Ampatuans not involved in killing of massacre witness—lawyer

MANILA, Philippines – A lawyer of the powerful Ampatuan clan insisted Friday that his clients were not in any way involved in the killing last week of a key witness in the Maguindanao massacre.

"Definitely, no. They have nothing to do with [the] killing of a man in Parang," Lawyer Philip Pantojan told reporters at a press conference in Makati City.

He said he only learned about the killing of witness Suwaib Upham, also known as Jesse, through the newspapers on his flight from Davao to Manila.

"We will study this. The Ampatuans will join the government in the speedy investigation of this case," Pantojan said.

He said they were studying every killing related to the Ampatuan case.

Arroyo approves retirement of Bangit

MANILA, Philippines – Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit will retire from the military effective Tuesday.

President Macapagal-Arroyo approved on Monday Bangit’s request for early retirement from the service, her spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said.

"As recommended by the AFP Board of Generals, the President has designated Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa as Acting Chief of Staff after Gen. Bangit retires,'' Saludo said in a text message to reporters.

Bangit filed for early retirement last week after President-elect Benigno "Noynoy'' Aquino III made it very clear he did not wish to have him as his AFP chief.

The AFP chief had asked for his retirement to take effect on June 22 or ahead of his benefactor, Ms Arroyo, who steps down from power at noon of June 30.

Aquino and his camp had questioned earlier the appointment of Bangit which was made by Ms Arroyo on March 9, or a day before the ban on appointments.

Congress failed to act on the ad interim appointment of Bangit when it closed last month.

Bangit was supposed to retire in July next year.

PRESIDENT ARROYO WON'T ATTEND THE INAUGURATION OF PRES. NOYNOY AQUINO.

-- is this true? Well, there were rumors about that. My reaction about this is that I'm unhappy and a little bit confused. I'm unhappy because that inauguration can be one of the possible ways Pres. Gloria can make up with her wrongdoings by talking to and congratulating the newly-elect Pres. Noynoy Aquino. I'm a little bit confused because until now, the question "why would Pres. Gloria wouldn't attend the inauguration of Pres. Noynoy Aquino? Is she sour-graping? Or she can't take the feeling of being replaced by a person whom everyone knows that can do better than her?" I really don't know. But i do hope that in Pres. Aquino's inauguration, peace will dominate and hate will fade away. I also hope that revenge will be replaced by love and hope that our country can still survive and can make it through all of the struggles and hardships that will come.

[mixs_brainy23]

noynoy aquino, the next president of the Philippines...

Noynoy Aquino is now the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. Are you satisfied? If you will ask me, yes I am. At first I wasn't but when I watched his interviews about his future plans and programs, I can say that he really deserves his victory and he is the kind of president that our country needs. I hope that his promises will not be broken and put into waste. May he give more attention on education and the health of the Filipinos. :)

[mixs_brainy23:)]