Aquino names new tourism secretary

Advertising executive Ramon Reyes Jimenez, Jr. was appointed as the acting secretary of the Department of Tourism, a Palace official confirmed on Thursday.

"[Jimenez] replaces and inherits the good work of Secretary Alberto Lim, who has laid the foundations for the continued growth of our tourism industry. We are confident that with his expertise, Secretary Jimenez will be able to build on the success of our tourism sector and expand the markets of this country’s tourism hubs," Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang said in a statement released by Malacanang.

Former Tourism secretary Alberto Lim  resigned from his post "for personal reasons" last month, reports indicated.

Typhoon 'Mina' leaves 8 dead

Typhoon “Mina” (international name: Nanmadol) moved slightly faster Sunday as it roared out of the country, leaving at least eight people dead and affecting 27,670 families or 108,788 people in 281 villages in Northern Luzon, disaster officials said Sunday.

The typhoon destroyed 16 houses and damaged 77 others, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Despite weakening, “Mina” remains dangerous, officials said.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said Sunday that the victims perished in landslides or drowned after “Mina” set off floods and landslides.

Ramos identified seven of the fatalities as Ruel Soria, 4, of Barangay Sta. Fe, Marcelino, Zambales; Reajen Bautista, 6, and John Rey Bautista, 5 – both of Barangay Rabon, San Fabian, Pangasinan; Revullar Flores, 13, Apolinario Flores, 10 – both of Irisan dumpsite in Baguio City; Floro Sulliven, of Bakakeng Norte, Barangay Kias, Baguio City; and Nelson Vergara, 68, of Barangay Bagong Sirang, Baras, Catanduanes.

48 percent pass July 2011 nursing board exam

The July 2011 nursing licensure examination results were released Saturday and 48 percent or 37,513 of the 78,135 who took it passed, with a graduate of the University of the Philippines – Manila, Jomel Garcia Lapides, as topnotcher.

The new nurses will take their oaths at a date and venue to be announced later, according to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

PH Dragon Boat team wins gold in US tilt

Proving it is a class above the rest – even against the well-funded teams from first world – the Philippine Dragon Boat team, which includes 11 soldier-athletes among its members, won the gold medal in the Premier Open 1,000-meter (Small boat) event of the 10th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida, United States on Friday.

Twelve Filipino athletes on a short canoe paddled furiously from start to finish dumping all oppositions, clocking four minutes and 59.79 seconds in the first round in a performance that awed their rivals.

Toughened by their desire to rise above the challenge despite little support from the government, they did even better in the second round by submitting a time of 4:57.13 to capture the coveted mint in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Kabayan Typhoon kills 4 in Philippines, moves away

A powerful typhoon is blowing away from the northern Philippines after killing at least four people even though it did not make landfall.

Office of Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos says slow-moving Typhoon Muifa was packing sustained winds of 108 miles (175 kilometers) per hour and gusts of 130 mph (210 kph). It is moving away from northern Luzon Island's eastern coast Monday toward southern Taiwan and Japan.

Philippine troops hunt Abu Sayyaf despite Ramadan

Philippine officials say the military will continue to hunt for Abu Sayyaf militants who killed seven marines last week but they will take care not to disrupt the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer says troops will focus their manhunt and assaults on militants away from Muslim communities observing Monday's start of Ramadan.

More witnesses vs poll fraud coming out, says Brillantes

More witnesses are willing to come out to reveal cheating and other anomalies in the 2004 Philippine presidential and 2007 senatorial polls, Commission on Elections Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Friday.

This 2004 Poll Fraud revelation is timely. We Filipino people are cheated. We were fooled by a FOOL. This is unforgivable. Our human rights have been trampled more than any leader of this country have done to us. This has brought a GREAT SHAME to all of us Filipinos.

Azkals lose to Kuwait, out of World Cup

The Philippines Azkals gave it their best shot, but in the end Al Azraq of Kuwait was simply the better team, brushing aside a red card on one of its midfielders and relying on its overall superiority to hack out a hard-fought 2-1 victory to wrap up their second-round 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

The Kuwaitis broke the hearts of the 13,000 Azkal supporters who packed the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium hoping to see their heroes overhaul a 0-3 deficit. And while the Philippines played much better than they did in the first leg in Kuwait, it wasn't enough to overcome their opponents' vast experience and superior skills.

Both teams had scoring chances in the first half, and Kuwait, despite sitting on a three-goal cushion, came out looking to score. Al Azraq often tested goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, hitting the goal post three times in the first 45 minutes. The Philippines had the first shot on goal, though, in the ninth minute, when Rob Gier headed a free kick from Chieffy Caligdong straight to Kuwaiti keeper Nawaf Al Khaldi.

Azkals look to bounce back vs Kuwait

The Philippine Azkals left immediately for Manila right after their game against Kuwait at the Qadsia Stadium.

The Azkals lost the 1st leg of the 2nd round World Cup qualifier, 3-0, and are looking to bounce back at home.

The players were disappointed at their inability to score a goal against Kuwait, despite having 3 golden opportunities in the 1st half.

Strikers Phil Younghusband and Anghel Guirado each had a chance to score for the Azkals.

The Azkals are back in the Philippines after losing in the 1st leg of their 2nd round World Cup qualifier against Kuwait.

"I'm still disappointed," Younghusband said.

Typhoon Juaning kills 20 in Philippines

A tropical storm killed at least 20 people in the Philippines as it dumped enormous amounts of rain that caused major flooding and landslides, authorities said Wednesday.

Nock-ten, named after a Laotian bird, was expected to cause more damage in the mountainous northern areas of the main island of Luzon on Wednesday, while also bringing heavy rain to Manila, the state weather service said.

24 dead, 9 missing in slow-moving Philippine storm

Heavy rains and floods battered the northeastern Philippines for a third day Wednesday as the death toll from a slow-moving storm rose to at least 24 with nine others missing.

Waist-deep floodwaters swamped the houses of about half a million people, nearly half of the population of eastern Albay province, after Tropical Storm Nock-ten set off pounding rains since Monday and sent residents to seek shelter in churches and village halls, said Gov. Joey Salceda.

Arroyo in hospital

Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was rushed to the hospital Monday, hours after President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III delivered his second State of the Nation Address.

Spokesman Maite Defensor said Arroyo was in St. Luke's Taguig. It was not immediately clear why Arroyo had to be rushed to the hospital.

Palace urges Pinoys: Listen to SONA on Monday

Malacañang is urging Filipinos, including former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to take time out on Monday to at least listen to President Benigno Aquino III's second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the call over the weekend amid Arroyo’s reported plan not to show up at the House of Representatives when Aquino delivers the SONA.

Half a million Saudi OFWs may turn jobless, says labor group

At least a half a million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in will lose their jobs after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implements a six-year cap on working permits issued to foreign workers, a labor group said.

The so-called “Saudization” plan is intended to favor Saudi nationals over expatriate workers when it comes to job opportunities.

“If implemented, this will affect thousands of OFWs who have been staying in Saudi for more than six years. Some 60 percent of the 1.2 million OFWs in Saudi are re-hires,” said  John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of OFW group Migrante in the Middle East.

Arroyo answers P550-M plunder raps at DOJ

After failing to appear before a Department of Justice investigating panel three times, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went to the DOJ on Friday to finally submit her counter-affidavit answering one of the three plunder complaints against her.

Arroyo's submission of her counter-affidavit was one day ahead of the scheduled preliminary investigation hearing on the plunder charges stemming from the alleged misuse P550 million in welfare funds for migrant workers.

Cebu City named ASEAN City of Culture

Apart from being the “Queen City of the South,” Cebu City is now also tagged as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) City of Culture.

Famed for its historical landmarks, well-made guitars, tasty dried mangoes, and great seafood, Cebu City is the 10th Philippine City to gain such an honor. 

“From the historic Magellan’s cross planted in the heart of the city, to the city’s magnificent hotels, pristine beaches and diving spots, colorful religious and tourist festivals and vibrant industries—you name it, Cebu has it,” said Department of Foreign Affairs, ASEAN Affairs Executive Director Olivia Palala during the awarding ceremonies in Cebu.

Hackers strike again, CBCP website defaced

A website of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines was defaced anew Thursday, the third time since November 2010.

Visitors to the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Health Care website Thursday afternoon were greeted with an image of a gagged person, with a black background.

"Hacked ... By:ASEROH ... You Must Be Better ... In The Next Time :)" read the message on the defaced site (www.cbcphealthcare.org).

The title bar of the browser window or tab displaying the defaced site read, "HackEd By ASEROH

Philippines seen to remain No. 3 in global outsourcing

The Philippines is seen holding on to the third spot in the global offshoring market, with revenue for the year expected to reach $10.7 billion for a 7.4-percent share of the market.

According to Canada-based research firm XMG Global, India will continue to be the world leader, with an estimated global take of $61.5 billion, or 42.5 percent of offshoring revenue in 2011.

China protests planned Philippine trip to Spratlys

China protested a planned trip by five Filipino lawmakers to a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea's disputed Spratlys, saying Tuesday it would do nothing but undermine regional stability and "sabotage" bilateral ties.

Communist China says the visit of our lawmakers is hostile. What a piece of crap!!!

Fellow Filipinos, you may recall that China's vessels fire gun shots at our Filipino fishermen. When our government conducted oil exploration in the Reed Bank (which is not part of the disputed Spratlys), the Chinese military vessel hounded the Philippine's chartered vessel.

DFA asks Saudi OFWs to report unjust terminations

Filipino migrant workers in Saudi Arabia who get terminated from their jobs without a valid cause should get in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

The agency also advised OFWs in the Kingdom to regularly visit the Philippine Embassy website for updates on the Nitaqat or “Saudization" system, which prioritizes the employment of Saudi nationals over foreign workers in Saudi-owned firms.