MANILA, Philippines — Anti-Reproductive Health (RH) bill activities of the Catholic Church to kick off with a Mass at the Manila Cathedral Wednesday, March 23.

The 9 a.m. Mass for anti-RH bill lawmakers which will be presided by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will be attended by other bishops and priests.

Msgr. Juanito Figura, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said the liturgical activity is their “special way” of thanking the advocates’ effort in promoting the “true welfare” of the Filipinos including the unborn. (Leslie Ann Aquino)

Contempt vs Ligots under consideration
The Senate attempted again to make a decision whether or not to cite in contempt retired Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller, and his wife, Erlinda Yamabo Ligot, for their continued refusal to answer senators’ questions on their alleged ill-gotten wealth by constantly invoking their constitutional right against self-incrimination.

This came after the Senate, after a closed door meeting last Monday night, failed to make the decision and instead formed a legal panel to study the issue and recommend their findings to the Upper Chamber before its regular plenary session yesterday afternoon. (Mario Casayuran)

Golden Cross Award conferred on UNESCO Director-General
Quadricentennial Golden Cross Award to be conferred by the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday, March 25.

Assoc. Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, UST Public Affairs director, said the award is the highest award granted by UST and is given to persons who excel in the promotion of the arts, humanities and the sciences, or who have distinguished themselves by their total commitment to the service of humankind.

The convocation will be held at the UST Medicine Auditorium at 9 a.m. (Leslie Ann Aquino)

Korean gov't hikes quota
The Korean government announced that for 2011, Korea will increase the quota of foreign workers to 48,000 under its Employment Permit System (EPS) regulations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has reported.
 
According to Korean Manpower Policy Bureau Director General Han Chang-hun the figure is arrived at based on the number of workers whose contracts will expire in 2011, estimated around 35,000, plus the number of undocumented workers, which is around 13,000.

But he warned that countries with a high rate of undocumented workers "will be subject to suspension of receiving process or rejection of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) renewal." (Roy C. Mabasa)

Palace backs Azkals
Malacañang Tuesday declared its unwavering support for the Philippine Azkals despite a bitter 1-1 draw against Myanmar in a qualifying match for the AFC Challenge Cup.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the Palace is not at all dismayed by Akals’ performance and will even continue to rally behind the local football team.

“It goes to show every minute in football counts,” Valte said after the Philippines lost a near victory when Myanmar managed a late goal to draw against the Azkals early this week.

“We are not dismayed. We share the sentiment that we support the Azkals no matter what happens. We are proud of the Philippine team,” she added. (Genalyn Kabiling)