Step up job creation, Public Works ordered

By Joyce Pangco Pañares
PRESIDENT Arroyo has ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways to hasten the implementation of its emergency job creation program after only 20 percent or 100,000 of the available 500,000 jobs have been filled up in the past two months.

Jailbirds may vote in 2010

By Joel M. Sy Egco
The Department of the Interior and Local Government, Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on Elections have agreed to allow thousands of inmates to vote in the next elections, saying that many jailbirds have not lost their right to vote.

Atienza posts gains; more areas reforested

By Othel V. Campos
The Environment Department chalked up a 56-percent increase in reforestation rate covering 43,609 hectares of denuded lands, from 27,838 hectares last year.

Graft conviction of 2 educators upheld

By Macon Ramos Araneta
THE Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction on falsification charges of two former officials of the Mindanao State University for approving the payroll of some 200 “ghost employees” in 1987 and 1988.

Escudero: I’ll remain with the opposition

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he would remain with the opposition no matter what the speculations are regarding political alignments in the 2010 elections.