscrew swimming and pale coloration. 

With the suspension, BFAR has ordered Fish Health Officers, Quarantine Officers and the Law Enforcement Quick Response Team to monitor, control and implement surveillance protocols at airports and seaports in the country.

Perez noted the situation opens up opportunities for the Philippines to revive its shrimp export industry, saying the bureau is now consulting growers to establish long-term solutions to the problems now facing the industry.

Last month, Agriculture Secretary Processo Alcala said his department is preparing the shrimp industry to again eye the export market. Diseases caused by overcrowding spelled the near-demise of the industry several years ago.

Unsanitary practices in tiger shrimp farms forced many hatcheries to close down starting 1996.

Now the Agriculture Department is studying the potential of mangrove areas in Panay, Leyte, Negros, and Mindoro as strategic production sites, said Alcala.

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) data showed tiger prawn output reached 48,196 metric tons (MT) in 2012 from 47,494 MT in 2011 and from 48,161 MT in 2010.

Production was valued at P1.89 billion in 2012 from P1.85 billion in 2011 and from P1.82 billion in 2010. — VS, GMA News

Haemophilia patients demand better treatment, infrastructure

Sumitra Deb Roy, TNN | Apr 28, 2013, 06.28 PM IST

MUMBAI: This World Hemophilia Day, the city's Hemophilia Society, brought focus on how the government needs to do much more in terms of awareness, diagnosis and management of the disease. A programme to discuss these issues was organized at the Parel's KEM Hospital, where over 400 patients participated.

Out of 11,200 haemophiliacs in the state, only 2,500 feature in the registry of the State Blood Council. And even though, the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana that covers over 900 diseases, includes Hemophilia in the list, a clear demand for better infrastructure and day care centers for proper care and rehabilitation, was echoed by patients.

President of Mumbai's Hemophilia Society Indira Nair said, "Not only we want to raise the awareness about the Hemophilia disease among physicians and the public, but also to provide patients who suffer from Hemophilia a total care. We are thankful to the government for making the availability of factor VIII and IX concentrates as the safest treatment option for patients with hemophilia." She said that the government will continue to support with the availability of free treatment to patients with hemophilia at all the government hospitals.

"Improving Infrastructure and establishing hemophilia treatment centre's can be one step to ensure these patients get the best care. The next step would be a creating more awareness about the disease and providing comprehensive psycho-social care mechanism for the PWH in the state," said Nair.

However, one of the major challenges for these chapters is treating poor as most of the patients are from poorest of poor background and more than 80% of patients suffering from hemophilia are undiagnosed. A wellness centre for the hemophiliac patients, the first of its kind in the city, was started at the KEM Hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jayashri Kale, professor and head Occupational Therapy, KEM Hospital said "Hemophilia is the oldest known uncommon genetic bleeding disorder that disrupts the blood clotting process. It is caused by the absence of a certain blood clotting factor in the blood. Prolonged bleeding may occur after sustaining injury or can happen spontaneously. A hemophilic has to be injected with the appropriate clotting factor on a prophylactic or demand basis to help control a bleeding episode, and each injection costs Rs 9,000. Replacement therapyof a deficient coagulation of factor VIII and IX are the safest available treatment options. We have been demanding free diagnosis and free treatment for patients with hemophilia at Government hospitals and today we have been successful in launching the first wellness centre for these patients. Thera-band exercises which are safe and effective, especially for home maintenance in the PWH are being incorporated in the rehabilitation regime.

File SALN before April 30, govt officials, employees reminded April 28, 2013 2:07pm

Malacañang on Sunday issued a last-minute reminder to public servants to file their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) on or before Tuesday, April 30.

Filing the SALNs on time is the “personal responsibility” of each government employee," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

Also, Valte said that in the case of the Office of the President, employees had been given a deadline of April 15, so a review committee can check how they filed their SALNs.

Review committees set up by individual government agencies and departments will check if the employees complied with the new guidelines of the Civil Service Commission in filing the SALNs.

“Dapat naibigay na sa review committee bago dumating ang deadline para matingnan nila (The employees should submit their SALNs to the review committees before the April 30 deadline),” she said.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman reminded public servants to file their SALNs by April 30.

Government officials and employees are to file SALNs within 30 days after assuming office, and on or before April 30, and within 30 days after their separation from government service.

Failure to do so may carry a suspension of up to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second offense. — LBG, GMA News

Drilon on Comelec resolution on polls: Don’t shoot the messengers

 By Cathy Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013  |  12:17 pm

MANILA, Philippines — Team PNoy campaign manager Senator Franklin Drilon welcomes the resolution of the Commission on Elections requiring survey firms to reveal the political parties and other interested individuals who commission or subscribe to their reports.

“This is for the sake of transparency.  however, we should not be shooting the messengers, they are just carrying the message. We have to learn from the message,” Drilon said in a news conference at the Liberal Party headquarters in Makati City.

Drilon shot down speculations that results regularly released by the Social Weather Station, Pulse Asia and other surveyors could be manipulated.

“These firms have more to lose uf they do that. Remember that political (clients) are only a small portion of those who commission or subscribe. They just happen to be more prominent at this time,” he said.

Drilon added that survey firms rely more on private businesses seeking feedback on products.

This community, he said, was sensitive to consumer feedback and would not tolerate such manipulation.

Gordon banks on experience in Senate bid

By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) 
Updated April 16, 2013 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Richard Gordon is making a political comeback by seeking a seat in the Senate under the United Nationalist Alliance.

Gordon’s history on executive, legislative and humanitarian works spans more than three decades.

A lawyer by profession, Gordon started early in public service. He was in his mid-20s when he became the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention (ConCon).

As mayor of Olongapo City from 1980 to 1986, he made waves by turning Olongapo into a highly urbanized city. He introduced volunteerism, color-coding of vehicles, and proper waste disposal long before they were adopted by other localities.

In 1987, Gordon became governor of the Philippine Red Cross and he is now serving his fourth term as chairman of the humanitarian agency.

He rose to national prominence even more when he got Olongapo City back to its feet after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption and the pullout of American bases in early ‘90s.

Gordon also became secretary of the Department of Tourism from 2001-2004, during which he launched the world-renowned “WOW Philippines” campaign to attract foreign tourists into the country.

This year, Gordon is gunning for a Senate seat on May 13. And he is banking on his accomplishments as a senator from 2004 to 2010 and his long experience in public service.

“I have experienced the Senate... I’ve passed important laws - the automated (election) law, tourism law, international humanitarian law, and the economics,” Gordon said.

“I have the wisdom that comes from being a lawyer; being a ConCon delegate, the youngest at that in 1971; being a mayor, a local government official for 13 years; handling business conglomerates at the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority); being a secretary of tourism and chairman of Red Cross. That experience you cannot get anywhere,” he added.

Gordon promised that if again elected as senator, he would initiate laws that would improve the country’s education system and uplift the lives of teachers who are earning much lower salary compared to their counterparts in Asia.

He also expressed concern over the country’s “weak” defense and its lack of functional air force and navy amid the territorial disputes with other nations.

Gordon admitted that he sometimes longs for the “intelligent discourse” that he had at the Senate.

“It’s not only making laws... You have to make sure, why tourism law is not being enforced. Why is there so little employment despite the high income, despite the Gross Domestic Product going up, why power (program) is not implemented in Mindanao,” he said.

“It’s not talking for the sake of talking. It’s talking for your country. Senators are after all elected to discuss policies... That’s why there are senators who cannot do anything.  They cannot communicate, they don’t attend meetings,” he added.

Gordon lamented that even though Filipinos have elected leaders since 1946, “it seems that every time we elect, we have not really grown like the other countries in Asia.”

“We’ve gone down and everybody has overtaken us. Every time there is an election, we are supposed to improve. There’s been no improvement. It seems we are not voting for the right people,” he observed.

Senators deplore poverty situation in Phl

By Christina Mendez

MANILA, Philippines - Administration allies in the Senate on Wednesday deplored the latest report of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) which revealed that the percentage of Filipinos living below the poverty line has remained unchanged since 2006.

Senators Ralph Recto, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means, said that with the latest NSCB report the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program is "not enough” to address the country's problem on poverty.

Recto there is a need to provide “more investments to educate the poor families so they can help themselves.” He also cited the need for the government to invest more in infrastructure and factories to create more jobs.

He said health care must be accessible and affordable to the poor as well.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has listed the government’s poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable program as among the highlights of the Aquino administration for 2013.

The CCT is also known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In the summary report of the DBM about the 2013 budget, the agency recognized poverty “which brings about a sense of powerlessness”, causing frustration and despair among the poor.

“This vicious cycle has to end; thus, the government seeks to rescue the poor who are drowning in the morass of poverty through social protection packages, such as the CCT,” the DBM said in its briefer.

When the CCT program was first implemented under the Arroyo administration in 2007, there were 6,000 initial beneficiaries with P50-million budget. In 2008, there was P 1.27-billion budget for 337,416 beneficiaries; P6.61-billion for 777,505 beneficiaries in 2009; P10.93-billion for 999,432 beneficiaries in 2010; P21.19-billion for 2.3-million beneficiaries in 2011; and P39.45-billion for 3.1-million beneficiaries in 2012.

For 2013, the DBM said P44.26-billion budget has been allocated for 3.8-million beneficiaries of the program.

What’s new?

Sen.Sergio Osmeña III, meanwhile, said that poverty has been a phenomenon not only this year but for over a decade. “Not only in our country but in many countries, even first world nation.”

Osmeña described the phenomenon as “jobless growth,” which he explained as when highly-skilled workers become more productive and earn raises in pay.

“The question is what to do to create more jobs? But that’s a long discussion, ask the trained economists,” Osmeña said in a text message to reporters.

For his part, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the poverty survey is validated during his visits to various neighborhoods in the National Capital Region.

“I can actually validate that survey result on poverty situation when I go around and see for myself poverty at its worst,” Lacson said.

He said he had seen a number of communities “very close to NCR, if not within NCR itself where one cannot imagine how the residents can last a day under the conditions they are in.”

Maribago Bluewater's My BlueARTh: Keeping the World Blue

Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort successfully celebrated its second year of creating awareness of the annual Earth Day event last April 21, 2013, the “My BlueARTh” – a festival of arts, food and music. A day of environmental service and awareness.

Families and friends celebrated and witnessed everything eco-fabulous, easy-going and eco-savvy with Bluewater Resorts’ activities such as the Inter-departmental Chime Making Competition, Recycled-To-Wear Fashion Show and Competition.

Many of us also learned new things especially kids and we were all encouraged to be bold and creative to make our lives a little greener and more artistic such as doing craft out of recycled items, Outdoor Art and other Earth day treats. There was also the fabulous ‘Bamboo House of Chimes dubbed Huni sa Hangin’, Humanitree wherein you can write your pledge for the environment, Tibetan Stretch, A Talk on Natural Farming and the ever fantastic cooking demonstration and the food was really delicious!

They also featured the electrifying and relaxing live performances of Cebu local band Bethany , Martina San Diego, Percussion Duo and Pohaku. The ‘My BlueARTh’ festival continues through the day with University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus Fashion Design students who showed off their creative and artistic flair of designing clothes made of recycled materials. Sky lanterns were perfectly released into the night.

Project BLUE (Bluewater Loves the Underwater Environment) Divers also conducted simultaneous SCUBASURERO dives earlier in the morning in the waters of Maribago for a coastal clean-up activity which was in line with the ‘My BlueARTh’ festival joined by Maritime Police 7, BFP divers and by yours truly and my fellow iSTORYAn. As I was following the other divers holding a full bag of garbage from the sea, a thought came to my mind, that it is really important to keep this kind of idea alive and that Bluewater Resorts has it. We can take care of our planet by keeping it clean and by following the rule of ‘REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE’ - doing these things every day, not just every April 22.

My Sunday was filled with fun activities--an experience I'd always be so proud to be a part of. I hope you celebrated Earth Day in your own way as long as your art reflects what really means to you and if you have yet to decide how you are going to celebrate this particular day, get involved, come and join the ‘My BlueARTh’ festival next year because it’s more fun in BLUEWATER RESORTS!

Maan B. Cajipe iSTORYAn League of Writers Lifestyle- Fashion and Events

Army to bets: Don't give in to rebel demands

By Editha b. Colmo
Published: April 29, 2013

Capiz - Major Gen. Jose Mabanta,  Jr,  commanding general of the 3rd Infantry division, Philippine Army, is reiterating his call to the political candidates not to give in to the demands of the CPP-NPA through their Permit to Campaign (PTC) scheme and other extortion activities.   

Major Gen  Mabanta  in a press release, said that “We are warning them not to allow the CPP-NPA influence the outcome of this coming election through threats. We have data to support that a handful political contenders are extending financial assistance and giving in to the demands of the CPP-NPA extortionists. We will not allow this and we remind  that their decision to give in will have legal repercussion.” 

Early this year, reports from the Army field units state that some candidates received Permit to Campaign letters from the CPP-NPA, with some PTC letters recovered during the apprehension of CPP-NPA top leaders in the region recently. 

Mabanta stressed that “Giving in to the demands is not a guarantee that the CPP-NPA will not harass the candidates anymore and be given access. There is evidence of politicians who give in to extortion demands of the CPP-NPA and are still continuously harassed. This is because of factious leadership on their (CPP-NPA-NDF) organization. They now lack leaders and have inconsistent chain of command.” 

Series of armed violence and atrocities that indiscriminately violate human rights and the International Humanitarian Law shows that CPP-NPA leadership is not in control and has no grasp of their forces. 

Mabanta further stressed that “At this point, there is infighting among their (CNN) top leadership and this will ripple down to their lower levels.” 

Due to lack of support and confidence in the CNN higher level leadership, their local leaders are starting to come out in the open in order to extort. 

From the start of this year to date, seven (7) CPP-NPA leaders in Western Visayas were apprehended by the joint forces of the AFP and the PNP through the Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordination Center (RJPSCC) and the AFP-PNP COMELEC checkpoint. All of them have warrants of arrest with cases ranging from arson to murder.

“The CPP-NPA has already lost the support of their mass base so  they resort to extort from the people especially the candidates during elections. Candidates who are giving in to their demands are just helping the rebels to regroup and further conduct terroristic activities that victimize innocent people. We will file criminal charges against  candidates who insist.  and let them face the consequence, Mabanta added.

3 Malaysians nabbed for ATM skimming

Three Malaysian nationals were arrested after a security guard caught them placing a skimming device in an automated teller machine (ATM) inside a mall in Iloilo City on Saturday.

The suspects were identified as Tan Boon Foi, Ching Sen Jun and Chang Yong Siang from Penang, Malaysia. Their passports revealed that they arrived in the country last April 14.

Seized from the suspects was a bag containing a skimming device, passports, bankbooks, cellphones and cash amounting to P11,000.

The suspects refused to grant any interviews but they admitted that a certain “Peter” brought them to the country.

The three will be facing charges in violation of the Republic Act 8484 or the act regulating the issuance and use of access devices.

Authorities said they have yet to find out whether the three Malaysians are connected to an international syndicate.

- Umagang Kay Ganda, 29 April 2013

By: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

ARMM needs 13,000 cops on May 13; only 7,000 available

By Lore Mae Andong, 

ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao 

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanaothe (PNP-ARMM) is already ironing out its security preparations for the May 13 polls.

Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes told ABS-CBN News Wednesday that they have determined a need for 13,000 personnel to be deployed on election day.

However, there are only 7,000 policemen available in the region.

The official said the issue was already brought up to  higher authorities.

Other than the deficit in the police force, another problem is the inaccessibility of some polling centers such as those in far-flung barangays, where election paraphernalia need to be transported much earlier due to poor road conditions.

Delos Reyes said worst are those areas which need choppers just to deliver the election paraphernalia, including the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

The PNP-ARMM is now identifying which polling centers might be confronted with this problem.

Poor communication signal in other areas is also being looked into, according to the official.

They are set to conduct a simulation exercise days before the election to find out how fast their response will be and what areas they have to improve on.

The PNP-ARMM will also be in close coordination with the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH). The latter will be tapped if there is a need for coordination, since policemen will be deployed in polling centers in areas controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Delos Reyes said they have prepared 300 police personnel in case they need to serve in the elections as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

He said they have received information that some BEIs may decline to serve due to their past experiences of threats and intimidation.

"We are just anticipating that there might be a need but they still have to undergo training," he said.

He explained, however, that this will still be the call of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), adding the PNP is just showing its willingness to serve as BEIs if needed.

A joint monitoring center will also be set up in the  compound of PRO-ARMM at Camp Bgen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Parang town in Maguindanao to watch and monitor election activities all over the region.

Delos Reyes said all of these will be a challenge to the police force.

He said that while they are preparing for a worse-case scenario, they are still hopeful that the midterm polls will be peaceful and fair.

He added the mid-terms polls will serve as a gauge of what may happen in the 2016 elections.

Aquino taps local leaders to help 3 Team PNoy bets

By Willard Cheng

ABS-CBN News 

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI—President Aquino is enlisting the help of his allies in the local level to help boost the winning chances of three administration senatorial candidates lagging behind in surveys.

“Well, there’s extra help. Parang ‘pag nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga leaders, baka pwedeng diinan ‘yung tatlo na mas maalala; dagdagan ‘yung awareness at ‘yung recall at sana naman may conversion. So ‘yung where we have… the organizational structure, where we have allies… We are trying to make extra efforts on all of them. But, at the same time, parang heartening na rin: nine out of 12,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.

Aquino believes that even candidates from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that look secure in their rankings may still be vulnerable.

"Naka-una pero may habulan din," he added.

Nine Team PNoy members have landed in the Top 12 senatorial candidates in the May polls, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey conducted April 13-15. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/22/13/nancy-cynthia-tied-3rd-4th-senate-race-sws]

Three more candidates - Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr. (14-15), Jamby Madrigal (16) and Risa Hontiveros (17) - have failed to make it to the Top 12.

Earlier, Team PNoy campaign manager Sen. Franklin Drilon said the coalition has plans to boost the candidacy of the three candidates.

"We will keep on working hard. Of the three, Sen. Magsaysay is nearing the top 12," he told reporters.

Abducted Zamboanga del Norte officials freed

MANILA, Philippines – Three barangay officials who were kidnapped in Zamboanga del Norte have been freed by their captors.

According to a DZMM report, councilors Rudy Niehos and Buboy Niehos, and barangay treasurer Joseph Niehos were abducted by unknown assailants from New Dapitan, Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte after attending a meeting with a local candidate.

The suspects, who were wearing bonnets to hide their identities, made the victims ride a vehicle marked “PNP”.

Investigators are looking at politics as the motive for the abduction.

Gutalac Vice Mayor Lolito Miraveles said despite the release of the three, they are still going to file a case against a police official who was allegedly involved in the incident.

ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 04/25/2013 10:37 AM | Updated as of 04/25/2013 10:37 AM

Espinosa leaves TV5, moves up MVP's corporate ladder

Ex-Unilever honcho replaces Espinosa

MANILA -- Hong Kong's First Pacific Co. Ltd. has appointed Ray C. Espinosa, president and chief executive officer of TV5, as its new associate director, head of government and regulatory affairs, and head of communications bureau.

As a result, Espinosa will be stepping down as president and chief executive officer of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.'s MediaQuest Holdings Inc., which controls the group's media assets including TV5, but will remain as director of said unit.

PLDT, a unit of First Pacific, added in the statement Espinosa will keep his post as director of the telco giant, as well as of other affiliates of the firm: Manila Electric Co., and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, managing director at First Pacific and chairman at PLDT, said in the statement the move will "bring Ray’s experience and expertise in telecommunications, information technology, media, and broadcasting – including his wealth of knowledge in national and regional regulatory frameworks – to the highest level of our Group."

"This will serve the Group well in navigating the legal and regulatory environment where we will need and develop greater synergies and dynamism in all those areas where Ray is strong," he continued.

Pangilinan said Espinosa will be replaced by Noel C. Lorenzana as president and chief executive officer of MediaQuest.

"Noel faces a tough job as he takes on the challenge of turning around TV5, while maintaining the growth momentum at Cignal TV towards leadership in the Pay-TV industry," Pangilinan said.

"Noel’s background in the telco space and in fast moving consumer goods will be of immense advantage in his ability to bring the worlds of media and telecommunications closer," he added.

Lorenzana currently sits as PLDT's head for individual business and head for Smart Communications Inc.'s consumer wireless division. His appointment as MediaQuest's president and chief executive officer comes side-by-side his being chosen to head PLDT's newly-formed Multimedia Office, tasked to coordinate a multi-screen strategy for the firm.

Lorenzana previously held posts at consumer goods giant Unilever's units in the Philippines, and in Malaysia and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Charles A. Lim will replace Lorenzana as PLDT Group's head for individual business.

"The changes described above will take effect on 1st June 2013," PLDT said.

Luisita farmers to march from Tarlac to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) yesterday announced plans to march from Hacienda Luisita to Manila starting tomorrow to demand the implementation of a Supreme Court decision ordering the distribution of about 5,000 hectares of the sugar plantation owned by President Aquino’s family.

Dubbed as “Lakbayan para sa Libreng Pamamahagi ng Lupa sa Hacienda Luisita,” more than 200 farm workers led by the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala) and the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) will march from San Miguel, Tarlac to San Fernando, Pampanga tomorrow until Thursday.

On Friday, the farmworkers will hold a caravan from San Fernando to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) central office in Quezon City.

On Saturday, the farmworkers will directly air their demands to President Aquino by proceeding to the Aquino residence at Times Street before marching to Mendiola.

“Every step is a step forward for the free distribution of Hacienda Luisita. Our struggle continues,” said ULWU chairman Lito Bais.

“It’s been a year since the Supreme Court decided with finality the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to farm workers, but all we witnessed are pro-landlord maneuvers by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Aquino’s relatives to strengthen their control over the lands,” Bais said.

By Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 23, 2013 - 12:00am

Guess what? HTC One to be unveiled in PH April 22 By Alora Uy Guerrero

• View Gallery
  HTC One

The Sony Xperia Z is already here, the Samsung Galaxy S4 is coming soon, and the Lenovo K900 is arriving sometime in June or July. When will HTC Philippines launch the HTC One, the handset that has received praises left and right since it was unveiled on February 19?

>>READ: Samsung Galaxy S4 PH launch slated for April 26

The answer? At 6 p.m. today, April 22.

HTC One Philippine launch invite (Alora Uy Guerrero)

You'd know that the HTC One's official announcement is imminent if you had seen HTC Philippines' social-media account updates last week.

• 

HTC Philippines' April 16 Facebook status

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| Photo By Alora Uy Guerrero via HTC

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Will the HTC One be carried by Smart Communications and Globe Telecom? How much is it going to cost you? Is the pricing strategy going to be as aggressive as the Samsung Galaxy S4's? Take note that it's now on sale in other countries for around P28,000.

>>SEE: Globe's Samsung Galaxy S4 prepaid, postpaid pricing

HTC just recorded its lowest net profit since it started making its own brand of smartphones in 2006. Analysts blamed it on delays in rolling out the HTC One.

>>RELATED ARTICLE: Taiwan's HTC reports record-low net profit

Now that the handset is finally available in key markets, we hope that HTC can finally turn things around. The HTC One seems to be one of the best Android devices to date. The full-metal-body design is stellar, and international reviewers have heaved praise on its speakers, UltraPixel camera (even though it's just 4 megapixels, it has been called "the best low-light camera you can buy"), and software features such as BlinkFeed live home screen and HTC Zoe three-second video snippet.

If you're keen on getting the smartphone, we urge you to come back here for more updates.

HTC One specs:

• LTE (market-dependent)
• Qualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600 chipset
• Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 CPU
• Adreno 320 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 32/64GB internal storage
• No memory-card slot
• 4.7-inch Super LCD3 capacitive touchscreen with 1080 x 1920 pixels, 469ppi pixel density, and Corning Gorilla Glass 2
• 4-megapixel main camera with auto-focus and LED flash
• 2.1-megapixel secondary camera that can shoot HD videos at 30fps, has HDR
• Beats Audio sound enhancement
• Infrared port
• Non-removable Li-Po 2300mAh battery
• 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3mm
• 143g
• Android Jelly Bean with HTC Sense UI version 5

Dengue chooses no season, Health dep't says

• 
  Associated Press/Aaron Favila - In this photo taken Thursday, June 9, 2011, a Filipino boy lies on his bed at the pedia dengue ward at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, Philippines. 

Seven people have already died due to dengue in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) said, as it warned about the disease's dangers even during the hot season.

“We have to be reminded that dengue is perennial throughout the year, even during these very hot season, dengue-carrying mosquitoes are still very much present in our surroundings,” DOH Metro Manila director Eduardo Janairo said.

“That is why we must be vigilant and continually conduct cleaning activities inside and outside our homes so as not to be a victim of dengue,” he added.

Related story: Tawa-tawa not proven dengue cure

Citing records from DOH, Janairo said there had been a total of 2,332 cases admitted from January 1 to April 13 this year.

Though the figure is 61 percent lower during the period from a year ago, the health official raised concern over 25 admissions this week alone.

There have been 452 cases of dengue in Quezon City, 260 in Caloocan City, 150 in Paranaque City, 137 in Pasig City, 119 in Malabon City, and 109 in Valenzuela City.

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Janairo noted, however, that DOH continuously performs anti-dengue operations like spraying and misting in areas where there is high prevalence of dengue cases.

He added that residents should make the necessary precautions like wearing long sleeves, using repellants, placing mosquito screens on windows and doors.

“The people should not be afraid of dengue because it can be controlled if not totally eliminated and all we need is the political will to do it,” Janairo said.

“And the best way to do it is to make our surrounding clean and make it a habit to ensure that it is tidy at all times,” Janairo said.

By Rio Rose Ribaya | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom – Fri, Apr 19, 2013