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House bill seeks to criminalize hoarding PHL coins

 News
Jul 272013
 
House bill seeks to criminalize hoarding PHL coins

If a bill filed in the House of Representatives is passed into law, hoarding Philippine coins may become a crime with the offender facing up to eight years in jail. House Bill 1662, the proposed Anti-Hoarding of Philippine Legal Tender Coins Act of 2013, filed by Iloilo Rep. Jerry Treñas also provides for a fine of at least P300,000. “The unscrupulous practice of hoarding of coins is tantamount to economic sabotage and is creating an artificial shortage of coins,” Treñas said in a news release. In his bill, Treñas said hoarding coins of any denomination may cause an artificial shortage of small denominations of currency. He cited how many establishments have lacked small change. The proposed bill criminalizes the keeping or possession of coins of any denomination exceeding the allowable aggregate value, number of pieces and weight “to be determined by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) by any person, corporation, partnership, association or any other form of juridical personality.” The bill seeks to stop the alleged practice by syndicates of hoarding coins, which are smelted and converted into other materials for industrial uses. Treñas added the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will be the proper agency to enforce and implement the proposed act. Exempted from the bill’s coverage are charitable institutions, private banks, banking and financial institutions of the government, and government agencies and instrumentalities that “hold or keep such coins in connection with their official duties.” The bill lets the BSP “review and change, if needed, the aggregate amounts Read More …

PAGASA: Rain over Luzon and Eastern Visayas Thursday

 News
Jul 242013
 
PAGASA: Rain over Luzon and Eastern Visayas Thursday

Rain is expected over Metro Manila, Luzon and Eastern Visayas on Thursday due to the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ), state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 5 p.m. bulletin, said the ITCZ was across northern and Central Luzon. For Thursday, it said Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and Eastern Visayas may expect “cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms.” The rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.” Also, PAGASA said moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southeast to south will prevail over the Western section of Northern and Central Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to southeast with slight to moderate seas. Thunderstorm advisories Earlier Wednesday, heavy rain was noted over parts of Metro Manila and Davao. Affected by thunderstorms were Davao City, parts of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Cotabato, and Maguindanao. PAGASA also issued thunderstorm advisories at 10 p.m. over: – Liloan, Consolation, Mandaue, LapuLapu in Cebu and nearby areas – Metro Manila — DVM, GMA News

New Chinese coast guard ship seen in PHL territory

 News
Jul 242013
 
New Chinese coast guard ship seen in PHL territory

A new Chinese coast guard vessel has been spotted in the Panganiban Reef—the same type of ship that a news report in China says is being used for the first time in disputed territorial waters. “An unidentified China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel was sighted in Panganiban Reef,” a government report seen Wednesday by GMA News Online said. The ship, according to the report, possesses “advance communication systems and armaments such as twin automatic cannons mounted on the ships’ deck.” “As such, it is deemed imperative for the Philippines to enhance its present intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities while seeking a minimum credible deterrent against potential external threats,” the report said. Panganiban Reef is a rich fishing ground within Philippine territory but came under Chinese control in 1995. Chinese media has reported in Beijing that China would now use armed Chinese coast guard vessels to complement its fleet of Chinese Maritime Surveillance (CMS) and Fisheries and Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) vessels that, for years, have been conducting sovereignty patrols in most of the Chinese-claimed areas in the South China Sea. The Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have competing claims over the resource-rich waters. China claims “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire South China Sea, where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas, even as it overlaps with the territories of its Asian neighbors. Manila has sought international arbitration to try to declare as illegal China’s massive claim. News reports say Chinese coast guard vessels have been seen first Read More …

Generals' group wants mandatory ROTC revived

 News
Jul 242013
 
Generals' group wants mandatory ROTC revived

A group of active and retired military and police generals on Wednesday called for the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) in college. In a resolution, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) said mandatory ROTC, which was abolished over a decade ago, will instill patriotism among male college students. It said the current setup under National Service Training Program Act of 2001 has been “insufficient” in instilling “the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen.” The group added that the present setup, where ROTC is only optional and voluntary, “do not address the military training ideally required of every citizen.” “(More than) 10 years after the abolition of the ROTC as mandatory program, there is now a growing sentiment that the national defense preparedness of our nation has not been served well since the alternative programs in the National Service Training Program are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen and do not address the military training ideally required of every citizen,” AGFO said. The group also said that “geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific Region have accentuated the weakness of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to defend the national sovereignty.” AGFO is currently headed by retired Army Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, the executive director of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission. The mandatory ROTC program was scrapped in 2002 following the passage of Read More …

DepEd clarifies face veil removal order for Muslim teachers

 News
Jul 242013
 
DepEd clarifies face veil removal order for Muslim teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday clarified that a recent order requesting Filipino Muslim teachers to remove their face veil inside the classroom applies only to Arabic language instructors. Although some reacted to the order vehemently, some Muslim teachers welcomed the order, saying that having the students see their face is particularly important in language class, and is especially effective when teaching younger students. “What the order actually states is that teachers handling Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) are requested to remove the veil covering the face (niqab) when teaching in the classroom,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is to promote better teacher-pupil relationship and to support effective language teaching since seeing the teacher’s lips helps in the correct production of letter sounds,” he noted. Luistro is referring to DepEd Order no. 32 series of 2013, which reiterates DECS order No. 53, series of 2001 or Strengthening the Protection of Religious Rights of Students. An Agence France-Presse report on Tuesday said that Muslim teachers were told to remove their veil during lessons. However, the report failed to mention that the order was only referring to the full-face veil, and only applies to those teaching the Arabic language. The order states that wearing a veil covering the entire face is allowed outside the classroom, but that it is “strongly suggested” that the veil be removed or partially removed (the detachable mouth and nose cover) during classes so that students can see the Read More …

Bill filed to allow foreign vessels greater flexibility in Philippine waters

 News
Jul 242013
 
Bill filed to allow foreign vessels greater flexibility in Philippine waters

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday filed a bill that will remove restrictions on foreign vessels entering the country. “[Should it be passed,] this bill will bring goods here. It will remove all limitations, and will allow foreign vessels to travel port by port,” Rodriguez told GMA News Online. House Bill 1789, or “An Act Allowing Foreign Vessels to Engage in Coastwise Trade in the Country and for other purposes,” otherwise known as the “Coastwise Trade Act of 2013,” repeals the Cabotage law. In his State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III also mentioned that he wants to see Congress amend the law. The Cabotage Law prohibits foreign vessels from serving domestic shipment routes, but Aquino said amendments will increase competition and strengthen industries. “Mapapalakas po nito ang kompetisyon,” he said. Rodriguez explained that with the passage of the Coastwise Trade Act of 2013, foreign vessels will be allowed more flexibility in Philippine waters, thereby ending the practice of foreign ships of using other nearby ports with less restrictions. “The problem right now is that while [foreign vessels] can enter the country through one port, it’s very expensive to travel for example from Mindanao to Luzon. In contrast, it’s very cheap to move from Hong Kong to Luzon,” he said. Rodriguez also explained that a similar bill was filed in the 15th Congress, but that it failed to pass. “This bill was filed in the previous Congress, but we have refiled it, Read More …

De Lima sees nothing wrong with Aquino publicly naming, shaming govt officials

 News
Jul 232013
 
De Lima sees nothing wrong with Aquino publicly naming, shaming govt officials

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima found nothing wrong with President Benigno Aquino III publicly berating officials of three government agencies during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). In his speech, Aquino blasted the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and the National Irrigation Authority, saying corrupt officials in these agencies have “makapal na mukha.” “Tama lang iyong isapubliko ni Presidente iyong kanyang frustration at galit sa mga ahensiya na iyon na nasa negative list,” De Lima said on Tuesday., “Tama lang iyong ‘naming and shaming’ kasi mukhang hindi nga sila natatablan kahit nagfa-file tayo ng mga kaso, mayroong mga administratively charged, mayroon din mga criminally charged,” she added. De Lima noted even if penalties had been handed down on some officials, corruption remains in these government agencies. Aquino rebuked the Immigration bureau for the escape of high-profile individuals including murder suspect and former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and a South Korean national wanted for large-scale investment scam. The President, meanwhile, criticized the NIA’s “make-do” culture, saying the agency merely rehabilitates existing irrigation systems instead of laying down new ones. Over at the Customs bureau, Aquino said officials seemed to be “nagpapaligsahan sa kapalpakan” in letting smuggled goods, firearms, and illegal drugs enter the Philippines. Customs chief Ruffy Biazon had offered to resign after Aquino’s SONA, but the latter rejected his offer of resignation. — DVM, GMA News

PAGASA: ITCZ to bring rain to NCR, Luzon, Visayas

 News
Jul 232013
 
PAGASA: ITCZ to bring rain to NCR, Luzon, Visayas

The rain that fell over Metro Manila may continue in the next 24 hours due to the inter-tropical convergence zone, state weather forecasters said Tuesday afternoon. PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin that the ITCZ is across Southern Luzon and Visayas, and indicated the rest of Luzon and Visayas may also expect more rain. “Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,” it said. It added Mindanao will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.” Earlier Tuesday, rain fell over parts of Metro Manila, causing floods that rendered some roads impassable to vehicles. Rain continued to fall on the metropolis Tuesday evening. Wednesday outlook Also, PAGASA said moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southeast to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to southeast with slight to moderate seas. — BM, GMA News

De Lima: Cases to be filed vs. encroachers of waterways in next two weeks

 News
Jul 232013
 
De Lima: Cases to be filed vs. encroachers of waterways in next two weeks

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday said the government would be filing at least two cases in the next two weeks against people who own structures that encroach on waterways. In an interview with reporters, De Lima said President Benigno Aquino III has instructed an inter-agency working group, which included the Department of Justice (DOJ), to concentrate its efforts on eight “priority waterways,” including the San Juan River and the Tullahan River. Encroachment on waterways, either by informal settlers or private establishments, has been one of the factors behind severe flooding in Metro Manila during the rainy season. Aquino, during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, mentioned that the DOJ is preparing cases against those who constructed buildings that prevent waterways from functioning properly. De Lima said the inter-agency group has conducted ground surveys on these waterways based on satellite images and other sources. “Alam po natin iyong mga waterways, esteros, creeks… These are properties of public dominion and therefore not susceptible to appropriation or to private ownership,” De Lima said. “Nadiskubre namin na mayroong mga properties o mga encroachments o structures, may properties na may titulo at ang mga properties nila ay nage-encroach sa three-meter buffer zone,” she added. De Lima said the two cases to be filed in the next two weeks would be considered “pilot cases” and would be for “cancellation or revocation of title.” She also said the inter-agency team is already preparing to send out notices to owners of these Read More …

Customs exec Danilo Lim quits post a day after SONA

 News
Jul 232013
 
Customs exec Danilo Lim quits post a day after SONA

(Updated 9 p.m.) Saying he agrees with President Benigno Aquino III’s observation on the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Danilo Lim, the bureau’s deputy commissioner for intelligence, tendered his resignation Tuesday. “I agree with the President’s SONA observation that the Bureau has not performed in accordance with the expectations of the people,” Lim said in a statement. “In view of this, I see no other recourse but to leave this office.” The BOC was one of the three government agencies Aquino scolded during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. The others were the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).  Immediately after Aquino’s SONA, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon offered his resignation, but it was rejected by the President. According to Lim, as a member of the Cabinet, he is “privy to the truths that ring out in (Aquino’s) speech and am profoundly moved.” “It is in this spirit that I tendered my resignation as Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence of the Bureau of Customs,” said the retired military general who was involved in several coup attempts in the past, including one against Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, in 1989. Lim said this was not the first time he asked to be removed from his post in the BOC, which he held for 22 months. “During my tenure, (Executive) Secretary Pacquito Ochoa will attest that I had asked to be relieved of my duties no less than six times, and in all those times Read More …

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