MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III’s lead in opinion polls has “significantly dropped” to single-digit levels while Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gilberto Teodoro Jr. surged to a double-digit mark for the first time since entering the race, according to results of the first survey taken after the Dec. 1 deadline for candidates to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs).

A poll conducted by the Issues and Advocacy Center (The Center) from Dec. 2 to 6 showed Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. of the Nacionalista Party (NP) cut Aquino’s lead to seven points by improving to 24 percent.  Read more... (232 words, estimated 56 secs reading time)

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MANILA, Philippines – The Ampatuans, the primary suspects in the brutal killing of 57 people in Maguindanao last November 23, might be released from detention after the ifting of martigal in the province, a presidential bet today claimed.

Felix Cantal, Philippine Green Republic party standard bearer, said removing military rule could lead to the release of people arrested during that time, such as the Ampatuans, their supporters and civilian volunteer organizations.

Under martial law, defendants in a murder case can never be given bail but without military rule, they can file for bail, said Cantal, a former member of the United Nations International Court of Justice.  Read more... (178 words, estimated 43 secs reading time)

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A ringside seat to the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather super fight next year will amount to the annual income of a minimum wage earner.

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum told the Bulletin Sunday that a premium seat in the March 13, 2010 welterweight title fight will cost $2,500 (P117,500), while the cheapest will be sold at $500, assuming the fight is held at the 17,000-seat MGM Grand.

If the fight is held, say, at the 80,000-capacity Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the price of the seat would remain the same, while the inexpensive seat will be sold lower than $500.  Read more... (147 words, estimated 35 secs reading time)

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MANILA, Philippines – Despite the certainty of her victory over possible rivals, President Arroyo’s congressional bid next year may be heading for a legal maelstrom, according to her senator-allies.

The senators said that while there is no legal impediment to Mrs. Arroyo’s running for a House seat and keeping her job as President at the same time, the Supreme Court may still have to decide on whether the ban on re-election covers lower elective posts.  Read more... (295 words, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

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Freddie Roach is definitely thrilled with a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. showdown.

But he’s definitely not hot on a possible March 13 face-off between two of boxing’s most popular fighters today.

Roach readily thumbed down the proposed March gig being dangled by Top Rank Promotions’ big boss Bob Arum following a series of negotiations he had with Golden Boy Promotions’ CEO Richard Schaefer, representing Mayweather.

“March 13 is too fast a turnaround,” said Roach from Europe, where he is currently preparing reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) light-welterweight champion Amir Khan for his Dec. 5 title defense against Dmitriy Salita.  Read more... (240 words, estimated 58 secs reading time)

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MANILA — Top Rank boss Bob Arum is currently in the Philippines to talk to seven-time world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao into sealing the deal for the much-awaited fight with former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather has reportedly acceded to terms for a welterweight title fight with the Filipino superstar at 147 lbs.

“I’m obviously over here to talk to Manny,” Arum told LAtimes.com. “At this point, I’ve got to find out what my fighter wants to do.”

Arum reportedly wanted to avoid “complications” similar to what happened during the negotiations for the Pacquiao fight against British champ Ricky Hatton last May.  Read more... (161 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

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The much-anticipated bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is all but set for March 13, a source told Yahoo! Sports.

Mayweather has agreed to terms and promoter Bob Arum is making a trip to Manila, Philippines, to finalize a deal with Pacquiao, the source said.

Las Vegas, Dallas and New Orleans are the front-runners to host the bout, which is expected to become the highest-grossing boxing match in the sport’s history.

Pacquiao is the top pound-for-pound fighter in nearly every major ranking, including Yahoo! Sports. Mayweather is No. 2 in most rankings and was No. 1 in nearly all of the polls before he briefly retired in June 2008.  Read more... (235 words, estimated 56 secs reading time)

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Step down to level the playing field.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Wednesday told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign from her post as she pursues a House of Representatives seat in next year’s election.

At a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Ramos said that while there is no legal impediment to Mrs. Arroyo’s congressional bid, her position as President gives her undue advantage in her forthcoming electoral campaign in Pampanga’s second district, the same report added.

“My understanding of that particular aspect of governance is that as president, you must resign your position,” he said.  Read more... (105 words, estimated 25 secs reading time)

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