cmiranda

US justice official cites use of rewards, threats in fight vs corruption

 News
Mar 012014
 
US justice official cites use of rewards, threats in fight vs corruption

MANILA, Philippines—A former senior counsel of the US Department of Justice has cited the importance of giving incentives to reward companies that cooperate with law enforcement in fighting corruption and, on the other hand, of issuing threats to investigate those that fail to come forward with information regarding corruption. Office of the Ombudsman or Asian Development Bank building Adam Lurie, guest lecturer at the 4th Integrity Lecture Series organized by the Office of the Ombudsman at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) last week, spoke on the importance of tapping private sector participation in the government’s fight against graft and corruption. Lurie also cited the importance of the use of wiretap devices, of access to financial documents or bank records, and the adoption of whistle-blower laws as critical tools for US law enforcement. Zero-tolerance policy In his lecture entitled “The Vital Role of Government in Encouraging Private Sector Participation and Cooperation in Anti-Corruption and Complex Enforcement,” Lurie discussed how American companies adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption. He said the United States government developed a compliance and ethics program that initiates due diligence within a company and promotes an organizational culture of commitment to compliance with the law.  The program also defined what are acceptable gifts to public officials, he said. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Teresita Herbosa, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, deputy mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Reed Aeschliman, and Makati Business Club chair Ramon del Rosario Jr. served as panel reactors Read More …

US Embassy trumpets programs, ‘easy visa’ processing, Americana in mall tour

 News
Mar 012014
 
US Embassy trumpets programs, ‘easy visa’ processing, Americana in mall tour

MANILA, Philippines—The United States Embassy in Manila on Saturday launched a multimedia event to celebrate Philippine-US ties and showcase the embassy’s programs and services, including “friendly” tourist visa processing. US Embassy in Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO Dubbed “America in 3D: A Road Show in Diplomacy, Development and Defense,” the weekend-long multimedia, entertainment and education activity was launched at SM Mall of Asia, highlighting the favorite activities of Filipinos and Americans such as shopping, food and music. Ambassador Philip Goldberg described Philippine-US ties as “very strong and very rich,” pointing to the four million Americans of Filipino descent living in the US and the 350,000 US nationals living in the Philippines. “This [event] shows our deep commitment to each other, which is people-to-people. We have our people here to help explain what the embassy does and help demystify some our services,” the ambassador told reporters in an interview. Another presentation also showed the step-by-step process of applying for a tourist visa. Goldberg dispelled perceptions that Filipinos have difficulty obtaining tourist visas to visit the United States. He admitted that the US Embassy compound in Manila may look intimidating with its high walls and strict security but, in reality, the procedure for visa application is “friendly.” “The vast majority of people who apply are approved for visas. [We have] a standard and easy process: You make an appointment, you go in, you have an interview. As long as you are a stable resident of the Philippines, you’re going to get your Read More …

DFA issues alert level 2 as Bangkok protests continue

 News
Jan 232014
 
DFA issues alert level 2 as Bangkok protests continue

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:02 pm | Thursday, January 23rd, 2014  (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong) MANILA, Philippines – Alert level 2 has been raised in Thailand by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Thursday citing “threats to life, security, and property of Filipinos” as anti-government protests continue in the capital city of Bangkok. “The DFA has raised the Alert Level from 1 (Precautionary Phase) to 2 (Restriction Phase) for Bangkok and surrounding areas which have been placed under a 60-day state of emergency by the Thai Government,” it said in a statement. “Alert Level 2 is issued when there are real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos arising from internal disturbance or external threat,” DFA said. Filipinos have been instructed to “restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation.” Bangkok has been under intense protests from anti-government demonstrators calling for the resignation of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra due to allegations that she is a puppet of her brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. “While there has been an effort to maintain a state of normalcy in the Thai capital, the situation remains fluid and volatile particularly in anti-government protest areas,” DFA said. “The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok continues to advise Filipinos with essential travel plans to, and those residing in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand to avoid the rally sites and large gatherings and to refrain from taking part in the protest or other political activities,” it said. Demonstrations have been held in major intersections and government offices Read More …

PH fishermen ask China to withdraw fisheries policy

 News
Jan 112014
 
PH fishermen ask China to withdraw fisheries policy

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 12:41 pm | Sunday, January 12th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – Fisherfolk on Sunday wrote to outgoing Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing, asking China to recall its new policy requiring foreign fishing vessels to ask approval before entering parts of the South China Sea. FILE PHOTO “We the leaders and representatives of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), a national federation of small fisherfolk in the Philippines, submit this humble appeal to the Chinese government to recall the new fishing rule that demands foreign fishing vessels to enter in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” the letter, signed by Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France, said. Pamalakaya asked the envoy to relay their message and push for a diplomatic and peaceful resolution on the continuing conflict between the Philippines and China, as well as other claimant countries. “Madam Ambassador, we ask the Chinese government to be extra prudent in dealing with the West Philippine Sea conflict. It would be better if Beijing seeks bilateral and inter-nation dialogues with other claimants rather than engage in hardcore assertion of something that needs to be carefully studied,” France said. He said all the claimants should instead unite “to frustrate the intervention of the United States – the biggest threat to world peace according to international view.” China, through the Hainan Provincial People’s Congress, recently issued a new fisheries law requiring foreign fishing vessels to obtain approval from its regional authorities before fishing or surveying a large portion of the Read More …

AFP gradually boosting territorial defense

 News
Jan 062014
 
AFP gradually boosting territorial defense

By Frances MangosingPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:06 pm | Monday, January 6th, 2014 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The military is in “gradual transition” of its operations to territorial defense this 2014. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista, however, emphasized that they will continue to address internal security threats even it starts its transition to territorial defense. “We will continue to address- it’s part of our mandate- internal security issues until appropriate agencies of government are capable,” he told reporters on Monday. By 2016, the military targets the completion of its anti-insurgency Internal Peace Security Plan Bayanihan. This campaign is a multi-sectoral approach in ending insurgency problem in the country that is anchored on “winning the peace.” “We will sustain Bayanihan, [but also we] appeal to our people that internal conflicts be put to an end because there are more pressing concerns, urgent concerns that we need to address. We are witness to Yolanda, climate change. We are witness to our problems in the West Philippine Sea and many more,” he added. Communist rebels are estimated to be around 4,000. As for the military’s territorial defense, where the Philippines faces external conflict with China, Bautista also highlighted its “peaceful” approach but is also prepared for other scenarios. “We would like to resolve conflicts in the most peaceful manner, it applies internally and also externally. We will continue to pursue that national policy, without Read More …

Foreign aid donors decline comment on alleged bunkhouse overprice

 News
Jan 062014
 
Foreign aid donors decline comment on alleged bunkhouse overprice

U.S. Marines provide safe drinking water to typhoon survivors Thursday Nov. 21, 2013 at Tacloban city, Leyte province in central Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA—Major donors to the Philippines’ response to the humanitarian emergency in typhoon-ravaged Eastern Visayas begged off from making any comment Monday on the reported overpricing of bunkhouses for people rendered homeless by the calamity. The United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union withheld comment on the Inquirer  report on the padded costing for bunkhouses—temporary shelters regarded as critical in the continuing response two months since the emergency. They are among the biggest donors to the relief effort, now entering its second month and gradually shifting to early recovery, including moving survivors from evacuation centers to bunkhouses pending the construction of permanent shelters. The Manila embassy of the UK, the largest donor by far, did not issue any comment. British aid for typhoon relief in the Philippines has reached P11.1 billion, including contributions from both the UK government and private individuals, the embassy said. The UK has also vowed to support reconstruction in Eastern Visayas over the long haul. The Manila delegation of the European Union also withheld comment pending its humanitarian aid department’s aid assessment this month. The EU has so far pledged $26.8 million or P1.18 billion, according to the Philippine government portal’s Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAITH). The US embassy in Manila also did not comment on the issue. A US embassy official privy to American assistance said the embassy “did not Read More …

Norway foreign minister to visit PH and Yolanda-hit areas

 News
Jan 062014
 
Norway foreign minister to visit PH and Yolanda-hit areas

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 5:03 pm | Monday, January 6th, 2014 Norway’s foreign minister Borge Brende. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Norway’s foreign minister Borge Brende will make his first official visit to the country from January 7 to 9 and will also visit disaster-hit areas in Samar to see first-hand the Norwegian humanitarian and relief effort in the province. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will personally welcome Brende and the two will discuss bilateral relations “and find new ways of expanding areas for cooperation in the fields of trade, investments, and maritime cooperation,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a press briefing Monday. “They will also discuss Norway’s participation in the country’s recovery from typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan). Minister Brende will visit Tacloban and Basey in Samar province to see first-hand the Norwegian humanitarian operations and assistance to victims,” Hernandez said. According to the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (Faith) website, Norway has provided $13.6 million (P600.5 million) worth of non-cash aid channeled through the Red Cross and the United Nations, and other non-government organizations. Humanitarian relief workers and volunteers have also been deployed to the calamity areas. “Minister Brende will also meet Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Teresita Deles to discuss Norway’s current role as third country facilitator for peace talks with the communist groups and its participation in the international monitoring team in Mindanao,” Hernandez said. As of June 2013, there were 17,400 Filipinos in Norway mostly working as nurses, caregivers, engineers and housekeepers, the DFA Read More …

PH gov’t asked to shun US military access amid Tubbataha issue

 News
Jan 042014
 
PH gov’t asked to shun US military access amid Tubbataha issue

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 12:31 pm | Sunday, January 5th, 2014 This undated handout photo released on March 30, 2013 by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) shows the stern of the USS Guardian before being lifted by a boat crane during its salvage operation at Tubbataha reef, in Palawan island, western Philippines. AFP PHOTO/PCG MANILA, Philippines – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) asked the government on Sunday to abandon military access negotiations with the United States after it was revealed that the US has yet to pay for the damage caused by their ship on the Tubbataha Reef. “The US government has made it abundantly clear that our relations are unequal. It has not paid a single centavo for the destruction caused by the USS Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef. It has made a mockery of our laws,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in a statement. The group chided the PH government for not aggressively pursuing the damage claims, adding that there were many opportunities to do so, including US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to the country last month. “Why allow the US increased military access to our country when the US clearly disregards the protection of the environment? Why allow de facto basing when these ships pose a threat to the environment? It does not make any sense,” Reyes said. The two countries have started negotiations on a framework agreement for the increased rotational presence of US troops in Philippine soil. It is in line with US Read More …

‘US must pay more for reef damage’

 News
Jan 042014
 
‘US must pay more for reef damage’

In this Jan. 22, 2013 photo released by the Philippine Coast Guard, coast guard divers approach the USS Guardian, a US Navy minesweeper, to assess the situation after it ran aground last week off Tubbataha Reef. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—It’s all right if the United States has not yet paid the P58.3-million fine slapped on it by the Philippines for messing up the Tubbataha Reefs this time last year, because it has to pay more, a Filipino lawyer said on Saturday. Lawyer Edre Olalia said the United States had to pay not only for direct damages but also for other violations of Philippine environmental laws and regulations due to the grounding of its minehunter USS Guardian on an atoll in the Tubbataha Reefs. “We’re opposed to the paltry fine assessment made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Those responsible for the destruction of the reef must be held liable. The United States should pay more,” Olalia told the Inquirer in a phone interview. Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, is one of the lawyers of environmentalist and activist groups that filed in April last year a petition for a writ of kalikasan (nature) in the Supreme Court while efforts to extricate the USS Guardian from the reef were under way. The petitioners demanded a fine more than 10 times the Philippine government’s assessment. Similar incident in Hawaii They compared the Tubbataha incident to the grounding of the USS Port Royal on a coral Read More …

Norwegian minister coming to check ‘Yolanda’ rehab effort

 News
Jan 042014
 
Norwegian minister coming to check ‘Yolanda’ rehab effort

By Ronnel W. DomingoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:54 am | Sunday, January 5th, 2014 Japanese Self Defense Force personnel arrive to coordinate relief efforts on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at Tacloban City. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende will visit from Jan. 7 to 9 the areas worst hit by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the Philippines. Brende, who will be on an official visit, wants to get a firsthand look at the progress of recovery efforts to which Norway was one of the first responders with emergency funds. He is expected to visit Leyte and meet with representatives of the UN, including FAO Philippines officials. Oslo has committed P1.45 billion toward relief efforts and long-term disaster response related to Yolanda. The amount is on top of the P180 million Norwegian NGOs raised through a charity concert in November and the P178 million the Filipino community in Norway raised through a similar event in December. Norway was among the first nations to respond to appeals for aid in the immediate aftermath of Yolanda. On Nov. 19, less than two weeks after the typhoon’s onslaught, the Norwegian parliament increased the nation’s P450 million donation by P1 billion. Back then, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in a statement her government wanted “to help alleviate the suffering that children, women and men are now undergoing in the affected areas in the Philippines.” Solberg said Norway’s donations were to go to food, Read More …

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