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President Benigno Aquino Foundation? It’s a scam

 News
Jul 122013
 
President Benigno Aquino Foundation? It’s a scam

The Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Inc. (NCAF) on Friday warned the public about a circulating text scam using the foundations supposedly named as “President Benigno Aquino Foundation” and “President Noynoy Aquino Foundation.” “NCAF notifies the public, its friends, and partners that there are no such foundations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and neither are there any solicitation campaigns of such nature being conducted by NCAF,” NCAF president and executive director Rafael Lopa said in an emailed statement. Lopa said the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation does not engage in activities contained in the text scam. “The scam is currently being perpetrated through text messages, victimizing unknowing mobile phone subscribers by soliciting contributions and fees… in exchange for certain cash prizes,” he said. “We sincerely ask that the public not to engage or entertain such fraudulent messages,” Lopa added. NCAF is a foundation primarily geared towards nation-building seeking to espouse the core values exemplified in the lives of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and President Cory Aquino. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/RSJ, GMA News

JBC member: 6 candidates vying for Overall Deputy Ombudsman post

 News
Jul 122013
 
JBC member: 6 candidates vying for Overall Deputy Ombudsman post

Six candidates, including former and current “insiders” as well as the former head of the Comelec’s legal department, are applying for the Overall Deputy Ombudsman post, which will be vacated after the compulsory retirement of Orlando Casimiro on August 23. Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) member Jose Mejia said, those vying for the post include former Assistant Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang and incumbent Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon officer-in-charge Rudiger Falcis II. Carandang was appointed Assistant Ombudsman during the tenure of former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, while Falcis is the incumbent officer-in-charge of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military, he said. Also seeking the post is the former chief of the Commission on Elections legal department, Ferdinand Rafanan. He is currently the poll body’s director for planning. The rest of the applicants are Undersecretary Ronaldo Geron of the Malacañang Discipline Office, private lawyer Vernard Quijano of the Pamaran Ramos and Partners law office, and George Soriano, chairman of the Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board, Mejia said. Also, the JBC said the applicants have until July 17 to submit documentary requirements, while their public interviews are set for July 31. The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman. For a vacant post in those government bodies, the seven-member JBC is tasked to come up with a shortlist from which the President will pick an appointee. Casimiro had been the subject of an Read More …

PAGASA: Huaning weakens slightly, continues moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

 News
Jul 112013
 
PAGASA: Huaning weakens slightly, continues moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

Typhoon Huaning (international name Soulik) weakened slightly even as it continued moving toward the Taiwan-Batanes area Thursday night, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA, in its 11 p.m. advisory, said Huaning was estimated to be 580 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 10 p.m. Huaning packed maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. Batanes remained under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA projects Huaning may be 370 km north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday evening, and 640 km north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday evening. Meanwhile, PAGASA said Huaning may still bring rainfall of 10 to 46 mm per hour (heavy to torrential) within its 900-km diameter. It warned fishermen, especially those using small seacraft, not to venture out into the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon due to big waves generated by Huaning. — DVM, GMA News

PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

 News
Jul 112013
 
PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning moving toward Batanes-Taiwan area

Typhoon Soulik enters PAR, codenamed Huaning. Tropical Storm Soulik, visible as a white circular cloud formation in the upper righthand portion of this image, passed into the Philippine Area of Responsibility at around 10am (PHT) on July 10. It has been given the local codename, Huaning. GMA News Typhoon Huaning (Soulik) maintained its strength as it moved toward the Batanes-Taiwan area Thursday afternoon, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Huaning is not likely to make landfall over the Philippines so long as it does not change its present course. “Hindi sya magla-landfall basta ma-maintain ang course,” Aurelio said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he said Huaning has a diameter of 900 km and may bring heavy rain to parts of Batanes, which is under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA’s 5 p.m. advisory said Huaning has maintained its strength as it moves in the general direction towards the Taiwan-Batanes area. As of 4 p.m., it was estimated at 690 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. Huaning packed maximum winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 220 kph, and was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be 410 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. By Saturday afternoon it is expected to be 540 km north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA said Huaning may bring rainfall of 10 to 46 mm per hour (heavy to torrential) within its 900-km diameter. “Fishermen specially those Read More …

EU earmarks P570 million for PHL justice reform program

 News
Jul 112013
 
EU earmarks P570 million for PHL justice reform program

EU, PHL agree to expand justice reform program. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (left), European Union Ambassdor Guy Ledoux (center), and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas II sign a memorandum of agreement expanding the EU-PHL Justice Reform Program. The EU will support the program with a euro 10 million (P570M) grant. GMA News The European Union has earmarked P570 million or about €10 million to improve the Philippines’ justice system to benefit the poor and disadvantaged people. This was formalized Thursday through the launch of European Union-Philippine Justice Support Programme II (EPJUST-II), the third of similar funding programs by the EU in the country. In his speech, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas highlighted the importance of the financial support from the EU, particularly for poor Filipinos who could not afford the services of lawyers. “With the assistance from the EU, we can address the justice situation in the country. We can help the poor and the voiceless. They would now be given this access and they can better realize their hopes and their rights as citizens of this country,” he said. Aside from giving poor Filipinos access to justice, the funding also seeks to address extra-legal killings and enforced disappearances. For several years, human rights groups have scored the Philippines’ dismal human rights record, particularly during the Arroyo administration when cases of extra-judcial killings soared to more than 1,000. But when President Beningo Aquino III assumed the presidency in 2010, the United Nations noted a significant decrease in reported Read More …

Unseated Marinduque solon accuses SC justice of wielding influence

 News
Jul 112013
 
Unseated Marinduque solon accuses SC justice of wielding influence

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has annulled the proclamation of Regina Ongsiako Reyes as the winning representative of Marinduque province in the May 13 elections. In a 19-page resolution, the Comelec en banc ordered the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) of Marinduque to proclaim Lord Allan Jay Velasco as the winning representative in the province’s lone district. “The May 18 proclamation of the respondent, Regina Ongsiako Reyes, is declared null and void and without any legal force and effect,” the Comelec said. Voting 5-2, the Comelec en banc said Reyes lacked the one-year residency required for an elected official. In March, the Comelec First Division has cancelled her certificate of candidacy on the grounds that she is an American citizen. Reyes, at a press conference, denied that she’s an American citizen. She also accused her rival’s father, Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco, of wielding his influence following a high court ruling favoring Reyes’ earlier disqualification by the Comelec. “I have a copy of my Philippine passport,” she said. “I also have a certificate from the Bureau of Immigration that I used only a Philippine passport in all travels after I renounced my American citizenship.” Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., Commissioners Lucenito Tagle, Elias Yusoph, Grace Padaca, and Luie Guia voted to unseat Reyes, while Commissioners Christian Lim and Al Parreño dissented on the grounds that the poll body no longer has jurisdiction over the case since Reyes has been proclaimed by the PBOC. Reyes vs. Velasco Meanwhile, Reyes, during her press Read More …

NBI completes 'rationalization plan'

 News
Jul 112013
 
NBI completes 'rationalization plan'

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has finished a “rationalization plan” to streamline its offices, highlighted by the hiring of almost 70 new agents and investigators in the last two years. On Thursday, Justice Secrtary Leila de Lima said the NBI, which is under the Department of Justice, is still looking for its last batch of recruits this year for positions in the newly formed Forensic Science Division. “The DOJ is done with its major rationalization plans. We continue to fine-tune the implementation and request for the new or revised positions to meet the changing demands of justice work,” De Lima said. “Human resources is the key to any high performance organization,” she added. De Lima said the rationalization plan was designed and conceived in 2005 as a government-wide effort to streamline offices and establish more integrated functions. However, it was only under De Lima’s leadership that “serious efforts were made to push for the plan’s completion.” For his part, NBI Director Nonnatus Caesar Rojas said the new recruitment would “motivate us to rethink our policies and assign our best people to the most critical tasks.” Rojas said the NBI would soon be submitting its request for the recruitment of the last batch of new NBI personnel. Another highlight of the rationalization plan are the strengthening of the Investigative Service, the clustered approach to using science and technology in crime fighting, the improved Information and Communications Technology Division, and the deployment of NBI personnel where the need is greatest. — Read More …

Roxas to end 'padrino' culture in PNP with raffle system

 News
Jul 112013
 
Roxas to end 'padrino' culture in PNP with raffle system

(Updating 5 p.m.) A raffle system will soon be implemented for aspiring policemen in an effort to end the “padrino” system in the police force, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Thursday. “Lahat ng kwalipikado ngayon ipapasok ‘yung pangalan nila sa isang tambyolo, at pagpili ay pantay-pantay para sa lahat, hindi na kailangan ng padrino o ng kakilala, hindi na kailangan ng insider na tutulong,” Roxas told reporters in an interview during the launch of the European Union-Philippine Government Justice Support Program in Camp Crame. Roxas, acknowledging the limited entry level slots for policemen, said the new system will discourage potential applicants from looking for powerful backers within the Philippine National Police (PNP), which in turn would break the cycle of corruption within the police force. “Sa ganung paraan ay makakapagsimula ang ating PO1s sa kanilang career na hindi sila gumawa ng panunuhol sa pagiging pulis,” he said. Concrete step No date yet on when the PNP will implement the new system, as its implementing rules have yet to be finalized by the National Police Commission (Napolcom). “Isa ito sa utos sa Napolcom, na i-finalize na ‘yung implementing rules nito at sa darating na mga linggo ay implement na ito,” Roxas said. Roxas described the new system as a “concrete step” toward eliminating corruption in the PNP. Roxas’ statement came at the heels of a latest survey by Berlin-based Transparency International showing 69 percent of Filipinos feel that the PNP is still corrupt. The survey, which was conducted Read More …

PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning still heading for north Luzon, may become super typhoon

 News
Jul 102013
 
PAGASA: Typhoon Huaning still heading for north Luzon, may become super typhoon

Typhoon Huaning (Soulik) moved closer to Batanes in extreme northern Luzon early Thursday, while state weather forecasters were not discounting the possibility that it could further intensify into a supertyphoon. “Hindi pa siya umaabot pero nariyan posibilidad na maging supertyphoon kasi nasa karagatan pa siya,” PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. Javier said a cyclone must have maximum sustained winds of 210 kph and gustiness of 250 kph to be considered a supertyphoon. But Javier said Huaning was moving west-northwest and was unlikely to make landfall over the Philippines. “Pinapakita ng model natin maliit chance tumama sa kalupaan ng ating bansa. Tinatahak niya papunta northern Taiwan gigilid lang pero maapektuhan ilang part ng Batanes,” he said. As of Thursday morning, he said Huaning had maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. 5 a.m. advisory PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory said Huaning was estimated at 910 km east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 a.m. It said Huaning was moving west-northwest at 20 kph and is expected to be 550 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes Friday morning. By Saturday morning, it is expected to be 420 km north of Itbayat, Batanes. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 710 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes or outside the Philippine area of responsibility. Batanes remained under Storm Signal No. 1. PAGASA said Huaning may bring rainfall of 10 to 25 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 800-km Read More …

UP adopting systemwide @up.edu.ph email service

 News
Jul 102013
 
UP adopting systemwide @up.edu.ph email service

Students and employees at the University of the Philippines will soon be getting their @up.edu.ph email addresses as part of the state university’s eUP program. UP Manila Information Management Service Director Romeo Villarta Jr. said the eUP email will use the Google App for Education accounts that provide 30 GB of mailbox space. “The University of the Philippines, through the eUP Program, has created a new system-wide email service. The plan is to provide email addresses for all UP students and employees. These email addresses will be using the email domain name of @up.edu.ph. These eUP email addresses will be used by students and employees in accessing the information services to be provided by eUP,” Villarta said.   Users can activate their account by logging in at http://google.com/a/up.edu.ph, Villarta said. Aside from 30 GB of mailbox space, the new eUP e-mail service allows use of other Google services, such as Gmail, Google+, Google Drive, and Google Groups using the UP account. He added the eUP email account is different from the UP Manila email service (@post.upm.edu.ph), though holders of the UP Manila accounts can continue using them. “The user has the option to utilize both accounts for email purposes. But for eUP purposes, the eUP email using @up.edu.phmust be used for authentication purposes,” he said. But as of Wednesday, he said email accounts for some employees and students, particularly freshmen, have not been created yet. He said UP Manila will coordinate with eUP to resolve this issue.  — ELR, GMA Read More …

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