Philippines: Most Corrupt in Asia, survey says

INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE: Expatriate businessmen in Asia perceive the Philippines as the most corrupt country in the region, according to a survey released Tuesday.

Singapore was ranked as the least corrupt of the 13 economies surveyed, followed by Hong Kong and Japan, according to the annual corruption survey conducted by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, based in Hong Kong.

"The Philippines has the distinction of being perceived in the worst light this year," the survey stated. "People are just growing tired of the inaction and insincerity of leading officials when they promise to fight corruption."

The survey, conducted in January and February, queried 1,476 expatriate executives in 13 countries and territories in Asia. The Philippines scored 9.40, where a score of zero is the least corrupt and 10 is the most corrupt.

In the 2006 survey, in which Indonesia was regarded as the most corrupt, the Philippines scored 7.80. Indonesia improved its score to 8.03 this year, a development that the report credits to a government anti-corruption campaign. read more here

In Koronadal: No More Hero's Welcome

(Thursday, March 22, 12noon) - Die-hard fans and supporters of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao have been angered by reports that Pacquiao will no longer be given a hero’s welcome by officials of nearby General Santos City upon his arrival next month after his fight with Mexican Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas. (from ABS-CBN)

In Tuguegarao City: Tax Collection Leaps

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - The city government here has generated over 110 million pesos in local taxes and fees last year, a giant leap from the 44 million pesos collection when the incumbent mayor’s tenure started nine years ago. (from the Philippine News Agency)

In Negros Occidental: Uprising in Hacienda

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - Tension mounted at a disputed hacienda in Negros Occidental early Thursday as policemen and soldiers "secured" the area in time for the "installation" of farmer beneficiaries there. Radio dzBB reported that a unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Mobile Group barricaded the bridge leading to Hacienda Velez-Malaga in La Castellana town. (from GMA7)

In Bataan: NPA Hitman

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed murder charges against a suspected New People's Army (NPA) hitman for killing a rebel returnee in Bataan province. PNP Task Force Usig commander Chief Superintendent Geary Barias said his unit will assist Bataan police in providing protection to the "witnesses." (from GMA 7)

In Ireland: Filipina Nurses At Crossroads

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - Several Filipinas working as nurses in Ireland are now eying Canada or the United States as their next stop following the anti-family provisions in the new law imposed by the Irish government. (from ABS-CBN)

In La Union: Still Marcos

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos will swap positions with her brother and run for governor of Ilocos Norte. This was according to an Ilocos official privy to the political plans of the Marcoses. The official also denied reports that Imee will be taking a break from politics and allow a cousin to seek the gubernatorial post. (from the Philippine Star)

In Iloilo: Uneasy Relationship

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - ILOILO Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr., gave newly-installed Iloilo Provincial Police Director Melvin Mongcal, a chance to prove his worth in the police office. But does this mean reconciliation between them? Mongcal, was one of the respondents of Tupas’ charges against officials, who directed the Capitol siege and an active participant of the incident, in which fully-armed 6th Regional Mobile Group (RMG) stormed the Capitol and hurt civilians in its pursuit of bodily taking Tupas out of the capitol. (from SunStar Iloilo)

In Abra: Guv Faces Threats

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - Controversial Abra Gov. Vicente Valera was allowed two police escorts by the Philippine National Police after showing alleged threats on his life. (from ABS-CBN)

In Lapu-lapu: Korean Killed Self

(Thursday, March 22, a.m.) - Unpaid debts drove a South Korean national to shoot himself dead inside his hotel room in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu over the weekend, authorities said today. (from GMA 7)