Headlines

RP IT spending to reach US$580M in 2011

Thursday, 12 November 2009 07:22 Alexander Villafania/Inquirer.net

MANILA - The Philippines public sector information technology spending is expected to be worth US$580 million in 2011, according to a report by IT research firm Springboard Research. Public sector IT expenditures also include budgets for government IT projects.

This growth is pegged on the continuation of government IT projects, as well as a robust political environment that prioritizes public necessity and transparency, something that is found wanting among past controversial IT projects, such as the failed ZTE-NBN project and the much-maligned election computerization in 2004.

Malacañang ready for Arroyo impeachment

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 07:00 Abigail Kwok/Inquirer.net

MANILA – Malacañang said Wednesday that it was ready against any moves to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even as an official stressed that the Senate blue ribbon committee report did not cite specific violations committed by the President.

“Maraming attempts to impeach [the President]. Alam natin na hind ito nagtagumpay because it was all hearsay kasi walang naipakitang ebidensiya. Sa palagay namin, kung merong attempt na another impeachment against her then we will be ready for that [There are many attempts to impeach the President. We know that they’ve not succeeded because it was all hearsay and no evidence was presented. We think that if there is an attempt to impeach the President, we will be ready for that],” said deputy spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo in a press briefing aired over government radio Radyo ng Bayan.

Revilla turns down Lakas VP offer

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:58 Maila Ager/Inquirer.net

MANILA – Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is turning down offers to become the running mate of Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the Arroyo administration’s candidate in next year’s elections.

The actor-politician, instead, is seeking re-election in May 2010.

Philippines wins seat in UN trade law body

Wednesday, 11 November 2009 06:55 Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines on Tuesday (New York time) won a seat in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (Uncitral) in elections that took place some 35 years after it first served in that UN body, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations said today.

In his report to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr., Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the Philippines was elected by acclamation during the 35th plenary meeting of the 64th Session of the General Assembly.

RP among National Geographic’s 25 travel destinations

Tuesday, 10 November 2009 06:19 Jerry Esplanada/Inquirer.net

MANILA - The Philippines has been named by National Geographic as one of the “25 best new travel destinations in the world for 2010,” according to the Philippine embassy in Washington.

In its November Adventure issue, the US publication cited the country's “ancient cultures, structures and biodiversity” as key reasons to visit the country.