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Red tape in rehab efforts assailed; Cayetano hits DBM for delay in release of budget for disaster-hit areas Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:32 by Ellson A. Quismorio and Hannah L. Torregoza, Manila Bulletin Senators and local officials, including some members of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), assailed yesterday the government for the slackening pace of rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and super-typhoon “Yolanda.” Senator Pia Cayetano criticized the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the delay in the release of the budget supposedly allocated for the rehabilitation of schools damaged by last year’s earthquake and super typhoon.   ‘Winner-take-all’ tack won’t solve sea rows Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:30 By AFP The US military’s commander in the Pacific on Friday called for compromise in Asia’s worsening maritime territorial rows, cautioning against a “winner-take-all” strategy that some nations fear China is pursuing. US Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Samuel Locklear said the region had become the world’s “most militarized” amid rapid economic growth, deepening the importance of dialogue to ensure the disputes did not lead to armed conflict.   Pinoy sentenced to death in Qatar for espionage, economic sabotage Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:30 By MICHAELA DEL CALLAR, GMA News A Filipino was sentenced to death last April 30 by a Qatari court for espionage and economic sabotage, while two other Philippine nationals were meted life imprisonment for the same offense, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday. At a press briefing in Manila, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said a lawyer assisted the Filipinos throughout the lower court proceedings and the verdict was appealed before Qatar’s court of appeals last May 4.   Fajardo scores 28 as Beermen keep Elasto Painters winless Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:28 By JOB B. DE LEON,GMA News June Mar Fajardo carried the San Miguel Beermen to a 97-92 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup, Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Fajardo, an MVP candidate this season after winning best player of the conference in the Philippine Cup, posted 28 points and 18 rebounds on 9-of-17 shooting from the floor.   GlobalPort edges Alaska, secures first win Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:27 By JOB B. DE LEON,GMA News GlobalPort Batang Pier nabbed its first win in the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup, squeaking by the Alaska Aces, 95-91, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Leroy Hickerson tallied a game-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals. Alex Cabagnot added 24 points, while Terrence Romeo had 18 points and three steals. Jay Washington notched 13 points.   Pacquiao vs Mayweather will happen – Arum Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:26 By Manila Bulletin The prospect of a long awaited mega-bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao may have receded in recent years but promoter Bob Arum believes the fight will take place, most likely before the end of 2016. A duel between the defence-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has long been savoured by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter.   Azkals just need draw to gain Cup semifinals Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:25 by Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin With their fate on their hands, the Philippine Azkals have two options to secure a semifinals berth when they take on rival Turkmenistan in the final day of the AFC Challenge Cup Group B today at the National Stadium in Maldives. The Azkals, coming off a 2-0 victory over Laos last Thursday, can earn a second straight trip to the semifinals if they can produce either a draw or a convincing victory in their 4 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Philippine time) showdown with the Turkmen.   Ombudsman, Comelec chief, COA head richer in 2013 Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:24 By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan became richer by a few million pesos in 2013, copies of their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) obtained by The STAR showed. Morales’ SALN showed that she declared a net worth of P48.962 million, a P5.6-million increase from her P43.362 million in 2012.   Spare my children – Janet Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:23 By The Philippine Star Businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles may settle for something less than immunity from prosecution, but she wants her children to be spared, according to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Contrary to published reports, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam is not imposing an “immunity or nothing” condition in exchange for her testimony in the scam, De Lima told The STAR the other night.   PHL implicitly blames China for delaying maritime talks Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:22 By Reuters The Philippines blamed a slowdown in talks on ending territorial disputes in the South China Sea on "construction" changing the ground rules, an apparent reference to China amid a growing dispute between Beijing and some of its neighbors. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to be rich in energy resources, rejecting rival claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.   Philippines, Indonesia sign 'milestone' border pact Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:21 By Manila Times After 20 years of negotiations, the Philippines and Indonesia on Friday signed an agreement on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary in the Mindanao and Celebes seas. The accord was inked during the state visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that coincided with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia.   Tagle, 2 bishops to ‘Monsi’ defense Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:20 By Ben O. de Vera, Jocelyn R. Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said Friday that former Quiapo Church rector Msgr. Josefino “Monsi” Ramirez did nothing wrong when he accepted donations from Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam. “Technically speaking, accepting a donation the source of which you do not know does not make you culpable,” Tagle told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on East Asia at Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City.   Obama's state visit cost close to P10M Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:20 by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News US President Barack Obama's 2-day state visit to the Philippines cost Filipino taxpayers some P9.8 million, a Palace official said Friday. In a note to media, Communication Secretary Sonny Coloma said, "According to the Executive Secretary's Office, estimated expenses for the visit of US President Barack Obama on 28-29 April totaled PhP 9.8 million. This covers the cost for the state visit ceremonies, transportation, hotel accommodations, and other various expenses."   Sex caused Napoles bleeding? Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:19 By ABS-CBNnews.com The lawyer of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles denied Friday that his client had sex inside the hospital, which caused her to suffer vaginal spotting and prevented her from going back to jail. Speaking to ANC's Top Story, lawyer Bruce Rivera rejected as "malicious" any claim that Napoles had sex or any intimate contact while confined in the Ospital ng Makati.   Comelec gives ousted gov one more day in office Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:18 by Robertzon F. Ramirez, Jomar Canlas And Joel M. Sy Egco Disqualified Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito has been allowed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to stay in his post until Tuesday next week but only if he could secure a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court (SC) that would stop his ouster. “If there is no TRO by Monday, then the SC will meet the next day [Tuesday], we can still wait for it. Meaning, if [he secures] a TRO by Tuesday, it’s acceptable . . . he won’t be removed from office,” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said on Friday.   Saudi Arabia, Philippines investigating alleged scalding of Pinay maid Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:17 By Sami Aboudi, Reuters Saudi and Philippine authorities are investigating an incident in which a maid from the Philippines was allegedly scalded with water deliberately poured down her back, a Saudi newspaper reported on Thursday. The case was likely to renew debate on the treatment of some among the hundreds of thousands of mostly Asian domestic workers employed in the Gulf.   Maja was hurt in 'Legal Wife' brawl, says Matet Saturday, 24 May 2014 00:07 By ABS-CBNnews.com Maja Salvador got hurt in a recent episode of "The Legal Wife" where she had a physical confrontation with Angel Locsin, according to one of the series' cast members. Speaking with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual on Thursday, actress Matet de Leon said Salvador sustained a bruise from the hair-pulling scene aired last Wednesday. "May pasa si Maja dito (points behind ear) atsaka sa batok. Namamaga," said de Leon, who plays Rowena in the top-rating series.