BMI Online Editor

CA orders Meralco to refund customers P5B in overpayments

Dec 222014

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial laying of the San Gabriel Power Plant Project time capsule in Brgy. Sta Rita, Batangas City January 14 that include Batangas Governor-turned actress Vilma Santos, among the many manifestations of continued economic growth in the Philippines. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will have to refund its customers the P5 billion the power utility would be getting from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp (PSALM) and the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) in overpayments as a result of double-billing transmission line charges from 2006 to 2012. The Court of Appeals Special Second Division, in a 20-page ruling, upheld the orders of the Energy Regulatory Commission on March 4 and July 1, 2013 that directed the Meralco to refund its 5.4 million customers. The ERC ordered Meralco to refund its customers by way of automatic deductions to the computed monthly “Generation Rate” that the power utility will recover from PSALM and NAPOCOR. Ruling on the case, the appellate court said it cannot grant PSALM’s request to stop the ERC from ordering the P5-billion refund. “The court notes that the undisputed transmission charges are mere Meralco’s pass-through charges, In truth, it is the public that has been doubly charged,” said the CA. Sought for comment, Meralco head legal William Pamintuan said the firm would follow the appelate court’s ruling. “Meralco shall abide and comply with any executable order from the court or the ERC in this regard,” Pamintuan said. Read More …

Miriam: Let rich inmates pay for their ‘kubols’

Entertainment

Dec 222014

Miriam: Let rich inmates pay for their ‘kubols’

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago announces during a press conference on Wednesday (July 2, 2014) that she has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. “God never asks us for an opinion. God just goes ahead and does whatever is in His hands. I just say okay,” Santiago says. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago reiterated Wednesday her proposal for the government to let rich convicts pay for their “kubols” since these have already been built. In an interview with reporters, Santiago said she recommended several years ago that the Philippines should follow the practice in the United States where inmates are allowed to avail of improved cells. Unfortunately, the senator said her proposal was not taken seriously. “Several years ago, I recommended that we should follow the procedure in the United States where they are allowed, not necessarily luxurious, but at least improved circumstances of detention over those who are just treated in a regular manner. Then we can make them (inmates) pay and give the money for government funds,” she said. “If you cannot prevent it, then you must mitigate it. This has been going on for, perhaps, decades and it has never been stopped. That means that it has been institutionalized,” she added. In a surprise inspection at the National Bilibid Prisons, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima found rooms filled with luxury items including a 50-inch flat screen TV, a split-type aircon, a home theater system, an LCD projector, a sauna facility, and a jacuzzi Read More …

Ping thinking of ‘transition period’ for 2016 plans

Entertainment

Dec 222014

Ping thinking of ‘transition period’ for 2016 plans

President Benigno S. Aquino III administers the oath of office to Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery former Senator Panfilo Lacson in a ceremony at the President’s Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (December 10, 2013). The “rehabilitation czar” is the man in charge to oversee the overall efforts being undertaken by the national government in reconstructing the areas destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Running for higher office, even the presidency, is always an option for former senator Panfilo Lacson. “How to get there is a different matter altogether, what your chances are. That’s why there are surveys. Then you start thinking your position… Everybody does that, try to figure out the way forward, and it’s normal,” he said. He said it would be hypocritical for someone to say he or she is closing doors on such an opportunity if voter-perception is positive. He said he is “tickled” by the results of recent surveys showing a strong probability of him winning, specifically in the senatorial elections. “I’m also thinking of a transition period where I can exit so that I can chart my own course,” he said. Besides, there is still one year left before politicians think of filing their certificates of candidacy, he added. Lacson currently heads the rehabilitation of Yolanda-affected areas. Lacson, who rose to fame as PNP chief before making it in politics, said all options at this time are “open-ended.” He said the strongest option, for Read More …

ADB further trims 2014 PHL growth estimates on weak gov’t spending

General

Dec 222014

ADB further trims 2014 PHL growth estimates on weak gov’t spending

An employee counts U.S. dollar bills before changing it to Philippine Pesos inside a money changer in Manila September 19, 2013. The Philippine central bank said remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have allowed households to save money, boosting the country’s savings rate.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has further lowered the growth outlook for the Philippines this year while downgrading economic forecast in most Southeast Asian countries, saying the momentum has slowed down. In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook 2014 Update released Wednesday, the Manila-based lender trimmed its growth estimates for the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to 6 percent in 2014 from 6.2 percent it announced in September. The Philippine economy grew by 6.1 percent in the first half but the growth pace fell back to 5.3 percent in the third quarter, making it the fourth fastest growing economy in Asia. This brought the GDP in the first nine months of the year to 5.8 percent. “Robust private consumption and higher private investment and net exports were insufficient to balance unexpectedly weak public spending,” ADB said in the report. Of the six countries monitored by ADB, Malaysia was the only country with an outlook maintained for 2014, a situation that helped bring down growth estimates for the subregion. In the latest update, Southeast Asia’s aggregate GDP is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2014 and 5.1 percent in 2015, compared with 4.6 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, in previous estimates. While Read More …

Solon lauds approval of bill promoting positive, non-violent discipline among children

Entertainment

Dec 202014

Solon lauds approval of bill promoting positive, non-violent discipline among children

President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to the updates on the on-going rehabilitation efforts by Guiuan Municipal Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales at the Guiuan Public Market in Barangay 6, Poblacion, Guiuan during the visit to the province of Eastern Samar on Friday (November 07, 2014). It was in Guiuan where super typhoon Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded, made its first landfall on November 08, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A Partylist lawmaker on Wednesday lauded the passage of a bill that seeks to promote positive and non-violent forms of discipline among children and said that it was a major step towards securing the safety and well-being of children in their homes, schools and communities. Akbayan Partylist Rep. Barry Gutierrez said House Bill 4907, also called the Positive Discipline Act, when enacted into law, would protect children against corporal punishment and secure an environment that fosters positive reinforcement of children’s behavior to facilitate learning and growth. HB 4907 was unanimously approved Tuesday on third and final reading at the House of Representatives. “Effective and positive discipline establishes the foundation for children to learn self-discipline, protects them from dangers of violent discipline and help inculcate in them the value of self-control and responsibility,” Gutierrez said. “We strongly discourage parents and guardians to discipline with sticks, which, in the long run, may prove counterproductive, for both parents and children,” the co-author of the proposed legislation said. According to the lawmaker, the measure prohibits all forms of corporal punishment, humiliating or degrading Read More …

Bangko Sentral says ATMs have enough money Christmas-New Year holidays

General

Dec 202014

Bangko Sentral says ATMs have enough money Christmas-New Year holidays

Rizal Park Management personnel install colorful native lanterns, or parols, at the park on Wednesday. Less than a month before Christmas, establishments are busy beautifying and adding Christmas decorations for the Yuletide season. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Banks are closed from December 24 to January 4, except on December 29 – the only time during the long holidays when the public can do business directly with bank personnel. There’s no need tighten your belts though as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) gave the assurance that automated teller machines (ATMs) will have ample supply of cash. “Nag-pe-prepare naman po ng maaga ang banks sa kanilang ATM… Ang supply ay tinitignan nila na okay kahit holiday, mayroon naman po ‘yang enough supply,” BSP spokesperson Grace Malic said in an interview. “Ang mga banko may mga measures para hindi tayo maubusan ng pera,” Malic said. “Hindi naman po pababayaan ng mga bangko ‘yan. In fact, nag-co-coordinate ang BSP at mga bangko tungkol dito sa supply kung papano i-i-schedule ang supply,” she noted. (MNS)

Sandigan rejects recusal request of justices in Jinggoy cases

Entertainment

Dec 182014

Sandigan rejects recusal request of justices in Jinggoy cases

Senator Jinggoy Estrada leaves the residence of his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, in Greenhills, San Juan on Monday, June 23, to proceed to Camp Crame to surrender following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him and several others in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec 17 (Mabuhay) — The Sandiganbayan has unanimously refused the request for recusal of the three justices handling the graft and plunder cases of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said Wednesday. Tang said the anti-graft court, in a special en banc session, did not find the “personal reasons” of the justices compelling enough to grant their request. While Tang refused to say what the reasons were, she did consent to say that it was not due to pressure of any kind related to their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), or to threats to the lives of the justices. “Let me set the record straight. It has nothing to do with release of our SALN to the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), or any alleged bank account investigation of the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council). There has never been any pressure from Malacañang either,” Tang told reporters. “I hope you will respect them, they wished for this to be confidential,” she added. In a one-page document submitted Monday to Tang, Justices Roland Jurado, Alexander Gesmundo and Ma. Theresa Dolores Estoesta requested to be relieved of handling Estrada’s case. Estrada, son of former President and now Manila Read More …

MRT gets failing grade from commuters in Sen. Poe’s survey

General

Dec 182014

MRT gets failing grade from commuters in Sen. Poe’s survey

Vice President Jejomar Binay sprinkles holy water at the tomb of Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) at the Manila North Cemetery on the occasion of the 10th death anniversary of the acknowledged Filipino movie king on Sunday (Dec.14, 2014). Also in photo are Senator Grace Poe and movie-TV actress Susan Roces (2nd from left). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Commuters gave the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) trains a failing grade in terms of maintenance works on the 15-year-old mass transport system. At a hearing of the Senate committee on public services on Wednesday, chairman Sen. Grace Poe presented an independent survey done by her office covering about a hundred daily commuters of MRT. Using the grading system of the University of the Philippines, the 13 stations of the MRT got an average grade of 4 or conditional failure. “Sa kabuohan ay bagsak po ang nakuhang grado ng MRT. Ang pinaka-dinadaing po ng mga commuter ay ang napakatagal na oras ng pagpila, marurumi at mabahong comfort rooms, hindi gumaganang escalators at elevators, at ang labis na siksikan sa loob ng bagon habang nag-bibiyahe,” Poe said of the survey results. The survey focused on queuing time, conditions of comfort rooms, conditions of elevators and escalators, ease of travel or comfort while riding the train, air conditioning system and total riding experience. In terms of waiting time in riding the train, majority of the commuters said it usually takes them 30 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to board the train. Read More …

Will we see a new Ford GT in 2015?

General

Dec 152014

The Ford GT pictured with its illustrious predecessors. ©Ford Motor Company Reports are growing that 2015 could see the resurrection of an automotive legend and Ford’s return to the supercar market. After an absence of nearly 10 years, Ford is planning a new GT. And, according to Road and Track magazine, it could make its debut as early as next month at the Detroit Auto Show. The last GT, which ceased production in 2006, was a modern interpretation of the iconic GT40, with modern Ferrari-beating levels of performance to boot. When it was launched, demand outstripped supply but by the time Ford caught up – cars had been changing hands on the second-hand market for $100,000s above the list price – US vehicle regulations changed and the economy stumbled; meaning that the car only stayed in production for two years and Ford cancelled plans to extend its supercar offering with Daytona and Cobra-inspired models that had passed the concept car stage. The car that inspired the GT, the Ford GT40 was built in the 1960s to challenge Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans; and in doing so wrote itself into the history books. In 1966 the car came first, second and third in the 24-hour race and also went on to win the race in 1967, 68 and 69 too. In 2016 it will be 50 years since Ford managed this incredible coup and the new GT is expected to mark the anniversary, alongside a new track-focused version of the car that Read More …

Despite high ratings, Grace Poe still has no plan to run for president in 2016

Entertainment

Dec 122014

Despite high ratings, Grace Poe still has no plan to run for president in 2016

Senator Grace Poe (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday said she still has no plan to seek higher post in the 2016 despite her improving rating in terms of people’s choice, but she admitted: the survey result “is truly heartwarming.” In the recent Pulse Asia survey conducted between November 14 and 20, 18 percent of the 1,200 respondents said they would vote Poe for president if the elections were held during the survey period. Vice President Jejomar Binay, meanwhile, dropped five percentage points but remained at the top. In the latest survey, Binay had 26 percent. “But, as of this time, it does not shake off the real reasons I have said before that deter me from even seriously considering to run in 2016,” Poe told reporters in a text message. She earlier said she does not want to go through what her father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., experienced in 2004 when he ran against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She also said she didn’t want the public to think she was too ambitious as she admitted there were others who are more experienced. “There are still so much to do in the Senate that needs my full attention and efforts,” the neophyte senator added. (MNS)

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