Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Trade Secretary Peter Favila made the announcement on government television after they emerged from an executive session that followed a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Cainta, Rizal, one of the areas hardest hit by devastating floods triggered by tropical storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) last week.

Ondoy dumped a month’s worth of rains on Metro Manila and outlying provinces in less than a day, triggering the floods that affected more than three million people and killed at least 293.

Teodoro explained that the state of calamity was a preemptive measure because “we can’t estimate the effects of Typhoon Pepeng . . . which is expected to bring rains to many areas,” and to keep the prices of basic commodities at current levels.

The Trade department has added construction materials to the items subjected to price controls.
The declaration will also allow local governments to use 5 percent of their budgets for disaster response.
At the same time, President Arroyo also ordered the governors of provinces in Pepeng’s path to evacuate people from low-lying and coastal areas.

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' )