Padaca seeks relief from SC

MANILA, Philippines - Former Isabela governor Grace Padaca sought relief from the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday against her indictment before the Sandiganbayan for alleged graft and malversation of public funds in connection with a P25-million contract for a hybrid rice program in 2006. In a 45-page petition, Padaca specifically asked the SC to stop the anti-graft court from proceeding with the case and nullify the resolutions issued by the Office of the Ombudsman in January and February last year finding probable cause in the complaint filed against her and other provincial officials by former Isabela congressman Santiago Respicio. “In finding probable cause against petitioner, the public respondent (Ombudsman) failed to appreciate the totality of circumstances and the unmistakable facts or record that the execution of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) is borne out of petitioner’s honest belief that she had the authorization and support of the SP (Sangguniang Panlalawigan), and that she was pursuing a program that will uplift the quality of life of Isabela’s rice farmers through the Provincial Rice Program, which is intended to increase the farmers’ earning potentials,” Padaca said. The former governor was accused of favoring a non-government organization, the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. (EDWINLFI), in the award of a P25-million priority hybrid rice project. Padaca was charged by the anti-graft office with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division. The Ombudsman said Padaca illegally awarded the contract to EDWINLFI to manage the supervised credit and seed distribution facility for farmers as it was done without public bidding or any other legitimate procurement procedure. But Padaca insisted that she acted in good faith and there was no intention on her part to benefit from the project. She claimed there was no need for a public bidding and that the memorandum of agreement they entered into with EDWINLFI contained sufficient safeguards to prevent the latter from getting unwarranted benefits and to protect the provincial government from being disadvantaged. Padaca said that under RA 3019, a public officer may be held liable for violation of this law if there is a showing that he or she acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or inexcusable negligence; his or her action caused injury to the government; and gave unwarranted benefit or preference in the discharge of his or her functions. Padaca said she acted within the bounds of her authority and in good faith in executing a MOA with EDWINLFI considering that it had the provincial board’s approval. Padaca added that it was her belief that her decision to enter into the MOA would not put the provincial government at a disadvantage but rather it would beneficial to her constituents who are mostly rice farmers. Last week, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado issued an arrest warrant for Padaca. The court set Padaca’s bail at P40,000 for the malversation case and P30,000 for the graft case. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe - By Edu Punay

Chief Justice Renato Corona: Guilty as charged

After 43 trial days and hundreds of grueling hours of hearing, the Senate sitting as impeachment court have declared Chief Justice Renato Corona guilty. An overwhelming majority of Senators, 20-3, voted for the removal of Corona from office, most of them noting that the top magistrate no longer deserves his post. This makes Corona the first government official to be convicted by an impeachment court. Senators Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Francis Escudero, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, TG Guingona, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmena III, Kiko Pangilinan, and Koko Pimentel, Ralph Recto, Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto, and Antonio Trillanes, Manny Villar, and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile all have voted for Corona's conviction. Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Santiago, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., meanwhile voted for Corona's acquittal. "The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, having tried Chief Justice Renato Corona, upon three articles of impeachment charged against him by the House of Representatives, by a guilty vote of 20 senators, has found him guilty of the charge under Article II. "Now therefore, be it adjudged that Renato Corona, is hereby convicted of the charge against him in Article II of the Articles of impeachment, so ordered," Enrile added. Enrile also said as he explained his vote, "there is deliberate act of excluding substantial assets." "This is not justice, political or legal. Certainly not the law..it is only naked power, as it was in 1972," however said Arroyo as he defended his vote. Each senator was given two minutes to explain their votes while as presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was last to vote. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives in December after 188 congressmen signed the impeachment complaint. From the original eight, the prosecution team reduced its complaint to three articles of impeachment. Article II: Non-inclusion of assets in SALN Deemed as the prosecution’s strongest case, Article II of the impeachment complaint accuses Corona of inaccurately declaring his assets, including peso and dollar deposits and real estate properties. In his 2010 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Corona declared "cash and investments" amounting to P3.5 million. The prosecution team presented bank managers of the Bank of Philippine Islands and Philippine Savings Bank who testified that Corona has at least P31 million peso deposits. The defense team, on the other hand, presented Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales as hostile witness who accused the chief justice of having $10-million deposits, citing transaction records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council report. But Corona refuted these and claimed that he has a combined peso and dollar accounts only worth P185 million. He said he did not declare his dollar deposits worth $2.4 million or around P105 million because of the confidentiality guaranteed by the banking secrecy and foreign currency deposit units laws. As for the P80-million peso accounts, Corona said they are commingled funds that he does not solely own. These accounts contain the expropriation proceeds of the sale of the lot owned by his wife’s company, Basa Guidote Enterprises Inc., the common funds from his late mother, and some savings of his children. Meanwhile, Corona declared five real properties in his SALN including a house and lot in Quezon City and four condominium units. The chief justice, however, allegedly owns various properties under the name of his children, who, the prosecution said, have questionable capacity to acquire posh properties. Article III: Flip-flopping decision In Article 3, the prosecution panel intended to cast doubt on Corona's competence, integrity, probity, and independence as a chief justice following the Supreme Court's flip-flopping decision in the case between the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL). The prosecution presented FASAP President Roberto Anduiza to testify that then Associate Justice Corona was responsible for the recall of the SC ruling in favor of the alleged illegally retrenched 1,400 PAL flight attendants. PAL Vice President for Sales Exequiel Javier also took the witness stand to expose the alleged perks and special privileges that Corona received, including a platinum card that gave him unlimited top class courtesy travel, which the prosecutors believe motivated Corona to rule in favor of PAL. However, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile stopped the prosecution from presenting Javier as he pointed out that the prosecution never accused the chief justice of receiving favors and gifts in the articles of impeachment. Meanwhile, the defense was not able to present evidence to refute the allegations due to time constraint. Corona said he was supposed to explain the issue in his narrative testimony but his poor health prevented him from doing so. Article VII: The Corona-Arroyo affair Article VII emphasizes Corona's ties to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who named him chief justice in May 2010. The prosecution presented Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to prove that Corona played a special role to allow the Arroyo couple to escape electoral sabotage charges. The SC issued a temporary restraining order on a government-issued travel ban against Arroyo, who said was leaving the country to seek medical treatment, but the Department of Justice ordered airport authorities to defy the SC order. The former president now Pampanga representative is now under hospital arrest. De Lima cited incidents mentioned in the dissenting opinion of Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno which the justice secretary said clearly showed that Corona was acting in favor of Arroyo. The impeachment court, however, ruled De Lima’s testimonies as hearsay since she was not present during the SC’s discussion of the TRO and merely reading Sereno’s dissenting opinion. The prosecution wanted Sereno to testify but the Senate refused to issue a subpoena. Corona said his explanation on this accusation was also part of his testimony but he was forced to cut it short as he was not feeling well. Closing arguments While the senator-judges will decide on three articles of impeachment, the prosecution and defense teams decided to focus their closing statements on Article II of the impeachment complaint. The prosecutors said they have strongly proved that Corona is “morally unfit” to remain as chief justice since he lied about his SALN to conceal his wealth. The defense, on the other hand, insisted that the non-disclosure of some of Corona’s accounts does not constitute an impeachable offense as he did it in “good faith.”

Senators vote on Corona verdict

After 43 trial days, the Senate sitting as impeachment court will render its decision on the impeachment case of Chief Justice Renato Corona. As of this posting, Senator Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano has voted for Corona's conviction, while Senator Joker Arroyo voted for Corona's acquittal. "This is not justice, political or legal. Certainly not the law..it is only naked power, as it was in 1972," Arroyo said as he defended his vote. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives in December after 188 congressmen signed the impeachment complaint. From the original eight, the prosecution team reduced its complaint to three articles of impeachment. Article II: Non-inclusion of assets in SALN Deemed as the prosecution’s strongest case, Article II of the impeachment complaint accuses Corona of inaccurately declaring his assets, including peso and dollar deposits and real estate properties. In his 2010 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Corona declared "cash and investments" amounting to P3.5 million. The prosecution team presented bank managers of the Bank of Philippine Islands and Philippine Savings Bank who testified that Corona has at least P31 million peso deposits. The defense team, on the other hand, presented Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales as hostile witness who accused the chief justice of having $10-million deposits, citing transaction records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council report. Corona refuted these allegations and claimed that he has a combined peso and dollar accounts only worth P185 million. He said he did not declare his dollar deposits worth $2.4 million or around P105 million because of the confidentiality guaranteed by the banking secrecy and foreign currency deposit units laws. As for the P80-million peso accounts, Corona said they are commingled funds that he does not solely own. These accounts contain the expropriation proceeds of the sale of the lot owned by his wife’s company, Basa Guidote Enterprises Inc., the common funds from his late mother, and some savings of his children. Meanwhile, Corona declared five real properties in his SALN including a house and lot in Quezon City and four condominium units. The chief justice, however, allegedly owns various properties under the name of his children, who, the prosecution said, have questionable capacity to acquire posh properties. Article III: Flip-flopping decision In Article 3, the prosecution panel intended to cast doubt on Corona's competence, integrity, probity, and independence as a chief justice following the Supreme Court's flip-flopping decision in the case between the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL). The prosecution presented FASAP President Roberto Anduiza to testify that then Associate Justice Corona was responsible for the recall of the SC ruling in favor of the alleged illegally retrenched 1,400 PAL flight attendants. PAL Vice President for Sales Exequiel Javier also took the witness stand to expose the alleged perks and special privileges that Corona received, including a platinum card that gave him unlimited top class courtesy travel, which the prosecutors believe motivated Corona to rule in favor of PAL. However, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile stopped the prosecution from presenting Javier as he pointed out that the prosecution never accused the chief justice of receiving favors and gifts in the articles of impeachment. Meanwhile, the defense was not able to present evidence to refute the allegations due to time constraint. Corona said he was supposed to explain the issue in his narrative testimony but his poor health prevented him from doing so. Article VII: The Corona-Arroyo affair Article VII emphasizes Corona's ties to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who named him chief justice in May 2010. The prosecution presented Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to prove that Corona played a special role to allow the Arroyo couple to escape electoral sabotage charges. The SC issued a temporary restraining order on a government-issued travel ban against Arroyo, who said was leaving the country to seek medical treatment, but the Department of Justice ordered airport authorities to defy the SC order. The former president now Pampanga representative is now under hospital arrest. De Lima cited incidents mentioned in the dissenting opinion of Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno which the justice secretary said clearly showed that Corona was acting in favor of Arroyo. The impeachment court, however, ruled De Lima’s testimonies as hearsay since she was not present during the SC’s discussion of the TRO and merely reading Sereno’s dissenting opinion. The prosecution wanted Sereno to testify but the Senate refused to issue a subpoena. Corona said his explanation on this accusation was also part of his testimony but he was forced to cut it short as he was not feeling well. Closing arguments While the senator-judges will decide on three articles of impeachment, the prosecution and defense teams decided to focus their closing statements on Article II of the impeachment complaint. The prosecutors said they have strongly proved that Corona is “morally unfit” to remain as chief justice since he lied about his SALN to conceal his wealth. The defense, on the other hand, insisted that the non-disclosure of some of Corona’s accounts does not constitute an impeachable offense as he did it in “good faith.”

Makati PWDs turn old tarps into bags

By Reynard Magtoto, VERA Files Don't just throw away those old tarpaulins. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Makati are in need of used tarpaulins which they convert into shopping bags and laptop cases. They have formed the Green Cooperative, whose main goal is to turn trash into reusable items. Its members from every barangay in that city were taught how to sew bags at a recent capability building training, dubbed as "Tulong-Pangkalikasan at Pangkabuhayan ng may K." Orthopedic-impaired Jocelyn Broqueza makes it a habit to pass by at the North Side Barangay Hall near University of Makati before she proceeds to the cooperative in the amphitheater to pick up the old tarpaulins in the barangay hall. For almost 23 years, this is Broqueza's first time, again, to use automatic sewing machine. In her younger years, she was a sewer in a factory making gowns, pants, and other dresses for export. Now,47, she is a bag maker. Broquesa feels lucky to be a member of the cooperative after she became registered PWD about two years ago. She underwent trainings that enhanced her skills just like other PWD sewers of the cooperative. PWD2Hazel B. Punla, case worker of the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD), said that 20 automatic sewing machines were donated by Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay last year for the Cooperative's use. Every sewing machine has a number and the name of the sewer attached to its leg. This will easily identify who uses the sewing machine regularly. This identification will indicate who will maintain the machine. If the machine malfunctioned, it is the responsibility of the user to fix it guided with training and instruction. Using an automatic sewing machine is not an easy task, according to 40-year-old Criselda Bulawan. She has an injury in her left leg bone, which makes her unable to walk straight. But since the machine only requires a foot to press its pedal in order to work, she can manage it. The automatic sewing machine is friendlier to the PWDs like her than the manual sewing machine which requires both feet to function. Gloria Estipona, treasurer of the Cooperative, said there are no professional sewers in their group and they only learned basic sewing skills in the cooperative's training program. The PWDs in Makati undergo trainings to master the art of sewing. As part of their training, they make shopping bags out of used tarpaulins. This is in preparation of the Ayala Foundation's project which aims to use tarpaulin bags in all shopping malls in Makati City. bag and apronThe Green Cooperative is waiting for the Memorandum of Agreement with the Ayala Foundation for them to fully operate on tarpaulin bag making. PWDs believed using tarpaulin bags are stronger compared to eco bags used in malls. These will also minimize pollution in the city. "Minsan kumukuha ako (ng tarpaulins) sa Taguig sa lower Bicutan (Sometimes I get in Taguig in lower Bicutan)," Bulawan said. "Instead of burning it, they gave it to us," Estipona said. "Nababawasan ang pollutant; in a way nakakatulong kaming mabawasan ang polusyon (Pollutants are decreased; in a way we help to lessen pollution)." Estipona is also the Committee Head on Education Training and Sports Development of the Makati Persons with Disability Federation, Inc. However, donations of tarpaulins are not continuous. They can only make bags based on the available materials of the cooperative. The cooperative also accepts sewing orders. Last February, they were able to sew 180 sport blouses that were delivered to their buyer in Antipolo in April. "They are paid per piece," Estipona said. However, the price varies depending on the order. PWDs in the cooperative work mostly on a voluntary basis. They only receive P50 pesos for transportation allowance for two weeks. They take care of their own food and other expenses. "Ok lang para magkaroon ng trabaho, training kahit walang sweldo (It's ok just to have a job, training even without salary)," Bulawan said. She believes that eventually they will be able to earn more once their cooperative progresses. The Cooperative is under the office of Makati Persons with Disabilities Federation (MPWDF),a non-stock, non-profit organization registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that serves as the umbrella organization of all PWD groups or associations in Makati City. The MPWDF already submitted proposal to take part in the government project Libre Skwela, Libre Uniform. The project aims to give free uniforms to all elementary and high students in all public schools in Makati. According to Jean De Asis, secretary of the federation, all PWD sewers in every barangay will be tapped in the free uniforms project. The Cooperative was established during the PWD Green Cooperative Livelihood Seminar on July 29, 2011in Makati City. Those interested can visit the Cooperative at the Amphitheater, Makati Park and Garden, Dr. Jose P. Rizal Extension, Makati City. Broqueza and Bulawan said being part of the cooperative, they have learned the virtue of patience. They are just starting and job orders are not aplenty yet. But as they progress, with the help of many people, they are hopeful for more projects to enable them to have a steady income. (The author is a journalism student of Bicol University, who is writing for VERA Files as part of his internship. VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.") ..

Single Ticketing For Jaywalkers Pushed

.MANILA, Philippines --- After implementing the single ticketing system for traffic violations, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it also plans to adopt a single ticketing scheme for jaywalkers across the metropolis. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said he would propose the planned scheme to the 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila that comprise the Metro Manila Council, which will hold its meeting on Tuesday. ''We hope to adopt a uniform violation ticket applicable to all local government units for jaywalkers,'' said Tolentino over the agency's radio program. Tolentino hinted that they will discuss the imposition of higher penalties for undisciplined pedestrians all over the metropolis. In the existing anti-jaywalking law, Tolentino said violators are only made to pay P150 as ?ne, or render community service. As a safety campaign during the opening of the school year, the agency will strictly enforce the law on jaywalking, particularly in areas around schools. Tolentino said they hope to ensure that pedestrian lanes are painted, and that signs to guide pedestrians are in place. He said additional traffic personnel will be deployed to penalize people who frequently cross the road at unmarked places, as he expressed concern over minors, even accompanied by adults, who get hit by motorists just because they fail to use pedestrian lanes. Pedestrians who will be caught crossing on prohibited areas along major thoroughfares will be apprehended by MMDA traffic enforcers, and will be issued a ticket for violating the anti-jaywalking law. Earlier, to deter people from crossing wherever they want to cross, former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando placed ''Bawal Tumawid Dito Nakamamatay'' pedestrian warning signs along major thoroughfares. His successor, former MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes replaced them with the new version which read ''Bawal Tumawid, May Namatay na Dito'' to warn pedestrians. Earlier, the MMDA launched the Uniform Ordinance Violation Receipt (UOVR) single ticketing system for traffic violations across the Metro. .

CIDG forms task force to find 'Big 4'

MANILA, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has activated a special task force composed of 80 policemen to conduct a more aggressive manhunt for ex-Army Gen. Jovito Palparan, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, and Dinagat Island Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr., also known as the “Big Four.” CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. also directed all regional and provincial chiefs to ensure the arrest of other fugitives and identify those who provide refuge and financial support to them. Pagdilao named Senior Superintendent Keith Emald Singian, CIDG deputy director for operations, to head the special task force. Pagdilao said the arrest of Palparan, the Reyes siblings and Ecleo will be the top priority of CIDG commanders. He said CIDG operatives in the Caraga region, on the other hand, will be in charge of the manhunt for Ecleo, who is believed to be still holed-up in Dinagat Island. He appealed to the people who are sympathetic to or aiding Palparan, the two Reyeses and Ecleo to instead help persuade the four to surrender and prove their innocence in court. Palparan is charged with kidnapping and illegal detention, the Reyes siblings are wanted for the murder of broadcaster Gerry Ortega, while Ecleo has been convicted of parricide. The CIDG said concerned citizens may contact telephone numbers 02-7228993, 09277170752, 09283384482 and 09327018909 for information on the whereabouts of the four fugitives. Pagdilao likewise warned pranksters and those who would use the CIDG hotline numbers to mislead the authorities that they “will not hesitate to track them down and make them liable for obstruction of justice.” The CIDG will post the pictures and other details about the Big Four on its website – www.cidg.gov.ph and www.cidg-cis.com – for the benefit of CIDG volunteers and other concerned citizens who will help in the manhunt operation. - By Non Alquitran

US Seabees Begin Partnership Projects

..MANILA, Philippines --- Members of the US Navy Seabees and Armed Forces of the Philippines have started the construction of schools and medical facilities in Samar as part of advance work for the launch of the Philippine leg of the Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12). PP12 is the largest annual humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted by the US Pacific Fleet to strengthen international relationships and partners and host nations in Asia and the Pacific. It is also aimed at enhancing interoperability of regional forces in their ability to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said work began on three of four Engineering Civic Assistance Projects (ENCAP) of the PP12 last May 24 with the arrival of US Navy Seabees and other partners. The schools and medical facilities to be constructed as part of the PP2 will benefit 20,000 residents of Samar, Burgos said. The Philippine leg of the PP2 is scheduled to officially kick off on June 18. It will run until July 1. Partner nations of PP12 include Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Korea, Chile, Peru, and Netherlands. Foreign non-government organizations (NGO) like the Project Hope, Oceanit, World Vets, and Vietnam Medical Assistance Program will also join local NGOs in the implementation of engineering civic action programs (ENCAP), medical civic action programs (MEDCAP), dental civic action programs (DENCAP), veterinary civic action programs (VETCAP), and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) lectures and seminars to Philippines (Samar), Indonesia (North Sulawesi), Vietnam (Vinh), and Cambodia (Sihanoukville). Burgos said engineers from the AFP, United States Navy, and other partner nations and non-government organizations in the PP12 are already executing the three ENCAP sites in Palanit, Bugtong, and Tambongan ahead of schedule. These are aimed at contributing to the economic and social development of the selected communities. The ENCAPs will include the construction of a two-classroom school building in Palanit, San Isidro, Northern Samar; renovation of a health center in Bugtong, Tinambacan District, Western Samar; renovation of San Jorge Elementary School in San Jorge Samar; and reconstruction of Tambongan Elementary School in Gandara District, Western Samar. The Palanit Elementary School has not received any improvement projects in the last six years despite serving primary education to the 3,029 residents of the barangay and adjacent villages. The project will involve the construction of a seven-meter by 16-meter, two-classroom school building that will also serve as a facility for major village functions. The ENCAPs will also include the major reconstruction of a school building in San Jorge Elementary School that was badly damaged by typhoon in 2011. The project will help the municipality of San Jorge improve the education environment of the school that currently only has 13 classrooms with more than 1,000 students enrolled yearly. Also, Barangay Tambongan Elementary School has 177 students using only four classrooms and one temporary school building made from bamboo and nipa. The engineering project in the school will construct another seven-meter by 16-meter, two-classroom school building to improve the school's facility for education. Meanwhile, the Barangay Bugtong health center serves the 2,069 residents of the village with medical services. The ENCAP will renovate the existing government building by replacing the entire roof structure, repairing walls, constructing a new toilet facility, and installing electrical outlets. The cities and towns that will benefit include the Catbalogan City and Calbayog City and the towns of Silanga, Gandara, Carayman, Veriato, Malaga, and San Isidro. AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie D. Dellosa commended the "AFP engineers who committed themselves and joined foreign partners in constructing a brighter future for the youth and improving the quality of life of thousands of residents in Samar." "Each time a window of opportunity opens to serve, our soldiers, particularly our engineers, are always a step ahead in making sure that the Filipino people are given the facilities for growth and a better quality of life. For this, we express our gratitude to the partner nations in the Pacific Partnership 2012 for another year of humanitarian, disaster response, community relations, and civic action programs," said Dellosa. ..

Government creates P25-billion infrastructure fund

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino administration has announced the creation of a P25-billion infrastructure fund, the largest ever assembled in the country, with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as the lead investor. President Aquino made the announcement yesterday at the 75th anniversary of GSIS, the state-owned pension fund for state workers. GSIS would pour in half of the P25 billion or roughly $300 million for the fund which may be used for public-private partnership (PPP) for infrastructure projects, GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara said. The pension fund is the lead investor in the so-called Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure or (PInAI) which will be managed by Maquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, a division of the Macquarie Group. Vergara said there are still two other foreign institutions. “Along with GSIS and MIRA, two other foreign institutions will participate as anchor investors in the fund,” Vergara told reporters. MIRA, for its part, said the company is pleased with its partnership with GSIS. “We are pleased to partner with GSIS, the largest pension fund in the Philippines, particularly at a time of strong economic growth in the country,” said MIRA senior managing director Frank Kwok. The investment horizon of the fund is 10 years, Vergara said. Areas of investments under the PInAI include transportation, energy, power, water, environment, communications sectors as well as other PPP investment opportunities. The overall goal is to generate returns of at least nine percent to 15 percent a year for GSIS to make the investments worthwhile for its members. The Aquino administration launched in 2010 its PPP program, aimed at attracting private sector participation to fund infrastructure projects such as airports and roads. Aside from the PPP projects, GSIS is also eyeing to pour more funds in the local equities market, particularly in power and infrastructure stocks. Vergara said the GSIS would likely double their equity exposure over the course of the next 12 months from where they are at present. Last year, the pension fund decided to unwind the entire $670 million it has invested abroad. Meanwhile, the President was also mentioned the significant changes or reforms that were introduced in GSIS, saying it is “now more pro-member, more attuned to the needs and welfare of its stakeholders.” Aquino said the new management provides more responsive and accessible service for its 1.7 million members in the entire government workforce and pensioners in nearly two years, or since he assumed office in June 2010. He disclosed that the GSIS will be forging a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to settle government share in premium arrearages of nearly 800,000 teachers. GSIS chairman Daniel Lacson said that as a result of their reform measures, “our stakeholders are beginning to feel the difference. It’s now more fun in the Philippines with GSIS.” GSIS reforms include the revocation of personal appearance requirement for pensioners or the Annual Renewal of Active Status; deployment of additional 500 GWAPS kiosks nationwide; renewed partnership with the LandBank as additional service bank. The management also restored the survivorship benefit of deceased members’ qualified survivors, even if they are employed or have other sources of income. - By iris c. Gonzales and Delon Porcalla

Kopi Talk Decongesting airports

Thanks to a brawl at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it has come to light that the newest terminal of the country’s premier airport lacks closed-circuit television cameras. CCTVs are not the only basic equipment lacking at the NAIA Terminal 3, and in many airports outside Metro Manila. The Department of Transportation and Communications is now planning to improve service at all three terminals of the NAIA by decongesting air traffic. Airlines could wholeheartedly cooperate, spreading their flights to late or pre-dawn hours. But this will require sufficient runway lights and night flight navigation equipment at air traffic control towers. Additional employees are also needed to handle night flights at secondary airports. This could take time and money. The DOTC wants to fast-track decongestion by cutting the number of domestic flights at the NAIA. For one airline alone, the plan means about 100 flights fewer per day, for aircraft with a passenger capacity of 180. The DOTC move needs careful study, considering its impact on the travel industry, which the government is trying to boost. Other planned measures include phasing out private flying schools that use NAIA facilities. Corporate jets and small aircraft used by private individuals may also have to find another airport. The problem is yet another reminder of the urgent need to upgrade the country’s airports. Philippine airports are stuck in the days when most countries were just starting to build facilities that could accommodate jet aircraft. Even at the NAIA, the runway is inadequate, and there is no more room for expansion. The tarmac gets flooded during the monsoon season, when power outages and leaking ceilings are common. The situation is worse in secondary airports, where it’s not unusual to see cows and goats strolling along the tarmac. In Baguio City, a top tourist destination, failure to impose zoning regulations around the airport forced its closure to all but helicopters and light aircraft. While major airports around the world operate 24 hours a day, NAIA employees still keep regular government working hours, with lunch break. Anything beyond that is overtime, and the extra pay must be shouldered by private foreign and local airlines – a practice unique to the Philippines. These woes are on top of taxes and fees that the carriers complain are imposed only in this country. With foreign airlines reducing flights in and out of Manila or pulling out altogether, there might be no need for a DOTC-sponsored decongestion program at the NAIA. -

Bill seeks motorbike lanes on toll ways

..Motorcyclists may soon have their own lanes on toll roads in and out of Metro Manila if a bill filed by Cagayan Representative Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. is passed into law. Enrile said the measure will help workers living outside Manila save on transportation costs when commuting to and from work. Citing data from the Land Transportation Office, Enrile said at least 46,051 new motorcycle registrations were processed in the first quarter of 2011 alone. The majority of those new registrations were by "workers residing in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna but are working in the neighboring city center which is Metro Manila," he said. He said that with road congestion and high fuel costs, motorcycles are more fuel-efficient and easier to maneuver in traffic. "Despite these advantages, the motorcycles are considered one of the high-risk vehicles. In 2011, motorcycle use accounted for 2,788 accidents in the country's major highways and toll roads. This is due to insufficient rules and regulations governing motorcycle use along national roads, highways and toll ways," Enrile said. His proposal will designate a motorcycle lane on the extreme right of toll roads. The lanes will be half the width of regular car lanes and will be delineated by thick white lane markers. "The toll gate situated at the extreme right of the toll roads is designated for the sole use of motorcycles. Motorcycle operators are prohibited from using the express lanes located on the left-most toll gates," he said. Enrile's bill covers major toll roads to Manila from Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna and will give motorcycles with a displacement of at least 100cc access to the motorcycle lanes. Small motorcycles will have access to the lanes up to 100 kilometers from Manila. Farther than that, and the lanes will be restricted to motorcycles with displacements of at least 400cc. According to the Toll Regulatory Board, which has jurisdiction over the Philippine toll roads, there are three toll roads in and out of Manila: the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway and the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Expressway. Although Enrile's bill does not have a counterpart proposal at the Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has filed a related bill, which requires motorcycle lanes on all national, provincial, city and municipal roads. ..

DOTC eyes sites for transport hubs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is eyeing a lot behind the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City and part of the reclaimed land near the Uniwide Mall in Parañaque City as the sites of the north and south intermodal transport terminals (ITT), an official said yesterday. The terminals are where provincial buses can unload their passengers rather than go through Metro Manila’s roads in order to lessen traffic congestion in the metropolis. DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said they were already in talks with the Ayala Land-National Housing Authority (NHA) joint venture group for the Trinoma lot and the Philippine Reclamation Authority for the south ITT along Coastal Road. Another ITT at the Food Terminal, Inc. complex was also in the works, Roxas said, noting that the Coastal Road and FTI hubs are transactions between government agencies. Only the Trinoma Mall lot will involve a private entity. “We have talked to the Ayalas a number of times and also with the NHA which has a joint venture with the Ayalas for the property behind Trinoma,” Roxas said. He said the Trinoma lot was deemed the best location for the north ITT since it is the point where the EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 7 to be built by San Miguel Corp., and the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connector road will all converge. Roxas said the DOTC is already eyeing an alternative to the Trinoma lot if talks with the Ayala-NHA group do not prosper. He said they can go to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, across North Avenue. With the establishment of the ITTs, Roxas said they expect the number of provincial buses going through Metro Manila by around 8,000 units. In the first week of March, Malacañang issued Executive Order 67, which calls for the establishment of ITTs outside Metro Manila, removing the need for provincial buses to get into the metropolis and adding to the daily congestion in major thoroughfares, especially EDSA. The integrated transport system (ITS) project, ordered undertaken by EO 67, involves the setup of bus terminals near the North and South Luzon Expressways for provincial buses. Citing figures from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Roxas said a total of 13,067 buses ply Metro Manila roads. He said nearly 60 percent of them are provincial buses that traverse Metro Manila. Only 5,331 are city buses, 3,718 of which ply EDSA. Apart from the reduced volume of vehicles, Roxas said the ITTs will make commuting to the provinces more convenient because the terminals will be linked to other available mass transport systems such as the LRT, MRT and Philippine National Railways. - By Rainier Allan Ronda

Tetangco nixes one currency for Asean

MANILA, Philippines - The head of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said there is no need to come up with a single currency in Southeast Asia just topursue economic integration among the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in an interview that studies have showed there is no need for a single currency just to achieve economic integration in Southeast Asia. The statement was made amid talks that Greece would exit the euro zone amid the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Early this month, Asian Development Bank chief economist Changyong Rhee said Southeast Asia would have to shelve their single currency plans for a while until Europe is able to overcome its financial problems. “Having a single currency and a large union [of economies] may create problems. Let’s see how they [Europeans] solve their problems and then let’s study whether it is still prudent to have a single currency,” Rhee said in a press conference earlier. The ADB economist pointed out that it would be unwise for ASEAN countries to begin serious talk about having a single currency when the euro zone countries are still struggling with serious debt and economic problems. He explained that it would be best for ASEAN members to focus on strengthening their economic ties. The ASEAN is composed of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Burma. Rhee said while the advantages of having a single currency include the easing of inter-regional trade, its disadvantages include problems arising from the difference in the prices of goods and services among member states. Furthermore, he added that having a single currency and an economic union means that a member nation should be willing to share its resources with a poorer member. - By Lawrence Agcaoili

Valenzuela City Dengue Cases Down

..MANILA, Philippines --- From January 1 until mid-May of this year, the Valenzuela City Health Office reported only 14 confirmed cases of dengue or 4.5 percent of the 256 individuals classified as suspects. According to report of City Health Office chief Dr. Jaime Exconde, the confirmed cases came from a total of 310 cases admitted from different hospitals in Valenzuela. Majority of the individuals admitted for dengue were males (164), with most cases coming from Barangay Gen. T. De Leon - the biggest barangay of the city. But the highest incidence proportion of dengue was identified in Barangay Palasan with some 25 cases per 10,000 individuals. Only two deaths were recorded as of May 12. Exconde said that the admitted cases for this period was lower compared to last year's 516 admitted cases during the same period. In January 2012 alone, only 90 cases were admitted compared to the 227 admittances in 2011. Based on the records, most of the admitted patients this year were still males with 52.9 percent (164 individuals). Furthermore, the youngest suspected patient on record was around 11 months and the oldest patient was 76 years old. Valenzuela City PIO head Ahna Mejia said continuous efforts by both residents and the local government to mitigate dengue incidents helped in lowering dengue cases in their area. ''We are not just focusing on the areas that previously had high dengue incidence. Our plea to the public is that to continue to observe cleanliness within their homes which plays a big role in disease prevention, not just dengue,'' Mejia said. Mejia added that in coordination with the Department of Education, the city government is intensifying its dengue mitigation in schools this week prior to the opening of classes in June 4. ..

Philippine president, Obama set to meet in June

..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is set to make his first presidential visit to Los Angeles on June 5 and 6. The Philippine Consulate here has started preparing for the visit as well as that of Vice president Jejomar Binay a few days before, Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon told the Inquirer on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). Aragon said the consulate staff would be ¿very busy the next few weeks¿ working with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and coordinating Aquino¿s meetings with the Filipino-American community and business investors here. From Los Angeles Aquino will proceed to Washington where he will meet with President Obama. Binay is scheduled to visit Los Angeles to lead an advance Independence Day celebration on June 2. US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., who met with Fil-Ams here last week, confirmed the meeting between Aquino and President Obama in the White House. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton invited President Aquino to Washington, D.C. when she visited Manila in November last year. Obama himself extended the invitation later that month during his one-on-one meeting with President Aquino at the East Asia Summit in Indonesia. Aquino made his first visit to the United States in 2010 for the United Nations General Assembly. He stopped in San Francisco then on his way to New York. He visited the US again for the launch of the Open Government Partnership in September last year and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Hawaii in November. ..

SSS bares guidelines of P7B educational loan facility

MANILA, Philppines — THE Social Security System has announced the terms of its new P7 billion loan window for college education and skills training. SSS officer-in-charge Edgar Solilapsi said members earning P10,000 or less a month can apply for the Educational Assistance Loan Program (EALP) to enable them or their dependents to defray enrolment costs for college, vocational and technical courses. Members with at least 36 contributions ― including three monthly premiums within the past 12 months ― are eligible to borrow for educational expenses of one beneficiary. The member must also be paying premiums based on a monthly salary credit of P10,000 or lower. Maximum loan amount per semester or trimester is P15,000 for college and P7,500 for a vocational or technical course, which must be a two-year degree program or higher. Loan releases will be made payable to the school and must be used for tuition and miscellaneous fees only. The school must be accredited by the Commission on Higher Education or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Members can have up to three years to repay the loan for tech-voc courses and up to five years for college degrees. The grace period repayment, which will start on the date of the final loan release, is 18 months for semestral courses and 15 months for trimestral programs. To apply, members must accomplish a loan application form and submit a school-issued billing statement to their nearest SSS branch. Application forms are available at SSS branches or may be downloaded from the SSS website www.sss.gov.ph. Ateneo holds confab on addressing armed conflicts The Ateneo Department of Political Science-Working Group on Security Sector Reform, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, OJ3, will hold a two-day conference on May 30 and 31, at the Ateneo de Manila University. Entitled “Addressing Armed Conflicts through Collaborative Efforts: Focus on the AFP’s IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan,” the activity hopes to bring together national and local government units as well as civil society groups in a two-day conference to look into the efforts of the military, as well as to discuss successful political interventions, challenges, spaces of engagements, and remaining things to be done to finally convince the armed groups to abandon the violent means to institute change. The funding of the conference is sourced from the Australian Aid and The Asia Foundation. Speakers include LtGen Emmanuel Bautista, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, MGen Romeo Calizo, AFP-Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Cong. Mel Sarmiento of Samar, Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental, Usec Panadero of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Undersecretary Vicente Agdamag of the National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary Danilo Francia of the Department of National Defense. Expected to grace the occasion, too, are Sec. Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Gen. Jesse Dellosa, Chief of Staff of the AFP. For more information you may email joreta@ateneo.edu 4 teachers among GUMIL MM officers Retired Quezon City RTC Judge Vivencio S. Baclig, a published fictionist who teaches law at a Manila University, has been chosen president for 2012-2014 of GUMIL Metro Manila, the group of Ilocano writers in the metropolis. Three other teachers – two of whom have recently retired – join the new set of officers following election at the Maki Haus in Quezon City on May 20. They are Eden Bulong (treasurer), Ma. Rose A. Cabie (PRO), and Joy Dilan (director). Other elected officials are Palanca awardee Ariel Tabag, vice president and poetry editor of Manila Bulletin’s weekly sister publication Bannawag. Other officers are Sherilyn Viloria (Cagayan, secretary); Ross Deritt (Isabela, auditor); Angelo “Eloy Padua (Pangasinan); Benn Cabacungan (Ilocos Norte); Virgilio Tabugadir (Cagayan); Staff Sgt. Leonardo Fagaragan (ret., Ilocos Norte); Martin Rochina (Ilocos Sur); and Simeon Berroy (Abra), directors. Baclig, took his oath of office before Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr. of Rosales, Pangasinan, among the pillars of Iluko literature and former managing editor of Bannawag. The other officers in turn were inducted into office by Baclig, who last year retired as judge of a Regional Trial Court in Quezon City. GUMIL Metro Manila, formally established in 1968 under its first president Dr. Hermogenes Belen of La Union, is a group of Ilocano essayists, short story writers, novelists, poets, playwrights, orthographers and other writers

Damaged dike floods 2 North Cotabato towns

KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Residents of low-lying villages in towns of Magpet and President Roxas in North Cotabato blamed the latest flashfloods to a damaged dike built along Kabacan River, one of the biggest rivers in the province. The dike, constructed in late 2009, was damaged by the strong current of water last Thursday night, according to Mario Calayco, chairman of Barangay Poblacion in President Roxas. Evelinda Baliguat, chairman of Barangay Binay in Magpet town, said they monitored the first crack of the structure last July 2011 when flashfloods hit their village and nearby areas. "Months after the dike was constructed, we already saw the crack. It was all the more damaged when a strong flood hit the village last Thursday. What will happen to the dike if a stronger flood hit the village again?" Baliguat asked. Magpet Mayor Efren Pinol believed the materials used in constructing the multi-million dike were sub-standard. "I am not an engineer myself. But by merely looking at the dike, I can say, the materials used were not of good quality or sub-standard," Pinol said. Data showed that in 2009, some P30 million was released to fund the construction of a concrete flood-control dike at the boundary of Barangay Tuael in President Roxas town and Barangay Binay in Magpet town where the heavy concentration of water of Kabacan River coming from the mountains is situated. Of the P30 million, the Cotabato Provincial Government, under then the leadership of former Governor Jesus Sacdalan, released from its calamity funds some P8 million to fund the project, and the rest from the National Government, in particular from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Pinol said even before the project was completed in 2009, he already complained before the office of then Defense Secretary Gualberto Teodoro, also former chairman of the NDCC, about the program design and the materials used. His complaints, however, fell on deaf ears, he said. "I questioned the amount of the project. I know this project was highly anomalous, so controversial," he said. Pinol said he would again ask the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in North Cotabato to look into the structure. He said the DPWH Cotabato first engineering district is headed by Engineer Mamintal Taha. However, the construction of the structure was not completed under his Taha's leadership, the mayor explained. "We demand that the DPWH investigate on the matter, check on the materials used, and conduct profiling of the structure so that measures would be taken soonest," Pinol added. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)

Philippines oil firms roll back prices of petroleum products

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Oil companies will reduce the prices of petroleum products today to reflect the continued softening of prices in the international market. Petron Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Chevron Philippines and Seaoil Philippines will cut prices of regular gasoline by 90 centavos (1 Philippines peso = 100 centavos) a litre, premium gasoline by 45 centavos a litre, and diesel fuel and kerosene by 35 centavos a litre. Other companies had yet to make their respective announcements as of press time yesterday but are expected to also cut their prices. This is the seventh consecutive week that prices of petroleum products have gone down. Prior to Sunday's oil price rollback, pump prices of diesel fuel ranged from 42.20 pesos (US$ 0.96) to 46.20 pesos ($1.01) a litre and gasoline from 49.55 pesos ($1.13) to 57.07 pesos ($1.30) a litre. ..

DOTC eyes sites for transport hubs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is eyeing a lot behind the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City and part of the reclaimed land near the Uniwide Mall in Parañaque City as the sites of the north and south intermodal transport terminals (ITT), an official said yesterday. The terminals are where provincial buses can unload their passengers rather than go through Metro Manila’s roads in order to lessen traffic congestion in the metropolis. DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said they were already in talks with the Ayala Land-National Housing Authority (NHA) joint venture group for the Trinoma lot and the Philippine Reclamation Authority for the south ITT along Coastal Road. Another ITT at the Food Terminal, Inc. complex was also in the works, Roxas said, noting that the Coastal Road and FTI hubs are transactions between government agencies. Only the Trinoma Mall lot will involve a private entity. “We have talked to the Ayalas a number of times and also with the NHA which has a joint venture with the Ayalas for the property behind Trinoma,” Roxas said. He said the Trinoma lot was deemed the best location for the north ITT since it is the point where the EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 7 to be built by San Miguel Corp., and the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connector road will all converge. Roxas said the DOTC is already eyeing an alternative to the Trinoma lot if talks with the Ayala-NHA group do not prosper. He said they can go to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, across North Avenue. With the establishment of the ITTs, Roxas said they expect the number of provincial buses going through Metro Manila by around 8,000 units. In the first week of March, Malacañang issued Executive Order 67, which calls for the establishment of ITTs outside Metro Manila, removing the need for provincial buses to get into the metropolis and adding to the daily congestion in major thoroughfares, especially EDSA. The integrated transport system (ITS) project, ordered undertaken by EO 67, involves the setup of bus terminals near the North and South Luzon Expressways for provincial buses. Citing figures from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Roxas said a total of 13,067 buses ply Metro Manila roads. He said nearly 60 percent of them are provincial buses that traverse Metro Manila. Only 5,331 are city buses, 3,718 of which ply EDSA. Apart from the reduced volume of vehicles, Roxas said the ITTs will make commuting to the provinces more convenient because the terminals will be linked to other available mass transport systems such as the LRT, MRT and Philippine National Railways. - By Rainier Allan Ronda

Study: Phl software services outsourcing up 37% in 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The software services outsourcing industry in the Philippines posted a positive growth as it reached a robust 37 percent in 2011, translating to $993 million with 11 percent growth rate on employment or some 50,000 information technology (IT) professionals, based on a recent study conducted by the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA). The nearly $1-billion figure is attributed to an increase in demand from international clients to tap local firms for their specific IT and software requirements. PSIA president Nora Terrado said improved utilization of the current talent pool enabled companies to increase efficiency and revenue per full-time employee (FTE), while close collaboration between industry players and the government in training fresh graduates and career switchers helped augment the much-needed technical workforce. “With an increased demand for IT services in 2011, these trainees found themselves tapped into the IT mainstream services. This, coupled with process optimizations and innovations, improved the quality of the IT outsourcing revenue,” Terrado said. Full services to product development Moreover, some local players are seen to be transitioning from full services to product development companies. Given this trend, the PSIA has created a special interest group on product development (PD/SIG) which aims to help the local software development industry create and commercialize at least 10 globally recognized software products in various categories by 2016, each generating at least $1 million annually from offshore customers. Country marketing also has a lot to do with it. The PSIA, for one, is active in participating in annual trade missions abroad like the recently concluded Software Development Expo in Japan and the upcoming CeBIT in Australia and Microsoft World Partners Conference in the US, to name a few, to promote the Philippines’ advantages and IT capabilities, coupled with local marketing through consistent public relations and IT evangelism. Regular networking and business-matching sessions are also organized to promote a dynamic as well as collaborative ecosystem in the sector, through membership meetings, inbound missions to maintain partnerships with neighboring countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Thailand, and regular dialogues with partners in the industry, academe, and the government. New challenges, opportunities According to Terrado, the sector is looking forward to achieving new opportunities as well as preparing for new challenges in the years ahead. “Capability development and product and services innovation are important factors to sustain this growth trend amid the globally competitive environment, the advent of cloud computing, and the convergence of BPO and IT services, among others,” Terrado said. Terrado further noted that the positive growth of the industry in recent years has encouraged IT organization to offer more long-term programs to develop IT professionals through the initiatives of its capability development committee such as industry-academe linkages, skills development, near-hire scholarship program, and IT teacher development. The PSIA also offers organizational development programs and a series of enablement seminars on various technology topics and best practices, to boost the local industry’s global competitiveness. Among the areas of potential growth for the industry seen for 2012 are on application enhancement, maintenance and support, independent software testing, and remote infrastructure services. The PSIA represents some 150 companies in the country engaged in software development and IT outsourcing, and is among the five independent organizations that make up the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), which includes the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines Inc., Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines, and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines. According to a BPAP report, the IT-BPO industry in the country is also gaining ground as revenues for 2011 reached an all-time high of $11 billion, 24 percent higher than the previous year with $8.9 billion. Employee count has reached 638,319, up eight percent from 525,000 in 2010. The voice sector has the most people hired at 416,000, followed by the knowledge process outsourcing sector with 128,650 people. -

Kopi Talk Refuge

.....Related Content. .. View Photo.EDITORIAL - Refuge ....Fit To Post ». ...Corona faces conviction Thu, May 24, 2012...PWDs special registration turnout: high in Pasig, low in PaterosThu, May 24, 2012...‘Pawikan’ meat sold in Cebu barangayMon, May 21, 2012.......Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, requires government officials, including justices of the Supreme Court, to file an annual Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALN plus a financial disclosure of, among other things, “real property, its improvement, acquisition costs, assessed value and current fair market value.” RA 6713, passed in February 1989, states that “the public has the right to know” these assets and liabilities. The law requires the declaration of “all other assets such as investments, cash on hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like.” RA 6713 makes no distinction between peso and foreign currency bank deposits. Meanwhile, the martial law-era Republic Act 6426, or the Foreign Currency Deposit Act of the Philippines, guarantees the “absolutely confidential nature” of foreign currency deposits, which can be examined by another person or entity “only upon the written permission of the depositor” – meaning the confidentiality clause is addressed to banks, not the account holder. Chief Justice Renato Corona has another interpretation of RA 6426: it prohibits even account holders from public disclosure of their own foreign currency deposits. Never mind if it was passed way back in April 1974; he cited the law as the reason for not declaring four dollar accounts in his SALNs, which he said contained a total of $2.4 million. He also admitted having three peso accounts, with a total of P80 million, that he also did not declare because, he told the Senate impeachment court yesterday, the deposits were merely placed under his name and actually belonged to his relatives. Since this is the Chief Justice giving his interpretation of two laws affecting public accountability, Congress should study if the laws need amendment and if other remedial measures are needed to prevent foreign currency accounts from being used as a haven for dirty money. This is not to say that Corona’s dollar deposits are ill-gotten; he has insisted they are not. But he did concede the potential for abuse of that confidentiality clause by money launderers and other crooks. From this impeachment trial, corrective measures must be initiated by Congress. Dollar accounts cannot serve as a refuge for dirty money. -

DOJ okays murder raps vs police exec, 4 others

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of murder charges against a police colonel and four others for the killing of a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman whose body was found in a septic tank in Laguna last Feb. 22. In a 14-page resolution issued yesterday, investigating fiscals found probable cause to indict Superintendent Rommel Miranda, former spokesman of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and now deputy chief of the Communication and Electronics Service of Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 7 based in Cebu City; PO1s Otelio Santos Jr. and Jifford Signap, Reginel Regidor Santiago and Elmer Paiste. The DOJ cited as main basis the extra-judicial confession made by Santiago, who detailed his participation in the killing of businesswoman Lea Angeles Ng with the help of Signap and Santos and tagged Miranda as the alleged mastermind. “There is sufficient evidence that the crime of murder, qualified by taking advantage of superior strength, was committed by the respondents,” stated the resolution signed by the investigating panel chaired by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva. “While respondent Miranda denied the allegations leveled against him, his defense is weak and evidentiary in nature. Verily, such defense is best appreciated only during full blown trial,” the panel said. But the DOJ dismissed for lack of probable cause the charge of kidnapping for ransom with homicide against the respondents. “In this present case, there are no evidence presented to prove that there was intent on the part of respondents to deprive (the victim) of her liberty. Neither are there evidence showing that she was indeed deprived of her liberty by the respondents before she died,” it said. The fiscals dismissed as insufficient the claim of Ng’s husband Tommy that he received from Feb. 20 to 22 calls and messages from an unknown person demanding P10 million in exchange for his wife’s freedom. “To our mind, the demand for ransom was not intended as a bargaining chip for the release of (the victim) since evidence disclosed that she was already dead at that time it was demanded,” they said. The complaint was filed against Miranda and the other respondents before the DOJ last Feb. 24. Miranda denied the allegations during the preliminary investigation, describing these as “false imputation of a sinister motive to implicate me in her (Ng’s) death, worse as the alleged mastermind-conspirator in her alleged kidnapping for ransom with homicide.” Miranda cited his record as a police officer with “character, personality, integrity and devotion to duty, my love of God, country, people and the police organization that I serve with utmost loyalty.” After Santiago cooperated with police investigators, Santos and Signap gave themselves up to the authorities. The decomposing remains of Ng were discovered in a septic tank at an abandoned warehouse in San Vicente, San Pedro, Laguna last Feb. 22. She was last seen at the UCC restaurant in Corinthian village in Quezon City on Jan. 20 this year. On Jan. 25, Ng’s vehicle was seen at a mall in Carmona, Cavite. Footage from a closed-circuit TV camera showed three police officers near the car. Santiago came under investigation and pointed to the area where Ng’s body was kept. He alleged that Miranda, who had served as Ng’s debt collector for several years, killed her over a squabble over a P13-million collection that Miranda supposedly wanted to keep for himself. Santiago also confessed that Miranda allegedly ordered him and two fellow respondents to throw away Ng’s body after she was slain. - By Edu Punay