Laguna’s Wall•E! Workers do their best salvaging different computer parts and anything recyclable at the Envirocycle Inc. HMR’s group affiliate warehouse located in Santa Rosa, Laguna. The operations are meant to ensure that no electronic equipment is deposited in landfills but is reused, remarketed or disposed of through proper, licensed recycling channels in order to protect the environment. --NONIE REYES

Tax dims appeal of BSP IOUs

A NEW tax regime has blunted the appeal of the usually higher, yielding instruments of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The new stars in the financial markets are the short-dated instruments of the Bureau of Treasury whose six- and one-year rates were 47.4 and 17.8 basis points lower on Monday from their respective levels six weeks earlier.

Fukuda quits as Japan Prime Minister citing gridlock

Yasuo Fukuda resigned as Japan's prime minister after less than a year in office marked by political gridlock, plunging approval ratings and disarray within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

P77.5B to be spent for ‘paddy-to-pot’ projects

THE government will spend P77.5 billion next year on what it called “paddy-to-pot” projects and subsidies intended to make food accessible to all, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said on Monday.

Lawyers told to await 3-man panel report on CA justices

LAWYERS nationwide are bothered by the “somewhat lengthy time” being taken up by the investigation into alleged bribery at the Court of Appeals (CA) in the matter of the management battle at the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and have sought, in newspaper advertisements, the resignation of those justices involved.

Bill creating credit info system ratified

THE Senate ratified on Monday night a bicameral conference committee report on the approved final version of the bill creating a credit information system that will provide up-to-date and comprehensive data on every borrower so banks would not be anxious in lending money to spur more business activities.

‘We craft policy, but banks must lend’

POLICY changes that make it easier for countryside banks and financial institutions to lend to small borrowers like rice farmers are all that regulators can do to spur lending.

RM awardee fights discrimination

EVEN the publisher himself, Akio Ishii, didn’t realize he had published 3,000 books in three decades on topics considered taboo, especially in Japan. He also continues to promote respect for the rights of foreigners in Japan.

CA reverses ruling on Delgado

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has set aside its previous decision affirming the Department of Justice (DOJ) resolution that found probable cause to file criminal charges against Luisito Gonzales, grandson of the late President Elpidio Quirino, and his driver in connection with the March 2007 killing of Federico Delgado, son of shipping magnate Francisco “Don Paco” Delgado.

MOA-AD negotiators liable?

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. is asking the Senate to look deeper into the circumstances surrounding the aborted memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and “pinpoint responsibility” for the anomaly.

Truce-at-Ramadan call backed

MUSLIM lawyer and United Opposition (UNO) spokesman Adel Tamano on Monday urged government forces to stop the punitive action against some factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in deference to the observance of Ramadan.

NFA limits sale of subsidized rice to ‘Tindahan Natin’

STARTING this month, the National Food Authority (NFA) will sell its P18.25/kg rice in the metropolis only in “Tindahan Natin” outlets and exclusively to holders of the Family Access Card (FAC) now being distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Metro Manila.

IA chief told to explain on tree cutting

THE chief of the Intramuros Administration is now in hot water for allegedly cutting down trees at the park fronting the Manila Cathedral, in violation of the conditions of a permit issued by the environment department.

Pacman joins Kampi. Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao takes his oath as a new member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, also chairman of the administration party, was joined by Rep. Miguel “Mikee” Arroyo at the oath-taking. --NONOY LACZA