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PH, Japanese ships to conduct naval exercises off Palawan

 News
Sep 242014
 
PH, Japanese ships to conduct naval exercises off Palawan

By Bong Lozada |INQUIRER.net 6:02 pm | Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 The BRP Ramon Alcaraz. US EMBASSY FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Philippine and Japanese ships are set to conduct a naval exercises in the waters off Palawan on Thursday, a Navy official said. Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo, Philippine Navy Public Affairs Office Chief, said Philippine Navy’s flagship BRP Ramon Alcaraz would conduct a passing exercise (Passex) with Japan Defense Ship Hatakaze, a destroyer from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Alcaraz and Hatakaze were both participants in Kakadu 2014, an international naval exercise that the Royal Australian Navy hosted on August 25 and until September 12. Domingo said the two ships would conduct the Passex while en route to their separate ports. Alcaraz would set for Manila after a quick visit in Zamboanga while her co-participant Hatakaze would set for Japan from Singapore. “Passex gives us an opportunity to not only practice what we might be called upon to do, but the chance to establish a professional relationship with our allies making us a more capable force working together at sea,” Domingo said. “A passing exercise is composed of sea drills done between two navies to ensure synchronization of communication and cooperation between the participating navies in combined naval operations.” She added that the naval exercise is not meant to provoke China, which has been in a territorial struggle with the Philippines. “It has nothing to do with the South China Sea dispute, this is mainly for training purposes,” Domingo said. Read More …

PH journalist slams Aquino’s Europe trip in column in Chinese media

 General
Sep 242014
 
PH journalist slams Aquino’s Europe trip in column in Chinese media

By Matikas Santos |INQUIRER.net 5:47 pm | Wednesday, September 24th, 2014 SCREENGRAB from news.xinhuanet.com MANILA, Philippines—A Filipino opinion writer criticized President Benigno Aquino III for bringing up the issue of the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines in his trip to four European countries. “It is lamentable that during the four-nation European tour of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III from Sept. 13 to 19, en route for the United Sates, he made the issue of the South China Sea as the topmost item on his agenda with the leaders of the host nations,” Alito Malinao said in his commentary published by China’s state-news agency Xinhua on Tuesday. “Of course, the leaders of Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and the European Union, when personally confronted by Aquino, could not but endorse his position that the Philippines has sought international arbitration to the territorial dispute involving China and the Philippines,” he said. Philippines and China are locked in a maritime dispute over the South China Sea which China claims in its entirety through the nine-dash line claim, which includes portions of the Philippines 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone from Ilocos Norte in northern Luzon to Palawan and the Kalayaan Group of Islands. The Philippines has challenged China’s claim before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (Itlos) last January 2013 by filing an arbitration case. China has refused to participate in the proceedings insisting on bilateral talks based on its “indisputable” and “historical” claim to the region believed to Read More …

‘Mission accomplished’: Aquino ends Europe trip, heads for Boston

 News
Sep 202014
 
‘Mission accomplished’: Aquino ends Europe trip, heads for Boston

By Christian V. Esguerra |Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:44 am | Sunday, September 21st, 2014 President Benigno S. Aquino III at a forum in Berlin with members of the Philippine media before he left for Boston. Malacañang Photo Bureau BERLIN—Mission accomplished. President Benigno Aquino III ended his weeklong European trip on Saturday convinced that he had gathered enough support behind the Philippines’ call for a peaceful resolution of conflicts in the South China Sea, particularly through international arbitration. “The short answer is yes,” he told reporters over coffee at 8 p.m. on Friday here (3 a.m. Saturday in Manila) when asked if he felt he had achieved the goal of his four-nation tour of Europe. With Spain (which has offered to be the Philippines’ voice in the European Union), Belgium, France and Germany all seeking a resolution of the territorial disputes through processes provided under international law, the President said it was time to “get to a stage where we have reasonable and doable objectives.” Mr. Aquino said he had been told by some of his European counterparts that they had been asking Beijing about its claim to 90 percent of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea. He said another point of inquiry was “adherence” to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). “There seems to be a push,” he said. One of the most categorical statements came from German Chancellor Angela Merkel who described “international dispute settlement arrangements that we have on the basis of Unclos” as Read More …

Mother, son succeed in Land Down Under

 News
Sep 202014
 
Mother, son succeed in Land Down Under

By Eunice Barbara C. Novio |Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:42 am | Sunday, September 21st, 2014 CARVING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES Katrina, Paolo and Angela Harrold For mother and son, Katrina Develos Harrold and Paolo Janssen, success in a foreign country is not measured by skin color, age, nationality nor education, but by perseverance and self-esteem in one’s chosen fields. A dual citizen of Australia and the Philippines, Katrina, 49, has just finished her Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Accounting, degree at the Australian Catholic University in line with the Australian standard of education while managing their family business—J and A Harrold Services, a consultancy service company involved in occupational, health and safety services. Meanwhile, Paolo, 20, the youngest chef ever employed by his company, is starting to carve a name for himself as a commis chef at Qantas Chairman’s Lounge under Accor, a company that operates in 90 countries. Struggles as immigrants In 2007, Katrina and her Australian husband, John Reed Harrold, with one-year-old daughter Angela, decided to move to Australia, leaving Paolo in the Philippines to finish his studies. “The plan was to stay in my country and visit Australia during holidays. But our plans changed upon seeing that we could not afford the medical [costs] and education that we wanted for our daughter if we had stayed in the Philippines,” Katrina explains. Katrina suffered from depression being away from her immediate family and son Paolo. Her husband was always away, so she and Angela were left in the Read More …

Society of scholars in US honors Fil-Canadian student

 General
Sep 202014
 
Society of scholars in US honors Fil-Canadian student

Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:25 am | Sunday, September 21st, 2014 ATLANTA, Georgia—The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) recently announced that St. Thomas More Collegiate student Zion Rose Corrales-Nelson from Burnaby, BC, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS founder and chair Claes Nobel, a senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prize. “On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and commitment that Zion has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said Nobel. “Zion is now a member of a unique community of scholars—a community that represents our very best hope for the future.” “Our vision is to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources and opportunities,” stated NSHSS president James W. Lewis. “We aim to help students like Zion build on their academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community.” Membership in NSHSS entitles qualified students to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, publications, participation in programs offered by educational partners, personalized recognition items and publicity honors. Formed in 2002, NSHSS recognizes academic excellence at the high-school level and encourages members of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world. Read More …

China seeks dialogue to resolve sea dispute

 News
Sep 162014
 
China seeks dialogue to resolve sea dispute

By Frances Mangosing |INQUIRER.net 9:12 pm | Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli at the opening ceremony of the 11th China-Asean Expo in Nanning, China. NANNING CITY, China—Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said that China is ready to work with neighboring  countries to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) given the proper dialogue. “China is ready to work with Asean countries to implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea [through enhanced dialogue],” he said in his speech on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the opening ceremony of China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) Summit here. Gaoli was the keynote speaker at the 11th Caexpo trade and business fair for Asean countries. The summit was strategically held in this city, as it is located along the South China Sea. China has been aggressive in its claims to the resource-rich South China Sea, and has continued its presence and reclamation activities at some reefs and shoals in areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China is also embroiled in territorial rows with neighboring countries. “We are ready to join efforts with other countries in the world to pursue and uphold peace so that we will be able  to live in amity and enjoy harmonious development,” Gaoli said. He said the peace and stability of the South China Sea concerns the prosperity, development, and wellbeing of the people in the region. But at the same time, he reiterated that China underscores territorial sovereignty. Its claims to almost the  entire South China Sea are based on their historical records and ancient maps. “China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime Read More …

European Council raises PH aid to 325M euros

 General
Sep 162014
 
European Council raises PH aid to 325M euros

By Christian V. Esguerra |Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:55 pm | Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 BRUSSELS—Lauding the Philippines’ fast-rising economy, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy announced today (Tuesday, Sept. 16) that European assistance would increase from 130 million euros to 325 million euros. Van Rompuy said the aid would focus on “judicial and legal reform, sustainable energy, and job creation,” noting that the Philippines is “an engine of growth in its region and will progressively raise millions of people from poverty.” “In this context I pay tribute to President Aquino’s good governance agenda,” he said in a joint press conference after their meeting at the European Council headquarters here. Van Rompuy cited the importance of fighting corruption, a centerpiece program of the Aquino administration. “The fight against corruption remains a key issue,” he said. “Democracy indeed goes well beyond elections and the rule of law and respect for human rights are in the heart of it.” Aquino said he and Van Rompuy agreed that it was “high time for us to build an even more strategic partnership.” Such partnership would not only involve “aid and trade” but would also allow the Philippines to “lay the foundations of a future teeming of opportunities for our peoples, one where no one is left behind.” Van Rompuy said the European Union was now studying Aquino’s invitation to monitor the plebiscite scheduled next year to ratify a new Bangsamoro law that would govern a new autonomous region in Mindanao. “The European Union supports the Read More …

SC: No to US payment for damages in Tubbataha Reef accident

 News
Sep 162014
 
SC: No to US payment for damages in Tubbataha Reef accident

By Tetch Torres-Tupas |INQUIRER.net 2:46 pm | Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 In a photo released by the U.S. Navy, the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian sits aground in this Jan. 22, 2013 file photo on the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by environmental groups to require the USS Guardian to pay for damages when it ran aground and damaged the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Martin Villarama, the high court said damages should be made in a separate civil suit as provided under the writ of kalikasan. The high court’s ruling is contained in its unanimous ruling with 13-0-2 vote dismissing the petition for writ of kalikasan filed by the following: Bishop Pedro D. Arigo of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Bishop Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., Bishop-Emeritus Of Caloocan, Frances Q. Quimpo, Clemente G. Bautista, Jr. of Kalikasan-Pne, Maria Carolina P. Araullo and Renato M. Reyes Jr. of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN); Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares of Bayan Muna Party-List, Roland G. Simbulan, Ph.D., Junk VFA Movement, , Teresita R. Perez, Ph.D., Rep. Raymond V. Palatino, Kabataan Party-List, Peter SJ. Gonzales of Pamalakaya; Giovanni A. Tapang, Ph.D., Agham, Elmer C. Labog, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Joan May E. Salvador, Gabriela, diver Jose Enrique A. Africa, Theresa A. Concepcion, Mary Joan A. Guan, Nestor T. Baguinon, Ph.D., and public interest lawyer Edsel F. Tupaz. Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza is on sick Read More …

Aquino to rally EU heads to PH side

 News
Sep 132014
 
Aquino to rally EU heads to PH side

By Christian V. Esguerra |Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:12 am | Sunday, September 14th, 2014 President Benigno Aquino III. AFP FILE PHOTO MADRID—In what will be his second trip to Europe since assuming office in 2010, President Aquino embarks on a grueling four-nation visit to Spain, Belgium, France and Germany with the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China high on the agenda. The President, who left Manila at 9:50 p.m.  Saturday, will attempt to rally more support behind his government’s proposed “triple action plan” to resolve the South China Sea dispute through international arbitration. The President will sit down with King Felipe VI of Spain and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy here on Monday. In Brussels, Mr. Aquino will have an audience with King Philippe of Belgium and separate meetings with European Commission President Jóse Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman van Rompuy. In France, Mr. Aquino will have bilateral meetings with President François Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls. Mr. Aquino wraps up his weeklong European sojourn on Sept. 19 and 20 in Germany where he will meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Federal President Joachim Gauck. After that, he will fly to the United States. During the President’s two-week absence, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa has been assigned to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Office of the President, said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. But it will be Vice President Jejomar Binay who will represent the President in his official ceremonial duties and chair a Cabinet meeting, should one be Read More …

Serving 2 flags, Fil-Am soldiers sign up anew

 News
Sep 132014
 
Serving 2 flags, Fil-Am soldiers sign up anew

By Christine O. Avendaño |Philippine Daily Inquirer 4:13 am | Sunday, September 14th, 2014 FIL-AM GIsNavy SpecialWarfare Operator Hermelito Rafol and USNavy First Class Jessica San Roque pose with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg during the reenlistment ceremony at the US Embassy. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA She had always aspired to join the military even back in her Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) days. He had joined the service just so he could skip college. But together Utilitiesman First Class Jessica San Roque and Navy Special Warfare Operator Hermelito Rafol went to serve the US military service as Filipino-Americans detailed at the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P). Now the chance came for San Roque and Rafol—born to Filipino parents but raised in the United States—to spend some time in the Philippines, where they were deployed four months ago. So on a very rainy Wednesday morning last week, San Roque and Rafol took their oath as reenlistees in the US military in front of the Chancery at the US Embassy in Manila, accepting an additional four years of service. San Roque and Rafol have been assigned to Basilan province for the past four months, helping in the PH-US Balikatan program. On hand to witness their reenlistment, aside from their families, were US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and their commander, Col. Erik Brown, who led the oath-taking. “God bless America. Mabuhay [ang] Pilipinas (Long live the Philippines)! I’m glad to be here in Manila and do something special in my career,” said the 29-year-old Read More …

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