Balita online editor

Oct 312016
 
Customs bureau says 7 ports exceeded collection targets for Sept

MANILA, Oct. 26 (PNA) –Seven out of the country’s 17 port districts have surpassed their revenue collection targets for the month of September, the Bureau of Customs has said. In a statement issued Tuesday, the bureau reported that the ports that exceeded their collection last month are the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and the ports of Batangas, Cebu and Davao, the four known billionaire ports; and the ports of Clark, Iloilo and Zamboanga. Based on the final revenue collection report by the Bureau of Treasury, the actual revenue collection for September was PHP34.234 billion. The report however added that the total revenue collection has become PHP33.326 billion, given last year’s tax credit of PHP908 million. The bureau has already achieved 91.3 percent of its PHP36.519 billion assessed revenue collected target for last month, and is expected to improve before the year ends. The amount is higher than the August collection of PHP33.03 billion, and the PHP32.651 billion collected in the same month in 2015. The following are the collected revenues of the other ports: Port of Clark: PHP225.2 million collected, PHP110 million target (203.7 percent) Port of Zamboanga: PHP19.5 million collected, PHP12.8 million target (152.6 percent) Port of Cebu: PHP1.759 billion collected, PHP1.423 billion target (123.6 percent) Port of Iloilo: PHP211.8 million collected, PHP188.2 million target (112.5 percent) Port of Batangas: PHP8.529 billion collected, PHP7.740 billion target (110.2 percent) Port of Davao: PHP1.052 billion collected, PHP998 million target (105.4 percent) Manila International Container Port: PHP10.583 billion collected, PHP10.505 billion Read More …

Oct 312016
 
Asian Americans stars grace CAPE’s gala night

Carrie Ann Inaba at CAPE gala night Asian Pacific stars descended at the historic Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night (October 22) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of an equally remarkable organization,the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), a group working for equality and diversity in the industry. Tia Carrere and Carrie Ann Inaba, both of whom were not popularly known to come from Filipino ancestry, obliquely represented Filipino American visibility in the affair. Steve Yeun of the “The Walking Dead,”; Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim of “Hawaii Five-O” also came and walked the red carpet. “CAPE is a wonderful organization. Back in the days when I was so young, I did a diversity workshop for ABC (TV). And I don’t know if you notice that I’m with the DWTS (Dancing With The Stars) which is one of ABC’s top shows. That connection that they provided for me back in the days has proved to be helpful in so many ways for me as I pursued my career,” Inaba told Weekend Balita/US Asian Post during the red carpet interview. Inaba went on to commend CAPE for pursuing programs aimed at developing Asian American writers, explaining that “the more there are Asian American writers, the more characters we will see on the screen.” Carrere, for her part, also commended CAPE’s steady growth and consistency. “Check the roster and board members, the people that you’ll see donating tonight – because I’ll be going up there tonight to Read More …

Oct 312016
 
Janella distances self from Elmo-Janine split

Janella Salvador (MNS photo) Janella Salvador has finally broken her silence on the recent breakup of her onscreen partner, Elmo Magalona, and actress Janine Gutierrez. Salvador denied that she has anything to do with the split. “Yung reaction ko diyan, wala. As long as I know na wala naman akong ginawang masama, I’d rather stay out of it kasi I’m really not involved naman talaga,” she said. Asked if she feels bad for Magalona and Gutierrez, Salvador said: “Of course, I do. I’m always going to be here for Elmo, siyempre more for Elmo because he’s my friend. If I have to comfort him, I’m going to be here naman.” Is she open in case Magalona decides to court her now that he’s no longer in a relationship? “Tignan natin. We need time,” she briefly stated. Salvador said he likes Magalona because “he is very caring as a friend and he will always think of others too.” Ever since they were paired together in “Born For You,” Magalona and Salvador have been subject to romance rumors. They even attended last Saturday’s Star Magic Ball together. The two have repeatedly downplayed these, but admitted that they do enjoy the close friendship that they have. (MNS)

Oct 312016
 
Investment pledges from Japan to create 200,000 jobs, says trade chief

President Rodrigo Duterte and his delegation pose with the Filipino community in Japan at the Palace Hotel in Tokyo on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct. 25 (PNA) – The 12 deals that will be signed by Japanese and Filipino businesses during the official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Japan will generate some 200,000 jobs in the next few years, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has said. In a text message Tuesday, Lopez told Manila-based reporters that the commitments from Japanese companies will be in the sectors of automotive, vehicle parts, electric vehicles, shipbuilding and ship repair, biomass fuel, renewable energy, solar and energy management system, optical image stabilizers, and agriculture. “(We’re) bullish in further strengthening trade and investments from Japan,” he said. “Japan is our largest trading partner with over USD18 billion of total trade. We export more than we import and we have USD6.0 billion trade surplus, which is a big help to our economy.” The trade secretary is joining President Duterte in his official trip to Japan until Thursday. Lopez had earlier stressed the administration’s push to revitalize partnership with Asian neighbors.  

Oct 312016
 
PHL firms urged to explore opportunities in Iraq as ICTSI inaugurates $130-M port project in Basra

BASRA GATEWAY TERMINAL PROJECT. International Container Terminal Servinces Inc. (ICTSI)Chairman and President Enrique Razon Jr. cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the $130-million Basra Gateway Terminal at the Port of Umm Qasr in Iraq. The project, the biggest direct foreign investment in Iraq’s port sector, is expected to spur economic growth as it expanded the capacity of Iraq’s only deep water port, which services 80 percent of the country’s imports. (ICTSI Photo) BASRA, Iraq – The Philippine Embassy expressed hope that more Filipino companies would explore investment opportunities in Iraq following the recent inauguration by Manila-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) of its $130-million port development project here. In a statement, the Embassy welcomed the inauguration of ICTSI’s Basra Gateway Terminal Project in Umm Qasr – Iraq’s largest and only deep-water port and the main gateway to the Iraqi market. “We are glad that ICTSI, a leading Filipino company, is helping spur economic growth in Iraq,” Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato said. “We hope that more Filipino companies would take a second look at Iraq and consider investing in the country,” Cato said, citing possible opportunities in construction and the oil and gas sectors, particularly in Basra, the country’s commercial capital, and other southern provinces as well as in the Kurdistan Region. In his remarks during the inauguration, ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon said that with the new berth and equipment, Umm Qasr port can now handle larger ships and ensure a more efficient Read More …

Oct 242016
 
Duterte: ‘Dead or alive’ reward system taken from Americans

Foreign Affairs Secretary ,Perfecto Yasay Jr. , President Rodrigo Duterte ,joint military exercises , treaty ally, United States, Philippines , warship , territorial waters,exclusive economic zone , Philippine Airlift Wing , “war games” , Filipino community ,Mutual Defense Act of 1951, Visiting Forces Agreement ,National Security Adviser ,Hermogenes Esperon BEIJING, Oct 20 (Mabuhay) – President Rodrigo Duterte said the idea of implementing the “dead or alive” reward system was from the Americans. During a meeting with the Filipino community at a hotel on Wangfujing Street in China’s capital, Duterte once again lashed out at the critics of his war on drugs and his manner of speaking, which they believe incite violence and encourage extrajudicial killings. The President defended the law enforcement procedures implemented amid his war on drugs, which resulted in deaths of over 1,000 drug suspects. He said the police know the rules of engagement. But he underscored that some of the law enforcement practices were taken from western influences. “Iyang reward, dead or alive. It is not even ours. It is not a language of the Filipinos. Sinong nagturo niyan? The Americans? Where? Iyong mga cowboy nila. Billy the Kid, dead or alive, oh 50 dollars,” Duterte claimed as he criticized the United States once again. “Ang problema nitong Amerikano, kung sila ang gumamit niyan, persons of interest which are actually you are being hunted and if you offer a resistance just like the bomber, they will kill you. And when we use it because we’re not Americans Read More …

Oct 242016
 
After 6 years, Sam Milby to bring a date at Star Magic Ball

Sam Milby (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 20 (Mabuhay) — After six years of being single, actor Sam Milby will finally have a date at the Star Magic Ball. Milby said he is excited to attend the star-studded event with his special someone. The 10th Star Magic Ball will happen on October 22. “I’m happy to say that I will have a date for sure,” said Milby, who is now dating blogger-TV host Mari Jasmine. “After six years, mayroon akong date (I finally have a date after six years),” he added. Before Jasmine, the last time Milby was in a relationship was with actress Anne Curtis. Their much-publicized breakup happened in 2009, and Milby admits he had a hard time moving on from it.(MNS)

Oct 242016
 
CA confirms appointments of ES Medialdea, DND chief Lorenzana

CA APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF MEDIALDEA AND LORENZANA: Senate President and Commission on Appointments (CA) Chairperson Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (3rd from left) and San Juan Representative and CA Vice-Chairman Ronaldo Zamora (left) joins Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (2nd from left) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (right) whose ad interim appointments were confirmed during plenary session, Wednesday, October 19, 2016.(MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 19 (Mabuhay) — The bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointments of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Medialdea breezed through the CA plenary, just a few hours after his appointment was approved at the committee level in less than two minutes, with no questions from panel members. Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, a former Executive Secretary himself during the administration of the late former President Corazon Aquino, described the post as a “snake pit.” “Luckily, because of the size of Secretary Medialdea, it is not easy to be devoured. Hindi siya lalamunin, talagang magaling ‘yan,” Drilon said. Drilon said Medialdea possessed the qualities of competence and integrity, which his job required. Senator Ralph Recto, who also supported the confirmation of Medialdea, said he has known the Executive Secretary for 35 years, and that apart from his discipline to deliver on what is expected from him, he also has down-to-earth humility and disarming humor. “[The ES should be able] to do heavy but unheralded labor; to endlessly chase papers but never publicity; to run a tight ship, including whipping the Read More …

Oct 242016
 
Pedrozo: Police driver was attacked, had no intention of hurting rallyists

Protesters lie on the ground after being hit by a police van during a rally against the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in front of the US embassy in Manila on Wednesday. A Philippine police van rammed and ran over the protesters. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 20 (Mabuhay) — Relieved Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo of the Manila Police District on Thursday defended the police officer seen on video ramming protesters with his vehicle in front of the US Embassy on Wednesday. Pedrozo said the police driver was being attacked by rallyists and could not see anything as he tried to move the vehicle away from the protesters. Pedrozo said the police officer, identified as PO3 Franklin Kho, was attempting to save the vehicle after he heard protesters saying they will burn all police vehicles in the area. “Ang nangyari po diyan, sir, actually hindi naman po talaga siya yung driver. Ang nakita po nila, nung ongoing po ang negotiation namin, sinisira po nila yung mobile cars namin, pinipinturahan at may narinig pa raw po siya na susunugin po yung mobile cars, tinutumba po nila yung mobile cars,” Pedrozo said. “Dahil gusto po niya i-save yung mobile cars natin, sumakay po siya, tapos hinabol po siya ng mga raliyista, sumakay po siya,” Pedrozo said. However, Pedrozo said the driver became frantic when the rallyists began to attack him. “Habang nagda-drive po siya, pinagpapapalo po siya ng mga raliyista, binabasag po yung salamin kaya nakayuko po siya, hindi na raw po niya Read More …

Oct 242016
 
PHL will not enter into new military alliances nor break old ones: Duterte

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Johnson discusses helicopter insert and extract procedures with Philippine soldiers as they prepare for Balikatan 2014 on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 29, 2014. This is the 30th year of the exercise, which provides U.S.-Philippine military training and humanitarian assistance. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Pete Thibodeau BEIJING, Oct 20 (Mabuhay) – Do not expect the Philippines to enter into new military alliances, said President Rodrigo Duterte during his four-day state visit in China. Speaking before members of the Filipino media at a hotel on Wednesday, the President pointed out that he does not intend to break old ones. “There will be no military alliances entered into. There will be no military alliances broken. What I am just saying is that we are not interested in adding fuel to what is already a volatile world,” he answered, after he was asked about a possible military alliance with Beijing. “When I said that there is no such thing as allowing the missiles there or missiles there, I would not allow it.  And I have repeatedly said, anybody who wants to think about or talk about Third World war and even a conflict on a regional level, low intensity thing, it would not promote anything. I am not into that,” the President said. Duterte also warned of consequences should conflicts among countries with nuclear weapon intensify. “And if you talk about America, Russia, vis-à-vis China, Great Britain, France, Iran, Pakistan, India, there is a conflict going Read More …