News Update Pinoy-developed cancer treatment could mean less pain for patients

A cancer treatment currently under development promises fewer side effects and less pain for cancer patients. Developed by a team led by Dr. Jay Lazaro of the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines-Diliman, the treatment uses immunoliposomes as carriers of drugs in cancer therapy. It is currently being tested on mice and part of a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology. "This kind of breakthrough technology is part of DOST’s drug discovery program for 2012,” says DOST Secretary Mario Montejo. “It lists high in the priorities under the Department's antibody molecular oncology R&D in our search for anti-cancer treatments suitable to Filipinos.” The more common method of treating cancer, chemotherapy, damages normal cells, so patients experience unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, fatigue, weight loss, changes in taste and smell, loss of appetite and hair loss. Therefore, a treatment that affects fewer normal cells will result in fewer side effects. The immunoliposome method coats cancer-treating drugs with liposomes, or microscopic artificial sacs that can be filled with drugs. The technology is more specific as it targets only cancer cells. Since there are fewer non-cancer cells affected by the treatment, it results in less toxicity and the patient feels less pain. The team is presently testing the technology using Caelyx, a cancer drug. However, “the technology can be eventually used for any other drug and any other illness,” says Dr. Lazaro. Cancer treatment using Caelyx may cost from P40,000 to 45,000 for every 20 mg. Although the immunoliposome treatment may cost higher, it can potentially be more effective because it is target-specific and results in less toxicity. This could mean less fatigue for the patient and a greater chance of beating and recovering against the disease. According to the Department of Health, cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines, behind communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases. — TJD,

News Update Philippines studying U.S. offer to deploy spy planes

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is considering a U.S. proposal to deploy surveillance aircraft on a temporary, rotating basis to enhance its ability to guard disputed areas in the South China Sea, the Philippine defence minister said on Friday. Two days of talks in Washington this week on security ties between the two allies include plans to deploy more littoral combat ships and spy aircraft, Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said. The effort to expand military ties between the United States and the Philippines, which voted to remove huge American naval and air bases 20 years ago, occurs as both countries grapple with the growing assertiveness of China. An expanded U.S. military presence in the region should help the Philippines better deter border intrusions, Gazmin said. "I would rather look at it from the positive point of view that there would be stability in the region, that we would have enough deterrent," he told reporters. "Without a deterrent force, we can be easily pushed around, our territories will be violated. Now that we have a good neighbor on the block, we can no longer be bullied," he said, referring to the United States. Officials from the two nations said after the talks they were committed to deepening cooperation on "security, defense, commerce, law enforcement, human rights, and disaster relief" but providing no details. In a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department, they said their foreign and defense ministers would hold a joint meeting in March, though they did not specify a date or venue. In Washington, Navy Captain John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, described talks with the Philippines as "preliminary." Kirby said they involved the potential for expanded exercise opportunities, exchange programs, more U.S. Navy ship visits "and other ways for us to partner with the Philippine military." The talks with the Philippines, a U.S. ally which voted to remove huge American naval and air bases 20 years ago, follow Washington's announcement of plans to set up a Marine base in northern Australia and possibly station warships in Singapore. The Obama administration describes the moves as part of a "pivot" toward economically dynamic Asia designed to reassure allies that felt neglected during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. But China sees the deployments as part of a broader U.S. attempt to encircle it as it grows into a major power. The South China Sea could be a flash point. China claims the entire sea, while the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan all have claims to parts of the area believed to have rich deposits of oil and gas. PROTEST Gazmin confirmed a U.S. offer to deploy surveillance aircraft in the Philippines but he said there was no plan for any new U.S. bases. The Philippines has a constitutional ban on foreign military bases on its soil. Admiral Robert Willard, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, told reporters in Washington the military's goal is to have a network of places close to the sea lanes of Southeast Asia where American forces can visit on rotation. "There is no desire nor view right now that the U.S. is seeking basing options anywhere in the Asia-Pacific theater," he said. Gazmin said there would be more exercises with U.S. forces and a rotating presence through port visits for exercises, repairs and resupply. Since 2002, about 600 U.S. commandos have been stationed in the south of the Philippines to help train and advise Philippine troops in fighting a small Islamist militant group with ties to al Qaeda. A Philippine military source told Reuters the head of the U.S. Pacific Command had proposed last August the deployment of P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft. More talks are due in Washington in March. Left-wing Philippine groups are planning to hold protests outside the U.S. embassy in Manila on Saturday to denounce what they describe as the "treacherous" negotiations with the United States. "They say that they will not bring back the U.S. bases but the proposal aims for virtual basing just the same," Renato Reyes, secretary-general of left-wing Bayan (Nation) group, said in a statement. The Philippines hosted major U.S. military facilities with tens of thousands of airmen and sailors for nearly a century until 1992 when U.S. forces pulled out after a vote in the Philippine Senate to terminate the bases treaty. In 1998, the Philippines and the United States signed a Visiting Forces Agreement that allows U.S. troops to visit for exercises and rest and recreation. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said the talks would not include the creation of any new U.S. bases. (Additional reporting by Paul Eckert and Jim Wolf in Washington; Editing by Rosemarie Francisco and Eric Walsh)

News Update Philippines arrests foreign trio in big drugs bust

Philippine police arrested two Taiwanese men and a Chinese on Sunday in a sting operation that netted illegal drugs worth over two million dollars, officials said. The three were caught selling more than two kilos (4.4 pounds) of the banned stimulant crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride, more commonly known as "ice" or "shabu", to an undercover agent, police said. Agents also found drugs in the suspects' vehicle. "We believe they are selling two kinds of 'shabu', one priced lower and one with a higher price imported from another country," task force head Superintendent Ismael Fajardo said on national radio. He said the bogus transaction took place at a car park of a hospital in Manila and agents pounced on the trio after marked money changed hands. The Philippines has been stepping up its fight against drug traffickers after concerns the archipelago country's vast shoreline made it a favourite shipment point for illegal drugs.

News Update China calls for calm after Philippine offer to US

China on Sunday called for greater efforts towards "peace and stability" in the region, after the Philippines offered to allow more US troops on its territory. Manila said Friday it planned to hold more joint exercises and to let more US troops rotate through the Southeast Asian country -- an offer welcomed by the United States as it seeks to expand its military power in Asia. "We hope that relevant parties will make more effort towards peace and stability in the region," China's foreign ministry said in a brief statement faxed to AFP. The government's response was in sharp contrast to a blistering editorial in the Global Times -- known for its nationalistic stance -- which said Beijing should impose sanctions against the Philippines over the move. China should use its "leverage to cut economic activities" between the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries and consider "cooling down" business links with its smaller neighbour, according to the editorial published in the Chinese and English versions of the newspaper. "It should show China's neighbouring areas that balancing China by siding with the US is not a good choice," it said. "Well-measured sanctions against the Philippines will make it ponder the choice of losing a friend such as China and being a vain partner with the US." China and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, have rival claims to parts of the South China Sea, home to some of the world's most important shipping lanes and believed to hold vast deposits of fossil fuels. Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia also have claims in the South China Sea. Manila and Hanoi complained repeatedly last year of what they said were increasingly aggressive acts by China in the decades-long rift. The alleged acts, which included a Chinese naval ship reportedly firing warning shots at Filipino fishermen, fuelled fears among some nations in the region about China as its military and political strength grows. The US has been looking to increase its military presence across Asia Pacific in a strategic shift that has angered China. US President Barack Obama said in November the United States would deploy up to 2,500 Marines to northern Australia. The following month, a US admiral wrote that the US expected to station several combat ships in Singapore.

News Update 4 Dominguez carjack gang men slain

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Four suspected remnants of the Dominguez carjacking syndicate, supposedly including the one who burned car dealer Emerson Lozano, were killed in a shootout with lawmen and operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Meycauayan City, Bulacan yesterday morning.
Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez, Bulacan police director, said only one of the slain suspects was identified as Nestor Samonte, 32.
But HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said one of the three others had the same build and complexion of Napoleon Salamat, who was wanted for the 2011 killings of Lozano, fellow car dealer Venson Evangelista and Lozano’s driver Ernani Sensil.
Espina said another member of the Dominguez syndicate, Rolando Talban, tagged as the group’s triggerman, could be the one who managed to escape on a motorcycle along with a companion at the height of the shootout at around 1:45 a.m. at Muralla Park in Meycauayan.
The syndicate leaders, brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez, are locked up in jail and being tried on car theft with homicide charges for the killing of Evangelista.
Told about the shootout, lawyer Oliver Lozano, the slain car dealer’s father, said, “They have been killing their victims like chickens. Now they died like rats.”
“That’s what I have been saying that while you can ran away from the law, you cannot escape karma,” he said.
In his testimony, state witness Alfred Mendiola said it was Salamat who burned the young Lozano.
For his part, Evangelista’s father Arsenio said, “I also believe he was the one who burned my son.”
Espina said elements of the HPG Task Force Limbas responded to a report on a group of men detaching and replacing the license plate of a gray Isuzu D-Max.
As the lawmen were approaching the scene, the suspects opened fire, triggering the shootout. Two of the suspects died on the spot, and the two others in a nearby hospital.
A check showed that the license plate being attached to the Isuzu D-Max – NOA-153 – was for a Honda Civic stolen in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Seized at the scene of the shootout were an Ingram machine pistol with live bullets, three caliber .45 pistols with bullets, another license plate (NHI-625), an ATM card of one Pablo Baguiwet, a copy of Salamat’s release order dated Nov. 4, 2010, and a driver’s license of one Eduardo Lopez who matched Talban’s description.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered the police to hunt down the killers of a female witness against the Dominguez brothers.
Robredo issued the order after receiving a report that Cristina Bruan Rojas was shot dead in a passenger jeepney yesterday after attending a court hearing in Malolos City on the car theft case against Raymond Dominguez. – With Reinir Padua, Ric Sapnu, Cecille Suerte Felipe - By Dino Balabo

News Update Pinoy scientists develop climate change tool

By Alexander Villafania
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA - Marine scientists from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) have developed a tool to assess the vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change.
Called the Integrated Coastal Sensitivity, Exposure, and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change (or ICSEA Change), it was developed through the DOST’s Remote Sensing Information for Living Environments and Nationwide Tools for Sentinel Ecosystems in our Archipelagic Seas (RESILIENT SEAS), a program to monitor coastal communities in the Philippines.
RESILIENT SEAS involves coordination with the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, UP Visayas, Bicol University, Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro), Mindanao State University (Naawan), and De La Salle University (DLSU).
The tool uses three factors: sensitivity, exposure or threat of exposure, and lack of adaptive capacity.
Using the tool, two factors out of three would indicate mean moderate vulnerability, while the presence of three factors would mean high vulnerability to climate change impact.
Among the methods to determine the effects of climate change are noticeable changes in soil erosion in beaches. Coral reefs and mangroves can also indicate sensitivity to climate change.
Coastal communities using ICSEA Change can also know what types of effects climate change would have on their respective communities. These might include rise in sea level, ocean warming, an increase in typhoon strength and heavy rainfall, and sedimentation.

News Update Villagers disarmed by Philippines police for fishermen massacre

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine police say they have disarmed villagers on a southern island as part of an investigation into a massacre that killed 15 fishermen in a suspected feud over lucrative fishing grounds.

Regional police officer Felicisimo Khu said on Wednesday that the Sibago Island residents and their confiscated guns will be tested to determine if they fired the weapons in Monday's attack on a group of rival fishermen who were aboard three boats.

He says no suspects have been named.

Mr Khu says only four bodies have been recovered from the sea but the other 11 fishermen are missing and presumed dead. He says visiting United States troops sent a plane to help in the search.

News Update Manila red-faced as official seen buying pirated DVDs

MANILA - In an embarrassing setback to the Philippine government's anti-piracy effort, President Benigno Aquino's political adviser was caught on camera shopping for illegally copied films in a mall here.

A photograph of Mr Ronald Llamas browsing through a box of pirated DVDs was published on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Wednesday.

A journalist from one of the Inquirer's sister newspapers spotted Mr Llamas - accompanied by his bodyguards - buying a 'stack' of DVDs from a stall holder at the Circle C mall in the Quezon City area of Manila on Monday night.

BACKGROUND STORY

SOME EXPLAINING

'I will ask him first what he was doing there. There is a process and we have rules and regulations to follow.'

President Benigno Aquino on his political adviser Ronald Llamas, who was caught on camera shopping for illegally copied films

Mr Aquino downplayed the incident. He told TV5 while visiting flood victims in the south on Wednesday that DVD piracy is not a high priority. 'We have so many other problems,' he said.

News Update Philippines' Jollibee buys half of SuperFoods

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippines fast-food giant Jollibee Food Corps. says it has bought a 50 percent stake in Asian food company SuperFoods Group.
Superfoods owns and operates Highlands Coffee Shops in Vietnam; Highlands Coffee Packaged Products; Hard Rock Cafe franchises in Macau, Hong Kong, and Vietnam; and the Pho 24 brand and restaurants in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and Japan.
Jollibee said Tuesday the $25 million investment is part of its joint-venture with Vietnam-based Viet Thai International Stock Company. The deal also involves a $35 million loan to Viet Thai, with Jollibee already advancing $5 million to SuperFoods.
The purchase gives Jollibee a 49 percent stake in SF Vung Tau Joint Stock Company, and a 60 percent stake in Blue Sky Holdings Limited which are vehicles for SuperFoods brands.

News Update Only 4 percent of PHL coral reefs in excellent health —DENR

Most of the country's coral reefs are in dire condition, putting the Philippines' food security at risk, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) officials said on Tuesday.

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau director Mundita Lim said only 4% of the country’s coral reefs, estimated at 26,000 square kilometers, are in “excellent condition.”

“The rest are candidates for restoration,” she said in a forum at the United Nations Environment Programme’s Land-Ocean Connection Conference.

Of the 800 coral species in the world, 500 can be found in the Philippines, making its seas one of the most diverse in the world. But Philippine coral reefs have deteriorated over the years because of over-exploitation, illegal fishing practices, marine pollution, and rising ocean temperature and acidification.

“Our coasts and seas have suffered heavy degradation wrought by over half a century of destructive practices,” Lim during her presentation.

“The World Resource Institute released a study only this year that the Philippines is one of the nine countries in the world with high to very high exposure to coral reef threats, but low to medium adaptive capacity,” she added.

Lim said the DENR and the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute are studying areas that will be prioritized for rehabilitation.

Coral reefs are considered underwater forests because of their complex ecosystem that supports a huge amount of wildlife. They are also carbon sinks and a major mitigator of climate change.

For 2012, Lim said the DENR will rehabilitate 5 hectares of coral reefs. In 2013, it will be increased to 200 hectares.

The Philippines would also be increasing its marine protected areas, which is cost-effective way of protecting coral reefs and marine life. This would ensure that communities would have a hand in protecting the ecosystem, which is also the source of their livelihood.

At present, most of the funding for coral reef preservation comes from the private sector. What the government can do is to provide scientific and technical help to the private sector conservationists, Lim said.

UN and DENR officials said the Philippines and other countries should make sure that the impact of their land-based activities on marine life is reduced to save the world's oceans.

UNEP Director on Environmental Policy Ibrahim Thiaw has warned of exploding marine litter from cities, fertilizers, tourism and industrial activities.

He noted that dead zones are increasing in Asia. Dead zones refer to areas in the oceans where algal blooms, stimulated by fertilizers and sewage, consume all of the oxygen in the water, choking the life out of these areas.

Over 240,000 sq km of estuaries and shelf areas and some of the most productive waters are affected by this threat

Thiaw noted that dead zones in the developing world poses huge economic losses for countries dependent on marine resources.

Nations need to reverse the degradation of the world's oceans as billions of people depend on it for livelihood and food, Thiaw said.

According to a UN presentation yesterday, healthy reefs can produce up to 35 tons of fish per square kilometers.

In the Philippines, the seas supply more than 80% of the animal protein of the Filipino public, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said. More than 60% of the country's 96 million population live near the coast, he added.

The Bohol Coral Triangle, a major fishing ground, generates $3.4 million of revenues from fishing activities annually, the UN said. The reefs also attract tourists, another income generator for the province.

The effects of deteriorating ocean life is already felt in the Philippines.

The Department of Agriculture said the country’s commercial and municipal fish production declined last year by 16.3% and 2.9%, respectively.

The DA acknowledged that there has been a reduction in certain fish species, forcing them to impose closed fishing season in major spawning and fishing grounds.

Aside from the land-ocean connection conference, the first of its kind, the UNEP is also conducting a high-level Third Intergovernmental Review Meeting (IGR3) on the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environmen in Manila.

The GPA will craft a response to the threats against the world's oceans, Thiaw said.
Around 500 participants, 200 of whom from different countries around the world, are expected to attend the twin events organized by the UNEP.

The participants will include representatives from over 70 governments, as well as scientists and marine experts.

At the end of the meeting on Friday, a non-legally binding document that will guide countries on how to protect their seas and coasts, will be called the Manila Declaration.

It will be one of the inputs in the UN Rio + 20 Conference on Sustainable Development in June. — TJD

News Update Manila seizes shipment feared bound for drugs gang

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine customs authorities waited a month to see who would claim the suspicious shipment of "kitchen equipment" from Taiwan. The unclaimed items seized Tuesday appeared to have been meant for cooking something illegal.
A Chinese drug syndicate is suspected to have arranged the shipment to use the drumloads of chemicals, heating equiment and other items to produce large quantities of methamphetamine in the Philippines, officials said.
After a tip-off from an informant, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission secretly monitored the arrival of the shipment as part of a new crackdown to prevent foreign-based drug syndicates from setting up clandestine drug laboratories and secret warehouses in the country, specially in the capital, said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., who heads the commission.
The five containers were declared by the shipper as carrying kitchen equipment. It had refrigerators, laboratory glass containers and pipes, plus 80 drums of sulfuric acid and more than 400 bags of caustic soda to make meth, Deputy Customs Commissioner Danilo Lim said.
Anti-narcotics agents were trying to find the sender and would-be recipient of the shipment, Lim said. The seized equipment strongly resembled items found in a drug-manufacturing hideout raided recently in an upscale Manila enclave, he added.
Methamphetamine is known locally as "shabu."
The Philippines continues to face an alarming drug problem despite efforts to disrupt major trafficking syndicates and dismantle clandestine labs. Corruption among law enforcers and officials and vast stretches of unpatrolled coastline make the country an attractive narcotics source and transshipment point.
Illegal drug production in the Philippines carries a maximum prison term of 40 years.

News Update Lapid's wife arrested in US for smuggling $50,000

The wife of Sen. Lito Lapid was arrested shortly after her landing in Las Vegas last Jan. 15 in connection with the dollar smuggling charges filed against her after she was accosted at the international airport there last November.
Senator Lapid confirmed yesterday that his wife Marissa was arrested but she was released on bail. She will, however, remain in Las Vegas pending the resolution of the case involving the alleged smuggling of $50,000 in cash last November.

He said an American lawyer is now assisting Marissa.

“I have also sought the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs to find out what really happened,he said, adding that he has coordinated with the US embassy in Manila for clarification.

Reports from the US said agents of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Marissa Lapid at the Las Vegas International Airport last Jan. 15.

Marissa’s arrest arose from a US federal warrant issued against her on Jan. 5, 2012 in connection with her earlier arrest on Nov. 27 last year for the dollar smuggling attempt.

US authorities filed an affidavit that said Marissa was caught after she declared to Customs personnel at the Las Vegas airport that she had in her possession only $10,000.

A search of her luggage, however, yielded two socks containing $10,000 each and another $20,000 was recovered inside a cloth bag.

Under US laws, anyone carrying more than $10,000 cash should fill out Customs Form 4790 and submit it to Customs authorities at the point of entry or departure. The possessor must also be prepared to prove legitimate ownership of the cash.

US Customs officials at the Las Vegas airport reportedly seized the $50,000 cash pending investigation of the case.

Apparently, Marissa was released without posting bail and no charges were filed against her pending the investigation.

Lawyer Filmer Abrajano, Sen. Lapid’s chief of staff, said that the information they had received regarding Marissa was still sketchy and he could not say why she was released last November.

Abrajano said that Marissa spent Christmas here in the Philippines.

He said Marissa was nabbed when she returned to Las Vegas last Jan. 15. She was apparently not aware that a case had already been filed against her.

Abrajano declined to give other details upon the instruction of Marissa’s American lawyer in Las Vegas.

Sen. Lapid said that he was informed that a hearing on the case has been set on Feb. 7.

Marissa could be sentenced up to five years in jail, fined up to $250,000, and made to forfeit the $50,000 cash recovered from her if she is convicted of the offense.

The criminal complaint against Marissa cited violation of US laws, regardless of whether or not the $50,000 was acquired legally.

After a court appearance, Marissa was allowed to post bail.

The court reportedly ordered Marissa to surrender her passport, restrict her travel to only within Clark County, Nevada unless the pretrial services office of the court gives her permission to leave.

The court also ordered her to wear an ankle bracelet monitoring device.

Marissa is the mother of former Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid, now the general manager of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority under the Department of Tourism.

Sen. Lapid and Marissa have four children, with Mark being the youngest.

Personnel at Mark’s tourism office in Manila said their boss left for the US sometime last week with the permission of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and that he is on leave without pay.

Sen. Lapid said that Mark is in the US to arrange for his studies at Stanford University.

Similar dollar smuggling charges were filed against two sons of former military comptroller Gen. Carlos Garcia who were arrested at the San Francisco airport after they tried to smuggle $100,000 cash in 2003.

Garcia’s sons Juan Paulo and Ian Carl were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling, and one count of bulk cash smuggling.

Juan Paulo also faced charges of failing to file a report on the import of monetary instruments and one count of making false statements to a government agency.

Gen. Garcia is now detained at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa after a military court martial found him guilty of misdeclaring his assets and hiding his status as permanent US resident while still in active service.

Garcia, his wife and three sons, including Juan Paulo and Ian Carl, were also charged with plunder before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly amassing P303.27 million in unexplained wealth during the former comptroller’s active military service.

News Update Samar Mayor's aide killed in NPA attack

MANILA, Philippines - A security aide of a mayor was killed and another person was injured when lawless elements, suspected to be New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, disrupted the celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño in Lapinig, Northern Samar last Friday, the military said.
Lt. Col. Niceforo Diaz Jr., commander of the Army’s 8th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said about 50 armed men showed up during the event at around 6 p.m. Friday.
Some residents tried to resist the armed men, resulting in the killing of Aurelio Julata, 50, a security aide of Mayor Menzon Romualdo.
Diaz said the armed men also took Julata’s issued firearm.
A certain Romeo Senobio Jr. sustained injuries during the melee.
Diaz said the armed men also looted several houses, including that of Rowena Opena, a police officer.
He said Opena was not on duty and was at home with her family when the incident happened. The armed men seized her service pistol.
Local media reports said the armed men are NPA guerrillas. Diaz, however, could not confirm this.
Northern Samar is one of the areas with a huge concentration of communist insurgents.
Local police forces and local residents fought back, prompting the suspected rebels to retreat onboard a vehicle they hijacked from the Yakal Construction Co.
Diaz said authorities are now processing the complaint against the attackers.
The Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade has ordered its units to assess the situation and to work with local officials in securing the area. – With Jaime Laude -

News Update Fewer Pinoys rate themselves poor

Amid rising consumer prices and sluggish growth, the number of Filipino families who consider themselves “mahirap” or poor dropped by 1.3 million in the past three months, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The SWS poll, conducted from Dec. 3 to 7, 2011, found 45 percent of respondents (about 9.1 million households) saying they were “mahirap” or poor, down from 52 percent (about 10.4 million families) in September.

SWS said the new poverty rate was just two points above the all-time low of 43 percent recorded in March 1987 and March 2010.

Results of the SWS survey, published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday, also found 36 percent (estimated 7.2 million) of respondents who claim they are poor in terms of food, five points down from 41 percent (estimated 8.2 million) in September.

The December 2011 poverty rate, the lowest so far achieved under the Aquino administration, put the 2011 average at 49 percent, up a point from 2010. The food-poor count average, meanwhile, was 38 percent, two points higher compared to 2010.

SWS, however, noted that self-rated poverty rose by 19 points to 38 percent in Mindanao and by eight points to 47 percent in Metro Manila.

It dropped by eight points to 45 percent in balance Luzon and by a point in the Visayas to 52 percent.

Self-rated poverty also declined by 13 points in rural areas to 49 percent and by two points to 41 percent in towns and cities.

Self-rated food poverty also plunged by 14 points to 30 percent in Mindanao and by eight points to 37 percent in balance Luzon.

However, it rose by six and four points, respectively, to 31 percent in Metro Manila and 43 percent in the Visayas.

SWS said families continued to tighten their belts with the self-rated poverty threshold – the monthly budgets poor households say they need in order not to consider themselves poor -– staying sluggish despite rising inflation.

It fell to P10,000 in Metro Manila, P6,000 in balance Luzon and P6,000 in the Visayas, while it stayed at P6,000 in Mindanao.

Median food-poverty thresholds, meanwhile, fell to P5,000 in Metro Manila and P3,750 in the Visayas, but stayed at P4,000 in balance Luzon and P3,500 in Mindanao.

The SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults.

It used sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national and plus or minus six percentage points for area percentages.

Findings welcomed

Malacañang welcomed the results of the SWS survey and reiterated its commitment to reduce if not eradicate poverty in the country.

“While these findings are welcome, the administration will not let up in its reform agenda. We remain firm in the belief that good governance is the root cause of positive results in our economic and human development efforts,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

According to the Palace official, this is “thus far the lowest under this administration,” referring to the survey results that the number of families that consider themselves poor has declined to 45 percent.

Lacierda cited Aquino’s ceremonial switch-on of the Heart and Soul Project and the Household Electrification Program. “It brings us closer to our goal of giving electricity to 90 percent of households currently without electricity by 2017.”

“Both endeavors also prioritize the electrification of off-grid households through the use of sustainable and renewable energy sources,” he said in a statement.

“The potential of such projects can only be fully realized if they are handled with integrity. The Aquino administration remains committed to the pursuit of justice on all fronts; inclusive growth and equitable progress remain our driving principles,” the palace spokesman said. With Delon Porcalla

News Update Palace welcomes news on PAL being for sale

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang welcomed yesterday the announcement of Philippine Airlines (PAL) chairman and chief executive officer Lucio Tan that the flag carrier would be for sale “at the right price,” saying any new investments would mean better services for the riding public.
“Considering that PAL is our national brand, the additional investments would improve the branding of our national carrier. Additional investments would mean improved services,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing.
He said in any negotiations, the government would only want to make sure that the riding public would not be inconvenienced, stressing that would be their “primary concern.”
“As to the specific details of the announcement of Mr. Lucio Tan, we are not privy to that. So that has to be fleshed out,” he said.
“He (Tan) just announced it’s for sale. But are there any takers? There have been rumors that some parties have expressed interests. But they have categorically denied it previously so we don’t know yet. So let’s wait for takers and discussions on those details,” he said.
Tan earlier confirmed that “some of his friends” have expressed interest in investing in PAL. These include corporate tycoons Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) chairman Manuel Pangilinan.
He, however, provided no details if there are indeed formal negotiations with specific parties as well as confirm top-level talks with potential investors and his reasons for selling.
PAL employees earlier said they have not been updated on the status of top-level talks with potential investors such as Ang and Pangilinan.
San Miguel, for its part, had disclosed that the planned venture would finance the company’s refleeting program.
The management of the country’s flag carrier, for its part, said it welcomes the possible entry of a new investor.
A refleeting would enable PAL to upgrade its aging planes by 2015.
According to latest data, PAL reported a loss of $39.4 million for the second quarter of its fiscal year, or from July to September 2011, due to high fuel costs.
PAL had expected the average fuel cost to hit $120 per barrel but this has risen to $135 per barrel.
For its current fiscal year, PAL expects to post losses because of high fuel costs and revenue losses brought about by the strike of its employees.
Last September, PAL employees went on strike in protest of the company’s outsourcing plans. The strike resulted in crippled operations for PAL and thousands of passengers stranded. - By Aurea Calica

News Update Militiaman killed, 4 soldiers wounded in NPA attacks

MANILA, Philippines - A militiaman was killed while four soldiers were wounded in separate attacks by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Samar and Batangas yesterday.
Lt. Col. Cerilo Balaoro, commander of the Army’s 87th Infantry Battalion, said a militiaman was hit in the abdomen when they encountered around 50 rebels in Barangay Ginbanga in Calbiga, Samar at around 7:35 a.m.
He said the soldiers were patrolling the area when the encounter occurred.
The militiaman’s identity was withheld as his family has yet to be informed about the incident.
Three suspected NPA rebels, one of them a woman, were captured after the encounter. Four fragmentation grenades, two pistols, a laptop and subversive documents were recovered from the three detainees.
In another incident, four soldiers were wounded in a landmine attack staged by rebels in Nasugbu, Batangas last Sunday.
Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said troops from the 73rd Combat Squadron were on two trucks on their way to their base when the incident occurred.
Okol said one of the trucks hit an anti-personnel landmine in Sitio Munting Buhangin in Barangay Natipuan in Nasugbu town.
Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina identified the wounded as Sgt. Philip Rañola, Sgt. Virodec Bobila, Sgt. Joel Salles and Airman Gershwin Valdez.
The four soldiers were hit by shrapnel and were brought to the Apacible Hospital also in Nasugbu.
Bolina said the landmine damaged the tires of the truck.
Okol and Bolina said the use of landmines is a violation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
Capt. Gene Orense, spokesperson for the Philippine Army, said at least two improvised explosive devices were recovered about five meters away from where the military truck hit the landmine.
The police and the military are conducting follow-up operations to identify and arrest those behind the attack. – With Michelle Zoleta, Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso

News Update Defense bucks use of tax returns vs CJ

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Chief Justice Renato Corona will protest the move of the prosecution to include the income tax returns of the chief magistrate and his family as evidence in the impeachment trial, a defense lawyer said yesterday.
Tranquil Salvador III said the defense panel will also question the presentation of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares as witness in the impeachment court.
“They cannot do that. It is irrelevant to the case,” Salvador said.
He said they would challenge the prosecution if and when they present Henares to the impeachment court.
Salvador argued that the release of the income tax return of any individual needs the approval of President Aquino who has been advocating the removal of Corona from office.
Aquino also heads the ruling Liberal Party, whose camp has been vocal about the impeachment of Corona.
Salvador admitted that they were saddened by the prosecution’s move to link the issue of Corona’s alleged illegally acquired wealth to the non-disclosure of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) as discussed in Article 2 of the eight articles of impeachment.
“That’s still a dispute. We are bit saddened by this... this (process) should have been completed before the House committee of justice and determined on the outset,” he said.
Echoing the statement of a fellow counsel that the prosecution is on a fishing expedition, Salvador lamented the “investigation has become contemporaneous with the trial.”
No less that chief defense counsel Serafin Cuevas had manifested the need for his client to avail himself of a preliminary hearing prior to the actual trial.
Cuevas argued Corona was deprived of due process and his right to be heard when 188 congressmen signed the impeachment complaint and hastily filed it before the Senate last December.
But Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the body had decided against Corona’s move for a preliminary hearing since it was not in the rules, and that the Senate, once convened as an impeachment body, should “forthwith proceed” with the trial.
Salvador said even the hands of the 23 senator-judges were tied down by the rules.
Nonetheless, Salvador said they will fight to “protect the interest of our client.”
He added the defense will possibly object or approve the offer to present the income tax returns of the chief justice and members of his family this week, which would depend “on the purpose of how they (prosecution) will present them.”
“They want the people to make the conclusions on these, presenting to the public the chief justice’s SALN and his income tax return. And say, why is this so small? And yet he got the (alleged) properties,” Salvador said.
Game changer
Salvador said they would definitely oppose the presentation of Henares as a witness.
He made the statement after the prosecution panel revealed last week that they will continue to prove that Corona enriched himself in office.
Lead House prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. said the prosecution panel will present Henares to bolster their allegations that Corona’s income is not enough for him to be able to acquire multimillion-peso properties. Henares went to the Senate last Wednesday but was directed to return this week on the continuation of the trial.
Instead, the prosecution presented three land registrars to the witness stand to prove that Corona and his wife, Cristina, had more than the properties listed in their joint SALN.
Tupas said the prosecution is focusing on how Corona betrayed public trust in relation to his non-disclosure of SALN.
“Plunder is technical, it is a series of acts. We are proving betrayal of public trust, that is where we are focusing,” he said.
Despite the presentation of voluminous SALN documents, condominium titles, and deeds of sale, the defense camp is moving to discredit all evidence pinning down Corona over his alleged illegally acquired wealth.
Cuevas has been arguing the issue of ill-gotten wealth is not covered by Article 2 of the articles of impeachment on Corona.
He said the accusations of non-disclosure of SALN were based on mere speculation, not on “ultimate facts.”
The issue of inhibition
Corona’s lawyers, however, are wary on moves to have some of the senator-judges inhibit from the trial.
Salvador said there is no need to since Corona remains strong and steadfast in the belief that he can withstand this latest challenge in his judicial career.
Asked how he thinks Corona is taking the trial, Salvador said the chief justice “can stand for himself” even in the middle of the prosecution’s attempt to include his family in the impeachment trial.
“As it stands now, they believe that he didn’t do anything (wrong)... Apart from the chief justice, the more that the judiciary should be protected here not just for now but (for the benefit) of the coming generations,” he said.
“Whatever the impact there is on our lives. It will have impact on us as a nation. It’s not about keeping him (Corona) in office, it is also about protecting the judiciary, for anyone who sits there,” Salvador added.
Cuevas said the defense team is weighing the possible outcome or consequences if they move for the inhibition of some senator-judges.
“We are still studying it. This is a sensitive concern because we are appearing before a court with 23 judges, unlike in a (regular) court with only one judge,” he said.
“What would be the price of an act of hostility against them? I am not saying that that is possible but that is equally discernable because we are only human. They would not like it and definitely it might do something bad for us too,” he said.
The issue of inhibition cropped up when Sen. Franklin Drilon, for two consecutive days, seemed to have saved the day for the prosecution panel, initially when he was able to elicit information from SC clerk of court Enriquetta Vidal that she brought with her Corona’s SALN.
This prompted the body to let her surrender it to the court.
A national organization of judges, however, reminded the senators of their mandate to be impartial while sitting as judges in the impeachment trial.
The Metropolitan and City Judges Association of the Philippines (MetCJAP) appealed to the senators to shun political affiliations and even public opinion when they cast their votes on the guilt or acquittal of the embattled chief magistrate over the eight articles of impeachment.
“As senator-judges, they owe it to the people not only to be impartial, independent and honest but they should be perceived to be impartial, independent and honest as well,” MetCJAP president and Cagayan de Oro City Judge Cesar Merlas said in a statement.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, an independent analyst in the impeachment case, echoed this appeal.
He said the senators should not cast their vote in “a robotic manner” dictated by their political affiliations, but instead base their decision on evidence and rules.
Citing the separate opinion of retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno in a case involving the canvass of votes in the 2004 election of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Macalintal likened the function of senators in an impeachment trial to their function when sitting as National Board of Canvassers during presidential polls.
Macalintal said the senators, in sitting as impeachment jurors, are “not meeting as a lawmaking body” and therefore required to discharge their function “with fairness and impartiality” to come up with an “informed and intelligent judgment.”
Quoting Puno, Macalintal said the senator-judges “should keep their eyes open but should shut them off to any political light.”
“Thus, paraphrasing the scholarly views of Puno, our senators-judges are called upon to exercise their discretion with fairness and impartiality to the end that an intelligent judgment is arrived at with full assurances that the constitutional rights of the impeached official are observed and protected. For these constitutional rights are not suspended during the impeachment trial,” he said.
The MetCJAP and Macalintal made the appeal after four days of hearings in the impeachment court last week.
Observers had criticized Drilon for supposedly aiding the prosecutors in advancing their case.
Several quarters have already reportedly called for his inhibition with former senator Francisco Tatad, who was observing the proceedings, calling the senator as “Prosecutor Drilon.”
“While the perceived partiality of Senator-Judge Drilon may not be entirely without basis, I believe that as man of the law he will do what is fair and just,” the MetCJAP said.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) already made the same appeal for impartiality of senators before the trial started last week.
“Even more empathic is the solemn oath taken by the senator-judges in hearing the case of Chief Justice Corona - ‘to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the law of the Philippines.’ And an impartial justice can only be based on facts and evidence and not on personal sentiments or swings of public opinion,” the IBP said in a statement. - With Edu Punay - By Christina Mendez

News Update Philippine fruit, veg in Singapore market test

The Philippines will send a "trial shipment" of fruit and vegetables to Singapore next week in hopes of cracking the lucrative market and possibly expanding elsewhere, according to an official.
The move comes as the government tries to expand the nation's agricultural exports, which currently sit at about $4 billion, compared with Vietnam's $11 billion and Thailand's $28 billion.
About 20 boxes of carrots, cabbage, bananas, papaya, squash and spices will be shipped next week through Singaporean company Green and Fresh Ltd, said agriculture assistant secretary Salvador Salacup.
"These are just initial trial shipments. They still have to test the market for receptivity by their consumers, to test quality-wise for pest and disease control, if we meet safety and health protocols," he told AFP.
Officials from Green and Fresh visited the Philippines last year to check farms before deciding on the trial shipments, Salacup added.
If successful the trial could lead to large-scale shipments to Singapore which can open the door to other agricultural exports such as chicken and pork, Salacup said.N

News Update Just like a real home

MANILA, Philippines - A typical guestroom at Discovery Suites is almost like a complete home. Consider the amenities: It has a living room, a dining room and a fully-equipped kitchen. Even the one-bedroom units come with all these features.
Several more thoughtful frills are in-store for guests, who consequently may not want to leave the room throughout their stay at Discovery Suites. For instance, one can just relax and enjoy the widescreen LCD screen TV; there's one in the living room and another in the bedroom. And there's a DVD player so one might end up watching his favorite films in the room all day. Or those who have to bring over some work from the office can avail of the complimentary Wi-Fi service and finish everything right here in the quiet, private confines of the suite.
The Discovery Suites is housed in one of the taller buildings in Ortigas Center. The eastern section of the tower offers a spectacular view of the Sierra Madre mountain range, while the opposite side has a view of the Ortigas skyline. The suites are so spacious; guests can host a small private party in the place. Putter around the kitchen and you'll find a set of wine glasses and utensils. And with the living room equipped with a CD player, the party is just waiting to happen.
The hotel has just finished refurbishing several of its suites, which have been dubbed the Serendipity Suites. It's a premium brand of room of sorts. Prior to the renovations, the rooms offered a cozy atmosphere; brown and red seemed to be the dominant colors then. Parquet flooring, brown carpeting, red orange sofas and wood accents were the norm.
The new look is a complete departure; it's more elegant, cheerful and pleasant to be in. There's a bit of the modern Asian look in the interiors and it's fused with traditional classic designs. The wooden chairs, the sofa and coffee table, for instance, have that classical, elegant shape that is modern and glamorous. The parquet floors have given way to laminated wood, which looks cleaner and smoother.
Other touches, such as the curtains, fresh roses in the elegant vase and exquisite lamp shades add a certain grace to the room. The white shelves that house the LCD, the DVD player and CD player are specially lit to provide a stylish setting. The lighting is also meant to place emphasis on the wooden Asian sculptures ensconced in the shelves.
The huge mirror in the dining area makes the suite even look roomier. And with the lights on, the place also looks brighter. This is a sharp contrast to the interior design of yore, when the suites were luxurious though the overall atmosphere looked and felt somewhat darker. This new look is far more resplendent without being too lavish.
The Discovery Suites is conveniently located at the heart of Ortigas Center. Guests can just take a short walk to this business hub's major malls.
But this writer doubts whether any guest would want to leave his suite at all, especially when one gazes at the hustle and bustle going on in the streets below. When one gets that feeling of being above all this, he'd rather just stay put.
For inquiries, contact Discovery Suites at 719-8888.

News Update Philippines cuts interest rates to boost economy

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines' central bank says it has cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point to boost the economy while the inflation outlook is benign and the world economy is tipping toward a further slowdown.
Central bank Gov. Amando Tetangco said the bank's Monetary Board decided on the rate cuts Thursday.
They are the first since 2009 and follow similar moves by other emerging markets to ease monetary policy.
The interest rate paid by the central bank to lenders for overnight deposits has been cut to 4.25 percent, and the rate borrowers pay for overnight borrowing from the central bank to 6.25 percent.
Tetangco says average annual inflation is forecast to fall within the lower half of a 3 percent to 5 percent range up to 2013.

News Update US, Filipino forces plan drills near disputed area

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — U.S. and Philippine marines plan to hold combat drills at an oil rig in the South China Sea to bolster the defense of such sensitive facilities in a bold move that may provoke protests from China, which claims waters in or near the location.
Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban, commander of the Philippine military's Western Command, said Thursday the exercises will be held in March or April off western Palawan province and should not alarm China because these will be done within Philippine territorial waters.
The drills involve U.S. Marines training their Philippine counterparts in defending and retaking oil and gas rigs captured by security threats like terrorists, Sabban said, adding military organizers from both sides did not contemplate on China as an imaginary target when they planned the drills.
"We need this special training so we can defend our oil and gas platforms," Sabban told The Associated Press. "We're doing it in an actual oil rig. We have many of these oil rigs we need to protect."
The drills are part of an annual joint military exercises by the longtime defense allies called Balikatan, which aims to improve the capability of the two countries' forces to respond militarily to threats that include terrorists, pirates and smugglers or deal with natural disasters.
The Balikatan or "shoulder-to-shoulder" exercises have mostly been done around the main northern Luzon island in past years but will be held in Palawan for nearly a month starting in mid-March. More than 500 U.S. soldiers and marines, along with their warships and aircraft, will take part in the exercises with about 1,000 Filipino military personnel, Sabban said.
Aside from the combat drills, the military participants will undertake school repairs and medical missions.
"It's an annual exercise and should not cause any concern to China," Sabban said.
Still, the Balikatan exercises may likely invite Chinese protests.
Palawan province lies near the Spratlys, a potentially oil- and gas-rich chain of islands, shoals, coral outcrops and sand bars being disputed by China and the Philippines, along with Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The Spratlys have long been feared as Asia's next potential flashpoint for conflict.
China, which claims virtually all of the South China Sea on historical grounds, has routinely protested military exercises near the disputed territories. The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to an AP request for a comment.
Sabban said the upcoming oil rig drills will be held in Philippine waters northwest of Palawan near an area called Malampaya, site of the country's largest natural gas field.
The AP has learned that China last year claimed new territory in or near the venue of the planned drills.
China protested in July a publicly-announced plan by the Philippine government to explore for oil and gas in waters called "areas 3 and 4," the nearest point of which lies less than 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Palawan. The Philippines has dismissed China's claims, arguing the areas were well within the country's territorial waters and too far off mainland China, Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. has said.
The new areas being claimed by China are not part of the Spratlys.
The Philippines has appropriated more funds to protect Malampaya and outlying waters and secure foreign companies exploring for oil and gas, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Thursday.
"What creates uncertainty is this looming threat coming from China," Abad said. "It hasn't really helped the cause of everybody who are active players in the region for China to be unpredictable and for countries not to be able to read the direction of Chinese government policy."
Beijing has been asserting its territorial claims more aggressively as its economic and diplomatic muscle has grown. In March, two Chinese vessels tried to drive away a Philippine oil exploration ship from Reed Bank, another area west of Palawan.
Two Philippine air force planes were deployed, but the Chinese vessels had disappeared by the time they reached the submerged bank.

News Update Philippine anti-crime czar sacked for kidnap

MANILA (AFP) - The head of the Philippines' top crime investigation agency was sacked on Thursday for being involved in the kidnapping for ransom of a Japanese woman, the justice secretary said.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief Magtanggol Gatdula and 10 of his agents were linked to last year's abduction of the Japanese woman, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters.

'The (investigating) panel made recommendations for the filing of administrative and criminal charges (against) the NBI director himself who based on testimony, had personal knowledge of the crime,' said Ms de Lima.

The recommendations were made after Gatdula, other NBI officials, the victim and Japanese embassy officials testified to a justice department panel tasked with investigating the crime, she said.

News Update Philippines promotes tobacco for fish farming

MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines has launched a new campaign promoting tobacco - not for smoking but for fish farming, a government tobacco agency official said Thursday.

Over six months, about 400 fish-farmers in the northern coastal province of La Union will be using 'tobacco dust' to kill mollusks and other predators that prey on fish, said Rex Teoxon of the National Tobacco Administration.

'We are going to train the fisher folk and the whole community on sustainable aqua culture using the tobacco dust,' said Mr Teoxon, head of the agency's corporate planning department.

The drive is part of an effort to find alternative uses for the crop in the face of the global anti-smoking campaig

News Update DOE launches e-tricycle design contest

In a bid to encourage Filipino innovation and ingenuity in creating the Philippine version of the green vehicle, the Department of Energy has launched a contest to design an electric tricycle (e-trike). With the theme “Bright Now! Do Right. Be Bright. Go E-trike!” the contest is open to Filipinos aged 18 and above, whether as individuals or groups. "Contestant/s must generate 2D and 3D computer-aided drawings of the best aesthetic and functional design for the prospect Philippine E-trike look (AutoCAD). Entries should feature a design that can accommodate a maximum of six passengers excluding the driver," the DOE said in a news release posted on the Official Gazette website. It added the design must be a three-wheeled electric vehicle. “We want a design that can be used here in the city, and at the same time it can also be used by people in the provinces,” DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said. Almendras said the electric tricycles can be promoted as a “rural electric vehicle” or “RUV” since some provinces only have tricycles as their mode of transportation. The electric tricycle program is a partnership between the DOE and the Asian Development Bank as part of their National Electric Vehicle Strategy. While the strategy is being developed, DOE will start introducing e-tricycles, e-jeepneys, e-buses, and e-cars with the help of local entrepreneurs and technical experts. The DOE is currently developing a sustainable model for introducing electric tricycles. From tricycles to small electric cars The DOE envisions the promotion of e-tricycles will eventually translate to the development of local capabilities to design and maintain small-sized electric cars. Almendras said a couple of car manufacturers have already expressed interest in setting up local manufacturing facilities that will lead to the creation of more jobs and a dynamic market for locally assembled units for export to the ASEAN region in the future. Meanwhile, a parallel program is the DOE’s Fueling Sustainable Transport Program (FSTP) which seeks to convert public and private vehicles from diesel and gasoline to compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electric power. "With this program, the government hopes to reduce the carbon footprint of local road transport and cut 30 percent of the number of gasoline and diesel-fed transport vehicles in the country by 2020," the DOE said. — TJD

News Update World Bank report details Philippine loan misuse

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The World Bank says it wants a refund of a portion of its $21.9 million loan to the Philippine Supreme Court to support judicial reforms after a review uncovered the misuse of funds.
A bank memorandum submitted to Philippine officials last month says the Judicial Reform Support Project is a "high risk" and its financial statements "can no longer be relied upon."
A copy of the bank's report, released Wednesday by the Philippine Finance Department, asks that $199,900 "ineligible expenditures" be refunded by the end of the month. They include objectionable disbursements for travels and purchases of computers.
The World Bank has acknowledged the document's existence but has not released it to the public.
Midas Marquez, a spokesman for the court, said its Project Management Office has been directed to address the report.
The report specifically identified Marquez and impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona by their position but not by name.
According to the report, Marquez headed the bids and awards committee for the project and was authorized by Corona to approve payments of up to 500,000 pesos ($11,442). The report called the arrangement a "conflict of interest" that "eliminates internal checks and balances" needed for procurement and disbursement functions.
In four contracts under the project, Marquez requested the services, approved the terms of the contracts, authorized contract extensions and payments to the contractor, and was the end-user of services provided, the bank report said.
The arrangement presents a "conflict of interest" and eliminates internal checks and balances, it added.
The World Bank loan was approved in 2003 to improve the speed in resolving cases and to give the public greater access to justice. But the bank said decision-making and implementation of contracts has been limited to a few personnel, leaving the process with diminished internal controls.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters the document is the surest evidence that funds meant for judicial reforms were wasted and basic rules of governance were ignored.
"The findings are scandalous as they are shocking," he said.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said "the leadership of the Supreme Court cannot simply dismiss these very serious observations" and urged it to swiftly respond.
Corona is currently undergoing impeachment trial at the Senate for corruption allegations and accusations he tried to block the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is detained on vote rigging charges.
He has denied wrongdoing.

News Update NAIA no longer world's worst

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA) is no longer the world's worst airport--at least for a known travel guide site.

Frommers.com however ranked NAIA as the second worst terminal, just a wee bit ahead of New York City's JFK Airport Terminal 3.

In its slideshow "The 10 worst airport terminals,” Frommers cited that although renovations are in place, the "changes can't come too soon."

"Some airports deserve special condemnation," Frommers.com story author Sascha Segan said.

Frommers quoted separate reports on high cases of theft and bribery in NAIA Terminal 1, apart from it being "congested" and "filthy."

These reports last year served as a wake-up call for the government, prompting initiatives to rehabilitate the decades-old terminal.

NAIA Terminal 1 was completed in 1981 and currently has 84 check-in counters and 22 immigration stations, according to the Manila International Airport Authority.

Along with the Department of Tourism's #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines campaign,a staggering P1.16 billion has been alloted for NAIA's renovation.

Frommers.com also cited Chicago Midway Airport, "Paris" Beauvais Airport in France, Amman Queen Alia Airport in Jordan, and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, among others, as the world's worst.
"These ten airports should deliver better service, and they don't." Segan adds.
With reports from Rica S. Facundo, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

News Update DepEd steps up education for indigenous people

By Alexander Villafania
PASIG CITY, METRO MANILA - An agency serving as a delivery facility for all education materials for indigenous people has been opened by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Called the Indigenous People’s Education Office (IPsEO), the new sub-agency will serve as a clearing house and lead in planning, implementing, and monitoring activities related to indigenous people's education.
The creation of IPsEO follows a mandate under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997 wherein government offices are to recognize and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities by integrating activities within their framework of policies.
DepEd also sought to establish a more pertinent policy for indigenous people by creating the National Indigenous People’s Policy Framework in 2011. This would provide the basis for promotion of education for indigenous people through shared accountability, continuous dialogue, engagement, and partnerships.
The Philippines’ Response to Indigenous People’s and Muslim Education (PRIME) recently held an exhibit at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City.
Education for indigenous people is different as it is integrated into their communities’ nuances. Basic education materials are also delivered in the mother tongue of the indigenous culture. This enables the Philippine government to provide basic to advanced learning while preserving cultural heritage.
According to the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), there are between 14 million to 17 million Filipinos spread across 110 ethno-linguistic groups. Most of these ethnic groups are concentrated in Mindanao with 61 percent. Luzon has 33 percent of these indigenous people while the rest are in Visayas.

News Update PAGASA: La Niña may cause another cyclone soon

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the La Niña weather phenomenon is set to hit its peak this January and could still threaten the country with a tropical cyclone. The weather agency added that the La Niña is expected to continue through February until sometime in March or May. The months-long La Niña is characterized by colder-than-normal sea surface temperatures, which result in above-normal rainfall in equatorial Pacific countries like the Philippines. According to PAGASA, La Niña weather conditions were behind Sendong, the most destructive Philippine tropical cyclone in 2011 that claimed over 1,000 lives. PAGASA also warned that flash floods and landslides could occur in several affected areas, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao. The rest of the country is expected to have near-normal rainfall conditions, with areas of northern and central Luzon and western Mindanao receiving above-normal amounts. Along with Sendong, weather systems that influenced the country’s climate in December include the Northeast monsoon (also known as the amihan, which affects the eastern portions of the Philippines from October to March, characterized by cloudiness and rainshowers) and the tail end of the cold front. These conditions are likely to affect the country in early 2012 as well. PAGASA will continue to monitor day-to-day weather conditions and large-scale climatic patterns, especially those resulting from the weak to moderate La Niña conditions. It advises the public in hazard-prone areas to remain vigilant about floods and rain-induced landslides and to take precautionary measures against them. — TJD

News Update Defense blocks move to subpoena Corona, family

The camp of Chief Justice Renato Corona is asking the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, to deny the motion of the House prosecutors to subpoena the head of the Supreme Court and several of his family members. Last week, the prosecution asked the Senate to subpoena Corona, his wife Cristina, children Francis, Charina, Carla Corona-Castillo and son-in-law Constantino Castillo III to attend and testify during the impeachment trial. Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, one of the prosecution team’s spokespersons, earlier said the panel wants the chief justice and his relatives summoned by the impeachment court to shed light on their alleged 45 properties in Metro Manila. Corona has since denied owning the alleged 45 properties, claiming ownership on only five of them. The prosecution likewise asked the Senate to subpoena all the transfer certificates of title (TCT) and condominium certificates of title (CCT) and "all documents pertinent to the acquisition, disposition, ownership, possession or enjoyrment of the properties covered by the TCTs and CCTs" of 45 properties, some of which were named after some of the chief justice's family members. But in an eight-page motion filed late Monday, Corona's legal counsel Jose Roy III said the impeachment court should deny the subpoena request becauseit failed to state any specific purpose for the required testimony and production of the said documents. "The failure to show any relevance or materiality of the evidence sought to be adduced can only mean that the request for the issuance of subpoena is malicious and unwarranted," he said. He likewise cited Article III of the 1987 of the Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of an individual against self-incrimination, which prevents a person from being compelled to be a witness against himself. "In as much as Chief Justice Corona is being tried before the impeachment court, the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum and testificandum against him amounts to a compulsion to provide evidence which will be used against him in the impeachment trial proceedings," said Roy. He likewise cited Sections 22 and 24 of Rule 30 of the Rules of Court. Section 22 states "During their marriage, neither the husband nor the wife may testify for or against the other without the consent of the affected spouse, except in a civil case by one against the other, or in a criminal case for a crime committed by one against the other or the latter's direct descendants or ascendants." On the other hand, Section 24 states: "The husband or the wife, during or after the marriage, cannot be examined without the consent of the other as to any communication received in confidence by one from the other during the marriage except in a civil case by one against the other, or in a criminal case for a crime committed by one against the other or the latter's direct descendants or ascendants." "Mrs. Cristina Corona may not be compelled to testify against Chief Justice Corona, except with his consent. The House of Representatives violates not only the Rules of Court, but the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment trials," he said. "Clearly, the sanctity of the marital bond between Chief Justice and Mrs. Corona, takes precendence in law over claims of prosecutorial prerogatives," he added. On the other hand, Roy said Corona's children are "over the age of majority and therefore possess full legal capacity to own and possess property in their own right." "Their acquisition of property is right personal to them and is not legally premised on legal right derived from CJ Corona. More importantly, there is no allegation that any of the properties in their names truly belong to other persons, much less CJ Corona," he said. Meanwhile, Roy said Constantino Castillo should not be subject of the subpoena "for being irrelevant and immaterial" since there is no allegation that any of Corona's son-in-law's propertes are related to the charges against the chief justice. "It is sad to think that the alleged quest for truth and accountability being pursued by the House of Representatives amounts to nothing more than a brutal assault on the unity of the Corona family. Their dogged determination to remove CJ Corona from office has not spared even his innocent loved ones. CJ Corona implores the impeachment court to come to his aid and render its protection to his family by denying request for the issuance of subpoena," he added. — RSJ,

Kopi Talk Tagaytay's Incomparable View- Once You Saw It, Now You Don't

MANILA, Philippines - I must have been blinking. Just once did I get a good look at the famed island-within-a-lake-within-an-island-within-a-lake. Practically all the way from Sta. Rosa junction to the Batangas border is fence, roof, stall, shanty, eatery, or inn, mostly of the starless kind.
Once, the long Cavite highway abruptly ended and a breathtaking panorama suddenly sprung upon you-lake, volcano, mountains, fields of sunflowers and greenery all the way down to the water. On the same spot today are sad-looking shops and a dinky little opening.
The scenic route is no more, not even a single "Scenic Spot" viewpoint where you can stop, park, admire nature's gift, enjoy the breeze, pose, aim and shoot. No, you have to go up some joint and buy something to see the crater and take a photo.
Think of Big Sur and weep: the 140-kilometer stretch of Highway One along California's Pacific coast between San Luis Obispo and Carmel, with unobtrusive homes uphill or concealed downhill and not a billboard to distract from God's cypresses, rocky cliffs, sea, birds and sky.
Long-ago road planners obviously laid out Tagaytay highway to give stage center to the awesome landscape. The road diverged from the ridge for public facilities like Taal Vista Lodge (originally owned by the railroad company) and the picnic grove to be on the coveted view side. Town hall, market, Catholic church, were all on the opposite side.
I am told there once was a requirement for construction on the lake-view side to be low and down the slope to preserve the view from the ridge. Obviously the restriction has been lifted.
With the lake and volcano invisible to road-users, we have lost an incomparable scenic route, gained at best another food court, at worst an inconvenience. Seemingly for want of city streets, local business is transacted on the national highway, hence the notorious traffic bottleneck at Mendez junction.
Traffic people waving at vehicles probably help, but the real causes are highway-edge stalls, delivery vehicles loading and unloading, buyers stopping, pedestrians, tricycles on the lookout for passengers, cars parking or backing out, vehicles turning into or out of the Mendez road. I don't know what par for the course is, but it has taken me anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to get past that corner during daytime. With rising population and business activity, the noose can only get tighter.
Not only that. Robinsons, SM and Cityland are building bulky 20-30-storey condominiums by the ridge. From Batangas across the Taal caldera and from Cavite, Laguna, Bataan, and maybe even Manila, you could wonder if the volcano is sprouting smokestacks.
There was a howl over labeling the volcano, "BATANGAS," those at Tagaytay picture windows being the most affected. The crawling caravans headed maybe for Old Taal and the (mostly) unspoiled shores of Anilao, Lian and Nasugbu see only eyesores, never the volcano, labeled or not. Most probably wouldn't care whatever any sign says, but they might stop and look were it to read "F*** YOU."
Comments are cordially invited, addressed to walalang@mb.com.ph.

Did You know That ? Manila Chinatown Philippine

Manila Chinatown is located just across the Pasig River opposite the Spanish walled city Intramuros. The area was originally for Catholic Chinese only. Non Christian Chinese were allowed to move into Chinatown much later in 1790.

The Spanish mission to Catholicize continues to leave its mark on the physical landscape of Manila Chinatown. The main street in Chinatown, Ongpin Street, is still flanked by Cathedrals at each end. The Santa Cruz Church was built in 1608 and Binondo Church built in 1596. Both are functioning Churches and continue to serve the populations in the area and both have very long and rich history.

Manila Chinatown is known by various names reflecting its multiple functions and layers of meanings. To the tourists, it is known as Chinatown, a common reference to an area where there are a lot of Chinese or Chinese businesses. To the Filipinos, the area is known as Binondo. When the Filipino Chinese communicate among themselves, they refer to the area as “Chi Lai”, 市内, Hokkien term for inner city.

Although Manila and Philippines are associated with Catholicism, you will find much evidence of Chinese heritage and traditional Chinese institutions in Manila Chinatown.

The key structure that signals your arrival towards Chinatown is the Chinese Goodwill Arch. In fact, there are several arches and they act as a spatial marker to welcome visitors into a different cultural sphere. Once you pass the aches, you can find icons, institutions and features typical of Chinatowns.

An immediate distinction is the street signs. They are often bilingual and sometimes trilingual (Filipino, English and Traditional Chinese script) and sometimes decorated with dragons. Even the world’s local bank, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank’s (HSBC) signage is bilingual. Elsewhere in Philippines, the HSBC signage is in English only.

Businesses in Chinatown cater to the dietary, cultural and religious needs of the Chinese population. Restaurants line the street offering a wide range of Chinese food while other shops offer the latest CD from Hong Kong and Taiwan, religious goods and festive goods that are in season.

There are also various traditional Chinese institutions such as the Clan associations, Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries in Chinatown. Some of them are housed in modern buildings while others have the traditional Chinese architecture elements. One such temple is the Philippines Chinese Buddhist Temple, 王彬古迹关圣夫子庙. Also present are various martial arts schools for example the Lau Family Hung Kuen Association in Manila, 菲律宾刘家洪拳会.

A highly prominent feature in Manila Chinatown are the fire engines managed by Chinese volunteer organizations. Their fire engines are often sponsored by individuals or organizations and are highly visible all over Chinatown. There is even an Association of Philippine Volunteer Fire Brigades.

As you stroll and enjoy the sights and signs of Chinatown, you know you have reached the boundaries when you see another Chinese Arch. At the southeastern end of Ongpin street, a fountain and the Santa Cruz Church faced the Chinese archway presenting an interesting contrast.

News Update Breakdown in controls

While the Commission on Audit has declared that it found no anomalies in the use of judiciary funds, the World Bank has found irregularities in the Supreme Court’s utilization of $21.9 million in loans for judicial reforms, and is demanding a refund of $199,900 by the end of the month.
The World Bank report coincidentally came out as Chief Justice Renato Corona is facing an impeachment trial for various offenses including graft and corruption. The WB noted that 70 out of 133 SC transactions utilizing the loan for the Judicial Reform Support Project were ineligible. The project, approved by the WB in 2003, aimed to develop a Philippine judicial system that fosters public trust and confidence.
Several procurements of goods utilizing the loan were reportedly undertaken against the approval of the WB, with 15 of the transactions traced to the office of the court administrator. The Bank noted that there has been a breakdown in internal controls pertaining to the project. It questioned Corona’s appointment of one man as court administrator, SC public information officer and head of the tribunal’s bids and awards committee. Court Administrator Midas Marquez, who was not identified in the WB report, was also reportedly authorized by Corona to approve disbursements of up to P200,000, which was later increased to P500,000.
It is not the first time that the World Bank has called the attention of Philippine authorities to anomalies in WB-funded projects. A few years ago the Bank debarred seven contractors and one individual from participating in WB-funded public works projects after they were found to have colluded in rigging the bidding for Philippine road projects supported by the World Bank.
The WB report highlights the need to open to public scrutiny the utilization of public funds by the judiciary. Fiscal autonomy does not mean exemption from laws on public accountability. The nation’s highest court should set the example in transparency and the judicious use of public funds. -

News Update Seeing stars in Big Apple

The Big Apple was crowded with Filipino stars during the holiday season.
“New York-based and visiting Pinoys had a field day star-hunting,” reported Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre. “The stars were all over — walking in Central Park and other landmarks, eating hotdog or pizza on Fifth Avenue, shopping in high-end stores, or watching Broadways shows like The Addams Family, Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark, Godspell and The Book of Mormon.”
Among those spotted were real-life couples Bea Alonzo and Zanjoe Marudo, Cristine Reyes and Rayver Cruz as well as ABS-CBN journalists Abner Mercado of TV Patrol and Krusada, and Rose Eclarinal of Balitang Europe, among others.
Yesterday in Funfare, “beauty-expert” Felix Manuel (a nurse working in NYC) reported on his meeting with Kris Aquino, Liz Uy, John “Sweet” Lapus, and Gutierrez twins Raymond and Richard (who were there with sister Ruffa and their parents Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez).
In an earlier issue, Funfare published a “scoop” about the birthday cruise of Godspell star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle whose well-wishers included Girlie Rodis and Korina Sanchez (vacationing with husband, DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas who wasn’t at the party).
According to Edmund, some of the stars like Cristine and Rayver joined the throngs of revelers at Times Square for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
“Pinalusot sila sa siksikang crowd nu’ng mga Pinoy na nasa Times Square for the ball drop,” Edmund quoted his friend Edith Sampayan, a former ABS-CBN employee (ASAP, The Buzz and Maalaala Mo Kaya) who is now a New Yorker. “They were surprised and elated to see Cristine and Rayver there. Cristine said teary-eyed pa raw siya during the ball drop.”
Abner Mercado (second from right) in Times Square with (from left) R. Sonny Sampayan and wife Edith Sampayan, Rose Eclarinal and Terry Murdoch (Rose’s husband)
Edith said the No Other Woman box-office star was “very sweet” with Rayver even while they were eating halal, the spicy chicken over rice in particular, Cristine’s new favorite food.
“It was nice to see them eat like real New Yorkers on the street,” said Edith’s banker husband, R. Sonny Sampayan. “And they’re very gracious to Filipinos who recognized them and asked to pose with them for photos. Cristine said enjoy na enjoy siya sa New York except for the cold weather, at gusto raw niya mag-work dito. Mababait sila kausap at talagang ang ganda-ganda ni Cristine, balingkinitan at flawless. At ang dami nilang na-shopping from upscale stores on Fifth Avenue, shopping galore talaga.”
Pinoy fans in NYC said that also “extra sweet” were Zanjoe and Bea who were seen on a tour bus from one famous landmark to another ­— from Rockefeller Center to Battery Park where visitors can take a ferry going to the Statue of Liberty.
Zanjoe also reportedly spent the holidays with Bea at the Marudos’ family home in Jersey City, the second largest city in the state of New Jersey and with a large Filipino population.
Edmund was happy to see his friend Abner bonding with London-based Rose in Times Square, and later in Chinatown, with R. Sonny and Edith Sampayan, and Rose’s husband Terry Murdoch of the financial firm Barclays. They dined at the famous Tony’s DiNapoli Italian restaurant and the popular Vietnamese eatery NHA Trang Centre in Chinatown.
Abner, who now dabbles as instructor on environmental journalism at UP Diliman, had an unforgettable experience in the Big Apple that renewed his faith in his fellowmen. He dropped his wallet after having brunch with Edmund at the popular bakery Bouchon across from the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink. They proceeded to nearby NBC Universal Store, a few steps away from the eatery, to buy souvenirs when Abner realized that his wallet was missing.
“We headed back to Bouchon and asked one of its Fil-Am staffers, Jeremy, if someone had turned over a missing wallet with credit cards, IDs and less than $200 in cash,” related Edmund. “Lo and behold, the wallet was returned by a young London tourist who was still seated at the very same table Abner and his friend occupied earlier. With his cash and cards untouched, Abner profusely thanked the honest English man, who was too shy to acknowledge his own good deed.”
Cristine Reyes and Rayver Cruz (with Edith Sampayan) at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, at the Central Park, and in Times Square while waiting for the New Year’s ball drop
Said Abner, “Eto ‘yung mga moments na masasabi mo na hindi ka dapat mawalan ng pag-asa or faith sa natural na kabutihan ng tao,” said Abner. “Hindi ko ito makakalimutan habang buhay. The best Christmas ever.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.) - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo

News Update 36 hurt in 4-vehicle smashup on EDSA

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty-six people were reported injured in a collision involving four vehicles along EDSA in Quezon City Sunday night.
Traffic enforcer Romeo Ragas said the victims sustained bruises and were brought to East Avenue Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
He said 25 of the victims were passengers of a Mayamy Bus Line unit, while the others were in a Royal Transport bus and a Nissan Sentra and on a motorcycle.
The incident happened at past 9 p.m. on EDSA’s northbound lane near Camp Aguinaldo.
Based on a traffic incident report, Ronald Abangay fell off his motorcycle when he tried to avoid hitting a taxi. He fell just as the Royal Transport bus, driven by Alejandro Perez, was approaching. When Perez stepped on the brakes, he hit the Sentra, driven by Adolfo Aran, and the motorcycle.
As the three vehicles collided, the Mayamy bus driven by Roel Pajares rear-ended the Royal Transport bus. Ragas said Pajares fled following the collision.
Because of the impact, passengers of the two buses were reportedly thrown from their seat.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board yesterday suspended for 30 days the franchise of the Mayamy bus and ordered the bus firm to explain why its franchise should not be cancelled following the incident. - By Reinir Padua

News Update Qatar eyes Phl partners for $1-B investments

MANILA, Philippines - Local businessmen, including representatives from San Miguel Power Corp. met with visiting investors from Qatar to forge partnerships in line with Qatar’s bid to invest $1 billion here.
In an interview, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Cristino L. Panlilio said an investment team from Qatar visited the Philippines, led by Zayid Rashid Al, director for Asia and Africa Affairs, and Tarik Muslib, head legal counsel of the Qatar Investment Association.
The 20-man Qatari business delegation visited the Philippines early this month to assess first hand the ability of the Philippines to absorb Qatari investments.
“The investments can start from $1 billion and could be more because Qatar has a $300-billion fund for foreign direct investments and portfolio investments,” Panlilio said.
Panlilio said the Qataris have the ability to fund the Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects of the government as well as other projects. He said the Qatar team included representatives from various industries like steel, petroleum, mining, food and real estate.
Panlilio said the Board of Investments (BOI) conducted a briefing on the various investment opportunities in the Philippines followed by an intensive business matching led by Ayala Land’s Tony Aquino.
Other participating firms were SMC Power, Century Property, Marc Ventures, Steel Asia and Citibank, among others.
According to Panlilio, the potential $1 billion investment would be spread over a number of investments. He said they are drawing up an agreement wherein 85 percent of the investment is from the Qatar fund, while the Philippines would put up the remaining 15 percent. The counterpart investment could either be from the government, or a Philippine-based company.
Panlilio said the Qatari investors would like to invest in power projects. “They have a lot of LNG fired-power plants in Qatar.”
Panlilio said Qatari are very interested in investing in food and agribusiness. Some of the funds could also go to portfolio investments.
The $1 billion fund will be from the state-owned Qatari Investment Authority. Panlilio said the $1 billion is only a small portion of the fund earmarked by Qatar for foreign investments.
Panlilio said the Emir of Qatar is set to visit the Philippines from January 22 to 25, and the government is readying the investment agreements which is expected to be signed during the Emir’s visit.
The Philippines and Qatar has been negotiating for years for an investment agreement, but negotiation stalled.
The negotiations resumed last month. Panlilio along with his team was in Qatar early this month for the third round of talks. He said they are busy drafting the agreement so that it can be signed during the Emir’s visit.
He said the agreement is 95 percent completed. “We already agreed on the most important issues.”
Aside from the $1 billion investible fund, the agreement would have a mutual investment protection clause and a no double taxation agreement.
Under the mutual investment protection clause, Panlilio said that Qatar forms would like to be on equal footing with Filipino companies here. They Qataris would like preferential investment deals, but Panlilio said Qatar understands that countries where the Philippines have bilateral agreements have an advantage.
Qatar, Panlilio added is also seeking most favored nation (MFN) benefits. - By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio

News Update 4,246 families affected by floods

MANILA, Philippines - Floods caused by a diffused tail-end of a cold front have affected at least 4,246 families in five regions.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Benito Ramos said the figure is more than double the 9,482 persons or 2,053 families reported previously by the NDRRMC.
Most of the affected residents were from Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao and the Caraga region. Ramos said 3,202 persons or 753 families are now housed in 21 evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC said floodwaters in Compostela Valley and Northern Mindanao have subsided.
Local disaster management offices have distributed relief goods to evacuees and other affected families.
Ramos said the diffused tail-end of a cold front brought mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
Widespread rains were experienced in Leyte provinces, Central Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao.
The cold front also caused landslides in San Fernando town in Romblon and in Escalante City in Negros Occidental.
Floods also occurred in parts of Capiz, Leyte, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda said flash floods, landslides and other natural calamities have replaced insurgency as the leading problem in Mindanao.
She said floods and other calamities displaced more people compared to those who were caught in the crossfire between government troops and rebel groups.
“The recent flash floods and landslides in Mindanao have claimed thousands of lives and displaced more families. The ‘Sendong‘ death toll reached 1,257 and affected more than a million individuals, while the landslide in Compostela Valley killed at least 42 persons,” she said.
Legarda, chairperson of the Senate committee on climate change, said both national and local government units should include disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in their priority programs along with anti-insurgency efforts.
“While the government cannot put aside its anti-insurgency programs in Mindanao, it cannot ignore the pressing need to give equal attention to DRR and CCA,” she said.
She said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration continues to warn of scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms that could trigger flash floods and landslides in the region.
“The gravity and frequency of these disasters demand immediate attention and appropriate action from the national government and LGUs. Our disaster risk reduction and management system needs to be more proactive, coherent, and effective,” she said. – With Edith Regalado - By Alexis Romero

News Update World Bank loan to Philippine High Court irregular

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The World Bank in the Philippines has uncovered questionable procurements and disbursements in the high court in connection with the Judicial Reform Support Project (JRSP). The project, partly funded by a World Bank loan of US$21.9 million, was designed to restore efficiency in the dispensation of justice in the country.
In an aide memoire, the World Bank said that since High Court Chief Justice Renato Corona assumed his post in mid-2010, progress in reforming the judiciary "has been rated unsatisfactory", with "implementation delays and additional work required for smooth project closing".
The document detailed the results of a fiduciary review conducted by a World Bank task team on October 24-November 11, 2011, through discussions with justices of the high court and field visits to courts all over the country.
"The review discloses that the fiduciary environment pertaining to JRSP implementation has so deteriorated that the task team now rates the JRSP as a 'high risk ' and 'unsatisfactory ' on project management, project procurement and financial management dimensions, and observes that project financial statements can no longer be relied upon," the World Bank said.
The review uncovered, among others, "inaccurate/incomplete information" on the project 's financial management report, "diminished existing internal check-and-balance mechanism," purchase of information technology equipment outside of the agreed procurement plan, and the practice of borrowing funds from the loan for the justices ' foreign travels, paid to a travel agency owned by lawyer Estelito Mendoza.
The World Bank is now demanding a refund of $199,900, covering "70 payments" deemed "ineligible" or unauthorised under the terms of the JRSP, by January 31.
Review trigger
The World Bank initiated the fiduciary review when Corona was already appointed Chief Justice by then president Gloria Arroyo despite an election ban.
It said the review was "triggered by several withdrawal applications" presented to the World Bank by the tribunal 's Program Management Office (PMO), "which seemed to signal a sudden and significant increase in the disbursement in the latter half of 2011".
"The project result indicators depict achievements in several areas, but significant missed opportunities due to capacity and coordination constraints and delays in decision-making, procurement and contracting," it said.
Included in the "ineligible" purchases were the printing supply of the Court Reporter 's Case Index, purchase of laptop computers, speaker 's fee for seminars, registration fee of justices attending international conferences, and foreign travels of justices and their staff (including airfare, hotel accommodations and meal allowances).
'Black prop'
Asked to comment, Ramon Esguerra, a spokesperson of Corona 's legal team, on Saturday said the accusation was "not in any way connected to any of the articles of impeachment" against the Chief Justice.
He said it was the high court as a whole, and not Corona alone, that should respond to the accusation.
"Two days before the opening of the trial and there 's this story?" Esguerra told the Inquirer by phone. "The barrage of black propaganda has not ceased. In fact, it 's now coming out with greater intensity."
Esguerra said media reports on Corona 's alleged ill-gotten wealth, as well as the latest on the supposed fund mismanagement at the high court, were all part of "a pattern of harassment intended to demonise the Chief Justice in the eyes of the public."
"It 's very unfair," he protested.
Corona himself said "it 's hard to answer that [accusation]" because he had yet to read the World Bank aide memoire.
The Inquirer sought his comment after a Tridentine Mass held late Saturday afternoon at the Supreme Court grounds, the last of novena Masses for the embattled Chief Justice.
Corona attended the Mass with his wife and more than 100 sympathisers, including former Philippine Commission on Good Government Chair Camilo Sabio.
The Chief Justice also said he had yet to decide whether he would attend the opening of his impeachment trial on Monday, contradicting Esguerra 's statement that he would show up.
One-man show
According to the World Bank, the diminished internal auditing mechanism in the high court was exemplified by Corona 's appointment of one man as court administrator, head of the Public Information Office, and chair of the Bids and Awards Committee.
The court administrator was authorised to approve, on Corona 's behalf, payments of up to 200,000 pesos ($4,500) which was later increased to 500,000 pesos ($11,400), the World Bank said.
"Lack of appropriate segregation of duties of key officials involved in the JRSP has created a breakdown of the control environment, increased fiduciary and reputation risks, and led to irregular/inappropriate procurement and expenditure decisions," it said.
Without naming Jose Midas Marquez, the World Bank said "this senior official, due to the combination of his appointments and functions, was the requestor of the services, the approver of the terms of reference, the end-user of the services provided by the firm, the authoriser of contract extensions, and the authoriser of payments to the firm".
It said this arrangement, among others, "present[ed] a conflict of interest and eliminate[d] internal checks and balances applicable to the procurement and disbursement functions".
4 project components
The World Bank approved the loan in 2003 (Loan No. 7191-PH) "to assist the borrower in developing a more effective and accessible judiciary that would foster public trust and confidence through the implementation of the Supreme Court 's Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR)."
The JRSP is the World Bank 's term for its financial support for the APJR, the brainchild of then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., who envisioned the much-needed judicial reforms to be bankrolled by combined resources from the national budget, the judiciary 's own funds and financing from development partners.
The four project components involved improving case adjudication and access to justice (i.e., mobile courts); enhancing institutional integrity (i.e., Code of Ethics and related training of judges and judicial personnel); strengthening the institutional capacity of the judiciary (i.e., e-Library); and support for the reform of the judicial system and for the high court 's PMO.
The judicial reform covered six key areas: judicial system procedures, institutional development, human resources development, integrity infrastructure development, access to justice by the poor, and reform support systems.
The World Bank has participated in all six areas; six other development partners have varying degrees of exposure to the APJR.
The loan was to expire on Dec. 31, 2009, during the incumbency of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. But the World Bank extended the closing date twice-first by 18 months (until June 30, 2011), and then by 12 months (until June 30, 2012).
But due to questions over the fiscal discipline of the tribunal in adhering to loan stipulations, the World Bank canceled the final tranche of the loan amounting to $0.5 million.
Thus far, the tribunal has spent $16.3 million (76 per cent of the revised loan amount of $21.4 million, after deducting the $0.5 million). With reports from Christian V. Esguerra and Philip C. Tubeza
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