Philippine Daily Inquirer articles from February 2006

Philippine Daily Inquirer archives from February 2006

Lift 1017, Mindanao traders urge GMA.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) DAVAO CITYMINDANAO BUSINESS LEADERS have expressed concern over a prolonged state of emergency, saying it was beginning to be bad for business. Although local business groups are supporting President...

The summing up.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Bambi L. Harper ITS strange how it seems like only yesterday that I started writing this column and yet 12 years have elapsed. Way back in 1994, I probably knew just a bit more than most...

When politicos exploit a powderkeg situation.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Belinda Olivares-Cunanan Time, in a story by Nelly Sindayen, detailed how a group that included Pastor Saycon finalized plans to withdraw support from President Macapagal-Arroyo last Thursday...

Cabinet split on ending state of emergency.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. CABINET OFFICIALS ARE SPLIT ON THE lifting of Proclamation No. 1017, with the security cluster remaining cool to a proposal by economic managers to rescind as soon as...

CBCP joins cartoon fray.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Christian V. Esguerra FILIPINO CATHOLIC BISHOPS HAVE JOINED the growing global controversy over the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. While maintaining that it was...

Classes resume today.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) CLASSES ARE TO resume today in both public and private schools and at all levels in the National Capital Region, the Department of Education announced yesterday. DepEd Officer-in-Charge Fe Hidalgo...

Catching up with Ruffa Gutierrez.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Dolly Ann Carvajal GUESS WHO THIS ACTOR IS! HE lamented to a lady reporter that the media has ruined his life. I hate the media but I dont hate you, he said. Then he started hitting on...

Explosives package found in Taguig City mini park.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Jocelyn R. Uy RESIDENTS OF TAGUIG CITY panicked after a package containing explosives was found in a mini park at noon yesterday. The package was discovered by Leif Lapitan in the park at...

Political standoff.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) PRESIDENT MACAPAGAL-ARROYO IS ONE LUCKY woman. In the last five years, she has survived several serious challenges to her presidency. Besides enjoying such great luck, she is also one smart political...

GMA cracks down on Left, Right foes.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Michael Lim Ubac and Luige A. del Puerto SHRUGGING OFF threats of arrest, four leftist lawmakers strode into the halls of Congress yesterday and declared that it was an honor to be on...

Gonzales wins but Mariano loses.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) FILIPINO INTERNATIONAL MASTER JAYSON Gonzales won his match but countryman GM Nelson Mariano II dropped his game in the third round of the IX Open International Malaga de Ajedrez Sunday night in Malaga,...

Groups question Proclamation No. 1017.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Armand N. Nocum and Philip C. Tubeza THE LEGALITY OF PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyos proclamation of a state of emergency was challenged in the Supreme Court yesterday as a subterfuge to avoid the...

Thoroughly independent.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Bayani San Diego Jr. IF THERES A DOLPHY movie that his son Epy Quizon would like to remake, its El Pinoy Matador. Over a year ago, Epy bumped into Premiere producer Cirio H. Santiago in a...

Stacking the decks.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Juan L. Mercado Theres been a collective sigh of relief that no blood was spilled in that tense five-hour standoff at Fort Bonifacio, where heavily armed Marines bolted themselves in to...

Loren: I dont care to be vice president.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Leila B. Salaverria FORMER SEN. LOREN LEGARDA said yesterday she did not care if she did not get to sit as Vice President as long as she could prove that cheating attended the 2004 election....

Estrada back in Tanay after eye surgery.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Nelson F. Flores FORMER PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA flew by helicopter back to detention at his rest house in Tanay, Rizal, yesterday, two days after undergoing surgery to remove two cysts in his...

Landslide rescue focuses on orphans.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Volt Contreras, Nikko Dizon A NEW RESCUE MISSION IS TAKING shape in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, site of a horrendous mudslide that engulfed Barangay Guinsaugon on Feb. 17. Rescuers...

Militants show how to beat proclamation.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Blanche S. Rivera MILITANT LEADERS YESterday offered creative ways of openly defying President Macapagal-Arroyos Proclamation No. 1017 placing the country under a state of emergency. We...

A clean attack.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) A MAN attacked his neighbor in Pasay City on Sunday, armed, of all things, with a dustpan. The police said Joel Zamora was walking along Mulawin Street in Barangay Maricaban at around 5 p.m. when his...

Special trash collection for a fee.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) QUEZON City lawmakers are toying with the idea of making city-run garbage services available to private facilities for a fee. A proposed ordinance has been filed authorizing the local Environmental...

Military still restive, says Biazon.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: TJ Burgonio and Christine O. Avendano WHILE IT ENDED PEACEFULLY, THE six-hour standoff at Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio on Sunday did not quash the restiveness in the military, Sen....

Why would Peping quit POC job?
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Marc Anthony Reyes THE PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WILL continue to function under first vice president Monico Puentevella if POC president Jose Peping Cojuangco is arrested for his alleged...

NBI gives ABS-CBN Wednesday deadline.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Margaux C. Ortiz THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVEStigation (NBI) yesterday gave ABS-CBN officials until tomorrow to appear before the bureau and submit their sworn affidavits in connection with the...

Orcollo grabs 2nd straight US crown.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) ROVILLE, CALIFORNIAFILIPINO Dennis Orcollo is on a roll. The Philippines newest billiards sensation bested US-based Filipino legend Jose Amang Parica, 9-3, Sunday night to rule the World Championship...

Portmasters tapping more college stars.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Jasmine W. Payo HARBOUR CENTRE is tapping two more collegiate stars to boost its campaign in the PBL Unity Cup which kicks off next month. Ryan Arana and Rico Maierhofer, who have played...

Quest for justice not over.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tina G. Santos THE FATHER OF MARK CHUA, an engineering student who was killed after exposing alleged anomalies at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC),...

Waning, waning, waned.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Conrado de Quiros Fidel Ramos has a point. Corazon Aquino met with several coup attempts during her term, and unlike the one that took place last Friday, there was no mistaking they were...

Paranoia and abuse.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Rina Jimenez-David ONE of the features of the early martial-law regime that, I suspect, drew more detractors than the more heavy-handed moves against the enemies of the State, were the...

More Moro women wanting to leave for overseas jobs.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) COTABATO CITYMORE MORO women have been seeking employment overseas in the past three years, authorities here said. Lawyer Silvino Cinches, former director of the National Bureau of Investigation in...

Scout Rangers housing project rites cancelled.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tonette Orejas, PDI Central Luzon Desk CITY OF SAN FERNANDOTHE governments promise of housing benefits has apparently failed to placate soldiers from the Armys 1st Scout Ranger Regiment in...

Senators urge media to defy govt control.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) PRESIDENT MACAPAGAL-ARROYO CAME UNder fire in the Senate yesterday for allegedly attempting to muzzle the media as a prelude to an assault on basic civil liberties. Sen. Joker Arroyo urged the media...

PBA player rigodon and more.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Al S. Mendoza THE ONGOING RIGODON OF players in the PBA is but a reflection of the teams tenacious desire to win the leagues final conference of the season. It must be that the trimming...

Tax cases vs Regine, Mendez to be revived.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Michelle V. Remo THE GOVERNMENT IS SET TO FILE TWO separate motions for reconsideration to revive the dismissed tax evasion cases against singer Regine Velasquez and cosmetic surgeon Joel...

Police claim coup plotters D-Day is May 2006.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Luige A. del Puerto THE WAY THE POLICE DESCRIBED IT, the plot to bring down the Arroyo administration was a vast conspiracy between leftist rebels and rogue soldiers involving massive street...

Puno takes post; plans Erap visit.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Norman Bordadora ANTIPOLO REP. RONALDO PUNO FORMALLY assumed his post as secretary of interior and local government yesterday, apparently induced to do so by President Macapagal-Arroyos...

Tribune seeks high courts intervention.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Armand N. Nocum THE DAILY TRIBUNE YESTERday asked the Supreme Court to nullify Presidential Proclamation 1017 which placed the country under a state of national emergency. In a 14-page...

Where was Secretary Cruz during the standoff?
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Ramon Tulfo THE STANDOFF AT THE MARINE headquarters in Fort Bonifacio was clear proof that some people were out to overthrow the government of President Macapagal-Arroyo. Defiant Marine...

Eala backs Compton bid to play.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: June Navarro TWICE DENIED IN THE PAST, ALEX COMPTON HAS found a solid backer in his bid to fulfill his dream of playing in the Philippine Basketball Association. The leagues board of...

Focus on talk show hosts.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Nestor U. Torre FOR DECADES NOW, JAY LENO AND David Letterman have hosted the most popular late-night TV talk shows in the United States. But theyve been on the tube for so long that network...

Filinvest earmarks P1B for IT park expansion.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) LISTED FIRM FILINVEST Development Corp. has allotted nearly P1 billion this year for further development of its Northgate Cyberzone information technology park in Alabang. In an interview during the...

UOB gets 2.3% stake, board seat in Banco de Oro.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) UNITED OVERSEAS BANK of Singapore has obtained a 2.3 percent stake and one board seat in Banco de Oro Universal Bank to pilot-test a potential strategic partnership with retail tycoon Henry Sys bank. ...

PLDT, Piltel surprise mart with record profits.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Daxim L. Lucas TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) surprised investors and financial markets yesterday, reporting record earnings that surpassed even the...

Govt rejects all T-bill bids.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Michelle V. Remo THE GOVERNMENT REJECTED ALL BIDS for treasury bills yesterday as banks sought unreasonably high interest rates after the market was spooked by the political tension during...

Israel-based group seen investing $300M in RP.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Abigail L. Ho AFRICA ISRAEL INVESTMENTS LTD, an Israel-based conglomerate, will invest between $250 million and $300 million in the Philippines, particularly in real estate, infrastructure,...

IT firms expect severe beating over RP unrest.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Ronnel W. Domingo TECHNOLOGY FIRMS ARE EXPECTED TO SUFfer a severe beatinglosing vital business process outsourcing and shared services contractsas a result of President Macapagal-Arroyos...

Guide for making informed choices about lifestyle.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Cory Quirino THE SAYING THE BEST defense is a good offense should apply not just to the battlefield but also to health and to life. Here are bits of information that can guide you in making...

Searching.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: John Henry C. Liquete I ASKED MYSELF A LONG TIME AGO HOW MUCH OUR politicians value the youth, but up to this day I am still asking that question. In my search for answers, I instead found...

Jollibee expanding in US, China.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Elizabeth L. Sanchez JOLLIBEE FOODS CORP., THE COUNTRYS largest fast food chain, is opening at least two more stores in the United States this year as it firmly believes it can reverse the...

Unsupported cobra.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) THIS YOGA-INSPIRED exercise strengthens the muscles of the back and stretches the muscles of the chest and abdomen. Equipment: Exercise or yoga mat Exercise technique: 1. Lie down on...

Rudolf and Michellespiritual partners.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Jaime T. Licauco Part III TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRE-ciate the dynamics of the relationship between a couple, like Rudolf and Michelle, which I related in the previous column, it is...

Atlas firm spends P106M to clean up Toledo mines.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Christine A. Gaylican ALAKOR CORP., THE MOTHER FIRM OF ATLAS Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., has spent a total of P106 million for the rehabilitation of its copper mines in Toledo,...

BSP tightens rules on bank trust accounts.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS HAS drawn up tighter rules on trust accounts offered by banks for long-term estate planning, in an effort to curb the use of such instruments to circumvent the reserve...

Stand straight, look slimmer.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tina Juan IT HAS BEEN SAID THE fastest way to lose a couple of pounds is to stand straight. This is true. You dont actually lose any weight but good posture can make you look like you are...

Blushing welcome for era of bloom.
February 28, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Maurice Arcache IT WAS EVERYTHING THEY PROMISED it would be, palanggas. The fun pink invite said, Its going to be a night of blush to welcome a new era of bloom. Sent by CircuitAsia, it was...

After 1017, Senate cancels hearing on fertilizer fund.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: TJ Burgonio THE SENATE PANEL LOOKING INTO THE alleged misspending of the P728-million fertilizer fund canceled its last hearing set for today for fear some of the resource persons from...

After surgery, Erap urges GMA to step down.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Edson C. Tandoc Jr. BARELY OUT OF SURGERY ON HIS LEFT eye, former President Joseph Estrada yesterday urged President Macapagal-Arroyo to withdraw her declaration of a state of national...

Baguio fest offers break from anxiety.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) BAGUIO CITY-THE BAGUIO FLOWER FEStival known as Panagbenga over the weekend provided local residents and tourists a few hours respite from the anxieties created by President Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration...

The demise of free speech.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Florin T. Hilbay ON THE DAY FILIPINOS WERE TO COMMEMOrate the rebirth of democracy, President Macapagal-Arroyo, apparently the target of "a concerted and systematic conspiracy," issued...

Go, figure.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Juan Miguel Luz IF THE NATIONAL BUDGET GETS TO BE REENACTED IN 2006, the Department of Education stands to lose P5.6 billion in new funds urgently needed to improve the public school system....

An alternative to the MMFF.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Bayani San Diego Jr. THE CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival was envisioned as an alternative to the Metro Manila Film Festival, according to Laurice Guillen, competition director....

Cory barred entry to Marine camp.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tony Bergonia FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO WAS stopped on her way to Fort Bonifacio last night in what she said was a mission to offer prayers for a group of Marines protesting the relief...

Bomb suspect's home raided.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) ZAMBOANGA CITY-ARMY troopers reportedly raided the house of a suspected bomber in Jolo, Sulu, on Friday night, a police source said. A police officer who asked not to be identified said the raiders...

Doc wins P12M suit vs Dutch airline.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) DAVAO CITY-IT WAS NOT ABOUT MONEY or losing a piece of luggage. For Dr. Jose Tiongco, a neurosurgeon, it was about seeking redress for being humiliated, belittled as a Filipino and not given even a simple...

1017: Press main target.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Amando Doronila PRESIDENT MACAPAGAL-ARROYO'S proclamation of a state of national emergency on Friday has pushed the Philippines into the twilight zone of a failed democracy. The failure...

Jun B basketball czar?
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Manolo R. Iigo YES, WHY NOT? According to retired Col. Buddy Andrada, a veteran Philippine Olympic Committee and tennis official, Jun Bernardino, a former Philippine Basketball...

Guinsaugon folk are victims twice over.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Christian V. Esguerra ST. BERNARD, SOUTHERN Leyte-Stuck in the thick mud and unable to move, a man watched helplessly as a neighbor took his wallet containing P300 and his wristwatch. ...

Palace lets AFP resolve crisis at Fort Boni.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Christine Avendao PRESIDENT MACAPAGAL-ARROYO stayed away from the standoff at the Marine headquarters and left it to the defense department and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to resolve,...

Marine standoff at Bonifacio over.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) DISGRUNTLED MARINES YESTERDAY PROTESTED THE RELIEF OF their commander but went back to barracks after a tense six-hour standoff, ending a potentially damaging challenge to President Macapagal-Arroyo when...

Inmates have fun.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) EVEN for just a brief moment, the 732 detainees at the Makati City Jail forgot their problems as they cheered and rooted for their fellow inmates who competed in the annual search for the prison's Mr. and...

MMDA to launch roadwork safety program.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tarra V. Quismundo TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF both Metro motorists and roadwork laborers, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to launch the Roadwork Discipline Program next...

Militants gather at UP.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: DJ Yap and Margaux C. Ortiz HE CALLED, THEY ANSWERED. Away from all the action in Fort Bonifacio, hundreds of militants began gathering on the campus of the University of the Philippines...

Million Dollar rules 1st Road to Triple Crown leg.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Musong R. Castillo MILLION DOLLAR HAD JUST enough kick left down the stretch under JB Hernandez last night to hold off longshot King's Dominion and rule the first leg of the Philracom Road to...

Mountain rescue teams formed against bird flu.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) BAGUIO CITY-ALTHOUGH THE likelihood that migratory birds infected with the avian influenza would reach the Cordillera is remote, the Office of Civil Defense is taking no chances and is forming an emergency...

Muslims were there, too.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Marilen Sidri THE MUSLIM PARTICIPATION AT EDSA I IS A little known fact that has been drowned out by the well-publicized propaganda suggesting it was a shining moment for the Roman Catholic...

NBI to talk to stampede victims.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Margaux C. Ortiz AROUND 200 VICTIMS AND WITNESSes to the "Wowowee" stampede are expected to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today in connection with the ongoing probe...

Pinoys no longer afraid of martial rule.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Neal H. Cruz WASN'T IT SAD AND IRONIC THAT ON THE very day that we were commemorating the 20th anniversary of Edsa I, that shining moment in our history when we broke the chains of a dictator,...

Girl Scouts have grand time at grand reunion.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Tony Maghirang ONCE A GIRL SCOUT, ALWAYS A GIRL SCOUT. The motto of the scouting movement echoed all throughout the day-long Balik Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP) grand reunion held...

Negros booters battle back, dethrone NCR.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Cedelf P. Tupas, PDI Visayas Bureau ILOILO CITY-VETERAN ZIGGY TONOG always comes up big when he plays against a team bannered by the Philippine Army booters. The 33-year-old defender...

Noli joins protest against crackdown on media.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Alcuin Papa and Luige A. del Puerto IN THE FIRST SIGN HE IS DISTANCING himself from President Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro yesterday said that freedom of speech and of the...

Order out to cease Sierra Madre logging.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) LUCENA CITY-ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY Angelo Reyes ordered environment officials to stop logging in Quezon and the Sierra Madre. Reyes said he was giving the officials 72 hours to submit a "well validated...

PBA All-Filipino conference too tough to call.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Francis Ochoa IN LINING UP THE FAVORITES FOR THE coming PBA All-Filipino Cup, you don't have to look back to the time Barangay Ginebra won the tournament to earn the tag defending champion....

Three emergency situations.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) Byline: Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. IN 2002 NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ROILO Golez set alarm bells ringing when he came out of a Malacaang conference, announcing that President Macapagal-Arroyo was...

Pilferage eating electric towers.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) NAGA CITY-STOLEN tower parts of the Transmission Corp. (Transco) are finding their way into auto repair shops. The pilferage of metal parts was rampant, forcing Transco management to ask help from...

Prelates warn of martial law, urge end to emergency.
February 27, 2006... (From Philippine Daily Inquirer) ILOILO CITY-THE PRESIDENT of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the proclamation of a state of national emergency by President Macapagal-Arroyo could result in...