MANILA, Philippines -- There are at least 40 Filipinos, mostly women, currently incarcerated in Brazil for drug offenses, according to Brazilian Ambassador to the Philippines Alcides G.R. Prates.
However, Ambassador Prates, speaking with reporters at the sidelines of the diplomatic reception for newly appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario Monday night in Makati, pointed out that these Filipinos are facing shorter jail terms ranging from 3 to 4 years.
Capital punishment was last used as a form of punishment in Brazil in 1876, and has not been officially used since the proclamation of the Republic in 1889. Brazil was the second country in the Americas to abolish this form of punishment, preceded by Costa Rica on 1859.
Records showed that between January to October the previous year alone, 15 Filipinos, 13 of them are women, were arrested in Brazil for drug offenses.
The most recent was in Aug. 19 when a Filipina was arrested at the Guarulhos International Airport by Brazilian Federal Police for possessing five kilos of cocaine contained in 15 bags hidden in her luggage with false bottoms.
The predominance of women indicates the continuing operations of international syndicates using them as drug mules despite the government's anti-drug campaign.
Authorities warned anew the heavy penalties imposed by other countries on anyone caught with illegal substances.
On the contrary, Ambassador Prates said there is only one Brazilian jailed in the Philippines serving a seven-year term for possession of 150 grams of marijuana.
Brazil has emerged as the most important new player in the international narcotics trade, with a role in every stage of the drug chain, from production to consumption.
The reasons for the traffickers to desire Brazil as its transit country choice are quite clear: Brazil is so big, it is easy to elude pursuers, it has markets to the entire world, and it has consumers.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) tags Brazil to be particularly vulnerable to trafficking due to its proximity to the main drug-producing countries in Latin America
Thursday, April 7, 2011
News Update Aquino airs concerns over court decisions on GSIS, Banco Filipino
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said Wednesday he was concerned about court decisions over cases involving the board of directors of state pension fund GSIS and thrift bank Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court earlier issued arrest warrants against members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) board of trustees for indirect contempt in relation to a land settlement case. The Court of Appeals (CA) has overturned this order.
On the other hand, the CA has asked the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to explain its decision to close and place Banco Filipino under receivership. Banco Filipino has reportedly been unable to service withdrawals and fund checks since last month.
"Meron hong judge diumano na nagpapakulong at nagpaaresto sa buong board of directors ng GSIS at nilagay pa daw po na hindi pwedeng piyansahan. Ang naalala ko po kasi may mga krimen na non-bailable nadamay po ito. Matanong ko lang po sa inyo, paano kaya ang kumpyansa sa atin kung bigla na lang yung GSIS ay nawalan ng board of directors at hindi natin matugunan ang pangangailangan ng lahat ng miyembro ng pension na 'to kasama na po tayo dyan," Aquino said.
Aquino was also worried that the central bank could not "perform its regulatory functions" over Banco Filipino because the latter's owners and officers always go to the court to seek refuge.
"Meron pong reklamo ang Bangko Sentral, nabigyan sila ng injunction... hindi nila ma-perform 'yung kanilang regulatory functions over Banco Filipino," the President said.
The BSP alleged in a 170-report to the CA that Banco Filipino was operating a "Ponzi" scheme, using new deposits to pay for old ones. The thrift bank was also offering unreasonably high interest rates on special products, and its officers were receiving more than what the bank was earning, the central bank added.
"Paano ho kung totoo na yung tinatawag na Ponzi scheme ang nangyari dyan? Ang basic facts ho, double-digit ang interest rates na pinamimigay nila, 'yung ibang miyembro ho ng industriya single-digit. Mas mataas ang pagkuha nila ng pondo, paano nila mababayaran 'yung interes nito?"
"Pero since 2008, ang pagkakaintindi ko, reklamo ng BSP ay hindi ho sila pinahintulutan na pangasiwaan, ayon po sa batas, ang kilos ng Banco Filipino. Paano naman po ang ating banking system kung parati na lang pong pababayaan ang mali, bahala ang PDIC maghanap ng paraan bayaran 'yung mga nag-deposit dito?" Aquino lamented.
The President urged the courts to help the government in its reforms.
"So babalik po ako, lahat ng kilos po natin, hindi natin maituturing na kumbaga sa lupain ay isla, walang nadadamay. Lahat po dito, damay-damay tayo," Aquino said. - Report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
The Pasig Regional Trial Court earlier issued arrest warrants against members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) board of trustees for indirect contempt in relation to a land settlement case. The Court of Appeals (CA) has overturned this order.
On the other hand, the CA has asked the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to explain its decision to close and place Banco Filipino under receivership. Banco Filipino has reportedly been unable to service withdrawals and fund checks since last month.
"Meron hong judge diumano na nagpapakulong at nagpaaresto sa buong board of directors ng GSIS at nilagay pa daw po na hindi pwedeng piyansahan. Ang naalala ko po kasi may mga krimen na non-bailable nadamay po ito. Matanong ko lang po sa inyo, paano kaya ang kumpyansa sa atin kung bigla na lang yung GSIS ay nawalan ng board of directors at hindi natin matugunan ang pangangailangan ng lahat ng miyembro ng pension na 'to kasama na po tayo dyan," Aquino said.
Aquino was also worried that the central bank could not "perform its regulatory functions" over Banco Filipino because the latter's owners and officers always go to the court to seek refuge.
"Meron pong reklamo ang Bangko Sentral, nabigyan sila ng injunction... hindi nila ma-perform 'yung kanilang regulatory functions over Banco Filipino," the President said.
The BSP alleged in a 170-report to the CA that Banco Filipino was operating a "Ponzi" scheme, using new deposits to pay for old ones. The thrift bank was also offering unreasonably high interest rates on special products, and its officers were receiving more than what the bank was earning, the central bank added.
"Paano ho kung totoo na yung tinatawag na Ponzi scheme ang nangyari dyan? Ang basic facts ho, double-digit ang interest rates na pinamimigay nila, 'yung ibang miyembro ho ng industriya single-digit. Mas mataas ang pagkuha nila ng pondo, paano nila mababayaran 'yung interes nito?"
"Pero since 2008, ang pagkakaintindi ko, reklamo ng BSP ay hindi ho sila pinahintulutan na pangasiwaan, ayon po sa batas, ang kilos ng Banco Filipino. Paano naman po ang ating banking system kung parati na lang pong pababayaan ang mali, bahala ang PDIC maghanap ng paraan bayaran 'yung mga nag-deposit dito?" Aquino lamented.
The President urged the courts to help the government in its reforms.
"So babalik po ako, lahat ng kilos po natin, hindi natin maituturing na kumbaga sa lupain ay isla, walang nadadamay. Lahat po dito, damay-damay tayo," Aquino said. - Report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News
News Update Coast for celebration
BATAAN, Philippines -- Bataan-a historical, scenic province in Central Luzon-hardly makes a blip in the awareness of travelers, except perhaps Corregidor which, being an island, is disconnected from the overall charm and beauty of the peninsula. Jutting out from Luzon shaped like a sock, Bataan is wrapped around with the slate blue certainty of the South China Sea; in it is an undulating, sometimes jaw-dropping, landscape, making the trip to Mariveles, for one, as an interesting sojourn between terrain and water.
Now that the trend points toward seaside development (the Philippines having one of the longest coastlines in the world has its perks), developers are now exploring Bataan. Why not? The province is close to Manila as it can get and its proximity to its much sophisticated cousins (Subic of Pampanga and Clark of Zambales) makes it attractive, all the while maintaining its bucolic and under-developed look. And what it has in plenty is something that cannot be bought or artificially created: historical legacy. Bataan is not called "The Cradle of Heroes" for nothing.
One of the first developers to brave the uncharted waters that is the waterfront real estate of Bataan is Earth and Leisure Communities, headed by Manuel Carlos Ilagan Jr. Their first project, Camaya Coast (www.camayacoast.com) already gleams with seaside amenities such as a restaurant, an infinity swimming pool, an event hall, a boutique hotel, among others. The boutique hotel-white and clear-cut modern-harks to a Miami influence; the interiors, however, lean toward an Asian contemporary look.
The condominiums for the investors, which are now being built, share the same aesthetic modernist temperament, amid the lushness of greenery and the unimpeachable view of the beach and the sea. Some of these condominiums, whose site is now undergoing land development, will be perched on some of the property's most spectacular heights, as if to affirm that view is all.
At 350 hectares, Camaya Coast has enough natural wonders to titillate even the die-hard urbanist: cliffs, coves, waterfalls, a snaking river. The main draw, however, is the shore that is a stretch of white sand (not exactly white, but blonde, definitely better than that of Puerto Galera). The main property is slightly tangential to the sunset; a burst of orange scatters across the sky to signify oncoming dusk.
Compared to similar developments (notably in Batangas), Camaya Coast is designed to be more affordable. In-house financing of up to 10 years is available and those who are working within a particular budget can choose from an array of condo space configurations, house-and-lot combos, and land cuts. The premium (that doesn't have a price tag) lies in the lifestyle that seaside living evokes: a contemplative appreciation of natural beauty and a place in the sun to bask in it.
Now that the trend points toward seaside development (the Philippines having one of the longest coastlines in the world has its perks), developers are now exploring Bataan. Why not? The province is close to Manila as it can get and its proximity to its much sophisticated cousins (Subic of Pampanga and Clark of Zambales) makes it attractive, all the while maintaining its bucolic and under-developed look. And what it has in plenty is something that cannot be bought or artificially created: historical legacy. Bataan is not called "The Cradle of Heroes" for nothing.
One of the first developers to brave the uncharted waters that is the waterfront real estate of Bataan is Earth and Leisure Communities, headed by Manuel Carlos Ilagan Jr. Their first project, Camaya Coast (www.camayacoast.com) already gleams with seaside amenities such as a restaurant, an infinity swimming pool, an event hall, a boutique hotel, among others. The boutique hotel-white and clear-cut modern-harks to a Miami influence; the interiors, however, lean toward an Asian contemporary look.
The condominiums for the investors, which are now being built, share the same aesthetic modernist temperament, amid the lushness of greenery and the unimpeachable view of the beach and the sea. Some of these condominiums, whose site is now undergoing land development, will be perched on some of the property's most spectacular heights, as if to affirm that view is all.
At 350 hectares, Camaya Coast has enough natural wonders to titillate even the die-hard urbanist: cliffs, coves, waterfalls, a snaking river. The main draw, however, is the shore that is a stretch of white sand (not exactly white, but blonde, definitely better than that of Puerto Galera). The main property is slightly tangential to the sunset; a burst of orange scatters across the sky to signify oncoming dusk.
Compared to similar developments (notably in Batangas), Camaya Coast is designed to be more affordable. In-house financing of up to 10 years is available and those who are working within a particular budget can choose from an array of condo space configurations, house-and-lot combos, and land cuts. The premium (that doesn't have a price tag) lies in the lifestyle that seaside living evokes: a contemplative appreciation of natural beauty and a place in the sun to bask in it.
News Update 81 foreigners in Philippine jails for drugs
MANILA, Philippines – Eighty-one foreigners are in jail in the country for illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said on Tuesday.
Citing reports submitted to him by Philippine Natonal Police (PNP) Director General Raul Bacalzo, Robredo said police have arrested 90 foreigners for illegal drugs since 2004.
Of the 90 foreigners, 77 are still detained and undergoing either trial or preliminary investigation; 4 had been convicted; 5 were acquitted while 4 other suspects were released on bail.
“The PNP’s anti-drug units are working closely with the Department of Justice to ensure the successful prosecution of the detained and out on bail suspects,” Robredo said in a press statement.
President Benigno Aquino III has issued an order to intensify the campaign against local and foreign drug syndicates who recruit and use Filipinos overseas as “drug mules,” similar to the trio who were executed last week in China.
"We have an urgent directive from the President to go after local and foreign syndicates who recruit our nationals to be drug mules or couriers and at the same time intensify our campaign against big-time drug syndicates who manufacture, distribute and sell illegal drugs in the country,” Robredo said.
Of the 90 foreigners arrested for illegal drugs since 2003, 72 are Chinese nationals, 9 are Taiwanese; 4 are Malaysians, 2 are Singaporeans; while the 3 others are a British, a Korean, and Macau resident.
"Of the 90 foreigner drug suspects, 81 of them were tagged as manufacturers while 9 were engaged in big-time drug trafficking. The 8 were arrested in buy-bust operations while the rest were nabbed during search and seizure operations,” Robredo said.
Drug Suspects Li Lan Yan and Li Tan Hua, who were arrested during a search and seizure operation at their rented house at Marina Bay Homes, Parañaque in July 28, 2003 have been convicted by a Parañaque Court for the manufacture of more than 163 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Davao City Judge Romeo Albaraccin also convicted 2 other Chinese drugs suspects identified as Carlos Sy and Shi Jin Sheng, who were arrested in Davao City in 2004 for operating a shabu laboratory.
Robredo said that based on Bacalzo’s report, the PNP’s biggest recorded drug haul since 2003 was in Mambungan, Antipolo City, where police arrested 4 Chinese nationals and seized 1,108 kilos of shabu, chemicals, and laboratory equipment for making meth
Citing reports submitted to him by Philippine Natonal Police (PNP) Director General Raul Bacalzo, Robredo said police have arrested 90 foreigners for illegal drugs since 2004.
Of the 90 foreigners, 77 are still detained and undergoing either trial or preliminary investigation; 4 had been convicted; 5 were acquitted while 4 other suspects were released on bail.
“The PNP’s anti-drug units are working closely with the Department of Justice to ensure the successful prosecution of the detained and out on bail suspects,” Robredo said in a press statement.
President Benigno Aquino III has issued an order to intensify the campaign against local and foreign drug syndicates who recruit and use Filipinos overseas as “drug mules,” similar to the trio who were executed last week in China.
"We have an urgent directive from the President to go after local and foreign syndicates who recruit our nationals to be drug mules or couriers and at the same time intensify our campaign against big-time drug syndicates who manufacture, distribute and sell illegal drugs in the country,” Robredo said.
Of the 90 foreigners arrested for illegal drugs since 2003, 72 are Chinese nationals, 9 are Taiwanese; 4 are Malaysians, 2 are Singaporeans; while the 3 others are a British, a Korean, and Macau resident.
"Of the 90 foreigner drug suspects, 81 of them were tagged as manufacturers while 9 were engaged in big-time drug trafficking. The 8 were arrested in buy-bust operations while the rest were nabbed during search and seizure operations,” Robredo said.
Drug Suspects Li Lan Yan and Li Tan Hua, who were arrested during a search and seizure operation at their rented house at Marina Bay Homes, Parañaque in July 28, 2003 have been convicted by a Parañaque Court for the manufacture of more than 163 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Davao City Judge Romeo Albaraccin also convicted 2 other Chinese drugs suspects identified as Carlos Sy and Shi Jin Sheng, who were arrested in Davao City in 2004 for operating a shabu laboratory.
Robredo said that based on Bacalzo’s report, the PNP’s biggest recorded drug haul since 2003 was in Mambungan, Antipolo City, where police arrested 4 Chinese nationals and seized 1,108 kilos of shabu, chemicals, and laboratory equipment for making meth
News Update Armed tribesmen in Philippines free 12 hostages
Philippine police say armed tribesmen have released 12 hostages they were holding in a southern jungle hide-out to demand the release of jailed relatives.
Regional police chief Reynaldo Rafal says all of the hostages were freed Wednesday.
Most of those who were held are grade school teachers who were seized by six Manobo tribesmen last Friday in a remote southern town in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao Island.
The hostage-takers were demanding the release of tribal leader Jobert "Ondo" Perez, who was jailed with three other tribesmen for taking 79 people hostage in the same place in 2009 over a long-running clan feud.
Perez was temporarily released to help end the standoff, and officials promised the gunmen they'd speed up the resolution of the case.
Regional police chief Reynaldo Rafal says all of the hostages were freed Wednesday.
Most of those who were held are grade school teachers who were seized by six Manobo tribesmen last Friday in a remote southern town in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao Island.
The hostage-takers were demanding the release of tribal leader Jobert "Ondo" Perez, who was jailed with three other tribesmen for taking 79 people hostage in the same place in 2009 over a long-running clan feud.
Perez was temporarily released to help end the standoff, and officials promised the gunmen they'd speed up the resolution of the case.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
News Update Reciprocal 'Open Skies' for all urged
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines should pursue open skies, specifically with Japan, the Asean, Middle East and Europe but with reciprocity, Cebu Pacific CEO Lance Y. Gokongwei declared Tuesday. But "Let us have Open Skies for all, not Open Skies for foreign airlines and Closed Skies for Filipino carriers."
Earlier, CEB has been concerned over the lack of reciprocity under EO 29 which declared an Open Skies policy for all our airports, except Manila. Reciprocity based on equal opportunity is extremely important not just to Cebu Pacific but also to the public in general," he stressed.
Already, Japan had signed open skies agreements this year with Sin-gapore, Malaysia, and South Korea and with the US late last year. It took their respective governments an average of just more than a month to finalize these agreements. Japan is open to more such agreements with ASEAN and this presents an opportunity the Philippines must grab quickly.
Despite efforts to have an ASEAN Open Skies regime, the Philippines and Indonesia remain as holdouts. "If we sign this, the region will be open to each country's carriers on an equal footing. This is a regional effort which I think will work better than a unilateral approach."
"We also support reciprocal Open Skies agreements with regions like the Middle East and Europe where Philippine carriers don't fly to today provided of course we can, if and when we are ready."
Definitely, CEB has no issues with two key aspects introduced in EO 29: increased competition and unlimited access to Philippine skies by foreign carriers. The objective of the EO was to bring in more tourists, the premise being: if foreign carriers are allowed to compete and freely fly to the Philippines the tourists would come.
However, "We would like to be part of this competition. If foreign carriers are given unlimited access on routes to and from the Philippines, we believe it is only fair, that CEB and other local airlines be given unlimited access to and from the Philipines to these carriers' home countries, on an equal opportunity of access; on a level playing field. We should be allowed to compete with these foreign carriers on those same routes, and offer our trademark low fares not only to their nationals/tourists but to our own OFWs as well who live or work there. This is reciprocity and is most fair.
"Reciprocity will keep all airlines on their toes and allow Filipino carriers like CEB to compete with foreign carriers. Ultimately, more competition leads to lower fares, benefiting not only CEB but the whole tourism industry, here and abroad," Gokongwei pointed out.
Cebu Pacific's low fares played a major role in spurring growth in tourism as shown by 127% growth in domestic tourism in the last five years.
Earlier, CEB has been concerned over the lack of reciprocity under EO 29 which declared an Open Skies policy for all our airports, except Manila. Reciprocity based on equal opportunity is extremely important not just to Cebu Pacific but also to the public in general," he stressed.
Already, Japan had signed open skies agreements this year with Sin-gapore, Malaysia, and South Korea and with the US late last year. It took their respective governments an average of just more than a month to finalize these agreements. Japan is open to more such agreements with ASEAN and this presents an opportunity the Philippines must grab quickly.
Despite efforts to have an ASEAN Open Skies regime, the Philippines and Indonesia remain as holdouts. "If we sign this, the region will be open to each country's carriers on an equal footing. This is a regional effort which I think will work better than a unilateral approach."
"We also support reciprocal Open Skies agreements with regions like the Middle East and Europe where Philippine carriers don't fly to today provided of course we can, if and when we are ready."
Definitely, CEB has no issues with two key aspects introduced in EO 29: increased competition and unlimited access to Philippine skies by foreign carriers. The objective of the EO was to bring in more tourists, the premise being: if foreign carriers are allowed to compete and freely fly to the Philippines the tourists would come.
However, "We would like to be part of this competition. If foreign carriers are given unlimited access on routes to and from the Philippines, we believe it is only fair, that CEB and other local airlines be given unlimited access to and from the Philipines to these carriers' home countries, on an equal opportunity of access; on a level playing field. We should be allowed to compete with these foreign carriers on those same routes, and offer our trademark low fares not only to their nationals/tourists but to our own OFWs as well who live or work there. This is reciprocity and is most fair.
"Reciprocity will keep all airlines on their toes and allow Filipino carriers like CEB to compete with foreign carriers. Ultimately, more competition leads to lower fares, benefiting not only CEB but the whole tourism industry, here and abroad," Gokongwei pointed out.
Cebu Pacific's low fares played a major role in spurring growth in tourism as shown by 127% growth in domestic tourism in the last five years.
News Update Oban, 20 others take oath before Aquino
MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo SL Oban Jr. and 20 other recently promoted Generals and Flag Officers took their oath before President Aquino in Malacañang Palace last Monday.
Joining the AFP Chief in the oath-taking rite were Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Vice Alexander Pama and Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief.
Aquino also appointed young poll lawyer Christian Robert S. Lim as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and state auditor Rasol L. Mitmug as commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) both with a seven-year term.
Lim will assume the vacated post of retired Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal for a term until February 2, 2018, according to Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
Lim, a managing partner at the Lim & Leynes Law Offices, was part of the election watchdog that supported the candidacy of President Aquino and his running mate Mar Roxas in the last May elections.
In a news conference at the Palace, Valte said that Mitmug, a regional director of the Commission on Audit, will replace Cesar Buenaflor at the central personnel agency of the government. Mitmug, who hails from Lanao del Sur, will have a term until February 2, 2018 as CSC commissioner.
The two ad interim appointments were announced by the Palace while Congress is on recess. Valte said they are confident the two new public officials will perform their duties well, citing their track record.
The Rear Admirals who took their oath include Read Admiral Orwen J. Cortez, Navy Vice Chief and Rear Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, Chief of Naval Staff, PN.
The Major Generals were Maj. Gen. Ramiro A. Alivio, The Naval Inspector General, PN; Maj. Gen. Elmir S. Dela Cruz, Deputy Chief of Staff for AFP Communications Electronic Information System (J6), Maj. Gen. Romulo M. Bambao, Chief, Intelligence Service AFP; and Maj. Gen. Nonato Alfredo T. Peralta, Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
The Brigadier Generals who took part in the rites were Brig. Gen. Mariano A. Veloria, Commander, 53 Engineering Brigade, Philippine Army; Brig. Gen. Samuel L. Narbuada, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (ADCS) for Intelligence (AJ2); Brig. Gen. Alex N. Albano, Commander, ARESCOM; Brig. Gen. Arnolfo A. Atendido, Assistant Deputy Chief 7ID, PA; Brig. Gen. Ramona P. Go, ADCS for Personnel, (AJ1); Brig. Gen. Maximo G. Caro, Commandant, Cadet Corps AFP, PMA; and Brig. Gen. Lito S. Tabangcura, Commander, AFP Reserved Command.
Completing the list of promoted officers from the Philippine Navy are Commodore Isabelo H. Gador, Chief, Office of the Legislative Affairs; Commodore Geronimo L. Aganon, Deputy Chief, Naval Sea Systems Command; Commodore Caesar C. Taccad, Commander, Naval Force Northern Luzon
Joining the AFP Chief in the oath-taking rite were Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC) Vice Alexander Pama and Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief.
Aquino also appointed young poll lawyer Christian Robert S. Lim as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and state auditor Rasol L. Mitmug as commissioner of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) both with a seven-year term.
Lim will assume the vacated post of retired Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal for a term until February 2, 2018, according to Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
Lim, a managing partner at the Lim & Leynes Law Offices, was part of the election watchdog that supported the candidacy of President Aquino and his running mate Mar Roxas in the last May elections.
In a news conference at the Palace, Valte said that Mitmug, a regional director of the Commission on Audit, will replace Cesar Buenaflor at the central personnel agency of the government. Mitmug, who hails from Lanao del Sur, will have a term until February 2, 2018 as CSC commissioner.
The two ad interim appointments were announced by the Palace while Congress is on recess. Valte said they are confident the two new public officials will perform their duties well, citing their track record.
The Rear Admirals who took their oath include Read Admiral Orwen J. Cortez, Navy Vice Chief and Rear Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, Chief of Naval Staff, PN.
The Major Generals were Maj. Gen. Ramiro A. Alivio, The Naval Inspector General, PN; Maj. Gen. Elmir S. Dela Cruz, Deputy Chief of Staff for AFP Communications Electronic Information System (J6), Maj. Gen. Romulo M. Bambao, Chief, Intelligence Service AFP; and Maj. Gen. Nonato Alfredo T. Peralta, Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
The Brigadier Generals who took part in the rites were Brig. Gen. Mariano A. Veloria, Commander, 53 Engineering Brigade, Philippine Army; Brig. Gen. Samuel L. Narbuada, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (ADCS) for Intelligence (AJ2); Brig. Gen. Alex N. Albano, Commander, ARESCOM; Brig. Gen. Arnolfo A. Atendido, Assistant Deputy Chief 7ID, PA; Brig. Gen. Ramona P. Go, ADCS for Personnel, (AJ1); Brig. Gen. Maximo G. Caro, Commandant, Cadet Corps AFP, PMA; and Brig. Gen. Lito S. Tabangcura, Commander, AFP Reserved Command.
Completing the list of promoted officers from the Philippine Navy are Commodore Isabelo H. Gador, Chief, Office of the Legislative Affairs; Commodore Geronimo L. Aganon, Deputy Chief, Naval Sea Systems Command; Commodore Caesar C. Taccad, Commander, Naval Force Northern Luzon
News Update Meralco power rate up this month
MANILA, Philippines -- Manila Electric Company (Meralco) customers will have higher electricity rates effective this month as the company's generation charge increased by P0.2013 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to P5.0474 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from last billing month's P4.8461 per kWh.
Yet, on a year-on-year basis, Meralco said the generation charge this month is lower by roughly P1.72 per kWh as compared to April, 2010 billing at P6.7699 per kWh - the time when Luzon grid was also suffering from irritating power outages.
The company appealed for more prudent consumption of electricity during these months when power bills would generally increase.
"Power consumption tends to shoot up during the summer months. Appliances work doubly hard in warm weather conditions in addition to more members of the household using electricity during the summer vacation break," it said, advising its customers "to observe energy efficiency tips during this time of the year."
Meralco, in a press statement, attributed this month's generation charge adjustment to the "increase in charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), mainly due to adjustments that pertained to costs from May, 2010 that were billed only this month."
The utility firm said though that it only purchased 2.5-percent of its requirement from the electricity spot market; thus, it was able to shield its customers partly on what could have been more expensive pass-on generation rates.
Nevertheless, it emphasized that "significant increase in WESM charges more than offset the P0.024 per kWh decrease in the rates of the independent power producers (IPPs) over the same period."
Generation charge is considerably revenue-neutral for Meralco. In the electricity business set-up, it collects the payments of its supplied power and remits it to power generators and sellers for the volumes it procured that were subsequently delivered to its customers.
Meanwhile, local oil firms yesterday jacked up pump prices for gasoline, which brought even the cheaper versions of the commodity nearer to the P60-per-liter mark.
Toby Nebrida, spokesperson of Chevron Philippines (formerly Caltex), said in a text advisory to Manila Bulletin past 11 p.m. Monday that the major oil company would add P0.25 a liter to prices of Gold, Gold E10, Silver, Silver E10, and regular.
The adjustment, which is value-added tax (VAT)-inclusive, took effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nebrida said.
Pilipinas Shell, another major oil firm, also raised gasoline prices by P0.25 a liter at around the same time, spokesperson Bobby Kanapi said in his own text advisory early Tuesday. The hike covered prices of Shell's V-Power, premium, unleaded gasoline and regular unleaded.
Small oil player Eastern Petroleum said yesterday afternoon that they would copy the gasoline price hike although it did not say exactly when the adjustment would be enforced. Other oil companies were yet to announce an adjustment as of press time. (With a report from Ellson A. Quismorio)
Yet, on a year-on-year basis, Meralco said the generation charge this month is lower by roughly P1.72 per kWh as compared to April, 2010 billing at P6.7699 per kWh - the time when Luzon grid was also suffering from irritating power outages.
The company appealed for more prudent consumption of electricity during these months when power bills would generally increase.
"Power consumption tends to shoot up during the summer months. Appliances work doubly hard in warm weather conditions in addition to more members of the household using electricity during the summer vacation break," it said, advising its customers "to observe energy efficiency tips during this time of the year."
Meralco, in a press statement, attributed this month's generation charge adjustment to the "increase in charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), mainly due to adjustments that pertained to costs from May, 2010 that were billed only this month."
The utility firm said though that it only purchased 2.5-percent of its requirement from the electricity spot market; thus, it was able to shield its customers partly on what could have been more expensive pass-on generation rates.
Nevertheless, it emphasized that "significant increase in WESM charges more than offset the P0.024 per kWh decrease in the rates of the independent power producers (IPPs) over the same period."
Generation charge is considerably revenue-neutral for Meralco. In the electricity business set-up, it collects the payments of its supplied power and remits it to power generators and sellers for the volumes it procured that were subsequently delivered to its customers.
Meanwhile, local oil firms yesterday jacked up pump prices for gasoline, which brought even the cheaper versions of the commodity nearer to the P60-per-liter mark.
Toby Nebrida, spokesperson of Chevron Philippines (formerly Caltex), said in a text advisory to Manila Bulletin past 11 p.m. Monday that the major oil company would add P0.25 a liter to prices of Gold, Gold E10, Silver, Silver E10, and regular.
The adjustment, which is value-added tax (VAT)-inclusive, took effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nebrida said.
Pilipinas Shell, another major oil firm, also raised gasoline prices by P0.25 a liter at around the same time, spokesperson Bobby Kanapi said in his own text advisory early Tuesday. The hike covered prices of Shell's V-Power, premium, unleaded gasoline and regular unleaded.
Small oil player Eastern Petroleum said yesterday afternoon that they would copy the gasoline price hike although it did not say exactly when the adjustment would be enforced. Other oil companies were yet to announce an adjustment as of press time. (With a report from Ellson A. Quismorio)
News Update 2 quakes hit Luzon
LUZON, Philippines -- Two moderately strong tremors were recorded in different Luzon provinces Monday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was felt at 2:28 a.m. yesterday with epicenter located 86 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
At 7:53 a.m. yesterday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 was also detected in Laoag City on Monday morning.
Its epicenter was located 93 kilometers northeast of Laoag City.
Intensity II was felt in Claveria and Calamaniogan, Cagayan Valley.
Phivolcs said Intensity II tremors are felt by few resting individuals staying indoors.
Likewise, hanging objects sway slightly, while water containers oscillates noticeably.
A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was felt at 2:28 a.m. yesterday with epicenter located 86 kilometers southwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.
At 7:53 a.m. yesterday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 was also detected in Laoag City on Monday morning.
Its epicenter was located 93 kilometers northeast of Laoag City.
Intensity II was felt in Claveria and Calamaniogan, Cagayan Valley.
Phivolcs said Intensity II tremors are felt by few resting individuals staying indoors.
Likewise, hanging objects sway slightly, while water containers oscillates noticeably.
News Update Oil depot transfer pressed
MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) was asked anew Monday to transfer out of the populated Pandacan district in Manila the depot of big oil companies, citing as an example and as a warning the burning of an oil refinery in Ichinara City as a result of a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a tsunami that hit Japan last March 11.
In a motion, the Social Justice System (SJS) told the SC that the transfer of the oil depot from Manila to less populated area in Luzon could be the best preventive measure to a massive, out-of-control burning of an oil refinery like what happened in Japan.
"The incident that we witnessed in Japan is a forewarning of what may happen to the Pandacan oil depot. The oil companies' claim about safety is purely theoretical whereas herein petitioners' claim about the hazard of the oil depot is purely empirical," lawyer Vladimir Cabigao of SJS said.
According to Cabigao, the tanks and pipelines in the Pandacan oil depot werenot designed to withstand a 9.0-magnitude earthquake.
"Even assuming that they are, the materials and the facility itself would have been decrepit already by today because they have never been upgraded by the oil companies ever since they were constructed fifty or so years ago. Thus, the structural integrity of the pipelines and the oil depot is questionable," he said. (Rey G. Panaligan)
In a motion, the Social Justice System (SJS) told the SC that the transfer of the oil depot from Manila to less populated area in Luzon could be the best preventive measure to a massive, out-of-control burning of an oil refinery like what happened in Japan.
"The incident that we witnessed in Japan is a forewarning of what may happen to the Pandacan oil depot. The oil companies' claim about safety is purely theoretical whereas herein petitioners' claim about the hazard of the oil depot is purely empirical," lawyer Vladimir Cabigao of SJS said.
According to Cabigao, the tanks and pipelines in the Pandacan oil depot werenot designed to withstand a 9.0-magnitude earthquake.
"Even assuming that they are, the materials and the facility itself would have been decrepit already by today because they have never been upgraded by the oil companies ever since they were constructed fifty or so years ago. Thus, the structural integrity of the pipelines and the oil depot is questionable," he said. (Rey G. Panaligan)
Kopi Talk The sky's the limit!
MANILA, Philippines - Unless the heavens intervene and or the mandarins in Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) take the side of oppositors, the skyway toll will shoot roof... barely a week after 300% toll hike on $£€X.
* * *
GOOD NEWS: DoTC Secretary Jose de Jesus inaugurates on Wednesday Phase 2 of the Skyway continuing from Bicutan to Alabang... enabling the Ayala Alabang high-end commuters to reach Makati in 20 minutes, while decongesting the hoi polloi traffic on ground expressway.
* * *
BAD NEWS: On Wednesday afternoon, TRB will hear CITRA Metro Manila Tollways Corporation's (CMMTC) bid to hike the Skyway rates against (unless a miracle intervenes) futile efforts of oppositors.
* * *
There's one incontrovertible objection to the 300% hike on the stretch from Alabang to Calamba: Commuters from Villamor to Alabang have alternative East and West service roads; but there are no alternative parallel service roads from Alabang to Sta. Rosa.
* * *
Which means that TRB allowed the toll hike on $£€X despite the fact that an old existing road was completely hijacked without providing alternative route.
* * *
Talk about enfranchising robber barons. In a manner of speaking, that was like giving a franchise to charge for oxygen needed by those taking this route.
* * *
CMMTC is entitled to return on investment; but a franchise carries a commitment to public service. Is there a franchise bill moderating RoI in this country?
* * *
On our weekend trip to Sabangan in Laiya, we missed the expressway to the Star Express (and lost another 15 minutes) because we exited following the sign to "Batangas."
* * *
It doesn't seem to $£€X's interest to inform the commuter before the "Batangas" exit that by driving straight further on the expressway, we would connect to another expressway to Batangas.
* * *
In the event, the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Sabangan in Laiya beach was worth the odyssey. Our hosts Jun and Lita Salvador set up Sabangan as proof of the pudding to their daughter Joy's AIM thesis for a holiday resort.
* * *
Lita, a disciple of the late high priestess of environment Odette Alcantara, is prime mover in the band of Laiya resort owners to protect the beach.
* * *
Laiya is closer to Manila and a far cry from the pell-mell of Boracay and Puerto Gallera. But don't even think of booking this Holy Week. Call Sabangan after the holidays to escape on a weekend for an affordable piece of paradise.
* * *
On the way back, we were wiser and took the Star Tollway... which had a hip joint connection to a 7.3 km.TR3 expressway for P32 (recently exponentially hiked from P8)... which connected to Southern Luzon Tollway (hiked from P86 to P150).
* * *
Query: Can we speed up the flow by consolidating different franchises or introducing a common ticketing system to spare commuters from stopping at three toll booths between Manila and Batangas?
* * *
Glossary: Update on $£€X a.k.a. South Superhighway, officially known as Radial Road 3 or R-3, a network of three expressways connecting Metro Manila to Calabarzon. The first is the Metro Manila Skyway System, operated jointly by the Skyway Operation and Management Corporation (SomCo) and CMMTC. The second is the South Luzon Tollway or Alabang-Calamba-Sto.Tomas Expressway operated by the South Luzon Tollway Corporation, a joint venture of PNCC and MTD Capital Berhad and the Manila Toll Expressway Systems, Inc. (MATES). The third is the STAR Tollway operated by STAR Infrastructure Development Corporation (STAR-IDC), running from Santo Tomas to Batangas City. Feedback: jaz_aide@yahoo.com
* * *
GOOD NEWS: DoTC Secretary Jose de Jesus inaugurates on Wednesday Phase 2 of the Skyway continuing from Bicutan to Alabang... enabling the Ayala Alabang high-end commuters to reach Makati in 20 minutes, while decongesting the hoi polloi traffic on ground expressway.
* * *
BAD NEWS: On Wednesday afternoon, TRB will hear CITRA Metro Manila Tollways Corporation's (CMMTC) bid to hike the Skyway rates against (unless a miracle intervenes) futile efforts of oppositors.
* * *
There's one incontrovertible objection to the 300% hike on the stretch from Alabang to Calamba: Commuters from Villamor to Alabang have alternative East and West service roads; but there are no alternative parallel service roads from Alabang to Sta. Rosa.
* * *
Which means that TRB allowed the toll hike on $£€X despite the fact that an old existing road was completely hijacked without providing alternative route.
* * *
Talk about enfranchising robber barons. In a manner of speaking, that was like giving a franchise to charge for oxygen needed by those taking this route.
* * *
CMMTC is entitled to return on investment; but a franchise carries a commitment to public service. Is there a franchise bill moderating RoI in this country?
* * *
On our weekend trip to Sabangan in Laiya, we missed the expressway to the Star Express (and lost another 15 minutes) because we exited following the sign to "Batangas."
* * *
It doesn't seem to $£€X's interest to inform the commuter before the "Batangas" exit that by driving straight further on the expressway, we would connect to another expressway to Batangas.
* * *
In the event, the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Sabangan in Laiya beach was worth the odyssey. Our hosts Jun and Lita Salvador set up Sabangan as proof of the pudding to their daughter Joy's AIM thesis for a holiday resort.
* * *
Lita, a disciple of the late high priestess of environment Odette Alcantara, is prime mover in the band of Laiya resort owners to protect the beach.
* * *
Laiya is closer to Manila and a far cry from the pell-mell of Boracay and Puerto Gallera. But don't even think of booking this Holy Week. Call Sabangan after the holidays to escape on a weekend for an affordable piece of paradise.
* * *
On the way back, we were wiser and took the Star Tollway... which had a hip joint connection to a 7.3 km.TR3 expressway for P32 (recently exponentially hiked from P8)... which connected to Southern Luzon Tollway (hiked from P86 to P150).
* * *
Query: Can we speed up the flow by consolidating different franchises or introducing a common ticketing system to spare commuters from stopping at three toll booths between Manila and Batangas?
* * *
Glossary: Update on $£€X a.k.a. South Superhighway, officially known as Radial Road 3 or R-3, a network of three expressways connecting Metro Manila to Calabarzon. The first is the Metro Manila Skyway System, operated jointly by the Skyway Operation and Management Corporation (SomCo) and CMMTC. The second is the South Luzon Tollway or Alabang-Calamba-Sto.Tomas Expressway operated by the South Luzon Tollway Corporation, a joint venture of PNCC and MTD Capital Berhad and the Manila Toll Expressway Systems, Inc. (MATES). The third is the STAR Tollway operated by STAR Infrastructure Development Corporation (STAR-IDC), running from Santo Tomas to Batangas City. Feedback: jaz_aide@yahoo.com
News Update Alleged Filipino drug mule recruiter appears at justice department
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Under heavy security, the alleged recruiter of executed Filipino drug mule Sally Ordinario-Villanueva appeared at the Department of Justice (DoJ) to answer charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
Tita Cacayan wore a light colored jacket, covered her face with a baseball cap, and spoke softly when she faced Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo.
The prosecutor, however, had to reset the hearing because Cacayan did not have a lawyer and the complainants, including Villanueva's brother, Jason, failed to show up.
Villanueva, along with Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain, was executed by lethal injection in China on March 30 for drug trafficking.
Cacayan said she could not get a lawyer because she feared getting out of her house after seeing motorcycle-riding men outside.
She requested for more time to file her counter-affidavit with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, which has taken her under its protective custody.
Security was tight at the DoJ. NBI agents cleared the way to Alejo's office an hour ahead of Cacayan's arrival.
Alejo reset the preliminary investigation to April 18 and deputized the NBI to serve the subpoena to the other complainants.
Republic Act No. 9208, or the anti-trafficking in persons law, prohibits media from identifying the parties in the case. Under the law, hearings will be held in private.
Alejo also endorsed Cacayan to lawyer Florences Sta. Ana of the DoJ Action Center who would act as her temporary counsel.
Responding to several preliminary questions, Cacayan told Alejo that she briefly worked as a contract worker in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in 2008.
She also said that her nickname was just "Mapet" and not "Mapet Cortez".
Mapet Cortez was the alias of Cacayan mentioned by Villanueva in her March 26 affidavit where she detailed how Cacayan had allegedly lured her into a supposed cell phone business that required her to travel to China in 2008.
In her affidavit, Villanueva said Cacayan gave her a silver-gray suitcase. At the airport in Xiamen, authorities found 4,000 grams of heroin in the suitcase's lining.
Villanueva had insisted she did not know that there were illegal drugs concealed in the suitcase.
Tita Cacayan wore a light colored jacket, covered her face with a baseball cap, and spoke softly when she faced Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo.
The prosecutor, however, had to reset the hearing because Cacayan did not have a lawyer and the complainants, including Villanueva's brother, Jason, failed to show up.
Villanueva, along with Ramon Credo and Elizabeth Batain, was executed by lethal injection in China on March 30 for drug trafficking.
Cacayan said she could not get a lawyer because she feared getting out of her house after seeing motorcycle-riding men outside.
She requested for more time to file her counter-affidavit with the help of the National Bureau of Investigation, which has taken her under its protective custody.
Security was tight at the DoJ. NBI agents cleared the way to Alejo's office an hour ahead of Cacayan's arrival.
Alejo reset the preliminary investigation to April 18 and deputized the NBI to serve the subpoena to the other complainants.
Republic Act No. 9208, or the anti-trafficking in persons law, prohibits media from identifying the parties in the case. Under the law, hearings will be held in private.
Alejo also endorsed Cacayan to lawyer Florences Sta. Ana of the DoJ Action Center who would act as her temporary counsel.
Responding to several preliminary questions, Cacayan told Alejo that she briefly worked as a contract worker in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in 2008.
She also said that her nickname was just "Mapet" and not "Mapet Cortez".
Mapet Cortez was the alias of Cacayan mentioned by Villanueva in her March 26 affidavit where she detailed how Cacayan had allegedly lured her into a supposed cell phone business that required her to travel to China in 2008.
In her affidavit, Villanueva said Cacayan gave her a silver-gray suitcase. At the airport in Xiamen, authorities found 4,000 grams of heroin in the suitcase's lining.
Villanueva had insisted she did not know that there were illegal drugs concealed in the suitcase.
News Update Lawsuit filed vs ex-Philippine president
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - It was a birthday "present" like no other for former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo, who lost her immunity from suit when she stepped down on June 30 last year.
Six members of the 'Morong 43' Monday (April 4) lodged a 15-million-peso (US$345,542) civil suit against Arroyo, now a Pampanga province representative, and 10 others for illegal arrest and torture.
Morong 43 is the collective name of a group of 43 health workers arrested and detained illegally by Philippine military during Arroyo's administration on suspicion that they were supporters of the New Peoples Army rebels.
The case was filed by Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, nurse Gary Liberal, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta and Mercy Castro, who were among the group of health workers detained last year in Morong, Rizal province, on suspicion of being communist rebels.
"We want GMA (Arroyo's initials) to know that she can't get away with what she did," said Edre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL), who accompanied the plaintiffs in filing the suit in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
Olalia said he had no idea that April 5 was the birthday of Arroyo. "This is totally unconnected," he said at the Quezon City Hall of Justice.
Arroyo declined to comment on the suit. Her spokesperson, Elena Bautista-Horn, said that Arroyo's lawyers had advised the former President against giving any comment until they had secured a copy of the formal complaint.
The suit seeks the award of moral and exemplary damages and payment of the cost of litigation.
The health workers were suspected to be rebels and arrested in February 2010. They were charged with various crimes, including illegal possession of firearms and explosives in the Morong Regional Trial Court.
The military claimed that the group was conducting training on explosives at a resort when they were arrested. The workers said they were holding a health seminar.
Nearly a year in jail
The health workers spent nearly a year in detention at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, where they alleged the torture took place.
Shortly before Christmas last year, they were freed based on President Benigno Aquino III's order withdrawing the criminal information against them.
Arroyo et al.
The case filed against Arroyo et al. was based on four causes of action, which included physical, verbal and psychological abuses; illegal arrest, detention and other violations of their constitutional rights; and divesting of the plaintiffs' personal belongings.
Also named defendants were former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, former Army chief Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit and former 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia.
The other defendants were Lt. Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Col. Aurelio Baladlad, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag and Supt. Marion Balolong and Supt. Allan Nubleza - all based in Camp Capinpin.
Arroyo and Gonzales, according to the suit, were then in a position to stop the alleged violations of the Morong 43's rights as the former President was aware of the plight of the health workers because of several pleas sent to her office.
"However, defendant Arroyo did not lift a finger to alleviate the conditions of the plaintiffs," the suit alleged.
Neglect of duty
Arroyo's alleged neglect of her duty to stop the Morong 43's suffering at the hands of her subordinates also caused losses and injuries to the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs claimed that they lost personal belongings such as cell phones, laptops and other possessions.
"As a result, all the individual defendants are jointly and severally liable for all the damages and injuries sustained by the plaintiffs during their detention at Camp Capinpin," the complaint said.
'Best legal aid'
The military has denied the allegations.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would give its all-out support to the officers named in the civil case.
The five military officers on active service included in the suit can expect "the best legal assistance" from the AFP, a military spokesperson said.
The military has anticipated the suit since most of the Morong 43 were released last December to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels, Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said.
"This is what we may call hazards of the trade. These are some of the things we have to face as we move on and ensure that rules of engagements are (followed)," he said.
Mabanta said he welcomed the suit as it would be an opportunity for the military to set the record straight that it did not torture the Morong 43.
"We hope authorities will come up with decisions based on the truth in order for the accused to clear their names," he said.
He called on the accused officers to stay strong and keep up what they were doing.
Other cases
The civil case is the first that the NUPL and the Morong 43 have filed against Arroyo, but Olalia said other cases would follow.
"This sends a clear signal that the buck stops with Arroyo," Olalia said.
Thirty-eight members of the Morong 43 have expressed interest in filing a complaint, but "we are still building the case because we want it to be airtight," he said.
Olalia told reporters that should the other health workers choose to file a damage suit, they would just amend Monday's civil case to include the other litigants.
"There are other cases to follow. It may be civil or criminal. If it's a criminal case, we will have the preliminary investigation done at the department of justice," he said.
Six members of the 'Morong 43' Monday (April 4) lodged a 15-million-peso (US$345,542) civil suit against Arroyo, now a Pampanga province representative, and 10 others for illegal arrest and torture.
Morong 43 is the collective name of a group of 43 health workers arrested and detained illegally by Philippine military during Arroyo's administration on suspicion that they were supporters of the New Peoples Army rebels.
The case was filed by Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Dr. Alexis Montes, nurse Gary Liberal, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan, Reynaldo Macabenta and Mercy Castro, who were among the group of health workers detained last year in Morong, Rizal province, on suspicion of being communist rebels.
"We want GMA (Arroyo's initials) to know that she can't get away with what she did," said Edre Olalia of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL), who accompanied the plaintiffs in filing the suit in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
Olalia said he had no idea that April 5 was the birthday of Arroyo. "This is totally unconnected," he said at the Quezon City Hall of Justice.
Arroyo declined to comment on the suit. Her spokesperson, Elena Bautista-Horn, said that Arroyo's lawyers had advised the former President against giving any comment until they had secured a copy of the formal complaint.
The suit seeks the award of moral and exemplary damages and payment of the cost of litigation.
The health workers were suspected to be rebels and arrested in February 2010. They were charged with various crimes, including illegal possession of firearms and explosives in the Morong Regional Trial Court.
The military claimed that the group was conducting training on explosives at a resort when they were arrested. The workers said they were holding a health seminar.
Nearly a year in jail
The health workers spent nearly a year in detention at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, where they alleged the torture took place.
Shortly before Christmas last year, they were freed based on President Benigno Aquino III's order withdrawing the criminal information against them.
Arroyo et al.
The case filed against Arroyo et al. was based on four causes of action, which included physical, verbal and psychological abuses; illegal arrest, detention and other violations of their constitutional rights; and divesting of the plaintiffs' personal belongings.
Also named defendants were former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, former Army chief Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit and former 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia.
The other defendants were Lt. Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, Maj. Manuel Tabion, Col. Aurelio Baladlad, Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag and Supt. Marion Balolong and Supt. Allan Nubleza - all based in Camp Capinpin.
Arroyo and Gonzales, according to the suit, were then in a position to stop the alleged violations of the Morong 43's rights as the former President was aware of the plight of the health workers because of several pleas sent to her office.
"However, defendant Arroyo did not lift a finger to alleviate the conditions of the plaintiffs," the suit alleged.
Neglect of duty
Arroyo's alleged neglect of her duty to stop the Morong 43's suffering at the hands of her subordinates also caused losses and injuries to the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs claimed that they lost personal belongings such as cell phones, laptops and other possessions.
"As a result, all the individual defendants are jointly and severally liable for all the damages and injuries sustained by the plaintiffs during their detention at Camp Capinpin," the complaint said.
'Best legal aid'
The military has denied the allegations.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would give its all-out support to the officers named in the civil case.
The five military officers on active service included in the suit can expect "the best legal assistance" from the AFP, a military spokesperson said.
The military has anticipated the suit since most of the Morong 43 were released last December to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks between the government and communist rebels, Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said.
"This is what we may call hazards of the trade. These are some of the things we have to face as we move on and ensure that rules of engagements are (followed)," he said.
Mabanta said he welcomed the suit as it would be an opportunity for the military to set the record straight that it did not torture the Morong 43.
"We hope authorities will come up with decisions based on the truth in order for the accused to clear their names," he said.
He called on the accused officers to stay strong and keep up what they were doing.
Other cases
The civil case is the first that the NUPL and the Morong 43 have filed against Arroyo, but Olalia said other cases would follow.
"This sends a clear signal that the buck stops with Arroyo," Olalia said.
Thirty-eight members of the Morong 43 have expressed interest in filing a complaint, but "we are still building the case because we want it to be airtight," he said.
Olalia told reporters that should the other health workers choose to file a damage suit, they would just amend Monday's civil case to include the other litigants.
"There are other cases to follow. It may be civil or criminal. If it's a criminal case, we will have the preliminary investigation done at the department of justice," he said.
Monday, April 4, 2011
News Update Coke's $1B Philippine plant nears completion Asia News Network
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - One of the biggest foreign investments snared so far by the administration of Philippine President Aquino is about to bear fruit with the impending completion of Coca-Cola's bottling plant in the province of Misamis Oriental.
According to officials of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., the facility-one of the largest in the region and rivaling its main facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, in size-was the centerpiece of the US$1-billion investment program committed by the company to the government during the President's US visit last year.
Part of the resources used for the purchase of the 11-hectare property in the town of Villanueva and the construction of the facilities came from the initial investment committed through former President Arroyo in 2009.
The rest, including the purchase of machinery and equipment, as well as employee training, were taken from the fresh investment last year.
"The construction of our Villanueva Plant in Misamis Oriental is on track and should be operational in a couple of months," said Coca-Cola's country CEO Bill Schultz. "This will be one of our largest plants in the region and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the area."
According to the Coca-Cola official, the Philippines ranked on the top 10 of all markets globally for the company's beverage products.
Last year, Coca-Cola Philippines recorded double-digit growth, led by its flagship brand Coca-Cola. The company also recently expanded a no-added preservatives formulation of the Minute Maid Pulpy brand with real pulp and juice.
"We remain committed to the Philippines, where we will celebrate 100 years in business in 2012, and uphold our confidence in the Philippine economy and the continued growth of our brands," Schultz said.
The Coca-Cola Co., which operates 23 plants and 47 sales offices with more than 7,000 employees across the Philippines, will focus the rest of the investment on marketing and logistics.
"We also continue to invest in the community. Currently The Coca-Cola Co. has built 80 Little Red Schoolhouses in remote areas in the Philippines, benefiting over 40,000 students," Schultz said. "Now the Coca-Cola Foundation is working at constructing an additional 20 Little Red Schoolhouses to reach our goal of 100 Little Red Schoolhouses by 2012, the 100th year anniversary of Coca-Cola in the Philippines."
Coca-Cola has been in the Philippines since the beginning of the 20th century and has been locally producing its flagship product since 1927, with the country subsequently receiving the first non-US national Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise.
By Daxim Lucas
According to officials of Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., the facility-one of the largest in the region and rivaling its main facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, in size-was the centerpiece of the US$1-billion investment program committed by the company to the government during the President's US visit last year.
Part of the resources used for the purchase of the 11-hectare property in the town of Villanueva and the construction of the facilities came from the initial investment committed through former President Arroyo in 2009.
The rest, including the purchase of machinery and equipment, as well as employee training, were taken from the fresh investment last year.
"The construction of our Villanueva Plant in Misamis Oriental is on track and should be operational in a couple of months," said Coca-Cola's country CEO Bill Schultz. "This will be one of our largest plants in the region and is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the area."
According to the Coca-Cola official, the Philippines ranked on the top 10 of all markets globally for the company's beverage products.
Last year, Coca-Cola Philippines recorded double-digit growth, led by its flagship brand Coca-Cola. The company also recently expanded a no-added preservatives formulation of the Minute Maid Pulpy brand with real pulp and juice.
"We remain committed to the Philippines, where we will celebrate 100 years in business in 2012, and uphold our confidence in the Philippine economy and the continued growth of our brands," Schultz said.
The Coca-Cola Co., which operates 23 plants and 47 sales offices with more than 7,000 employees across the Philippines, will focus the rest of the investment on marketing and logistics.
"We also continue to invest in the community. Currently The Coca-Cola Co. has built 80 Little Red Schoolhouses in remote areas in the Philippines, benefiting over 40,000 students," Schultz said. "Now the Coca-Cola Foundation is working at constructing an additional 20 Little Red Schoolhouses to reach our goal of 100 Little Red Schoolhouses by 2012, the 100th year anniversary of Coca-Cola in the Philippines."
Coca-Cola has been in the Philippines since the beginning of the 20th century and has been locally producing its flagship product since 1927, with the country subsequently receiving the first non-US national Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise.
By Daxim Lucas
News Update Philippine Airlines workers unfazed, vow to still strike
Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The ground crew union of Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Saturday threatened to defy Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and proceed with their planned strike anytime.
"We are ready to defy the order of Labor Secretary Baldoz any time we deem it necessary to go on strike in order to prevent layoffs and contractualization at PAL," PAL Employees Association (Palea) president Gerry Rivera said in a statement.
PAL's management, however, said they were ready for any action by Palea.
Baldoz sent the PAL labor case to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for compulsory arbitration on Friday, effectively preventing Palea from going on strike.
Rivera, however, belittled the order, saying that it had not stopped a strike at PAL but merely postponed it to a date that PAL and the government would not know in advance.
Palea cannot go on strike now that the labor dispute is up for compulsory mediation, Malaca?ang said yesterday.
"They can't go on strike while the National Conciliation and Mediation Board is hearing their case," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government-run radio station dzRB.
PAL said on Saturday that it would respect and abide by the order of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) but was ready to deal with Palea's repeated threats of a work stoppage.
"PAL will follow the DoLE order but any illegal action of the PAL Employees Association to disrupt airline operations will not be treated lightly," PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said.
He said PAL was only informed late Friday night of Baldoz's certification order remanding PAL's labor dispute to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration.
The airline management had yet to receive an official copy of the order, he said.
Bautista said that despite Palea's pre-strike rally Friday which snarled traffic near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 and 2 complexes, all PAL flights ran on schedule.
There were no cancellations and 100 percent of PAL's daily average of 160 inbound and outbound domestic and international flights were able to operate, he said.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
"We are ready to defy the order of Labor Secretary Baldoz any time we deem it necessary to go on strike in order to prevent layoffs and contractualization at PAL," PAL Employees Association (Palea) president Gerry Rivera said in a statement.
PAL's management, however, said they were ready for any action by Palea.
Baldoz sent the PAL labor case to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for compulsory arbitration on Friday, effectively preventing Palea from going on strike.
Rivera, however, belittled the order, saying that it had not stopped a strike at PAL but merely postponed it to a date that PAL and the government would not know in advance.
Palea cannot go on strike now that the labor dispute is up for compulsory mediation, Malaca?ang said yesterday.
"They can't go on strike while the National Conciliation and Mediation Board is hearing their case," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over government-run radio station dzRB.
PAL said on Saturday that it would respect and abide by the order of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) but was ready to deal with Palea's repeated threats of a work stoppage.
"PAL will follow the DoLE order but any illegal action of the PAL Employees Association to disrupt airline operations will not be treated lightly," PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said.
He said PAL was only informed late Friday night of Baldoz's certification order remanding PAL's labor dispute to the NLRC for compulsory arbitration.
The airline management had yet to receive an official copy of the order, he said.
Bautista said that despite Palea's pre-strike rally Friday which snarled traffic near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 and 2 complexes, all PAL flights ran on schedule.
There were no cancellations and 100 percent of PAL's daily average of 160 inbound and outbound domestic and international flights were able to operate, he said.
COPYRIGHT: ASIA NEWS NETWORK
News Update Death toll up, hundreds flee Philippine clash AFP News
Hundreds of residents fled a remote Philippine village as the death toll from fighting between Muslim rebels and a local political clan rose to 11, the military said Monday.
About 150 armed clan members and 130 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas remained in the village of Tenok on Monday, a day after the clash, said Colonel Prudencio Asto, a local army spokesman.
Sunday's firefight occurred ahead of peace talks between the government and the MILF later this month, and the army had deployed a force of about 100 soldiers in the area to stop another flare-up, Asto said.
"The commanding officer (of the battalion) was directed to establish a buffer force to prevent escalation of hostilities," he added.
The death toll from the fighting rose to 11 with the recovery of the bodies of two followers of the Mangudadatu clan who had been declared missing after the clash, along with that of a MILF rebel, he said.
The clan's most prominent member is Esmael Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao province. The military said he was not at the fight.
"The area of Tenok is now vacated by civilian populace," Asto said. The rural village had about 900 residents.
Asto said "personal grudges" between personalities on both sides were to blame for the fighting, which he said was not linked to the 12,000-member MILF's decades-old armed campaign for an independent Islamic state.
The MILF, which has a ceasefire with Manila, has not publicly commented on the clash. The two sides resumed peace talks last month in Malaysia, with a second round of negotiations set there later this month.
Maguindanao has been riven by Muslim separatist rebellion and warlordism for years, making it one of the poorest and most violent provinces of the Philippines.
The insurgency has left 150,000 people dead according to some estimates.
Mangudadatu's wife and several relatives were among 57 people killed in the country's worst political massacre in November 2009.
Members of a rival Muslim clan are on trial for the murders, along with scores of militia forces armed and trained by the government to fight the MILF.
About 150 armed clan members and 130 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas remained in the village of Tenok on Monday, a day after the clash, said Colonel Prudencio Asto, a local army spokesman.
Sunday's firefight occurred ahead of peace talks between the government and the MILF later this month, and the army had deployed a force of about 100 soldiers in the area to stop another flare-up, Asto said.
"The commanding officer (of the battalion) was directed to establish a buffer force to prevent escalation of hostilities," he added.
The death toll from the fighting rose to 11 with the recovery of the bodies of two followers of the Mangudadatu clan who had been declared missing after the clash, along with that of a MILF rebel, he said.
The clan's most prominent member is Esmael Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao province. The military said he was not at the fight.
"The area of Tenok is now vacated by civilian populace," Asto said. The rural village had about 900 residents.
Asto said "personal grudges" between personalities on both sides were to blame for the fighting, which he said was not linked to the 12,000-member MILF's decades-old armed campaign for an independent Islamic state.
The MILF, which has a ceasefire with Manila, has not publicly commented on the clash. The two sides resumed peace talks last month in Malaysia, with a second round of negotiations set there later this month.
Maguindanao has been riven by Muslim separatist rebellion and warlordism for years, making it one of the poorest and most violent provinces of the Philippines.
The insurgency has left 150,000 people dead according to some estimates.
Mangudadatu's wife and several relatives were among 57 people killed in the country's worst political massacre in November 2009.
Members of a rival Muslim clan are on trial for the murders, along with scores of militia forces armed and trained by the government to fight the MILF.
News Update Garantisadong Pambata’ drive in Agusan town set
BUTUAN CITY, Philippines (PIA) - An expanded ''Garantisadong Pambata'' campaign, a health program that ensures a package of health services for children, will be launched in Tubay, Agusan del Norte today.
The launch is spearheaded by the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Center for Health Development-Caraga Region.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Campado, Agusan del Norte provincial health officer, the expanded Garantisadong Pambata or GP will now be offered all-year-round and will include appropriate service and promotion even for school-age children.
''The expanded GP promotes a set of healthy behaviors including exclusive breastfeeding for six months, immunization among infants, Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming every six months, education on proper hand-washing, brushing of teeth regularly, proper toilet use, and keeping homes tobacco smoke-free,'' Campado said.
With the theme: ''Kalusugan ng Bata, Sigurado. Basta i-GP mo! Kahit saan, kahit kailan, kahit sino, kayang alagaan ang kalusugan ng kabataang Pilipino,'' the Department of Health (DoH) aims to make the expanded GP synonymous with healthy behaviors and practices.
''Following the behaviors stated in GP has been proven to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality among children,'' said Campado.
The expanded GP now also involves non-traditional community outlets like day-care centers, schools, and workplaces.
The GP launch in the municipality of Tubay will also gather around 70 elementary pupils who will pledge to take responsibility through the ''Panatang Maka-GP'' while local government units (LGUs) and other agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Education (DepEd) will sign the GP declaration to show their support and cooperation to the health campaign.
The GP program, which includes Vitamin A supplementation, targets at least 95 percent of children from six months to five years old.
The Vitamin A supplementation will be integrated in DoH's combined measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MRSIA) this April.
The door-to-door campaign will also target municipalities under the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty reduction and social development strategy which provides Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged zero to 14.
Meanwhile, Tubay Vice Mayor Fidel E. Garcia said the launching of the new GP is very timely as they continue to intensify their efforts to promote health in the province as well as in the overall efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The launch is spearheaded by the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Agusan del Norte in partnership with the Center for Health Development-Caraga Region.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Campado, Agusan del Norte provincial health officer, the expanded Garantisadong Pambata or GP will now be offered all-year-round and will include appropriate service and promotion even for school-age children.
''The expanded GP promotes a set of healthy behaviors including exclusive breastfeeding for six months, immunization among infants, Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming every six months, education on proper hand-washing, brushing of teeth regularly, proper toilet use, and keeping homes tobacco smoke-free,'' Campado said.
With the theme: ''Kalusugan ng Bata, Sigurado. Basta i-GP mo! Kahit saan, kahit kailan, kahit sino, kayang alagaan ang kalusugan ng kabataang Pilipino,'' the Department of Health (DoH) aims to make the expanded GP synonymous with healthy behaviors and practices.
''Following the behaviors stated in GP has been proven to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality among children,'' said Campado.
The expanded GP now also involves non-traditional community outlets like day-care centers, schools, and workplaces.
The GP launch in the municipality of Tubay will also gather around 70 elementary pupils who will pledge to take responsibility through the ''Panatang Maka-GP'' while local government units (LGUs) and other agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Education (DepEd) will sign the GP declaration to show their support and cooperation to the health campaign.
The GP program, which includes Vitamin A supplementation, targets at least 95 percent of children from six months to five years old.
The Vitamin A supplementation will be integrated in DoH's combined measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MRSIA) this April.
The door-to-door campaign will also target municipalities under the DSWD's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty reduction and social development strategy which provides Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education particularly of children aged zero to 14.
Meanwhile, Tubay Vice Mayor Fidel E. Garcia said the launching of the new GP is very timely as they continue to intensify their efforts to promote health in the province as well as in the overall efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
News Update Ford’s future CBU exports hinge on BoI plan
MANILA, Philippines -- Ford Philippines, the country's lone volume exporter of completely built-up vehicles assembled at its plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, is working with the Board of Investments on how to further improve the existing Automotive Exports Program (AEP), which would be the basis for its future export plan in the country.
Randy Krieger, Ford Philippines president, told reporters during the company briefing on Friday that the company is studying its future product program in the country.
He said the results of the Bol's auto program would be considered in crafting its own plan in the country.
So far, it has exported a total of 75,000 CBU units valued at more than $860 million. Krieger said they have no plan to increase its current 36,000 units of annual production at its Sta. Rosa plant.
Krieger, however, said they are happy with the existing AEP as it enables them to export CBU units to other ASEAN countries including Focus, Escape and other Mazda vehicles.
But Ford is set to produce the next generation Focus in its Thailand hub by 2012 and that could mean phasing out the assembly of Focus in the country in favor of Thailand. Ford said it is still studying of other products that it may produce from its Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant.
Other than Ford, the AEP has not attracted any other participant from the local car assemblers. The AEP requires 10,000 CBU units as mini¬mum export volume to be eligible of government incentives.
Krieger, however, does not want to speculate what would make other car assemblers participate in the program.
For its part, he said, they are looking for stability in policies because investing in a manufacturing facility in a country is a long-term decision.
''Perhaps the Philippines could find more ways to be cost competitive,'' he said noting that studies have shown that doing business in the country is higher than Indonesia and Thailand.
He attributed the high cost of doing business to the high cost of power, and the small market, which is further compounded by the opening of the ASEAN market as a free trade region.
Ford has been enjoying robust business in the country. The company delivered a strong finish with an 8 percent increase over 2009, it is the company's best-ever full-year sales since the start of operations in the country.
In the first quarter of 2011, the company sold a total of 2,387 units, representing a 74 percent increase over the 1,375 units sold in the first quarter of 2010.
''This is the strongest quarter Ford has ever had on record,'' said Krieger who noted of the huge contribution by Ford Fiesta.
Ford Fiesta marked a milestone with 1,000 units sold just four months after start of sales, and was the best-selling hatchback in December 2010 and February 2011.
For this year, Krieger said the company looks forward to maintaining its sales momentum throughout 2011 with the launch of more vehicles.
Krieger has announced that Ford is going to launch all-new Ranger, which debuted in Bangkok last March 24, the all-new Explorer to be marketed in the Philippines late this year and all-new Focus, which will be made available in the ASEAN market in 2012.
Ford is also strengthening its distributorship network with the addition of four more this year.
Randy Krieger, Ford Philippines president, told reporters during the company briefing on Friday that the company is studying its future product program in the country.
He said the results of the Bol's auto program would be considered in crafting its own plan in the country.
So far, it has exported a total of 75,000 CBU units valued at more than $860 million. Krieger said they have no plan to increase its current 36,000 units of annual production at its Sta. Rosa plant.
Krieger, however, said they are happy with the existing AEP as it enables them to export CBU units to other ASEAN countries including Focus, Escape and other Mazda vehicles.
But Ford is set to produce the next generation Focus in its Thailand hub by 2012 and that could mean phasing out the assembly of Focus in the country in favor of Thailand. Ford said it is still studying of other products that it may produce from its Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant.
Other than Ford, the AEP has not attracted any other participant from the local car assemblers. The AEP requires 10,000 CBU units as mini¬mum export volume to be eligible of government incentives.
Krieger, however, does not want to speculate what would make other car assemblers participate in the program.
For its part, he said, they are looking for stability in policies because investing in a manufacturing facility in a country is a long-term decision.
''Perhaps the Philippines could find more ways to be cost competitive,'' he said noting that studies have shown that doing business in the country is higher than Indonesia and Thailand.
He attributed the high cost of doing business to the high cost of power, and the small market, which is further compounded by the opening of the ASEAN market as a free trade region.
Ford has been enjoying robust business in the country. The company delivered a strong finish with an 8 percent increase over 2009, it is the company's best-ever full-year sales since the start of operations in the country.
In the first quarter of 2011, the company sold a total of 2,387 units, representing a 74 percent increase over the 1,375 units sold in the first quarter of 2010.
''This is the strongest quarter Ford has ever had on record,'' said Krieger who noted of the huge contribution by Ford Fiesta.
Ford Fiesta marked a milestone with 1,000 units sold just four months after start of sales, and was the best-selling hatchback in December 2010 and February 2011.
For this year, Krieger said the company looks forward to maintaining its sales momentum throughout 2011 with the launch of more vehicles.
Krieger has announced that Ford is going to launch all-new Ranger, which debuted in Bangkok last March 24, the all-new Explorer to be marketed in the Philippines late this year and all-new Focus, which will be made available in the ASEAN market in 2012.
Ford is also strengthening its distributorship network with the addition of four more this year.
News Update Mommy Dionesia loses expensive ring
MANILA, Philippines - Dionesia Pacquiao, mother of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, said she lost a ring worth P180,000 in her hometown of General Santos City in Sarangani province.
The ring, which she has been keeping for 11 years, was given to her by Jinkee, the Filipino boxing icon's wife.
She said it was likely that the ring slipped from her finger while walking along J. Catolico Street at Barangay Lagao in General Santos City last Friday.
She wore the ring on her left ring finger after it got too tight on her right finger.
The Filipino boxing icon's mom tried searching for the ring again on Saturday morning, but failed to find it.
Mommy Dionesia hopes that she can get her ring back, saying that she is willing to give a reward to anyone who can return it.
Despite her loss, she said she won't ask her son for a replacement. -- Report from Francis Canlas, ABS-CBN SOKSARGEN
The ring, which she has been keeping for 11 years, was given to her by Jinkee, the Filipino boxing icon's wife.
She said it was likely that the ring slipped from her finger while walking along J. Catolico Street at Barangay Lagao in General Santos City last Friday.
She wore the ring on her left ring finger after it got too tight on her right finger.
The Filipino boxing icon's mom tried searching for the ring again on Saturday morning, but failed to find it.
Mommy Dionesia hopes that she can get her ring back, saying that she is willing to give a reward to anyone who can return it.
Despite her loss, she said she won't ask her son for a replacement. -- Report from Francis Canlas, ABS-CBN SOKSARGEN
News Update Revival of police vehicle clearance pushed
MANILA, Philippines -- Another high-end vehicle stolen in Metro Manila last year was recovered in Iligan City, prompting the Philippine National.
Police (PNP) to submit a recommendation to Malacañang which urges President Aquino to revive the issuance of police clearance in all seaports nationwide to all vehicles being transported particularly to the Visayas and Mindanao.
No less than Director General Raul Bacalzo, PNP chief, expressed confidence that Aquino is likely to approve their recommendation which gives the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to check on all vehicles for transport in seaports.
''We know that a President's directive is needed to revive that policy, that is actually our recommendation- for him to issue a directive on that,'' said Bacalzo in an interview.
Quoting field reports, Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said Toyota Rav 4 (XEG-865) was initially apprehended by his men for sporting an expired commemorative plate along a national highway in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.
''The driver of the vehicle failed to show original car documents and it was during the verification that our men found that the vehicle is included in the list of stolen vehicles,'' said Espina.
The car, Espina said, is registered to Juan Cruz Ramirez of Pasig City and was reported to have been carnapped on May 22 last year.
But Espina said that this is not the first time that it happened, stressing that almost 50 percent of the stolen vehicles they recovered in the Visayas and Mindanao since June last year were found to have been carnapped in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
The PNP recommended the revival of the policy after the discovery of the modus operandi wherein car thieves would proceed directly to the port right after the carnapping and transport it to their client in the province, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Aside from his all-out support to carnapping activities, Bacalzo said Aquino will also certainly approve the guidelines that they are planning to map out in order to ensure that the revival of clearance policy on vehicles for transport will not be abused.
''Our anti-carnapping operations are paying off, even the President is recognizing that when he mentioned in one of his speeches that there was a significant reduction in cases of carnapping activities for the last three months,'' said Bacalzo.
Police (PNP) to submit a recommendation to Malacañang which urges President Aquino to revive the issuance of police clearance in all seaports nationwide to all vehicles being transported particularly to the Visayas and Mindanao.
No less than Director General Raul Bacalzo, PNP chief, expressed confidence that Aquino is likely to approve their recommendation which gives the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to check on all vehicles for transport in seaports.
''We know that a President's directive is needed to revive that policy, that is actually our recommendation- for him to issue a directive on that,'' said Bacalzo in an interview.
Quoting field reports, Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said Toyota Rav 4 (XEG-865) was initially apprehended by his men for sporting an expired commemorative plate along a national highway in Barangay Tubod, Iligan City.
''The driver of the vehicle failed to show original car documents and it was during the verification that our men found that the vehicle is included in the list of stolen vehicles,'' said Espina.
The car, Espina said, is registered to Juan Cruz Ramirez of Pasig City and was reported to have been carnapped on May 22 last year.
But Espina said that this is not the first time that it happened, stressing that almost 50 percent of the stolen vehicles they recovered in the Visayas and Mindanao since June last year were found to have been carnapped in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
The PNP recommended the revival of the policy after the discovery of the modus operandi wherein car thieves would proceed directly to the port right after the carnapping and transport it to their client in the province, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Aside from his all-out support to carnapping activities, Bacalzo said Aquino will also certainly approve the guidelines that they are planning to map out in order to ensure that the revival of clearance policy on vehicles for transport will not be abused.
''Our anti-carnapping operations are paying off, even the President is recognizing that when he mentioned in one of his speeches that there was a significant reduction in cases of carnapping activities for the last three months,'' said Bacalzo.
News Update SCTEX helps boost Central Luzon tourism growth by 15% in 2010
PHILIPPINES -- Tourist arrivals in Central Luzon and the northern regions have significantly increased as a result of much-improved road networks that made tourist destinations in these areas more accessible.
''Land travel in these areas has never been this easy,'' said Ronaldo ''Ronnie'' Tiotuico, regional director for Central Luzon of the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Tiotuico specifically cited the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which also interconnects three key growth areas in Central Luzon - Subic Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales; Clark Freeport in Angeles City, Pampanga; and Central Techno Park in Tarlac - as a major contributor to the unprecedented growth of tourism in northern Philippines.
''SCTEX and its seamless complementation with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) augurs well for the transformation of the Northern Luzon regions into a favorite tourist destination, ''Tiotuico further stressed.
He noted that more and more tourists are attracted because of the ease of travel using SCTEX.
Tiotuico disclosed that visitor arrivals in Central Luzon surpassed the half million mark (560,000) last year, representing a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Tourist authorities have predicted that visitor arrivals would hit the two million mark over the next five years.
Local tourists accounted for 55 percent of the 560,000 while foreigners mostly from South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore made up the remaining 45 percent.
Tiotuico pointed out that South Koreans registered the highest number at 42,431, followed by the Malaysians at 31,767.
The peak seasons are the summer months of March and April, as well as December when people all over the world traditionally travel.
Tiotuico pointed out that the figures indicated that domestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry.
The tourism official said visitor accommodations and other tourism-related facilities in the provinces of Central Luzon are now globally competitive.
He also cited the nature-based tourist attractions in Subic that continue to draw visitors in large numbers on a daily basis.
The seamless journey and panoramic view along the 94-kilometer SCTEX have gained favorable reviews from travelers, both local and foreign.
''Land travel in these areas has never been this easy,'' said Ronaldo ''Ronnie'' Tiotuico, regional director for Central Luzon of the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Tiotuico specifically cited the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which also interconnects three key growth areas in Central Luzon - Subic Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales; Clark Freeport in Angeles City, Pampanga; and Central Techno Park in Tarlac - as a major contributor to the unprecedented growth of tourism in northern Philippines.
''SCTEX and its seamless complementation with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) augurs well for the transformation of the Northern Luzon regions into a favorite tourist destination, ''Tiotuico further stressed.
He noted that more and more tourists are attracted because of the ease of travel using SCTEX.
Tiotuico disclosed that visitor arrivals in Central Luzon surpassed the half million mark (560,000) last year, representing a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Tourist authorities have predicted that visitor arrivals would hit the two million mark over the next five years.
Local tourists accounted for 55 percent of the 560,000 while foreigners mostly from South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore made up the remaining 45 percent.
Tiotuico pointed out that South Koreans registered the highest number at 42,431, followed by the Malaysians at 31,767.
The peak seasons are the summer months of March and April, as well as December when people all over the world traditionally travel.
Tiotuico pointed out that the figures indicated that domestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry.
The tourism official said visitor accommodations and other tourism-related facilities in the provinces of Central Luzon are now globally competitive.
He also cited the nature-based tourist attractions in Subic that continue to draw visitors in large numbers on a daily basis.
The seamless journey and panoramic view along the 94-kilometer SCTEX have gained favorable reviews from travelers, both local and foreign.
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