Philippine Holidays for 2011

We know that you are interested in knowing the holidays for 2011, so here it is. President Noynoy Aquino already signed and approved the holidays for 2011. Expect that we will have fewer holidays and a deviation from the holiday-economics adopted by the previous administration. No more long holidays!

Regular Holidays:

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22, Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday
National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday
Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday).

Special Non-working Days:

Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday).


Special Holiday for All Schools

EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25 (Friday)

Tentative Dates for:
Eid’l Fithr
Eid’l Adha

This list of holidays will serve as your guide in planning your vacation for 2011 or in filing your vacation leaves in your office.

Hubert Webb and Others Acquitted in Vizconde Massacre

The Supreme Court Ruled: Acquit Hubert Webb and 6 others who were jailed for the Visconde Massacre in 1991.

Today, both camps organized a press conference to air their sentiments on the latest ruling of the highest court.

Here is an update from Thea Alberto of Yahoo News Philippines for more details:

Supreme Court acquits Webb, et al
By Thea Alberto – December 14th, 2010


UPDATE 4) The Supreme Court has acquitted the convicted murderers in the controversial decades-old Vizconde massacre case, reversing an earlier local court decision sentencing those accused of life imprisonment.

In a 34-page decision, Supreme Court said it “reverses and sets aside the Decision dated December 15, 2005 and Resolution dated January 26, 2007 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. 00336 and acquits accused-appellants.”

“For, it would be a serious mistake to send an innocent man to jail where such kind of doubt hangs on toone’s inner being, like a piece of meat lodged immovable between teeth,” the SC decision said.

“The court has acquitted Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Pyke Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Gerardo Biong,” Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez told a separate press conference.

Seven magistrates voted for the acquittal, four voted against, four others abstained.

The justices who voted in favor of the acquittal were: Associate Justices Roberto Abad; Conchita Carpio-Morales; Diosdado Peralta; Lucas Bersamin; Jose Perez, and Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

Those who dissented were: Chief Justice Renato Corona; Associate Justices Martin Villarama; Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, and Arturo Brion.

Associate Justices Antonio Carpio; Mariano del Castillo; Eduardo Nachura, and Presbitero Velasco meanwhile inhibited themselves from the case.

“The prosecution was not able to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” said Marquez.

Marquez added the Supreme Court also noted that the quality of testimonies of the witnesses, including those of Jessica Alfaro “could not be relied on.”

“It was more on the quality of witnesses presented by the prosecution. The quality of testimony and marked inconsistencies of the witnesses could not be relied on,” Marquez added.

Fritz Webb, brother of Hubert, earlier said the acquittal is the best Christmas gift for their family.

In a separate report, Lauro Vizconde had said he will respect the decision of the Supreme Court but he will ”criticize it” if Webb is freed. Volunteers against Crime and Corruption, a group backing Vizconde, said they are hoping the justices will be able to sleep at night.

On June 30, 1991 Estrellita, Carmela and Jennifer Vizconde were brutally killed inside the Paranaque abode.

Webb’s alibi was he was not in the country at the time and was actually in the United States.

Webb’s family earlier launched an online campaign seeking for Hubert’s freedom and provided the public their evidence that Hubert was not at the crime scene.

A BalikBayan Claimed the 6/55 Grand Lotto Jackpot

The grand prize for the 6/55 grand lotto was already claimed yesterday. According to online reports, a 60 year old balikbayan from New York won the P741 million jackpot. The PCSO also confirmed that they already released the prize to the first grand winner of lotto in the Philippines.

The man, as described by the PCSO chairman, is a very religious man who was in a pilgrimage when his lucky pick won the jackpot. He said that it was only his second time to place a bet in the 6/55 draw and used the lucky pick for the 6 number combination.

Hope he shares some of his money to poor filipinos this christmas or donate some to charities. If indeed he is really a man of faith. The winner is already planning to return to New York where his family is staying for several years now.

Travel Advisories to the Philippines Modified

The Philippine government was happy about the development of its protest on the recent travel advisories issued by several countries because of alleged imminent terror attacks in the Philippines.

Malacanang said that Australia and France amended their travel advisories. Australia removed the phrase imminent attack in Metro Manila while France made a similar decision by removing the phrase "supposed imminent terror attack in Manila."

According to Palace spokeswoman Abigail Valte the changes are significant development because it removed the contentious part in the travel advisories.

During the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Yokohama, President Noynoy Aquino had ask the leaders of these countries to review their advisories because they may just be depending on raw data and there were no validated information on the alleged terror attacks in the country.

Pnoy Dating Another Woman: Asks media to Respect His Privacy

It was Shalanie Soledad, then Liz Uy. But none of these relationship could prosper probably because of the hectic schedule of the President. But there is one problem that the President has to address, he can't control the media from meddling in his lovelife.

Recently, news agencies reported that President Noynoy Aquino is dating another woman. He was spotted in Power Plant Mall on November 29 together with a young lady. They ate at a restaurant where the president ordered his favorite food, angus burger with onion rings.

Who is the Woman?

Sources said that the woman is a Deutsche Bank stockbroker. A friend of Luli Arroyo, the daughter of former President GMA. There are speculations that the woman is an old friend of the President. Her name is Len Lopez.

When the President was asked about his lovelife, he told the press that they should leave it to him and ask to respect his privacy. He added that right now he belongs to SMP.