Headlines

Philippines wins seat in UN trade law body

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:55 Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday (New York time) won a seat in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (Uncitral) in elections that took place some 35 years after it first served in that UN body, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations said today.

In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the Philippines was elected by acclamation during the 35th plenary meeting of the 64th Session of the General Assembly.

RP among National Geographic’s 25 travel destinations

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:19 Jerry Esplanada/Inquirer.net

MANILA - The Philippines has been named by National Geographic as one of the “25 best new travel destinations in the world for 2010,” according to the Philippine embassy in Washington.

In its November Adventure issue, the US publication cited the country's “ancient cultures, structures and biodiversity” as key reasons to visit the country.

Legarda to bare 2010 alliance within the week

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:18 Charlie Senase/Inquirer.net

COTABATO CITY - Senator Loren Legarda said on Tuesday she would announce within this week whether to run for vice president with presidential aspirant Gilbert Teodoro Jr. under the Lakas-Kampi coalition or with Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

"Whether orange (campaign color of Villar) or green (color of Teodoro), I will have to formally announce it within this week," she said during a brief talk before officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao here.

Clinton urged to query Philippine human rights

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:17 Oliver Teves/AP

MANILA (AP) - A human rights watchdog on Tuesday urged US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to press President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to prosecute soldiers allegedly responsible for political killings.

Clinton's two-day visit to Manila this week will primarily focus on solidarity with Filipinos after massive floods and landslides killed more than 900 people last month, said American Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

Church leaders ask GMA to ban aerial spraying, stop Laiban dam

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:16 Dona Pazzibugan/Inquirer.net

MANILA - Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and bishops in Metro Manila have asked President Macapagal-Arroyo to issue an executive order to permanently ban the aerial spraying of pesticides in banana plantations in Mindanao since the practice has indiscriminately caused harm to residents, crops and livestock around plantations.

The Catholic Church leaders wrote Ms Arroyo a letter dated Oct. 29 appealing to her sense of “motherly care for the future generations.”