The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) maintained it would continue to demolish illegal structures on road right of way and clear sidewalks from obstructions despite protests of human rights violation.

Transport and labor groups said yesterday that despite the unabated increase in the prices of basic commodities and power rates triggered by the exorbitant hike in oil prices, they have no plan at the moment to seek a new wage increase, at least up to the end of this year.

A senior administration congressman yesterday proposed to the government the use of the newly introduced Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to drastically help reduce its telephone bills that have reached a staggering P3.7 billion last year.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has four new chief superintendents and 23 new senior superintendents in its roster.

Government was asked yesterday to review the program of education in at least 177 schools offering accountancy courses for registering a 100 percent flunking percentage in two government board examination conducted two years ago.

3 slain in NPA attack

The House of Representatives barred yesterday its House sergeant-at-arms, retired Brig. Gen. Bayani N. Fabic, from attending a Senate constitutional amendments committee hearing on the alleged loss of 150 ballot boxes while in the custody of the Lower House and which were scheduled to be turned over to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) in relation to the protest of former Sen. Loren Legarda against Vice President Noli de Castro.

In line with efforts to make basic needs and services accessible and readily available to the people, especially the poor, President Arroyo led yesterday the launching of the Serbisyo Muna! Project in Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.

A new task force has been formed to investigate corruption and irregularities in the payment of taxes in transfers of titles of real properties.

A Singapore Airlines flight bound for the city-state was delayed for two hours after airport authorities received through a call a bomb threat that later turned out to be a ruse.

OGCC marks 70th year