MANILA, Philippines — The House minority bloc will only support a Freedom of Information Bill that has the right of reply provision.
This was according to House minority leader Danilo Suarez who said in an interview with reporters on Wednesday that although their members were divided on the FOI Bill, what they agreed on was the need for a right of reply provision.

Not four but eight party-list groups, including the one led by ex-convict Romeo Jalosjos Jr., which were earlier barred by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from taking part in next year’s election, got a reprieve from the Supreme Court.

This developed as the Comelec disqualified 10 more party-list organizations claiming to represent government employees, farmers, migrant workers and orphans.

At least eight million voters will be disenfranchised if the mandatory biometrics registration will be implemented in the upcoming 2013 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. disclosed that they wouldn’t be able to take the biometric data of the eight million voters since the registration period already ended last October 31.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday delisted two more existing party-list groups and denied the application for accreditation of eight new organizations.

The Comelec made the announcement as the Supreme Court (SC) stopped the Comelec from implementing its decision disqualifying four party-list groups. The High Court on Tuesday issued a status quo ante order in favor of four party-list groups also kicked out by the poll body.

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker is seeking the passage of a bill that would grant a 14-day mortuary leave with full compensation to public and private sector employees when a member of their immediate family passes away.

“By tradition, we always find a way to be with our families when a loved one passes away even if it means incurring absences from work,” said Deputy Speaker Pablo P. Garcia said.