Mar told to build strong case vs gov on jueteng: Allegations politically motivated - Espino

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II to build a strong case and ensure the safety of the witnesses who would testify on the alleged involvement of Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. in jueteng, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. Espino, for his part, dismissed the allegations as “politically motivated” and “an old issue.” “The resolve of government to eradicate illegal gambling operations is unwavering,” Lacierda said in a statement. Lacierda said Roxas has ordered the reshuffle of police personnel in Pangasinan to determine culpability, if any, and to guarantee that there would be no whitewash in the investigation. Roxas gave assurance that the investigation will not be influenced by politics, as a case of plunder was filed yesterday against Espino by jueteng whistle blowers Bugallon town Mayor Rodrigo Orduña and Fernando Alimagno, chairman of Barangay Poblacion in Candelaria, Quezon ,before the Office of the Ombudsman. “We will bring this (investigation) to a logical conclusion,” Roxas said during a press conference at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Along with Roxas, Orduna and Alimagno, Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yniguez and police officials led by Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome attended the briefing. Roxas said his department will issue a show cause order to Espino to explain why an administrative case should not be filed against him in connection with the exposé. He assured the governor that he will be given due process. Although the matter appeared to be “away negosyo (business tiff),” Roxas said the investigation would focus on the violation of the law by the people named in the complaints. With the case already filed at the Ombudsman, Roxas said the exposé was not just “character attack” or “political assassination.” Espino is running for re-election and is pitted against Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza of the Liberal Party. Orduña alleged that he acted as bagman for Espino in jueteng operations while Alimagno said he was a jueteng operator himself in the province when Espino was elected governor. Orduña alleged that Espino has been receiving P10 million a month from the operators of the illegal numbers racket. According to Orduña, Espina allegedly demanded that he be given P10 million, which would be sent to him on a weekly basis, meaning on the seventh, 15th, 22nd and 30th day of the month. “Espina demanded that his P2.5 million weekly money be given to him every Saturday,” Orduña alleged, saying there were months with five Saturdays, thus jueteng operators have to raise additional funds. Alimagno said he decided to surface because he had stopped being part of jueteng when he had a falling out with the governor. ‘An old issue’ Espino, however, yesterday denied the allegations, dismissing them as “politically motivated.” “This is an old issue. I have answered them all before and they added here about jai alai in Pangasinan. The one who could answer that is the provincial police director so we invited him here,” Espino said in Filipino. “I am denying that I had accepted anything from jai alai or jueteng, if there is any in Pangasinan now,” he added in Filipino in a press conference in Lingayen, Pangasinan. Espino said it was Orduña who introduced him to alleged gambling operator Charlie Ang. Orduña used to be the president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League until his ties with the governor soured, prompting him to resign. Espino said Ang asked his permission to see the mayors and seek a business permit for his jai alai operations in Pangasinan. As Ang’s papers were complete and appeared legal, he said he asked the provincial police director then, Senior Superintendent Boyet Ricaforte, if other provinces already had jai alai operations and he was told, yes. “Since I was not the one who issued the permit, as the mayors were the ones who did it, I repeat, I did not give any permit to Mr. Charlie Ang, so how can I ask anything from him?” he said. “I will have to consult yet my lawyers because I was just informed that a plunder case had been filed against me in the Ombudsman. So I hope you understand,” he added. Espino did not entertain any more questions from the newsmen and left, leaving Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. and Senior Superintendent Mariano Luis Verzosa Jr., officer-in-charge of the provincial police, to answer media queries. Verzosa said jueteng operations in Pangasinan are already 96 percent eradicated, adding that the rest are negligible “guerrilla operations” in the province’s border villages. He admitted jai alai is operating in Pangasinan with business permits issued by mayors and “collectors now have dignity bearing their identification cards unlike before.” He said they could not initiate any action against jai alai, as it is under the mandate of Games and Amusement Board. “So the police could not act if we are not deputized,” he added. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Eva Visperas, Artemio Dumlao - By Aurea Calic

ICAO finding to provide support to PHL tourism target

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)'s lifting of significant safety concerns on air travel in the Philippines will increase tourist arrivals to the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a statement Tuesday. “This is one of the crucial steps that will lead to increased flights to and from the Philippines – allowing local carriers to mount to long-haul markets such as the US and Europe, and foreign and local tourists to travel domestically with even greater confidence,” it said. The department was referring to the ICAO's finding that the country has “successfully addressed and resolved” safety concerns. “This development will certainly make the country more competitive and will contribute tremendously in achieving the tourism sector's target of 10 million international visitors by 2016,” the statement read. ICAO's lifting of significant safety concerns came after a five-day audit last month. ICAO's action is seen as a way to upgrade the country back to Category 1 status. Last week, Civil Aeronautics Board deputy executive director Porvenir Porciuncula said the country is eyeing more air seats from overseas, but noted that the Category 2 status imposed on the Philippines prevents local airlines' mounting of additional flights. For instance, the Category 2 status is a hurdle for local carriers in securing overseas seats to and from Korea, a key tourist market for the Philippines. In 2008, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment Program placed the Philippines on the Category 2 list because of deficiencies identified under the Universal Safety Oversight Audit program of the ICAO. Due to the category downgrade, Philippine carriers were prohibited from expanding operations in the US and – since 2010 – were banned from the European Union. With a Category 2 rating, air carriers are still allowed to continue their operations to the US, but under tightened FAA surveillance. In 2012, the DOT recorded 4.3 million foreign tourists, 98 percent of whom arrived by air. The DOT plans to increase the share of tourism to gross domestic product and employment. —

Capitol releases P91.4M worth of assistance to barangays before election ban

THE Cebu Capitol last Tuesday processed 1,470 checks worth P91.38 million to be given to barangays in the Province.

Records at the Provincial Treasurer’s Office showed that 1,500 more checks were released yesterday to beat the March 27 election ban deadline.

There are 1,091 barangays in 51 municipalities and component cities in Cebu Province.

All local government units had until yesterday to distribute cash assistance.

Once the campaign period for the local elections begins at the end of this month, distribution of cash assistance, personnel movement and implementation of certain projects will not be allowed.

Acting Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial was authorized by the Provincial Board last Monday to transact business with depository banks on behalf of Capitol.

Signature

The banks have already asked Guial for his signatures.

Former provincial treasurer Roy Salubre said correct procedure in the turnover of accountabilities must be followed before a change in bank signatories.

Lawyer Dara Acusar, spokesperson of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, said banks should call their attention if there is a problem in the change of signature.

She said that what is prohibited by law is the issuance, not the encashment of checks. So beneficiaries may claim and en-cash the check on later dates.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor Lionel Castellano agreed with Acusar, citing Comelec Resolution 9385.

Release

Guial expected the release of all checks and salaries of all Capitol employees yesterday.

Guial replaced Salubre following his dismissal by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) 7 Director Carmelane Tugas. BLGF 7 designated Guial as provincial treasurer.

Salubre said the correct procedure is that there must be a formal or turnover of accountabilities from the outgoing to the incoming treasurer.

After the transfer of accountabilities, they will wait for the regional special personnel order (RSPO) coming from BLGF.

Due to time constraints, BLGF will only be available on Monday to facilitate the formal transfer of accountabilities.

“There is supposed to be an RSPO to go with it,” said Salubre, referring to the document that would go with the PB resolution giving authority to the new bank signatory.

Acusar said BLGF has authorized Guial to assume the post of provincial treasurer in acting capacity. Also, PB members already authorized Guial to transact with the banks on behalf of Capitol.

Since the banks did not call their attention, Acusar believes everything is in order.

PAL, Cambodian group to launch new international airline

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has teamed up with a Cambodian business tycoon to launch a new international airline this year.

San Miguel Corp., a part-owner of PAL, confirmed the newly struck deal in a disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange Thursday.

The new carrier will be called Cambodia Airlines and is a joint venture with PAL and Cambodia's Royal Group of Companies headed by Okhna Kith Meng.

PAL has invested a minority stake (49 percent) in the new airline, San Miguel told the local bourse.

Related story: A first in history: PH gets investment grade

The disclosure was issued after earlier media reports claimed that it was San Miguel that struck a deal with Royal Group.

"The company has a significant minority interest in PAL, through Trustmark Holdings Corp.," San Miguel clarified.

PAL is one of the newer investments made by San Miguel, which has ventured into toll road operations and power, among others, apart from its century-old brewery business.

Also read: What's slowing U.S. investments to PH?

Cambodia Airline's first domestic flights could begin as early as June this year while international flights could start by October, the Royal Group was quoted by an AFP reportas saying.

Kith Meng, for his part, said the joint venture is set to "contribute to Cambodia's economic growth by creating employment opportunities, bringing investors and building a strong aviation industry."

Cambodia Airlines will be the Southeast Asian nation's second national carrier, after Cambodia Angkor Air launched in 2009.

PLDT triples fiber network nationwide

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) is expanding its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network to enable ultra-fast broadband connection to more than 300 residential subdivisions all over the country.

"The FTTH broadband connection enables us to offer customers triple play services, not just to access for voice and data, but also for streaming high quality video," stressed PLDT EVP and Head of Home Ariel Fermin.

Among the new areas FTTH covers to date are Laguna, Muntinlupa, and Quezon City in Luzon, Cebu in the Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao region.

Initially, the telco rolled out FTTH to 100 high-end villages in Metro Manila under the service called Fibr, PLDT Home's broadband with speeds of up to 100Mbps.

Apart from fiber-fast connection, customers get to enjoy Hollywood blockbuster movies as part of their subscription.

The new FTTH areas include: Sta. Rosa Estate Phases 1 & 2 in Laguna; Southvale 1&2 and Palms Pointe in Muntinlupa; Manila Southwoods in Cavite; and White Plains and Tierra Pura in Quezon City.

In Visayas and Mindanao, Fibr is now accessible in Cebu Royale Estate, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Pristina North, Bayswater Subdivision, Happy Homes, Ajoya Residences, Deca Baywalk, and Reldo Subdivision in Davao.

"PLDT Fibr enables residential users to have a faster, multi-screen, multi-media experience via dedicated fiber optic cables that are not shared, allowing simultaneous high-speed browsing and high-definition video streaming," the executive explained.

PLDT's 54,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables facilitate the telco's digital services such as Fibr, myDSL, and Telpad.

At present, PLDT is leading the adoption of fiber optic technology to help the Philippines align with other countries that already have ultra high-speed and advanced internet connections, noted PLDT Head of Home Broadband Gary Dujali.

"With Fibr, subscribers can seamlessly stream blockbuster Hollywood movies, play lag-free online gaming and adopt cloud computing," he added.

Accessible in various plans, Fibr is available in Plan 3500 with speed of up to 8Mbps; Plan 5800, up to 20Mbps; Plan 8800, up to 50Mbps; and Plan 20000, up to 100Mbps. These plans include free installation, free Fibr modem, and free PLDT WiFi Zone access with PLDT Telpad subscription.

DA implements mechanized hybrid rice program with grant from China

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a mechanized hybrid rice program over a total of 300 hectares in a government of China agreement as part of an original $500,000 grant that aimed to support the country's rice sufficiency.

DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said a second phase of the Philippine Sino Center for Agricultural Technology program (PHILSCAT) will implemented within the first half of this year.

It will involve planting of hybrid rice under a mechanized environment that ambitiously targets in the long term to raise the Philippines' average rice yield to as much as 10 metric tons (MT) per hectare. This is at a very cheap production cost of P5 per kilo for unmilled rice (palay).

This is supposed to triple the country's national rice average from just more than three MT per hectare at present. The target cost is also very ambitious since present support price of the National Food Authority (NFA) is P18 per kilo for good quality, dried unmilled rice.

DA is implementing PHILSCAT Phase II with the assistance of China's hybrid rice developer-hero Prof. Yuan Long Ping, the known Father of Hybrid Rice, who made a courtesy call on Alcala Monday.

The government will continue to refrain from providing any more assistance in the form of subsidy for hybrid rice seeds. Yet the collaboration is foreseen to have a big impact on the country's rice sufficiency.

"There's no question. Using hybrid rice production will be better. At present, there are still many who use ordinary seeds. We're thinking of 10-5 (10 MT per hectare yield at P5 per kilo) as a dream," said Alcala in a press briefing.

"Hybrid rice is not really crucial to rice sufficiency. We've reduced our imports to 187,000 tons without putting funds into it unlike before when all funds were for hybrid. But we've heard there are areas in China that have 14 tons yield per hectare."

Yuan said hybrid rice is now planted on 17 million hectares of land in China where yield can reach between 11 to 14 MT per hectare. China's national average yield is about double the country's national average at almost eight MT per hectare.

"We want the Philippines to become self-sufficient (in rice). The best way is through technology," said Yuan, explaining that 70 percent of China's hybrid rice areas are already mechanized.

DA Asst. Sec. Dante Delima said DA intends to come up with a cluster of 100 hectares each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the PHILSCAT Phase II, for a total of 300 hectares.

"If you mechanize, it can't be just on five hectares. The area should be at least 100 hectares," Delima said. "China also wants to intervene into the choice of land areas since they're concerned about agro-climatic conditions."

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Quake shakes buildings in Manila: Phivolcs

MANILA, April 4, 2013 (AFP) - A moderate earthquake shook buildings in the Philippine capital Manila on Thursday, the government said, although there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The quake struck in the rural north of the country, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum told AFP, describing it as "moderate" and adding he did not expect damage in the capital.

The US Geological Survey said the quake, with a magnitude of 5.3, struck at 10:27 am (0227 GMT), 158 kilometres northeast of Manila. It had a depth of 38 kilometer