MANILA, Philippines - Seven in 10 Filipinos want Chief Justice Renato Corona convicted even as the same number want him to testify in his impeachment trial, results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.
The SWS poll, conducted from March 10 to 13, found 73 percent prefer a conviction at this stage of the trial, while 25 percent said they wanted a “not guilty” verdict.
A similar 73 percent of respondents want Corona to personally testify in his own impeachment trial to disprove the charges filed against him, while 26 percent said otherwise.
The survey also showed that a majority or 67 percent of the respondents would accept any verdict that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will hand down on the complaint filed against the chief magistrate, while only nine percent said no.
Half of Filipinos (51 percent) were satisfied with the way the impeachment trial has proceeded while 20 percent were dissatisfied, for a “good” net 31 rating, SWS said.
The survey research firm noted that satisfaction was “moderate” in balance Luzon, the Visayas and among non-high school graduates.
Results of the SWS poll were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.
The nationwide poll found respondents “neither trusting nor distrusting the Senate to make a fair decision,” which it said indicated public anxiety about the outcome.
With regard to the House of Representatives’ decision to impeach Corona, 53 percent said they were satisfied, against 17 percent who were dissatisfied, for a “good” net rating of 36.
The SWS said satisfaction was “good” in all areas and demographic groups.
Sixty-six percent of Filipinos were satisfied with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s handling of the trial and 11 percent were dissatisfied, giving him a net score of “very good” 55.
Asked about their trust that the Senate impeachment court would issue a fair verdict, 51 percent said they were unsure, 30 percent said they had much trust, and 19 percent had little trust in the chamber.
“The dominance of the middle position, with a near-balance of the positive and negative sides, indicates public anxiety about the ultimate decision of the Senate,” the SWS said.
Slow pace
Nearly half or 49 percent of respondents, meanwhile, said the pace of the trial was too slow, followed by 40 percent who said it was just right and 11 percent who viewed it as hurried.
SWS said the impatience was dominant everywhere except in Mindanao, class E and non-high school graduates.
A majority (69 percent) said the trial was fair to both sides, a “strong perception” in all demographic groups. Nearly two out of 10 or 17 percent claimed it favored the defense team, while 12 percent said the prosecution was being given the advantage.
Asked to choose whether the Chief Justice should resign immediately, about half of the respondents (49 percent) said Corona should wait to be found not guilty then quit; 30 percent said he should resign soon, and 18 percent said he should leave only if convicted and 3.5 percent had no opinion.
The impeachment proceedings, which started on Jan. 16 this year, are currently suspended for a Holy Week break. The trial will resume on May 7, with the defense to continue presenting its case.
The SWS used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide, with sampling error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national and plus or minus six percentage points for area percentages.
Prosecution elated
The prosecution expressed elation over the result of the SWS survey, saying it reflects the people’s sentiment on Corona.
“It’s a reflection of the people’s sentiment,” prosecution spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo of Marikina said.
“Considering that the survey is consistent with a previous one done by Pulse Asia, the defense should stop questioning the methodology and sampling of these surveys. Instead of shooting the messengers – the survey companies – the camp of CJ Corona should come up with a more credible defense,” he said.
Quimbo said the SWS poll shows that the people are satisfied with the Corona impeachment process in the House of Representatives and with the performance of its prosecution team.
“More importantly, the survey result means that the people believe in the strength of the evidence we have presented against the Chief Justice before the Senate impeachment court,” he said.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, a spokesman for the panel, said the poll showed that the prosecutors were “on the right track.”
“We have discharged our duty to prove a case for betrayal of public trust,” Angara said. “We can only hope that our good senators feel the same way since they will be the ones to decide.”
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the survey also showed that lawmakers were speaking on behalf of the people in calling on Corona to personally testify in his trial.
“We have long been appealing to him to testify,” Belmonte said.
Complete process
The defense, meanwhile, expressed confidence yesterday that the 23 senator-judges will not be swayed by the results of recent surveys that seem to find Corona guilty of the impeachment charges filed against him.
“Surveys are some sort of observation and guidance but it does not mean that it will be the basis of our senator-judges when they render a decision. They (senators) had declared that. They also said the popularity is like ice cream that melts,” defense lawyer and spokesman Tranquil Salvador III said yesterday.
“The positive thing that you could see here is that they want the whole process to be completed,” Salvador said. “For us, that’s a good indication, that they want to respect the verdict even before the defense started to present their evidence.”
Another defense lawyer, Rico Paolo Quicho, said the latest SWS survey should also be seen not against Corona, but as a measure of the public’s sentiment in wanting to see the case to a conclusion.
“We have a high regard (for) the independence and integrity of the senator-judges, we believe that they will not be swayed by public opinion, specifically by these surveys. At the end of the day, they took an oath that they will be judging this impeachment case based on the evidence that the parties presented and based on the law that is applicable on the matter,” Quicho said.
Salvador also doused anew insinuations for the Chief Justice to merely resign.
He said the prosecutors are the ones calling for Corona’s resignation because the impeachment case is naturally weak.
Premature
The Supreme Court (SC) also downplayed the SWS survey.
Just like the recent Pulse Asia survey, SC spokesman Midas Marquez said the new SWS survey showing almost three out of four Filipinos prefer a “guilty” verdict on Corona by the impeachment court is premature.
“As what we have said, it’s premature to conduct surveys at this point because the impeachment case is still pending. We don’t know the basis of the respondents in saying that he’s guilty or innocent. The defense isn’t through yet,” he told reporters in an interview.
He believes the public had a one-sided view of the case since they had not yet heard the defense when they were asked by Pulse Asia about Corona’s guilt or innocence.
Still, the SC official said he could only hope there was no ulterior motive in the release of the surveys.
“I hope it is not taken and released to influence the senator-judges from deciding one way or the other,” he said.
More supporters
Meanwhile, support for the Chief Justice from his fellow magistrates in the high court continued yesterday with an appointee of President Aquino even sponsoring a Mass for him.
It was the 14th consecutive held at the SC lobby since the defense team started presenting evidence in the impeachment trial.
Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who sponsored Thursday’s Mass, is one of Aquino’s three appointees to the high tribunal.
Corona attended the Mass along with his wife Cristina. - With Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero, Edu Punay, Christina Mendez - By Helen Flores
Saturday, March 31, 2012
News Update MSU becomes first 'Tuklas Lunas' center for drug research
By Alexander Villafania
ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE—The first “Tuklas Lunas” Center at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) will be the country’s central research program to find natural substances for curative purposes.
The MSU-IIT will be the central office for Mindanao chosen for its track record, staff capability and institutional capacity, according to the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST PCHRD).
Two more centers will be opened in Luzon and Visayas, with partner institutions to be named soon. Another 17 regional health research facilities will also be opened for support functions.
The Tuklas Lunas Centers will collaborate with PCHRD to harness natural substances indigenous to the Philippines for drug development, said PCHRD executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya.
Lagundi or chaste tree (Vitex negundo) and sambong (Blumea balsamifera) are two of the local plants developed to become a main ingredient in cough syrups and kidney stone removers, respectively.
Other projects of PCHRD this year include the development of drugs for the treatment of dengue and tuberculosis.
Through the Tuklas Lunas Centers, regions that are building their capacity in health research are encouraged to identify their problems and search for solutions, Montoya said.
DOST has been promoting the development of local plants for medical purposes through biotechnology development.
This could be worth billions of pesos and could put the Philippines in the global map for research in medical technologies, the official said.
ILIGAN CITY, LANAO DEL NORTE—The first “Tuklas Lunas” Center at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) will be the country’s central research program to find natural substances for curative purposes.
The MSU-IIT will be the central office for Mindanao chosen for its track record, staff capability and institutional capacity, according to the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST PCHRD).
Two more centers will be opened in Luzon and Visayas, with partner institutions to be named soon. Another 17 regional health research facilities will also be opened for support functions.
The Tuklas Lunas Centers will collaborate with PCHRD to harness natural substances indigenous to the Philippines for drug development, said PCHRD executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya.
Lagundi or chaste tree (Vitex negundo) and sambong (Blumea balsamifera) are two of the local plants developed to become a main ingredient in cough syrups and kidney stone removers, respectively.
Other projects of PCHRD this year include the development of drugs for the treatment of dengue and tuberculosis.
Through the Tuklas Lunas Centers, regions that are building their capacity in health research are encouraged to identify their problems and search for solutions, Montoya said.
DOST has been promoting the development of local plants for medical purposes through biotechnology development.
This could be worth billions of pesos and could put the Philippines in the global map for research in medical technologies, the official said.
News Update DA Allots P60M For Zambales
SAN FELIPE, Zambales - Around R60 million was allotted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the enhancement of Zambales' agricultural equipment as well as the construction of agricultural facilities in the province.
Both Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Congressman Jun Omar Ebdane welcomed the approval made by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as most of these equipment and facilities will be deployed throughout the towns of Zambales.
Alcala, who met with farmers and fishermen in separate forums here and in Botolan town on March 22-23, approved projects like the Salaza-San Lorenzo Communal Irrigation Project (CIP), which will irrigate 136 hectares of farmlands in the adjacent towns of Masinloc and Palauig, and the Paete-Balincaguing CIP which will irrigate 100 hectares in San Narciso.
Gov. Ebdane said that Alcala's commitment to improve the lot of local farmers ''dovetails with our efforts to introduce modern farming techniques, provide more farm inputs for sustainable yield, and attract more residents to farming and fishing industries.''
Alcala's visit to Zambales is part of his tour of different agriculture-based provinces in the country to personally see to the needs and requirements of farmers and study how the industry could get a much-needed boost.
Both Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Congressman Jun Omar Ebdane welcomed the approval made by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as most of these equipment and facilities will be deployed throughout the towns of Zambales.
Alcala, who met with farmers and fishermen in separate forums here and in Botolan town on March 22-23, approved projects like the Salaza-San Lorenzo Communal Irrigation Project (CIP), which will irrigate 136 hectares of farmlands in the adjacent towns of Masinloc and Palauig, and the Paete-Balincaguing CIP which will irrigate 100 hectares in San Narciso.
Gov. Ebdane said that Alcala's commitment to improve the lot of local farmers ''dovetails with our efforts to introduce modern farming techniques, provide more farm inputs for sustainable yield, and attract more residents to farming and fishing industries.''
Alcala's visit to Zambales is part of his tour of different agriculture-based provinces in the country to personally see to the needs and requirements of farmers and study how the industry could get a much-needed boost.
News Update Cops found negligent in Davao slays promoted, get new posts
DAVAO CITY ,Philippines – Twenty-one police officials found guilty of simple neglect by the Office of the Ombudsman for the unsolved summary killings in this city that were attributed to the so-called Davao Death Squad, have received promotions since charges were filed against them in 2009.
The 21 police officials were made to pay an amount equivalent to one-month salary as penalty.
The case against them stemmed from a letter-complaint that the Office of the Ombudsman received in April 2009 from the Davao Deserves Good Government Movement that sought an inquiry into the summary executions.
The Davao Deserves Good Government Movement tagged the Davao Death Squad, a supposed vigilante group, behind the extra-judicial killings.
However, most of the police officials named in the complaint have already been promoted to the next higher rank and have even gotten sensitive positions. Among them is Chief Superintendent Catalino Cuy, who now heads the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, on the other hand, is now the director of the Southern Mindanao police.
Morente told The STAR they have yet to receive a copy of the Ombudsman’s order, which he said would be coursed through the PNP headquarters in Manila.
The other police officials in the list are now assigned as police station commanders or holding important positions at the Southern Mindanao police based at Camp Catitipan here.
Also the subject of the Ombudsman’s order are Chief Inspectors Matthew Baccay, Filmore Escobal, Leandro Felonia, Marvin Manuel Pepino, Ranulfo Cabanog and Vicente Danao, who have been promoted a rank higher since 2009.
Also in the list are Superintendents Harry Espela, Michael John Dubria, and Rommil Mitra; Senior Inspectors Maximiano Atuel and Arnulfo Mahinay; and Chief Inspectors Alden Delvo, Rolly Tropico, Dionisio Abude, Antonio Alberio Jr., Juel Neil Salcedo, Coselito Loriza, Joel Neil Rojo and Napoleon Eguia.
Despite the Ombudsman’s order, police have continued to deny the existence of the Davao Death Squad, saying the summary executions resulted from gang wars, the illegal drug trade, and rivalry among criminal syndicates. - By Edith Regalado
The 21 police officials were made to pay an amount equivalent to one-month salary as penalty.
The case against them stemmed from a letter-complaint that the Office of the Ombudsman received in April 2009 from the Davao Deserves Good Government Movement that sought an inquiry into the summary executions.
The Davao Deserves Good Government Movement tagged the Davao Death Squad, a supposed vigilante group, behind the extra-judicial killings.
However, most of the police officials named in the complaint have already been promoted to the next higher rank and have even gotten sensitive positions. Among them is Chief Superintendent Catalino Cuy, who now heads the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Chief Superintendent Jaime Morente, on the other hand, is now the director of the Southern Mindanao police.
Morente told The STAR they have yet to receive a copy of the Ombudsman’s order, which he said would be coursed through the PNP headquarters in Manila.
The other police officials in the list are now assigned as police station commanders or holding important positions at the Southern Mindanao police based at Camp Catitipan here.
Also the subject of the Ombudsman’s order are Chief Inspectors Matthew Baccay, Filmore Escobal, Leandro Felonia, Marvin Manuel Pepino, Ranulfo Cabanog and Vicente Danao, who have been promoted a rank higher since 2009.
Also in the list are Superintendents Harry Espela, Michael John Dubria, and Rommil Mitra; Senior Inspectors Maximiano Atuel and Arnulfo Mahinay; and Chief Inspectors Alden Delvo, Rolly Tropico, Dionisio Abude, Antonio Alberio Jr., Juel Neil Salcedo, Coselito Loriza, Joel Neil Rojo and Napoleon Eguia.
Despite the Ombudsman’s order, police have continued to deny the existence of the Davao Death Squad, saying the summary executions resulted from gang wars, the illegal drug trade, and rivalry among criminal syndicates. - By Edith Regalado
News Update Gov't plans to borrow P106.5 B in Q2
MANILA, Philippines - The government plans to borrow P106.5 billion in the second quarter of the year, smaller than the programmed borrowing in the first three months of 2012, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said yesterday.
In a notice, the Treasury said the government would issue P52.5 billion worth of Treasury bills and P54 billion worth of Treasury bonds from April to June or a total of P106.5 billion.
This is lower than the first quarter borrowing program of P117 billion. According to the notice, the government reduced the size of the regular T-bill auctions to P7.5 billion from P9 billion previously, with the allocations for shorter-dated tenors reduced as well.
The Treasury lowered the allocation for the 91-day T-bill to P2 billion from P2.5 billion in the first quarter while the allocation for the 182-day paper was also reduced to P2 billion from P3 billion previously.
On the other hand, the Treasury decided to maintain the allocation for the 364-day paper at P3.5 billion as investors prefer to park their funds in longer-dated securities.
In an interview earlier this week, National Treasurer Roberto Tan said that for the second quarter, the Treasury considered the government’s strong cash position.
He said the Treasury could afford to borrow less from the domestic market this year given its strong cash position which was a result of its strong retail treasury bond (RTB) sale last February.
The government sold P179.9 billion worth of RTBs - debt papers affordable to retail investors with a minimum investment of P5,000.
On the other hand, the government retained the size of the T-bond auction at P9 billion per debt sale, with tenors of 5, 7, 10 and 15 years.
The government relies on local and foreign borrowing to fund its budget deficit, which is expected to hit P286 billion this year. Last year, the budget gap hit P197.8 billion, lower than the original program of P300 billion set for 2011. - By Iris C. Gonzales
In a notice, the Treasury said the government would issue P52.5 billion worth of Treasury bills and P54 billion worth of Treasury bonds from April to June or a total of P106.5 billion.
This is lower than the first quarter borrowing program of P117 billion. According to the notice, the government reduced the size of the regular T-bill auctions to P7.5 billion from P9 billion previously, with the allocations for shorter-dated tenors reduced as well.
The Treasury lowered the allocation for the 91-day T-bill to P2 billion from P2.5 billion in the first quarter while the allocation for the 182-day paper was also reduced to P2 billion from P3 billion previously.
On the other hand, the Treasury decided to maintain the allocation for the 364-day paper at P3.5 billion as investors prefer to park their funds in longer-dated securities.
In an interview earlier this week, National Treasurer Roberto Tan said that for the second quarter, the Treasury considered the government’s strong cash position.
He said the Treasury could afford to borrow less from the domestic market this year given its strong cash position which was a result of its strong retail treasury bond (RTB) sale last February.
The government sold P179.9 billion worth of RTBs - debt papers affordable to retail investors with a minimum investment of P5,000.
On the other hand, the government retained the size of the T-bond auction at P9 billion per debt sale, with tenors of 5, 7, 10 and 15 years.
The government relies on local and foreign borrowing to fund its budget deficit, which is expected to hit P286 billion this year. Last year, the budget gap hit P197.8 billion, lower than the original program of P300 billion set for 2011. - By Iris C. Gonzales
News Update Cops link Ortigas, Alabang heists
MANILA, Philippines - Investigators have noted a similarity between last Thursday’s robbery at the Robinson’s Galleria in Ortigas, Quezon City and a foiled armored van heist at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City in February, an official said yesterday.
Chief Superintendent Mario de la Vega, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), noted that both groups of robbers targeted the delivery of money by armored vans.
“There was a similarity with that previous incident...but the people in that incident (in Alabang) were still coming out of the armored van (while the ones in Robinson’s Galleria have already gone inside the mall),” De la Vega said.
The Ozamis robbery group was tagged in the Alabang Town Center robbery, but De la Vega said they are still not yet zeroing in on the same gang for the Robinson’s Galleria heist.
‘Young, hip’ robbers
However, QCPD deputy director for operations Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao noted that the Galleria robbers appeared to range in age from 22 to 27 – relatively younger than most robbers, who are in their 30s.
“Based on their built, they seemed young. They were agile (maliksi) in their actions,” Pagdilao told The STAR in an interview.
The police official was describing the robbers based on footage taken by the mall’s surveillance cameras as three of the reported six robbers rushed out of the mall.
“They were in civilian clothes, in shorts. They were dressed up. One was even wearing high-cut rubber shoes,” Pagdilao said.
He said the “hip” way the robbers dressed “would have made it easier for them to blend in with the crowd.”
He said they were still trying to get footage taken by other cameras in the mall to see how the robbers managed to smuggle handguns into the mall.
Pagdilao said the mall opened at 10 a.m., and the robbers could have entered at this time, coming in amid the first influx of mallgoers.
The bloody encounter happened at around 10:30 a.m. as Security Bank employees were about to deliver money to a branch of Sanry’s Money Changer in the mall. Before that, bank personnel had already delivered money to another branch of the same money changer shop at the same mall.
A source said the first delivery was worth P2 million, indicating that the supposed second delivery – which was taken by the suspects – could have also amounted to P2 million. The incident left a security guard of the bank dead and six others injured.
The robbers lobbed two grenades, one of which exploded, as they fled on motorcycles along Ortigas Avenue.
Police investigators are in the process of comparing the .9mm and .45 caliber slugs recovered from the crime scene at Robinson’s Galleria with the ones recovered at the Alabang Town Center heist.
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the heist was an inside job. - By Reinir Padu
Chief Superintendent Mario de la Vega, director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), noted that both groups of robbers targeted the delivery of money by armored vans.
“There was a similarity with that previous incident...but the people in that incident (in Alabang) were still coming out of the armored van (while the ones in Robinson’s Galleria have already gone inside the mall),” De la Vega said.
The Ozamis robbery group was tagged in the Alabang Town Center robbery, but De la Vega said they are still not yet zeroing in on the same gang for the Robinson’s Galleria heist.
‘Young, hip’ robbers
However, QCPD deputy director for operations Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao noted that the Galleria robbers appeared to range in age from 22 to 27 – relatively younger than most robbers, who are in their 30s.
“Based on their built, they seemed young. They were agile (maliksi) in their actions,” Pagdilao told The STAR in an interview.
The police official was describing the robbers based on footage taken by the mall’s surveillance cameras as three of the reported six robbers rushed out of the mall.
“They were in civilian clothes, in shorts. They were dressed up. One was even wearing high-cut rubber shoes,” Pagdilao said.
He said the “hip” way the robbers dressed “would have made it easier for them to blend in with the crowd.”
He said they were still trying to get footage taken by other cameras in the mall to see how the robbers managed to smuggle handguns into the mall.
Pagdilao said the mall opened at 10 a.m., and the robbers could have entered at this time, coming in amid the first influx of mallgoers.
The bloody encounter happened at around 10:30 a.m. as Security Bank employees were about to deliver money to a branch of Sanry’s Money Changer in the mall. Before that, bank personnel had already delivered money to another branch of the same money changer shop at the same mall.
A source said the first delivery was worth P2 million, indicating that the supposed second delivery – which was taken by the suspects – could have also amounted to P2 million. The incident left a security guard of the bank dead and six others injured.
The robbers lobbed two grenades, one of which exploded, as they fled on motorcycles along Ortigas Avenue.
Police investigators are in the process of comparing the .9mm and .45 caliber slugs recovered from the crime scene at Robinson’s Galleria with the ones recovered at the Alabang Town Center heist.
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the heist was an inside job. - By Reinir Padu
News Update Honest cabbie is 'model of fun'
A taxi driver who surrendered a bag left by three German tourists was hailed by the Department of Tourism as the Philippines’ “model of fun.”
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. on Thursday lauded the good gesture of Sotero Canonoy, a taxi driver who turned over a bag which contained a laptop, PSP, cell phone, wristwatch, and some clothes and medicines left by the tourists whom he transported to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on March 23.
“This is one happy piece of news that we need to hear more of. Mr. Canonoy’s action exemplifies the innate goodness of our countrymen. It gives support to the positive image we wish to portray through our ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign,” Jimenez said in a statement.
Canonoy reportedly surrendered the bag to TV network GMA7 to broadcast the find as well as to help trace the owners.
DOT said NAIA authorities and the German Embassy are now determining the identities of the tourists to ensure that the belongings are returned to them.
“This is what we mean by tourism is everybody’s business. Each little good thing adds up to the fun picture of Philippine tourism,” Jimenez said.
“We all are part of the tourism experience as we all are likewise, beneficiaries. We all need to do our share of good, for tourism to make a dent in our economy and in our respective lives,” he added.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. on Thursday lauded the good gesture of Sotero Canonoy, a taxi driver who turned over a bag which contained a laptop, PSP, cell phone, wristwatch, and some clothes and medicines left by the tourists whom he transported to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on March 23.
“This is one happy piece of news that we need to hear more of. Mr. Canonoy’s action exemplifies the innate goodness of our countrymen. It gives support to the positive image we wish to portray through our ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign,” Jimenez said in a statement.
Canonoy reportedly surrendered the bag to TV network GMA7 to broadcast the find as well as to help trace the owners.
DOT said NAIA authorities and the German Embassy are now determining the identities of the tourists to ensure that the belongings are returned to them.
“This is what we mean by tourism is everybody’s business. Each little good thing adds up to the fun picture of Philippine tourism,” Jimenez said.
“We all are part of the tourism experience as we all are likewise, beneficiaries. We all need to do our share of good, for tourism to make a dent in our economy and in our respective lives,” he added.
News Update Philippines, Japan pleased economic pact
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Both Manila and Tokyo are pleased with the results of the 2008 Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa), a "framework for enhancing economic relations between the two countries."
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Japanese Embassy said it was "still premature to make an overall evaluation [of] the full impact of Jpepa."
Both sides said, however, that "recent figures related to trade and investment have been very encouraging despite difficult situations the two countries faced, particularly last year."
They reported that the trade volume between the Philippines and Japan increased in 2011. Philippine exports to Japan rose from 335.4 billion pesos (US$7.8 billion) in 2010 to 382.7 billion pesos ($8.9 billion) last year. On the other hand, the Philippine imports from Japan slightly decreased from 290.2 billion pesos ($6.7 billion) in 2010 to 279.5 billion pesos ($6.5 billion) in 2011.
Japan remains the biggest investor in the Philippines, with total investments of 77.4 billion pesos ($1.8 billion) last year, 19.1 billion pesos ($455 million) more than 58.3 billion pesos ($1.3 billion) in 2010.
Concrete progress
On Wednesday, the two sides held the fourth meeting of the Jpepa Subcommittee on the Improvement of the Business Environment, which aimed to "ensure a steady and concrete progress on the resolution of specific issues regarding the business environment."
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe and Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal co-chaired the meeting, where they cited the "increasing interest shown by Japanese investors in the Philippines, as well as the expanded investments by Japanese companies" in the country.
"This was clearly the case with the recent visit to the Philippines of officials of the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and other economic missions from Japan. Both sides agreed that this is an opportune time to invite further investments in the Philippines and that "it is essential to continue dialogues with business communities."
The private sector was represented in the meeting by Nobuya Ichiki, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, and Guillermo Luz, chairman of the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines.
Significant strides
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for next September.
Last month, Kenji Hirai, embassy media officer, said the Jpepa had made "significant strides" since its introduction in 2008.
Hirai told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Japanese government "expects the smooth and effective implementation of Jpepa will lead to enhanced trade and investment relations [between the Philippines and Japan]."
Japan "hopes the economic relations between the two countries will continue to develop in 2012 based on the recent positive trend of expansion in both trade and investment under Jpepa," he added.
The embassy also had said it was confident that Tokyo and Manila would work toward full implementation of the agreement, which was signed on Sept. 9, 2006 in Helsinki, Finland, by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Two years later, the Jpepa was ratified by the Philippine Senate.
At one point, however, the agreement became controversial because of its provisions prohibiting the transport of toxic waste to either country and on the deployment of Filipino health-care workers to Japan.
The Jpepa aims to, among other things, liberalize trade in goods and services between the two countries, increase investment opportunities, enhance protection of intellectual property, and establish a framework for further bilateral cooperation.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Japanese Embassy said it was "still premature to make an overall evaluation [of] the full impact of Jpepa."
Both sides said, however, that "recent figures related to trade and investment have been very encouraging despite difficult situations the two countries faced, particularly last year."
They reported that the trade volume between the Philippines and Japan increased in 2011. Philippine exports to Japan rose from 335.4 billion pesos (US$7.8 billion) in 2010 to 382.7 billion pesos ($8.9 billion) last year. On the other hand, the Philippine imports from Japan slightly decreased from 290.2 billion pesos ($6.7 billion) in 2010 to 279.5 billion pesos ($6.5 billion) in 2011.
Japan remains the biggest investor in the Philippines, with total investments of 77.4 billion pesos ($1.8 billion) last year, 19.1 billion pesos ($455 million) more than 58.3 billion pesos ($1.3 billion) in 2010.
Concrete progress
On Wednesday, the two sides held the fourth meeting of the Jpepa Subcommittee on the Improvement of the Business Environment, which aimed to "ensure a steady and concrete progress on the resolution of specific issues regarding the business environment."
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe and Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal co-chaired the meeting, where they cited the "increasing interest shown by Japanese investors in the Philippines, as well as the expanded investments by Japanese companies" in the country.
"This was clearly the case with the recent visit to the Philippines of officials of the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) and other economic missions from Japan. Both sides agreed that this is an opportune time to invite further investments in the Philippines and that "it is essential to continue dialogues with business communities."
The private sector was represented in the meeting by Nobuya Ichiki, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, and Guillermo Luz, chairman of the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines.
Significant strides
The next subcommittee meeting is scheduled for next September.
Last month, Kenji Hirai, embassy media officer, said the Jpepa had made "significant strides" since its introduction in 2008.
Hirai told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Japanese government "expects the smooth and effective implementation of Jpepa will lead to enhanced trade and investment relations [between the Philippines and Japan]."
Japan "hopes the economic relations between the two countries will continue to develop in 2012 based on the recent positive trend of expansion in both trade and investment under Jpepa," he added.
The embassy also had said it was confident that Tokyo and Manila would work toward full implementation of the agreement, which was signed on Sept. 9, 2006 in Helsinki, Finland, by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Two years later, the Jpepa was ratified by the Philippine Senate.
At one point, however, the agreement became controversial because of its provisions prohibiting the transport of toxic waste to either country and on the deployment of Filipino health-care workers to Japan.
The Jpepa aims to, among other things, liberalize trade in goods and services between the two countries, increase investment opportunities, enhance protection of intellectual property, and establish a framework for further bilateral cooperation.
News Update Cruise ship adrift in Philippine waters after fire
A luxury cruise ship with about 600 mostly Western tourists was adrift in Philippine waters Saturday after a minor fire that injured a crew member, the government said.
The fire disabled two engines of the Azamara Quest late Thursday while it was en route to the Malaysian port of Sandakan, Department of Transportation spokesman Nicasio Conti told DZBB radio in Manila.
"The fire has been put out but they cannot start the two engines so it is now adrift between Palawan (island) and Zamboanga (port)," Conti added.
None of the mostly American and European passengers were injured by the blaze, but one crew member was given medical treatment onboard, he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched a rescue vessel while the Azamara Quest's operators, Miami, Florida-based Royal Caribbean International, sent a tugboat to the area in the middle of the Sulu Sea, the spokesman added.
Robert Aurelio, local agent for Wallem Philippines Shipping that represents the cruise ship, told AFP he had no information about the reported fire.
The vessel had set sail from Manila on Wednesday and also plans to visit Indonesia, he added.
Coast guard officials in Manila also told AFP they had no immediate information on the ship fire.
The Malta-flagged cruise liner is described on its website as a 30,277-tonne vessel with 355 crew members and a maximum passenger capacity of 694.
The fire disabled two engines of the Azamara Quest late Thursday while it was en route to the Malaysian port of Sandakan, Department of Transportation spokesman Nicasio Conti told DZBB radio in Manila.
"The fire has been put out but they cannot start the two engines so it is now adrift between Palawan (island) and Zamboanga (port)," Conti added.
None of the mostly American and European passengers were injured by the blaze, but one crew member was given medical treatment onboard, he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard dispatched a rescue vessel while the Azamara Quest's operators, Miami, Florida-based Royal Caribbean International, sent a tugboat to the area in the middle of the Sulu Sea, the spokesman added.
Robert Aurelio, local agent for Wallem Philippines Shipping that represents the cruise ship, told AFP he had no information about the reported fire.
The vessel had set sail from Manila on Wednesday and also plans to visit Indonesia, he added.
Coast guard officials in Manila also told AFP they had no immediate information on the ship fire.
The Malta-flagged cruise liner is described on its website as a 30,277-tonne vessel with 355 crew members and a maximum passenger capacity of 694.
Friday, March 30, 2012
News Update GMA Network renews partnership with Habitat for Humanity
After two decades of partnership, GMA Network Inc. and Habitat for Humanity Philippines signed a two-year contact anew, tasking the network to promote public awareness about the group’s projects.
“We signed a contract with Habitat because we believe in their objectives to provide low-cost shelter for Filipinos. Outside publicity, we may also volunteer in other ways,” GMA chair Felipe Gozon said in an interview after the contract signing.
“With GMA Network, we will have an aide in the nationwide campaign of our flagship project named I Build,” anew president Charlie Ayco said in a separate interview.
Habitat builds houses, classrooms and community centers for poor Filipinos.
The organization plans to build at least 6,000 houses this year under its flagship project, Ayco added. Most of the beneficiaries are residents of Cagayan de Oro who were hit by Typhoon Sendong.
Among its “I Build” ambassadors were Kapuso anchor Arnold Clavio and Kapuso Host Chris Tiu.
Habitat for Humanity Youth Build is scheduled to construct 200 homes in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on May 12. It aims to bring at least 2,000 youth volunteers to the site.
By 2020, the organization together with the whole housing sector aims to build at least 720,000 houses or 20 percent of the country’s 3.6 million houseless families. —VS,
“We signed a contract with Habitat because we believe in their objectives to provide low-cost shelter for Filipinos. Outside publicity, we may also volunteer in other ways,” GMA chair Felipe Gozon said in an interview after the contract signing.
“With GMA Network, we will have an aide in the nationwide campaign of our flagship project named I Build,” anew president Charlie Ayco said in a separate interview.
Habitat builds houses, classrooms and community centers for poor Filipinos.
The organization plans to build at least 6,000 houses this year under its flagship project, Ayco added. Most of the beneficiaries are residents of Cagayan de Oro who were hit by Typhoon Sendong.
Among its “I Build” ambassadors were Kapuso anchor Arnold Clavio and Kapuso Host Chris Tiu.
Habitat for Humanity Youth Build is scheduled to construct 200 homes in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, on May 12. It aims to bring at least 2,000 youth volunteers to the site.
By 2020, the organization together with the whole housing sector aims to build at least 720,000 houses or 20 percent of the country’s 3.6 million houseless families. —VS,
News Update St. Luke's Taguig among world's most beautiful hospitals
St.Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig is in the Top 25 most beautiful hospitals in the world, edging out hospitals from the U.S. and Europe on a list by a healthcare website.
According to HealthExecNews, an information network for healthcare executives, SLMC ranks 11th in the world based on "interior and exterior features and their health-promoting qualities."
"Designs including warm woods and nature-inspired elements, soft color schemes, and exterior facades designed with regards to their natural settings placed these facilities on the list," it said.
St. Luke's ranked higher than nine hospitals in the U.S. as well as hospitals in Austria, Australia, Lebanon, and Switzerland.
"SLMC has received international accreditation and is recognized as one of the best hospitals in Asia and the entire world. As such, it regularly receives patients from around Asia, Micronesia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States," HealthExecNews said.
According to its website (http://www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph/index.php), SLMC's Medical Arts Building and nursing tower open "to a grand hotel-like lobby with a concierge and front desk officers ready to assist patients and guests." The hospital also has 60 Customer Care Officers "at the patient's beck and call."
"Premium amenities like 620 modern hospital beds, computers with free internet connection in patient suites, 24/7 Concierge Service, shopping and dining spots, a hotel-like lobby and landscaped decks help make for one-of-a-kind patient experience," it also said.
SLMC welcomed its inclusion in the list, noting it was the first time that a Philippine hospital was included. "With this new honor for the country, let us be proud of the Philippines. Mabuhay!" the hospital said.
According to HealthExecNews, an information network for healthcare executives, SLMC ranks 11th in the world based on "interior and exterior features and their health-promoting qualities."
"Designs including warm woods and nature-inspired elements, soft color schemes, and exterior facades designed with regards to their natural settings placed these facilities on the list," it said.
St. Luke's ranked higher than nine hospitals in the U.S. as well as hospitals in Austria, Australia, Lebanon, and Switzerland.
"SLMC has received international accreditation and is recognized as one of the best hospitals in Asia and the entire world. As such, it regularly receives patients from around Asia, Micronesia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States," HealthExecNews said.
According to its website (http://www.stlukesmedicalcenter.com.ph/index.php), SLMC's Medical Arts Building and nursing tower open "to a grand hotel-like lobby with a concierge and front desk officers ready to assist patients and guests." The hospital also has 60 Customer Care Officers "at the patient's beck and call."
"Premium amenities like 620 modern hospital beds, computers with free internet connection in patient suites, 24/7 Concierge Service, shopping and dining spots, a hotel-like lobby and landscaped decks help make for one-of-a-kind patient experience," it also said.
SLMC welcomed its inclusion in the list, noting it was the first time that a Philippine hospital was included. "With this new honor for the country, let us be proud of the Philippines. Mabuhay!" the hospital said.
News Update Polluted Bulacan River needs P1.9B for rehab
By Alexander Villafania
MALOLOS, BULACAN – A total of P1.9 billion will be needed for a major rehabilitation project of the Bulacan River, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Central Luzon.
The project will include dredging the river and the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obanso River System (MMORS) that spans at least 43 kilometers.
It will also help improve a 30-kilometer dike to help relocate informal settlers along the river.
The DPWH made the proposal amid calls by Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado seeking assistance in rehabilitating the Bulacan River.
The heavily silted river is among the 30 most polluted rivers in the world listed by New-York based environmental watchdog Blacksmith Institute.
Alvarado stressed the urgency to rehabilitate the heavily-polluted and silted Bulacan River as it flows directly to Manila Bay. A sanitary landfill would be needed to properly handle the dredged materials.
Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, are being dumped into the river by numerous industrial plants along its banks.
“This project needs a strong political will to succeed. We also need to put everything in due process, make public consultation and proper information dissemination particularly in the matter of relocating the settlers within the riverbanks,” Alvarado said.
MALOLOS, BULACAN – A total of P1.9 billion will be needed for a major rehabilitation project of the Bulacan River, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Central Luzon.
The project will include dredging the river and the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obanso River System (MMORS) that spans at least 43 kilometers.
It will also help improve a 30-kilometer dike to help relocate informal settlers along the river.
The DPWH made the proposal amid calls by Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado seeking assistance in rehabilitating the Bulacan River.
The heavily silted river is among the 30 most polluted rivers in the world listed by New-York based environmental watchdog Blacksmith Institute.
Alvarado stressed the urgency to rehabilitate the heavily-polluted and silted Bulacan River as it flows directly to Manila Bay. A sanitary landfill would be needed to properly handle the dredged materials.
Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and arsenic, are being dumped into the river by numerous industrial plants along its banks.
“This project needs a strong political will to succeed. We also need to put everything in due process, make public consultation and proper information dissemination particularly in the matter of relocating the settlers within the riverbanks,” Alvarado said.
News Update Lucky Lolos and Lolas: P100,000 for their 100th birthday
Senior citizens may soon have more than just good health to look forward to on their birthdays.
This, as the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading a proposal that will give them P100,000 on their 100th birthday.
Under the Centenarians Bill filed by House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, Filipinos who turn 100 will be honored on September 25 of each year--the proposed National Respect for Centenarians Day. They will receive a P100,000 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the President.
Centenarians will also be eligible for additional cash gifts and a plaque from their local government units.
Aside from the gifts, centenarians will also enjoy a 50-percent discount on goods and services from all establishments as well as exemption from value-added tax.
Lagman said the current life expectancy for Filipinos is 71 years. "Living to be a centenarian, or three decades past the life expectancy is therefore an achievement and a distinction worthy of emulation and public recognition," he said.
He said the government must give centenarians psychological and monetary benefits for living exemplary lives because living to 100 requires discipline.
"They are the role models for the future of aging," Lagman added.
The bill, if passed into law, will also award plaques of recognition to the families of centenarians who have already died. The bill does not have a counterpart proposal at the Philippine Senate yet.
Aside from Lagman, Reps. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (Manila), Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (Cagayan), Rogelio Espina (Biliran), and Roman Romulo (Pasig City) are listed as co-authors of the bill. Party-list representatives Godofredo Arquiza and David Kho (Senior Citizens), Reena Concepcion Obillo (Una ang Pamilya), Teodorico Haresco (Ang Kasangga), and Maximo Rodriguez (Abante Mindanao) are also co-authors.
This, as the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading a proposal that will give them P100,000 on their 100th birthday.
Under the Centenarians Bill filed by House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, Filipinos who turn 100 will be honored on September 25 of each year--the proposed National Respect for Centenarians Day. They will receive a P100,000 cash gift and a letter of felicitation from the President.
Centenarians will also be eligible for additional cash gifts and a plaque from their local government units.
Aside from the gifts, centenarians will also enjoy a 50-percent discount on goods and services from all establishments as well as exemption from value-added tax.
Lagman said the current life expectancy for Filipinos is 71 years. "Living to be a centenarian, or three decades past the life expectancy is therefore an achievement and a distinction worthy of emulation and public recognition," he said.
He said the government must give centenarians psychological and monetary benefits for living exemplary lives because living to 100 requires discipline.
"They are the role models for the future of aging," Lagman added.
The bill, if passed into law, will also award plaques of recognition to the families of centenarians who have already died. The bill does not have a counterpart proposal at the Philippine Senate yet.
Aside from Lagman, Reps. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (Manila), Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (Cagayan), Rogelio Espina (Biliran), and Roman Romulo (Pasig City) are listed as co-authors of the bill. Party-list representatives Godofredo Arquiza and David Kho (Senior Citizens), Reena Concepcion Obillo (Una ang Pamilya), Teodorico Haresco (Ang Kasangga), and Maximo Rodriguez (Abante Mindanao) are also co-authors.
News Update Now is a good time for Pinoy tech students —Angara
Now is an especially good time to be a student of technology and help the country leap forward, Senate science committee chairman Edgardo Angara said Thursday.
Addressing the 39th Commencement Exercises of the University of Makati’s College of Computer Science, Angara said recent discoveries and breakthroughs present many opportunities.
"There has been no more exciting time in our history to be a student of technology than today: the era of information and communication, a time of great discoveries and frequent breakthroughs—and you belong to a program that is a prime creator of present and future knowledge and wealth," he said.
"The promise of the future to you is so great. You must not waste your youth and all the opportunities being offered to you, and I hope we will find you among those who will give generously back to our country and help it chart a more prosperous future." he added.
Angara, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, urged the new graduates to take advantage of opportunities offered to them as they enter the workforce.
"With the world so open and connected through technology, only your imagination will limit the opportunities you can create and seize," he said.
On the other hand, he lamented the Philippines' poor performance in worldwide competitiveness rankings especially in the mastery of math and science.
Such poor performance in science, math and technology "can explain why poverty remains a problem—we are not making the most out of our country’s potential for prosperity because we do not have sufficient capacity for S&T and innovation," he said.
Angara, who chairs the bicameral Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), science graduates are up against formidable challenges because the Philippines has historically fared poorly in S&T performance.
He said one way to improve this situation is by ensuring that graduates are highly skilled and trained, thereby productive and competitive.
"Our country needs the brightest minds to find these technologies, adapt them to our needs, and eventually innovate on them—in short make them for the Filipino, by the Filipino," he said.
Meanwhile, he reminded the graduates of their new role as productive members of society.
He also urged them to give back to the community that has provided them with excellent education.
"Filipinos are naturally creative. Equipped with the proper tools and adequate knowledge, Filipinos can create and innovate to the degree that will put them shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. You should also consider yourself responsible because it will be up to your generation, and those to come, to turn that prediction into reality," he said.
"The promise of the future to you is so great. You must not waste your youth and all the opportunities being offered to you, and I hope we will find you among those who will give generously back to our country and help it chart a more prosperous future." he added. — TJD,
Addressing the 39th Commencement Exercises of the University of Makati’s College of Computer Science, Angara said recent discoveries and breakthroughs present many opportunities.
"There has been no more exciting time in our history to be a student of technology than today: the era of information and communication, a time of great discoveries and frequent breakthroughs—and you belong to a program that is a prime creator of present and future knowledge and wealth," he said.
"The promise of the future to you is so great. You must not waste your youth and all the opportunities being offered to you, and I hope we will find you among those who will give generously back to our country and help it chart a more prosperous future." he added.
Angara, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, urged the new graduates to take advantage of opportunities offered to them as they enter the workforce.
"With the world so open and connected through technology, only your imagination will limit the opportunities you can create and seize," he said.
On the other hand, he lamented the Philippines' poor performance in worldwide competitiveness rankings especially in the mastery of math and science.
Such poor performance in science, math and technology "can explain why poverty remains a problem—we are not making the most out of our country’s potential for prosperity because we do not have sufficient capacity for S&T and innovation," he said.
Angara, who chairs the bicameral Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), science graduates are up against formidable challenges because the Philippines has historically fared poorly in S&T performance.
He said one way to improve this situation is by ensuring that graduates are highly skilled and trained, thereby productive and competitive.
"Our country needs the brightest minds to find these technologies, adapt them to our needs, and eventually innovate on them—in short make them for the Filipino, by the Filipino," he said.
Meanwhile, he reminded the graduates of their new role as productive members of society.
He also urged them to give back to the community that has provided them with excellent education.
"Filipinos are naturally creative. Equipped with the proper tools and adequate knowledge, Filipinos can create and innovate to the degree that will put them shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world. You should also consider yourself responsible because it will be up to your generation, and those to come, to turn that prediction into reality," he said.
"The promise of the future to you is so great. You must not waste your youth and all the opportunities being offered to you, and I hope we will find you among those who will give generously back to our country and help it chart a more prosperous future." he added. — TJD,
News Update DENR offers scholarships in geosciences
By Nikka Garriga
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—Incoming college freshmen are encouraged to avail of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)'s scholarships in geosciences to boost the country's geohazard system.
DENR cecretary Ramon Paje issued the directive to encourage more students to take up mining and metallurgical engineering, who would eventually assist in geohazard mapping and assessment.
The agency noted a steady decline in the number of geologists, and mining and metallurgical engineers in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) over the past years.
Jobs abroad that offer higher pay grade and the rationalization program contributed to this decline.
“The number of geologists who chose to stay and work with us is barely enough to handle the increasing work load particularly on geohazard mapping and assessment which is a necessity due to climate change,” Paje furthered.
There are only 88 geologists in MGB and over 120 vacant positions.
Paje appealed to incoming and current college students to take advantage of the scholarship program. He also urged qualified DENR personnel who wish to pursue a career in geosciences to try applying.
The program will cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend of P3, 000 and book allowance.
There are currently 12 scholars enrolled in the only five universities that offer the said courses locally.
These are the University of the Philippines, Adamson University and Mapua University in Luzon; Cebu Institute of Technology in the Visayas; and University of Southeastern Philippines in Mindanao.
QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—Incoming college freshmen are encouraged to avail of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)'s scholarships in geosciences to boost the country's geohazard system.
DENR cecretary Ramon Paje issued the directive to encourage more students to take up mining and metallurgical engineering, who would eventually assist in geohazard mapping and assessment.
The agency noted a steady decline in the number of geologists, and mining and metallurgical engineers in the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) over the past years.
Jobs abroad that offer higher pay grade and the rationalization program contributed to this decline.
“The number of geologists who chose to stay and work with us is barely enough to handle the increasing work load particularly on geohazard mapping and assessment which is a necessity due to climate change,” Paje furthered.
There are only 88 geologists in MGB and over 120 vacant positions.
Paje appealed to incoming and current college students to take advantage of the scholarship program. He also urged qualified DENR personnel who wish to pursue a career in geosciences to try applying.
The program will cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend of P3, 000 and book allowance.
There are currently 12 scholars enrolled in the only five universities that offer the said courses locally.
These are the University of the Philippines, Adamson University and Mapua University in Luzon; Cebu Institute of Technology in the Visayas; and University of Southeastern Philippines in Mindanao.
Kopi Talk Biggest homebuilder Camella builds Up North
MANILA, Philippines - Camella Candon in the Most Business-Friendly City in the North offers nothing but premium value-for-money living to the frugal and hardworking Genuine Ilocano (GI).
It’s no wonder that a Camella development should rise in this proud Ilocos Sur growth center that boasts of an accumulated P104-million (M) in business investments (as of August 2010) and which has already overtaken Alaminos City in Pangasinan and Balanga City in Bataan in investment growth and quality customer care.
And so whether you’re a house-hunting local, a balikbayan GI looking for a home that’s meant for keeps, or simply a world-weary urbanite from down south seeking an escape from the noise and pollution of the urban jungle, Camella Candon offers you the best of both worlds — good old Filipino traditional living with a touch of modern-day amenities, plus convenient access to the bustling business centers of the Ilocos Region and beyond.
Candon City’s strategic location along McArthur National Highway easily connects you to other nearby growth centers, like Vigan City, San Fernando City in La Union, and Baguio City. What’s more, Candon’s lovely beaches make it a tourist magnet and will soon witness a boom in shopping malls, banking and lending institutions, recreational and tourism facilities, and health establishments.
Camella Candon, starting out as an 11-hectare masterplanned development, is expected to expand further in the suburbs of Candon, it is on the average five to eight minutes away from the places that matter to every family: churches, the marketplace, schools, shopping centers, transport stations, and the city’s important business firms.
And keeping to Ilocos Sur’s solid Filipino-Spanish heritage, every home in Camella Candon breathes of this tradition with a touch of modernity. The tasteful interiors reflect Camella’s 37 years of experience in nurturing families and building communities. Amenities are well-thought-out to suit a wide range of needs and lifestyles, from upward-moving singles to families that are just starting up. Which is why everything your family seeks to make life fun and fabulous are there, from the Clubhouse to the children’s play areas. More importantly, Camella’s total commitment to safety and security gives homeowners the peace of mind that they have made the right choice in property investment.
Camella is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market segment of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest home builder. It has 37 years of experience, built more than 250,000 homes and maintains a strong presence in Mega Manila and 28 other key provincial destinations and 56 cities and municipalities, while aggressively expanding to other regions. For more information, call (02) 584 1182 or 0917 857 6494 for Direct Marketing, 0915 2175315; (02) 5313486 for Camella Candon, or log on to www.camella.com.ph. - (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
It’s no wonder that a Camella development should rise in this proud Ilocos Sur growth center that boasts of an accumulated P104-million (M) in business investments (as of August 2010) and which has already overtaken Alaminos City in Pangasinan and Balanga City in Bataan in investment growth and quality customer care.
And so whether you’re a house-hunting local, a balikbayan GI looking for a home that’s meant for keeps, or simply a world-weary urbanite from down south seeking an escape from the noise and pollution of the urban jungle, Camella Candon offers you the best of both worlds — good old Filipino traditional living with a touch of modern-day amenities, plus convenient access to the bustling business centers of the Ilocos Region and beyond.
Candon City’s strategic location along McArthur National Highway easily connects you to other nearby growth centers, like Vigan City, San Fernando City in La Union, and Baguio City. What’s more, Candon’s lovely beaches make it a tourist magnet and will soon witness a boom in shopping malls, banking and lending institutions, recreational and tourism facilities, and health establishments.
Camella Candon, starting out as an 11-hectare masterplanned development, is expected to expand further in the suburbs of Candon, it is on the average five to eight minutes away from the places that matter to every family: churches, the marketplace, schools, shopping centers, transport stations, and the city’s important business firms.
And keeping to Ilocos Sur’s solid Filipino-Spanish heritage, every home in Camella Candon breathes of this tradition with a touch of modernity. The tasteful interiors reflect Camella’s 37 years of experience in nurturing families and building communities. Amenities are well-thought-out to suit a wide range of needs and lifestyles, from upward-moving singles to families that are just starting up. Which is why everything your family seeks to make life fun and fabulous are there, from the Clubhouse to the children’s play areas. More importantly, Camella’s total commitment to safety and security gives homeowners the peace of mind that they have made the right choice in property investment.
Camella is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market segment of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest home builder. It has 37 years of experience, built more than 250,000 homes and maintains a strong presence in Mega Manila and 28 other key provincial destinations and 56 cities and municipalities, while aggressively expanding to other regions. For more information, call (02) 584 1182 or 0917 857 6494 for Direct Marketing, 0915 2175315; (02) 5313486 for Camella Candon, or log on to www.camella.com.ph. - (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
News Update BIR exceeds February collection goal
MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) exceeded its collection goal in February as the agency continues to step up efforts to improve its tax-take.
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the bureau collected P68.69 billion in tax revenues, 8.81 percent above its target of P63.13 billion for the month.
The February collections brought the tax-take in the first two months of the year to P153.84 billion, above the target for the period by P3.43 billion or 2.28 percent.
Despite the above target collections, Henares said it’s still a long way to go before the BIR can hit the P1.066 trillion tax goal this year.
“February does not make the whole year. We will have to work hard,” Henares said.
Of the P89.69 billion collected in February, the BIR raised P61.36 billion from BIR operations and P7.34 billion from non-BIR operations.
Compared to the collections in February 2011 when the BIR generated P53.42 billion, this year’s actual collections are ahead by P15.28 billion, or an increase of 28.6 percent.
Henares attributed the strong performance of the bureau to the efforts of the Large Taxpayers Service and the regional offices.
“The LTS and the regional offices are really working hard,” Henares said.
The BIR, which accounts for 70 percent of government revenues, has been stepping up efforts to widen the tax base and boost collections.
Yesterday, the BIR filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) four more tax evasion cases against delinquent taxpayers, bringing to 100 the total number of cases filed the BIR under Henares’ leadership.
The BIR filed a case against two individuals and the Registrar of Deeds of Dagupan City in connection with the transfer of title of a parcel of land using allegedly falsified documents.
Charged before the Justice department were Humberto Solis of Dagupan City, Elma dela Cruz Versoza of Lingayen and lawyer Cecilia Munar, in her capacity as Registrar of Deeds.
The BIR said that the act of Solis and Versoza of using a falsified documents deprived the government of P51.49 million in taxes in 2010.
The second case was filed against Yearful Fashion Enterprises, a garments supplier of the SM Group, for allegedly under declaring its taxable income in 2010 by roughly P36.50 million.
This, the BIR said, resulted in a tax liability of P10.93 million for 2010.
Another case was filed against Southserve Logistics Corp. for failing to settle its total tax liability of roughly P6.67 million for 2006.
The BIR also filed a complaint affidavit against Cynthia Rimando, a medical doctor based in Bulacan, for failing to issue tax receipts.
Henares said the agency would continue with its campaign against tax evaders as part of efforts to meet this year’s revenue goal. - By Iris C. Gonzales
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the bureau collected P68.69 billion in tax revenues, 8.81 percent above its target of P63.13 billion for the month.
The February collections brought the tax-take in the first two months of the year to P153.84 billion, above the target for the period by P3.43 billion or 2.28 percent.
Despite the above target collections, Henares said it’s still a long way to go before the BIR can hit the P1.066 trillion tax goal this year.
“February does not make the whole year. We will have to work hard,” Henares said.
Of the P89.69 billion collected in February, the BIR raised P61.36 billion from BIR operations and P7.34 billion from non-BIR operations.
Compared to the collections in February 2011 when the BIR generated P53.42 billion, this year’s actual collections are ahead by P15.28 billion, or an increase of 28.6 percent.
Henares attributed the strong performance of the bureau to the efforts of the Large Taxpayers Service and the regional offices.
“The LTS and the regional offices are really working hard,” Henares said.
The BIR, which accounts for 70 percent of government revenues, has been stepping up efforts to widen the tax base and boost collections.
Yesterday, the BIR filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) four more tax evasion cases against delinquent taxpayers, bringing to 100 the total number of cases filed the BIR under Henares’ leadership.
The BIR filed a case against two individuals and the Registrar of Deeds of Dagupan City in connection with the transfer of title of a parcel of land using allegedly falsified documents.
Charged before the Justice department were Humberto Solis of Dagupan City, Elma dela Cruz Versoza of Lingayen and lawyer Cecilia Munar, in her capacity as Registrar of Deeds.
The BIR said that the act of Solis and Versoza of using a falsified documents deprived the government of P51.49 million in taxes in 2010.
The second case was filed against Yearful Fashion Enterprises, a garments supplier of the SM Group, for allegedly under declaring its taxable income in 2010 by roughly P36.50 million.
This, the BIR said, resulted in a tax liability of P10.93 million for 2010.
Another case was filed against Southserve Logistics Corp. for failing to settle its total tax liability of roughly P6.67 million for 2006.
The BIR also filed a complaint affidavit against Cynthia Rimando, a medical doctor based in Bulacan, for failing to issue tax receipts.
Henares said the agency would continue with its campaign against tax evaders as part of efforts to meet this year’s revenue goal. - By Iris C. Gonzales
News Update 6 NPAs nabbed, 45 others surrender
MANILA, Philippines - At least six ranking members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including one of its commanders, were arrested in separate government operations while 45 surrendered to authorities last Wednesday and yesterday.
Henry Aguenza, secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA in Catanduanes, and his companion were arrested in Barangay San Isidro, Calamba, Laguna when a taxi driver accused them of robbery, the military said yesterday.
Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said a report of Col. Ivan Samarita identified Aguenza’s companion as Alicia Cenon, said to be another ranking member of the NPA in Bicol and a resident of Barangay Malictic in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Roger Salvoro, 43, of Barangay Catmon in Malabon City, sought the assistance of a traffic enforcer along the national highway in Cabuyao when the suspects allegedly strangled him using the seatbelt in his taxi when he refused to bring them to Bicol.
Salvoro said the suspects also took his cellular phone and P2,700 earnings.
Recovered from the suspects were two flash disks, 10 cellular phones and a laptop.
Maj. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Division, said a group of 45 rebels also surrendered to Col. Romeo Gapuz, chief of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade in Bukidnon yesterday.
1st Lt. Tala Servidad, spokesman for the Army’s 7th Division, said six NPA rebels, including three ranking members, surrendered to authorities in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija last Wednesday.
The rebels were cornered by the troops after a 10-minute firefight in Sto. Ninõ village.
They were identified as Carla Ramos Bautista, a political instructor of the Central Luzon regional committee; Andres Lapuz Ely; John Michael Ilito; Felix Sarabia; and Ambrosio Ilito. Efren Delalamon suffered a bullet wound in the arm and was treated by Army doctors.
The rebels were detained at the provincial police office for the inquest proceedings.
Soldiers seized an M-16 rifle and ammunition, two hand grenades, ammunition for a caliber. 45 handgun, a laptop, a portable generator, a radio, a handcuff, three cellular phones, assorted medical paraphernalia and medicines and P116,000 from the rebels.
Meanwhile, the CPP has ordered the NPA to intensify its armed struggle and its recruitment efforts as the armed group celebrated its 43rd anniversary yesterday.
“The party cadres and red commanders must work together closely in planning political-military training and tactical offensives. Party recruitment and education must be conducted within the people’s army,” the CPP said in a statement.
Latest military data show that the strength of the NPA stood at 4,043 as of last year. – Alexis Romero, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu -
Henry Aguenza, secretary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA in Catanduanes, and his companion were arrested in Barangay San Isidro, Calamba, Laguna when a taxi driver accused them of robbery, the military said yesterday.
Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said a report of Col. Ivan Samarita identified Aguenza’s companion as Alicia Cenon, said to be another ranking member of the NPA in Bicol and a resident of Barangay Malictic in Norzagaray, Bulacan.
Roger Salvoro, 43, of Barangay Catmon in Malabon City, sought the assistance of a traffic enforcer along the national highway in Cabuyao when the suspects allegedly strangled him using the seatbelt in his taxi when he refused to bring them to Bicol.
Salvoro said the suspects also took his cellular phone and P2,700 earnings.
Recovered from the suspects were two flash disks, 10 cellular phones and a laptop.
Maj. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Division, said a group of 45 rebels also surrendered to Col. Romeo Gapuz, chief of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade in Bukidnon yesterday.
1st Lt. Tala Servidad, spokesman for the Army’s 7th Division, said six NPA rebels, including three ranking members, surrendered to authorities in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija last Wednesday.
The rebels were cornered by the troops after a 10-minute firefight in Sto. Ninõ village.
They were identified as Carla Ramos Bautista, a political instructor of the Central Luzon regional committee; Andres Lapuz Ely; John Michael Ilito; Felix Sarabia; and Ambrosio Ilito. Efren Delalamon suffered a bullet wound in the arm and was treated by Army doctors.
The rebels were detained at the provincial police office for the inquest proceedings.
Soldiers seized an M-16 rifle and ammunition, two hand grenades, ammunition for a caliber. 45 handgun, a laptop, a portable generator, a radio, a handcuff, three cellular phones, assorted medical paraphernalia and medicines and P116,000 from the rebels.
Meanwhile, the CPP has ordered the NPA to intensify its armed struggle and its recruitment efforts as the armed group celebrated its 43rd anniversary yesterday.
“The party cadres and red commanders must work together closely in planning political-military training and tactical offensives. Party recruitment and education must be conducted within the people’s army,” the CPP said in a statement.
Latest military data show that the strength of the NPA stood at 4,043 as of last year. – Alexis Romero, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu -
News Update Police identify Ceneco robbers
CLOSED-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the suspects’ rented safehouse revealed the identities of the 12 armed men who robbed Central Negros Electric Cooperative (Ceneco) last Friday, March 2.
Police were also able to identify the get-away vehicles used by the robbers.
In a joint press conference by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo dela Paz and BCPO operation head Police Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, dela Paz presented the pictures and identities of some of the suspects but he declined for the meantime to divulge the location of the safehouse.
Dela Paz said the suspects are members of the Dipolog-Ozamis-organized crime group that specializes in big-time bank robberies.
The group has linked with the remnants of notorious Kuratong Baleleng and Parohinog crime groups, said the police chief.
Suspect number 1 was identified as Reynaldo Bacolod alias “Toto” and “Jay Mera”, the leader of the group. A resident of Las Piñas City, he was involved in two bank robberies, said the police.
Suspect number 2 was identified only through a picture taken during the incident, while the third suspect was identified to be the one armed with a caliber 45. pistol during the heist.
Suspect number 4 is an unknown suspect who was armed with Uzi machine pistol, while suspect number 5, also unknown, wore sunglasses and was armed with 9 mm pistol with stainless upper receiver.
The sixth suspect, meanwhile, was identified as Joseph Cararamo, a member of the Dipolog-Ozamis group engaged in bank robberies. He was identified as the one on board a motorcycle and was the last to arrive to fetch his companions.
Suspect number 7 was the one who pointed a gun at a security guard and was seen transacting at the cashier a week before the incident.
The identities of the other suspects who were captured in the CCTV cameras are still being investigated.
Dela Paz said that reports indicate the group is still in Bacolod City.
"We received reports that the suspects even returned to the place of incident and conducted investigation, asking trisikad drivers as to the investigation being conducted by the police. We believe that they are still in the city or in the province," he said.
"This is an organized crime group specializing on bank robberies. They always hit and victimize banks, commercial establishments, offices with more or less P10 million about to be victimized. This is one of their modus operandi to see to it that the amount supposed to be seized is not less than P10 million," he added.
Since the group fell short of their P10-million target in Ceneco, police believe that there will possibly be another target.
With this, the BCPO chief issued advisories to different banks to be vigilant and to report immediately suspicious-looking personalities in their premises.
The group that victimized Ceneco is believed to be the same group that planned to rob RCBC Bacolod last year.
"You can recall that we issued the same advisories alerting all banks in the city that a group arrived in Bacolod and planned to rob banks in the city. But the group failed to execute their plan due to our alertness and pro-active measures. We also believe that the group which victimized Ceneco was the same group which robbed East West Bank in Iloilo City in January 2010 where the robbers carted off around P13 million," dela Paz said.
Police analyzed and studied the suspects' modus operandi of carrying out their plan in less than three minutes. The group in Iloilo was also armed with Uzi and majority of the suspects were Cebuano-speaking.
Police identify get-away vehicles
Two of the three motorcycles and the pick-up used by the robbers as get-away vehicles were also identified by the police through the log book of the security guard in their rented safehouse.
The Suzuki Raider black motorcycle with plate number GI 9503 is registered under the name of Gerardo Saniel of Blancia Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, while the XRM black and white motorcycle with plate number GM 5723 is registered under the name of Ben Luzana of Manayag, Zamboanga del Sur.
The Toyota Hilux black pick-up vehicle with plate number KDS 944 is registered under the name of Eduardo Dayondon of Bagawian Tacina, Zamboanga del Sur.
All the vehicles used by the suspects were registered in Zamboanga del Sur.
Dela Paz said the robbers arrived at their rented safehouse last February 27, Monday, and left around 8:30 a.m. of March 2 and proceeded to Ceneco to stage the robbery hold up.
Mayor lauds police
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia lauded the police for the developments in the case.
"We would like to thank the police for the quick response. I went there personally to see it for myself and I saw the trace of the bullet fired by one of the robbers. I also talked to Colonel Ricardo dela Paz, Atty. Arnel Lapore, president of Ceneco and others. Since then, we have been in touch frequently and consistently with Colonel Dela Paz," said Leonardia.
"Considering that there are certain matters which for obvious reasons are supposed to be kept under wraps. I would even prefer that, in as much as in a level of police discretion, I will give it to Col. Dela Paz on which of this information can be shared to the public," he added.
He assured that the police are trying their best to resolve the case at the soonest possible time.
“I consider this as an isolated case but, at the same time, this will tell us and remind us that something like this can still happen," he warned.
Police were also able to identify the get-away vehicles used by the robbers.
In a joint press conference by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo dela Paz and BCPO operation head Police Superintendent Santiago Rapiz, dela Paz presented the pictures and identities of some of the suspects but he declined for the meantime to divulge the location of the safehouse.
Dela Paz said the suspects are members of the Dipolog-Ozamis-organized crime group that specializes in big-time bank robberies.
The group has linked with the remnants of notorious Kuratong Baleleng and Parohinog crime groups, said the police chief.
Suspect number 1 was identified as Reynaldo Bacolod alias “Toto” and “Jay Mera”, the leader of the group. A resident of Las Piñas City, he was involved in two bank robberies, said the police.
Suspect number 2 was identified only through a picture taken during the incident, while the third suspect was identified to be the one armed with a caliber 45. pistol during the heist.
Suspect number 4 is an unknown suspect who was armed with Uzi machine pistol, while suspect number 5, also unknown, wore sunglasses and was armed with 9 mm pistol with stainless upper receiver.
The sixth suspect, meanwhile, was identified as Joseph Cararamo, a member of the Dipolog-Ozamis group engaged in bank robberies. He was identified as the one on board a motorcycle and was the last to arrive to fetch his companions.
Suspect number 7 was the one who pointed a gun at a security guard and was seen transacting at the cashier a week before the incident.
The identities of the other suspects who were captured in the CCTV cameras are still being investigated.
Dela Paz said that reports indicate the group is still in Bacolod City.
"We received reports that the suspects even returned to the place of incident and conducted investigation, asking trisikad drivers as to the investigation being conducted by the police. We believe that they are still in the city or in the province," he said.
"This is an organized crime group specializing on bank robberies. They always hit and victimize banks, commercial establishments, offices with more or less P10 million about to be victimized. This is one of their modus operandi to see to it that the amount supposed to be seized is not less than P10 million," he added.
Since the group fell short of their P10-million target in Ceneco, police believe that there will possibly be another target.
With this, the BCPO chief issued advisories to different banks to be vigilant and to report immediately suspicious-looking personalities in their premises.
The group that victimized Ceneco is believed to be the same group that planned to rob RCBC Bacolod last year.
"You can recall that we issued the same advisories alerting all banks in the city that a group arrived in Bacolod and planned to rob banks in the city. But the group failed to execute their plan due to our alertness and pro-active measures. We also believe that the group which victimized Ceneco was the same group which robbed East West Bank in Iloilo City in January 2010 where the robbers carted off around P13 million," dela Paz said.
Police analyzed and studied the suspects' modus operandi of carrying out their plan in less than three minutes. The group in Iloilo was also armed with Uzi and majority of the suspects were Cebuano-speaking.
Police identify get-away vehicles
Two of the three motorcycles and the pick-up used by the robbers as get-away vehicles were also identified by the police through the log book of the security guard in their rented safehouse.
The Suzuki Raider black motorcycle with plate number GI 9503 is registered under the name of Gerardo Saniel of Blancia Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, while the XRM black and white motorcycle with plate number GM 5723 is registered under the name of Ben Luzana of Manayag, Zamboanga del Sur.
The Toyota Hilux black pick-up vehicle with plate number KDS 944 is registered under the name of Eduardo Dayondon of Bagawian Tacina, Zamboanga del Sur.
All the vehicles used by the suspects were registered in Zamboanga del Sur.
Dela Paz said the robbers arrived at their rented safehouse last February 27, Monday, and left around 8:30 a.m. of March 2 and proceeded to Ceneco to stage the robbery hold up.
Mayor lauds police
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia lauded the police for the developments in the case.
"We would like to thank the police for the quick response. I went there personally to see it for myself and I saw the trace of the bullet fired by one of the robbers. I also talked to Colonel Ricardo dela Paz, Atty. Arnel Lapore, president of Ceneco and others. Since then, we have been in touch frequently and consistently with Colonel Dela Paz," said Leonardia.
"Considering that there are certain matters which for obvious reasons are supposed to be kept under wraps. I would even prefer that, in as much as in a level of police discretion, I will give it to Col. Dela Paz on which of this information can be shared to the public," he added.
He assured that the police are trying their best to resolve the case at the soonest possible time.
“I consider this as an isolated case but, at the same time, this will tell us and remind us that something like this can still happen," he warned.
News Update One killed, 6 hurt in Robinsons Galleria robbery
A bank guard died while six others were hurt in a shootout in Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Thursday, police said.
Chief Superintendent Mario Dela Vega, Quezon City Police District chief, identified the fatality as Rodrigo Villa.
Another security guard, Roderick Reloso, is critical while five others, bank tellers and bystanders, have been rushed to the hospital, said Dela Vega.
Dela Vega said robbers attacked the mall and lobbed two grenades but both did not explode.
Rose Ann Villegas of the Public Affairs Division, Robinsons Malls earlier said two security guards were supposed to deliver money to Sanry's Money Exchange when robbers attacked.
The suspects were 'riding-in-tandem' robbers who forcibly entered the mall around 10 am, prior the operating hours, said Villegas.
Police are still uncertain whether robbers successfully got the money.
"We do not know yet if the money was consummated and how much. The bank teller can tell us," said Dela Vega.
Earlier, witnesses on site claimed there was a blast. Authorities initially barred the public from entering the mall but mall operations resumed by noon, except in the scene of the crime.
Villegas said they will turn-over CCTV footage to the police for further investigation.
"I think our security measures are very strong right now. We were able to respond in 15 minutes," said Villegas.
Chief Superintendent Mario Dela Vega, Quezon City Police District chief, identified the fatality as Rodrigo Villa.
Another security guard, Roderick Reloso, is critical while five others, bank tellers and bystanders, have been rushed to the hospital, said Dela Vega.
Dela Vega said robbers attacked the mall and lobbed two grenades but both did not explode.
Rose Ann Villegas of the Public Affairs Division, Robinsons Malls earlier said two security guards were supposed to deliver money to Sanry's Money Exchange when robbers attacked.
The suspects were 'riding-in-tandem' robbers who forcibly entered the mall around 10 am, prior the operating hours, said Villegas.
Police are still uncertain whether robbers successfully got the money.
"We do not know yet if the money was consummated and how much. The bank teller can tell us," said Dela Vega.
Earlier, witnesses on site claimed there was a blast. Authorities initially barred the public from entering the mall but mall operations resumed by noon, except in the scene of the crime.
Villegas said they will turn-over CCTV footage to the police for further investigation.
"I think our security measures are very strong right now. We were able to respond in 15 minutes," said Villegas.
News Update Majority of Pinoys prefer Corona conviction
Close to three out of four Filipinos want Chief Justice Renato Corona convicted in the impeachment court, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll.
If found guilty, Corona will be removed from the judiciary and will be disqualified from public office.
Citing their a survey held from March 10 to 13, SWS said 73 percent of 1,200 respondents wants the Senate to render a guilty verdict against the embattled Chief Justice. A quarter of respondents meanwhile said they preferred acquittal for the Chief Justice.
Despite that, more than half, 67 percent, said they would accept whatever verdict the Senate impeachment court would hand down. Most respondents in the National Capital Region, 79 percent, said they would accept the verdict against only 56 percent of respondents from the Visayas who would.
Around 79 percent of respondents also said they want Corona to resign but were divided on when he should do that. Close to half of those surveyed, 49 percent, said Corona should wait for acquittal before resigning while 30 percent said he should leave as soon as possible. Another 18 percent said the Chief Justice should only resign if found guilty.
Respondents meanwhile gave higher score to the prosecution than Corona's defense panel, with a net satisfaction rating of +39 satisfaction rating. The defense had a +31 net satisfaction rating.
The impeachment trial was on recess and the defense only began presenting its evidence at the time of the poll.
The Senate did not fare much better among respondents, however. Only 30 percent of those surveyed said they had "much trust" in the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, with 51 percent unsure whether the Senate will make a fair decision.
The survey has an error margin of 3 percent for national estimates.
"The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2012 to obtain the national estimates," SWS said.
If found guilty, Corona will be removed from the judiciary and will be disqualified from public office.
Citing their a survey held from March 10 to 13, SWS said 73 percent of 1,200 respondents wants the Senate to render a guilty verdict against the embattled Chief Justice. A quarter of respondents meanwhile said they preferred acquittal for the Chief Justice.
Despite that, more than half, 67 percent, said they would accept whatever verdict the Senate impeachment court would hand down. Most respondents in the National Capital Region, 79 percent, said they would accept the verdict against only 56 percent of respondents from the Visayas who would.
Around 79 percent of respondents also said they want Corona to resign but were divided on when he should do that. Close to half of those surveyed, 49 percent, said Corona should wait for acquittal before resigning while 30 percent said he should leave as soon as possible. Another 18 percent said the Chief Justice should only resign if found guilty.
Respondents meanwhile gave higher score to the prosecution than Corona's defense panel, with a net satisfaction rating of +39 satisfaction rating. The defense had a +31 net satisfaction rating.
The impeachment trial was on recess and the defense only began presenting its evidence at the time of the poll.
The Senate did not fare much better among respondents, however. Only 30 percent of those surveyed said they had "much trust" in the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, with 51 percent unsure whether the Senate will make a fair decision.
The survey has an error margin of 3 percent for national estimates.
"The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2012 to obtain the national estimates," SWS said.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
News Update PNP On Full Lenten Alert
MANILA, Philippines - Police forces nationwide were placed on full alert status effective Wednesday afternoon as part of the security measures in anticipation of exodus of tens of thousands of people to the provinces for the long Lenten break.
Director General Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he has already ordered his commanders down to the municipal station level to start implementing their respective security measures.
"All unit commanders are reminded to secure all PNP camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points, and places of convergence of people," said Bartolome in his memorandum.
The full alert status, equivalent to red alert in the military that requires 100 percent duty of all its 140,000 personnel, took effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday. It is the highest security alert of the PNP.
Bartolome particularly ordered his men to prioritize national highways, bus terminals, ports, and airports where a large number of people are expected to converge starting as early as Friday.
As such, he said he had already instructed his men to set up Police Assistance Centers along national highways which will be manned not only by policemen but medical personnel, among them are the Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon, the Manila South Road from Manila to Bicol, the Manila East Road from Eastern Metro Manila to Northern Quezon, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through island provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares.
Police Assistance Centers will serve as quick-reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and advance command post for traffic management and road security operations.
All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency telephone hotline, and the TXT PNP 2920 SMS hotline.
In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units were tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions to assist in enforcing maritime laws and local ordinances that impose safety regulations in the operation of inter-island vessels and motorized boats that ferry passengers across bodies of water.
In Metro Manila, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units.
Police stations Metro Manila and other urban centers are tasked to conduct preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminal elements that may take advantage of unattended residences.
All commercial business establishments, shopping malls, places of worship, MRT and LRT, and other vital installations will be placed under intensive security coverage.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Allan Purisima directed all Metro Manila district directors, chiefs of police, and operational support unit commanders to beef up their security operations and public safety plan to ensure a secured, safety, and orderly observance of the Holy Week.
In the Southern Police District (SPD), Supt. Jenny Tecson, spokeswoman and concurrent chief of the Public Information Office, disclosed that Senior Supt. Arrazad P. Subong, officer-in-charge, directed all police stations under the district to intensify its police visibility.
NLEx, SCTEx Express Lanes
As this developed, The North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) will implement an express payment program called the "Holy Week Express Lane."
The program is intended for Class 1 vehicles traveling to the North this Holy Week. Class 1 vehicles include cars, vans and jeepneys. The program will start at 2 p.m. of April 4 (Holy Wednesday) and will end at 5 p.m. of April 5 (Maundy Thursday). It seeks to shorten transaction time in busy plazas like Dau-Mabalacat in Pampanga, Subic-Tipo and the Tarlac exits in SCTEx.
Under this program a Class 1 motorist exiting Dau and Subic-Tipo or Tarlac via SCTEx may already pay his/her toll fees in full as he/she passes the Balintawak or Mindanao Avenue Toll Plazas. Motorists exiting Dau will pay a total toll fee amounting to R218 while motorists exiting Subic via SCTEx will pay R408 and motorists exiting Tarlac via SCTEx will pay R322. This program aims to alleviate queuing at the Toll Plazas especially during peak hours of the Holy Week exodus. Designated Express Lanes are located at the left side of the Toll Plazas. Motorists intending to use the Express Lanes should keep left as they approach the toll plazas for their entry and exit.
To speed up transactions at the NLEx, ambulant tellers will be deployed and spare lanes will be opened at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau Toll Plazas during peak hours. At SCTEx, manual lanes will be set up at Tarlac and Tipo Exits. The deployment of ambulant tellers may be expected on the afternoon of April 4 (Holy Wednesday) till the afternoon of April 5 (Maundy Thursday). Deployment is also set on April 7 (Black Saturday) until April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan) at the Southbound Bocaue, Dau and Mabalacat Toll Plazas. (With reports from Jean Fernando, Francis T. Wakefield, and John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)
Director General Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he has already ordered his commanders down to the municipal station level to start implementing their respective security measures.
"All unit commanders are reminded to secure all PNP camps and offices, vital installations, economic key points, and places of convergence of people," said Bartolome in his memorandum.
The full alert status, equivalent to red alert in the military that requires 100 percent duty of all its 140,000 personnel, took effect at 5 p.m. Wednesday. It is the highest security alert of the PNP.
Bartolome particularly ordered his men to prioritize national highways, bus terminals, ports, and airports where a large number of people are expected to converge starting as early as Friday.
As such, he said he had already instructed his men to set up Police Assistance Centers along national highways which will be manned not only by policemen but medical personnel, among them are the Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon, the Manila South Road from Manila to Bicol, the Manila East Road from Eastern Metro Manila to Northern Quezon, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through island provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares.
Police Assistance Centers will serve as quick-reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and advance command post for traffic management and road security operations.
All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency telephone hotline, and the TXT PNP 2920 SMS hotline.
In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units were tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions to assist in enforcing maritime laws and local ordinances that impose safety regulations in the operation of inter-island vessels and motorized boats that ferry passengers across bodies of water.
In Metro Manila, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units.
Police stations Metro Manila and other urban centers are tasked to conduct preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminal elements that may take advantage of unattended residences.
All commercial business establishments, shopping malls, places of worship, MRT and LRT, and other vital installations will be placed under intensive security coverage.
National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Allan Purisima directed all Metro Manila district directors, chiefs of police, and operational support unit commanders to beef up their security operations and public safety plan to ensure a secured, safety, and orderly observance of the Holy Week.
In the Southern Police District (SPD), Supt. Jenny Tecson, spokeswoman and concurrent chief of the Public Information Office, disclosed that Senior Supt. Arrazad P. Subong, officer-in-charge, directed all police stations under the district to intensify its police visibility.
NLEx, SCTEx Express Lanes
As this developed, The North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) will implement an express payment program called the "Holy Week Express Lane."
The program is intended for Class 1 vehicles traveling to the North this Holy Week. Class 1 vehicles include cars, vans and jeepneys. The program will start at 2 p.m. of April 4 (Holy Wednesday) and will end at 5 p.m. of April 5 (Maundy Thursday). It seeks to shorten transaction time in busy plazas like Dau-Mabalacat in Pampanga, Subic-Tipo and the Tarlac exits in SCTEx.
Under this program a Class 1 motorist exiting Dau and Subic-Tipo or Tarlac via SCTEx may already pay his/her toll fees in full as he/she passes the Balintawak or Mindanao Avenue Toll Plazas. Motorists exiting Dau will pay a total toll fee amounting to R218 while motorists exiting Subic via SCTEx will pay R408 and motorists exiting Tarlac via SCTEx will pay R322. This program aims to alleviate queuing at the Toll Plazas especially during peak hours of the Holy Week exodus. Designated Express Lanes are located at the left side of the Toll Plazas. Motorists intending to use the Express Lanes should keep left as they approach the toll plazas for their entry and exit.
To speed up transactions at the NLEx, ambulant tellers will be deployed and spare lanes will be opened at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau Toll Plazas during peak hours. At SCTEx, manual lanes will be set up at Tarlac and Tipo Exits. The deployment of ambulant tellers may be expected on the afternoon of April 4 (Holy Wednesday) till the afternoon of April 5 (Maundy Thursday). Deployment is also set on April 7 (Black Saturday) until April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan) at the Southbound Bocaue, Dau and Mabalacat Toll Plazas. (With reports from Jean Fernando, Francis T. Wakefield, and John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)
News Update DOTC taps social media for safe Holy Week travel
To ensure the safety of Filipino motorists and commuters heading to the provinces for Holy Week, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has set up a microsite and social networking accounts emphasizing safe travel.
Netizens can log on to www.oplanligtas.org, which features tweets from the DOTC's Twitter account, #PinoyKwaresma hashtags and air, land and sea trip schedules.
It also features tweets from the Toll Regulatory Board, Philippine National Railways, and Manila International Airport Authority.
Other features of the microsite, according to a news release posted on the Official Gazette website, include ():
Schedule of land, air, and sea trips Advisories on non-operations of LRT and MRT Philippine National Railway train schedules (Manila-Mayon; Manila-Naga; Manila-Albay) Relevant news and data about passenger rights and safety Attached agencies’ preparation for the Holy Week Videos of inspections by DOTC and its agencies
On the social networking front, the DOTC set up a Facebook account (LigtasKwaresma), and a Twitter account (@DOTCPhilippines) accounts.
Those accounts provide the public with updated travel information and post their views and travel experiences during the Holy Week.
DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said he has also instructed key agencies, such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), airport authorities and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to create their own Twitter accounts, "so they can steadily feed information on matters relating to travel safety through the website.”
But the DOTC agencies will use the Twitter hashtag #PinoyKwaresma to facilitate public discussion on travel safety.
“We expect more passengers to travel this Holy Week season compared with the previous year as indicated by historical data we gathered,” Roxas said.
Random drug testing among public-utility bus drivers will again be conducted in bus terminals where there is expected heavy passenger volume. — TJD
Netizens can log on to www.oplanligtas.org, which features tweets from the DOTC's Twitter account, #PinoyKwaresma hashtags and air, land and sea trip schedules.
It also features tweets from the Toll Regulatory Board, Philippine National Railways, and Manila International Airport Authority.
Other features of the microsite, according to a news release posted on the Official Gazette website, include ():
Schedule of land, air, and sea trips Advisories on non-operations of LRT and MRT Philippine National Railway train schedules (Manila-Mayon; Manila-Naga; Manila-Albay) Relevant news and data about passenger rights and safety Attached agencies’ preparation for the Holy Week Videos of inspections by DOTC and its agencies
On the social networking front, the DOTC set up a Facebook account (LigtasKwaresma), and a Twitter account (@DOTCPhilippines) accounts.
Those accounts provide the public with updated travel information and post their views and travel experiences during the Holy Week.
DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said he has also instructed key agencies, such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), airport authorities and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to create their own Twitter accounts, "so they can steadily feed information on matters relating to travel safety through the website.”
But the DOTC agencies will use the Twitter hashtag #PinoyKwaresma to facilitate public discussion on travel safety.
“We expect more passengers to travel this Holy Week season compared with the previous year as indicated by historical data we gathered,” Roxas said.
Random drug testing among public-utility bus drivers will again be conducted in bus terminals where there is expected heavy passenger volume. — TJD
News Update Philippines AirAsia launches Kalibo, Davao City routes from Clark
Low-fare airline Philippines AirAsia launched on Wednesday its daily flights from Clark International Airport to Kalibo in Aklan and Davao City in Davao province, two of the country's major tourist destinations.
The airline chose Davao City as an important gateway to Mindanao and Kalibo because of Boracay, said AirAsia CEO Maan Hontiveros.
An AirAsia plane sits at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao, the airline's maiden flight from Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Wednesday Danny Pata “The Philippines is a robust and growing market. We are here because we are confident of its growth,” Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group chair, said during the send-off ceremonies at Clark.
AirAsia started in 2001 with two aircraft serving 200,000 passengers. “Now we have 100 planes serving 3.3 million passengers,” Fernandes noted.
For the Philippines, the airline uses new 200-seater A320 aircraft.
AirAsia set up its operations center in Clark late last year to serve domestic flights in airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Hontiveros said the flights from Clark make travel more convenient and comfortable for passengers from Northern and Central Luzon. “They no longer have to suffer from the EDSA traffic and the long queues at NAIA,” she added. 'A truly ASEAN airline'
The airline serves two flights from Clark to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.
“AirAsia is now a truly ASEAN airline serving the people in the region,” said Fernandes, who founded the airline in 2001.
He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region has more than 600 million people that can be a significant tourism market.
“This is a big day for me,” Fernandes added.
Also in Clark for the launch were Philippines AirAsia chair Antonio Cojuangco and Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
Apart from Philippines, AirAsia has operation centers in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, as well as in Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Jakarta, Bali, Bandung and Surabaya in Indonesia.
AirAsia is a low-cost carrier serving 132 routes. It employs more than 8,000 people and with a market capitalization of over RM7.06 billion (as at 31 Dec. 2010).
The number of domestic and international passengers that used Clark Airport reached 760,000 last year, and is expected to more than double to 1.6 million this year, according to airport authorities. —VS
The airline chose Davao City as an important gateway to Mindanao and Kalibo because of Boracay, said AirAsia CEO Maan Hontiveros.
An AirAsia plane sits at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao, the airline's maiden flight from Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Wednesday Danny Pata “The Philippines is a robust and growing market. We are here because we are confident of its growth,” Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group chair, said during the send-off ceremonies at Clark.
AirAsia started in 2001 with two aircraft serving 200,000 passengers. “Now we have 100 planes serving 3.3 million passengers,” Fernandes noted.
For the Philippines, the airline uses new 200-seater A320 aircraft.
AirAsia set up its operations center in Clark late last year to serve domestic flights in airports other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Hontiveros said the flights from Clark make travel more convenient and comfortable for passengers from Northern and Central Luzon. “They no longer have to suffer from the EDSA traffic and the long queues at NAIA,” she added. 'A truly ASEAN airline'
The airline serves two flights from Clark to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu.
“AirAsia is now a truly ASEAN airline serving the people in the region,” said Fernandes, who founded the airline in 2001.
He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region has more than 600 million people that can be a significant tourism market.
“This is a big day for me,” Fernandes added.
Also in Clark for the launch were Philippines AirAsia chair Antonio Cojuangco and Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
Apart from Philippines, AirAsia has operation centers in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Penang and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, as well as in Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Jakarta, Bali, Bandung and Surabaya in Indonesia.
AirAsia is a low-cost carrier serving 132 routes. It employs more than 8,000 people and with a market capitalization of over RM7.06 billion (as at 31 Dec. 2010).
The number of domestic and international passengers that used Clark Airport reached 760,000 last year, and is expected to more than double to 1.6 million this year, according to airport authorities. —VS
News Update Petron, Shell line up big investments
MANILA, Philippines - Oil industry giants Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. will continue to invest heavily to expand local operations on the back of improving economic prospects in the country.
Top officials said Petron will spend P8 billion for a 70-megawatt (MW) power plant while still remaining interested in overseas acquisitions, particularly Esso Thailand. Pilipinas Shell, for its part, has allotted P2-3 billion for marketing and retail expansion.
Petron president Eric O. Recto said the oil giant will build a new 70-MW petroleum coke-fueled power plant that will supply the needs of its refinery.
“The additional investments is going to be about P8 billion,” he said.
Petron’s refinery in Limay, Bataan is undergoing a $1.8-billion expansion that will be completed in 2015. It will increase the output of petroleum fuel and petrochemicals used to make plastic.
Recto said the first 70-MW power plant worth P11 billion will be commissioned this year.
“We will not deviate from our typical 70-30 debt to equity funding structure,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Petron is still on the lookout for new acquisitions. It has for instance, expressed interest in Esso (Thailand) Public Co., Ltd., which is a unit of American oil and gas giant ExxonMobil Corp.
“If it does become available, we will look at it,” he added.
“Right now we are not actively pursuing acquisitions but if something worthwhile comes up, we will take a look at it,” Recto said.
In August, Petron acquired a 65 percent stake in Esso Malaysia from ExxonMobil for $206 million, as well as two unlisted subsidiaries – ExxonMobil Borneo Sdn Bhd and ExxonMobil Malaysia - for $404 million, bringing the total transaction to $610 million.
Part of the deal includes Petron’s acquisition of 35.539 million shares of ExxonMobil Malaysia and 15.45 million shares of ExxonMobil Borneo, giving Philippine conglomerate and Petron parent firm San Miguel Corp. (SMC) full ownership of the two companies.
The deal resulted in a voluntary tender offer for the remaining 94.5 million shares held by the public at an offer price of 3.59 Malaysian ringgit or P50.52 per share or a total of 339.26 million Malaysian ringgit (around P4.77 billion). The purchase will be completed on March 30.
Recto said Esso Malaysia’s refinery needs additional investments while its network has room for growth.
Esso Malaysia’s operations in that country include a refinery located in Port Dickson on the west coast with a capacity of 88,000 barrels per day, seven fuel distribution terminals and a network of about 560 retail stations, of which 420 are company-owned.
The Port Dickson refinery currently produces a range of products including gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel, kerosene and low-sulfur waxy residue. SMC plans to invest up to $1.2 billion to upgrade the refinery.
SMC owns 68 percent of Petron, the Philippines’ largest oil refining and marketing company with crude distillation capacity of 180,000 barrels per day and over 1,700 service stations.
SMC, in the last few years, has diversified its core portfolio of food, beverage and packing by expanding its participation in industries such as petroleum, power generation and distribution, mining and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Pilipinas Shell will spend at least P2-3 billion this year.
“We are looking at many expansion areas. We are looking at facilities, we are looking at expanding our retail network,” said Pilipinas Shell country chairman Edgar O. Chua.
“We are very bullish on the situation, on the market. We have a very good government in terms of the leaders sending the right tone,” he said.
Pilipinas Shell operates a refinery in Tabangao, Batangas with a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day.
Chua said the company will announce its investment decision for its refinery within this year.
“It is not easy as you are aware. There are tax issues, Pandacan issues, pipeline issues,” he said.
This year, Pilipinas Shell expects profits to rebound after falling last year compared with 2010 levels given higher costs and lower revenues. - By Neil Jerome C. Morales
Top officials said Petron will spend P8 billion for a 70-megawatt (MW) power plant while still remaining interested in overseas acquisitions, particularly Esso Thailand. Pilipinas Shell, for its part, has allotted P2-3 billion for marketing and retail expansion.
Petron president Eric O. Recto said the oil giant will build a new 70-MW petroleum coke-fueled power plant that will supply the needs of its refinery.
“The additional investments is going to be about P8 billion,” he said.
Petron’s refinery in Limay, Bataan is undergoing a $1.8-billion expansion that will be completed in 2015. It will increase the output of petroleum fuel and petrochemicals used to make plastic.
Recto said the first 70-MW power plant worth P11 billion will be commissioned this year.
“We will not deviate from our typical 70-30 debt to equity funding structure,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said Petron is still on the lookout for new acquisitions. It has for instance, expressed interest in Esso (Thailand) Public Co., Ltd., which is a unit of American oil and gas giant ExxonMobil Corp.
“If it does become available, we will look at it,” he added.
“Right now we are not actively pursuing acquisitions but if something worthwhile comes up, we will take a look at it,” Recto said.
In August, Petron acquired a 65 percent stake in Esso Malaysia from ExxonMobil for $206 million, as well as two unlisted subsidiaries – ExxonMobil Borneo Sdn Bhd and ExxonMobil Malaysia - for $404 million, bringing the total transaction to $610 million.
Part of the deal includes Petron’s acquisition of 35.539 million shares of ExxonMobil Malaysia and 15.45 million shares of ExxonMobil Borneo, giving Philippine conglomerate and Petron parent firm San Miguel Corp. (SMC) full ownership of the two companies.
The deal resulted in a voluntary tender offer for the remaining 94.5 million shares held by the public at an offer price of 3.59 Malaysian ringgit or P50.52 per share or a total of 339.26 million Malaysian ringgit (around P4.77 billion). The purchase will be completed on March 30.
Recto said Esso Malaysia’s refinery needs additional investments while its network has room for growth.
Esso Malaysia’s operations in that country include a refinery located in Port Dickson on the west coast with a capacity of 88,000 barrels per day, seven fuel distribution terminals and a network of about 560 retail stations, of which 420 are company-owned.
The Port Dickson refinery currently produces a range of products including gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel, kerosene and low-sulfur waxy residue. SMC plans to invest up to $1.2 billion to upgrade the refinery.
SMC owns 68 percent of Petron, the Philippines’ largest oil refining and marketing company with crude distillation capacity of 180,000 barrels per day and over 1,700 service stations.
SMC, in the last few years, has diversified its core portfolio of food, beverage and packing by expanding its participation in industries such as petroleum, power generation and distribution, mining and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Pilipinas Shell will spend at least P2-3 billion this year.
“We are looking at many expansion areas. We are looking at facilities, we are looking at expanding our retail network,” said Pilipinas Shell country chairman Edgar O. Chua.
“We are very bullish on the situation, on the market. We have a very good government in terms of the leaders sending the right tone,” he said.
Pilipinas Shell operates a refinery in Tabangao, Batangas with a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day.
Chua said the company will announce its investment decision for its refinery within this year.
“It is not easy as you are aware. There are tax issues, Pandacan issues, pipeline issues,” he said.
This year, Pilipinas Shell expects profits to rebound after falling last year compared with 2010 levels given higher costs and lower revenues. - By Neil Jerome C. Morales
News Update Bill seeks imprisonment for 'parent abandonment'
Looking after your parents or other elders in the family may no longer be just a moral obligation.
This, as Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Godofredo Arquiza filed a bill seeking special protection for parents should they be abandones by their own children.
“Many children nowadays, after having been reared, loved, nurtured and sent to school by their parents, have totally abandoned their parents for selfish reasons,” Arquiza lamented.
House Bill No. 2295 or the “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents, Senior Citizens and Elderly Act” will guarantee the economic stability of parents, senior citizens and the elderly, the lawmaker said.
If the bill is passed, a parent or senior citizen or elderly can file an application for financial support against his children or grandchildren or other relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity.
“The obligation of the children or grandchildren to maintain his or her parent or grandparent extends to the needs for food, clothing, medical attendance and treatment,” the bill stated.
The measure also provided that the child or grandchild who refused to accept their parent or grandparent in their home despite having the financial capacity to do so could be imprisoned from six months to six years.
Meanwhile, neglected parents, grandparent or elderly may apply for financial support in the Family Court where he is residing. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units will then provide the victims' temporary shelters, counseling, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance. The Department of Health should also provide medical assistance.
DSWD already expressed its support for Arquiza’s bill and has submitted recommendations to enhance the measure.
“The moral duty to maintain parents is recognized by the conservative Filipino people. Every effort shall be exerted to protect their welfare so they may live peacefully in the remaining years of their life,” Arquiza said.
This, as Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Godofredo Arquiza filed a bill seeking special protection for parents should they be abandones by their own children.
“Many children nowadays, after having been reared, loved, nurtured and sent to school by their parents, have totally abandoned their parents for selfish reasons,” Arquiza lamented.
House Bill No. 2295 or the “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents, Senior Citizens and Elderly Act” will guarantee the economic stability of parents, senior citizens and the elderly, the lawmaker said.
If the bill is passed, a parent or senior citizen or elderly can file an application for financial support against his children or grandchildren or other relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity.
“The obligation of the children or grandchildren to maintain his or her parent or grandparent extends to the needs for food, clothing, medical attendance and treatment,” the bill stated.
The measure also provided that the child or grandchild who refused to accept their parent or grandparent in their home despite having the financial capacity to do so could be imprisoned from six months to six years.
Meanwhile, neglected parents, grandparent or elderly may apply for financial support in the Family Court where he is residing. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units will then provide the victims' temporary shelters, counseling, rehabilitation programs and livelihood assistance. The Department of Health should also provide medical assistance.
DSWD already expressed its support for Arquiza’s bill and has submitted recommendations to enhance the measure.
“The moral duty to maintain parents is recognized by the conservative Filipino people. Every effort shall be exerted to protect their welfare so they may live peacefully in the remaining years of their life,” Arquiza said.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
News Update Philippines to expand poverty alleviation scheme
The Philippines plans to expand a landmark poverty alleviation scheme that provides cash aid to the country's poorest households to benefit nearly five million families, an official said Tuesday.
Three million households currently benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, which provides monetary assistance to families under a number of conditions including that they keep their children in school.
"We plan to continue to expand the programme until all 4.8 million families in the (poorest 20 percent of the population) are covered," Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.
The programme is seen as a key priority for President Benigno Aquino who has proposed to set aside 34.4 billion pesos ($800 million) for the project in the government's 2012 budget.
The government office managing the cash transfer programme said it hopes to cover all 4.8 million target families by 2014.
Over 26 percent of the Philippine population of about 95 million people are considered by the government to be living in poverty.
Begun by the previous government, Aquino expanded the programme after he was elected in 2010, drawing from the experiences of other countries that have had success in reducing poverty through cash transfers.
Describing Aquino's views, Purisima said: "Education is the great equaliser for the poor."
The scheme will also help ensure that healthier, better-educated children will improve the work force in the future, Purisima added.
Three million households currently benefit from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, which provides monetary assistance to families under a number of conditions including that they keep their children in school.
"We plan to continue to expand the programme until all 4.8 million families in the (poorest 20 percent of the population) are covered," Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.
The programme is seen as a key priority for President Benigno Aquino who has proposed to set aside 34.4 billion pesos ($800 million) for the project in the government's 2012 budget.
The government office managing the cash transfer programme said it hopes to cover all 4.8 million target families by 2014.
Over 26 percent of the Philippine population of about 95 million people are considered by the government to be living in poverty.
Begun by the previous government, Aquino expanded the programme after he was elected in 2010, drawing from the experiences of other countries that have had success in reducing poverty through cash transfers.
Describing Aquino's views, Purisima said: "Education is the great equaliser for the poor."
The scheme will also help ensure that healthier, better-educated children will improve the work force in the future, Purisima added.
News Update Palace open to talks on emergency powers
MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is open to discussing proposals by some lawmakers to grant emergency powers to President Aquino to deal with the power crisis in Mindanao.
“We will have to study the proposal when filed in the Lower House,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday. “As of the present time, the power situation is being addressed by the Department of Energy with the stakeholders in Mindanao.”
Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras also said he is open to giving Aquino emergency powers to resolve the crisis.
The President, speaking at the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum in Makati City, said the Philippines is likely to meet the projected increase in demand for electricity sooner than expected through the government’s national renewable energy program.
Aquino has appealed to the public to give the government more time to solve the power crisis, saying previous administrations had long neglected problems in the power sector.
The President told the forum that the country would need 15,500 megawatts by 2030, and that so far, more than 7,000 MW worth of service contracts had been approved.
“Pending applications (cover) around 3,771 megawatts together with the installed capacity of about 5,000 (MW)… It seems to be a clear path already to attaining that needed energy by 2030 even in the next perhaps three to four or five years,” Aquino said.
“We will be ready when that demand comes in... hopefully this will also be the factor – that there is an increase in store generation capacity – that will bring down the prices of electricity,” he said.
Almendras, meanwhile, said emergency powers for the President should also mean allowing state-run agencies to engage in power supply contracts, an arrangement currently prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.
“We will recommend that for a limited period of time,” he said. “I want to understand first what the special power they want to give him.”
To dispel accusations that the government is doing nothing on the situation in Mindanao, Almendras said the government has already started a P2.6-billion rehabilitation for Agus Hydro Power Complex in Mindanao.
He also scored some sectors that said the government is doing nothing to address the matter, saying the present administration is doing everything to make sure there is enough power in the whole country.
At the House of Representatives on Monday, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, warned of more damage to the economy and to the image of the country if the widespread blackouts in Mindanao persist.
“The situation could be considered urgent and critical that needs swift action from the President,” he said. “Many of us in the administration bloc are willing to support moves to grant the President emergency powers if necessary.”
Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco, vice chairman of the House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development, and Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez also voiced support for calls to give Aquino more muscle in addressing the power crisis in Mindanao.
“We cannot just flick our fingers and command the Department of Energy to correct the imbalance between demand and supply of energy. This administration is barely two years old and the Mindanao energy problem has been there since three decades ago,” Haresco said.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, who earlier aired suspicion that the power crisis could be artificial, said he supports emergency powers for Aquino “provided that it is clear why it (emergency powers) is needed.”
‘Standby powers’
For Sen. Francis Escudero, what President Aquino needs to address the power crisis is not only emergency powers but “standby powers” with no need for congressional approval.
Escudero said his proposal may be introduced as an amendment to Republic Act 9136 or EPIRA.
“It should be standby powers so that there is no need to pass a new law authorizing such each time there is a crisis,” Escudero said.
“For me, it’s a crisis situation in Mindanao already. We are okay in Metro Manila because we don’t feel it. But in Mindanao, we are talking of two to four hours a day (of blackouts). Definitely, the economy and business are affected already. (The power crisis) will worsen the way of conducting business there, especially since many of our fellow countrymen who are poor are in Mindanao,” Escudero told The STAR.
Apart from Escudero, Senators Serge Osmeña III and Antonio Trillanes IV are also open to the idea of granting Aquino special powers.
With standby powers, Escudero said the President can easily enlist the support of concerned agencies in any move to interfere in the market, possibly in imposing price caps.
“There are proposals that the government should buy the power barges to be able to implement concessionaire rates. But under EPIRA, that is not allowed since power service is already being privatized. The most you can do is to delay privatization,” Escudero explained. “With emergency standby powers, just on the interim, that one as an example, the President can interfere in the market.”
He said government’s imposing cap on prices would stop monopolistic tendencies and abuse of power by certain providers and distributors.
Allaying fears of abuse, Escudero said Congress can always provide safeguards like limiting the exercise of such special powers to a certain timeframe.
Trillanes, in a text message, said he is already drafting a bill on granting emergency powers to the President “similar to what was given to (former President) FVR (Fidel Ramos) but with necessary safeguards to make sure that we don’t commit the same mistakes.”
Osmeña, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, noted that the President is already vested under the EPIRA with emergency powers to seek ways to raise generation capacity but only after approval from Congress.
Call for unity
Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III is calling on fellow legislators from Mindanao to “come together at the soonest possible time and thresh out solutions that can be implemented immediately.”
“The power outages are not only worsening in Mindanao, there are indications that we will be suffering up to eight-hour power interruptions for a year or two,” Pimentel said in a statement.
“We can already predict that this will lead to a sharp decline in economic activity that may lead to losses of jobs and livelihood. This will heighten poverty in some Mindanao provinces and may create pressures that may spark disruptions in Mindanao’s peace and order situation,” Pimentel added.
He said the lack of permanent government measures to raise and stabilize supply has made the power crisis worse and driven away investors.
For his part, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is wary about giving the President emergency powers even as he raised suspicion regarding the real cause of the problem.
“The power shortage in Mindanao is a result of years, if not decades, of neglect. Sometimes there is basis to suspect that the crisis has been stage-managed because of corporate greed and cronyism. As usual, it is the people who will suffer,” Lacson said in a text message to the Senate media.
A militant, meanwhile, said Aquino does not need emergency powers from Congress to put an end to the power crisis in Mindanao.
“It appears that there is enough power supply in the south. The blackouts are an issue of transmission and distribution, which the President can resolve with his broad executive powers,” Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said.
He said what is needed is political will on the part of the government.
He pointed out that the “knee-jerk” reaction of some Aquino allies to the Mindanao blackouts could lead to “Ramos-style emergency power palliative that could further aggravate the problem.”
He was referring to emergency powers Congress gave then President Ramos to tackle frequent blackouts during his term.
The Ramos government skipped the strict requirements of public bidding in contracting private investors to build power plants. Investors were assured of payment for full plant capacity, whether such capacity was dispatched or not. Such an arrangement resulted in the high cost of electricity.
Casiño said Aquino should be wary of possible manipulators and saboteurs in the power industry who want the government to enter into contracts similar to those negotiated by the Ramos administration.
Casiño said the President should look into the claim of Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino that certain companies in the power industry are manipulating supply in Mindanao to force electricity rates up.
As a long-term solution, he proposed the rehabilitation and expansion of the three hydroelectric power plants along the Agus River in the Lanao area.
Additionally, the government can build solar power plants, which take a lot less time to construct than those run by coal or oil and which are more environment-friendly, he said.
More burden
Electricity consumers in Mindanao will have to bear the brunt of a 50- to 80-centavo per kilowatt-hour (kwh) centavo hike in generation charge as expensive diesel and bunker oil-fueled plants will be used to plug the supply shortfall.
But power supply will decrease anew in April when a month-long emergency repair of the 120-megawatt Pulangi 4 hydroelectic power plant begins, officials said.
“The only way to solve the shortage is to bring in power that is more expensive... until 2014 when the new power plant will come onboard that is cheaper than diesel or bunker (fueled plants),” Almendras said.
To date, generation cost – which excludes transmission and distribution charges of the grid operator and local utility firms – is at P2.90 to P3.20 per kwh, data from the DOE show.
“Today there is still 100 MW coming from a power barge that is not being dispatched because it is not contracted,” Almendras said.
Meanwhile, the government will conduct an emergency repair of the Pulangui hydropower plant in Bukidnon. This is expected to further lessen supply in Mindanao.
“We will continue to experience the present levels of shortages up to May 9. We did not predict the need to shut down Pulangui” Almendras said. With Christina Mendez, Jess Diaz, Neil Jerome Morales - By Aurea Calica
“We will have to study the proposal when filed in the Lower House,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said yesterday. “As of the present time, the power situation is being addressed by the Department of Energy with the stakeholders in Mindanao.”
Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras also said he is open to giving Aquino emergency powers to resolve the crisis.
The President, speaking at the Euromoney Philippine Investment Forum in Makati City, said the Philippines is likely to meet the projected increase in demand for electricity sooner than expected through the government’s national renewable energy program.
Aquino has appealed to the public to give the government more time to solve the power crisis, saying previous administrations had long neglected problems in the power sector.
The President told the forum that the country would need 15,500 megawatts by 2030, and that so far, more than 7,000 MW worth of service contracts had been approved.
“Pending applications (cover) around 3,771 megawatts together with the installed capacity of about 5,000 (MW)… It seems to be a clear path already to attaining that needed energy by 2030 even in the next perhaps three to four or five years,” Aquino said.
“We will be ready when that demand comes in... hopefully this will also be the factor – that there is an increase in store generation capacity – that will bring down the prices of electricity,” he said.
Almendras, meanwhile, said emergency powers for the President should also mean allowing state-run agencies to engage in power supply contracts, an arrangement currently prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.
“We will recommend that for a limited period of time,” he said. “I want to understand first what the special power they want to give him.”
To dispel accusations that the government is doing nothing on the situation in Mindanao, Almendras said the government has already started a P2.6-billion rehabilitation for Agus Hydro Power Complex in Mindanao.
He also scored some sectors that said the government is doing nothing to address the matter, saying the present administration is doing everything to make sure there is enough power in the whole country.
At the House of Representatives on Monday, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, chairman of the House committee on public information, warned of more damage to the economy and to the image of the country if the widespread blackouts in Mindanao persist.
“The situation could be considered urgent and critical that needs swift action from the President,” he said. “Many of us in the administration bloc are willing to support moves to grant the President emergency powers if necessary.”
Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco, vice chairman of the House committee on small business and entrepreneurship development, and Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez also voiced support for calls to give Aquino more muscle in addressing the power crisis in Mindanao.
“We cannot just flick our fingers and command the Department of Energy to correct the imbalance between demand and supply of energy. This administration is barely two years old and the Mindanao energy problem has been there since three decades ago,” Haresco said.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, who earlier aired suspicion that the power crisis could be artificial, said he supports emergency powers for Aquino “provided that it is clear why it (emergency powers) is needed.”
‘Standby powers’
For Sen. Francis Escudero, what President Aquino needs to address the power crisis is not only emergency powers but “standby powers” with no need for congressional approval.
Escudero said his proposal may be introduced as an amendment to Republic Act 9136 or EPIRA.
“It should be standby powers so that there is no need to pass a new law authorizing such each time there is a crisis,” Escudero said.
“For me, it’s a crisis situation in Mindanao already. We are okay in Metro Manila because we don’t feel it. But in Mindanao, we are talking of two to four hours a day (of blackouts). Definitely, the economy and business are affected already. (The power crisis) will worsen the way of conducting business there, especially since many of our fellow countrymen who are poor are in Mindanao,” Escudero told The STAR.
Apart from Escudero, Senators Serge Osmeña III and Antonio Trillanes IV are also open to the idea of granting Aquino special powers.
With standby powers, Escudero said the President can easily enlist the support of concerned agencies in any move to interfere in the market, possibly in imposing price caps.
“There are proposals that the government should buy the power barges to be able to implement concessionaire rates. But under EPIRA, that is not allowed since power service is already being privatized. The most you can do is to delay privatization,” Escudero explained. “With emergency standby powers, just on the interim, that one as an example, the President can interfere in the market.”
He said government’s imposing cap on prices would stop monopolistic tendencies and abuse of power by certain providers and distributors.
Allaying fears of abuse, Escudero said Congress can always provide safeguards like limiting the exercise of such special powers to a certain timeframe.
Trillanes, in a text message, said he is already drafting a bill on granting emergency powers to the President “similar to what was given to (former President) FVR (Fidel Ramos) but with necessary safeguards to make sure that we don’t commit the same mistakes.”
Osmeña, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, noted that the President is already vested under the EPIRA with emergency powers to seek ways to raise generation capacity but only after approval from Congress.
Call for unity
Meanwhile, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III is calling on fellow legislators from Mindanao to “come together at the soonest possible time and thresh out solutions that can be implemented immediately.”
“The power outages are not only worsening in Mindanao, there are indications that we will be suffering up to eight-hour power interruptions for a year or two,” Pimentel said in a statement.
“We can already predict that this will lead to a sharp decline in economic activity that may lead to losses of jobs and livelihood. This will heighten poverty in some Mindanao provinces and may create pressures that may spark disruptions in Mindanao’s peace and order situation,” Pimentel added.
He said the lack of permanent government measures to raise and stabilize supply has made the power crisis worse and driven away investors.
For his part, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is wary about giving the President emergency powers even as he raised suspicion regarding the real cause of the problem.
“The power shortage in Mindanao is a result of years, if not decades, of neglect. Sometimes there is basis to suspect that the crisis has been stage-managed because of corporate greed and cronyism. As usual, it is the people who will suffer,” Lacson said in a text message to the Senate media.
A militant, meanwhile, said Aquino does not need emergency powers from Congress to put an end to the power crisis in Mindanao.
“It appears that there is enough power supply in the south. The blackouts are an issue of transmission and distribution, which the President can resolve with his broad executive powers,” Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said.
He said what is needed is political will on the part of the government.
He pointed out that the “knee-jerk” reaction of some Aquino allies to the Mindanao blackouts could lead to “Ramos-style emergency power palliative that could further aggravate the problem.”
He was referring to emergency powers Congress gave then President Ramos to tackle frequent blackouts during his term.
The Ramos government skipped the strict requirements of public bidding in contracting private investors to build power plants. Investors were assured of payment for full plant capacity, whether such capacity was dispatched or not. Such an arrangement resulted in the high cost of electricity.
Casiño said Aquino should be wary of possible manipulators and saboteurs in the power industry who want the government to enter into contracts similar to those negotiated by the Ramos administration.
Casiño said the President should look into the claim of Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino that certain companies in the power industry are manipulating supply in Mindanao to force electricity rates up.
As a long-term solution, he proposed the rehabilitation and expansion of the three hydroelectric power plants along the Agus River in the Lanao area.
Additionally, the government can build solar power plants, which take a lot less time to construct than those run by coal or oil and which are more environment-friendly, he said.
More burden
Electricity consumers in Mindanao will have to bear the brunt of a 50- to 80-centavo per kilowatt-hour (kwh) centavo hike in generation charge as expensive diesel and bunker oil-fueled plants will be used to plug the supply shortfall.
But power supply will decrease anew in April when a month-long emergency repair of the 120-megawatt Pulangi 4 hydroelectic power plant begins, officials said.
“The only way to solve the shortage is to bring in power that is more expensive... until 2014 when the new power plant will come onboard that is cheaper than diesel or bunker (fueled plants),” Almendras said.
To date, generation cost – which excludes transmission and distribution charges of the grid operator and local utility firms – is at P2.90 to P3.20 per kwh, data from the DOE show.
“Today there is still 100 MW coming from a power barge that is not being dispatched because it is not contracted,” Almendras said.
Meanwhile, the government will conduct an emergency repair of the Pulangui hydropower plant in Bukidnon. This is expected to further lessen supply in Mindanao.
“We will continue to experience the present levels of shortages up to May 9. We did not predict the need to shut down Pulangui” Almendras said. With Christina Mendez, Jess Diaz, Neil Jerome Morales - By Aurea Calica
News Update Why mistresses have all the fun
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Following the success of her book, "Mistresses Play, Men Stray, The Wives Stay," the always sharp and eloquent Filipino author Jullie Yap-Daza dishes out some thoughts on just how sweet forbidden fruit really is.
Louie: What is the difference between a girlfriend and a mistress?
Jullie: The difference is financial. Girlfriends are independent and can assert their independence by spending their own money. If you're totally dependent, (that's it).
You've talked to a lot of mistresses. Can you tell us one particularly memorable story?
There was one woman who never called herself a mistress. She used the word "playmate" to describe her relationship with the man, who was then married. When the man and his wife got a divorce, he asked her to marry him, but she refused. She said they were only playmates. She knows she will never marry the man.
And then the woman also became the victim of a mistress. It turns out her husband was also seeing another woman. That's what made her stop seeing her playmate. She said she didn't want a place in hell.
Did she believe it was a sin?
For 25 years the woman did not take communion, and everyone kept asking her why. Finally one night, she told her story to her parish priest, over dinner. The priest gave her an absolution and called her story "a beautiful love story".
I know a devout Catholic went to the priest to ask for forgiveness because of adultery. The priest said she couldn't be forgiven because the affair was still ongoing.
A lot of priests themselves can't claim to be completely...
But that doesn't invalidate the sacrament of confession. I myself am not a devout Catholic, but I just follow the rules.
The Aleli and Grace war is like an open book. Many say that some women will only know if the husband was fooling around when he dies. Because someone else will be crying over his coffin.
There is actually such a thing as funeral service etiquette. One man had his two women in the same pew. Others were not allowed to come in. Other women take it upon their own not to go. One woman did not even want to go to her own husband's funeral, worried that his mistress will be there. When she went to the service, the mistress was sitting in the front row. She had to sit all the way at the back.
Who is the most successful mistress?
A lot. These are the women who are recognised by the man's family and accepted by society.
Are mistresses happy?
I think so. Why would they stay?
Even without marriage?
Mistresses should know it will never happen.
Why won't some husbands ever leave their wives?
These men want to be in their comfort zone. A place where they are on familiar ground, and there is no need to uproot one's self or learn new rules. They're in a place where they are used to the house help, and they know where the bathroom is. They know the bad side of their wives and they know how to dominate them. Men want to have their cake and eat it, too. It is very rare for a Filipino man to leave his first wife to marry his mistress.
Do mistresses feel the man loves them more?
Yes. In the '70s, a classmate of mine was head of an NGO that monitored sex and pornography on TV. During the course of their research they talked to little girls whose mothers watched television. Do you know what their mothers told them? They said they wanted to be the mistresses on TV instead of the wives. On TV, the wives are always shown wearing dusters, cleaning and suffering while the man goes off with his mistress in the sexy dress.
So if I form a partylist for mistresses, will I get enough votes?
A lot of our politicians won when it was revealed that they had mistresses.
Are mistresses homewreckers?
It's a stereotype. It may not be her intention but that's what the public perception is.
Why do men need mistresses?
I asked that question in the Rotary Club. A Canadian man said, "You know why we do it? We do it 'cause we can get away with it." It's the forbidden fruit. The allure of mistresses in the shadows, that's her mystery.
A man I know also said, "It's nice to wake up with a beautiful face beside me."
At one point in a woman's life she has to choose whether she wants to keep her face or her figure. When a woman is thin her face is compromised, it's sunken. But if she wants a younger-looking face with no wrinkles that means she has to choose to be fat. It's hard to be a woman.
So it is normal to have a mistress?
Yes. Even taxi drivers have mistresses. She might be a laundry woman who washes his clothes for him). During a marriage, the husband and wife can experience a sexual death. The wife bears children, finds other sources of fulfillment, her body gets bigger...that is when men look for others. But you'll be surprised. A lot of mistresses are not as pretty or as accomplished as the wife.
Why is this so?
Because mistresses don't argue. Here's a quote from Jun Cruz: "At the end of the day I don't need a bright woman to argue with, I just want a pretty girl who will shut up when she needs to shut up." Men want somebody, someone who is low-maintenance emotionally. Men who have reached their Viagra stage especially lose a lot of confidence, and need women who try to restore it.
I know of a heterosexual, not bisexual, man who left his wife and kids for a transsexual, even if he knew she underwent a sex change. The transsexual told me it had nothing to do with sex. She simply fulfilled all his psychological needs.
Essentially, every man is a narcissist, especially mama's boys. And Filipino men are all mama's boys.
A typical Filipino man is always dominated by women throughout his life. First, he is dominated by his mother, then a girlfriend, then his wife, then his daughter, then his mistress, then maybe a "chimay," if he is a "chimay" killer, then by Mama Mary when he is old, gray and dying.
Who is at fault in the relationship, the man or the mistresses?
The men are to blame, not the mistresses. The Philippines is the only country left where people still go to Mass every Sunday, and pews are filled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and yet it is the also the only country where mistresses are freely flaunted. Also, we are the only country left without a divorce law.
So without the Catholic church, life wouldn't be as sweet as this.
Yes, the "forbidden fruit."
If there is divorce do you think people will still have mistresses?
Even in America where there is divorce, there are still mistresses. Divorce will never work here because men will be required to pay alimony. There are more men in Congress than women. Husbands can get away without paying a cent.
During the Japanese occupation we had divorce in the country. The movie "Rosario" was about a woman ahead of her time in that period. She slept around, smoked and flirted. As punishment, she was exiled to Hong Kong for three years. Those were the days.
I still wonder why women's groups like Gabriela don't try harder to change the laws. The laws concerning concubinage and adultery favour the man. Men are only guilty if they are caught having an affair under scandalous circumstances, and it still has to be proven. For women, adultery is an automatic crime.
Women in Congress don't want to change the laws because it's against the church. And there is always the question of, "What will happen to the children?" It is usually the wives who don't want to leave a marriage because of the children, not the husbands.
Do any of the women you've talked to call and say you portrayed them unjustly in your book?
I change the details so people cannot guess who they are.
What's more embarrassing? To be a mistress or a cougar?
I'd rather be a mistress.
Well, all good things in life need to be paid for: shoes, food, sex. What do you think about the highly publicised issue over the two women fighting over the rights to a man's body on national TV?
I think it's better than a telenovela. Although I ask myself, "Who is the mistress there?" Even the media don't know how to call the woman.
The man was a tower of strength for the two women, but in the end, he was unable to offer a Solomonic solution.
Do you think money is behind the issue?
Why fight on TV? Why are they playing out this drama? It probably is.
What about mistresses who don't get anything much financially from the men?
I don't know. True love?
But how can anyone trust someone who is cheating on his wife?
At the back of their heads, they know this. After the first publishing of my book, I got a letter from a mistress who told me she thought there were only two of them in the man's life. It turns out there's a number 3.
They say numbers 1 and 3 usually end up on the same side, as with numbers 2 and 4. Does that mean the minimum for a Filipino man is 4?
Maybe even more.
What is the ending for mistresses?
The same as a wife's. You'll fall out of love. The currents come and go.
You grow tired of each other, the man becomes cruel. You can experience sensory fatigue or sexual death, or he becomes boring or poor or sick. You just go with the flow. There are no rules.
It's a wise mistress who realises that like everything, there's an ending. Wise mistresses are the most successful mistresses. They know that husbands don't belong to them.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Louie: What is the difference between a girlfriend and a mistress?
Jullie: The difference is financial. Girlfriends are independent and can assert their independence by spending their own money. If you're totally dependent, (that's it).
You've talked to a lot of mistresses. Can you tell us one particularly memorable story?
There was one woman who never called herself a mistress. She used the word "playmate" to describe her relationship with the man, who was then married. When the man and his wife got a divorce, he asked her to marry him, but she refused. She said they were only playmates. She knows she will never marry the man.
And then the woman also became the victim of a mistress. It turns out her husband was also seeing another woman. That's what made her stop seeing her playmate. She said she didn't want a place in hell.
Did she believe it was a sin?
For 25 years the woman did not take communion, and everyone kept asking her why. Finally one night, she told her story to her parish priest, over dinner. The priest gave her an absolution and called her story "a beautiful love story".
I know a devout Catholic went to the priest to ask for forgiveness because of adultery. The priest said she couldn't be forgiven because the affair was still ongoing.
A lot of priests themselves can't claim to be completely...
But that doesn't invalidate the sacrament of confession. I myself am not a devout Catholic, but I just follow the rules.
The Aleli and Grace war is like an open book. Many say that some women will only know if the husband was fooling around when he dies. Because someone else will be crying over his coffin.
There is actually such a thing as funeral service etiquette. One man had his two women in the same pew. Others were not allowed to come in. Other women take it upon their own not to go. One woman did not even want to go to her own husband's funeral, worried that his mistress will be there. When she went to the service, the mistress was sitting in the front row. She had to sit all the way at the back.
Who is the most successful mistress?
A lot. These are the women who are recognised by the man's family and accepted by society.
Are mistresses happy?
I think so. Why would they stay?
Even without marriage?
Mistresses should know it will never happen.
Why won't some husbands ever leave their wives?
These men want to be in their comfort zone. A place where they are on familiar ground, and there is no need to uproot one's self or learn new rules. They're in a place where they are used to the house help, and they know where the bathroom is. They know the bad side of their wives and they know how to dominate them. Men want to have their cake and eat it, too. It is very rare for a Filipino man to leave his first wife to marry his mistress.
Do mistresses feel the man loves them more?
Yes. In the '70s, a classmate of mine was head of an NGO that monitored sex and pornography on TV. During the course of their research they talked to little girls whose mothers watched television. Do you know what their mothers told them? They said they wanted to be the mistresses on TV instead of the wives. On TV, the wives are always shown wearing dusters, cleaning and suffering while the man goes off with his mistress in the sexy dress.
So if I form a partylist for mistresses, will I get enough votes?
A lot of our politicians won when it was revealed that they had mistresses.
Are mistresses homewreckers?
It's a stereotype. It may not be her intention but that's what the public perception is.
Why do men need mistresses?
I asked that question in the Rotary Club. A Canadian man said, "You know why we do it? We do it 'cause we can get away with it." It's the forbidden fruit. The allure of mistresses in the shadows, that's her mystery.
A man I know also said, "It's nice to wake up with a beautiful face beside me."
At one point in a woman's life she has to choose whether she wants to keep her face or her figure. When a woman is thin her face is compromised, it's sunken. But if she wants a younger-looking face with no wrinkles that means she has to choose to be fat. It's hard to be a woman.
So it is normal to have a mistress?
Yes. Even taxi drivers have mistresses. She might be a laundry woman who washes his clothes for him). During a marriage, the husband and wife can experience a sexual death. The wife bears children, finds other sources of fulfillment, her body gets bigger...that is when men look for others. But you'll be surprised. A lot of mistresses are not as pretty or as accomplished as the wife.
Why is this so?
Because mistresses don't argue. Here's a quote from Jun Cruz: "At the end of the day I don't need a bright woman to argue with, I just want a pretty girl who will shut up when she needs to shut up." Men want somebody, someone who is low-maintenance emotionally. Men who have reached their Viagra stage especially lose a lot of confidence, and need women who try to restore it.
I know of a heterosexual, not bisexual, man who left his wife and kids for a transsexual, even if he knew she underwent a sex change. The transsexual told me it had nothing to do with sex. She simply fulfilled all his psychological needs.
Essentially, every man is a narcissist, especially mama's boys. And Filipino men are all mama's boys.
A typical Filipino man is always dominated by women throughout his life. First, he is dominated by his mother, then a girlfriend, then his wife, then his daughter, then his mistress, then maybe a "chimay," if he is a "chimay" killer, then by Mama Mary when he is old, gray and dying.
Who is at fault in the relationship, the man or the mistresses?
The men are to blame, not the mistresses. The Philippines is the only country left where people still go to Mass every Sunday, and pews are filled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and yet it is the also the only country where mistresses are freely flaunted. Also, we are the only country left without a divorce law.
So without the Catholic church, life wouldn't be as sweet as this.
Yes, the "forbidden fruit."
If there is divorce do you think people will still have mistresses?
Even in America where there is divorce, there are still mistresses. Divorce will never work here because men will be required to pay alimony. There are more men in Congress than women. Husbands can get away without paying a cent.
During the Japanese occupation we had divorce in the country. The movie "Rosario" was about a woman ahead of her time in that period. She slept around, smoked and flirted. As punishment, she was exiled to Hong Kong for three years. Those were the days.
I still wonder why women's groups like Gabriela don't try harder to change the laws. The laws concerning concubinage and adultery favour the man. Men are only guilty if they are caught having an affair under scandalous circumstances, and it still has to be proven. For women, adultery is an automatic crime.
Women in Congress don't want to change the laws because it's against the church. And there is always the question of, "What will happen to the children?" It is usually the wives who don't want to leave a marriage because of the children, not the husbands.
Do any of the women you've talked to call and say you portrayed them unjustly in your book?
I change the details so people cannot guess who they are.
What's more embarrassing? To be a mistress or a cougar?
I'd rather be a mistress.
Well, all good things in life need to be paid for: shoes, food, sex. What do you think about the highly publicised issue over the two women fighting over the rights to a man's body on national TV?
I think it's better than a telenovela. Although I ask myself, "Who is the mistress there?" Even the media don't know how to call the woman.
The man was a tower of strength for the two women, but in the end, he was unable to offer a Solomonic solution.
Do you think money is behind the issue?
Why fight on TV? Why are they playing out this drama? It probably is.
What about mistresses who don't get anything much financially from the men?
I don't know. True love?
But how can anyone trust someone who is cheating on his wife?
At the back of their heads, they know this. After the first publishing of my book, I got a letter from a mistress who told me she thought there were only two of them in the man's life. It turns out there's a number 3.
They say numbers 1 and 3 usually end up on the same side, as with numbers 2 and 4. Does that mean the minimum for a Filipino man is 4?
Maybe even more.
What is the ending for mistresses?
The same as a wife's. You'll fall out of love. The currents come and go.
You grow tired of each other, the man becomes cruel. You can experience sensory fatigue or sexual death, or he becomes boring or poor or sick. You just go with the flow. There are no rules.
It's a wise mistress who realises that like everything, there's an ending. Wise mistresses are the most successful mistresses. They know that husbands don't belong to them.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
News Update Philippine chief justice: I'm prepared to lose everything
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday said he is prepared to lose everything in his fight before the Senate impeachment court.
"Acquittal will give me nothing new. But if I am not upheld, my life will turn upside down, losing everything that has been always dear to me-my pride, my honor, the stability and peace of our family, my friends, even my retirement pay and pension for which I have worked so hard all these years.
"Why am I risking all these? For one reason alone and that is in my heart of hearts, I am fighting for democracy and the preservation of the fundamental freedoms that guaranteed the preservation of our way of life," Corona said in his speech before the graduates of the Philippine Law School (PLS).
"You should be prepared to lose everything when you are fighting for your principle," he said.
Corona said he submitted himself to the impeachment process despite knowing that everything will be thrown at him and his family because
"I have done no wrong nor ever violated my oath as a magistrate."
"My adversaries can fabricate all the lies they want to besmirch me and my family but in the end, it will still be between me and the Lord God almighty," he added.
Recently, reports came out alleging that he has property in the United States, which he denied. He said the house in Bayshore in Tampa, Florida, is owned by a family friend where he stayed a few times. He said it was also a mailing list.
Corona is currently facing the Senate impeachment court, which some sectors perceive as an attempt to undermine judicial independence.
Corona said impeachment is "one of the attacks'' which can be used against the judiciary.
"The judiciary has been at the receiving ends of attack on its independence from media bashing, budget, impeachment-the unending threats of impeachment only for one purpose-to create a compliant and malleable judiciary," Corona said.
Corona also lamented that "it is unfortunate that some even in the higher echelons of government refuse to acknowledge the role of the judiciary to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution."
"We are a government of laws, not of men, and the foundation of our laws is the Constitution. The interpretation of the laws and the Constitution is the exclusive province of the courts," he said.
Corona, who was accompanied by his wife Cristina, said he felt nostalgic in addressing the graduates of PLS because his father was a PLS graduate in 1936.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
"Acquittal will give me nothing new. But if I am not upheld, my life will turn upside down, losing everything that has been always dear to me-my pride, my honor, the stability and peace of our family, my friends, even my retirement pay and pension for which I have worked so hard all these years.
"Why am I risking all these? For one reason alone and that is in my heart of hearts, I am fighting for democracy and the preservation of the fundamental freedoms that guaranteed the preservation of our way of life," Corona said in his speech before the graduates of the Philippine Law School (PLS).
"You should be prepared to lose everything when you are fighting for your principle," he said.
Corona said he submitted himself to the impeachment process despite knowing that everything will be thrown at him and his family because
"I have done no wrong nor ever violated my oath as a magistrate."
"My adversaries can fabricate all the lies they want to besmirch me and my family but in the end, it will still be between me and the Lord God almighty," he added.
Recently, reports came out alleging that he has property in the United States, which he denied. He said the house in Bayshore in Tampa, Florida, is owned by a family friend where he stayed a few times. He said it was also a mailing list.
Corona is currently facing the Senate impeachment court, which some sectors perceive as an attempt to undermine judicial independence.
Corona said impeachment is "one of the attacks'' which can be used against the judiciary.
"The judiciary has been at the receiving ends of attack on its independence from media bashing, budget, impeachment-the unending threats of impeachment only for one purpose-to create a compliant and malleable judiciary," Corona said.
Corona also lamented that "it is unfortunate that some even in the higher echelons of government refuse to acknowledge the role of the judiciary to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution."
"We are a government of laws, not of men, and the foundation of our laws is the Constitution. The interpretation of the laws and the Constitution is the exclusive province of the courts," he said.
Corona, who was accompanied by his wife Cristina, said he felt nostalgic in addressing the graduates of PLS because his father was a PLS graduate in 1936.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
News Update Ma surrenders suspect in Maguindanao massacre
DAVAO CITY -- Sharif Aguak Mayor Zahara Ampatuan surrendered to authorities Sunday his son, who is among the suspects in the Maguindanao massacre in 2009.
Military spokesman Colonel Leopoldo Galon Jr. identified the suspect as Epi Ampatuan, grandson of former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., who is also facing charges for the Ampatuan massacre.
Galon said the massacre suspect was surrendered by her mother at 5:20 p.m. Sunday.
The young Ampatuan was among the victims injured in an explosion in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Sunday. The explosion also left six others wounded.
Galon said Mayor Zahara Ampatuan surrendered her son to 1st Mechanized Brigade commander Colonel Mayoralgo dela Cruz almost four hours after the explosion.
The blast happened around 1:30 p.m. Sunday. A pump boat operator was killed, while six others, including one commander Dagadas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's 118th base command, were wounded.
Galod said dela Cruz contacted the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office to report about the young Ampatuan’s surrender.
The suspect was fetched in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao, and was brought to Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato City for treatment.
The suspect was placed under the watch of the Cotabato City Police Office (CPPO) and Marine Battalion Landing Team.
Galon said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao coordinated with the CPPO for the serving of the warrant of arrest to the suspect.
Last November 23, 2009, 58 people, including 32 media workers (the remains of one is still missing to date), were killed in the worst election-related violence in the country.
The media victims in the Ampatuan massacre were then part of the convoy tasked to file the certificate of candidacy of now Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who also lost his wife and several female relatives in the massacre. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
Military spokesman Colonel Leopoldo Galon Jr. identified the suspect as Epi Ampatuan, grandson of former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., who is also facing charges for the Ampatuan massacre.
Galon said the massacre suspect was surrendered by her mother at 5:20 p.m. Sunday.
The young Ampatuan was among the victims injured in an explosion in Barangay Libutan, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Sunday. The explosion also left six others wounded.
Galon said Mayor Zahara Ampatuan surrendered her son to 1st Mechanized Brigade commander Colonel Mayoralgo dela Cruz almost four hours after the explosion.
The blast happened around 1:30 p.m. Sunday. A pump boat operator was killed, while six others, including one commander Dagadas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's 118th base command, were wounded.
Galod said dela Cruz contacted the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office to report about the young Ampatuan’s surrender.
The suspect was fetched in Barangay Nabundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao, and was brought to Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato City for treatment.
The suspect was placed under the watch of the Cotabato City Police Office (CPPO) and Marine Battalion Landing Team.
Galon said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao coordinated with the CPPO for the serving of the warrant of arrest to the suspect.
Last November 23, 2009, 58 people, including 32 media workers (the remains of one is still missing to date), were killed in the worst election-related violence in the country.
The media victims in the Ampatuan massacre were then part of the convoy tasked to file the certificate of candidacy of now Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who also lost his wife and several female relatives in the massacre. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
News Update Prices Cut
MANILA, Philippines - Independent retailers of liquefied petroleum gas are poised to slash product prices a second time this month by P1 per kilo. LPG Marketers Association (LPGMA) Party-List Representative Arnel Ty said that the rollback would take effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
"We will bring down prices by P1 per kilo effective tomorrow. This is our second rollback for this month," Ty said on Tuesday. Last March 19, the group also reduced product prices by P1 per kilo. Since a regular cylinder of LPG weighs 11 kilos, the price adjustment translates to a P11-markdown per tank. (Ellson Quismorio)
Conversion
Sen. Franklin Drilon Tuesday pushed for the conversion of state hospitals into government-owned and controlled corporations, saying such move would help improve health service delivery in the country.
In filing Senate Bill 3130, or the "National Government Hospital Corporate Restructuring Act," Drilon said the present organizational structures of the 26 medical institutions should be aligned with that of the government corporations as restructuring these hospitals to corporate entities will capacitate them to engage in revenue-generating activities, and proceeds of which can be used to subsidize medical care of indigent patients. (Hannah Torregoza)
Look-Out Bulletin
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and four others linked to the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega under the Bureau of Immigration (BI) "look-out bulletin."
In her two-page memorandum released Tuesday, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima ordered immigration officers to monitor and inform the DOJ if Reyes, tagged as the alleged mastermind in the ambush of Ortega, would attempt to leave the country.
Aside from Reyes, De Lima issued a "look-out bulletin" order (LBO) against his brother, Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes, former Palawan provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias, Arturo Regalado and Valentin Lecias. (Leonard Postrado)
C.A. Ruling
The Court of Appeals (CA) has spared lawyer Brigido Dulay, counsel of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, of contempt of court filed against him by Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) Judge Jesus Mupas. With the ruling, the CA - in a decision written by Associate Justice Francisco Acosta - recalled the January 12, 2012 warrant of arrest issued against Dulay.
Associate Justices Magdangal de Leon and Angelita Gacutan concurred in the decision. The contempt citation against Dulay and Abalos arose from the motion for inhibition filed by the lawyer against Mupas alleging that certain individuals who claimed to be connected with the judge tried to extort money from his client. (Rey G. Panaligan)
Rainshowers
Two weather systems will likely to continue to bring cloudy skies and scattered to widespread rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday.
As of 8 a.m., PAGASA said the active low pressure area (ALPA) west-northwest of Palawan has already moved out of the Philippine area of responsibility. Meanwhile, the other low pressure area (LPA) east of Southern Mindanao, which was first spotted Monday afternoon, has dissipated. (Ellalyn de Vera)
"We will bring down prices by P1 per kilo effective tomorrow. This is our second rollback for this month," Ty said on Tuesday. Last March 19, the group also reduced product prices by P1 per kilo. Since a regular cylinder of LPG weighs 11 kilos, the price adjustment translates to a P11-markdown per tank. (Ellson Quismorio)
Conversion
Sen. Franklin Drilon Tuesday pushed for the conversion of state hospitals into government-owned and controlled corporations, saying such move would help improve health service delivery in the country.
In filing Senate Bill 3130, or the "National Government Hospital Corporate Restructuring Act," Drilon said the present organizational structures of the 26 medical institutions should be aligned with that of the government corporations as restructuring these hospitals to corporate entities will capacitate them to engage in revenue-generating activities, and proceeds of which can be used to subsidize medical care of indigent patients. (Hannah Torregoza)
Look-Out Bulletin
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has placed former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and four others linked to the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Dr. Gerry Ortega under the Bureau of Immigration (BI) "look-out bulletin."
In her two-page memorandum released Tuesday, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima ordered immigration officers to monitor and inform the DOJ if Reyes, tagged as the alleged mastermind in the ambush of Ortega, would attempt to leave the country.
Aside from Reyes, De Lima issued a "look-out bulletin" order (LBO) against his brother, Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes, former Palawan provincial administrator Romeo Seratubias, Arturo Regalado and Valentin Lecias. (Leonard Postrado)
C.A. Ruling
The Court of Appeals (CA) has spared lawyer Brigido Dulay, counsel of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, of contempt of court filed against him by Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) Judge Jesus Mupas. With the ruling, the CA - in a decision written by Associate Justice Francisco Acosta - recalled the January 12, 2012 warrant of arrest issued against Dulay.
Associate Justices Magdangal de Leon and Angelita Gacutan concurred in the decision. The contempt citation against Dulay and Abalos arose from the motion for inhibition filed by the lawyer against Mupas alleging that certain individuals who claimed to be connected with the judge tried to extort money from his client. (Rey G. Panaligan)
Rainshowers
Two weather systems will likely to continue to bring cloudy skies and scattered to widespread rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday.
As of 8 a.m., PAGASA said the active low pressure area (ALPA) west-northwest of Palawan has already moved out of the Philippine area of responsibility. Meanwhile, the other low pressure area (LPA) east of Southern Mindanao, which was first spotted Monday afternoon, has dissipated. (Ellalyn de Vera)
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