MANILA, Philippines – The ranks of poor Filipinos have risen by more than three million despite the reported economic growth over the past several years, as the government continues to be influenced by politicians and businessmen with vested interests, according to advisory and research group Stratbase Research Institute.

THE government is looking at adding the bulk of this year’s unspent budget to next year’s budget to make up for its weak spending in 2011, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Friday.

THE Aquino administration is eyeing to re-align the bulk of its unused budget this year to 2012 to make up for weak spending.

THE Contact Center Association of the Philippines said it is sticking to its growth forecast this year amid the US and Europe crises. “The forecast for the full year is still the same. We actually did a mid-year check and the full-year forecast is still sitting around 15 percent to 20 percent,” Benedict Hernadez, CCAP…

A network of Southeast Asian fisheries organizations has expressed dismay at the results of the recently concluded Asean Summit 2011 in Bali, Indonesia.

Although that they had already served their respective jail terms, they are still staying in jail instead of being free and spend their Christmas back in the Philippines with their loved ones.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has branded the surrender of 80 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including 19 minors, in Bukidnon province to government authorities as military “psychological warfare” smacks of coercion and fakery.

The Philippines went through its transition from a dictatorship to an open democratic society in 1986. The road of transition has not been easy; it has not been short.

THE LABOR department has revised the implementing rules and guidelines on job contracting and subcontracting arrangements in a bid to provide greater protection to workers.

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada yesterday said he is supporting the provision of fixed monthly salaries for bus drivers and conductors, noting that the new system upholds the rights of workers to decent wage conditions and promotes road safety for commuters.

The more you age, the more you should exercise. This is the gist of fitness professional and former Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Tina Juan’s message to the country’s growing number of senior citizens in their 60s, 70s and even 80s.

Vicky’s story began like those of many wives whose husbands leave to seek jobs overseas—full of hope for a better future.

DAVAO CITY—Marino Lactao woke up one morning in October to find dozens of his banana plants wilted.

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino recently instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allot at least two percent of the DA’s annual budget for national organic agriculture program.

MANILA, Philippines – Minimum wage earners nationwide are unlikely to get any pay hike despite the spiraling cost of basic commodities, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) yesterday assured its members that taxes will not be imposed on their premium contributions.

DAVAO CITY ,Philippines  – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has scored the government’s defiance of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order on the travel ban on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Civil society organizations urged the government to prioritize action that will protect children from being poisoned by lead, a neurotoxic chemical, in paint products.

AQUINO VOWS SWIFT PROSECUTION FOR GLORIA Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s lawyers charge that the electoral sabotage case filed against the former president and several others as having been railroaded has been validated by a Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) member.

Four Filipina activists were detained by Bali police and are facing possible deportation for participating in a protest against the Asean Summit attended by the world’s leaders, including US President Barack Obama, in Indonesia.

Two commanders of the Abu Sayyaf Group have been resorting to force and intimidation to recruit “child warriors,” a military officer said.

Dear PAO, Good morning! I read some of your advices regarding on how to change the gender in the birth certificate and I understand your responses. My question is: Is there a fee if I am going to the attorney to change my gender in my birth certificate? Thank you. Fhriestley

The Department of Health (DoH) announced the ongoing recruitment and deployment of 11,500 nurses to DoH-Hospitals and health facilities under the 2nd Batch of the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service or RNheals II.

Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile yesterday called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to expedite its endorsement of an international treaty promoting the protection of domestic workers, saying this will boost efforts to improve the working and living conditions of “kasambahays” in the country.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ math whiz kids harvested a crop of 16 medals, including 5 golds, in the Asia Inter-Cities Teenagers Mathematics Olympiad (AITMO) held in Kavre, Nepal this week.

Nineteen out of the 80 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, who voluntarily surrendered last Monday to government authorities in Bukidnon province, were minors, bolstering the military’s claims that the communist group is recruiting child warriors.

Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants living in the northern port city of Thessaloniki in Greece, offer Eid al-Adha prayers on November 6. For the first time in Thessaloniki, Greek authorities granted a public hall to Muslims in order to celebrate Eid al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, in remembrance of Abraham’s near-sacrifice of his son. AP…

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations said increasing economic and social disparities pose a threat to children’s rights and much needs to be done to safeguard millions of young people around the world.

COTABATO CITY – For “giving up arms,” at least 20 child-soldiers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) got educational benefits under a regional government program with international funding agencies, an official said.

Imagine this scenario:  The only child of two aging and sickly parents faces deep pressure to provide for all their needs since there are no siblings to help carry the burden.