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.

Supreme Court: We're not anti-P-Noy

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday denied allegations of President Aquino that it was “singling out” his administration in several rulings that purportedly put legal obstacles to his reform program.

1,000 firecracker injuries seen

By Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The number of firecracker-related injuries could reach 1,000 by Jan. 1, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said yesterday.

House can live with budget veto

(The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will not try to overturn President Aquino’s veto of 13 provisions in the approved P1.645-trillion national budget for next year.

DOJ chief may lead delegation in Hong Kong hostage probe

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is considering designating Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to head the delegation that would attend the investigation by Hong Kong authorities of the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident at the Rizal Park in Manila where eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker were killed after a botched police rescue operation.

Fewer Pinoys hired abroad in 2010 - POEA

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Fewer Filipino workers were hired abroad this year due to the global financial crisis, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has reported.

'Renewed confidence in Phl improves employment rate'

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Renewed confidence in the Philippine business climate has improved employment and reduced unemployment and underemployment figures in 2010, according to President Aquino.

Rebel soldiers applying for amnesty not required to recant allegations

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - Rebel soldiers who will apply for amnesty are not required to recant their allegations against the Arroyo administration but should admit they violated laws when they participated in uprisings against the government, the Department of National Defense (DND) said.

DOST developing low-cost water filtration technology

By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is developing a low-cost water filtration technology to give households in slum areas access to clean, potable water. Science Secretary Mario Montejo said the Industrial Technology Development Institute of the DOST is testing the nanotechnology-based water filtration system.

Navy planning to acquire seven vessels next year

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Navy plans to acquire seven vessels next year to improve its operations and upgrade its capabilities.

Senate's Economic Planning Office seeks review of NFA functions

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) Updated December 29, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - While all eyes are focused on how government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) are performing, the Senate’s Economic Planning Office (SEPO) has recommended a government review of the functions of the National Food Authority (NFA).

Pope to Catholics: Have courage amid church bombings

By AP (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

VATICAN CITY — Iraqi Christians celebrated a somber Christmas in a Baghdad cathedral stained with dried blood, while Pope Benedict XVI exhorted Chinese Catholics to stay loyal despite restrictions on them in a holiday address laced with worry for the world’s Christian minorities.

'Agimat' is top grosser in filmfest

By Ricky Lo (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Development Authority might hit or even exceed its goal of grossing P.5 billion during the 10-day 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival from Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, judging from the P89.7-million nationwide opening day gross of the eight official entries, broken down as follows:

Truce broken in Mindoro

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The military and communist rebels yesterday accused each other of violating the Christmas ceasefire when an Army squad clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro last Thursday.

Audit shows Ampatuans amassed P2 billion in one year

By Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star) Updated December 27, 2010 

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - An ongoing audit showed that former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. amassed more than P2 billion from provincial coffers for the period covering 2008 to 2009 alone.

Noy bares Cabinet shakeup in January

By Aurea Calica (The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is happy with his Cabinet but he would be making some changes in his official family by January.

Palace appeals ruling on EO 1

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated December 24, 2010 

MANILA, Philippines - The Palace appealed yesterday the ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) nullifying President Aquino’s first executive order creating the Truth Commission to investigate anomalies during the administration of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.