MANILA, Philippines — Catholics observe Monday, the second day in the octave of Christmas, the feast of Saint Stephen (San Esteban), who is venerated and known as the “protomartyr” or the first martyr of Christianity.

In the country, feast masses will be held in Ligao, Albay; Tuguegarao City; and in San Esteban, Ilocos Sur in honor of their patron. St. Stephen, whose name means “wreath” or “crown” in Greek, is included in the Roman Canon.

He was one of the first deacons of the early Church. According to Acts 6:3, he was “a man of good character, full of faith, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit.” While on trial and being persecuted for standing by his faith, he experienced a theophany and saw God the Father and God the Son. (Christina Hermoso)

Peace talks

2012 is expected to usher in as well the continuing peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with the next round scheduled in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Jan. 8-9.

GPH and MILF negotiators' latest meeting for the outgoing year, and probably its last for 2011, was held last Dec. 5 to 7, which concluded on a "jovial mood" for the peacemakers, including members of the International Contact Group (ICG), and civil society organizations present.

Marvic Leonen, GPH panel chairman, and his counterpart from the Muslim rebels, Mohagher Iqbal, agreed to return to Malaysia in January after having met with their principals to report on the results of the negotiations. (Edd Usman)

Digital lights

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has allayed fears of a traffic problem during the shifting of analog to digital traffic lights beginning December 31 in some select intersections in the city. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, over the agency’s radio program, declared about a resolution between the agency and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company’s shifting of the analog traffic lights to digital ones on New Year’s Eve.

“Analog traffic lights would shut down in some intersections in the metro to be replaced with digital traffic lights,” said Tolentino. Under the analog system, Tolentino said that technical problem of a traffic light could be fixed at the agency’s Metrobase in Makati City, “less the hassle of sending MMDA someone to the affected area.” (Anna Liza Villas)

Anti-trust bills

At least 14 senators have signed a committee report consolidating four separate anti-trust bills that seek stringent and stiffer penalties against unfair trade practices in the country.

This was disclosed by Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. in a recent interview, saying the report has been routed for signatures and is set for plenary consideration once the Senate resumes session on Jan. 16 next year after the Christmas recess.

Villar, Senate Trade Committee head, said the consolidated report backs stiffer sanctions against unfair trade and anti-competitive practices, as well as the creation of a new regulatory body to check trade competition and monopolies. (Hannah Torregoza)

Bicam report

President Benigno S. Aquino III has yet to sign the ratified bicameral conference committee report which calls for a three-year fixed term for the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with possible extension in cases of war or national emergencies as Congress may declare.

The Bills and Index Division of the House of Representatives has disclosed that the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office is keen on updating the status of the proposed Act, which also guarantees the deferment of the mandatory retirement age of 56 among military leaders. (Charissa M. Luci)