Politics

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Jun 05, 2007

Helping Hands. Members of the Philippine and US navies load food and supplies onto a truck for delivery to a Mindanao orphanage. The donation by the US military was part of the 13th annual bilateral maritime training exercise called Carat (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) that began last week in Zamboanga and Basilan. (Photo courtesy of the US Navy/US Embassy)

Duterte is sick, hints at Sara as mayor

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Jun 04, 2007

In his TV program on Sunday, Duterte said he is scheduled to undergo a “nerve conduction velocity” (NCV) test to check his spine. He said he has been feeling numbness in the left portion of his body, from the neck down to his chest. Often, he said, he had difficulty closing his fist or gripping his fingers. Depending on the results of the test, he might have to undergo surgery, he said.
Related story: Transcript of Duterte’s “Gikan sa Masa” interview

Duterte on his illness

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Jun 04, 2007

Excerpts of “Gikan sa Masa Para Sa Masa” telecast, June 3, 2007, ABS-CBN Davao, hosted by Councilor Mabel Acosta Host:…

Manny Pacquiao withdraws his money, instigates ‘mini bank run’

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Jun 04, 2007

Apparently upset that he was defeated in his congressional bid and that his ‘principals” in Manila has so far failed to reimburse him the 140 million pesos he supposedly spent in the elections, boxing hero Manny Pacquiao reportedly instigated what amounted to a mini bank run after he withdrew all his remaining money from three banks.

According to BusinessMirror, “Informed sources said Pacquiao withdrew all his money from a bank in General Santos City as he conducted a personal audit and found he spent more than P140 million in election-related expenses but was still trounced by his diminutive political opponent.”

Read the full story here.

Gov’t, MILF urged: Extend life of ceasefire body

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Jun 04, 2007

Without the intervention by the AHJAG — which investigates incidents of violence or disturbance that, on many occasions in the past, complicated the negotiations — elements from the military and the MILF could easily engage in confrontation, given the often unknown or unclear origins of violent conflicts, particularly in the MILF areas in Central Mindanao. Criminal syndicates operate in that area and their activities have often been blamed on the MILF, thus complicating the peace process and the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.