Melo replacement known in January

By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The next chairman of the Commission on Elections – who will most likely be an outsider – will be named by President Aquino next month before Chairman Jose Melo retires on Jan. 31, Malacañang announced yesterday.

Lawmen warned: Fire guns, get fired

By Cecille Suerte Felipe (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Fire your guns – and get fired.

This was the stern warning of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to policemen, firemen and jail personnel who might try to greet the New Year by firing their guns.

Hundreds of workers failed to get 13th month pay - DOLE

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Christmas holiday is almost over, but a lot of workers nationwide have yet to receive their mandated 13th month pay and Christmas bonuses, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

'More Pinoys leaving to work as domestic helpers abroad'

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - More Filipinos are leaving to work as domestic helpers abroad, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said yesterday.

New SCTEX toll rates to take effect Jan. 1

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has given provisional approval for a 7.22 percent toll increase for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), raising the basic rates for the country’s longest tollway from the authorized toll rate of P2.49 to P2.67 per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles.

Quezon, Nueva Ecija mishaps leave 6 dead, 18 hurt

By Michelle Zoleta and Ric Sapnu (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Six people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus fell off a cliff in Pagbilao, Quezon and three motorcycles rammed into an ambulance in Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, authorities said.

Government intends to distribute .3 million hectares of land in 2011

By Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The government intends to acquire some 300,000 hectares of private and public estates next year for distribution to agrarian reform beneficiaries, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said yesterday.