The Department of Social Welfare and Development is planning to utilize the country’s excess rice imports for its feeding program in day care centers operating mostly among poor communities in the country, DSWD Secretary Corazon “Dinky" Soliman said on Saturday.
Soliman said the DSWD will use the National Food Authority (NFA)’s excess rice stocks to feed over 1.5 million children from 48,000 day care centers all over the country.
“We agreed on the basic framework na isa nga sa mga gagawin sa (that one of the uses for) NFA rice is to use it in DWSD’s supplemental feeding in day care centers," she told GMANews.TV in a phone interview after a meeting with representatives from the NFA and the Department of Agriculture in Malacañang on Saturday.
The DSWD chief said the program, which will be called Lugawang Pinoy (Pinoy rice gruel) will address “undernourishment and malnutrition of these school children."
She added that the department will determine over the weekend how much rice it will need for the feeding program, which is expected to last for six months in poor-community day care centers chosen by the DSWD.
President Benigno Aquino III said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday that rice stocks were rotting in NFA warehouses during the past months because the previous administration overbought the staple food in 2007 to fill in the demand-supply gap. (See: Aquino: Rice rotted in NFA warehouses)
Due to this, the NFA has created an audit team to investigate the system in place on how the agency buys and imports rice, while various groups have called on the agency to distribute the excess rice to poor families. (See: NFA audit team to probe reported rice anomalies)
Food for work
Soliman however said that the government decided not just to give away the excess rice to poor families to avoid the “implication of mendicancy."
“This is taking away the mendicancy implication and the notion of patron-client relationship between the government and the poor. ‘Yung mga mahihirap naman nating kababayan, gusto rin nilang igalang at ipakita na kaya nila magtrabaho (Those among our people who are poor also want some respect, and to show that they are able to work)," she said.
She added that the DSWD and other government agencies will meet again on Monday to discuss the mechanics of its proposed “Food for Work" program, which will allow poor Filipinos to do community service in exchange of rice.
Those who will be chosen for the program will be tapped for the clean-up of Metro Manila and other ecotourism sites such as the Banaue Rice Terraces, according to Soliman.
The DSWD secretary likewise said that the government agency will coordinate closely with the Department of Interior and Local Government to make sure that local government units will effectively implement the program among their respective constituencies. —JV
Saturday, July 31, 2010
News Update Fil-Am’s bail raised to $1.5-M in murder of own son
CHICAGO – A Filipino-American’s bail was raised on Monday to $1.5-M, after being found guilty of killing his 19-year-old son in Hawaii two years.
Following the raised bail, former newspaper employee Jose D. Antonio Sr., 47, is due in court on August 11 to turn over his Philippine passport to his lawyer Philip Henry Lowenthal, who is already in possession of his U.S. passport.
Antonio is in detention at the Maui Community Correctional Center, and faces mandatory life imprisonment with a minimum parole date after 20 years.
The state of Hawaii has no death penalty.
Initially held on a $350,000 bond, Antonio was charged with two counts of murder in the second degree for killing his son Jose “JR" Jr. with a semi-automatic firearm, in a fatal confrontation that began with an argument over a video game cord on Dec. 16, 2008 in their Kahului home.
When state prosecutor, Melinda Kathleen Mendes, raised the possibility of Antonio jumping bail and fleeing to the Philippines, Second Circuit Judge Joel August raised the bail to $1-M. But during the reading of the verdict last July 20, Judge August further raised the bail to $1.5 and ordered the confiscation of his passport.
In the bench trial of the case, the court employed an Ilocano interpreter for the benefit of Antonio, who is believed to be from the Ilocos region in the Philippines.
A few hours before the shooting, Antonio’s wife, Zenaida, confronted him about going to the Philippines with another woman.
According to The Maui News, later that evening, the elder Antonio had been drinking with relatives and friends in the garage of the main house. He and his son then had an argument over a video-game cord running from a living room computer to the son's bedroom, where he was playing an online game.
The father had repeatedly asked the son to remove the cord, saying someone might trip over it.
The son then asked his father about the $1,400 borrowed partly from him to settle gambling debts. At one point, the father slapped his son and both threw money at each other that the father tried to repay the son.
The son lifted one end of a couch and punched a hole in a closet during the confrontation. The father pulled out the video-game cord twice that night, breaking it the second time.
Antonio said he heard his son swear in his bedroom when the cord broke. Antonio testified that he was scared when he went into his bedroom, got and loaded his gun and went outside.
He said his son had kicked open the screen door, swearing, and had a hand on the father's neck before he fired. His son sustained five gunshot wounds.
Antonio, a former pressman of The Maui News, drove away from the house on board his truck. He gave himself up to the Wailuku Police Station shortly afterward.
Court record shows that Antonio was born in the Philippines. He became a U.S. citizen in 1991.
Antonio’s lawyer argued that his client should either be acquitted or found guilty of a lesser charge of manslaughter based on the evidence that he was under extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time of the shooting.—CGL/JV
Following the raised bail, former newspaper employee Jose D. Antonio Sr., 47, is due in court on August 11 to turn over his Philippine passport to his lawyer Philip Henry Lowenthal, who is already in possession of his U.S. passport.
Antonio is in detention at the Maui Community Correctional Center, and faces mandatory life imprisonment with a minimum parole date after 20 years.
The state of Hawaii has no death penalty.
Initially held on a $350,000 bond, Antonio was charged with two counts of murder in the second degree for killing his son Jose “JR" Jr. with a semi-automatic firearm, in a fatal confrontation that began with an argument over a video game cord on Dec. 16, 2008 in their Kahului home.
When state prosecutor, Melinda Kathleen Mendes, raised the possibility of Antonio jumping bail and fleeing to the Philippines, Second Circuit Judge Joel August raised the bail to $1-M. But during the reading of the verdict last July 20, Judge August further raised the bail to $1.5 and ordered the confiscation of his passport.
In the bench trial of the case, the court employed an Ilocano interpreter for the benefit of Antonio, who is believed to be from the Ilocos region in the Philippines.
A few hours before the shooting, Antonio’s wife, Zenaida, confronted him about going to the Philippines with another woman.
According to The Maui News, later that evening, the elder Antonio had been drinking with relatives and friends in the garage of the main house. He and his son then had an argument over a video-game cord running from a living room computer to the son's bedroom, where he was playing an online game.
The father had repeatedly asked the son to remove the cord, saying someone might trip over it.
The son then asked his father about the $1,400 borrowed partly from him to settle gambling debts. At one point, the father slapped his son and both threw money at each other that the father tried to repay the son.
The son lifted one end of a couch and punched a hole in a closet during the confrontation. The father pulled out the video-game cord twice that night, breaking it the second time.
Antonio said he heard his son swear in his bedroom when the cord broke. Antonio testified that he was scared when he went into his bedroom, got and loaded his gun and went outside.
He said his son had kicked open the screen door, swearing, and had a hand on the father's neck before he fired. His son sustained five gunshot wounds.
Antonio, a former pressman of The Maui News, drove away from the house on board his truck. He gave himself up to the Wailuku Police Station shortly afterward.
Court record shows that Antonio was born in the Philippines. He became a U.S. citizen in 1991.
Antonio’s lawyer argued that his client should either be acquitted or found guilty of a lesser charge of manslaughter based on the evidence that he was under extreme mental or emotional disturbance at the time of the shooting.—CGL/JV
News Update PAL grounds flights
MANILA - GOOD morning, passengers, and welcome aboard. We're expecting clear skies today, but we're out of pilots.
National air carrier Philippine Airlines had to cancel at least five flights on Saturday - one to Hong Kong, the others to domestic destinations - after several Airbus A320 pilots decamped for jobs abroad.
Brain drain - the decamping of professionals, including teachers and nurses, for better jobs abroad - has long plagued the impoverished South-east Asian nation. About 10 percent of the population of 94 million works abroad, sending home the money that provides the bloodline for the economy.
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo went on TV and radio stations to apologise to the public for the cancellations, which he said were caused by the sudden departure of nearly dozen pilots for better-paying jobs overseas.
He said the pilots did not inform the management, but that this was not a group action. 'In the past few days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us,' Mr Gesmundo said.
He said the airline was adjusting its schedule and will probably bring in bigger aircraft to accommodate the stranded passengers. The indebted flag carrier has said it would lay off some of its 8,000-strong work force because of financial losses in the third straight year.
At least 11 flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines were canceled Saturday, supposedly due to lack of pilots.
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo admitted the problem was caused by a “brain drain" as some PAL pilots have applied for work in other airlines without informing PAL management.
“May kinalaman sa kakulangan ng piloto. For the past days may piloto di nagpaalam, umalis sa kanilang duty kaya namomroblema kami (This has something to do with the lack of pilots. In past days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He apologized for the disruption in flights and downplayed the situation, saying less than a dozen pilots were involved in the situation.
Also, he said the absence of pilots was not a group action.
Gesmundo said they are still adjusting flight schedules, saying PAL management expects the situation to normalize “in few days." He did not elaborate.
A report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said at least 13 local and five international flights were also delayed.
Some of the delayed flights are:
PR-318, PR-313, PR-319 (to Hong Kong)
PR-843 and 844, to and from Cebu PR-181 and 182, to and from Cagayan PR-133 and 134, to and from Bacolod PR-147 and 148, to and from Iloilo Noynoy intervention
Meanwhile, a senior Catholic bishop asked President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to intervene in the row over PAL restructuring plan, which he said may affect thousands of workers.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Aquino can “prove his sincerity" for the ordinary Filipinos with his "immediate" intervention.
“We ask the President to resolve this issue… especially for new Labor Secretary [Rosalinda] Baldoz to look into the matter," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site.
Pabillo also heads the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP).
He added the labor dispute is a “test case" on whether the Aquino administration will favor the ordinary laborers facing risk of losing their jobs.
PAL is part of a group of companies owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan.
Last June, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed the PAL management to outsource critical operations, a move that may cost some 3,500 of the airline's 7,500 employees their jobs.
The PAL Employees’ Association criticized the decision, which former Acting Labor Secretary Romeo Lagman said was a valid exercise of management prerogative.
But Pabillo said PAL's move infringes provisions against labor contracting and on-job security contained within the company’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“There are existing policies against labor contracting even within the airline company so it’s unbelievable that the DOLE came out with such ruling," he said.
On the other hand, Pabillo urged Baldoz to review the decision and decide based on what is “moral" and “legally right" and not according to pressure by some big and influential businessmen.
An international labor group earlier sought Aquino's help to resolve the labor dispute.
London-based International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said the PAL spin-off is a union-busting move, because affected employees are all union members.
While ITF general secretary David Cockroft affirms that the aviation industry has been hit hard by the economic crisis, this should not be used as ground to attack the rights of workers.
“ITF affiliates are clear that aviation workers are not responsible for the crisis but have borne a disproportionate burden of its cost," Cockroft said. — LBG,
National air carrier Philippine Airlines had to cancel at least five flights on Saturday - one to Hong Kong, the others to domestic destinations - after several Airbus A320 pilots decamped for jobs abroad.
Brain drain - the decamping of professionals, including teachers and nurses, for better jobs abroad - has long plagued the impoverished South-east Asian nation. About 10 percent of the population of 94 million works abroad, sending home the money that provides the bloodline for the economy.
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo went on TV and radio stations to apologise to the public for the cancellations, which he said were caused by the sudden departure of nearly dozen pilots for better-paying jobs overseas.
He said the pilots did not inform the management, but that this was not a group action. 'In the past few days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us,' Mr Gesmundo said.
He said the airline was adjusting its schedule and will probably bring in bigger aircraft to accommodate the stranded passengers. The indebted flag carrier has said it would lay off some of its 8,000-strong work force because of financial losses in the third straight year.
At least 11 flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines were canceled Saturday, supposedly due to lack of pilots.
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo admitted the problem was caused by a “brain drain" as some PAL pilots have applied for work in other airlines without informing PAL management.
“May kinalaman sa kakulangan ng piloto. For the past days may piloto di nagpaalam, umalis sa kanilang duty kaya namomroblema kami (This has something to do with the lack of pilots. In past days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He apologized for the disruption in flights and downplayed the situation, saying less than a dozen pilots were involved in the situation.
Also, he said the absence of pilots was not a group action.
Gesmundo said they are still adjusting flight schedules, saying PAL management expects the situation to normalize “in few days." He did not elaborate.
A report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said at least 13 local and five international flights were also delayed.
Some of the delayed flights are:
PR-318, PR-313, PR-319 (to Hong Kong)
PR-843 and 844, to and from Cebu PR-181 and 182, to and from Cagayan PR-133 and 134, to and from Bacolod PR-147 and 148, to and from Iloilo Noynoy intervention
Meanwhile, a senior Catholic bishop asked President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to intervene in the row over PAL restructuring plan, which he said may affect thousands of workers.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Aquino can “prove his sincerity" for the ordinary Filipinos with his "immediate" intervention.
“We ask the President to resolve this issue… especially for new Labor Secretary [Rosalinda] Baldoz to look into the matter," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site.
Pabillo also heads the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP).
He added the labor dispute is a “test case" on whether the Aquino administration will favor the ordinary laborers facing risk of losing their jobs.
PAL is part of a group of companies owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan.
Last June, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed the PAL management to outsource critical operations, a move that may cost some 3,500 of the airline's 7,500 employees their jobs.
The PAL Employees’ Association criticized the decision, which former Acting Labor Secretary Romeo Lagman said was a valid exercise of management prerogative.
But Pabillo said PAL's move infringes provisions against labor contracting and on-job security contained within the company’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“There are existing policies against labor contracting even within the airline company so it’s unbelievable that the DOLE came out with such ruling," he said.
On the other hand, Pabillo urged Baldoz to review the decision and decide based on what is “moral" and “legally right" and not according to pressure by some big and influential businessmen.
An international labor group earlier sought Aquino's help to resolve the labor dispute.
London-based International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said the PAL spin-off is a union-busting move, because affected employees are all union members.
While ITF general secretary David Cockroft affirms that the aviation industry has been hit hard by the economic crisis, this should not be used as ground to attack the rights of workers.
“ITF affiliates are clear that aviation workers are not responsible for the crisis but have borne a disproportionate burden of its cost," Cockroft said. — LBG,
News Update PDEA awards P5M to 6 informants in drive vs illegal drugs
Six people on Friday received a total of P5-million reward from the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDEA) for their contributions in the campaign against illegal drugs trade.
The PDEA gave the reward to the six people – who took part in the agency's "PDEA Operation: Private Eye" – during the agency’s eighth anniversary celebration.
"These concerned citizens provided vital information that aided PDEA and other drug law enforcement agencies in the conduct of anti-drug operations against high-value targets," said the PDEA in a statement. But it did not identify the six cash-award recipients for security reasons.
Also at Friday’s event, the PDEA gave GMA News anchor Mike Enriquez, host of television program Imbestigador, a non-cash award.
Nine government officials were also given the “PDEA Director General's Award," including Rep. Roque Ablan, chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, and Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, former chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
During the event, PDEA director general and Senior Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago highlighted his agency's accomplishments from its founding on July 30, 2002.
PDEA was among the "Top 10 Least Corrupt Agencies of the Philippine Government" in the 2009 Global Competitiveness Survey Report.
"This feat is unusual for a law enforcement agency, but our continuous cleansing of ranks and anti-corruption initiatives catapulted us to the height of positive public perception," Santiago said.— Mark Merueñas/LBG,
The PDEA gave the reward to the six people – who took part in the agency's "PDEA Operation: Private Eye" – during the agency’s eighth anniversary celebration.
"These concerned citizens provided vital information that aided PDEA and other drug law enforcement agencies in the conduct of anti-drug operations against high-value targets," said the PDEA in a statement. But it did not identify the six cash-award recipients for security reasons.
Also at Friday’s event, the PDEA gave GMA News anchor Mike Enriquez, host of television program Imbestigador, a non-cash award.
Nine government officials were also given the “PDEA Director General's Award," including Rep. Roque Ablan, chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, and Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, former chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
During the event, PDEA director general and Senior Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago highlighted his agency's accomplishments from its founding on July 30, 2002.
PDEA was among the "Top 10 Least Corrupt Agencies of the Philippine Government" in the 2009 Global Competitiveness Survey Report.
"This feat is unusual for a law enforcement agency, but our continuous cleansing of ranks and anti-corruption initiatives catapulted us to the height of positive public perception," Santiago said.— Mark Merueñas/LBG,
News Update 2 diamond thieves caught
By Bryan Huang
TWO suspected diamond thieves were arrested at the Singapore International Jewellery Show on Thursday, said police.
The two suspects, aged 39 and 42, were spotted behaving suspiciously at one of the booths by police officers conducting anti-crime rounds during at the event, held at the Marina Bay Sands.
One was seen talking to an exhibitor while the other appeared to be taking something from the booth.
Both men left then left in a hurry. The officers immediately gave chase and detained the two outside the exhibition hall.
Two diamonds valued about $10,000 in total belonging to the exhibitor were found on one suspect.
They will be charged in court on Saturday.
Officers also arrested a 43-year-old Filipina woman after she was observed to be following visitors to the show closely and was believed to have attempted to steal from their bags.
TWO suspected diamond thieves were arrested at the Singapore International Jewellery Show on Thursday, said police.
The two suspects, aged 39 and 42, were spotted behaving suspiciously at one of the booths by police officers conducting anti-crime rounds during at the event, held at the Marina Bay Sands.
One was seen talking to an exhibitor while the other appeared to be taking something from the booth.
Both men left then left in a hurry. The officers immediately gave chase and detained the two outside the exhibition hall.
Two diamonds valued about $10,000 in total belonging to the exhibitor were found on one suspect.
They will be charged in court on Saturday.
Officers also arrested a 43-year-old Filipina woman after she was observed to be following visitors to the show closely and was believed to have attempted to steal from their bags.
News Update CCTV shows Rep. Singson 'eludes' airport X-ray machine
Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson, now detained in Hong Kong for alleged possession of illegal drugs, did not pass through the mandatory metal detector and X-ray screening at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), a closed-circuit television footage obtained by GMA News showed.
In an exclusive report by GMA News’ John Consulta on “24 Oras", said Singson left on July 11, escorted by an airport personnel, who may have allowed him to bring illegal substances to Hong Kong. The footage showed that the lawmaker entered the airport past 5 p.m. with another passenger, accompanied by two men believed to be airport personnel – one in white shirt and another in long-sleeves. The two men went straight to the NAIA officer of the day and handed over Singson and his companion's passports and other documents.
The officer then marked their papers and handed them back to the two passengers.
Singson was showed in the video clip to be wearing a T-shirt and dark pants, where the illegal substances were reportedly discovered by Hong Kong authorities.
Singson's escort in white shirt entered the portion where passengers are supposed to line up for X-ray screening, and the lawmaker followed for a while and walked by the side of the queue and did not pass through the X-ray machine. Singson was arrested later upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport for allegedly possessing 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of prescription medication Valium, a depressant used mainly for treating anxiety. Concerned about some abuses of VIP passes, the Department of Justice (DOJ) vows to investigate the security lapse because this also one of the reasons why syndicates are able to engage in human trafficking.
"We will investigate that, and we're also having problems about ‘yung mga nakakalusot sa human trafficking. Nakakabahala ang mga ganyan," said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in the same newscast. The department is planning to review and possibly scrap the VIP pass system, which according to De Lima is being used by some personnel to escort prominent personalities and earn from tips. "Baka it's proper now to make a major reshuffle or revamp in the NAIA officials and personnel kasi bakit may mga nakakalusot?" she said. 'Undetectable’ But NAIA authorities argued in a separate newscast that while they will investigate if there were lapses in the airport's screening procedures, it may still be possible that small amounts of illegal substances pass through undetected by customary X-ray screening or frisking.
Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Honrado said in a “24 Oras" report by Mark Salazar that he has yet to see the CCTV video clip, but added they have already made progress in the investigations.
“We have identified the persons who are on duty during that day, ‘yung nandun sa main entrance saka yung nandun sa last departure check," Honrado said. He added they have also identified the airport personnel who assisted Singson inside the airport Honrado explained that the CCTV clip may not be able accurately show the circumstances of Singson’s departure, and that they hope to further uncover more facts by questioning the involved airport staff. “Was there really an intent for Congressman Singson to pass though without being checked, or negligent lang sila sa pagchecheck?" he said. However, he added that illegal substances as little in amount as 26.1 grams may not be detected by X-ray machines, or detected by airport police or canine units. “If ever it was detected, were the officers on duty on that day (able to appreciate) kung ano ang nakita nila sa screen sa xray? Kung nasa body naman, was the frisking done according to regulations or courtesy frisking ang ginawa?" he said.
Even officials at the airport immigration have washed their hands off the case, but will still submit a report to the DOJ on the issue. “We are not in any way involved with baggage check and body frisks. So kung masabi nga na, bakit hindi namin nakita na halimbawa may droga, talagang hindi, dahil nga sa dokumento kami at sa pasaporte," explained Ferdie Sampol, chief of the NAIA’s bureau of immigration and deportation, in the newscast.
He added he will submit to the DOJ a report showing that it was not an immigration official who escorted Singson, and that they ensured that Singson was indeed the person shown in the passport he presented. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) meanwhile said it will do its best to follow the DOJ’s directive for a stricter implementation of airport regulations. “We'll see to it that all those who violate the law directly or indirectly are charged and prosecuted in accordance with law," said BI officer in-charge Atty. Ronaldo Ledesma in the same newscast. — Jerrie Abella/LBG
In an exclusive report by GMA News’ John Consulta on “24 Oras", said Singson left on July 11, escorted by an airport personnel, who may have allowed him to bring illegal substances to Hong Kong. The footage showed that the lawmaker entered the airport past 5 p.m. with another passenger, accompanied by two men believed to be airport personnel – one in white shirt and another in long-sleeves. The two men went straight to the NAIA officer of the day and handed over Singson and his companion's passports and other documents.
The officer then marked their papers and handed them back to the two passengers.
Singson was showed in the video clip to be wearing a T-shirt and dark pants, where the illegal substances were reportedly discovered by Hong Kong authorities.
Singson's escort in white shirt entered the portion where passengers are supposed to line up for X-ray screening, and the lawmaker followed for a while and walked by the side of the queue and did not pass through the X-ray machine. Singson was arrested later upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport for allegedly possessing 26.1 grams of cocaine and two tablets of prescription medication Valium, a depressant used mainly for treating anxiety. Concerned about some abuses of VIP passes, the Department of Justice (DOJ) vows to investigate the security lapse because this also one of the reasons why syndicates are able to engage in human trafficking.
"We will investigate that, and we're also having problems about ‘yung mga nakakalusot sa human trafficking. Nakakabahala ang mga ganyan," said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in the same newscast. The department is planning to review and possibly scrap the VIP pass system, which according to De Lima is being used by some personnel to escort prominent personalities and earn from tips. "Baka it's proper now to make a major reshuffle or revamp in the NAIA officials and personnel kasi bakit may mga nakakalusot?" she said. 'Undetectable’ But NAIA authorities argued in a separate newscast that while they will investigate if there were lapses in the airport's screening procedures, it may still be possible that small amounts of illegal substances pass through undetected by customary X-ray screening or frisking.
Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Honrado said in a “24 Oras" report by Mark Salazar that he has yet to see the CCTV video clip, but added they have already made progress in the investigations.
“We have identified the persons who are on duty during that day, ‘yung nandun sa main entrance saka yung nandun sa last departure check," Honrado said. He added they have also identified the airport personnel who assisted Singson inside the airport Honrado explained that the CCTV clip may not be able accurately show the circumstances of Singson’s departure, and that they hope to further uncover more facts by questioning the involved airport staff. “Was there really an intent for Congressman Singson to pass though without being checked, or negligent lang sila sa pagchecheck?" he said. However, he added that illegal substances as little in amount as 26.1 grams may not be detected by X-ray machines, or detected by airport police or canine units. “If ever it was detected, were the officers on duty on that day (able to appreciate) kung ano ang nakita nila sa screen sa xray? Kung nasa body naman, was the frisking done according to regulations or courtesy frisking ang ginawa?" he said.
Even officials at the airport immigration have washed their hands off the case, but will still submit a report to the DOJ on the issue. “We are not in any way involved with baggage check and body frisks. So kung masabi nga na, bakit hindi namin nakita na halimbawa may droga, talagang hindi, dahil nga sa dokumento kami at sa pasaporte," explained Ferdie Sampol, chief of the NAIA’s bureau of immigration and deportation, in the newscast.
He added he will submit to the DOJ a report showing that it was not an immigration official who escorted Singson, and that they ensured that Singson was indeed the person shown in the passport he presented. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) meanwhile said it will do its best to follow the DOJ’s directive for a stricter implementation of airport regulations. “We'll see to it that all those who violate the law directly or indirectly are charged and prosecuted in accordance with law," said BI officer in-charge Atty. Ronaldo Ledesma in the same newscast. — Jerrie Abella/LBG
News Update Lack of pilots forces PAL to cancel 11 flights — spokesman
At least 11 flights of flag carrier Philippine Airlines were canceled Saturday, supposedly due to lack of pilots.
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo admitted the problem was caused by a “brain drain" as some PAL pilots have applied for work in other airlines without informing PAL management.
“May kinalaman sa kakulangan ng piloto. For the past days may piloto di nagpaalam, umalis sa kanilang duty kaya namomroblema kami (This has something to do with the lack of pilots. In past days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He apologized for the disruption in flights and downplayed the situation, saying less than a dozen pilots were involved in the situation.
Also, he said the absence of pilots was not a group action.
Gesmundo said they are still adjusting flight schedules, saying PAL management expects the situation to normalize “in few days." He did not elaborate.
A report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said at least 13 local and five international flights were also delayed.
Some of the delayed flights are:
PR-318, PR-313, PR-319 (to Hong Kong)
PR-843 and 844, to and from Cebu PR-181 and 182, to and from Cagayan PR-133 and 134, to and from Bacolod PR-147 and 148, to and from Iloilo Noynoy intervention
Meanwhile, a senior Catholic bishop asked President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to intervene in the row over PAL restructuring plan, which he said may affect thousands of workers.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Aquino can “prove his sincerity" for the ordinary Filipinos with his "immediate" intervention.
“We ask the President to resolve this issue… especially for new Labor Secretary [Rosalinda] Baldoz to look into the matter," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site.
Pabillo also heads the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP).
He added the labor dispute is a “test case" on whether the Aquino administration will favor the ordinary laborers facing risk of losing their jobs.
PAL is part of a group of companies owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan.
Last June, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed the PAL management to outsource critical operations, a move that may cost some 3,500 of the airline's 7,500 employees their jobs.
The PAL Employees’ Association criticized the decision, which former Acting Labor Secretary Romeo Lagman said was a valid exercise of management prerogative.
But Pabillo said PAL's move infringes provisions against labor contracting and on-job security contained within the company’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“There are existing policies against labor contracting even within the airline company so it’s unbelievable that the DOLE came out with such ruling," he said.
On the other hand, Pabillo urged Baldoz to review the decision and decide based on what is “moral" and “legally right" and not according to pressure by some big and influential businessmen.
An international labor group earlier sought Aquino's help to resolve the labor dispute.
London-based International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said the PAL spin-off is a union-busting move, because affected employees are all union members.
While ITF general secretary David Cockroft affirms that the aviation industry has been hit hard by the economic crisis, this should not be used as ground to attack the rights of workers.
“ITF affiliates are clear that aviation workers are not responsible for the crisis but have borne a disproportionate burden of its cost," Cockroft said. — LBG,
PAL spokesman Jonathan Gesmundo admitted the problem was caused by a “brain drain" as some PAL pilots have applied for work in other airlines without informing PAL management.
“May kinalaman sa kakulangan ng piloto. For the past days may piloto di nagpaalam, umalis sa kanilang duty kaya namomroblema kami (This has something to do with the lack of pilots. In past days, pilots had not been reporting for duty. This has caused problems for us)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He apologized for the disruption in flights and downplayed the situation, saying less than a dozen pilots were involved in the situation.
Also, he said the absence of pilots was not a group action.
Gesmundo said they are still adjusting flight schedules, saying PAL management expects the situation to normalize “in few days." He did not elaborate.
A report by dzBB’s Carlo Mateo said at least 13 local and five international flights were also delayed.
Some of the delayed flights are:
PR-318, PR-313, PR-319 (to Hong Kong)
PR-843 and 844, to and from Cebu PR-181 and 182, to and from Cagayan PR-133 and 134, to and from Bacolod PR-147 and 148, to and from Iloilo Noynoy intervention
Meanwhile, a senior Catholic bishop asked President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to intervene in the row over PAL restructuring plan, which he said may affect thousands of workers.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Aquino can “prove his sincerity" for the ordinary Filipinos with his "immediate" intervention.
“We ask the President to resolve this issue… especially for new Labor Secretary [Rosalinda] Baldoz to look into the matter," he said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site.
Pabillo also heads the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (NASSA-JP).
He added the labor dispute is a “test case" on whether the Aquino administration will favor the ordinary laborers facing risk of losing their jobs.
PAL is part of a group of companies owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan.
Last June, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed the PAL management to outsource critical operations, a move that may cost some 3,500 of the airline's 7,500 employees their jobs.
The PAL Employees’ Association criticized the decision, which former Acting Labor Secretary Romeo Lagman said was a valid exercise of management prerogative.
But Pabillo said PAL's move infringes provisions against labor contracting and on-job security contained within the company’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“There are existing policies against labor contracting even within the airline company so it’s unbelievable that the DOLE came out with such ruling," he said.
On the other hand, Pabillo urged Baldoz to review the decision and decide based on what is “moral" and “legally right" and not according to pressure by some big and influential businessmen.
An international labor group earlier sought Aquino's help to resolve the labor dispute.
London-based International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) said the PAL spin-off is a union-busting move, because affected employees are all union members.
While ITF general secretary David Cockroft affirms that the aviation industry has been hit hard by the economic crisis, this should not be used as ground to attack the rights of workers.
“ITF affiliates are clear that aviation workers are not responsible for the crisis but have borne a disproportionate burden of its cost," Cockroft said. — LBG,
Just Ask when you build house in Philippine need to apply for a permit ?
Hi Lee eng let put in this way,it is wise to apply for a building permit and work with the local building department for legal, safety, and insurance reasons. Some contractors will arrange this for you but others will advise you to do it yourself, but what I heard from the local if contractor apply for a building permit the building-officials at the Municipality might abuse the situation and demand extra payment…you know, the usual stuff.
Besides enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing your project meets safety and quality standards, you may also gain protection down the road. Without the Philippine building permits requirements and adherence to the corresponding inspection process, you may find yourself defending shoddy or unsafe work. Having worked with a permit to build in the Philippines also comes in handy when you sell your house, because real estate laws may require you to disclose whether the Philippine Building Code has been respected.
It is better to work within local building codes. Philippine building permits give you or your contractor formal approval to start a construction project. But before applying for a permit, make sure the construction of your house or commercial building is allowed by your local (subdivision-) building and zoning codes. Local building codes are based in part on standards set by regional- and national code organizations. These organizations work to ensure that homes are built and remodeled to meet reasonable safety requirements.
Besides enjoying the peace of mind that comes from knowing your project meets safety and quality standards, you may also gain protection down the road. Without the Philippine building permits requirements and adherence to the corresponding inspection process, you may find yourself defending shoddy or unsafe work. Having worked with a permit to build in the Philippines also comes in handy when you sell your house, because real estate laws may require you to disclose whether the Philippine Building Code has been respected.
It is better to work within local building codes. Philippine building permits give you or your contractor formal approval to start a construction project. But before applying for a permit, make sure the construction of your house or commercial building is allowed by your local (subdivision-) building and zoning codes. Local building codes are based in part on standards set by regional- and national code organizations. These organizations work to ensure that homes are built and remodeled to meet reasonable safety requirements.
Kopi Talk Street children excel in soccer
Hi bvillegas you are right to the dot, where I come football or soccer is a popular sport in Singapore, like Pele was been idolized and local QUAH Kim Song, one of the most recognisable faces in local football who had contributed to Singapore football for nearly 40 year. In Singapore when come to world cup peoples all walk of life can loose sleep over it. I did asked myself during my school day if I'm a talented young athlete. Would I rather be a doctor, a lawyer, or a Singapore soccer star? Chances are, once I realized how little Singapore pay their professional soccer players those day, I probably choose one of the first two.
Sayson parallels the specific phenomenon of basketball in the Philippines, as a participatory as well as a spectator sport, to the rise of the game in America's inner cities. "It's because it's so cheap and the Philippines is a very poor country," he says. "You need a field for soccer or baseball; for basketball, you can make a hole in a bushel basket and set up court in an alley."
Posted by bvillegas
It may seem that only rich Filipinos are interested in soccer. Only residents of condominium apartments in Makati and Fort Bonifacio and the posh subdivisions in Makati and Alabang were waking up at 2:30 a.m. to watch some of the crucial games in the recent World Cup in South Africa. Among other reasons, they were the only ones who could afford Skycable or the Balls channel which transmitted live the soccer matches. In fact, the A and B homes had sleepless nights switching from Wimbledon to South Africa, as they saw Federer lose to Berdych or Nadal win over the latter in three sets while almost simultaneously seeing the Netherlands beating Brazil or Germany demolishing Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals. Fortunately for the economic elite, the Wimbledon matches were over when the semi-finals and final matches in South Africa were played. They could focus on soccer during the second week of July.
It may also seem that only the children of the elite can show some interest in soccer while Filipinos from all the social classes are obsessed with basketball. There were millions more Filipinos following the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry in the US NBA than the World Cup games which were attracting billions of soccer fans in all the continents. Thanks to the priests of Don Bosco and private foundations like the Henry V. Moran Foundation, however, some of the poorest Filipinos are excelling in soccer. As reported in Malaya last March 26, 2010, a contingent of street children from the Philippines beat stronger teams from Brazil and South Africa (where soccer is almost a religion) in the First Deliotte Street Child World Cup in Durban, South Africa, last March. As Jerome Lagunzad reported in Malaya, "Dubbed the 'Miracle' team, the Filipinos stamped their mark against heavily favored foreign teams in the eight-team field in Durban, bouncing back from two humbling defeats to finish fifth overall and bag the 'Shield' Trophy, the top prize in the consolation round. After absorbing losses at the hands of United Kingdom and Tanzania, the Filipinos redeemed themselves, pulling off a 6-2 shocker over powerhouse Brazil and scoring a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over host South Africa." The participation of the Filipino street children in this event which was a prequel to the World Cup was dubbed "miraculous" because of the almost impossible hurdles that they had to overcome. Some of the kids could not get passports because they did not have birth certificates. The funding for the travel and the board and lodging costs did not come till the very last minute. As the RP team manager, Craig Burrows, said: "This is a miracle because we've experienced so many miracles along the way." An example was the almost last-minute decision of Amos Trust, established 25 years ago to promote justice and hope to forgotten communities to bankroll the team's airfare and other travel expenses. Other benefactors were Peter Moran of the Henry Moran Foundation, Fr. Rocky Evangelista of Tuloy sa Don Bosco (an institution for street children), Derek Page of the British Embassy, and Miles Roces, who represented Manny Pacquiao, one of the team's chief backers. This will not be the last time some of the poorest Filipinos can prove that we can excel in soccer if only there is sufficient financial support from interested parties. As I have said many times in these columns, not all the money in the world will enable us to capture world titles in basketball. We do not have the likes of Pau Gasol. But we can have the likes of Lionel Messi, the world's most valuable soccer player. One of the private groups that are helping develop the soccer skills of poor children is the Henry V. Moran Foundation, a non-profit organization, which started as a result of several projects to help improve the plight of the poor thorough education, livelihood, and community development. Danny Moran, second of the seven children of Henry V. Moran and Edita Moran, had been actively working with kids who have less in life through sports, football in particular. Others involved in the promotion of soccer are Alaska Foundation, put up by the Alaska Milk Corporation; Gawad Kalinga; Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang, Manila Boys' Town in Marikina, Nayon ng Kabataan in Mandaluyong, Football Club Leveriza, Philippine Christian Foundation, Muntinlupa United Football Club, Sisters of Mary in Silang, Cavite, Urban Opportunities for Change, and the Philippine Football Federation. Although it will be an uphill climb, these institutions may yet succeed in attracting more attention to the world's most popular sport - soccer - among Filipinos. If the tradition started by the street children who brought home the bacon from South Africa will be continued, then soccer could be a vehicle for redistributing sports glory, if not income, from the rich to the poor in the Philippines. (For comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.)
Sayson parallels the specific phenomenon of basketball in the Philippines, as a participatory as well as a spectator sport, to the rise of the game in America's inner cities. "It's because it's so cheap and the Philippines is a very poor country," he says. "You need a field for soccer or baseball; for basketball, you can make a hole in a bushel basket and set up court in an alley."
Posted by bvillegas
It may seem that only rich Filipinos are interested in soccer. Only residents of condominium apartments in Makati and Fort Bonifacio and the posh subdivisions in Makati and Alabang were waking up at 2:30 a.m. to watch some of the crucial games in the recent World Cup in South Africa. Among other reasons, they were the only ones who could afford Skycable or the Balls channel which transmitted live the soccer matches. In fact, the A and B homes had sleepless nights switching from Wimbledon to South Africa, as they saw Federer lose to Berdych or Nadal win over the latter in three sets while almost simultaneously seeing the Netherlands beating Brazil or Germany demolishing Argentina in the World Cup quarterfinals. Fortunately for the economic elite, the Wimbledon matches were over when the semi-finals and final matches in South Africa were played. They could focus on soccer during the second week of July.
It may also seem that only the children of the elite can show some interest in soccer while Filipinos from all the social classes are obsessed with basketball. There were millions more Filipinos following the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry in the US NBA than the World Cup games which were attracting billions of soccer fans in all the continents. Thanks to the priests of Don Bosco and private foundations like the Henry V. Moran Foundation, however, some of the poorest Filipinos are excelling in soccer. As reported in Malaya last March 26, 2010, a contingent of street children from the Philippines beat stronger teams from Brazil and South Africa (where soccer is almost a religion) in the First Deliotte Street Child World Cup in Durban, South Africa, last March. As Jerome Lagunzad reported in Malaya, "Dubbed the 'Miracle' team, the Filipinos stamped their mark against heavily favored foreign teams in the eight-team field in Durban, bouncing back from two humbling defeats to finish fifth overall and bag the 'Shield' Trophy, the top prize in the consolation round. After absorbing losses at the hands of United Kingdom and Tanzania, the Filipinos redeemed themselves, pulling off a 6-2 shocker over powerhouse Brazil and scoring a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over host South Africa." The participation of the Filipino street children in this event which was a prequel to the World Cup was dubbed "miraculous" because of the almost impossible hurdles that they had to overcome. Some of the kids could not get passports because they did not have birth certificates. The funding for the travel and the board and lodging costs did not come till the very last minute. As the RP team manager, Craig Burrows, said: "This is a miracle because we've experienced so many miracles along the way." An example was the almost last-minute decision of Amos Trust, established 25 years ago to promote justice and hope to forgotten communities to bankroll the team's airfare and other travel expenses. Other benefactors were Peter Moran of the Henry Moran Foundation, Fr. Rocky Evangelista of Tuloy sa Don Bosco (an institution for street children), Derek Page of the British Embassy, and Miles Roces, who represented Manny Pacquiao, one of the team's chief backers. This will not be the last time some of the poorest Filipinos can prove that we can excel in soccer if only there is sufficient financial support from interested parties. As I have said many times in these columns, not all the money in the world will enable us to capture world titles in basketball. We do not have the likes of Pau Gasol. But we can have the likes of Lionel Messi, the world's most valuable soccer player. One of the private groups that are helping develop the soccer skills of poor children is the Henry V. Moran Foundation, a non-profit organization, which started as a result of several projects to help improve the plight of the poor thorough education, livelihood, and community development. Danny Moran, second of the seven children of Henry V. Moran and Edita Moran, had been actively working with kids who have less in life through sports, football in particular. Others involved in the promotion of soccer are Alaska Foundation, put up by the Alaska Milk Corporation; Gawad Kalinga; Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang, Manila Boys' Town in Marikina, Nayon ng Kabataan in Mandaluyong, Football Club Leveriza, Philippine Christian Foundation, Muntinlupa United Football Club, Sisters of Mary in Silang, Cavite, Urban Opportunities for Change, and the Philippine Football Federation. Although it will be an uphill climb, these institutions may yet succeed in attracting more attention to the world's most popular sport - soccer - among Filipinos. If the tradition started by the street children who brought home the bacon from South Africa will be continued, then soccer could be a vehicle for redistributing sports glory, if not income, from the rich to the poor in the Philippines. (For comments, my e-mail address is bvillegas@uap.edu.ph.)
News Update British author's case adjourned
'Whatever they do to me, it will prove whatever I say in my book,' Shadrake (left) told reporters outside the court after the hearing. 'I'm not a wimp, I'm not a coward. I want to have my day in court... I'm not running away. If I run away, it means I'm guilty.' -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
BRITISH freelance journalist Alan Shadrake made his first appearance in a Singapore court on Friday since making the headlines for his arrest over a book he wrote about the death penalty in Singapore.
But the proceedings, to cite Mr Shadrake for contempt of court, by attacking the independence of the Singapore judiciary, was adjourned for at least three weeks.
This was after Mr Shadrake's lawyer, Mr M. Ravi, sought more time, saying he wanted to file affidavits from the sources that his client had consulted for his book.
Senior Counsel David Chong, from the Attorney-General's Chambers, objected.
In the end, Justice Quentin Loh allowed Mr Shadrake to file an affidavit in two weeks, with the AGC given another week to reply.
The judge said if Mr Ravi wanted to file affidavits from other parties, he could make an urgent application.
Separately, Mr Shadrake is being investigated for criminal defamation and his passport has been impounded by the police.
Mr Shadrake, who is staying with some friends in Sembawang, said he was not running away. 'I'm not a wimp, I'm not a coward, I want to have my day in court.'
News Update MNLF man nabbed over fatal shooting in Cotabato
A member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) was arrested on Thursday for allegedly killing a man in Cotabato City, a belated police report said Friday.
Jonel Pandalat, 25, was nabbed by local police at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for allegedly shooting down Roger Aragona earlier in the day at the corner of Oblate Drive and Governor Gutierrez Avenue in Cotabato City, the report said.
Aragona’s bloodied body was found by police in the said area and was rushed to the hospital after the incident. The victim, however, was declared dead on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds on his head, police said.
Cotabato City police immediately launched pursuit operations, resulting in Pandalat’s arrest. Police recovered an ID inside his wallet identifying him as a member of the MNLF, a secessionist political organization among the Bangsa Moro of Mindanao. A .45-caliber pistol believed used in the Aragona slay, a mobile phone, and cash amounting to P7,000 were also recovered from Pandalat. Police are preparing murder charges against the suspect as of posting time, according to the report.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV,
Jonel Pandalat, 25, was nabbed by local police at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for allegedly shooting down Roger Aragona earlier in the day at the corner of Oblate Drive and Governor Gutierrez Avenue in Cotabato City, the report said.
Aragona’s bloodied body was found by police in the said area and was rushed to the hospital after the incident. The victim, however, was declared dead on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds on his head, police said.
Cotabato City police immediately launched pursuit operations, resulting in Pandalat’s arrest. Police recovered an ID inside his wallet identifying him as a member of the MNLF, a secessionist political organization among the Bangsa Moro of Mindanao. A .45-caliber pistol believed used in the Aragona slay, a mobile phone, and cash amounting to P7,000 were also recovered from Pandalat. Police are preparing murder charges against the suspect as of posting time, according to the report.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV,
News Update Suspected witch hacked to death in Pangasinan
ALASIAO, Pangasinan - A 69-year old woman, who was being suspected as a witch, died after she was stabbed and hacked to death by a 36-year old man, whose relative was one of the alleged victims of the former at Lumban here Thursday afternoon. Superintendent Rodelio Samson, chief of the Calasiao municipal police station, identified the victim as Felicidad Albania. The suspect, identified as Merlo de Leon, also a resident of Lumban, Calasiao, Pangasinan just like the victim, remains at large. Initial showed that the victim has been suspected of being a witch who reportedly toyed with the suspect's female relative, who eventully suffered from mental disorders. Witnesses informed police investigators that the suspect had been seen around Albania's residence over the past several days, obviously conducting a surveillance of the woman's daily routine so that he could work out his plan against her. Albania reported the matter to barangay officials but nothing was done about the said report.
The suspect is now the subject of a manhunt operation by police operatives as murder charges have been filed against him before the provincial prosecutor's office. Some of the victim's neighbors also informed probers that they saw the suspect emerge from the victim's house with a bloodied knife and bolo and blood stains on his clothes. Relatives of the victim vehemently denied the allegation that their dead kin was a witch, saying that such suspicion has never been proven.
The suspect is now the subject of a manhunt operation by police operatives as murder charges have been filed against him before the provincial prosecutor's office. Some of the victim's neighbors also informed probers that they saw the suspect emerge from the victim's house with a bloodied knife and bolo and blood stains on his clothes. Relatives of the victim vehemently denied the allegation that their dead kin was a witch, saying that such suspicion has never been proven.
News Update 2 cities streamline permit processing
CEBU CITY (PNA) - The cities of Cebu and Talisay are looking into the quicker release of business permits, following President Aquino's appeal for local government units (LGUs) to streamline the process.
Cebu City Councilor Joey Daluz, chairman of the City Council committee on budget and finance, said the Council already passed an ordinance streamlining the procedures in renewing business permits in 2008 yet.
The ordinance, which Daluz authored, sought to make it easier for business owners to renew their business permits.
"We will check if that ordinance is being implemented. In line with the call of the President, it is incumbent upon us to review our business permit application process. We have to simplify it because over the years, we have incorporated a lot of requirements. We should keep it to a minimum," said Daluz.
The recent addition to the requirements in applying for a business permit is the environmental sustainability action plan.
Through an ordinance approved last month, the city government required all business owners securing or renewing their business permits to submit the action plan as one of the requirements before a permit is issued.
Among other things, the document should state the nature of the business, the impact of the business's operations on the environment and the community, compliance with the laws and their measures in mitigating the impact on the environment and climate change.
During the public hearing on the measure, local business owners complained that the action plan could turn off business owners, since there are already a lot of requirements in getting the permits. In Talisay City, the local government adopted an "efficient" scheme in issuing or renewing business permits since last year, said City Administrator Richel Bacaltos.
Those applying for new business permits and those who want to renew theirs will no longer have to go from one City Hall office to another, said City Press Information Officer Arturo Bas.
The scheme was aimed at cutting red tape and projecting Talisay City as more investor-friendly.
Under Daluz's ordinance, streamlining the renewal of business permits, an applicant for permit renewal must secure a form at the Business Permit and Licensing Division.
The minimum requirement of a barangay (village) clearance with an official receipt of payment, sanitary permit, real property tax clearance, and lease contract should also be complied with.
Cebu City Councilor Joey Daluz, chairman of the City Council committee on budget and finance, said the Council already passed an ordinance streamlining the procedures in renewing business permits in 2008 yet.
The ordinance, which Daluz authored, sought to make it easier for business owners to renew their business permits.
"We will check if that ordinance is being implemented. In line with the call of the President, it is incumbent upon us to review our business permit application process. We have to simplify it because over the years, we have incorporated a lot of requirements. We should keep it to a minimum," said Daluz.
The recent addition to the requirements in applying for a business permit is the environmental sustainability action plan.
Through an ordinance approved last month, the city government required all business owners securing or renewing their business permits to submit the action plan as one of the requirements before a permit is issued.
Among other things, the document should state the nature of the business, the impact of the business's operations on the environment and the community, compliance with the laws and their measures in mitigating the impact on the environment and climate change.
During the public hearing on the measure, local business owners complained that the action plan could turn off business owners, since there are already a lot of requirements in getting the permits. In Talisay City, the local government adopted an "efficient" scheme in issuing or renewing business permits since last year, said City Administrator Richel Bacaltos.
Those applying for new business permits and those who want to renew theirs will no longer have to go from one City Hall office to another, said City Press Information Officer Arturo Bas.
The scheme was aimed at cutting red tape and projecting Talisay City as more investor-friendly.
Under Daluz's ordinance, streamlining the renewal of business permits, an applicant for permit renewal must secure a form at the Business Permit and Licensing Division.
The minimum requirement of a barangay (village) clearance with an official receipt of payment, sanitary permit, real property tax clearance, and lease contract should also be complied with.
News Update New airport to spur economy
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol - The proposed Panglao International Airport on Panglao Island will be a major factor in spurring the growth not only of Bohol but also of the entire Visayas Region, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto said.
The P7.6-billion proposed international airport, which is now on the bidding stage, will be pursued by the administration of the newly elected governor as Chatto hoped that the project will be implemented soon.
"It's a much delayed project but we are pursuing that direction and we have to implement it," said Chatto. Other than tourism growth, the proposed airport will be a good entry point for the movement of people, goods, and services, thus contributing to the foreseen growth of tourism and economy of the entire province of Bohol.
Chatto said more than the economic and tourism side, the Panglao International Airport will provide safety for travelers, who are currently using the small Tagbilaran Airport, which the governor said has a runway that is below the standards.
"We can't use the Tagbilaran Airport for long. We need the new, larger airport for the safety of our travelers," said Chatto.
Amidst concerns that the construction of the Panglao International Airport (PBIA) will not push through, former President Arroyo recently approved the construction of the runway, control tower, and other navigation facilities using the P4.2 billion ready fund for the project.
Former Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado earlier said the former President has approved the immediate construction of the 2.5-kilometer runway and the installation of the lighting and navigation facilities.
The P7.6-billion proposed international airport, which is now on the bidding stage, will be pursued by the administration of the newly elected governor as Chatto hoped that the project will be implemented soon.
"It's a much delayed project but we are pursuing that direction and we have to implement it," said Chatto. Other than tourism growth, the proposed airport will be a good entry point for the movement of people, goods, and services, thus contributing to the foreseen growth of tourism and economy of the entire province of Bohol.
Chatto said more than the economic and tourism side, the Panglao International Airport will provide safety for travelers, who are currently using the small Tagbilaran Airport, which the governor said has a runway that is below the standards.
"We can't use the Tagbilaran Airport for long. We need the new, larger airport for the safety of our travelers," said Chatto.
Amidst concerns that the construction of the Panglao International Airport (PBIA) will not push through, former President Arroyo recently approved the construction of the runway, control tower, and other navigation facilities using the P4.2 billion ready fund for the project.
Former Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado earlier said the former President has approved the immediate construction of the 2.5-kilometer runway and the installation of the lighting and navigation facilities.
News Update Cavite forbids children below 10 on motorbikes
MUS, Cavite - Children below 10 years old are no longer allowed to ride motorcycles anywhere in Cavite beginning Monday (August 2).
This was confirmed Friday Senior Superintendent Danilo L. Maligalig, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, and Provincial Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco.
Maligalig said the move is aimed at curbing the increase in fatal motorcycle accidents in the province. "Cavite is an accident-prone province, considering the number of highways and secondary roads in the area," he said.
Velasco and Maligalig came to the decision to ban children aged 10 and below from riding motorcycles during a weekend command conference attended by chiefs of police (CoPS) of the province's 19 towns and four cities.
Provincial fiscals and a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) representative were also present at the conference held at the Cavite PPO Headquarters at Camp General Pantaleon Garcia, here. "
Aside from the strict implementation of the helmet measure, we will prohibit children from riding motorcycles traveling along thoroughfares," Velasco told reporters after the conference.
Velasco said he has asked Maligalig to conduct what he called "test cases" as soon as possible on motorcycle drivers violating the "no child rider" policy in the province.
The prosecutor said that motorcycle drivers violating the policy will be charged with child abuse as "they are putting minors at risk or danger."
"There is a law and ordinance against motorcycle drivers taking more than one back riders and allowing a child to ride the two-wheel vehicle. You know, a child have soft bones and it can be fatal for them if the motorcycle meets an accident," said Velasco, once a news reporter before he became a lawyer and eventual provincial prosecutor.
Maligalig said that they will conduct the "test cases" starting on Monday (August 2) and implement the strict "no child rider" policy the following Monday (August 9). He ordered the CoPs in his turf to follow the directives.
"We will arrest violating drivers next Monday. Drivers will be held responsible if they carry with them a child with or without helmet," he said.
This was confirmed Friday Senior Superintendent Danilo L. Maligalig, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, and Provincial Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco.
Maligalig said the move is aimed at curbing the increase in fatal motorcycle accidents in the province. "Cavite is an accident-prone province, considering the number of highways and secondary roads in the area," he said.
Velasco and Maligalig came to the decision to ban children aged 10 and below from riding motorcycles during a weekend command conference attended by chiefs of police (CoPS) of the province's 19 towns and four cities.
Provincial fiscals and a Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) representative were also present at the conference held at the Cavite PPO Headquarters at Camp General Pantaleon Garcia, here. "
Aside from the strict implementation of the helmet measure, we will prohibit children from riding motorcycles traveling along thoroughfares," Velasco told reporters after the conference.
Velasco said he has asked Maligalig to conduct what he called "test cases" as soon as possible on motorcycle drivers violating the "no child rider" policy in the province.
The prosecutor said that motorcycle drivers violating the policy will be charged with child abuse as "they are putting minors at risk or danger."
"There is a law and ordinance against motorcycle drivers taking more than one back riders and allowing a child to ride the two-wheel vehicle. You know, a child have soft bones and it can be fatal for them if the motorcycle meets an accident," said Velasco, once a news reporter before he became a lawyer and eventual provincial prosecutor.
Maligalig said that they will conduct the "test cases" starting on Monday (August 2) and implement the strict "no child rider" policy the following Monday (August 9). He ordered the CoPs in his turf to follow the directives.
"We will arrest violating drivers next Monday. Drivers will be held responsible if they carry with them a child with or without helmet," he said.
News Update Baguio veterinarian warns vs consuming dog meat
BAGUIO CITY - The City Veterinary Office here warned the public not to eat dog meat as doing so compromises the health of humans.
Dr. Brigit Piok, city veterinarian, said dog meat should no longer be patronized as they are most-likely infected with dangerous diseases.
Piok said dog meat is not subjected to the appropriate quarantine tests to guarantee its safety for human consumption.
Thus, people have no protection against purchasing double-dead dog meat, she added.
Eating dog meat is part of the culture of the early people of the Cordillera region.
There are various delicacies of dog meat which is still being sold in the different restaurants in this region.
These include not just the meat but also the insides, dog head and even "dog longaniza" known in these parts as "pinuneg."
Piok said meat eaters must learn to start abandoning dog meat since it contains suspected diseases that could adversely affect one's health.
More importantly, she stressed the need for the public not to patronize dog meat anymore for they do not know where they came from.
The city veterinarian denied claims by dog meat eaters that the same helps in warming one's body, especially during the rainy season, saying that such claims "are just psychological."
Although there is an existing ban on the sale of dog meat nationwide pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act, a number of meat vendors still clandestinely sell dog meat to their patrons under the noses of local market inspectors.
However, the eating of dog meat is not totally banned in Cordillera because dogs can be butchered and offered for indigenous rituals and practices, particularly the so-called "daw-es" or cleansing rituals.
Aside from dogs being butchered in the backyard of some local residents and sold to their neighbors, the supply of dog meat in this mountain resort city and nearby Benguet province comes from as far as Batangas and Laguna.
Enterprising individuals usually buy the cheap dogs from lowland residents, tie their mouths to prevent them from making noises and load them into closed vans en route to this city
Dr. Brigit Piok, city veterinarian, said dog meat should no longer be patronized as they are most-likely infected with dangerous diseases.
Piok said dog meat is not subjected to the appropriate quarantine tests to guarantee its safety for human consumption.
Thus, people have no protection against purchasing double-dead dog meat, she added.
Eating dog meat is part of the culture of the early people of the Cordillera region.
There are various delicacies of dog meat which is still being sold in the different restaurants in this region.
These include not just the meat but also the insides, dog head and even "dog longaniza" known in these parts as "pinuneg."
Piok said meat eaters must learn to start abandoning dog meat since it contains suspected diseases that could adversely affect one's health.
More importantly, she stressed the need for the public not to patronize dog meat anymore for they do not know where they came from.
The city veterinarian denied claims by dog meat eaters that the same helps in warming one's body, especially during the rainy season, saying that such claims "are just psychological."
Although there is an existing ban on the sale of dog meat nationwide pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act, a number of meat vendors still clandestinely sell dog meat to their patrons under the noses of local market inspectors.
However, the eating of dog meat is not totally banned in Cordillera because dogs can be butchered and offered for indigenous rituals and practices, particularly the so-called "daw-es" or cleansing rituals.
Aside from dogs being butchered in the backyard of some local residents and sold to their neighbors, the supply of dog meat in this mountain resort city and nearby Benguet province comes from as far as Batangas and Laguna.
Enterprising individuals usually buy the cheap dogs from lowland residents, tie their mouths to prevent them from making noises and load them into closed vans en route to this city
News Update Suspected NPA rebs burn backhoes, trucks in southern Luzon
Suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) on Thursday burned heavy construction equipment in separate incidents in Occidental Mindoro and Catanduanes, both in southern Luzon, a belated military report said Friday.
A group of 50 suspected rebels under a certain Cipriano Liabres alias Opong torched a backhoe and three dump trucks owned by Goldrich Company in Barangay Balao in Abra de Ilog town in Occidental Mindoro at 4 p.m. Thursday, the report said.
According to 80th Infantry Battalion (IB) commanding officer Col. Rogelio Percol, the burning happened near the site of a new pier being built by the company.
A similar incident also occurred at 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Barihay in San Andres town, Catanduanes, where another suspected NPA group burned a backhoe owned by Sunwest Water and Electric Corp., according to the military report. Elements of the Army’s 83rd IB in Catanduanes conducted strike operations to hunt down the suspected rebels, who reportedly fled to a nearby mountainous area after the incident.
Commanding officer of the 83rd IB Lt. Col. Danilo P. Aquino said the burning happened while a maintenance operation for a circumferential road was being performed. Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) commander Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali said that the burning incidents are “clear manifestations" of the rebel group’s plans to deter development in these areas. The NPA is the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s armed wing.
President Benigno Aquino III said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that he is open to a ceasefire and peace talks with the CPP-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). (See: Aquino ready to talk peace with MILF, CPP-NPA-NDF) The military expressed support for Aquino’s proposal as a way to solve the decades-long insurgency problem, but NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison rejected calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations begin. (See: AFP backs Aquino call to resume peace talks with NDFP)—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV
A group of 50 suspected rebels under a certain Cipriano Liabres alias Opong torched a backhoe and three dump trucks owned by Goldrich Company in Barangay Balao in Abra de Ilog town in Occidental Mindoro at 4 p.m. Thursday, the report said.
According to 80th Infantry Battalion (IB) commanding officer Col. Rogelio Percol, the burning happened near the site of a new pier being built by the company.
A similar incident also occurred at 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Barihay in San Andres town, Catanduanes, where another suspected NPA group burned a backhoe owned by Sunwest Water and Electric Corp., according to the military report. Elements of the Army’s 83rd IB in Catanduanes conducted strike operations to hunt down the suspected rebels, who reportedly fled to a nearby mountainous area after the incident.
Commanding officer of the 83rd IB Lt. Col. Danilo P. Aquino said the burning happened while a maintenance operation for a circumferential road was being performed. Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) commander Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali said that the burning incidents are “clear manifestations" of the rebel group’s plans to deter development in these areas. The NPA is the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)’s armed wing.
President Benigno Aquino III said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that he is open to a ceasefire and peace talks with the CPP-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). (See: Aquino ready to talk peace with MILF, CPP-NPA-NDF) The military expressed support for Aquino’s proposal as a way to solve the decades-long insurgency problem, but NDFP chief political consultant Jose Ma. Sison rejected calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations begin. (See: AFP backs Aquino call to resume peace talks with NDFP)—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV
News Update Binay vows to cut red tape in housing transactions
Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also the country’s housing czar, on Friday promised to reduce excessive government regulation in the processing of housing transactions.
"We will strive to reduce red tape in the processing of housing loans, registration, and issuance of land titles, and housing permits both at the national and local levels," Binay said during his speech at the Metro Manila Business Conference held at the Manila Hotel on Friday.
Binay, who assumed the post of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) head on July 20, said that his agency will hasten the issuance of land titles to intended qualified beneficiaries in all housing projects, including relocation sites.
The HUDCC will also increase its use of idle and underutilized government lands, and rationalize government financing and subsidy for housing and urban development, he added.
"It will be a priority of HUDCC under my stewardship to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing system of end-buyer financing, development financing, the guarantee system, the secondary mortgage market, the community mortgage program, and micro-housing program financing," he said.
To achieve these, Binay said his agency will seek the support of the local government units. "They are in the best position to provide inputs we need in ensuring that our housing programs truly address the housing needs of the locality," he explained.
The HUDCC will also encourage strong private sector support, aside from government help, in implementing localized housing projects for the poor, he said.
Binay said the Bureau of Internal Revenue will be asked to support the proposal to grant capital gains exemption credits to donors of houses in the housing projects of Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, and other non-government organizations.
"This is the approach we took in Makati. I have always maintained that if it can be done in Makati, it can be done nationwide," said the HUDCC chief, who also served as mayor of Makati for four consecutive terms from 1986 to 1998, and for another three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2010.
In the interest of transparency, the vice president said HUDCC will also require the publication of all projects and loans granted by the key shelter agencies in their respective website.
As head of the HUDCC, Binay supervises the operations of the council’s key shelter agencies, namely: the National Housing Authority (NHA), the agency that builds houses for all sectors and manages government estates for resettlement of informal settlers;
the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), which sets standards for housing projects and, as a judicial agency, handles disputes between subdivision property owners and developers;
the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as the Pag-IBIG fund, a trust fund that allows members to secure housing loans;
the Home Guaranty Corp. (HGC), which provides government guarantees for loans that bankroll housing projects;
the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), which buys secondary mortgages; and
the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), a semi-private government entity that manages funds for socialized housing.The HUDCC was formed in 1986 by President Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, “to serve as the highest policy making body for housing and coordinate the activities of government housing agencies."
The HUDCC replaced the Ministry of Human Settlements, which was established during the Marcos administration.
As housing czar, Binay will also be the chairman of all the housing agencies, except for the HGC, which is chaired by the Finance Secretary. —JV
"We will strive to reduce red tape in the processing of housing loans, registration, and issuance of land titles, and housing permits both at the national and local levels," Binay said during his speech at the Metro Manila Business Conference held at the Manila Hotel on Friday.
Binay, who assumed the post of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) head on July 20, said that his agency will hasten the issuance of land titles to intended qualified beneficiaries in all housing projects, including relocation sites.
The HUDCC will also increase its use of idle and underutilized government lands, and rationalize government financing and subsidy for housing and urban development, he added.
"It will be a priority of HUDCC under my stewardship to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing system of end-buyer financing, development financing, the guarantee system, the secondary mortgage market, the community mortgage program, and micro-housing program financing," he said.
To achieve these, Binay said his agency will seek the support of the local government units. "They are in the best position to provide inputs we need in ensuring that our housing programs truly address the housing needs of the locality," he explained.
The HUDCC will also encourage strong private sector support, aside from government help, in implementing localized housing projects for the poor, he said.
Binay said the Bureau of Internal Revenue will be asked to support the proposal to grant capital gains exemption credits to donors of houses in the housing projects of Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, and other non-government organizations.
"This is the approach we took in Makati. I have always maintained that if it can be done in Makati, it can be done nationwide," said the HUDCC chief, who also served as mayor of Makati for four consecutive terms from 1986 to 1998, and for another three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2010.
In the interest of transparency, the vice president said HUDCC will also require the publication of all projects and loans granted by the key shelter agencies in their respective website.
As head of the HUDCC, Binay supervises the operations of the council’s key shelter agencies, namely: the National Housing Authority (NHA), the agency that builds houses for all sectors and manages government estates for resettlement of informal settlers;
the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), which sets standards for housing projects and, as a judicial agency, handles disputes between subdivision property owners and developers;
the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as the Pag-IBIG fund, a trust fund that allows members to secure housing loans;
the Home Guaranty Corp. (HGC), which provides government guarantees for loans that bankroll housing projects;
the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), which buys secondary mortgages; and
the Socialized Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), a semi-private government entity that manages funds for socialized housing.The HUDCC was formed in 1986 by President Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, “to serve as the highest policy making body for housing and coordinate the activities of government housing agencies."
The HUDCC replaced the Ministry of Human Settlements, which was established during the Marcos administration.
As housing czar, Binay will also be the chairman of all the housing agencies, except for the HGC, which is chaired by the Finance Secretary. —JV
Friday, July 30, 2010
News Update Comelec disqualifies Jalosjos daughter as Misamis Occ mayor
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday disqualified the daughter of convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos who won as mayor of Baliangao town in Misamis Occidental during the May elections.
In a five-page decision, the Comelec's Second Division said Svetlana Jalosjos failed to prove that she stayed long enough in Baliangao as a resident to be qualified to run for mayor.
Section 39 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines states that a candidate running for an elective post must be a resident of the municipality or province where he or she is running, for at least a year.
Svetlana won over Agne Yap by only six votes in the last elections.
Statutory rape
Romeo was slapped with two life terms after being convicted with two counts of statutory rape and six counts of acts of lasciviousness against an 11-year-old girl in 1996.
In March 2009, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a commutation order for Jalosjos, after his Good Conduct Time Allowance reduced his sentence to 13 years, five months, and 15 days.
Yet despite the fate that befell the elder Jalosjos, his family continues to reign in Zamboanga del Norte: his son Rommel won the gubernatorial race in Zamboanga Sibugay while another son, Romeo Jr., won as congressman of the province's second district. — RSJ/JV
In a five-page decision, the Comelec's Second Division said Svetlana Jalosjos failed to prove that she stayed long enough in Baliangao as a resident to be qualified to run for mayor.
Section 39 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines states that a candidate running for an elective post must be a resident of the municipality or province where he or she is running, for at least a year.
Svetlana won over Agne Yap by only six votes in the last elections.
Statutory rape
Romeo was slapped with two life terms after being convicted with two counts of statutory rape and six counts of acts of lasciviousness against an 11-year-old girl in 1996.
In March 2009, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a commutation order for Jalosjos, after his Good Conduct Time Allowance reduced his sentence to 13 years, five months, and 15 days.
Yet despite the fate that befell the elder Jalosjos, his family continues to reign in Zamboanga del Norte: his son Rommel won the gubernatorial race in Zamboanga Sibugay while another son, Romeo Jr., won as congressman of the province's second district. — RSJ/JV
News Update Aquino reallocates P1.75-B to calamity funds
To augment the country's nearly depleted calamity funds, President Benigno Aquino III has approved the Department of Budget and Management's proposal to re-allocate P1.75 billion from unused funds to the calamity budget.
The P1.75 billion will be taken from the P3.5 billion allotted for unfilled positions in various agencies, which was not used in the first half of the year, DBM Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad said in a statement on Friday.
The DBM had recommended that the president declare the amount as savings, which he then swiftly approved, Abad said.
Under Section 60 of Republic Act 9970 or the General Appropriations Act of 2010, the President and the heads of other constitutional bodies such as the Senate, the Lower House, the Ombudsman, and constitutional commissions enjoying fiscal autonomy are “authorized to augment any item in this Act from savings in other items of the their respective appropriations."
More sources of funding will have to be sought, Abad said, as the country is set to experience more typhoons in the coming months.
The Arroyo administration released in the first semester of 2010 a total of 70 percent, or some P1.4 billion out of the P2 billion originally allocated for calamity funds, leaving only some P592 million for the Aquino government to work with for the rest of the year.
“Nakapagtataka lang kung bakit halos naubos na ng dating administrasyon ang pondo para sa mga kalamidad sa mga unang buwan ng 2010, ganung batay sa karanasan nila sa mga nakaraang taon, ang panahon ng pagpasok ng tag-ulan at mga bagyo ay nasa bandang gitna hanggang sa mga huling buwan ng taon," said Abad.
(We’re just wondering why the previous administration nearly used up all the calamity funds for the first months of 2010, when based on their experiences in the past years, the rainy season and typhoons come in the middle until the last months of the year.)
Aquino had said in his first State of the Nation Address that P105 million in calamity funds was allocated for the rehabilitation of Pampanga's second district — which Mrs. Arroyo now represents in Congress — when other provinces such as Rizal and Pangasinan suffered far worse when cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng hit the country last year.
While P105 million was allocated to the second district, the three other districts of Pampanga shared the remaining P3 million for the province, Abad also said earlier.
Mrs. Arroyo's spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn had denied that Mrs. Arroyo used the funds for her congressional campaign.
"May P105 million na na-allot, totoo naman yan ... Pero di pa nadi-disburse ang pera, the money is intact. Huwag nila sabihing ginamit sa election (That P105 million was allotted, that’s true… But the money has not yet been disbursed, it is intact. So they shouldn’t say it was used for the election)," Bautista-Horn said.—JV
The P1.75 billion will be taken from the P3.5 billion allotted for unfilled positions in various agencies, which was not used in the first half of the year, DBM Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad said in a statement on Friday.
The DBM had recommended that the president declare the amount as savings, which he then swiftly approved, Abad said.
Under Section 60 of Republic Act 9970 or the General Appropriations Act of 2010, the President and the heads of other constitutional bodies such as the Senate, the Lower House, the Ombudsman, and constitutional commissions enjoying fiscal autonomy are “authorized to augment any item in this Act from savings in other items of the their respective appropriations."
More sources of funding will have to be sought, Abad said, as the country is set to experience more typhoons in the coming months.
The Arroyo administration released in the first semester of 2010 a total of 70 percent, or some P1.4 billion out of the P2 billion originally allocated for calamity funds, leaving only some P592 million for the Aquino government to work with for the rest of the year.
“Nakapagtataka lang kung bakit halos naubos na ng dating administrasyon ang pondo para sa mga kalamidad sa mga unang buwan ng 2010, ganung batay sa karanasan nila sa mga nakaraang taon, ang panahon ng pagpasok ng tag-ulan at mga bagyo ay nasa bandang gitna hanggang sa mga huling buwan ng taon," said Abad.
(We’re just wondering why the previous administration nearly used up all the calamity funds for the first months of 2010, when based on their experiences in the past years, the rainy season and typhoons come in the middle until the last months of the year.)
Aquino had said in his first State of the Nation Address that P105 million in calamity funds was allocated for the rehabilitation of Pampanga's second district — which Mrs. Arroyo now represents in Congress — when other provinces such as Rizal and Pangasinan suffered far worse when cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng hit the country last year.
While P105 million was allocated to the second district, the three other districts of Pampanga shared the remaining P3 million for the province, Abad also said earlier.
Mrs. Arroyo's spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn had denied that Mrs. Arroyo used the funds for her congressional campaign.
"May P105 million na na-allot, totoo naman yan ... Pero di pa nadi-disburse ang pera, the money is intact. Huwag nila sabihing ginamit sa election (That P105 million was allotted, that’s true… But the money has not yet been disbursed, it is intact. So they shouldn’t say it was used for the election)," Bautista-Horn said.—JV
News Update NFA eyes selling rice stocks to other govt agencies
The National Food Authority is thinking of selling their rice stock to other government agencies to help ease the "overflow" of the staple’s supply.
Administrator Lito Banayo said the NFA might link up with the Metro Manila Development Authority for the proposed "Food for Work" program, which aims to give "emergency employment" under the MMDA’s cleanup drive in exchange for rice.
Under the proposal, the NFA will sell to MMDA its rice stocks, which in turn will be used to pay the workers taking part in MMDA's clean-up drives.
"We're exploring that kasi gusto na namin i-dispatsa ang bigas namin ng maramihan," Banayo told radio dzBB in an interview Friday.
(We're exploring that because we really want to get rid of our excess rice stock.)
He assured the public that NFA's rice stock "still has high quality" even if it has been in warehouses for a long time.
"Awa ng Diyos hindi pa nabulok [Thanks God, they haven't rotten yet]," said Banayo, noting that government subsidized rice is at par with commercial stock in terms of quality.
He appealed to the public not to look down on NFA rice.
"Napako na kami sa ganyang image (The public has this mistaken notion that NFA rice has low quality). I want to change this image," he said.
'Socialized' and 'non-socialized'
In addition, Banayo said he would be meeting with officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the plan to have two "ceiling prices" for NFA rice: "socialized" and "non-socialized."
"But these two prices are still lower than commercial prices," said Banayo.
At the height of the rice crisis in 2008, the Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheaded the government's family-access-cards program, giving to disadvantaged families first priority in accessing NFA’s low-priced rice.
After President Benigno Aquino III pointed out in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government may have over-imported bags of rice that are rotting in warehouses even as millions of Filipinos go hungry, the NFA started an audit of its systems.
Subsidized NFA rice for poor families is sold at P25/kilo. In "poorest areas," it is sold at P18.25/kilo.
Banayo earlier confirmed that NFA warehouses indeed were "overflowing" with rice supply.
"Punong puno po kami ng bigas. Naliligo kami sa bigas (We are full of rice. We are swimming in rice)," he said.
Sen. Loren Legarda had asked the government to just distribute the excess rice to poor families. But Banayo objected, saying he would allow the distribution of the staple to poor people without them "working hard for it."
No space for rice
The NFA warehouses can no longer accommodate added supply, thus it has asked Vietnamese trader Vina Foods to defer delivery of rice imports.
"Mayroon pa sa Vietnam na hindi pa nakakarating dito at hinihiling ko na i-delay pa hanggang September 30," Banayo said.
Some 75,000 to 80,000 metric tons of government-ordered rice have not yet been shipped to the Philippines from Vietnam. The previous administration had arranged for the importation 2.4 million metric tons of rice for 2010.
"Ang problema talaga wala tayong paglalagyan [We have no place to keep them]," he said.
Banayo also allayed fears that letting rice imports come in this September – around the time the harvesting period starts in the Philippines – would hurt local farmers since they would be competing with imported stocks.
He said he saw no probem in "flooding" the rice market because even the private sector imports rice beyond what it currently needs.
Banayo said that the effects of the El Niño phenomenon that hit the country several months back, had created a backlash on the farming sector.
He said taking in imports around the time of harvesting could help ease the ill-effects from El Niño.
He said irrigation systems in over 1.2 million hectares of farmlands were also badly hurt by the El Niño phenomenon
"Kaya expected na bababa rin ng production. Hindi ko lang alam ang figures... Pero mag-i-even out din naman yan kapag anihan na," he said, adding that harvetsing period usually peaks in November. — LBG/RSJ,
Administrator Lito Banayo said the NFA might link up with the Metro Manila Development Authority for the proposed "Food for Work" program, which aims to give "emergency employment" under the MMDA’s cleanup drive in exchange for rice.
Under the proposal, the NFA will sell to MMDA its rice stocks, which in turn will be used to pay the workers taking part in MMDA's clean-up drives.
"We're exploring that kasi gusto na namin i-dispatsa ang bigas namin ng maramihan," Banayo told radio dzBB in an interview Friday.
(We're exploring that because we really want to get rid of our excess rice stock.)
He assured the public that NFA's rice stock "still has high quality" even if it has been in warehouses for a long time.
"Awa ng Diyos hindi pa nabulok [Thanks God, they haven't rotten yet]," said Banayo, noting that government subsidized rice is at par with commercial stock in terms of quality.
He appealed to the public not to look down on NFA rice.
"Napako na kami sa ganyang image (The public has this mistaken notion that NFA rice has low quality). I want to change this image," he said.
'Socialized' and 'non-socialized'
In addition, Banayo said he would be meeting with officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the plan to have two "ceiling prices" for NFA rice: "socialized" and "non-socialized."
"But these two prices are still lower than commercial prices," said Banayo.
At the height of the rice crisis in 2008, the Department of Social Welfare and Development spearheaded the government's family-access-cards program, giving to disadvantaged families first priority in accessing NFA’s low-priced rice.
After President Benigno Aquino III pointed out in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government may have over-imported bags of rice that are rotting in warehouses even as millions of Filipinos go hungry, the NFA started an audit of its systems.
Subsidized NFA rice for poor families is sold at P25/kilo. In "poorest areas," it is sold at P18.25/kilo.
Banayo earlier confirmed that NFA warehouses indeed were "overflowing" with rice supply.
"Punong puno po kami ng bigas. Naliligo kami sa bigas (We are full of rice. We are swimming in rice)," he said.
Sen. Loren Legarda had asked the government to just distribute the excess rice to poor families. But Banayo objected, saying he would allow the distribution of the staple to poor people without them "working hard for it."
No space for rice
The NFA warehouses can no longer accommodate added supply, thus it has asked Vietnamese trader Vina Foods to defer delivery of rice imports.
"Mayroon pa sa Vietnam na hindi pa nakakarating dito at hinihiling ko na i-delay pa hanggang September 30," Banayo said.
Some 75,000 to 80,000 metric tons of government-ordered rice have not yet been shipped to the Philippines from Vietnam. The previous administration had arranged for the importation 2.4 million metric tons of rice for 2010.
"Ang problema talaga wala tayong paglalagyan [We have no place to keep them]," he said.
Banayo also allayed fears that letting rice imports come in this September – around the time the harvesting period starts in the Philippines – would hurt local farmers since they would be competing with imported stocks.
He said he saw no probem in "flooding" the rice market because even the private sector imports rice beyond what it currently needs.
Banayo said that the effects of the El Niño phenomenon that hit the country several months back, had created a backlash on the farming sector.
He said taking in imports around the time of harvesting could help ease the ill-effects from El Niño.
He said irrigation systems in over 1.2 million hectares of farmlands were also badly hurt by the El Niño phenomenon
"Kaya expected na bababa rin ng production. Hindi ko lang alam ang figures... Pero mag-i-even out din naman yan kapag anihan na," he said, adding that harvetsing period usually peaks in November. — LBG/RSJ,
News Update Rail deaths: Misadventure
By Carolyn Quek
A STATE coroner on Friday found that a young couple killed along an Upper Bukit Timah railway track last August were too intoxicated and tired to react and move themselves away from the path of an oncoming train.
Coroner Eddy Tham recorded a verdict of misadventure on the deaths of Republic Polytechnic students Mr Goh Sheng Yao, 19, and Miss Clara Lee Jing Yu, 20.
The incident happened at around 5am on the eve of National Day last year, on the track near The Rail Mall in Upper Bukit Timah.
Police and paramedics arriving at the scene found their bodies dismembered and their belongings strewn along the track. Investigations subsequently showed that the couple were to have gone clubbing with eight friends at the St James Power Station.
But Miss Lee had forgotten to bring her identity card and was denied entry. When she still couldn't find it at home, she and Mr Goh - who had accompanied her back - ended up drinking at a bar at the Rail Mall, not far from the railway track.
Noting that they were not habitual drinkers, Coroner Tham said that it was likely the alcohol consumed had affected their judgement of spatial distance and coordination. He also said that as the pair had been up the entire night, they were 'clearly not physically alert at the point in time'.
They had also recently entered into a romantic relationship and friends described them as being 'loving'. Mr Goh's father also knew about their relationship and had no objection.
Friends interviewed by the police said the couple had no reason to commit suicide and neither were there documents on their mobile phones and laptops that indicated they were troubled or wanted to kill themselves.
'For these reasons, I am of the view that the two of them had no intention to end their lives,' said Coroner Tham, who also found that there was no criminal negligence on the part of the train driver.
A STATE coroner on Friday found that a young couple killed along an Upper Bukit Timah railway track last August were too intoxicated and tired to react and move themselves away from the path of an oncoming train.
Coroner Eddy Tham recorded a verdict of misadventure on the deaths of Republic Polytechnic students Mr Goh Sheng Yao, 19, and Miss Clara Lee Jing Yu, 20.
The incident happened at around 5am on the eve of National Day last year, on the track near The Rail Mall in Upper Bukit Timah.
Police and paramedics arriving at the scene found their bodies dismembered and their belongings strewn along the track. Investigations subsequently showed that the couple were to have gone clubbing with eight friends at the St James Power Station.
But Miss Lee had forgotten to bring her identity card and was denied entry. When she still couldn't find it at home, she and Mr Goh - who had accompanied her back - ended up drinking at a bar at the Rail Mall, not far from the railway track.
Noting that they were not habitual drinkers, Coroner Tham said that it was likely the alcohol consumed had affected their judgement of spatial distance and coordination. He also said that as the pair had been up the entire night, they were 'clearly not physically alert at the point in time'.
They had also recently entered into a romantic relationship and friends described them as being 'loving'. Mr Goh's father also knew about their relationship and had no objection.
Friends interviewed by the police said the couple had no reason to commit suicide and neither were there documents on their mobile phones and laptops that indicated they were troubled or wanted to kill themselves.
'For these reasons, I am of the view that the two of them had no intention to end their lives,' said Coroner Tham, who also found that there was no criminal negligence on the part of the train driver.
News Update 3 NPA rebels killed in Pampanga clash
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Just Ask I want to work as a maid in Singapore ?
Hi Tina Gracia just make sure that is legal agency under the Singapore government regulations, only fully licensed and accredited Singapore maid agencies are allowed to operate. That is to say the agency has to be licensed by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and accredited by the Consumers Association of Singapore (or the Association of Employment Agencies). The keyword here is "and" - it cannot be "either or". Be sure to check their licenses and accreditation documents because an illegal agency can give you more problems than you expect like giving you an "illegal worker", and this means that you're breaking the law by working illegal. cheers
News Update Cops recover stolen vehicles of ex-envoy, actor; 2 suspects fall
The carjacked vehicles of former Ambassador Roberto Romulo and actor Derek Arthur Ramsay have been recovered in a series of police operations in Metro Manila, a report said Friday.
Metro Manila police recovered Romulo's vehicle after a shootout with at least three suspected members of a carjacking ring in Quezon City at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
On the other hand, Ramsay's vehicle was recovered before dawn Friday.
A report on dzBB radio said police are investigating if the carjackers of both vehicles were members of the Ivan Padilla Group.
It said that at least two of the car thieves who stole Romulo's vehicle were arrested and identified as Dale Magno and Glen del Castillo.
Recovered from Romulo's Toyota Camry (ZNL-415) were documents of the former envoy and Foreign Affairs secretary, a shotgun, and a 9-mm pistol.
Police said they spotted the stolen vehicle in the Filinvest 2 area in Batasan Hills in Quezon City, where the shootout occurred after the suspects fired at the cops.
One of the suspects was wounded, but the dzBB report did not say who among the three was injured.
Romulo's Camry was stolen Monday afternoon in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, together with the sedan of Japanese trader Koji Hasegawa.
Romulo and Hasegawa’s drivers, identified as Danilo Quilong, of 9-C Urdaneta Village and Nomer De Vera, of 158 Aglipay St., Mandaluyong City, respectively, were held at gunpoint, the police said.
According to police, the drivers tried to resist but when one of the robbers fired a warning shot, they promptly yielded the keys of Romulo’s Camry (ZNL-415) and Hasegawa’s Toyota Innova (ZCE-378).
The two gunmen subsequently commandeered the cars and sped off with another vehicle, a Honda CRV, toward C5 Road in Makati City.
Ramsay's sedan
Meanwhile, a separate report by dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa said police also recovered the carjacked Volvo of actor Ramsay before dawn Friday.
Metro Manila police anti-carnap unit head Superintendent Maristelo Manalo said the black Volvo, which was taken in Tagaytay City last weekend, sported a different license plate when it was recovered.
But Manalo did not immediately say where the Volvo was recovered. — LBG/RSJ
Metro Manila police recovered Romulo's vehicle after a shootout with at least three suspected members of a carjacking ring in Quezon City at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
On the other hand, Ramsay's vehicle was recovered before dawn Friday.
A report on dzBB radio said police are investigating if the carjackers of both vehicles were members of the Ivan Padilla Group.
It said that at least two of the car thieves who stole Romulo's vehicle were arrested and identified as Dale Magno and Glen del Castillo.
Recovered from Romulo's Toyota Camry (ZNL-415) were documents of the former envoy and Foreign Affairs secretary, a shotgun, and a 9-mm pistol.
Police said they spotted the stolen vehicle in the Filinvest 2 area in Batasan Hills in Quezon City, where the shootout occurred after the suspects fired at the cops.
One of the suspects was wounded, but the dzBB report did not say who among the three was injured.
Romulo's Camry was stolen Monday afternoon in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, together with the sedan of Japanese trader Koji Hasegawa.
Romulo and Hasegawa’s drivers, identified as Danilo Quilong, of 9-C Urdaneta Village and Nomer De Vera, of 158 Aglipay St., Mandaluyong City, respectively, were held at gunpoint, the police said.
According to police, the drivers tried to resist but when one of the robbers fired a warning shot, they promptly yielded the keys of Romulo’s Camry (ZNL-415) and Hasegawa’s Toyota Innova (ZCE-378).
The two gunmen subsequently commandeered the cars and sped off with another vehicle, a Honda CRV, toward C5 Road in Makati City.
Ramsay's sedan
Meanwhile, a separate report by dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa said police also recovered the carjacked Volvo of actor Ramsay before dawn Friday.
Metro Manila police anti-carnap unit head Superintendent Maristelo Manalo said the black Volvo, which was taken in Tagaytay City last weekend, sported a different license plate when it was recovered.
But Manalo did not immediately say where the Volvo was recovered. — LBG/RSJ
Just Ask booking for transpot Manila in Philippine ?
Hi Alex we can arrange the transportation the BOOKING PROCEDURE as follows:-
Please email us with the following information to expedite the process:
• Name of organiser
• Handphone number
• Number of pax for adults and child below 12
• Date and length of stay
• Time of arrival at the airport
• Please note that we can only facilitate up to 2 pick up points. Recommended pickup timing is 6am! A 50% deposit is payable by bank transfer upon your confirmation. The remaining 50% will be payable immediately at the upon arrival at the Pickup point. We accept cash only.
In Philippine they are some well heed gang that operated in the airport targeting arrive tourist so to be safe. Is good that you know the person to arrange the driver and a peace of mind.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=577618&publicationSubCategoryId=65
http://208.184.76.173/Article.aspx?articleId=594834&publicationSubCategoryId=65
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6348417-rning-against-bundol-gang
NAIA gang modus operandi
SPY BITS By Babe Romualdez (The Philippine Star) Updated July 20, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (3)
Another balikbayan became a victim of the notorious airport gang at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport the other day. According to some people we spoke with, there seems to be a clear pattern on how this criminal syndicate operates. It allegedly starts at the airport with X-ray machines revealing which of the balikbayan boxes contain valuables. Supposedly some insiders working in cahoots with the criminals would tip-off their contacts at the passenger loading area, who would in turn follow the balikbayan and his group. At an opportune time, the criminals would bump the balikbayan’s car and proceed to carjack it with all the valuables inside. Last month, former First Daughter Luli Arroyo’s balikbayan brother-in-law George Bernas was a victim. He made the mistake of fighting these criminals and was shot, leaving him on the road to die. Luckily, he was brought to the hospital in time by a Good Samaritan. However, to this day no one has been arrested. Apparently this “airport gang” has been operating for several years now with most cases going unreported. Can you imagine? This gang continues to operate right in our front door – the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Please email us with the following information to expedite the process:
• Name of organiser
• Handphone number
• Number of pax for adults and child below 12
• Date and length of stay
• Time of arrival at the airport
• Please note that we can only facilitate up to 2 pick up points. Recommended pickup timing is 6am! A 50% deposit is payable by bank transfer upon your confirmation. The remaining 50% will be payable immediately at the upon arrival at the Pickup point. We accept cash only.
In Philippine they are some well heed gang that operated in the airport targeting arrive tourist so to be safe. Is good that you know the person to arrange the driver and a peace of mind.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=577618&publicationSubCategoryId=65
http://208.184.76.173/Article.aspx?articleId=594834&publicationSubCategoryId=65
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6348417-rning-against-bundol-gang
NAIA gang modus operandi
SPY BITS By Babe Romualdez (The Philippine Star) Updated July 20, 2010 12:00 AM Comments (3)
Another balikbayan became a victim of the notorious airport gang at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport the other day. According to some people we spoke with, there seems to be a clear pattern on how this criminal syndicate operates. It allegedly starts at the airport with X-ray machines revealing which of the balikbayan boxes contain valuables. Supposedly some insiders working in cahoots with the criminals would tip-off their contacts at the passenger loading area, who would in turn follow the balikbayan and his group. At an opportune time, the criminals would bump the balikbayan’s car and proceed to carjack it with all the valuables inside. Last month, former First Daughter Luli Arroyo’s balikbayan brother-in-law George Bernas was a victim. He made the mistake of fighting these criminals and was shot, leaving him on the road to die. Luckily, he was brought to the hospital in time by a Good Samaritan. However, to this day no one has been arrested. Apparently this “airport gang” has been operating for several years now with most cases going unreported. Can you imagine? This gang continues to operate right in our front door – the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
News Update LRTA head says fare hike to end ‘unfair’ subsidies
Regular commuters of the Light and Metro Rail Transit systems may not agree with the fare hike proposal, but an official on Friday said the move will relieve residents outside Metro Manila of the burden of paying taxes to subsidize the transportation service.
LRT Administration (LRTA) head Melquiades Robles said a fare increase is needed as the agency shifts to a "users-pay" policy.
"Kahit yung mga hindi gumagamit ng LRT, buong bansa nakikihati. Ang itatayo sanang school building sa Visayas at Mindanao magagamit dito. Kaya siguro i-adopt ang user-pay policy (Under the present setup, even those who do not use the LRT have to pay taxes to subsidize the fares. The taxes paid by non-users of the LRT could have gone to construction of school buildings in Visayas and Mindanao. So we have to adopt a user-pay policy)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio Friday.
"Kawawa ang kababayan natin, di sila makikinabang sa sistema pero nade-deprive (It is unfair to non-Metro Manila residents. They do not benefit from the the LRT, but they are deprived of basic services)," he said.
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Robles said the LRT's fares presently stand at P15 from Monumento (in Caloocan City) to Baclaran in southern Metro Manila.
He said the last time the LRT had a fare adjustment was seven years ago.
For now, he said they are still determining how much the fare hike the LRTA will seek.
"May pangangailangan i-adjust ang pasahe sa makatotohanang level (We need to adjust the fare to a realistic level)," he said.
On Thursday, Department of Transportation and Communications chief Jose de Jesus announced a looming fare hike in the MRT Line 3 along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), saying that the study on rates adjustments will be finished by August. [see: MRT fare hike looms — DOTC]
MRT3 services some 800,000 commuters in Metro Manila.
P3 to 4 fare hike
Meanwhile, some passengers of the MRT said they were amenable to a fare increase of up to P4, but not P5 and up, according to a report by dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa.
"Kung P4 or P3 okay lang pero kung P5 pataas sobra na yan ... Kung para sa modernization siguro pwede (If the fare hike is P4 or P3, it will be okay but if it is P5 or up, I will not be in favor.... If the fare hike will go to modernization efforts, that's fine with me)," said a male passenger of the MRT3.
Subsidy stays
In the same dzBB interview Friday morning, Robles clarified the government will still subsidize the LRT's fares. "Subsidy will not be totally eliminated, mababawasan lang (it will be lessened)," he said.
He said that with the added income from the reduced subsidy, the LRTA can acquire more facilities and improve its services.
At present, he said the fares from LRT users go mainly to operation and maintenance.
Robles also belied speculations the LRT fare may cost P55, which he said is the break-even cost for this year.
"Di siguro, masyado yan. Baka yan ang break-even cost for the year. Sa amin pag-aaralan ang detalye kung magkano (P55 is too much. That is just the break-even for the year)," he said.
"The fare will still be subsidized at a certain point. We cannot have fares at P55 to 60," he added.
Robles said that in 2009 alone, the government spent P3 billion for infrastructure.
It is now planning to buy equipment like rails, build civil structures, and improve its stations.
Security equipment
Robles also said the LRTA is investing in new security equipment such as X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors.
He said the walk-through metal detectors, already installed in the LRT's Monumento and Santolan stations, allowed a smoother flow of passengers.
"Bawa't isa P11 million, so P22 million na yan (Each walk-through metal detector costs P11 million so we already spent P22 million for the two detectors)," he said.
"Secure ang sistema, baka malusutan ng terorista. At the same time ‘di tayo maaabala (The system is secure from possible terrorist attacks, and provides convenience to LRT passengers)," he added. — LBG,
LRT Administration (LRTA) head Melquiades Robles said a fare increase is needed as the agency shifts to a "users-pay" policy.
"Kahit yung mga hindi gumagamit ng LRT, buong bansa nakikihati. Ang itatayo sanang school building sa Visayas at Mindanao magagamit dito. Kaya siguro i-adopt ang user-pay policy (Under the present setup, even those who do not use the LRT have to pay taxes to subsidize the fares. The taxes paid by non-users of the LRT could have gone to construction of school buildings in Visayas and Mindanao. So we have to adopt a user-pay policy)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio Friday.
"Kawawa ang kababayan natin, di sila makikinabang sa sistema pero nade-deprive (It is unfair to non-Metro Manila residents. They do not benefit from the the LRT, but they are deprived of basic services)," he said.
This page requires a higher version browser
Robles said the LRT's fares presently stand at P15 from Monumento (in Caloocan City) to Baclaran in southern Metro Manila.
He said the last time the LRT had a fare adjustment was seven years ago.
For now, he said they are still determining how much the fare hike the LRTA will seek.
"May pangangailangan i-adjust ang pasahe sa makatotohanang level (We need to adjust the fare to a realistic level)," he said.
On Thursday, Department of Transportation and Communications chief Jose de Jesus announced a looming fare hike in the MRT Line 3 along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), saying that the study on rates adjustments will be finished by August. [see: MRT fare hike looms — DOTC]
MRT3 services some 800,000 commuters in Metro Manila.
P3 to 4 fare hike
Meanwhile, some passengers of the MRT said they were amenable to a fare increase of up to P4, but not P5 and up, according to a report by dzBB's Cecilia Villarosa.
"Kung P4 or P3 okay lang pero kung P5 pataas sobra na yan ... Kung para sa modernization siguro pwede (If the fare hike is P4 or P3, it will be okay but if it is P5 or up, I will not be in favor.... If the fare hike will go to modernization efforts, that's fine with me)," said a male passenger of the MRT3.
Subsidy stays
In the same dzBB interview Friday morning, Robles clarified the government will still subsidize the LRT's fares. "Subsidy will not be totally eliminated, mababawasan lang (it will be lessened)," he said.
He said that with the added income from the reduced subsidy, the LRTA can acquire more facilities and improve its services.
At present, he said the fares from LRT users go mainly to operation and maintenance.
Robles also belied speculations the LRT fare may cost P55, which he said is the break-even cost for this year.
"Di siguro, masyado yan. Baka yan ang break-even cost for the year. Sa amin pag-aaralan ang detalye kung magkano (P55 is too much. That is just the break-even for the year)," he said.
"The fare will still be subsidized at a certain point. We cannot have fares at P55 to 60," he added.
Robles said that in 2009 alone, the government spent P3 billion for infrastructure.
It is now planning to buy equipment like rails, build civil structures, and improve its stations.
Security equipment
Robles also said the LRTA is investing in new security equipment such as X-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors.
He said the walk-through metal detectors, already installed in the LRT's Monumento and Santolan stations, allowed a smoother flow of passengers.
"Bawa't isa P11 million, so P22 million na yan (Each walk-through metal detector costs P11 million so we already spent P22 million for the two detectors)," he said.
"Secure ang sistema, baka malusutan ng terorista. At the same time ‘di tayo maaabala (The system is secure from possible terrorist attacks, and provides convenience to LRT passengers)," he added. — LBG,
News Update DBS reports $300m net loss
DBS posted an unexpected $300 million loss in the second quarter after it took a $1.02 billion goodwill charge on its Hong Kong business. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
DBS Group, South-east Asia's biggest bank, posted an unexpected $300 million loss in the second quarter after it took a $1.02 billion goodwill charge on its Hong Kong business.
DBS said on Friday its April-June net loss compared to $552 million a year ago. Excluding the goodwill charge, DBS said its second-quarter earnings rose 30 per cent to $718 million.
Analysts had predicted a net profit of $564 million, according to the average of eight forecasts in a Reuters survey.
DBS shares have fallen about 6 per cent so far this year while Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp is down 0.9 per cent and United Overseas Bank is up 0.9 per cent.
The benchmark Singapore index is up 3.1 per cent. -- REUTERS
News Update Cops raid house of Pacquiao's sister in GenSan
Police raided the house of a sibling of Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao in General Santos City over suspected illegal gambling operations.
A report of dzXL radio Friday said a police team served a search warrant on the house of Pacquiao's sister Isidra, over reports linking her to illegal gambling game also called "last two."
Some 25 people in the house were brought to police headquarters for questioning, the report said.
Police Region 12 head Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu said the police team arrived at the house in San Isidro village at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
The police team seized some P30,000 in suspected bet money, along with gambling paraphernalia, the report said.
The report, however, did not say if Pacquaio's sister was in her home at the time of raid. — VVP,
A report of dzXL radio Friday said a police team served a search warrant on the house of Pacquiao's sister Isidra, over reports linking her to illegal gambling game also called "last two."
Some 25 people in the house were brought to police headquarters for questioning, the report said.
Police Region 12 head Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu said the police team arrived at the house in San Isidro village at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
The police team seized some P30,000 in suspected bet money, along with gambling paraphernalia, the report said.
The report, however, did not say if Pacquaio's sister was in her home at the time of raid. — VVP,
News Update Lone winner bags P109-M Superlotto jackpot
A lone winner won nearly P110 million in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Superlotto 6/49 draw Thursday night.
The PCSO said the winner got the correct combination of 45-48-14-46-18-16 to win the jackpot prize worth P109,721,419.20.
For security reasons, the PSCO is not expected to reveal the identify of the winner.
On the other hand, there was no winner of the PCSO's Lotto 6/42 draw Thursday night.
The winning combination for the Lotto 6/42, which offered a prize of P10,659,969, was 39-19-07-41-38-30. — LBG/RSJ,
The PCSO said the winner got the correct combination of 45-48-14-46-18-16 to win the jackpot prize worth P109,721,419.20.
For security reasons, the PSCO is not expected to reveal the identify of the winner.
On the other hand, there was no winner of the PCSO's Lotto 6/42 draw Thursday night.
The winning combination for the Lotto 6/42, which offered a prize of P10,659,969, was 39-19-07-41-38-30. — LBG/RSJ,
News Update Health office reports 103 dengue cases in Aklan
Kalibo, Aklan (PIA ) - The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has reported a total of 103 dengue cases in the province from January to June of this year.
The report showed that Kalibo, the provincial capital, has the highest number of cases at 40, followed by the towns of Banga, which has 11, and Numancia, 10.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Victor A. Santamaria said such cases mostly come from thickly-populated areas, as evidenced by the report. The month of June had the highest number of cases - 31 - during the six-month period. Only the towns of Buruanga, Madalag and Libacao reported 0 cases.
According to the report, five cases were recorded in Altavas, eight in Batan, one in Balete, six in New Washington, three in Lezo, five in Makato, three in Malinao, four in Ibajay, two in Malay, two in Nabas, and three in Tangalan.
During the same period last year, a total of 43 cases were recorded in Aklan province, with the capital, Kalibo, having the highest cases at 22.
Dr. Santamaria said dengue can affect anybody, "whether rich or poor, young or old." However, he said, "children are more prone to dengue due to several factors like weak immune systems. And dengue now affects people all year-round."
To prevent dengue, he said, people should thoroughly clean their surroundings, making sure that cans, coconut shells, old tires and other garbage do not collect water where mosquitoes could breed.
People should also use mosquito nets and have their windows screened to prevent the insects from getting inside their houses.
"Rooms which are seldom used should be inspected often because mosquitoes stay in undisturbed places," Dr. Santamaria added.
Besides clear but stagnant water in cans and tires, health workers in the province also found out that mosquitoes likewise breed in water collected in bamboo poles which are used as posts of house fences. The PHO officer advised Aklanons to cover such poles to prevent water collection.
He also urged people to strengthen their immune system by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of fluid and frequent exercising.
The report showed that Kalibo, the provincial capital, has the highest number of cases at 40, followed by the towns of Banga, which has 11, and Numancia, 10.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Victor A. Santamaria said such cases mostly come from thickly-populated areas, as evidenced by the report. The month of June had the highest number of cases - 31 - during the six-month period. Only the towns of Buruanga, Madalag and Libacao reported 0 cases.
According to the report, five cases were recorded in Altavas, eight in Batan, one in Balete, six in New Washington, three in Lezo, five in Makato, three in Malinao, four in Ibajay, two in Malay, two in Nabas, and three in Tangalan.
During the same period last year, a total of 43 cases were recorded in Aklan province, with the capital, Kalibo, having the highest cases at 22.
Dr. Santamaria said dengue can affect anybody, "whether rich or poor, young or old." However, he said, "children are more prone to dengue due to several factors like weak immune systems. And dengue now affects people all year-round."
To prevent dengue, he said, people should thoroughly clean their surroundings, making sure that cans, coconut shells, old tires and other garbage do not collect water where mosquitoes could breed.
People should also use mosquito nets and have their windows screened to prevent the insects from getting inside their houses.
"Rooms which are seldom used should be inspected often because mosquitoes stay in undisturbed places," Dr. Santamaria added.
Besides clear but stagnant water in cans and tires, health workers in the province also found out that mosquitoes likewise breed in water collected in bamboo poles which are used as posts of house fences. The PHO officer advised Aklanons to cover such poles to prevent water collection.
He also urged people to strengthen their immune system by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of fluid and frequent exercising.
News Update P20.8-million Sulu projects finished
BANGUINGUI, Sulu - Residents in three island barangays here are rejoicing over the completion of three infrastructure projects worth P20.8 million which were implemented by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) and later turned over to host government units.
The projects included a Timber Footbridge with Pier Head, Multi-Purpose Center and a Rock Causeway (Fishing Port), which the ASFP implemented in barangays Bangalaw, Sigumbal and Dungon under its Community Development Assistance (CDA) and Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI).
In recent turnover ceremonies, ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo, said the implementation of the CDA component came about as sought by organized residents, who are empowered to manage the projects "to help uplift their socio-economic condition."
Sinarimbo said the process known as Community Driven Development (CCD) is being adopted by the ASFP for its uniqueness in promoting the "bayanihan" concept, which bonds Filipinos together amid diversities in carrying out beneficial undertakings in their communities.
On the other hand, Sinarimbo said the SRI component is done in partnership with major departments in ARMM which is geared towards the rehabilitation and improvement of various critical regional infrastructures such as hospitals, ports, roads, training and laboratory centers and classroom buildings.
The Rock Causeway constructed in Dungon forms part of the 2nd batch of SRI projects implemented with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA), he said.
In a message conveyed to the residents, acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin A. Adiong said: "Given the short period of out stint, we will continue supporting our people the best that we could as long as we see willingness and commitment to help themselves developed as key to improve their lives."
Benjie Aslim, Treasurer of the People's Organization in Bangalaw, said his group will treasure the project as a legacy from the Adiong administration, which came into power after the fateful 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 57 people including 31 journalists.
"We are thankful to the ARMM Social Fund for giving us not only this project on the basis of our felt-need but also the chance to manage it," Aslim said.
Banguingui Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidullah hoped the ASFP will continue to assist his towns (formerly Tongkil) in response to his constituents' close collaboration in the implementation of development interventions.
The three projects were funded from a government soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to some P20.8 million.
As of May 2010, 992 villages in 118 towns in ARMM have been covered by the ASFP with various projects including 2,184 small-scale infrastructures like tire path, trade centers, health centers, footbridge, mini-wharf, coconut grillers among others.
The projects included a Timber Footbridge with Pier Head, Multi-Purpose Center and a Rock Causeway (Fishing Port), which the ASFP implemented in barangays Bangalaw, Sigumbal and Dungon under its Community Development Assistance (CDA) and Strategic Regional Infrastructure (SRI).
In recent turnover ceremonies, ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo, said the implementation of the CDA component came about as sought by organized residents, who are empowered to manage the projects "to help uplift their socio-economic condition."
Sinarimbo said the process known as Community Driven Development (CCD) is being adopted by the ASFP for its uniqueness in promoting the "bayanihan" concept, which bonds Filipinos together amid diversities in carrying out beneficial undertakings in their communities.
On the other hand, Sinarimbo said the SRI component is done in partnership with major departments in ARMM which is geared towards the rehabilitation and improvement of various critical regional infrastructures such as hospitals, ports, roads, training and laboratory centers and classroom buildings.
The Rock Causeway constructed in Dungon forms part of the 2nd batch of SRI projects implemented with the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Regional Ports Management Authority (RPMA), he said.
In a message conveyed to the residents, acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin A. Adiong said: "Given the short period of out stint, we will continue supporting our people the best that we could as long as we see willingness and commitment to help themselves developed as key to improve their lives."
Benjie Aslim, Treasurer of the People's Organization in Bangalaw, said his group will treasure the project as a legacy from the Adiong administration, which came into power after the fateful 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 57 people including 31 journalists.
"We are thankful to the ARMM Social Fund for giving us not only this project on the basis of our felt-need but also the chance to manage it," Aslim said.
Banguingui Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidullah hoped the ASFP will continue to assist his towns (formerly Tongkil) in response to his constituents' close collaboration in the implementation of development interventions.
The three projects were funded from a government soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) amounting to some P20.8 million.
As of May 2010, 992 villages in 118 towns in ARMM have been covered by the ASFP with various projects including 2,184 small-scale infrastructures like tire path, trade centers, health centers, footbridge, mini-wharf, coconut grillers among others.
News Update Clark gets P29-million fire truck
CLARK FREEPORT - Officials of Clark Development Corp. announced the upgrading of the firefighting capability of the state-owned firm with the acquisition of a modern fire truck worth P29 million capable of handling emergency situations even in high-rise-buildings at this Freeport zone.
CDC Vice President Frank Madlangbayan of the Operations and Technical Services said the procurement of the new fire truck from South Korea became a must because of the increasing number of investments, including construction of high-rise here and nearby Metro Clark areas.
With the arrival of new equipment for the Public Safety Department of CDC, Madlangbayan said the state-owned firm now has three fire trucks that can be dispatched in case of emergency in the area.
CDC Vice President Frank Madlangbayan of the Operations and Technical Services said the procurement of the new fire truck from South Korea became a must because of the increasing number of investments, including construction of high-rise here and nearby Metro Clark areas.
With the arrival of new equipment for the Public Safety Department of CDC, Madlangbayan said the state-owned firm now has three fire trucks that can be dispatched in case of emergency in the area.
News Update 6 Chinese freed on bail after arrest for mineral theft in Cagayan
Six Chinese nationals who were charged for mineral theft after allegedly collecting black sand from a riverbank in Cagayan have been temporarily freed after posting bail with a local court. The Chinese nationals—identified as Lin Zhen Bing, Lin Zheng No, Lin De Nong, Lin Wen De, Lin Qyng Ma and Lin Juan Xin—each posted P12,000 before the Regional Trial Court in Cagayan to be released from detention.
The six men were arrested by Cagayan police last week while in the act of operating a cargo vessel to poach black sand from a riverbank in Barangay Jurisdiction in Lallo town. They were charged with violation of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995).
The foreigners were allegedly operating with local mining partners in the area, although the police would not disclose the names of these companies. Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio earlier ordered a crackdown on illegal black sand miners in the province, as well as the seizure of their equipment, after villagers in northern Cagayan complained of alleged massive mining theft in their area. Last January, a North Korean vessel also carrying black sand sank off the shore of Pagudpud in the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte boundary. (See: 22 Koreans rescued after ship loaded with minerals sinks off Cagayan)—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV,
The six men were arrested by Cagayan police last week while in the act of operating a cargo vessel to poach black sand from a riverbank in Barangay Jurisdiction in Lallo town. They were charged with violation of Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995).
The foreigners were allegedly operating with local mining partners in the area, although the police would not disclose the names of these companies. Cagayan Governor Alvaro Antonio earlier ordered a crackdown on illegal black sand miners in the province, as well as the seizure of their equipment, after villagers in northern Cagayan complained of alleged massive mining theft in their area. Last January, a North Korean vessel also carrying black sand sank off the shore of Pagudpud in the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte boundary. (See: 22 Koreans rescued after ship loaded with minerals sinks off Cagayan)—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV,
News Update Tricycle driver files disqualification case vs Mikey Arroyo
Even a member of the marginalized sector that former presidential son Mikey Arroyo supposedly represents in the House of Representatives wants him disqualified.
On Thursday, Danilo Antipasado, a tricycle driver from Caloocan City, asked the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) to remove Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) as one of the party-list organizations and disallow its nominee, Arroyo, from sitting as a member of the House.
Antipasado was accompanied by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares and security guards Rowell Aggabao Pino and Ronald Estrella in filing his 18-page petition with HRET.
Pino and Estrella earlier planned to be Antipasado's co-petitioners, but backed out due to the high cost of filing — P10,000 filing fee and P150,000 docket fee.
AGP also claims to represent security guards in Congress.
Antipasado said Arroyo is not eligible and not qualified to sit as representative of AGP as he is a scion of the wealthy Macapagal and Arroyo families.
In his petition, Antipasado said the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow Arroyo to represent tricycle drivers and security guards was damaging not only to the party-list system, “but also the interest of the marginalized and underrepresented."
Antipasado, who claims to earn P200 a day, noted that aside from being a member of a powerful clan, Arroyo is also a wealthy individual whose income and assets are way beyond the income and assets of the marginalized and underrepresented.
“Clearly his income is hundreds of times larger than any of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors," he said, adding that Arroyo is neither a tricycle driver nor a security guard “and therefore cannot claim to truly represent them in Congress."
He said the party-list law and the Constitution, as interpreted and decided by the Supreme Court, require that a nominee must belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector.
Antipasado also said Arroyo was not a member of AGP at least 90 days before the May 10, 2010 elections, citing newspaper reports that as late as February 18, the lawmaker was still choosing which party-list group he will join.
Antipasado said Arroyo was a member of Lakas-Kampi and AGP, which is disallowed under the party-list law.
He further said AGP is not a party-list organization of the marginalized and underrepresented because majority of its nominees were rich and powerful public officials.
Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda and Bacolor Mayor Romeo Dungca were AGP’s second and third nominees, respectively.
On Wednesday, former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros filed a disqualification case against Arroyo before HRET.
Colmenares and fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño have likewise sought Arroyo’s disqualification with the Supreme Court.
Arroyo had earlier described the disqualification cases against him as “harassment" by his political opponents. - KBK/JV
On Thursday, Danilo Antipasado, a tricycle driver from Caloocan City, asked the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) to remove Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) as one of the party-list organizations and disallow its nominee, Arroyo, from sitting as a member of the House.
Antipasado was accompanied by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares and security guards Rowell Aggabao Pino and Ronald Estrella in filing his 18-page petition with HRET.
Pino and Estrella earlier planned to be Antipasado's co-petitioners, but backed out due to the high cost of filing — P10,000 filing fee and P150,000 docket fee.
AGP also claims to represent security guards in Congress.
Antipasado said Arroyo is not eligible and not qualified to sit as representative of AGP as he is a scion of the wealthy Macapagal and Arroyo families.
In his petition, Antipasado said the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow Arroyo to represent tricycle drivers and security guards was damaging not only to the party-list system, “but also the interest of the marginalized and underrepresented."
Antipasado, who claims to earn P200 a day, noted that aside from being a member of a powerful clan, Arroyo is also a wealthy individual whose income and assets are way beyond the income and assets of the marginalized and underrepresented.
“Clearly his income is hundreds of times larger than any of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors," he said, adding that Arroyo is neither a tricycle driver nor a security guard “and therefore cannot claim to truly represent them in Congress."
He said the party-list law and the Constitution, as interpreted and decided by the Supreme Court, require that a nominee must belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector.
Antipasado also said Arroyo was not a member of AGP at least 90 days before the May 10, 2010 elections, citing newspaper reports that as late as February 18, the lawmaker was still choosing which party-list group he will join.
Antipasado said Arroyo was a member of Lakas-Kampi and AGP, which is disallowed under the party-list law.
He further said AGP is not a party-list organization of the marginalized and underrepresented because majority of its nominees were rich and powerful public officials.
Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda and Bacolor Mayor Romeo Dungca were AGP’s second and third nominees, respectively.
On Wednesday, former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros filed a disqualification case against Arroyo before HRET.
Colmenares and fellow Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño have likewise sought Arroyo’s disqualification with the Supreme Court.
Arroyo had earlier described the disqualification cases against him as “harassment" by his political opponents. - KBK/JV
News Update Arroyo to cooperate in Truth Commission probe, but . .
Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will cooperate in the investigation of the soon-to-be-formed Truth Commission, but her presence should there be a hearing is not certain.
“We will make the proper assessment when that time comes," Arroyo’s spokesperson and chief of staff Maria Elena Bautista-Horn said at the weekly news forum Usaping Balita in Quezon City Thursday.
Asked if Arroyo will participate in the Truth Commission, Horn said: “Definitely."
The Truth Commission, which will be headed by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., will investigate unresolved controversies during the nine-year Arroyo administration.
Horn said Arroyo will probably use the investigation to air her side.
“Alam natin na medyo hindi nae-air masyado yung side niya so yung formal na bodies na ganyan mas maganda dahil alam namin na mapapakinggan talaga ang panig ng dating Pangulong Arroyo," Horn said.
(Formal bodies like that will be a good venue for former President Arroyo to air her side in the controversies.)
But Horn said they would have to study first the yet to be signed executive order that would create the commission to see the conditions that will being set there.
“Kailangan may ebidensyang maipapakita. Hindi na pwedeng salita-salita lang (concrete evidence must be presented and not hearsay)," she said.
In the same news forum, Arroyo’s brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr., who also expressed readiness to cooperate with the Truth Commission, requested the Hacienda Luisita case be included in the probe.
“[I hope] it does not limit itself only to the Arroyo family. Why don’t we investigate also the other issues. It’s not only the Arroyos who have issues in the Philippines. We have other issues like the Luisita case," he said.
Hacienda Luisita is a 6,435-hectare sugarcane plantation in Tarlac province owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III.
In June 2006, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) from executing a resolution subjecting the land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) — a law signed by Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, in 1987.
The SC ruling allowed the implementation the stock distribution option (SDO) as an alternative solution to the dispute between the Cojuangco clan and their farm workers.
The SDO gives the farmer-tenants of Hacienda Luisita the option to own shares of stocks from the proceeds of the sugarcane plantation.
Under this scheme, each of the farmers-tenants would get certificates of stocks instead of parcels lands.
The failure of the Luisita management to release stocks dividends to the farmers-tenants prompted the farmer-tenants to seek the cancellation of the SDO scheme.
To date, the SC has yet to revoke the TRO and the case has remained pending before the tribunal.
During his campaign, Aquino promised to distribute the land to farmer-tenants by 2014. — LBG/KBK,
“We will make the proper assessment when that time comes," Arroyo’s spokesperson and chief of staff Maria Elena Bautista-Horn said at the weekly news forum Usaping Balita in Quezon City Thursday.
Asked if Arroyo will participate in the Truth Commission, Horn said: “Definitely."
The Truth Commission, which will be headed by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., will investigate unresolved controversies during the nine-year Arroyo administration.
Horn said Arroyo will probably use the investigation to air her side.
“Alam natin na medyo hindi nae-air masyado yung side niya so yung formal na bodies na ganyan mas maganda dahil alam namin na mapapakinggan talaga ang panig ng dating Pangulong Arroyo," Horn said.
(Formal bodies like that will be a good venue for former President Arroyo to air her side in the controversies.)
But Horn said they would have to study first the yet to be signed executive order that would create the commission to see the conditions that will being set there.
“Kailangan may ebidensyang maipapakita. Hindi na pwedeng salita-salita lang (concrete evidence must be presented and not hearsay)," she said.
In the same news forum, Arroyo’s brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr., who also expressed readiness to cooperate with the Truth Commission, requested the Hacienda Luisita case be included in the probe.
“[I hope] it does not limit itself only to the Arroyo family. Why don’t we investigate also the other issues. It’s not only the Arroyos who have issues in the Philippines. We have other issues like the Luisita case," he said.
Hacienda Luisita is a 6,435-hectare sugarcane plantation in Tarlac province owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III.
In June 2006, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) from executing a resolution subjecting the land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) — a law signed by Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, in 1987.
The SC ruling allowed the implementation the stock distribution option (SDO) as an alternative solution to the dispute between the Cojuangco clan and their farm workers.
The SDO gives the farmer-tenants of Hacienda Luisita the option to own shares of stocks from the proceeds of the sugarcane plantation.
Under this scheme, each of the farmers-tenants would get certificates of stocks instead of parcels lands.
The failure of the Luisita management to release stocks dividends to the farmers-tenants prompted the farmer-tenants to seek the cancellation of the SDO scheme.
To date, the SC has yet to revoke the TRO and the case has remained pending before the tribunal.
During his campaign, Aquino promised to distribute the land to farmer-tenants by 2014. — LBG/KBK,
News Update Legarda wants to restructure NFA
Amid criticisms of an oversupply of rice due to excessive importation, Senator Loren Legarda on Thursday called for the complete restructuring of the National Food Authority (NFA).
Legarda said she wants to split the NFA into the National Food Corporation (NFC) and the Food Development and Regulatory Administration (FDRA) so that its proprietary and regulatory functions would be dealt with separately.
"(My) bill addresses this conflict of interest by creating two separate agencies and decoupling the regulatory from the propriety function," she said.
Legarda said that the NFC would be mandated to maintain a "small strategic reserve" for emergency purposes based on certain parameters to be established by the FDRA.
"Maybe that restructuring of the NFA will solve this problem of oversupply and over-importation," she said during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday.
The senator issued the statement after President Benigno Aquino III revealed in his first State of the Nation Address that rice stocks were rotting in government warehouses due to over-importation.
The Philippine government has asked Vietnamese trader Vina Foods to stop shipments involving 200,000 metric tons of rice because NFA warehouses are full of the commodity.
Under her proposal, however, Legarda said it would be difficult to justify the same NFA import and storage decisions which necessitated subsidies that "drained" the government's fiscal resources.
Subsidized NFA rice for poor families is sold at P25 per kilo. In "poorest areas," it is sold at P18.25 per kilo.
The NFA was created on September 26, 1972 through Presidential Decree No. 4. It was initially called the National Grains Authority, which was responsible for integrating the growth and development of the grains industry.
On January 14, 1981, through PD No. 1770, the NGA became the NFA. The decree widened the agency’s commodity coverage to include food items like raw or fresh fruits and vegetables and fish and marine, manufactured, processed, or packaged food products.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV
Legarda said she wants to split the NFA into the National Food Corporation (NFC) and the Food Development and Regulatory Administration (FDRA) so that its proprietary and regulatory functions would be dealt with separately.
"(My) bill addresses this conflict of interest by creating two separate agencies and decoupling the regulatory from the propriety function," she said.
Legarda said that the NFC would be mandated to maintain a "small strategic reserve" for emergency purposes based on certain parameters to be established by the FDRA.
"Maybe that restructuring of the NFA will solve this problem of oversupply and over-importation," she said during a weekly forum at the Senate on Thursday.
The senator issued the statement after President Benigno Aquino III revealed in his first State of the Nation Address that rice stocks were rotting in government warehouses due to over-importation.
The Philippine government has asked Vietnamese trader Vina Foods to stop shipments involving 200,000 metric tons of rice because NFA warehouses are full of the commodity.
Under her proposal, however, Legarda said it would be difficult to justify the same NFA import and storage decisions which necessitated subsidies that "drained" the government's fiscal resources.
Subsidized NFA rice for poor families is sold at P25 per kilo. In "poorest areas," it is sold at P18.25 per kilo.
The NFA was created on September 26, 1972 through Presidential Decree No. 4. It was initially called the National Grains Authority, which was responsible for integrating the growth and development of the grains industry.
On January 14, 1981, through PD No. 1770, the NGA became the NFA. The decree widened the agency’s commodity coverage to include food items like raw or fresh fruits and vegetables and fish and marine, manufactured, processed, or packaged food products.—Kimberly Jane T. Tan/JV
News Update Angeles expats urged: Testify vs serial killer
ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Police authorities yesterday appealed to expatriates here to come out if they have been victimized in some ways by arrested serial murder suspect Mark Dizon.
This, after Senior Superintendent Danny Bautista, Angeles City police chief, told The STAR he came across information that Dizon, 28, was allegedly involved in banking fraud some 10 years ago.
Dizon, then a student under training in a local bank, was reported to have allegedly transferred the accounts of some bank clients to his personal account.
Bank officials uncovered the anomaly and tagged him as the culprit, reports said.
Investigators said Dizon seemed obsessed with gadgets, as he stole the laptops of three foreigners he allegedly killed, together with six Filipinos, in separate incidents here this month.
As a computer technician and reflexologist, Dizon had had clients among expatriates here.
An expatriate, who provided The STAR with several photos of Dizon posing with four different kinds of firearms, including an M-16, confirmed that Dizon had been suspected of copying private information from the laptops of his foreign clients.
“I have talked to some members of the foreign community here and I have asked those who have been victimized to come out and testify,” Bautista said.
Cases of identity theft arise from access to PINs or passwords required by banks or other financial institutions in withdrawing cash or transferring accounts.
Bautista dismissed suspicions that a local police syndicate extorting from foreigners could be behind Dizon’s operations.
“That’s very unlikely. I think he worked alone,” he said.
Bautista said his investigators went to San Fernando, La Union yesterday to file charges of illegal possession of firearms against Dizon who was arrested there last Tuesday afternoon while in possession of a caliber .22 pistol.
Initially, five counts of murder with robbery were filed against Dizon in connection with the killing of retired US Air Force M/Sgt. Albert Mitchell, 70, his wife Janet, 53, and their house helpers Isabel Fajardo, Marissa Prado, and Yulberto Catli in their home at Hensonville Court Subdivision in Barangay Malabanias last July 22.
Police said the victims’ laptops and other items that have been recovered, ballistic findings that a caliber 9-mm pistol was used in all the killings, and the testimonies of witnesses would be enough to also implicate him in two other murders.
The other victims were South African national Geoffrey Allan Bennun, 60, and his live-in partner, Abegail Helina, 20, whose decomposing bodies were found in their home at Oasis Hotel and Villas in Clarkville Compound, Barangay Anunas here last July 12.
Last July 16, British James Bolton Porter, 51, and his live-in partner, Melissa Madarang, 22, were also found dead with bullet wounds from a 9-mm pistol in their home at Sta. Maria Subdivision in Barangay Balibago here.
Meanwhile, reports said that on the eve of the Mitchells’ killing, Dizon was at a residence at Don Bonifacio Subdivision here to repair a friend’s laptop, soon after he had pawned the laptop, camera and cellular phone he allegedly stole from the Bennun couple.
While waiting for his friend, Dizon reportedly played a computer game with another member of the household.
“The computer game consisted of shooting zombies and he taught the household member how to make sure the zombies were killed by shooting them in the head,” said a friend of the family.
Police said Dizon shot his alleged victims in the head and then covered their faces. - By Ding Cervantes
This, after Senior Superintendent Danny Bautista, Angeles City police chief, told The STAR he came across information that Dizon, 28, was allegedly involved in banking fraud some 10 years ago.
Dizon, then a student under training in a local bank, was reported to have allegedly transferred the accounts of some bank clients to his personal account.
Bank officials uncovered the anomaly and tagged him as the culprit, reports said.
Investigators said Dizon seemed obsessed with gadgets, as he stole the laptops of three foreigners he allegedly killed, together with six Filipinos, in separate incidents here this month.
As a computer technician and reflexologist, Dizon had had clients among expatriates here.
An expatriate, who provided The STAR with several photos of Dizon posing with four different kinds of firearms, including an M-16, confirmed that Dizon had been suspected of copying private information from the laptops of his foreign clients.
“I have talked to some members of the foreign community here and I have asked those who have been victimized to come out and testify,” Bautista said.
Cases of identity theft arise from access to PINs or passwords required by banks or other financial institutions in withdrawing cash or transferring accounts.
Bautista dismissed suspicions that a local police syndicate extorting from foreigners could be behind Dizon’s operations.
“That’s very unlikely. I think he worked alone,” he said.
Bautista said his investigators went to San Fernando, La Union yesterday to file charges of illegal possession of firearms against Dizon who was arrested there last Tuesday afternoon while in possession of a caliber .22 pistol.
Initially, five counts of murder with robbery were filed against Dizon in connection with the killing of retired US Air Force M/Sgt. Albert Mitchell, 70, his wife Janet, 53, and their house helpers Isabel Fajardo, Marissa Prado, and Yulberto Catli in their home at Hensonville Court Subdivision in Barangay Malabanias last July 22.
Police said the victims’ laptops and other items that have been recovered, ballistic findings that a caliber 9-mm pistol was used in all the killings, and the testimonies of witnesses would be enough to also implicate him in two other murders.
The other victims were South African national Geoffrey Allan Bennun, 60, and his live-in partner, Abegail Helina, 20, whose decomposing bodies were found in their home at Oasis Hotel and Villas in Clarkville Compound, Barangay Anunas here last July 12.
Last July 16, British James Bolton Porter, 51, and his live-in partner, Melissa Madarang, 22, were also found dead with bullet wounds from a 9-mm pistol in their home at Sta. Maria Subdivision in Barangay Balibago here.
Meanwhile, reports said that on the eve of the Mitchells’ killing, Dizon was at a residence at Don Bonifacio Subdivision here to repair a friend’s laptop, soon after he had pawned the laptop, camera and cellular phone he allegedly stole from the Bennun couple.
While waiting for his friend, Dizon reportedly played a computer game with another member of the household.
“The computer game consisted of shooting zombies and he taught the household member how to make sure the zombies were killed by shooting them in the head,” said a friend of the family.
Police said Dizon shot his alleged victims in the head and then covered their faces. - By Ding Cervantes
Thursday, July 29, 2010
News Update Auntie misbehaves in public
A Singaporean woman is caught on camera kicking and hitting a car while shouting at passerby's, after what appears to be an argument over a carpark lot.
When she saw that she was being filmed, the woman shook her rear end at the camera in a taunting gesture.
She even went on to hit the car window and kick the car.
Since the video appeared on citizen journalism website STOMP, it has attracted almost 30,000 views.
News Update Squatters evicted from cemetery
MANILA - TWO women have been sentenced to six years each in jail for squatting in a Manila cemetery that is reserved for national heroes but has become over-run with people needing homes, the military said.
The army said the court rulings, issued in May but announced on Thursday as part of a publicity campaign, were a big victory in its long-running struggle to remove thousands of squatters living in illegal shanty dwellings in the cemetery.
About 8,000 people have illegally built homes on a 40-hectare section of the National Heroes' Cemetery over the past 18 years, said Colonel Marcial Constante, head of security for the 142-hectare graveyard.
'The land reserved for the National Shrine must be respected as a fitting resting place for national heroes and fallen soldiers,' Col Constante told AFP.
'When you stand on the edge of the slum, you can see the white crosses and tombstones in the distance.' Constante said a lower court in nearby Taguig City had ordered the jailing of Erlinda Belaya and Nimfa David for six years in May for illegally occupying the cemetery.
Belaya is out on probation while David has appealed her jail sentence and remains free pending the court's judgment, Col Constante said. The Philippine Army has demolished Belaya's shanty and is awaiting a court ruling on 42 other cases filed against other people occupying the cemetery, according to Col Constante. -- AFP
The army said the court rulings, issued in May but announced on Thursday as part of a publicity campaign, were a big victory in its long-running struggle to remove thousands of squatters living in illegal shanty dwellings in the cemetery.
About 8,000 people have illegally built homes on a 40-hectare section of the National Heroes' Cemetery over the past 18 years, said Colonel Marcial Constante, head of security for the 142-hectare graveyard.
'The land reserved for the National Shrine must be respected as a fitting resting place for national heroes and fallen soldiers,' Col Constante told AFP.
'When you stand on the edge of the slum, you can see the white crosses and tombstones in the distance.' Constante said a lower court in nearby Taguig City had ordered the jailing of Erlinda Belaya and Nimfa David for six years in May for illegally occupying the cemetery.
Belaya is out on probation while David has appealed her jail sentence and remains free pending the court's judgment, Col Constante said. The Philippine Army has demolished Belaya's shanty and is awaiting a court ruling on 42 other cases filed against other people occupying the cemetery, according to Col Constante. -- AFP
News Update Philippines gets US military help
MANILA - WASHINGTON has pledged to provide the Philippines with US$18.4 million (S$25.1 million) worth of precision-guided missiles this year to use in its fight against Islamist militants in the south, according to a military document seen by Reuters.
The missiles are being funded under a US Congress Act that allows the Defence Deparment to train and equip foreign armies allied with Washington to fight Islamist militants across the world since 2006.
Philippine defence and military officials could not say what type of guided missile equipment would be provided. Troops in the south have said they need unmanned drones to help hunt down Islamist militants on small remote islands.
'Fiscal year 2010 assistance for the Philippines provides a precision guided missile capability to assist Philippine armed forces's counter-terrorism efforts in southern regions to combat the activities of the Jemaah Islamiah and Abu Sayyaf Group,' said the document, which was shown to Reuters by a defence department official on condition of anonymity.
A US embassy spokeswoman confirmed there were funds available to the Philippines under the program, but did not comment on what they would be used for.
The Philippines has no missile capability. Most of its ships and aircraft are Vietnam War vintage. It spends about 1 per cent of GDP for defence and security, but 70 per cent of the budget goes to paying salaries and allowances of 130,000-member army. -- REUTERS
The missiles are being funded under a US Congress Act that allows the Defence Deparment to train and equip foreign armies allied with Washington to fight Islamist militants across the world since 2006.
Philippine defence and military officials could not say what type of guided missile equipment would be provided. Troops in the south have said they need unmanned drones to help hunt down Islamist militants on small remote islands.
'Fiscal year 2010 assistance for the Philippines provides a precision guided missile capability to assist Philippine armed forces's counter-terrorism efforts in southern regions to combat the activities of the Jemaah Islamiah and Abu Sayyaf Group,' said the document, which was shown to Reuters by a defence department official on condition of anonymity.
A US embassy spokeswoman confirmed there were funds available to the Philippines under the program, but did not comment on what they would be used for.
The Philippines has no missile capability. Most of its ships and aircraft are Vietnam War vintage. It spends about 1 per cent of GDP for defence and security, but 70 per cent of the budget goes to paying salaries and allowances of 130,000-member army. -- REUTERS
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