besguerra

US donates 3 robots, equipment to detect chemical, nuke devices

News

Nov 092015

US donates 3 robots, equipment to detect chemical, nuke devices

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Jaymee T. Gamil, November 10th, 2015 04:00 AM FOR APEC SECURITY The United States has donated bomb detection and disposal equipment to the Philippine National Police to help secure the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Summit in Manila next week. The US Embassy turned over the equipment to the PNP at Camp Crame on Monday. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA THREE US robots and vans equipped to detect chemical and nuclear explosive devices are reinforcing security measures for delegates in next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit. On Monday, the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security Office of Anti-Terrorism Assistance donated to the Philippine National Police six pickup trucks and various equipment for explosives and ordnance disposal (EOD), including the three portable remote-controlled clawed and wheeled robots, outfitted with cameras. The donations will help secure the Apec summit to be attended by 21 heads of state, PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez said during turnover ceremonies at Camp Crame. “In every hotel, route and venue, there will be an EOD-K9 unit, and these equipment will be very helpful in making sure that our people will be able to perform their jobs properly,” Marquez said. Thomas McDonough, US Embassy regional security officer, said: “I was joking with the [PNP] chief that you have three new recruits now in the PNP—the three robots that just joined you. I know you will make them welcome.” “This equipment that we are able to donate to our friends in the PNP comes at a very Read More …

Loans to consumers surged 19% in H1

General

Nov 022015

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Paolo G. Montecillo, November 3rd, 2015 01:10 AM GROWTH in loans by banks to consumers for increased credit card use, as well as the purchase of new homes and cars, rose by a fifth at the end of June, outpacing the expansion the industry’s total portfolio. This reflected local banks’ eagerness to get more cash in consumers’ hands—an area of the business promising fat yields despite heightened competition. Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed consumer loans rose by 19.29 percent at the end of the first half to a record high of P959.18 billion. Consumer loans were up 2.83 percent from March, sustaining the quarter-on-quarter growth since 2008. In contrast, outstanding loans of the country’s major banks rose by 14.5 percent at the end of June. “BSP monitors the level and quality of consumer and other bank loans to ensure banks’ adherence to high credit standards,” the regulator said. “Consumer loans increased in June due to an increase in auto loans, credit card receivables and salary loans,” BSP said in a statement. Loans for new home purchases were down slightly quarter on quarter, but were still up significantly from year-ago levels. Residential real estate loans took the lion’s share of banks’ consumer portfolio, accounting for P409.17 billion or about 42 percent of the total. At the end of June, real estate loans were up 17.34 percent, but down 0.55 percent year-on-year. The three-month dip reflects more prudent lending by banks amid increased oversight Read More …

PH still mulling over UN plea to take in Syrians

News

Sep 202015

PH still mulling over UN plea to take in Syrians

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Jerry E. Esplanada, September 21st, 2015 05:54 AM Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO The Philippines has yet to respond to the plea of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to accept Syrian refugees escaping their war-torn country, according to Malacañang. Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma on Sunday said over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan the Philippines, which admitted thousands of Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s and ’80s, had yet to reply to the UN agency. “We just want to make sure that we can manage it properly, that we don’t take on more than we can handle,” Coloma said, quoting President Aquino. Coloma, also head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), said the President had noted that a large number of Filipinos were still living in extreme poverty. “We would like to deploy our resources to better the lives of our people and do our fair share,” Mr. Aquino was quoted as saying. The PCOO chief said that before responding to the United Nation’s call, there is a need to look at the country’s situation and have our capabilities assessed by the United Nations and other organizations. “The President himself has said that we should ensure that we’re doing enough to help our countrymen in calamity-hit areas because they are the government’s priority,” Coloma said. Bernard Kerblat, the UNHCR representative to Manila, had urged President Aquino to respond to his agency’s call to admit Syrian refugees fleeing their devastated country Read More …

Settlement with Pemberton impossible–Laude family

News

Sep 012015

Settlement with Pemberton impossible–Laude family

Inquirer Central Luzon By: Allan Macatuno, September 2nd, 2015 05:51 AM OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines—The lawyers for the family of slain transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude said a settlement with the camp of accused US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was impossible now that both parties had rested their case. Pemberton is facing a murder charge in Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 here for the death of Laude, whose body was found in a motel bathroom on Oct. 11 last year. Witnesses identified Pemberton as the man who was last seen with her as they checked into the motel. “Any settlement now is impossible, especially since both parties are done presenting their respective evidence,” said Virgie Lacsa Suarez, one of the Laude family’s lawyers, in a text message to the Inquirer on Monday. Suarez said that since the start of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence on March 23, there had been no talk of a settlement. “There was only a discussion on a plea bargain as part of the pretrial early in February,” Suarez said. She denied reports the family had demanded P38 million and six US visas to drop the case. “There is simply no truth to that… maybe that’s what they (defense lawyers) want to offer [the family],” Suarez said. She said she suspected Pemberton’s lawyers were “testing the waters” when they revealed the alleged offer. “There is no truth to reports we will drop the case at anytime,” Suarez said. City Chief Prosecutor Emilie Fe de Read More …

China territorial aggression hit

News

Aug 312015

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Maricar B. Brizuela, September 1st, 2015 06:06 AM While the nation marked National Heroes Day on Monday, about 500 people from various sectors massed outside the Chinese consulate in Makati City and condemned China’s “territorial aggression.” Led by former National Security Adviser Roilo Golez and businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis of the group US Pinoys for Good Governance, the demonstrators called their gathering a “Global Day of Prayer for Peace and Victory in the West Philippine Sea.” They were joined by members of Movement and Alliance to Resist China’s Aggression (Marcha) composed of groups like Jesus Is Lord Church, Intercessors of the Philippines, Christian Men’s Ministry of the Philippines and Knights of Columbus. They occupied a stretch of Makati from Tordesillas Street to Nicanor Garcia (Reposo), braving the heat of the late-morning sun, and carried banners reading, “No to China’s Bullying, Yes to the Rule of Law.” The demonstration ended with a candle-lighting ceremony symbolizing, they said, the Filipinos’ hope for a peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea conflict. In his message, Golez said the United Nations arbitral tribunal would soon “decide the question of jurisdiction” in the arbitration case filed by the Philippines challenging China’s claim on parts of the South China Sea claimed by Manila. Golez said this would be a very important decision since it would create an impact on Philippine territory, national security and natural resources. Warship vs worship “We should continue to pray for our case,” Golez said. “I talked with Read More …

Magsaysay awardees urge others to be instruments of change

News

Aug 312015

Magsaysay awardees urge others to be instruments of change

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Tarra Quismundo, September 1st, 2015 06:05 AM PRESIDENT Aquino with Ramon Magsaysay 2015 awardees, from left , Kommaly Chantavong of Laos, Liga Fernando-Amilbangsa of the Philippines, Anshu Gupta of India, Sanjiv Chaturvedi of India and Kyaw Thu of Myanmar. RICHARD A. REYES Hailed as “modern-day heroes” on National Heroes Day, this year’s winners of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards on Monday called for greater collective action on the world’s most troubling issues, from cultural preservation and children’s rights to growing poverty and oppressive governance. Each giving their response to the honor accorded them in the name of the well-admired late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, Laos’ Kommaly Chanthavong, Myanmar’s Kyaw Thu, India’s Anshu Gupta and Sanjiv Chaturvedi and the Philippines’ Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa said the award provided them fresh inspiration for their efforts, as they encouraged others to become instruments of change. Gupta, who founded an organization that revolutionized the idea of giving clothes to the poor in India, hoped his innovation would find its way to other parts of the world. “I hope that when the celebrations around this year’s awards are over, there will be some people out there—from the governments, academia, development sector, research organizations, policy makers, opinion leaders and decision makers—who will see this work as a possibility which can turn the tide on the colossal waste we are all facing,” Gupta told his audience, which included President Aquino. Myanmar actor Kyaw Thu appealed for genuine reforms in his country long wracked by civil Read More …

Gas, diesel prices hiked Tuesday

General

Apr 272015

Jinkee Pacquiao says Manny needs to knock out Mayweather Andrew Lincoln looks forward to ‘Walking Dead’ movie version Talk N’ Text import Johnson has been a ‘menace’ says Guiao Tree planting, surveys DENR’s top programs—Paje Duterte applies brakes on speeding Binay not speaking for gov’t—Palace Thousands beg Australia not to deport autistic Filipino boy Halt Indonesia executions until graft claims probed—Australia MANILA, Philippines–Oil firms are raising pump prices this week amid continued buying in the regional market. Petron, Shell, Chevron, Seaoil, Total, Eastern Petroleum, PTT Philippines, Flying V and Phoenix Petroleum are set to hike prices by 70 centavos per liter for gasoline and 30 for diesel beginning Tuesday. Fuel prices were also raised last week following two weeks of rollbacks. The total price increase since January for gasoline is P3.07 per liter and 39 centavos per liter for diesel. International market reports said fuel inventories continued to rise even as the number of active US oil rigs continued to plunge.–Riza T. Olchondra Get Inquirer updates while on the go, add us on these apps: Tags: diesel Gasoline oil price hikes Philippines Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, Read More …

Stocks end lower

General

Apr 202015

‘Furious 7’ zooms past $1 billion mark Video: Islamist ISIS kills Ethiopian Christians in Libya BIFF attacks Army, PNP posts in Maguindanao Meet Cody and Caleb Walker, the men who filled in for Paul Walker in ‘Furious’ 7 Studies: Merck drug Keytruda effective against 3 cancers Report: Kuwait discovers 4 new oil fields in kingdom Pagasa issues thunderstorm warning over Metro Manila Top Islamic leader meets Senate leaders, pushes BBL Philippine stocks pared losses early Monday but still ended in negative territory, in line with the rest of Asia. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed down 1.03 percent, or 81.62 points, to 7,865.27, or still within a trading range that analysts said the measure would trade at this week. The broader all-shares index was down 0.94 percent, or 42.69 points, to 4,494.17. Stock across the region were also in the red as stimulus efforts in China aimed at countering slowing growth failed to lure investors back into the market. In the Philippines, foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of P703.8 million Monday, data from the PSE showed. A total of 1.14 billion shares changed hands for P18.57 billion. The volume spike was mainly due to a block sale of about P9.97 billion worth of Rizal Commercial Banking Cop. shares. It closed Monday an investment deal allowing a unit of Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd. to take a 20-percent stake in RCBC at P64 a share. Miguel R. Camus Get Inquirer updates while on the go, add Read More …

Biz Buzz: Driver’s license woes

General

Apr 192015

IF YOU think that the shortage of plate numbers is the only problem plaguing the Land Transportation Office (LTO), think again. Apparently, it’s not only the registration process for vehicles that has been hit by a supply chain problem, but also the registration process of drivers itself. More specifically, we’re talking about the driver’s license renewal process which—by many accounts—has been hitting snags, especially in the National Capital Region. According to a source, most LTO branches have now run out of blank driver’s license ID cards. As such, people renewing their licenses find at the end of the registration process that all they get is a flimsy piece of paper that doubles as a provisional license (until the actual plastic ID card can be issued, for which they would have to return to the LTO branch at some future date). We’re told that the problem has become so bad that it sometimes takes up to three months (if you’re lucky) to claim the actual driver’s license ID card. Biz Buzz learned that, a few weeks ago, a relative of President Aquino dutifully went to an LTO branch on his birthday to have his license renewed. At the end of the process (which was relatively efficient… until the ID issuing part), he was told to return in three months for the ID. But here’s the thing, this presidential relative was scheduled to head overseas in a few days. He told the LTO officials at the branch that he needed an actual Read More …

Biz Buzz: Bidders or dummies?

General

Apr 142015

While a good deal of people reflected over whether they ever subjected their household help to “yaya meals,” a quiet development occurred recently in the rebidding for the Cavite Laguna Expressway public-private partnership (PPP) deal. It appears that another entity—Gatmaitan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio—has acquired bid documents for Calax, bringing the number of “interested” groups to four, apart from San Miguel Corp., Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and business consultancy firm Reyes Tacandong & Co. It’s quite clear that, apart from SMC and Metro Pacific, the two other companies that bought bid documents did so on behalf of other groups. The question now is, who are they? Our government insiders have their suspicions, based on clues littered about. In fact, perhaps a bit anticlimactically, they think these are either current bidders or groups that had previously joined but decided that Calax wasn’t for them. We’ll get to the why in a bit, but recall that it costs a lot more to bid for Calax compared to a year ago. After the drama that played out in round 1, a participant must now need to shell out at least P20.1 billion as a floor bid for a chance to win the toll road deal, which costs another P35.4 billion to build. With that in mind, Biz Buzz insiders were struck, for example, at how the representative of Reyes Tacandong & Co. was very “confident” in their meetings and had very few clarifications and questions. A new bidder, they Read More …

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