By Efren L. Danao  

Manny Pacquaio

The House Committee on Justice was in a hurry to kill an impeachment complaint against President Gloria Arroyo because congressmen want to watch the fight of Manny Pacquiao against Oscar de la Hoya, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd said Wednesday.

The breakwater in Zamboanga City suggests that Typhoon “Butchoy” is no pushover. Small vessels and fishing boats are warned not to venture out to sea as Butchoy makes waves. Photo by Al Jacinto

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Butchoy maintained its strength toward northern Philippines while a new low-pressure area was spotted off the central part of the country early yesterday.

As of 2 a.m. local time (1800 GMT Saturday), the typhoon was 980km east of Northern Luzon, according to the weather bureau.

It is the first major tropical storm to hit the country this year, which is visited by about 20 typhoons each year on average.

Mike Arroyo

MANILA

De Venecia III said the “reconciliation” meeting “mid-March” was arranged by Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza after Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos failed to convince De Venecia to withdraw the AHI’s build-operate-transfer proposal for the project that would electronically interconnect all government offices nationwide.

Atong Ang

But with his petition seeking a reduction of the prison term and probation, Ang might be out in a few weeks and be required to merely perform community service, the prosecution said.

Malacañang welcomed the decision, while Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson called on former President Joseph Estrada to "be man enough like Ang and own up to his crime."

But Genuine Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the conviction of Ang would deny the people the real story on the tobacco excise tax scam.

Ang’s plea and immediate sentencing were made after he was re-arraigned yesterday morning by the anti-graft court as part of a plea bargain agreement he signed with the government in exchange for the return of part of the P130-million kickback allegedly taken from the tobacco excise tax and jueteng.

Ang was said to be the "operations man" in jueteng. He helped deliver bundles of cash, withdrawn by an accomplice from a bank account, to the home of Estrada while he was president, according to the prosecution.

Politics, politics, politics and politics. Nothing but Politics - A new successful capital venture in the  Philippines

Pres. Arroyo smiles as she predicts a better economy

What to expect

What’s 2007 going to be like? By the looks of it, two things will have the biggest imprint on the year that’s barely begun: the elections and the economy. Other issues that could loom large in the national scene are the impending Sandiganbayan decision on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada and the clamor to extend the agrarian-reform program. In this composite outlook, The Times’ reporters present their take on how the year is going to shape up. What to expect What’s 2007 going to be like? By the looks of it, two things will have the biggest imprint on the year that’s barely begun: the elections and the economy. Other issues that could loom large in the national scene are the impending Sandiganbayan decision on the plunder case of former President Joseph Estrada and the clamor to extend the agrarian-reform program. In this composite outlook, The Times’ reporters present their take on how the year is going to shape up.

At 93, Gerald Ford was the oldest living former U.S. president

RANCHO MIRAGE, California (CNN) -- Former President Gerald Ford, who became president in 1974 after the resignation of Richard Nixon, died Tuesday at age 93.

Ford, the oldest surviving former U.S. president, died peacefully at 6:45 p.m. PT (9:45 p.m. ET) Tuesday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, according to a statement from his office. The cause of death was not given.

A statement from Ford's wife, Betty, said: "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country." (Watch how Ford's theme was 'a return to honesty' )

Morales Knocked-out by Pacquiao

Pacquiao was simply devastating in dealing Erik Morales of Mexico a savage third-round knockout before a record-setting crowd of 18,276 at the Thomas and Mack Center.

With Philippine flags, banners and streamers being displayed by countless die-hard Pacquiao fans, the Filipino gunner got the job done with three seconds remaining before the end of the third round with Morales unable to beat the count of referee Vic Drakulich.

"I was faster and bigger than him. I could tell in the second round that he was surprised with my right hook so I kept on throwing it," said Pacquiao, 27, minutes after scoring his 43rd victory in 48 fights.

"I was prepared to fight the best of Morales. And that’s how I trained with Freddie Roach," said Pacquiao.

Morales admitted Pacquiao was too much to handle.

"He is too fast and strong. It wasn’t my night," said Morales, 30, who was a heavy underdog in the scheduled 12-rounder.

"For the first time in my career, I felt the power of my opponent. Maybe it’s getting to that time," Morales said.