PGMA’s Rent Control Act of 2009 or R.A. 9653 to protect low-income tenants from rent increases includes boarding houses, dormitories rooms, and bed space. But not rooms rented by the hour.
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There is one-year rental freeze. Air-conditioner provided? The law provides a capped ceiling of seven percent annual increase from 2010 until 2013.
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Vice President Noli de Castro says this bill complements reforms in the housing sector – especially in the Home Development Mutual Fund – to bring down monthly amortizations.
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Sen. Manny Villar made his fortune in housing, a capitalist venture with social impact.
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The most effective rent control bill is still birth control.
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The Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional a city ordinance that bans short-time admission in motels, hotels, and inns. It goes against one of four press freedoms... the Pursuit of Happiness.
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Gov Ed Panlilio is willing to step down as priest in order to step up as President.  He cannot deliver SoNA from a bully pulpit.
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His lawyer, Romulo Macalintal, says it is too late, too long and “a waste of time and money" to recount Pampanga votes, since the collection of ballot boxes and inventory of election returns and official ballots will take more than a month.  Even by Smartmatic-TIM?
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Washington SyCip launched his biography "Wash: Only a Bookeeper."  It's a diminutive title for a life of one who has walked with every Philippine president in memory... and he can tell the difference.   But it's not kiss-and-tell book, so you have to read between the lines.
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Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno ruled out any criminal and administrative investigation of Sulu Vice Gov Nur-Ana Sahidull, but DOJ is asked to probe her giving P50,000 "cigarette money" to Abu Sayyaf kidnappers. DoH should also investigate under the principle that smoking is dangerous to your health.
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Ambassador Kristie Kenney said she has no idea what President Arroyo and President Barack Obama would discuss July 30. But can she at least indicate what she is writing for talking points?
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PGMA received CIA Director Leon Panetta at the Malacañang Music Room. The invitation to the White House was music to her ears.
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Education Secretary Jesli Lapus sits at the UNESCO Executive Board. As management person with strong SGV background, he would make the international organization more cost-efficient.
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Comelec invites bloggers to cover the 2010 elections, from the preparations up to the proclamation of winners. That’s an invitation to overload and crash the computer service.
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Maybe Comelec is taking that risk to get back 0.01 percent or P720,000 of the P7.2-billion contract on poll automation for every day of delay in the delivery of precinct count by Smartmatic-TIM.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was stricken with flu, he also has it but it is not H1N1. Physician heal thyself!
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Sen. Pia Cayetano led some 6,000 running enthusiasts at the Globe and Ayala Land Run for Home at the Bonifacio Global City. In red tank top and hugging biker shorts, no wonder that all the boys follow you.
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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is serious about running for president. He now goes around being called by his nickname, “Gibo.”
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The Who’s Who of business tycoons joined hands as Advisory Board of Gina Lopez’s Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig, The KBPIP targets the 2.9-kilometer stretch of Estero de Paco as a Clean River Zone. If this high-powered group can’t clean this Agean stable, even Hercules can’t.
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Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera ordered Chairman Camilo Sabio and officials of PCGG to clear their foreign travel with her. You don’t get more frequent flyer mileage than your boss, Sir.
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Standoff between US Defense Secretary Gates and the Senate over the F-22, the world’s most expensive combat plane: Pentagon wants to cap the number at 187, but the Senate Armed Services Committee set aside $1.75 billion more for additional seven. In RP, politics is addition, and 70 more is no problem.
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Sugar production for the 2008-2009 crop year to decline by 15 percent to 2.1 million metric tons from 2.45 MMT in the previous crop year. Get more added value by converting it to premium Philippine rum!
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After 50 years, Goodyear will close its RP manufacturing plant. Not a good year for RP.
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Medicine is a fraction of the price in India. You can also get knockoffs of Timberland as Wooland, and Pinkberry as Cocoberry. But Jaguars are really made by Tata, which also makes the poor man’s Nan o for $2,500.
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UE raps La Salle... Ateneo raps UE 72-57. Watch La Salle work a sweat to beat Ateneo over 20 points at Araneta Colisum on Aug. 9. That’s the intensity of Blue-Green rivalry.

jazaide@mb.com.ph