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EU official to visit PH to boost development ties

 News
Nov 082013
 
EU official to visit PH to boost development ties

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 1:31 pm | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 European Union (EU) commissioner Andris Piebalgs. AFP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The European Commissioner for Development will visit the Philippines on Sunday to strengthen bilateral development cooperation between the European Union and the Philippines. European Union (EU) commissioner Andris Piebalgs said the highlight of his visit is the support to the Philippines “on its path to reduce poverty, strengthen the rule of law and support Mindanao’s Peace Process.” Aligned with the Philippines Development Plan for 2011 until 2016, EU development assistance delivers annually to the country about €640 million of grants “to combat poverty.” Piebalgs will meet Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita, Quintos Deles, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balicasan, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Piebalgs said in a statement: “I am pleased to see rapid economic growth in the Philippines in past few years. However it is now important to deepen the economic reforms and make this growth more inclusive.” As part of Piebalgs’ itinerary, he will visit the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, which is supported by the EU Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) project. Aside from the EU development assistance budget, the EU TRTA, in a 12-year period, has granted €18 million aimed at improving laboratory facilities in the Philippines, enhance the control system for fisheries products, training of Fish Health Management and Quality Assurance on export Read More …

US, Great Britain cite Filipinos’ resilience in the wake of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’

 News
Nov 082013
 
US, Great Britain cite Filipinos’ resilience in the wake of Typhoon ‘Yolanda’

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 12:36 pm | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The United States and Great Britain cited the “strong spirit” and resilience of the Filipino people as they expressed their solidarity and concern for those affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan). “On behalf of the people of the United States, I offer our deepest condolences and solidarity as you wrestle with the devastation and loss of life that accompanied Super Typhoon Haiyan,” United States Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement Saturday. “Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before. Your spirit is strong,” he said. US embassies in the Philippines and in neighbor country Palau, were already coordinating with authorities on how they could assist in the relief efforts, Kerry added. Great Britain Ambassador Asif Ahmad also cited the resilience of the Filipinos and said that a team from the United Kingdom was already on its way to the country to determine needed resources. “Yet again the resilience of the people of the Philippines is being tested in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. With our expression of concern and sorrow for the victims comes our assurance of help,” Ahmad said in a statement. “A team is on its way from the UK to assess needs and then mobilize resources. The fortunate ones will be able Read More …

Migrant Center launched in New York City

 News
Nov 082013
 
Migrant Center launched in New York City

By Carol TanjutcoINQUIRER.net US Bureau 8:33 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 Fr. Julian S. Jagudilla,OFM spearheaded the launching of Migrant Center of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi NYC, opening its doors to both immigrants and undocumented aliens who need help with their immigration petition and social services. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Bro. Octavio Duran NEW YORK—Inspired by the Franciscan tradition of offering sanctuary to people who are alienated, displaced and persecuted, the Migrant Center at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi began operations to welcome immigrants and provide a place of refuge. The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Name Province were in full attendance and support at San Damiano Hall on November 2 when a proclamation was signed by 24 religious and non-profit organizations. Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM, pastor and guardian of the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi NYC welcomed over 100 guests, followed by a sharing of real-life stories of immigrants who were abused and persecuted due to their lack of legal status. A panel of immigration attorneys consisting of Eve Guillergan, Cristina Godinez and Tom Shea spoke on the state of immigration reforms and entertained questions from the community. The old Immigration Center had not been operational, until the recent assignment of Fr. Julian Jagudilla OFM, to continue the ministry of the Church. The new Migrant Center seeks to provide legal and social welfare assistance to immigrants and encourage solidarity and advocacy for the protection of their rights, while engaging in faith-based activities. Intake services Read More …

Fil-Am accountants set seminar on surviving an IRS tax audit

 News
Nov 082013
 
Fil-Am accountants set seminar on surviving an IRS tax audit

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 8:27 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 FREMONT, California–Do you know how to survive an IRS Audit? Have you tax planned for Affordable Care Act yet?  Do you know what’s new in 2013 and 2014 on taxes? If your answer to any of the questions is ‘No’, then head out to Devry University, located at 6600 Dumbarton Circle, Fremont, on November 16. The International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA)–San Francisco Chapter in cooperation with PICPA-CAL San Francisco and Devry University is holding a seminar,  “How to survive an IRS Audit,” It will feature important tax updates and legislation relating to personal taxation, Affordable Care Act, surviving IRS audits and more. Experts in the field of income taxes will provide short presentations. Resource persons will include an IRS Senior Revenue Agent, a Franchise Tax Board Technical Assistant to the Taxpayers’ Advocate, a CPA/EA Master in Taxation graduate whose concentration is in tax preparation and education; and an Enrolled Agent whose expertise is in tax audit representation. This is the start of a long-term partnership between two of the largest Filipino-American Accounting and Finance organizations in the bay area, ISFFA and PICPA-CAL, whose common objective is “educating the community and empowering tomorrow’s leaders.” The seminar is a full day event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For registration and other details, please contact Mr. Danny Raval at (650) 757-5333 or e-mail info@isffa-sf.org. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Read More …

Saudi assurance: No arrests while OFWs are processed

 News
Nov 082013
 
Saudi assurance: No arrests while OFWs are processed

By Jerome AningPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:50 am | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday said that Saudi Arabia’s labor authorities have assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who failed to beat the Nov. 3 deadline to fix their status but had started the process that will not be arrested as long as there are no violations. Binay, in a statement, said he raised Manila’s concerns about the stranded OFWs with Bahrain’s labor minister, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, concurrent chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) Council of Labor Ministers, who was in Manila on official visit. Humaidan, accompanied by the Philippines’ special envoy to the GCC, Amable Aguiluz V, paid a courtesy call on the Vice President on Wednesday. “Upon recommendation of Aguiluz to [me], the minister called Saudi deputy labor minister, Mr. Mufreg Al-Haqbani, appealing not to make arrests nor harm those who are found not having travel documents,” Binay said. “Subsequently, Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago received a message from the labor deputy minister Mr. Al-Haqbani giving assurance that Filipinos will be treated well while processing their exit visas,” Binay said. According to Binay, Tago reiterated his appeal to Filipinos in the kingdom to remain calm because the Philippine government was ready to provide appropriate assistance In addition, Filipinos who have not yet enlisted for processing of their exit visas were advised by Tago to contact the embassy or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office Read More …

The case of the forged pork barrel signatures

 News
Nov 012013
 
The case of the forged pork barrel signatures

This case. It’s been bugging me like a blackjack to the back of the head. Like a hangover headache after a night of cheap drinks and cheaper dames in a smoky joint somewhere without an address. A serial forger is out there, skulking, robbing the country blind, taking topnotch lawmakers for a ride like helpless damsels stranded in a dark alley. He’s ruthless and he’ll strike again. The shadowy maniac has faked several senators’ signatures one after another to funnel public moolah to this high-living broad Janet Napoles’ scam NGOs. Their shining reps are at stake. They may all end up in wheelchairs barreling to the airport, or languishing under hospital arrest. No one has the faintest idea who this smooth operator is; even the president is as clueless as a nudist in a strip joint. So I visit my old pal, Percy, aka Persistio Bongcal, private eye, trained Stateside as a gofer for Philip Marlowe in Hollywood and Sam Spade in foggy Frisco. His shingle hangs outside a messy low-rent office in Guadalupe, near that river with many drowned secrets. Percy, old boy, I’m stumped. These top dogs all swear their John Hancocks have been forged. Are they just giving us a line, trying to give us the slip, eh? “No, pal, there’s a real crook loose out there,” mumbles Percy, a lighted cigarette dangling from his lips. “Those high-class dudes know what they’re talking about. They’re pros themselves who’ve been around the block and batted a lot of Read More …

Why spy on allies? Even good friends keep secrets

 News
Oct 312013
 
Why spy on allies? Even good friends keep secrets

President Barack Obama walks with Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel toward a group photo outside of the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg in this September 6, 2013 file photo. AP In geopolitics, even best friends don’t tell each other everything. And everybody’s dying to know what the other guy knows. Revelations that the US has been monitoring the cellphone calls of up to 35 world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have brought into sharp relief the open secret that even close allies keep things from one another — and do all they can to find out what’s being held back. The Israelis recruited US naval analyst Jonathan Pollard to pass along US secrets including satellite photos and data on Soviet weaponry in the 1980s. The British were accused of spying on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan before the Iraq War. The French, Germans, Japanese, Israelis and South Koreans have been accused of engaging in economic espionage against the United States. But the technology revealed by former National Security Agency analyst Edward Snowden has underscored the incredible reach of the US spy agency. And it is raising the question for some allies: Is this still OK? National Intelligence Director James Clapper testified this week that it is a “basic tenet” of the intelligence business to find out whether the public statements of world leaders go with what’s being said behind closed doors. What might the Americans have wanted to know from Merkel’s private conversations, for example? Topics could include her thinking on Read More …

NY’s ‘brightest, most committed’ Fil-Ams honored

 News
Oct 312013
 
NY’s ‘brightest, most committed’ Fil-Ams honored

A “class picture” with winners, keynote speakers, performers and TOFA-NY board led by Elton Lugay (far right), Sally Nunez, Grace Labaguis, Cristina DC Pastor and Oliver Oliveros. Judge Lorna Schofield told loving stories about her strict Filipino mother. NEW YORK—In a fitting culmination to Filipino American Heritage Month, this year’s The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York (TOFA-NY) gala was a night of re-creating, re-enacting and reconnecting with Filipino roots. Judge Lorna Schofield of the Southern District of New York, a keynote speaker, recalled memories of her mother, Priscilla Tiongco, who as a young Filipina married a US Air Force pilot after the war and came to the US. Through the blur of fraying photographs and college transcripts, the first Filipino-American federal judge remembered affectionately her mother’s distinct qualities. “She was very strict and had a ferocious temper” and constantly reminded Schofield to get straight As and to practice the piano. “She used to punish me, but when I read her transcripts, she didn’t get all As,” Schofield recalled with fondness. “King of Latin Soul” Joe Bataan sang his composition “Afro Filipino,” which he dedicated to his Filipino father. He said the succession of accolades he has received this year alone has reconnected him, although belatedly, with his “great Filipino legacy.” The evening program at Carnegie Hall opened with youngsters from the Philippine community of Southern New Jersey dancing the “tinikling,” mish-mashing the traditional with hiphop and Gangnam Style moves. Rousingly applauded It was a rousingly applauded number. It was Read More …

A Filipino in the fields: Larry Itliong on his 100th birthday

 News
Oct 252013
 
A Filipino in the fields: Larry Itliong on his 100th birthday

As an American Filipino, I look at Larry Itliong and see my father, a fellow immigrant who came to America in the 20s. Coincidentally, Itliong died on my father’s birthday in 1977. But his birthday is this week, October 25. Itliong would have been 100 years old. Now it seems, more and more people are finally giving Itliong a little love and recognition. It was always there at the grassroots, to some degree.There was always some appreciation among Filipino laborers in California.  But for some reason, Itliong was always cut out of the limelight by fellow farmworker leader Cesar Chavez. As an experienced union hand, Itliong organized fellow Filipino workers in the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s.He became the leader of the AFL-CIO’s Agricultural Workers Committee, and was no stranger to strikes. It’s the reason Chavez needed Itliong the most. As veteran California labor writer Dick Meister wrote: Chavez felt that his group, then called the National Farm Workers Association, wasn’t ready to strike itself, but would honor the picket lines of the striking Filipinos. Yet if they were to honor the picket lines of Itliong’s group, Chavez’ members asked, Why not strike themselves? Why not? And so they did. That became the grape strike of 1965 that drew worldwide attention and support and ultimately led to the unionization, at long last, of California’s farm workers. It was Larry Itliong and his Filipino members who started it all, and who played an indispensable role throughout the struggle. Without them there could Read More …

New report says immigrants fiscally burden Canada

 News
Oct 252013
 
New report says immigrants fiscally burden Canada

Academic Herbert Grubel. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO TORONTO, Canada – A recently released report by the Fraser Institute implied that immigrants are costing Canadian taxpayers Canadian $20 billion a year. It also calls for an end to sponsorships of parents and grandparents of immigrants and that Canadian immigration selection require employment by the private sector rather than the government. At the center of the controversial report is Economics Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University Herbert Grubel, who wrote Canada’s Immigration Selection Policies in which he noted that immigrants who arrived since 1986 earned less and paid less taxes than the benefits they received from the government. Unlike the US, Canada’s points system of selecting principal immigrants has remained largely unchanged since the 1960s. Candidates’ work experience, education, language competency and other factors give them higher points and more likely acceptance for immigration to Canada. In 2011 about 30 percent of Canada’s immigrants were selected this way. But with spouses and under-age children coming with them, their number rose to about 63 percent. Grubel recommended stopping the “fiscal drain” by abandoning the points system, replacing it with pre-arranged work contracts as the main criterion to immigrate to Canada. Early this month, Grubel was quoted by The Philippine Reporter: “Instead of relying on university certificates assessed by civil servants who are in turn instructed by politicians, I would like to see accepted as landed (the Canadian term for citizenship status) immigrants only people who have a job offer from a Canadian employer.” But the Read More …

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