New deal clears way for Northrail

By Joyce Pangco Pañares
THE construction of the $503-million Northrail project will resume within the month, ending a 10-month long halt in operations stemming from claims of cost overruns and foreign exchange differences made by the Chinese contractor.

Palace stand sought on drugs, death penalty

By Roy Pelovello
THREE lawmakers are seeking the inclusion of drug trafficking and death penalty in the agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Congress quickens pace on ’09 budget

By Fel V. Maragay
Amid apprehensions that the government will run on a reenacted budget for an indefinite period, lawmakers said yesterday that Congress will be able to approve the Pl.4-trillion national budget for fiscal year 2009 upon resuming its regular session on Jan. l9.

Cebu firm seeks to speed up land case

By Rey E. Requejo
A Cebu-based aquaculture company has appealed to the Supreme Court to set for oral arguments its case involving the disputed P100 million worth of land in Lapu-Lapu City.

Senators tag administration in Puno ouster move

SENATORS yesterday denounced an attempt to impeach Chief Justice Reynato Puno for allegedly blocking the promulgation of the resolution, signed by l4 associate justices, of a disqualification case against a Negros Oriental congresswoman.