GMA News Online / News / Nation

Malacañang to voters: Look at the whole package

 News
Apr 152013
 
Malacañang to voters: Look at the whole package

Malacañang on Monday urged voters in next month’s midterm elections to consider that candidates are more than a single issue, following El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde’s endorsement of several senatoriables. “He focused only [on] a single issue and I think each candidate is more than a single issue,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a briefing. Velarde, an influential and charismatic religious leader, has announced that his group supports six candidates who have opposed the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health bill, which President Benigno Aquino III signed into law December last year. Of the six, three — Sen. Koko Pimentel, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, and former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar — are from the Liberal Party-led coalition. The other three — San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, Sen. Gringo Honasan, and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay — are from the opposition United Nationalist Coalition. Lacierda reminded the public that when elected, senators will have to tackle a wide array of issues, and as such, voters should look at the complete package. “You also have to look at their different advocacies. And it’s their right, if they want to endorse a candidate based on a single issue. But does it better the people that you’re going to elect? That’s a big question if you’re going to focus only on one issue,” he said. The so called White Vote Coalition initiated by the Council of the Laity of the Philippines include El Shaddai, Couples for Christ–Foundation for Family and Life, Catholic Women’s League, Read More …

NBI to meet with Jonas Burgos' kin for security arrangement

 News
Apr 152013
 
NBI to meet with Jonas Burgos' kin for security arrangement

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to meet with the family of missing political activist Jonas Burgos to discuss the security arrangement that the government wil be extending to them. The move came following last week’s Supreme Court ruling ordering the Department of Justice and the NBI — a constituent agency under the DOJ — to give protection to the Burgos family in light of new evidence presented in court supposedly pinning the military in Jonas’ disappearance in 2007. “Hindi pa nare-receive ‘yung SC [ruling], but NBI is willing to do that, that’s why they are set to meet with Mrs. Burgos,” De Lima told reporters in Manila on Monday, adding the NBI is “willing and will be able comply with the SC order.” Last week, the SC Public Information Office said the high tribunal issued a temporary protection order after considering claims by Jonas’ mother, Edita, that she is fearing for her life because of the “sensitive nature” of the new evidence she presented in court last April 1. The set of evidence was attached to a petition seeking a re-investigation on her son’s case. The SC directed “the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation to provide security and protection to the petitioner Edita T. Burgos and her immediate family as provided above, pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Rule on the Writ of Amparo.” The high court also ordered the two agencies to submit within five days after the receipt of the order Read More …

Ex-Palawan gov Reyes wants De Lima cited for contempt

 News
Apr 152013
 
Ex-Palawan gov Reyes wants De Lima cited for contempt

Former Palawan governor Joel Reyes has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to cite Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for indirect contempt for her statement regarding a recent ruling clearing him from the killing of Palawan-based broadcaster Gerry Ortega. In his petition, Reyes, through his counsel, accused De Lima of “scandalizing” the CA when she told the media that she thinks Reyes and his camp might employ “foul tactics and illicit means” to get a favorable decision from the appellate court. “Clearly, respondent has crossed the walls of decency and propriety. Her statement, to be sure, does not dwell on the wisdom of the Honorable Court’s decision… Rather, her statement charges the Honorable Court of deciding upon the influence of foul tactics and illicit means… thereby inciting the people’s distrust in the Honorable Court’s ability to resolve case impartially,” the petition read. De Lima, on the other hand, was unperturbed, telling reporters in Manila on Monday that all she wanted was to give Ortega and his family the justice they deserved. “They can sue me all they want but I cannot buckle down in the quest of justice in that particular case,” she said. “I cannot just take it sitting down.” She added she was merely exercising her right to free expression in airing her frustration about the development of the case, particularly about CA resolution. She said she would not be “cowed” by her critics. In the said resolution, a CA division cleared Reyes of murder charges in the Read More …

Chinese military officials join maritime disaster response talks in Balikatan exercises

 News
Apr 152013
 
Chinese military officials join maritime disaster response talks in Balikatan exercises

Amid the ongoing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines, two Chinese military officials on Monday joined their Filipino and American counterparts in talks on maritime disaster response as part of the annual Balikatan military exercises. According to Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, deputy chief of staff for operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), this marks the first time China joined such a discussion, since it is also the first time the Philippines and the United States opened the Balikatan exercises to other countries. “Ang Balikatan, originally, military to military ng US saka ng Pilipinas lang. Now, parang ine-expand naman natin ito as we globalize. What if something happens doon sa international waters? How do we respond to it?” Baladad told reporters Monday. He added that the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines over parts of the South China Sea had nothing to do with the talks, since the discussions were on how to respond to maritime disasters such as oil spills. “This is a multi-national approach. Kapitbahay natin sila, and just like other countries, they are one of the responders kung sakaling magkaroon ng incident na kailangang mag-respond in international waters… Sa disaster response siguro, wala nang mga tampuhan muna,” Baladad said. China and the Philippines, as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, have overlapping claims on the islands, shoals and reefs in the South China Sea where undersea gas deposits have been discovered in several areas. In January, Manila initiated an arbitration process under Read More …

PAGASA: Cold front to bring Cagayan Valley rain, warm weather anew elsewhere

 News
Apr 102013
 
PAGASA: Cold front to bring Cagayan Valley rain, warm weather anew elsewhere

Satellite Image as of 8 a.m., 10 April 2013. | Weather Central Rain from the diffused tail-end of a cold front may fall over the Cagayan Valley in northern Luzon on Thursday, while Metro Manila and other parts of the country may continue to expect warm weather, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Ricky Fabregas said the easterlies, or warm winds from the east, are expected to prevail anew and bring hot weather to most of the country. “[Kahapon] nagkaroon ng shifting ng hangin from easterlies naging northeast, kaya binabaan ang forecast temperature. Ngayon nakita natin magpe-prevail ang easterlies kaya tumaas uli ang forecast,” Fabregas said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 24 to 35 degrees Celsius Thursday. On Wednesday, Metro Manila had experienced a high of 35.3 degrees Celsius. PAGASA’s extended forecast said Tuguegarao City may experience temperatures of 23 to 34 degrees Celsius, while Olongapo and Angeles Cities may expect temperatures of 24 to 35 degrees Celsius. Thursday outlook PAGASA said the diffused tail-end of a cold front would affect northern Luzon Thursday. “Cagayan Valley will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms,” it said. It added moderate to strong winds from the northeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Read More …

Bishops contest SWS survey claiming fewer Pinoys attend Mass

 News
Apr 102013
 
Bishops contest SWS survey claiming fewer Pinoys attend Mass

Catholic bishops on Wednesday contested findings by pollster Social Weather Stations which said Filipino Catholics’ church attendance had dwindled from 64 percent in 1991 to a mere 37 percent now. In an article on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site, bishops maintained Mass attendance was still strong. “I think a scientific study should be made to validate such observation… In the diocese, I do not see this observation and in fact the number of churchgoers increased because we have mall Masses,” Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said. Quiapo Church rector Msgr. Clemente Ignacio added he could not believe the SWS survey claim, citing a big increase in churchgoers and devotees of the Black Nazarene. Devotees of the Black Nazarene are among the most demonstrative, taking part in a yearly procession, which can be characterized as near-dangerous, of the Black Nazarene to the Quiapo Church. For his part, former CBCP president and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said church attendance has been good in Iloilo province’s 93 parishes. “It’s a matter of minus and plus. There are those who no longer go to Sunday Mass but there are also new Catholics who started to go to Sunday Mass,” Lagdameo said., He added the nine Masses in Jaro cathedral are still filled to capacity. Meanwhile, in Mindanao, Marbel Diocese in South Cotabato built a new parish last December 30. Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez added that they will inaugurate another new parish this coming June 24., “In our 26 parishes, church Read More …

Bishop Socrates Villegas opposes White Vote movement

 News
Apr 102013
 
Bishop Socrates Villegas opposes White Vote movement

Following the launch of the “White Vote” movement, a coalition of church groups that will endorse between six and eight senate candidates for the upcoming elections, archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese said on Wednesday that he does not agree with church groups endorsing candidates for the upcoming elections. “‘Block voting tayo, eto yung iboboto natin.’ Mali yun,” said Archbishop Villegas in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras.” “Dadalhin natin sa ating konsensiya, at yun ang standard natin sa pagpili ng kandidato, that’s the Catholic vote. That’s the correct Catholic vote,” he explained. In an earlier “24 Oras” report, Bro. Mike Velarde, founder-leader of the El Shaddai group which is one of the proponents of the movement, said that the candidates they will endorse have to be pro-family and pro-life. He also said that they will also consider the candidates’ stand on issues such as the RH Law, divorce, same-sex marriage, and euthanasia. The “White Vote” movement will announce its first batch of endorsed candidates on Saturday, the report said. — Amanda Lago/DVM, GMA News

Malaysian authorities detain 9 more with suspected Kiram links

 News
Apr 102013
 
Malaysian authorities detain 9 more with suspected Kiram links

At least nine more people with suspected links to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III—two of them local residents—were arrested in Sabah Tuesday and Wednesday, Malaysian police said. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the nine were picked up in Beluran, according to a report by Malaysia’s state-run Bernama news agency. Confiscated from them were weapons, documents and about RM1,000 (P13,511.60), he added. “There was, however, no exchange of gunfire when they were arrested,” Hamza said. Hamza said the nine, whose ages ranged between 20 and 50, were arrested 8 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday, and are detained under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act of 2012 (Sosma). Malaysian forces have been flushing out Kiram’s followers since March 5. Kiram’s followers had engaged Malaysian forces in a nearly-three-week standoff that culminated in deadly clashes on March 1 and 2. 32 ‘politicians’ still probed Hamza also said they are still quizzing 32 Filipinos intercepted off Sabah waters from Mindanao on Monday. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (which places the group’s number of members at 33), said that the Filipinos are set for release. “Last night the order for the release was given at the behest of the Foreign Minister of Malaysia and the Defense Minister of Malaysia. Administrative procedure and the papers are now being handled for their actual release,” said DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez in a press briefing Wednesday. Also still being investigated are “Datuk Seri” Clarence Luing Karl a.k.a. Muhammad Khalil John Karl, who was caught on Read More …

15 Pinoys, Malaysian cop to face court Friday for Sabah intrusion

 News
Apr 102013
 
15 Pinoys, Malaysian cop to face court Friday for Sabah intrusion

Fifteen Filipinos and a Malaysian police officer will face a high court on Friday over the standoff and fatal clashes in Sabah between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces. The 16 had been tentatively charged before the magistrate’s court due to the Lahad Datu incident, Malaysia’s state-run Bernama news agency reported Wednesday evening. Of the 16 who will be brought before the Tawau High Court Friday, eight are facing a possible death penalty as they were slapped the additional charge of waging war on the King. The other Filipinos face charges of terrorism, harboring terrorists and recruiting people to join terrorist groups, the Bernama report said. The policeman is charged with concealing information on terrorist activities. Armed followers of Kiram led by Kiram’s brother Raja Muda entered Sabah last February and engaged Malaysian forces in a two-week standoff that resulted in deadly clashes March 1 and 2, which in turn prompted Malaysian forces to mount offensives against Kiram’s followers starting March 5. — BM, GMA News

Intensified tax drive pits BIR vs. doctors

 News
Apr 042013
 
Intensified tax drive pits BIR vs. doctors

As an obstetrician in a local hospital in Pangasinan who would sometimes conduct free checkups on pregnant women, Dr. Amelie (not her real name) is not in favor of the government’s policy requiring doctors to issue receipts. “Hindi lahat ng patients ko nakakapagbayad ng consultations,” she told GMA News Online by phone. “So paano maa-assign ‘yun ng bayad sa gobyerno?” She added she issues receipt only when the patient asks for it. “Minsan nagbibigay ako pag humihingi sila ng resibo. Pero pag hindi sila humihingi, hindi na ako nagbibigay.” The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is requiring doctors to issue receipts during consultations as part of government efforts to ensure that professionals pay their respective professional income tax. Well-paying profession Since doctors are known to be a well-paying profession where official receipts are not given to patients, taxes are assumed to be vastly underpaid. According to the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), a doctor’s professional income tax could be as much as P200,000 every year. Nelson Aspe, deputy commissioner for operations of the BIR, said they decided to go after doctors after they noticed that doctors have the lowest income tax filed among other professionals. “Nung nire-evaluate namin ang mga tax filers, sila (doctors) ang mga pinakamababa,” he said without mentioning figures, citing confidentiality. Aspe insisted that issuing receipts is “obligatory” even among businesses and professionals. “The basic statement is that anybody earning… magi-issue ng receipts in their services or sales of goods,” he said. “[But] over the years, mababa ang Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries