News Update US agency finds 23 flaws in Philippine airports

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found 23 "critical elements" which the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) needs to address before the country can regain its "Category 1" safety status.
The rating of the country has been downgraded to Category 2 five years ago because it has failed to comply with world safety standards.
CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez said the critical elements were cited by the FAA during its technical review of the country¿s aviation standards from Jan. 23 to 27.
"The issues mentioned during the technical review were relatively minor issues and are now being addressed by the agency," Gutierrez said during Monday¿s press briefing.
He said the FAA evaluated the country¿s aviation infrastructure to check the number of qualified inspectors watching over air carriers and to assess air traffic-control procedures, among others issues.
Prelude to audit
The FAA technical review serves as a prelude to the actual audit when the CAAP is expected to be given its rating, based on the oversight¿s compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
"It was not an audit but only a review, which was requested by the CAAP to help us prepare for an actual audit to be made by the FAA," Gutierrez said.
Among the 23 issues were minor amendments to Republic Act No. 9497, the primary aviation law that created the CAAP.
The issues also include fine-tuning of the Philippine Civil Air Regulations, changes in CAAP safety and oversight structure, upgrading of its database system, standardization of the agency¿s certification of safety inspectors and revalidation of airline carriers.
In 2007, the FAA, after undertaking an International Aviation Safety Assessment on the Philippines, downgraded the country¿s rating to Category 2.
Inadequate security
This means that the country does not comply with world safety standards set by the ICAO.
The ICAO later conducted its own audit in October 2009 that resulted in findings of a Significant Safety Concern, thereby reinforcing the FAA findings. It cited "open items" or unmet issues on the implementation of air safety oversight, and inadequate security systems.
In 2010, the European Union, following the FAA¿s lead, also blacklisted the Philippines and banned Philippine carriers from flying to Europe.
But while the Category 2 status remains in effect, the country¿s civil aviation continues to improve with the considerable increase in international flight services entering the country.
Gutierrez said the CAAP technical team would be flying to the FAA headquarters in Washington next month to present the agency¿s action plan on how to address the 23 critical elements.
"We hope to get a positive feedback on our action plan so we can implement the changes and then request for a formal FAA audit in the hope of getting back the Category 1 status," Gutierrez said.
He said the CAAP was ready to be responsive to the call of the times and to meet global standards.

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News Update Defense panel wants to present Aquino, Binay, et al SALN too

Prosecutors on Tuesday blocked defense’s request to compel some members of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism to appear before the impeachment court and bring documents including copies of SALNs mentioned in some of PCIJ’s news stories.

The prosecution team opposes defense's alleged intent to present the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of President Benigno Aquino III and other top officials in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

After a review of the articles included in the request, the prosecution said the defense is intending to present SALNs of Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Ombudsman Conchita Morales, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Edgardo Angara, Manuel Villar, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Joker Arroyo, lead prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, cabinet secretaries and other government officials.

“We remind respondent that the issue in the case is his failure to disclose assets in his SALN. These public officials are not being held on trial but the respondent,” the prosecution said in its opposition letter.

“The Prosecution is convinced that the strategy now is to delay the proceedings and introduce evidence that would divert the attention of this Honorable Court and the public,” it added.

The House panel further pointed out that the requested witnesses and documents would not explain or justify Corona’s non-inclusion and misdeclaration of his assets in his SALN.

Among those included in the defense’s request for subpoena are PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas and Research Director Karol Ilagan, who are to bring documents pertinent to their stories “SALN: Good law, bad results,” ‘Great filers, big barriers,” “SC Justices, Ombudsman, House keep SALN secret,” and video “Who Shall Cast the First Stone?” and its crew.

But the defense aes that such move was to prove lack of malice and bad faith on the part of the chief justice in filling up his SALN and to prove that omission of some entries or inaccuracies do not constitute betrayal of public trust or moral unfitness.

The prosecution, however, said the requested evidence are “patently irrelevant indications of dilatory tactics and frivolous moves” supposedly undertaken by Corona.

Meanwhile, Enrile said the senator-judges haven’t decided yet on the defense's request for subpoena.

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News Update Philippines' Aquino welcomes more US troops

MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino said on Tuesday more US troops would be welcome to rotate through the Southeast Asian nation, but ruled out permanent bases.

Aquino told AFP in an interview that talks were under way for the longtime allies to hold more military training exercises in the Philippines, as well as increase the number of times that US navy ships visited.

"We are talking with them. We will have more of the same, is what I am trying to say," Aquino said, referring to a longstanding partnership that sees regular joint exercises and US port calls in the Philippines.

"Their ships can come and call on us, can be replenished, but our constitution will not allow any permanent berthing here in any form.

"There might be increases in terms of personnel, but it will have to be very clear on when they come in and go out. They can not be here permanently."

The negotiations come as the United States is expanding its military presence in the Asia Pacific as a counterweight to rising China, having brokered a deal with Australia to place more troops there.

It is also expecting to station several combat ships in Singapore and step up deployments in Thailand, the chief of US naval operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, wrote in December.

Aquino said the Philippines was at the same time looking to the United States for help in building up its defence capabilities, amid a maritime territorial dispute with China and a host of other security issues.

The Philippines had asked the United States for F-16 fighter jets, as well as patrol vessels, transport aircraft and radar systems.

"They are still studying the request for the excess F16s. We are hoping they will look at it favourably," he said.

- AFP/fa

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News Update 6 kidnapped in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Suspected members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf abducted six health workers in Sulu, a police official said Tuesday.
Director Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Philippine National Police directorate for integrated police operations in Western Mindanao, named one of the victims as Roselyn Kiram, formerly married to a Christian.
The names of the five other health workers were not immediately known.
Khu said the six were snatched around 3:15 p.m. last Sunday shortly after they were flagged down at Liang village in Patikul town.
"Intelligence report states that ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) member Minok Sappari led the abductors," said Khu.
He added the suspects fled towards Tugas village, also in Patikul town.
Khu said security forces "initiated hot pursuit operations." (VR/Sunnex)

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News Update Gov't To Buy Presidential Cars

BAGUIO CITY - President Benigno S. Aquino III is amenable to the acquisition of one or two new bullet-proof presidential vehicles mostly to provide a more secure ride for state guests than for him.
The President admitted that it was his responsibility to ensure state visitors are driven in safe and reliable official vehicles during their stay in the country.
This is just part of the government ''courtesy'' in exchange for the investments and other assistance the state visitors usually give to the country, according to Aquino.
Aquino, in a press conference at the Mansion late Sunday night, noted that a roadworthy vehicle is already needed to secure the emirs of Kuwait and Qatar who are scheduled to visit the Philippines this month and in April, respectively.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT ? The biggest,best and achievement in Philippine

With over 7,100 islands, there's no doubt the Philippines got breathtaking resources. This is precisely our reason why we named our company Cultureight Travel. We believe that people, once properly introduced to the Philippines (Culture) could fall in love with the country forever (eight). Here, we list endemic qualities as well as achievements that can make us proud of what has been bestowed to us. Hopefully, you can share this and share your own too.

As early as 1908, Filipinos has been swinging golf clubs in Ilo-Ilo. In fact, the oldest golf and country club in the Philippines can be found there.
The world’s longest underground river system - two kilometer navigable underneath a karst or limestone mountain formation - accessible to man can be found in the Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It is the center of a huge protected area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1995. It also features centuries old stalactites and stalagmites.
The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a seriously endangered specie of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It is found only in the island of Mindoro. It is also the reason behind the declaration of Mts. Iglits and Baco National Park (mindoro) as ASEAN Heritage Sites.

Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.
Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.
The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.
The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.
The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."
The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
The Philippine flag is the only flag in the world which is hoisted upside-down when the country is in war.
Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. “Anilao" book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.
The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is located on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.
The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.
Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.
There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.
Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.
The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the second building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The largest bell in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as 8 km. away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is contested annually by the national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).
The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.
Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art. Besides being the country’s oldest “work of art” it also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the “100 Most Endangered Sites of the World.
Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.
Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison. British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world
Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, "mix-mix". And its is just that: a mixture of sweetened fruits and beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes), sugar and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You know its summertime when halo-halo stand start sprouting by the roadside and by the beach, all whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your own by selecting and mixing your ingredients to make a perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely, unforgettably Filipino!
Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids, the Philippines has one of the richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Most grow only in old-growth forest, often on branches of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest floor.
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the “Rome of the Philippines” because of the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous cathedral located in it.
Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued” because of the frost during the cold months
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell, can be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter long. A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in the Philippines and considered as one of the most expensive shells in the world.
Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest fish in the world. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20 tons.
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds. 
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.
Palawan bear cat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae (civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years. It uses its tail for climbing and holding on to branches of trees.
Calamian Deer - Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.
World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada. 
In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur.
In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced. The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called the hitter a "bomberino". (source: http://volleyball.org/history.html)

The PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the 2nd largest bird on the planet (next only to the American Condor)....
The Philippines is 17th in the world rank in total diversity and 15th in the world rank in endemism?
There are 13,500 species of plants found in the Philippine forest which represent 5% of the world’s flora.
There are 576+ species of birds recorded at which 195+species are endemic; 204 + species of mammals, 111+ species are endemic; 101+ species of amphibians, 70+ species are endemic; 258+ species of reptiles, 170+ are known to be found only in the country.
There are 4,951 species of marine plants and animals found in the Philippine coastal and marine areas.
Some of the country's bests are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List? The Tubbattaha Reef, The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Churches of Miagao (Iloilo), San Agustin (Manila), Paoay (Ilocos Norte) and Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur) Vigan Heritage Village, for its outstanding development in architecture, urban planning and landscape design; Hud-Hud, an Ifugao epic, as among the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
The world's smallest edible fish, the sinarapan, is found in Lake Buhi, Camarines Sur.
The lurung, a rare freshwater fish (also called the Pacific Salmon), is described as the Presidential fish because it is the country's most expensive fish?
The endangered golden-crowned fox which feed on fruits and can only be found in the Philippines is actually a bat?
The tarsier, the smallest primate in the world can be found in Bohol? It's hairless tail is an integral component of the animal's locomotive system and functions as a fifth limb.
Mount Isarog (Camarines Sur) is home of the Philippine Falconet, which is considered the smallest raptor in the world. This inactive volcano is the highest forested peak in Southern Luzon and is home to 143 kinds of birds, 15 of which are endemic to Luzon.
The Olango Island Bird Santuary (Cebu) is an internationally-recognized bird sanctuary. It is an important stop for flocks of migratory birds on their way to their "summer homes" in Australia and New Zealand.
The Turtle Islands, situated along the national treaty limits, is home to marine green turtles. Of the nine islands of the island group, six belong to the Philippines, and three to Malaysia. And, the Philippines is reported to have five of world's eight marine turtle species.
the Philippines has placed a ban on the catching of whales and dolphins.
In the Philippines, the government placed a ban on the catching of whales and dolphins in 1992, and again in 1997, in an effort to protect and conserve the species.
The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).
Calbiga Cave is the Philippines’ biggest karst formations and one of the largest in Asia. The 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean watercourse.
Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and nowhere else in the world.
The Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan is home to 123-124 islands and islets. About 30 of these were named either after former Presidents of the country or for features unique to each. The 30+ named islands include the three major developed islands: Quezon, Children`s and Governor`s Islands; islands with caves include Marcos, Cuenco, Cathedral, Century, and Virgin; and other relaxing getaways namely, Guiya, Milagrosa, Lopez, Scout, Old Scout, Bangar, Ma. Liza, Clave, Quirino, Ramos, Martha, Braganza, Romulo, Abad Santos, Hernandez, Avelino, Monkey, Cariaz, Sison, Shell, Camantiles, Devil, Sulpot and Turtle.

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News Update Infra Programs Up

MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers Sunday called on President Aquino to immediately give the go signal for the rapid deployment of modular steel bridges to areas in Visayas and Mindanao that were heavily battered by the recent series of typhoons and earthquakes.
Visayas solons led by Negros Oriental Rep. Henry Pryde Teves said the swift installation of steel bridges will restore economic activity and speed up the rehabilitation of calamity-hit areas. On the other hand, former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel noted that numerous bridges in the calamity-hit areas were destroyed and few were repaired to their original condition thus hampering the recovery of affected communities.
''We just had (typhoon) ''Sendong'' in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan destroying some 12 bridges; Magnitude 6.9 earthquake destroyed another 32 bridges in Negros Oriental. Most of which are concrete which cannot be re-installed like Lego-type steel modular bridges of Mabey or Eiffel,'' Pimentel said referring to the French and British firms that have been supplying bridges to the country since the early 1990s.
He also said there are some 5,000 Agricultural Reform Communities (ARCs) that need vital bridges to market. ''Imagine the national government spends about P12 billion annually to assist these ARCs in the Visayas and Mindanao but lands are mostly underproductive due to lack of bridges, transport/labor costs attributed to going down the ravine simply wipes out the surplus income hoped for the farmer.''
Pimentel said modular steel bridges cost less than domestic concrete bridges if time value of money of the national government is borrowing rate is computed on locally funded projects.
Teves urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to seriously consider the activation of an emergency bridge calamity response unit under the President's Bridge Program (PBP), for implementation and management by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Also, the DPWH is eyeing the completion of at least 11 road sections along the national roads in the country before President Aquino steps down in 2016.
Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said this target is possible, as he vowed to fully implement the road project through the transformation program now deeply entrenched in the DPWH. This was announced by Singson as the DPWH is set to implement the P6.24-billion Road Improvement and Institutional Development Project (RIIDP) for the preservation of the national road infrastructure network.
Singson cited that the project intends to enhance the efficiency of the movement of goods and people, which will contribute to sustainable economic growth.
The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and co-financed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). Starting next month, the DPWH will repair the road sections along nine national roads located in the west coast of Luzon, Visayas and northern coast of Mindanao.

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News Update Noy to PMA graduates: Shun corruption

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines – President Aquino yesterday called on the 187 graduates of Class 2012 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to shun the temptations of corruption as they face the challenges of their chosen field.
Aquino reminded the graduates that their four-year “vacation” at the PMA had ended and they would face the real challenges of their profession.
“Now is the start of real woes you will face in your chosen field,” Aquino said in Filipino as he challenged the topnotcher, Tom Puertollano, and his 186 classmates of “Bagwis” (Bagong Kawal na may Iisang Lakas) that they now start to face the real problems of society.
“Now is the time to prove what it takes to be a soldier and to be a true Filipino,” Aquino said.
Apart from their mission of facing armed groups in the mountains and lawless elements, Aquino said, the temptation of corruption is more challenging.
Aquino cited instances wherein they could be assigned to check on illegal loggers.
“If you are assigned to a remote area and let’s say you chanced upon trucks full of illegally cut logs, what would you do?” he asked the graduates. “It is clear to you that they are illegal. Will you accept an envelope and look away while they are rolling the logs down to the river?”
He said people are aware of the damage that can be caused by giant logs rampaging downstream, hitting bridges and homes and causing death.
“Can you say, ‘I will not accept that (bribe), because my brief profit will mean long-term damage to others’?” Aquino asked.
As the backbone of the state, Aquino reiterated that the Armed Forces is the first to be depended upon by the people.
“If the people lose their trust in you, then they have no alternative but to seek refuge and redress from other forces claiming to liberate us,” he said.
“If you do your job well,” the President went on, “the people will take on your side and will be a trusted ally.”
He instilled in the cadets the important virtues of honesty, integrity and compassion for others, noting that all of these will be tested in their battle in the outside world.
“Don’t forget that in any battle or war, those who succeed are those who wield the support of the people,” he said.
Class topnotcher Puertollano, a 22-year-old from Batangas, accepted the challenge from their commander-in-chief on behalf of Class 2012.
Puertollano said the President and the Filipino people can depend on Class Bagwis. “We are united in fulfilling our jobs,” he said.
“I am sure they are a new breed of officers who gives prime on ethics, nationalism and patriotism and shun corruption,” said PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Nonato Peralta.
Aquino urged the graduates to walk with him along the path of good governance as he enumerated a number of good strides, including those within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“The government now made it a point not to leave behind our soldiers and policemen. We are taking into serious consideration your needs so that you can carry out your mission and obligation to the people,” he said.
He cited as example the housing projects for AFP and members of the Philippine National Police, which now have extended to members of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Aquino said there are already 21,800 housing units for soldiers and policemen in Luzon. The National Housing Authority’s plan to build 31,200 housing units for the second phase of the program is underway with the program reaching the Visayas and Mindanao.
In his speech, Aquino said weeding out corruption in his administration has so far resulted in record budget savings and surpluses in a short span of time.
For one, past administrations took 15 years to accumulate P33 billion for the AFP Modernization Program, he said.
Under his watch, Aquino said P28 billion has already been collected since he took office in July 2010.
In just 18 months, Aquino said the government has already spent P28 billion in 18 projects under the AFP modernization program.
He cited the government’s acquisition of a Hamilton-class cutter, now known as BRP Gregorio del Pilar, adding that another is on the way to enable the AFP to defend the country’s territory.
When facing the real world, Aquino told the graduates to always go back to where they started at the PMA and ask themselves why they chose to become soldiers. - By Artemio Dumlao and Delon Porcalla

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News Update 'Chief Justice Corona's fortune worth 80m pesos'

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Claiming he undervalued his assets, prosecutors on Friday (March 16) said impeached Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona should have declared a personal fortune of as much as 80 million pesos-more than four times what he put down in his most recent statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
"We believe that his net worth should have been 70 million and 80 million pesos based on our computation of all of his assets and bank deposits that were presented in the trial. He only declared a net worth of 22 million pesos in his SALN in 2010," Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III said at a press conference.
Defense counsel Tranquil Salvador III rejected the prosecution claim.
"That is their own computation. We don't know where they got the values or how they got the computation. We should be given a chance to lay down our evidence. It appears they're preempting our presentation of evidence by making their own explanation of evidence they have presented," Salvador said.
"I just hope this is not a ploy to condition the mind of the public."
Salvador added: "To my mind the statements made by the prosecution are a reaction to the questions of certain senator-judges that their claim of 45 ill-gotten properties of Chief Justice Corona can't be proven. Based on last count and we're only on our fourth day, we're left with only five other properties to be explained."
Tañada said the prosecution used the acquisition costs of Corona's prime real estate assets, such as The Bellagio penthouse and the Bonifacio Ridge prime condo unit, to come up with his "real" net worth. The defense at Corona's impeachment trial said the Chief Justice listed these properties at their assessed and market values, which were markedly lower than their actual values, primarily for tax purposes.
Tañada, a prosecution spokesperson, noted that Corona not only declared less than a quarter of his actual net worth but that he also failed to declare his assets and bank accounts at the year of their acquisition or opening.
"That is the question, why did he deliberately fail to fill up the acquisition cost in all of his SALN?" he said.
Tañada stressed that the prosecution's initial estimate of Corona's net worth did not include dollar accounts estimated to range from $300,000 to $700,000. A temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court has prevented the disclosure of those deposits.
Help from peers
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, another prosecution spokesperson, said Corona knew his dollar accounts were too big to be justified by his income and allowances, as well as by the money owned by his wife in the Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. This was why he sought the help of his peers in the high court to block the senator-judges from prying into his foreign currency deposits, Angara claimed.
Tañada also said the defense team took pains to bring the Supreme Court's budget and disbursement officer Araceli Bayuga to testify at the Senate trial to show that Corona earned 21.6 million pesos since being appointed to the high court.
"They wanted to show that Corona had a legitimate source of income. This is deception on the part of the defense. They told the public that the Chief Justice had a P25-million income and it is up to you [to determine] where he used it," Tañada said.
Tañada noted that Corona's allowances were spread out over 10 years and that these funds were not allowed to be used to buy assets.
Tañada shrugged off a defense threat to show the SALNs of select senator-judges to prove that these officials were also remiss in filling up the acquisition cost column, just like Corona.
"They (the senators) will convict based on the evidence presented before them. They will not consider their own SALNs," Tañada said. "I'm sure the senators will say 'we are not on trial here' and that they stand by their SALNs. 'Why present our SALNs in an impeachment court?'"
Corona should testify
Angara said the defense would be comparing apples and oranges if it came out with the SALN of legislators.
"Senators and representatives could be brought to the Ombudsman, unlike the Chief Justice and other impeachable officers, who have to be removed from office first before they could be charged in court," said Angara.
Tañada and Angara said that after the defense had presented seven witnesses, it was inevitable that Corona should testify himself and personally explain why he left out his assets and bank deposits in his SALN; why he used deflated figures and kept blank the acquisition value of his assets; why he was "hell-bent" on keeping his dollar accounts secret; and how much of his income and allowances were used to buy his assets.
Abad explains
Angara said that for Corona to claim that other government officials were doing what he was doing would not hold water.
"It's not a valid defense for a thief to say there were other thieves so what he did was just all right. That should not be the case. Your crime is personal to you," Angara said.
He said Corona had no basis to claim that the SALN forms were at fault for being vague.
"All government employees have the same form. The issue is if it was truthfully filled up. So let us not blame the form," said Angara.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on Friday acknowledged that he only used the assessed value of his pieces of property in his SALN disclosures during all his years in government service.
Following a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about his supposed failure to indicate as well the current fair market value and acquisition cost of his property, Abad said he would start doing so when he files his SALN for 2011 this April.
"In the interest of transparency, I will review my previous SALNs and include the acquisition cost and the fair market value, to the extent that the pertinent documents are still available. This will also be reflected in the SALN that I will file in April for year 2011," Abad said in a statement.
Corona's lawyer Ramon Esguerra had adverted to a PCIJ report that Abad did not indicate the current fair market values and acquisition costs of the pieces of property he owned.
"I acknowledge though that with respect to my real properties, I have declared their value based on the assessed value, which has been the basis of the taxes I have paid against these," Abad said.
"In all my years in public service, my attention has never been called to this, whether by the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman or the Commission on Appointments," he added.
Abad said he had been truthful in filing his SALNs since he was a representative for Batanes and when he became a Cabinet member.

Read more...

News Update 'Chief Justice Corona's fortune worth 80m pesos'

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Claiming he undervalued his assets, prosecutors on Friday (March 16) said impeached Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona should have declared a personal fortune of as much as 80 million pesos-more than four times what he put down in his most recent statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
"We believe that his net worth should have been 70 million and 80 million pesos based on our computation of all of his assets and bank deposits that were presented in the trial. He only declared a net worth of 22 million pesos in his SALN in 2010," Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III said at a press conference.
Defense counsel Tranquil Salvador III rejected the prosecution claim.
"That is their own computation. We don't know where they got the values or how they got the computation. We should be given a chance to lay down our evidence. It appears they're preempting our presentation of evidence by making their own explanation of evidence they have presented," Salvador said.
"I just hope this is not a ploy to condition the mind of the public."
Salvador added: "To my mind the statements made by the prosecution are a reaction to the questions of certain senator-judges that their claim of 45 ill-gotten properties of Chief Justice Corona can't be proven. Based on last count and we're only on our fourth day, we're left with only five other properties to be explained."
Tañada said the prosecution used the acquisition costs of Corona's prime real estate assets, such as The Bellagio penthouse and the Bonifacio Ridge prime condo unit, to come up with his "real" net worth. The defense at Corona's impeachment trial said the Chief Justice listed these properties at their assessed and market values, which were markedly lower than their actual values, primarily for tax purposes.
Tañada, a prosecution spokesperson, noted that Corona not only declared less than a quarter of his actual net worth but that he also failed to declare his assets and bank accounts at the year of their acquisition or opening.
"That is the question, why did he deliberately fail to fill up the acquisition cost in all of his SALN?" he said.
Tañada stressed that the prosecution's initial estimate of Corona's net worth did not include dollar accounts estimated to range from $300,000 to $700,000. A temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court has prevented the disclosure of those deposits.
Help from peers
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, another prosecution spokesperson, said Corona knew his dollar accounts were too big to be justified by his income and allowances, as well as by the money owned by his wife in the Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. This was why he sought the help of his peers in the high court to block the senator-judges from prying into his foreign currency deposits, Angara claimed.
Tañada also said the defense team took pains to bring the Supreme Court's budget and disbursement officer Araceli Bayuga to testify at the Senate trial to show that Corona earned 21.6 million pesos since being appointed to the high court.
"They wanted to show that Corona had a legitimate source of income. This is deception on the part of the defense. They told the public that the Chief Justice had a P25-million income and it is up to you [to determine] where he used it," Tañada said.
Tañada noted that Corona's allowances were spread out over 10 years and that these funds were not allowed to be used to buy assets.
Tañada shrugged off a defense threat to show the SALNs of select senator-judges to prove that these officials were also remiss in filling up the acquisition cost column, just like Corona.
"They (the senators) will convict based on the evidence presented before them. They will not consider their own SALNs," Tañada said. "I'm sure the senators will say 'we are not on trial here' and that they stand by their SALNs. 'Why present our SALNs in an impeachment court?'"
Corona should testify
Angara said the defense would be comparing apples and oranges if it came out with the SALN of legislators.
"Senators and representatives could be brought to the Ombudsman, unlike the Chief Justice and other impeachable officers, who have to be removed from office first before they could be charged in court," said Angara.
Tañada and Angara said that after the defense had presented seven witnesses, it was inevitable that Corona should testify himself and personally explain why he left out his assets and bank deposits in his SALN; why he used deflated figures and kept blank the acquisition value of his assets; why he was "hell-bent" on keeping his dollar accounts secret; and how much of his income and allowances were used to buy his assets.
Abad explains
Angara said that for Corona to claim that other government officials were doing what he was doing would not hold water.
"It's not a valid defense for a thief to say there were other thieves so what he did was just all right. That should not be the case. Your crime is personal to you," Angara said.
He said Corona had no basis to claim that the SALN forms were at fault for being vague.
"All government employees have the same form. The issue is if it was truthfully filled up. So let us not blame the form," said Angara.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on Friday acknowledged that he only used the assessed value of his pieces of property in his SALN disclosures during all his years in government service.
Following a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about his supposed failure to indicate as well the current fair market value and acquisition cost of his property, Abad said he would start doing so when he files his SALN for 2011 this April.
"In the interest of transparency, I will review my previous SALNs and include the acquisition cost and the fair market value, to the extent that the pertinent documents are still available. This will also be reflected in the SALN that I will file in April for year 2011," Abad said in a statement.
Corona's lawyer Ramon Esguerra had adverted to a PCIJ report that Abad did not indicate the current fair market values and acquisition costs of the pieces of property he owned.
"I acknowledge though that with respect to my real properties, I have declared their value based on the assessed value, which has been the basis of the taxes I have paid against these," Abad said.
"In all my years in public service, my attention has never been called to this, whether by the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman or the Commission on Appointments," he added.
Abad said he had been truthful in filing his SALNs since he was a representative for Batanes and when he became a Cabinet member.

Read more...

News Update 'Chief Justice Corona's fortune worth 80m pesos'

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Claiming he undervalued his assets, prosecutors on Friday (March 16) said impeached Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona should have declared a personal fortune of as much as 80 million pesos-more than four times what he put down in his most recent statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
"We believe that his net worth should have been 70 million and 80 million pesos based on our computation of all of his assets and bank deposits that were presented in the trial. He only declared a net worth of 22 million pesos in his SALN in 2010," Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III said at a press conference.
Defense counsel Tranquil Salvador III rejected the prosecution claim.
"That is their own computation. We don't know where they got the values or how they got the computation. We should be given a chance to lay down our evidence. It appears they're preempting our presentation of evidence by making their own explanation of evidence they have presented," Salvador said.
"I just hope this is not a ploy to condition the mind of the public."
Salvador added: "To my mind the statements made by the prosecution are a reaction to the questions of certain senator-judges that their claim of 45 ill-gotten properties of Chief Justice Corona can't be proven. Based on last count and we're only on our fourth day, we're left with only five other properties to be explained."
Tañada said the prosecution used the acquisition costs of Corona's prime real estate assets, such as The Bellagio penthouse and the Bonifacio Ridge prime condo unit, to come up with his "real" net worth. The defense at Corona's impeachment trial said the Chief Justice listed these properties at their assessed and market values, which were markedly lower than their actual values, primarily for tax purposes.
Tañada, a prosecution spokesperson, noted that Corona not only declared less than a quarter of his actual net worth but that he also failed to declare his assets and bank accounts at the year of their acquisition or opening.
"That is the question, why did he deliberately fail to fill up the acquisition cost in all of his SALN?" he said.
Tañada stressed that the prosecution's initial estimate of Corona's net worth did not include dollar accounts estimated to range from $300,000 to $700,000. A temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court has prevented the disclosure of those deposits.
Help from peers
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, another prosecution spokesperson, said Corona knew his dollar accounts were too big to be justified by his income and allowances, as well as by the money owned by his wife in the Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. This was why he sought the help of his peers in the high court to block the senator-judges from prying into his foreign currency deposits, Angara claimed.
Tañada also said the defense team took pains to bring the Supreme Court's budget and disbursement officer Araceli Bayuga to testify at the Senate trial to show that Corona earned 21.6 million pesos since being appointed to the high court.
"They wanted to show that Corona had a legitimate source of income. This is deception on the part of the defense. They told the public that the Chief Justice had a P25-million income and it is up to you [to determine] where he used it," Tañada said.
Tañada noted that Corona's allowances were spread out over 10 years and that these funds were not allowed to be used to buy assets.
Tañada shrugged off a defense threat to show the SALNs of select senator-judges to prove that these officials were also remiss in filling up the acquisition cost column, just like Corona.
"They (the senators) will convict based on the evidence presented before them. They will not consider their own SALNs," Tañada said. "I'm sure the senators will say 'we are not on trial here' and that they stand by their SALNs. 'Why present our SALNs in an impeachment court?'"
Corona should testify
Angara said the defense would be comparing apples and oranges if it came out with the SALN of legislators.
"Senators and representatives could be brought to the Ombudsman, unlike the Chief Justice and other impeachable officers, who have to be removed from office first before they could be charged in court," said Angara.
Tañada and Angara said that after the defense had presented seven witnesses, it was inevitable that Corona should testify himself and personally explain why he left out his assets and bank deposits in his SALN; why he used deflated figures and kept blank the acquisition value of his assets; why he was "hell-bent" on keeping his dollar accounts secret; and how much of his income and allowances were used to buy his assets.
Abad explains
Angara said that for Corona to claim that other government officials were doing what he was doing would not hold water.
"It's not a valid defense for a thief to say there were other thieves so what he did was just all right. That should not be the case. Your crime is personal to you," Angara said.
He said Corona had no basis to claim that the SALN forms were at fault for being vague.
"All government employees have the same form. The issue is if it was truthfully filled up. So let us not blame the form," said Angara.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad on Friday acknowledged that he only used the assessed value of his pieces of property in his SALN disclosures during all his years in government service.
Following a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about his supposed failure to indicate as well the current fair market value and acquisition cost of his property, Abad said he would start doing so when he files his SALN for 2011 this April.
"In the interest of transparency, I will review my previous SALNs and include the acquisition cost and the fair market value, to the extent that the pertinent documents are still available. This will also be reflected in the SALN that I will file in April for year 2011," Abad said in a statement.
Corona's lawyer Ramon Esguerra had adverted to a PCIJ report that Abad did not indicate the current fair market values and acquisition costs of the pieces of property he owned.
"I acknowledge though that with respect to my real properties, I have declared their value based on the assessed value, which has been the basis of the taxes I have paid against these," Abad said.
"In all my years in public service, my attention has never been called to this, whether by the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman or the Commission on Appointments," he added.
Abad said he had been truthful in filing his SALNs since he was a representative for Batanes and when he became a Cabinet member.

Read more...

News Update Laugh Off 'Noynoying,' Enrile Tells President

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile urged Sunday President Benigno S. Aquino III to remain unfazed amid the latest tag - ''Noynoying'' or the act of doing nothing - against him by militant groups saying he remembers being cast in the same predicament before. Enrile said it would be better for the President to laugh off the criticisms being hurled against him and just concentrate on serving the country.
The Senate President offered the piece of unsolicited advice following the emergence of ''Noynoying'' a new form of protest where activists lay on the ground and demonstrate being lazy, idle or bored to show their scorn for the President whom they perceive as lazy.
During his time, Enrile said his staunch critics had called him ''matador'' (butcher), ''diktador'' (dictator) and ''Martial Law administrator'' especially during his stint in the Cabinet of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Today, the name-calling persists, but Enrile said he just shrugs them off.
''I laugh at those calls, until now some people call me that, and I just laugh at them,'' Enrile said in a radio interview.
His critics, Enrile said, are simply unaware of the responsibilities faced by those holding public office.
''I know what I'm doing for the country. If you pay attention to them, you would just be confused,'' he said.
The President should focus his attention on the work at hand, said Enrile.
''There are many people who would call you names. There are just some people who have nothing to do but to carp but when they are put on that spot they can't do anything,'' he said

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News Update More young Filipinos smoking, says report

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - It is not just "noynoying" that young Filipinos are adopting from President Benigno Aquino III's known habit.
More and more of the country's youth are lighting up, with 2 out of every 5 Filipino teenagers taking up smoking in 2011, according to the National Youth Commission (NYC).
Using data from a Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in 2003 and 2007, the NYC has raised the alarm about the increasing trend among the country's youth to take up smoking and urged the government to impose stricter controls and higher taxes on tobacco and liquor.
"Certainly, based on these [the survey's] estimates, the health of teenage Filipinos are now direly at risk from tobacco exposure and future smoking-related diseases. The immediate execution of more stringent tobacco control policies-such as the Aquino administration's proposed sin tax reforms-is sorely needed," the NYC said.
The Global Youth survey said it expected the uptake in tobacco use to rise even higher in 2011 because of the decrease in the price of cigarettes and the high demand for tobacco products. Some 5.3 million cigarette packs were sold in 2011, the highest volume of cigarette packs sold in a year since 1993, it said.
The survey said around 50.8 per cent, or half of all Filipinos aged 13 to 15, would have tried a tobacco product by 2011.
By 2011, smoking among teenagers aged 13 to 15 may have increased to as much as 38.2 per cent (equivalent to 2.2 million people), or 2 out of every 5 young Filipinos, it said.
The survey said young people who are not smoking would be exposed to second-hand smoke. It noted that 3 out of 5 teenage Filipinos would live in homes where a family member is a regular smoker, while 78.1 per cent, or 4 out of 5, would live in communities with numerous smokers.
NYC chair Leon Flores called for raising the price of cigarettes to discourage young people from taking up the habit.
"If the cost of cigarettes is high, fewer people will buy it. This is just one of the steps we see to curb this vice among the youth," Flores said.
He cited a recent survey conducted by the University of the Philippines Communication Research Society with Health Justice Philippines that found 60 per cent of the sample population would quit smoking if cigarettes were to be priced at P5 per stick.
Battle over sin taxes
The NYC is sounding the alarm over the dangers of smoking as the battle for higher excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol rages between and among health experts, government, and cigarette makers and breweries.

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News Update President: Recto Bank Explorations Continue

BAGUIO CITY - The government will still pursue oil and gas exploration in the Recto Bank, also known as the Reed Bank, because it is still within its territory, according to President Aquino.
The President has downplayed the protest of Taiwan against the country's plans to search for oil and gas in Recto Bank, insisting the area is not part of the Spratlys Island disputed by claimant countries.
Aquino pointed out that Recto Bank was mentioned by Taiwan only in 2009 when it followed China's nine-dash territorial claim over the South China Sea.
''The exploration has been ongoing even before I assumed office. I assume yung Taiwan is adopting the People's Republic's nine-dash policy. The nine-dash theory just got broadcasted in 2009. The dispute in Spratlys for instance, of which Recto Bank is not part of, was in the 70s,'' Aquino said in an interview with reporters late Sunday night at the Mansion, the official summer residence of the President here.
''Recto became a point of controversy only after 2009's publication of the nine dash theory,'' he said.
The Philippines has protested against China's 9-dash line forming a ring around the South China Sea which it claims is part of its territory. China has been using the map in asserting its territorial claim over the south sea, including Spratlys group.
Meanwhile, the President said government has no plans to ban mining operations except in 78 new ecotourism sites in the country.
The President also declared the government would also press for a higher tax on the booming mining industry, insisting the nation deserves a ''fair share'' from the projects.
The proposed mining ban in 78 sites and new tax formula on mining profits will be part of the executive order being drafted by the Cabinet on the new mining policy in the country, according to the President.
The President, during an interview with reporters last Sunday night at the Mansion here, said the Department of Tourism (DoT) has identified the new ecotourism sites ''where we will not allow, in all probability, mining.''
''It will be too much of risk especially given the fact that they just reported that we're on track to surpass the growth in tourism arrivals,'' he said. The government is targeting 10 million tourist arrivals by 2016.
''We don't think banning altogether is the solution. We will have small scale unregulated mining. We want to ensure that we get a fair share. We want to be able to also be part of the processing and we want to maximize the utility of the resource for our people,'' he added.

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News Update WB sees 4.2% growth for Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The World Bank (WB) expects a 4.2-percent growth in the Philippine economy this year if key measures like the tobacco and alcohol excise bill and the fiscal incentives rationalization bill are enacted into law and public spending improves.
In its Philippine Quarterly Update report, the World Bank also projects a five-percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013.
“Growth above five percent can be sustained by addressing structural bottlenecks to raise overall competitiveness,” the World Bank said in its report presented to the media yesterday.
Last year, the World Bank projected a 3.7-percent economic growth for the Philippines.
World Bank country economist Karl Kendrick Chua explained that external economic conditions are generally in a depressed state, and that the Philippines must strengthen further its economic fundamentals “to lower downside risks to the economy from external shocks.”
“Otherwise, the country’s prospects are not too bright,” Chua said.
The economist said the probability of an investment upgrade by international credit rating agencies is likely in the near term.
“But improved tax revenue collection, and improved quantity and quality of spending, is necessary to plug leaks and increase the probability of a credit upgrade. Real revenues will fail without these reforms, especially the laws enforcing the sin taxes and fiscal incentives,” the World Bank country economist said.
House Bill 5727, authored by Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, not only seeks to generate substantial revenues for the government but also hopes to encourage tobacco farmers to shift to other crops, to ultimately compel the public to minimize or even quit smoking.
The World Bank favors the Abaya version of the various proposed bills on sin taxes because “it addresses health concerns,” Chua said.
Aside from pushing for a unitary tax system for both tobacco and liquor and for the indexation of taxes to inflation, the Abaya version also seeks to generate an additional P19.3 billion from fermented liquor and P11.19 billion from distilled spirits.
The present system and some of the proposed measures on sin tax only reduce the prices of cigarettes in the long term since they are not indexed to inflation.
“It only encourages more smoking and other health hazards,” Chua explained.
The World Bank also said the robust capital market growth does not actually reflect the real condition of the economy.
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index posted phenomenal growth on Friday, reflecting higher returns in corporate earnings.
“The labor market is a better indicator for real growth, not the financial sector alone,” Chua said.
A majority of those employed have ended up in micro and small business, and have little or no social insurance. Thirty-eight percent of those employed had social insurance while 62 had none. - By Ted P. Torres

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News Update Gov't-MILF peace talks headed for a 'stalemate'

MANILA, Philippines - Unless the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) keeps an open mind, chief government negotiator Marvic Loenen warned yesterday that peace negotiations are heading for a “stalemate.”
In his opening statement at the 26th formal exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Leonen urged the MILF leadership to grab the opportunity offered by the peace negotiations.
“We are approaching what would seem to be a stalemate in our ideas for transition as well as in our ideas of how to make permanent the solutions that work for our people. I invite our counterparts to take a step back with us,” he said.
“Perhaps, by examining the reasons why we insist on our various positions we can see ways forward. Perhaps if both our teams can temporarily suspend judgment so that we can candidly evaluate our reasons and standpoints, see their political viability. Perhaps, we can both keep an open mind, we could convince ourselves that there are goals more appropriate rather than sticking to our encrusted positions,” he added.
While Leonen did not specifically point out the exact reasons for the possible stalemate, it is generally acknowledged that both sides have not gone beyond the key issues of how the proposed ”genuine autonomy” would work.
Leonen said the timelines set by both the government and the MILF should be met.
“Should we fail to meet these timelines, these negotiations will continue but we would have to seriously re-craft the proposals that we now already have on the table,” he said.
“Let us stay focused, be patient so that we can have greater understanding of the possibilities that still lie ahead of us,” Leonen said.
He said the government maintains its position that the autonomy to be granted to any group should not result in authoritarianism.
“Neither should it be used to justify lack of good and effective governance,” Leonen said.
Citizens‘ Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said the MILF should be sincere in dealing with the government.
Tugna said talks about territory, power sharing and transitional mechanism should not result in the “splintering” of the country‘s territory.
”Perhaps a level of autonomy or shared control over some governance aspects, which are inherently local or regional may be given to the MILF,” he said.
Meanwhile, MILF spokemsan Von Al Haq said both parties have put offers on the table, but those have not been reconciled.
“We need to talk about these very substantive issues. Let us not impose our will, even if one side wants it signed tomorrow for instance, but the other side has issues about the offer. That will simply not work,” he said. – With Paolo Romero - By Jose Rodel

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News Update Small-scale mining bared in parts of Ifugao terraces

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Small-scale miners have found another haven in parts of the rice terraces in neighboring Ifugao province.
Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat yesterday confirmed reports of small-scale mining in several parts of the terraces and called on authorities to take action on these illegal activities.
Baguilat said there were already earth-moving activities, exploring for possible gold and other mineral deposits, in some areas, including those in the declared heritage sites, which have been classified as endangered.
“The invasion of small-scale mining actually started in (Barangay) Hapao in Hungduan (town), another heritage site,” said Baguilat, one of the prime movers of the “Save the Terraces” movement launched last year.
Besides Hapao, reports said the Banaue villages of Ducligan and Bangaan, also declared heritage sites by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, are also the subject of small-scale mining.
Baguilat called on the provincial mining regulatory board, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local governments to look into these illegal mining activities before any disaster happens.
“Are we going to give attention to this where there is already a disaster?” he asked.
Although local officials have not issued any mining permits as the villagers have been divided on the issue of mining, Baguilat said diggings have been taking place in some parts of the terraces.
Worse, he said, the small-scale miners have been even utilizing mercury in their illegal operations and other non-scientific methods, further endangering the terraces.
A source said one of the financiers of the small-scale mining is a big-time miner from Didipio village in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.
Some of the small-scale miners, are fellow Ifugaos themselves, Baguilat said.
Baguilat’s disclosure came amid the provincial government-led efforts to rehabilitate the terraces, which have been continuously threatened by soil erosion and giant earthworms.
The deteriorating condition of the terraces, once dubbed as the Eighth Wonder of the World, has been aggravated by the young Ifugaos’ lack of interest in their upkeep.
Sen. Loren Legarda, in her recent visit to Ifugao, also raised concerns about reported mining operations within the 10,000-square-kilometer area of the centuries-old terraces.
“Sustained actions for the preservation of the rice terraces must not be delayed… We must have the political will, financial commitment and community engagement to ensure a long-lasting and sustainable solution (for their conservation),” Legarda said.
Legarda also expressed dismay over the mushrooming of houses made of galvanized iron sheets in villages in the terraces, as these are no longer reminiscent of the traditional Ifugao houses.
Recently, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante-Mindanao Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. filed House Resolution 2130 for an inquiry into the alleged failure of some government agencies to release funds for the terraces’ rehabilitation.
Earlier, Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang said they needed at least P200 million to restore the terraces. - By Charlie Lagasca

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News Update ‘Inside Malacañang’ offers exclusive glimpse inside presidential palace

Filipinos will soon have a chance to look behind Malacañang’s guarded gates and get a glimpse of the daily lives of the people who’ve devoted their lives to protect the president through the National Geographic documentary, Inside Malacanang.

Apart from the goings-on within the presidential palace, the documentary spotlights four important men who make the president’s job easier: his personal taste tester Senior Police Officer 3 Jaime Castro, the head of the Presidential Security Group Colonel Ramon Mateo Dizon, his personal body guard Senior Police Officer 4 Lito Africano, and his official photographer Jay Morales.

At the documentary’s premiere, President Benigno Aquino III revealed he’s a fan of similar documentaries, such as NatGeo’s Inside the White House and Inside Air Force One. “This documentary will open up the palace not only to the Philippines, but also the whole world,” he said proudly. He also added, "Inside Malacañang will give you a glimpse of the lives of the four people who work here, [people] who work very closely with me to help me to do my work as president,” saying that the documentary also “immortalizes their hard work and dedication.”

In an interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia, the president commented how Inside Malacañang captured the four men “completely and correctly,” he said. The president also revealed how an anecdote in the documentary also brought on memories of his mother, former president Corazon Aquino. “For some strange reason, my mother’s group commander, the present Secretary of National Defense [Victor Gazmin], would be teased by my mother. She would say that his smile seems to be too expensive. I think there was one point where she was saying, ‘I can count on my two hands in the six-and-a-half years that you ever smiled.’ The PSG men are always so serious. My incumbent PSG commander also practically didn’t smile during the almost one-hour [documentary] so I don’t know if that’s a qualification for the job,” he chuckled.

The president also praised the documentary’s visuals. “I was surprised how Malacañang looked, it looked better. [The filmmakers] really captured it in a different light.”

This almost two-year production is a dream that’s come into fruition for the people behind the documentary.

Jude Turcuato, Fox International Channels vice-president and territory head for the Philippines, said at the premiere that this is the first for the Philippines, as most of the documentaries about the country only made it to the channel if they featured tragic events or controversies. “We needed to produce something that wasn’t born out of any controversy, and was conceptualized by Filipinos, about Filipinos, produced by Filipinos, directed by Filipinos and funded by the local Philippine office.”

The documentary has so impressed National Geographic that they have picked it up for international distribution for the rest of the world to see. “We can be united and proud of what we can accomplish and show the world that we can compete in producing high quality, factual entertainment,” Turcuato said.

Producer and Director Marnie Manicad echoes Turcuato’s sentiment, and describes the challenges her production team faced when filming Inside Malacañang. “[It was] challenging because in doing this documentary, we had to convince the very, very, very strict presidential security group to allow us to film inside Malacañang and get to know its secrets without jeopardizing presidential or national security. In doing so, the PSG has not only opened the doors of Malacañang to our production team but now the entire world, giving us insight into what Malacañang means to us as Filipinos and the sacrifices that the PSG will do in order to protect the president, which I believe reflects our true character as Filipinos and as a nation.”

"Inside Malacañang" premieres on March 18, 9:00 p.m. on the National Geographic channel.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT ? Conserving Cave-Bats of the Philippines

The Geoffroys Rousette fruit bat is a species commonly found in caves and hunted for food.
The 7,107 islands of the Philippines one of the world's top ten biodiversity "hotspots" are home to a diverse and invaluable community of 74 species of bats. But their very existence is threatened every day. Philippine bats are relentlessly hunted as bushmeat, and their cave roosts are lost to improper guano mining, recreational caving and the commercial harvesting of swiftlet nests used in bird-nest soup. Their populations are declining throughout the islands.

Bat Conservation International has been working with dedicated partners in the Philippines since 2006 to reverse the dire threats to these bats through conservation, education and research.

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News Update Facebook 'Likes' raise funds for seeing-eye dogs

A non-profit organization is running a campaign on social networking site Facebook to convert Likes into a guide dog for the blind.
Tech site Mashable reported that for every 5,000 Likes, Explore.org will donate funding to train and gift a guide dog for the blind during the month of March.
“The hope is that the campaign will shine a light on the incredible bond between guide dogs and their owners, as well as create better awareness to help streamline the dog donation process and better serve the blind,” Mashable quoted an Explore.org representative as saying.
It said Explore.org's "Dog Bless You" hopes to garner 300,000 new Likes, to fund the training of 60 seeing eye dogs through a partner guide dog organization.
“(Dogs) improve the human experience in amazing ways ... Seeing eye dogs are among the most dramatic examples of that,” Charlie Weingarten, founder and community curator of "Dog Bless You."
Mashable noted "Dog Bless You," a one-year-old network, has a fairly large community, with nearly 300,000 Likes to date.
Earlier "Dog Bless You" campaigns have paired service dogs with military veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, brought search and rescue dogs to Japan after the earthquake and supported dogs belonging to people who are homeless.
The latest campaign of "Dog Bless You" hopes it can both connect more visually impaired Americans with seeing eye dogs and build a stronger network of supporters. — TJD

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News Update DOE reduces power reserve in Mindanao

ILIGAN CITY ,Philippines – The Department of Energy (DOE) said it would lower the power reserve in the Mindanao grid after some 20 congressmen appealed for shorter power outages in some parts of the island.
Iligan Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr., vice chairman of the House committee on power, said the DOE agreed during a special meeting attended by representatives of the National Power Corp., National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, Energy Regulatory Commission and some non-government organizations last Tuesday to reduce the power reserve margin from 250 megawatts to 100 MW and allow Mindanao power utilities to use 150 MW.
Consumers had complained that the NGCP had imposed two-and-a-half-hour rotating power outages every day in some parts of Mindanao last month.
The NGCP claimed it has to cut power since the available energy is only 1,149 MW while the peak demand as of March 13 was 1,300 MW.
Belmonte said that since Iligan City is host to Agus 5, 6 and 7 hydroelectric power plants, it should at least be given the privilege to reduce power curtailment hours.
He said the same privilege should be accorded to Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, adding that the move was supported by the DOE and NGCP.
Meanwhile, the Iligan City government in coordination with local power utility Iligan Light and Power Inc. are discussing with industrial plants here to assign its unused power allocation.
However, Belmonte said these measures would lessen the duration of power outages only for a short term. He stressed the need to rehabilitate the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric plants and operate the Iligan diesel power plant as long-term solutions to the power crisis.
Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Luwalhati Antonino said the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) would convene key power industry players and stakeholders to address issues on rotating blackouts affecting several areas in the south.
“We are confronted with this problem in Mindanao on a recurring fashion and it’s time we deal with this quickly and decisively,” Antonino said.
“MinDA is currently putting together a position paper and consolidating the inputs from rounds of stakeholder consultations, including Mindanao lawmakers, so that all of us are on same page on this issue,” she said.
During the House committee on energy, Antonino had inquired on the status of dredging projects that were seen to improve the generating capacity of hydropower plants. – With Edith Regalado - By Lino De La Cruz

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