BMI Online Editor

Oct 192016
 
President Duterte looks at the perspective of the proposed Drug Addiction Treatment Center to be donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation: President Rodrigo R. Duterte looks at the architect’s perspective and blueprint of the proposed Drug Addiction Treatment Center to be donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation during a lunch meeting at Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing, China on Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2016). (Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD/PNA)

President Duterte looks at the perspective of the proposed Drug Addiction Treatment Center to be donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation: President Rodrigo R. Duterte looks at the architect’s perspective and blueprint of the proposed Drug Addiction Treatment Center to be donated by the Friends of the Philippines Foundation during a lunch meeting at Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing, China on Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2016). (Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD/PNA)

MANILA, Oct 19 (Mabuhay) – President Rodrigo Duterte did not consult officials of his Cabinet before he made statements in scrapping the Philippines’ joint military exercises with the United States, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.

At the Commission on Appointments (CA) panel hearing on Lorenzana’s ad interim appointment, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon asked: “You cannot deny that we are also benefiting from this (PH-US joint exercises), so why should we terminate this?”

Lorenzana then replied: “Mr. chair, I really don’t know because the President has been issuing statements without consulting the Cabinet.”

Lorenzana said there is no final decision yet to suspend the military exercises next year. “It is still on,” he said.

He said Duterte has asked him to make a presentation to the Cabinet soon with regards to the status of military exercises, and other agreements and treaties.

The Defense secretary earlier said that the US “are still hoping” to conduct military exercise with the Philippines.

Duterte had said that the recently concluded exercises with the US military will be the last under his term.

The President had also expressed openness to war games with China and Russia. (MNS)

Oct 192016
 
Tobacco products to carry graphic health warnings starting Nov. 4

Cigarette packs with graphic health warnings: Anna Kapunan (center), spokesperson of Katipunars PSLINK, an association of nurses, shows samples of cigarette packs with graphic health warnings during a press briefing on Saving Lives Through the Full Implementation of the Graphic Health Warnings Law held at Max’s Restaurant, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City on Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2016). With her in photo are (from right): Jorge Banal, president, Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines; and Engr. Emer Rojas, president, New Vois Association of the Philippines. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends graphic health warnings and higher taxes on tobacco products as two of the most effective ways to stop people from smoking. (PNA photo by Johnny D. Guevarra) MANILA, Oct. 19 (PNA) – Beginning Nov. 4, all tobacco products being manufactured and imported for sale in the Philippines must contain graphic health warnings in compliance with Republic Act No. 10643. “This means that cigarette packs must carry graphic health warnings and products with text only warnings are no longer allowed to be sold anywhere in the country,” Emer Rojas, president of the New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP) and a throat cancer survivor, said during a press briefing held in Quezon City Wednesday. Ratified in July 2014, RA 10643 mandates that all tobacco products being sold in the country carry graphic health warnings in the lower portion of the cigarette packs, covering at least 50 percent of both sides of the packages. A total of 12 templates or Read More …

Oct 192016
 
Pimentel asked to explain why JV Ejercito has not been suspended

PIMENTEL ADMINISTERS OATH TO NEW S.E.N.A.D.O. OFFICERS: Senate President Koko Pimentel (8th from right) administers the oath of office to the newly elected officers of the Samahan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa Sa Adhikain Ng Demokratikong Organisasyon (S.E.N.A.D.O.), Tuesday, October 18, 2016. In photo are (from left), Pedro Tolentino, Jun Nicolas, Jr., Joseph Maico, Ollie Sulit, Ditas Ampa, Jocelyn Tomarong Celda, Atty. Joseph Babia (President), Joyce Dela Cruz, Maryjane Uskaner, Caloy Begino, Daks Millamena (Vice-President), Pedro Samaniego, and Roger Pacete. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 19 (Mabuhay) – State prosecutors have asked Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to explain the delay in implementing the suspension order against Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito in connection with his pending graft trial. In a motion submitted to the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division, state prosecutors also asked the office of San Juan City mayor Guia Gomez to explain why it has yet to suspend city administrator Ranulfo Barte Dacalos and City Legal Officer Romualdo Corpuz Delos Santos, who are among Ejercito’s co-accused in the case. State prosecutors argued that the August 22 resolution of the Sandiganbayan on Ejercito and his co-accused’s suspension has become final and executory since the Supreme Court has also not issued a writ of preliminary injunction in response to the writ of certiorari filed by the senator and his co-accused. They also noted that none of the accused have filed a motion for reconsideration to appeal the court’s decision. The Sandiganbayan ordered the suspension of Ejercito and his two co-accused for Read More …

Oct 192016
 
Baler under state of calamity

By Jason de Asis PAGASA Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio points to the eye of Typhoon “Lawin” during a press conference on Tuesday. Lawin (International name Haima), which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday afternoon, is predicted to make landfall in Cagayan province on Thursday morning. (MNS photo) BALER, Aurora, Oct. 19 (PNA) – This capital town of Aurora was placed under a state of calamity late Tuesday afternoon due to the effects of typhoon Karen. In a special session, the SB unanimously approved the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) to declare Baler under a state of calamity to be able to release calamity funds needed to assist the victims of typhoon Karen. On motion of councilor Francisco B. Zubia III which was affirmed by the rest of the SB members in session, they declared this town under a state of calamity until such time that the effects of the disaster have been mitigated and situation in the area has stabilized. Resolution no. 069-2016 was likewise approved by Mayor Nelianto C. Bihasa. This town was heavily hit by Karen which brought extensive damages to properties and livelihood in which a great number of population were affected and in need of emergency assistance, including those individuals and families whose houses were destroyed. Based on the report from the MDRRMO, damage to agriculture brought by typhoon Karen when it made a landfall Sunday in this capital town of Aurora has initially reached to more than PHP53.48 Read More …

Oct 192016
 
City of Carson culminates Filipino-American History Month celebration  with special Tribute to Larry Itliong

California:. Larry Itliong, arriving at AWOC meeting in Central Valley, sitting in a car with the door open, smoking a cigar. Early 1960’s. ©1976 George Ballis/Take Stock / The Image Works “The Image Works” ( photo courtesy of On October 22, the City of Carson and various organizations will join the entire community in honoring the life’s work and legacy of Larry Itliong – a Filipino-American labor leader and organizer. A tribute march will start at 9 a.m. on October 22 around the vicinity of Veterans Park located at 22400 Moneta Avenue in Carson followed by a labor awards ceremony. This year’s Larry Itliong Labor Awardees are Tony Doroño, co-founder of the Filipino Migrant Center, and the  UCLA Labor Center, home of the national immigrant youth movement. Entertainment is led by saxophonist, composer, and arranger, Michael “Cody” Dear from UCLA.  The event is free and open to the public.  Larry Itliong was responsible for organizing immigrant farm workers and cannery workers for over 30 years.  He helped establish the Alaska Cannery Workers Union in the 1930s and helped get a contract that called for eight-hour days with overtime pay. In 1965, Larry Itliong led the successful “Great Delano Grape Strike” to protest the low wages and miserable working conditions.  In 1966, he led the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and merged with the National Farm Workers Association led by Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers union. In 1970, Larry Itliong founded and became the president of the Filipino American Read More …

Oct 192016
 
20 foreign language Oscar contenders to screen at Asian World Film Festival in Culver City

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/ Los Angeles  2016 —- Twenty films submitted to represent their countries in the Motion Picture Academy’s Foreign Language Film category will be among the 34 motion pictures at the 2nd Annual Asian World Film Festival which runs from October 24 to November 1 at the ArcLight Theater in Culver City. In association with CJ Entertainment, this year’s festival will include a special screening track “Korean Film Days,” featuring five films from South Korea, including the Oscar® contender The Age of Shadows. The closing night film will be South Korea’s Operation Chromite. Keon-Seop Park, a visionary producer who opened the door to the New Korean Cinema in the ‘90s, will be honored on that night with the Cinematic Legacy Achievement Award. The three other films screening as part of CJ Entertainment’s Korea Film Days are Asura, The World of Us and The Map Against the World. All five films were released in 2016. The other Oscar contenders are Armenia’s Earthquake, Bangladesh’s The Unnamed, India’s Interrogation, Iraq’s El Clasico, Japan’s Nagasaki Memories of my Son, Jordan’s 3000 Nights, Kazakhstan’s Amanat, Kyrgyzstan’s A Father’s Will, Lebanon’s Very Big Shot, Malaysia’s Redha, Nepal’s The Black Hen, Palestine’sThe Idol, Pakistan’s Mah e Mir, Russia’s Paradise, Singapore’s Apprentice, Taiwan’s Hang In There, Kids!, Thailand’s Karma, Turkey’s Cold of Kalandar andYellow Flowers on the Green Grass from Vietnam. The AWFF is generously sponsored by Aitysh Film, Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, Etihad Airways, Variety, Sony Entertainment Television – Asia, The Los Angeles Film School, Consulate General of Lebanon Read More …

Oct 182016
 
PNP chief Bato dela Rosa to join Duterte’s China trip

Philippine National Police Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa (center) and other police officials salute as they wear local Igorot tribe headdress while singing the national anthem during a visit at the PNP Camp Dangwa in Benguet in this picture taken last Saturday. .(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday he will join President Rodrigo Duterte on his state visit to China. “He (Duterte) asked me to be there also. Mauna ako sa kanya. Nasa Brunei pa siya, hindi ba? Mauna ako. Baka mamaya nandun na ako,” Dela Rosa said with a laugh. The PNP chief, however, refused to say what his agenda is in joining the visit. “Hindi (ko masasabi). Mga classified ‘yun. Pagdating namin, pag-usapan namin. Tingnan ko kung ano ang pwede kong i-share sa inyo. Pero all others hindi muna siguro. Depende,” he said when asked about the matter during a press conference. He joked that China police might identify the drug lords there. “Baka identify na ng China police ‘yung mga drug lord doon at pagdating ko doon meron ng boxing ring at magsuntukan na lang kami doon,” he said joking. Dela Rosa earlier said that most of the illegal drugs and raw materials used for the manufacture of the illegal drugs are from China. In July, China said it is willing to cooperate with the Philippines in its campaign against illegal drugs. Also in July, Duterte himself said he will raise the issue of illegal drugs Read More …

Oct 182016
 
Duterte thanks Japan for continued support for PHL

By Jelly F. Musico President Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa in Malacañang on Monday (Oct. 3, 2016). (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday thanked Japan for its continued assistance, including patrol ships, to the country. President Duterte expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila. ”Let me start by giving our gratitude to Japanese Ambassador Ishikawa, our heartfelt thanks for giving us the ships — some are here, others are coming — and your desire to help the Philippines,” President Duterte said in his speech. The President recognized Japan as one of the biggest contributors to the Filipino people. ”In my city alone, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) projects are abundant and it has redounded to the benefit of my countrymen over in Mindanao,” said the former Davao City mayor. ”And now that I’m the President, you continue to pour the aid that you feel you want to extend to us and again, we’d like to thank the Japanese people, your Emperor and your government,” he said. President Duterte said the Philippines needs more ships to patrol the country’s more than 7,000 islands. ”We need the ships. If you count the number of islands of about 7,000 plus, that would count to so many great miles of coastlines. It is not Read More …

Oct 182016
 
DPWH completes PHP44-M flood control project for Nueva Viscaya

Difficult task: Using a shovel, a Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) worker unclogs the drainage system along Pedro Gil Street corner Osmena Highway in Manila to ease the floodwater that accumulated in the area on Tuesday (Oct. 11, 2016). (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan) MANILA  (PNA) – A newly completed flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now benefiting residents of a rural municipality in Nueva Vizcaya. The DPWH through the Nueva Vizcaya Second District Engineering Office (NVSDEO) has completed the construction of a revetment to support to the Mangayang Bridge located at Brgy. Banganan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. A 636.0 lineal meters revetment structure with a combination of gabion and granular fill embankment materials was built at a cost of PHP44 million to further strengthen the said bridge which links Aritao-Quirino Road. “The construction of the flood control project will help prevent inland flooding and protecting lives and properties of residents during heavy rains.”, said NVSDEO District Engineer Ronald P. Reyes “This project is critically important to small town communities near the rivers especially when water level in the river increases because of heavy rains,” added Reyes.

Oct 182016
 
DOTr rolls out new double decker P2P buses for passengers affected by ‘no window hours’ policy

By Aerol B. Patena P2P double deck bus in EDSA: A Point-to-Point (P2P) double deck bus travels along the stretch of the EDSA Santolan southbound lane on Thursday (October 13, 2016). The bus is one of the 14 P2P buses plying the Trinoma-Makati (Glorietta 5) route which were launched in a bid to reduce travel time of commuters. (PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan) MANILA  (PNA) – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has launched on Wednesday fourteen new double decker premium point to point (P2P) buses traversing the Trinoma-Glorietta route that will operate 24 hours from Monday to Sunday. The buses will carry passengers that will be affected by the implementation of the “no window hours” policy on private vehicles traveling along EDSA, C5, Mandaluyong, Alabang-Zapote, and Roxas Boulevard starting Oct. 17. “The P2P buses offer a convenient transportation option and designed to encourage private car owners to try public transportation,” DOTr said in a statement. Two of the buses are customized VIP units which are equipped with 52 reclining sleeper seats with monitors for latest movies, games and other entertainment apps. Its lower floor features a VIP cabin with CR, cooler, VIP sofas, conference table, and two units of 50” flatscreen TV monitors with KTV functions. The VIP double decker buses are also equipped with CCTV cameras and have passed Euro 5 emission standards. Apart from the VIP bus units, seven semi-VIP and five PWD double decker buses were also launched. The fare for the buses costs PHP55 for single Read More …