American found dead in Quezon City hotel room

 General
Dec 272013
 
American found dead in Quezon City hotel room

By Julie M. AurelioPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:37 pm | Friday, December 27th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines — A 50-year-old American was found dead early Friday in a Quezon City hotel room, two days after he checked into the establishment, police said. Case investigator Police Officer 2 Alvin Quisumbing said Dominic Joseph Salfi, 50, was discovered lying face down on his bed and his body bore no signs of injury. A three-page handwritten last will and testament was found in the man’s room at the Tune Hotel on Timog Avenue, he added. Quisumbing  said the body was discovered at 12:50 a.m. Friday when hotel employees opened the  room at the insistence of Safli’s girlfriend, who said she wanted to check on him because he had not been answering her calls. Quisumbing said an autopsy was to have been performed on Salfi’s body but the results were not yet ready by Friday afternoon. According to him, hotel employees told investigators the woman asked the hotel’s management to open Salfi’s room as he was not responding to her calls. The American lived in Barangay (village) Almanza in Las Piñas City and  checked into the hotel at around 9 p.m. Wednesday. The woman said she wanted to check on the victim’s condition. Accompanied by two employees, the victim did not respond to calls and knocks at the door. This prompted the employees to open the door with a master key card. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks Read More …

DOH exec asks lawmakers to review firecrackers law

 News
Dec 272013
 
DOH exec asks lawmakers to review firecrackers law

As the number of firecracker-related injuries continues to rise during the holiday season, a health official on Friday asked lawmakers to review the law regulating sale, manufacture, distribution and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices. “We realized the existing laws do not allow local governments, even the country to ban fireworks. This is for our legislators to consider. DOH (Department of Health) will give them evidence whether… it is time to completely ban (firecrackers),” Dr. Eric Tayag said in an interview on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” on Friday. He was referring to Republic Act 7183, which was enacted in 1991. Also, he said that while there is a ban in some local government units, residents still find ways to use firecrackers. “Sa Davao completely banned (ang firecrackers) pero meron pa ring injury nung pinulot nung isang 13-taong lalaki ang piccolo,” said Tayag. “Human behavior kasi dictates na talagang dumidiskarte. Yung listahan na inilabas namin to guide consumers, yun ang ginamit ng mga nagbebenta sa mga ilalabas lang nilang produkto. Pero ‘pag binulungan mo, ibibigay sa’yo yung ilegal na paputok na nakatago lang,” he added. He noted that because of the government’s campaign against firecrackers, there is now a lower number of injuries. “Over the years nakita namin na because of the campaign, because of the law, malaki ang ibinawas. Sa ngayon nagpa-plateau na siya, ang natitirang option is to completely ban them, yun ang extreme measure na tinatawag natin,” he said. The number of injures recorded in Read More …

SC extends holiday recess to January 14

 News
Dec 272013
 
SC extends holiday recess to January 14

The Supreme Court has extended its Christmas recess until January 10 next year from the original date of January 3. In a statement released Friday, the Supreme Court Public Information Office said division sessions will resume on January 13, 2014 while en banc sessions shall resume on January 14. The high court went on a holiday recess on December 16. — Xianne Arcangel/RSJ, GMA News

Eyewitness in NAIA shooting tags mayor's rival in statement to NBI

 News
Dec 272013
 
Eyewitness in NAIA shooting tags mayor's rival in statement to NBI

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) already has in its possession a statement from a witness to last week’s assassination of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur mayor Ukol Talumpa at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). According to a GMA News TV Live report Friday, the witness was just three feet away from Talumpa, his wife, and other members of his family when they were shot by a lone gunman five days before Christmas at the loading bay of the NAIA Terminal 3. “This witness saw the alleged gunman shoot the couple at close range, and that witness heard alleged gunman utter this ‘Mayor, mayor, para kay Kitty Nandang ito!’ Dinig na dinig daw ito at kilala ‘yung gunman,” Justice Secretary Leila De Lima told reporters Friday. Kitty is the nickname of former Labangan Mayor Wilson Nandang, Talumpa’s political rival who has been on the government watch list on drug traffickers. He is believed to be the leader of the Nandang-Afdal drug group. The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said Talumpa may be the victim of a drug war in Zamboanga del Sur, noting his campaign against drug use. The DOJ is still studying the option of providing security to Talumpa’s family, the GMA News TV Live report said. De Lima said at least two witnesses would be put under the Witness Protection Program. Other than the mayor, Talumpa’s wife Lea, his nephew Salipudin Talumpa, and 18-month-old infant Phil Thomas Estoesta, who just happened to be near the target, were also Read More …

DOJ to summon Leviste in Mexican drug cartel probe

 News
Dec 272013
 
DOJ to summon Leviste in Mexican drug cartel probe

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will summon former Batangas governor Jose Antonio “Tony” Leviste in its probe on the reported operation of a powerful Mexican drug cartel in the Philippines. A GMA News TV Live report said the DOJ wants Leviste to produce the lease contract of the LPL Ranch located in Barangay Inosluban in Lipa City, where P420 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by authorities last Wednesday. In a media interview, Leviste, who was recently granted parole, denied owning the ranch. On Thursday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) said the illegal drugs recovered in the Batangas ranch can be traced to the Mexican Sinoloa drug ring, which has been tagged by international media as Mexico’s most powerful drug syndicate. — Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News

DPWH chief vows corrupt-free reconstruction in typhoon-hit areas

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
DPWH chief vows corrupt-free reconstruction in typhoon-hit areas

Palo, Leyte  (Mabuhay) – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson vowed to fight against misuse of funds intended for reconstruction activities in typhoon-stricken areas. In a meeting Thursday with 16 regional directors, typhoon-affected DPWH employees and maintenance personnel who assisted in disaster response, Singson said that he will not forgive officials who will attempt to misuse rehabilitation funds. “Our fight against corruption will continue. We will make sure that budget will be used to rebuild areas destoyed by ‘Yolanda’ and should not fall into wrong hands,” Singson said. “I’m warning those who will take advantage in this task that we will not forgive you whether you are a congressman, regional director or division chief.” He said he had a meeting this week with rehabilitation czar former Senator Panfilo Lacson to discuss measures to ensure that reconstruction efforts will not be tainted with corruption, more so that these funds have been entrusted to the Philippine government by donor countries. The government aims to substantially complete the recovery efforts by June 2016 or before the end of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term. It is expected to rebuild the lives of about 16 million people in central Philippines. Singson led the distribution of initial assistance to storm-affected DPWH employees in the region. Those whose houses were totally washed away received P5,000 each. Workers with partially damaged houses got P2,500 each. The DPWH chief vowed to give more assistance to displaced employees in the region on top of the Read More …

‘World is behind you’, Ban tells typhoon survivors

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
‘World is behind you’, Ban tells typhoon survivors

By Marlon Tano President Benigno S. Aquino III and United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon troop the line during the Departure Honors at the Malacañan Palace Main Lobby for his Courtesy Call on Saturday (December 21, 2013). The UN Chief is also scheduled to visit communities that were devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hardest by the super typhoon when it made landfall in the Visayas and Southern Luzon last November 08, 2013. (MNS photo) TACLOBAN (AFP) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Philippine typhoon survivors Saturday to “never despair”, vowing to rally global backing as they rebuild their lives from one of their country’s deadliest disasters. “Never despair. The UN is behind you. The world is behind you,” the UN chief said during a visit to the devastated central city of Tacloban, which suffered more than 5,000 deaths from Super Typhoon Haiyan as it crashed through the central islands of the Philippines on November 8. Wearing a baseball cap and a tan shirt, the 69-year-old South Korean UN chief walked through a narrow, debris-strewn street in Fatima, a coastal district in the city of 220,000 people that was obliterated by tsunami-like storm surges wrought by the typhoon. A ship that ploughed through the neighborhood after being hurled by huge waves lay stranded nearby, six weeks after the deluge. Ban also visited a Tacloban tent school, put up by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), where pupils who had lost their homes sang Read More …

Honda’s new crossover launches in Japan, headed for US in 2014

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
Honda’s new crossover launches in Japan, headed for US in 2014

The Honda Vezel will roll into US dealerships in the second half of 2014.©Honda (Relaxnews) – A new compact SUV available with a choice of fuel or hybrid engine, the Honda Vezel hits the Japanese market Friday, December 20. The Vezel is expected to arrive in the US in the second half of 2014 before heading to Europe in 2015. The Honda Vezel runs on a 1.5L fuel engine, paired in the hybrid version with an electric motor and the brand’s Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive transmission (i-DCD). This hybrid drivetrain was developed as a replacement for a 2.0L engine. The Vezel enters the market as Honda’s first hybrid equipped with the Real Time All-Wheel-Drive system, which works to ensure optimal distribution of power to all four wheels. This option is also available on the standard fuel-engine version. Honda plans to market the crossover in the US from the second half of 2014 and in Europe from 2015.

Rocco feels so blessed

 Entertainment
Dec 262013
 
Rocco feels so blessed

Rocco Nacino (MNS Photo) GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) talent Rocco Nacino feels so blessed this 2013 and for good reasons, most of all for his various TV programs and movies, making him one of the busiest actors today. Rocco is, of course, currently portraying the role of Jerry on “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas” which topbills Lovi Poe. Aside from the primetime series, Rocco ventures into hosting as he joins GMA News reporter and anchor Mariz Umali on “Out Of Control,” which started airing last Nov. 23. The show tackles binge eating and social phobia, and airs every Saturday afternoon. The Kapuso heartthrob will also be visible on the silver screen as he stars in the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir.” In a recent interview with the versatile actor, he admits that 2013 has been a good year for him. “Kahit nakakapagod at nakaka-drain, I feel motivated. I’m excited and blessed to have several projects. I get good and significant roles so hindi ko dapat pabayaan ang mga opportunities na ito. Kaya I’m thankful ngayong 2013 for all the blessings that I’ve been receiving,” Rocco shares. Recently, Rocco’s groundbreaking program “Bayan Ko” was awarded at the Philippine Quill Awards for Excellence and 2013 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). (MNS)

Will glasses-free 3D finally take off in 2014?

 Entertainment
Dec 262013
 
Will glasses-free 3D finally take off in 2014?

IS glasses-free 3D destined to go mainstream?©Collina/shutterstock.com (Relaxnews) – A number of companies will be pushing the technology and its features at next month’s International CES in the hopes of reigniting interest in 3D, a feature that many consumers feel is simply a fad. Just like ultra-high-definition, glasses-free 3D TV is nothing new and there were a number of TV sets capable of delivering both at last year’s International CES. However, the signs are that 2014 is going to be the year in which companies really try to press the technology and its advantages in order to win over skeptical consumers. Chief among these will be Stream TV Networks, a company that has pioneered something called Ultra D, a proprietary technology — i.e., one integrated into other manufacturers’ devices — that not only offers glasses-free, ultra-high definition 3D on TVs, but can be integrated into PC monitors and tablets too. What’s more the company has a supporting technology that can automatically convert 2D to 3D. It debuted the technologies last year but will be displaying a much more advanced version at this year’s event. Also hoping to impress consumers is US firm IZON which will be showcasing 32-inch, 47-inch and 55-inch ultra-high-definition sets with its own glasses-free 3D technology (which it co-developed with Dolby) built in. Both companies promise that their technology is easy to use and won’t cause eye strain and that the viewing angle is wide enough (150°) that everyone gathered around the set has the same experience. However, despite the initial Read More …

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