Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Leila de Lima said they will pursue C-H-R’s own investigation into the case of the 43 health workers arrested for being alleged NPA members. This is despite the Court of Appeals’ dismissal of a petition for habeas corpus for the so-called Morong 43. De Lima said the public inquiry on March 18 would look into the legality of the arrests made by the military on these health workers in Morong, Rizal last February 6. The public inquiry will also look into allegations of torture and other human rights violations.

South Korea has warned Google it would be penalized if its mobile games content is not regulated. Reports say South Korea's Games Ratings Board has sent an official letter to Google Korea, urging the web company to abide by a law that requires all video games to be reviewed and rated by the state agency. According to reports, Google Korea operates an online software store called Android Market for mobile devices, and which allows users to browse, upload, and download applications. South Korean’s Yonhap news agency said numerous games which have not received domestic ratings were found in Android Market.

The Court of Appeals has junked the habeas corpus petition filed by the relatives of the so-called Morong 43. According to the Court of Appeals, it could not issue a writ of habeas corpus for the 43 health workers because criminal charges have already been filed against them in a local court. The Court of Appeals also said the health workers' claims of human rights abuses allegedly committed by the military against them have already been taken care of by the filing of criminal charges. Meanwhile, the 43 health workers, arrested by the military for being alleged NPA members, said they will appeal to the Supreme Court.

President Arroyo said she is deeply committed to smooth transition to a new government. The president said this earlier during the formal turnover ceremony of the Armed Forces held for newly appointed AFP chief Lieutenant General Delfin Bangit who took over from General Victor Ibrado who retired today. President Arroyo also said she is counting on the Armed Forces in helping prove that democracy works for the children’s future. President Arroyo added there should be a concrete plan to attain development.

The military rulers of Myanmar have barred pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running in the upcoming elections. This comes after a new election law in Myanmar was published in official newspapers. The Political Parties Registration Law excludes anyone convicted by a court of law from joining a political party and it may even force Suu Kyi’s own political party, the National League for Democracy, to expel her. A lawyer who has defended activists in Myanmar called the law un-democratic and the head of a US-based activist group described it as a slap in the face of the international community which is calling for fair elections in Myanmar.

The latest Pulse Asia survey has shown re-electionist senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago topped the senatorial race. The survey, conducted from February 21 to 25, asked the respondents in a face to face interview whom they would vote for if the May 10 senatorial elections were held today. According to polls, Revilla got at least 53 percent of votes. Revilla is in a statistical tie with Estrada who got at least 52 percent. Defensor-Santiago could also top the Senate race with at least 49 percent.

According to a a Social Weather Stations survey, presidential candidates Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar are locked in a statistical tie. Commissioned by the newspaper BusinessWorld, the February 24 to 28 survey found Aquino and Villar both losing ground among voters. The SWS said the cost, however, was more substantial for Aquino whose over-all score was cut by 6 points compared to a one point drop for Villar. The gap between Aquino’s 36 percent and Villar’s 34 percent falls within the plus or minus 2 point 2 percent margin of error used in the survey.

India's government has introduced a bill that would reserve one-third of the legislature's seats for women. But when India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented the bill, angry lawmakers tore up papers and tried to tear out microphones. Reports say many political leaders in India worried that their male-dominated parties would lose seats under a female quota system. The bill, however, is to correct the mistreatment of women in India where most women are weighed down by illiteracy, poverty, and low social status.

Party-list lawmakers have called on the Supreme Court again to stop the Judicial and Bar Council from submitting its nominees for the next Chief Justice to President Arroyo. In a statement, Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Neri Colmenares and Teodoro Casiño said President Arroyo should not appoint because it is unconstitutional and insensitive. Colmenares said the Supreme Court, in the case of Placido Villarta, has declared that then outgoing President Fidel Ramos, could not appoint members of the judiciary two months before an election.

The Philippine National Police says 1 hundred 60 government employees have violated a nationwide gun ban since it was implemented in January. According to a PNP report, law enforcers have arrested almost 1 thousand 3 hundred gun ban violators. 1 hundred 60 are government employees and the rest are civilians. The police seized firearms, airguns and their replicas, bladed weapons, and explosives. Comelec Resolution 87-14 bans all persons from carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places.