FOR uniting a politically fragmented nation during his fights, boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao was named Ambassador of Peace, along with nine others, Wednesday night at the Quirino Grandstand during the launching of the Global Peace Festival, an international initiative that seeks to forge world peace.

Also appointed Ambassadors of Peace were action star Robin Padilla, Philippine movie’s bad boy-turned-Muslim peace talks negotiator; AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon; Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr.; Deputy Chief of Staff Gen. Alfredo Cayton; Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; former Interior Secretary Joey Lina and Manila Bulletin chairman Don Emilio Yap.

Likewise, singing heart throb Jay-R and stage actress Fame Flores were appointed as Ambassadors of Peace for being role models for the Filipino youth.

According to the organizers of the Global Peace Festival, the Ambassadors for Peace awards are given to people who are able to influence others to do something good for the sake of their fellowmen.

“Everybody should become ambassadors of peace. This award is our way of encouraging people to use their influence to unite people around them in forging peace,” said Joseph Navalta, secretary general of Universal Peace Federation-Philippines, the convenor of the Global Peace Festival.

Pacquiao, he said, was named as Ambassador of Peace “because whenever he fights, everybody unites.”

The awarding of Ambassadors of Peace capped the Philippine leg of the Global Peace Festival 2007 under the theme “One Family Under God.” It was attended by around 10,000 supporters from different schools, civic and religious organizations. Several politicians graced the event, including House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando and husband Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.

Earlier, two internationally renowned peace advocates—Martin Luther King III and Hyun Jin Moon—addressed the gathering, urging people to work harder in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals.

King and Moon are sons of famous peace advocates. King’s father, Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader credited for pushing equal rights for black Americans. Moon is son of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church  or Moonies and a prime mover in international peace initiatives. He is also President of the World Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles.

City officials, Public Works executives in graft cases

THE Ombudsman for the Visayas on Wednesday filed graft charges against Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza and other city officials for the alleged overpriced purchase of personal computer sets and 10 regional officials of the Public Works department for alleged irregularities in the acquisition of surveillance cameras used during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu in January.

VEHICULAR traffic in Metro Manila remained normal but leaders of militant groups that declared the nationally coordinated protest actions on Thursday said the transport strike was “successful” even before they started.

WITH its 2007 collection at risk of not being attained due to reduced imports and exports attributed to the strong peso, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) can console itself this Christmas with its 2006 performance that got it a huge P539-million reward for exceeding its given target of P197 billion by P2.2 billion.

FOR uniting a politically fragmented nation during his fights, boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao was named Ambassador of Peace, along with nine others, Wednesday night at the Quirino Grandstand during the launching of the Global Peace Festival, an international initiative that seeks to forge world peace.

THE National Police is taking an active role in the case monitoring and tracking efforts of Task Force 211, or the Task Force Against Political Violence, created by President Arroyo through Administrative Order 211.

THE Senate moved to reprimand Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon and National Police chief Avelino Razon for snubbing an invitation to testify at an inquiry into the “warrantless arrests” of journalists who covered the November 29 Peninsula Manila Hotel standoff.

THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Thursday demanded the payment of more than P700 million in unpaid allowances following Malacañang’s announcement of a P10,000 performance bonus each to government workers.