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On PH-China friendship day, an unfriendly Chinese comment

 News
Jun 102014
 
On PH-China friendship day, an unfriendly Chinese comment

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda: Friendly initiatives, please. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–On the day the Philippines and China were commemorating their 13th Friendship Day, Beijing on Monday denounced Manila and Hanoi for holding “friendly games” on a disputed island in the Spratlys archipelago. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying’s description of the event as a “clumsy farce” did not sit well with President Benigno Aquino’s spokesperson, who reminded Beijing yesterday of the two countries’ friendly relations. “We wish to gladly inform China that we just celebrated yesterday the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day and perhaps, instead of condemning the friendly games between the Philippines and Vietnam, China should focus on engaging the Philippines in friendly initiatives,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters. Despite the latest verbal attack, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said the government remained hopeful that China would “see the meaning of what we are doing and the good [it would bring], that we would have peace in our minds and in our actions.” Mr. Aquino was set to deliver a speech last night at the joint celebration of Philippines Independence Day and the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day at the Manila Hotel. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua was also scheduled to speak at the event. Beijing was irked over the decision by the Philippines and Vietnam to hold joint games by their troops last Sunday. They played volleyball, football and tug-of-war on Southwest Cay Island, which is occupied by Vietnam. “We’re trying to set an example. We want to show that there can be other approaches to the disputes that can Read More …

Palace: PH relationship with China multifaceted

 News
Jun 092014
 
Palace: PH relationship with China multifaceted

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 4:43 pm | Monday, June 9th, 2014 Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ relationship with China is not limited to the current situation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute, Malacañang said on Monday. Amid the flaring tensions between China and its Asian neighbors over the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, Presidential spokesperson Secretary Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing that the Philippines’ relationship with China “is not solely dependent” on the territorial row. China claims almost the entire West Philippine Sea, including those within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. It has asserted its claim with reclamation activities and harassments in areas claimed by the Philippines. The Palace, however, remained confident with the other facets of the Philippines’ ties with China. When asked if it still made sense to celebrate Filipino-Chinese friendship day amid the territorial row, Lacierda said, “yes.” “Because our relationship with China is not solely dependent on our conflict with them in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea.  Again, our relationship with China is multifaceted, plus the fact that we have a number of Filipino-Chinese members in our country,” Lacierda said. “We have always had very good relations with China in the other areas of exchange that we have: people-to-people, tourism, trade. And a number of us also have roots or have Chinese blood. So I think it should not be a concern for us because, again, we have a very rich Read More …

Recruitment agency suspended for issuing different visas to worker

 News
Jun 022014
 
Recruitment agency suspended for issuing different visas to worker

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 1:17 pm | Monday, June 2nd, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – A recruitment agency was suspended by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for giving two different visas to a worker bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “POEA officers prevented the worker from leaving the country when she presented two different visas for pre-departure verification at the Labor Assistance Center at NAIA Terminal 2,” POEA said in a statement posted on its website. The recruitment agency, identified as Chanceteam International Services, Inc., gave the worker a “sales staff” and “servant” visa POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in the statement that the worker admitted she will be going to Dubai, UAE to work as a domestic helper but a representative from the agency instructed her to show the “sales staff” visa when she arrives at the airport but to present the “servant” visa to her employer. “The worker narrated that when she reported to the recruitment agency the day following her failed departure, the agent instructed her to tell the POEA officers that the ‘servant’ visa was obtained on her behalf by her cousin in Dubai but she absentmindedly brought it to the airport,” the statement said. Cacdac said Chanceteam has committed serious violations relative to the recruitment and placement of the OFW, including misrepresentation and falsification of travel documents, and its continued operation will lead to further violation and exploitation of the workers it recruits. RELATED STORIES POEA suspends 3 recruitment agencies 4 recruitment agencies suspended over Saudi Read More …

‘Yolanda’ recovery gets Canada boost

 News
Jun 012014
 
‘Yolanda’ recovery gets Canada boost

Canadian Ambassador to Manila Neil Reeder: Helping attract investments and create jobs. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–Tourist destinations damaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda will receive support in their efforts at recovery through a three-year Canadian government program that seeks to boost local economic activity. Five provinces that suffered setbacks following the Nov. 8 super typhoon are among 10 target areas of the third phase of Canada’s Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED), the Canadian Embassy in Manila announced over the weekend. The local tourism support program, to be implemented from this year until 2016, is the third phase of an $18-million, eight-year bilateral project undertaken together with the Department of Interior and Local Government. It includes technical advice and training on how to make the local business environment more competitive, attractive to investments and conducive to jobs creation. Among the recipients are: Palawan, where a tourism development program will be implemented in the Coron-Busuanga-Culion area; Northern Panay, including Aklan and Antique, where the project will support grassroots ecotourism development; the towns of Banate, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Concepcion, Estancia and Carles in Iloilo, where the project will support micro- and small-to-medium enterprises; and Cebu, where an ecotourism recovery program will be implemented in the northern towns of Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Santa Fe, Medellin and Bogo City. LGSP-LED will also support ecotourism, heritage tourism and enterprise development projects in six other areas: Batangas, the Albay-Sorsogon tourism link, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Davao del Norte. Strong business climate  The 10 initiatives are expected to serve as models for other local government units to “showcase how a stronger business climate Read More …

Unhappy, solons want migrants better protected

 News
Jun 012014
 
Unhappy, solons want migrants better protected

By Leila B. SalaverriaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:31 am | Monday, June 2nd, 2014 Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello: Committee not satisfied. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–Disappointed at the way labor officials handled the complaints of sexual exploitation of Filipino workers by government embassy personnel, lawmakers want to amend the Migrant Workers Act to allow for the forcible repatriation of Filipino nationals who commit crimes against fellow Filipinos abroad. The House committee on overseas workers affairs recommended the strengthening of the Migrant Workers Act to put in place measures that would allow the government to repatriate overseas nationals in order to curb abuses against overseas Filipino workers. Committee chair and Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said the committee was not satisfied with the way the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) handled their investigations into the issue, charging that the agencies gave the officials concerned mere “slaps on the wrist” or moved to ensure that they would not be held accountable for their actions. One recommendation is for the DFA and the DOLE to ensure there would be treaties or agreements between the Philippines and other countries to enable the Philippine government to forcibly repatriate Filipino nationals alleged to have committed crimes abroad against fellow Filipinos. The agreements should also cover those who are not public officials and employees. Another committee recommendation is to amend the Migrant Workers Act so that illegal recruitment would also include the inducement, persuasion, encouragement or recruitment of an OFW to commit prostitution Read More …

Aquino key speaker at risk meet

 General
Jun 012014
 
Aquino key speaker at risk meet

Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:40 am | Monday, June 2nd, 2014 President Benigno S. Aquino III . GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–President Aquino will be the keynote speaker at the opening of the two-day Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management on June 4, Secretary Herminio Coloma said Sunday over government radio. Coloma said the ASEM Manila Conference was expected to come out with a “Tacloban Declaration” which would be Manila’s contribution to new international policies and principles on disaster risk reduction and management. ASEM delegates will visit Tacloban City prior to the conference. They will meet with local officials and civic leaders. An estimated 150 senior national and local government officials, scientists, academicians, policy makers, industry and business executives, civil society leaders and representatives of regional and international organizations from 36 countries in Asia and Europe are expected to attend the meeting. Also expected are Kristalina Georgeva, European Union Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis; Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction Margela Wahlstrom and Vietnamese Vice Minister for Agriculture Hoang Van Tang. The ASEM conference is a Philippine initiative which President Aquino announced during the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Nov. 5, 2012.–Christine O. Avendaño  Follow Us Other Stories: ‘Yolanda’ recovery gets Canada boost Unhappy, solons want migrants better protected Alien seniors should get discounts too Tacloban is being ‘built back better,’ says Investment Roadshow Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to Read More …

China hits back at US, Japan for ‘provocative’ remarks

 General
Jun 012014
 
China hits back at US, Japan for ‘provocative’ remarks

China’s Deputy Chief, General Staff Department, People’s Liberation Army of China, Wang Guangzhong, delivers his speech on “Major Power Perspectives on Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific” on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in Singapore during the Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. AP SINGAPORE—China strongly denounced Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Sunday for “provocative” remarks accusing Beijing of destabilizing actions in contested regional waters. Lieutenant General Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), told an Asian security forum in Singapore that the comments had been “unacceptable”. Abe opened the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday by urging countries to respect the rule of law — an apparent reference to perceived Chinese aggression over disputed islets in the South and East China seas. Hagel followed on Saturday by warning China against “destabilizing actions” in the South China Sea and listed a number of alleged infractions, including against the Philippines and Vietnam. “The Chinese delegation… have this feeling that the speeches of Mr. Abe and Mr. Hagel are a provocative action against China,” said Wang, dressed in full military regalia. He cast aside his prepared speech and said he needed to respond to the remarks, accusing Abe and Hagel of “coordinating” with each other to attack China at the conference. “This is simply unimaginable,” said Wang, the highest ranking military official in the Chinese delegation, adding that the speeches were “unacceptable and not in the spirit of this Shangri-La Dialogue”. “The Read More …

Edca challenged in Supreme Court

 News
May 262014
 
Edca challenged in Supreme Court

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 1:00 pm | Monday, May 26th, 2014 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Two former senators who voted to kick the US military bases out of the Philippines in 1991 on Monday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca). At the same time, former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and several other petitioners also asked the high court to issue a restraining order against Edca’s implementation. Other petitioners include former UP President, Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr., Dean Pacifico A. Agabin, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, Atty. Steve Salonga who is a son of former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga, lawyers Harry Roque, Evalyn Ursua and Edre Olalia, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo and Dr. Roland Simbulan, and  former Representative Teddy Casiño of Bayan. In a 61-page petition, petitioners said the government cannot use the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines in justifying Edca’s implementation because the MDT has already been superseded by the 1987 Constitution which renounces war as a national policy. Petitioners added that Edca “also does not provide any substantial, long-term real benefit, much less distinct advantage or improvement in our position vis-à-vis the United States.” The Edca was signed last April. Critics say its signing was fast-tracked in time for the Philippine visit of US President Barack Obama in April. ‘Edca a magnet for war,’ says lawmaker  Santiago confident SC will declare EDCA unconstitutional  Follow Us Other Stories: Navy to hold anniversary at base facing West Philippine Sea TFC launches ‘Galing ng Filipino Dance Move Promo’ PH Consulate hiring for overseas voter registration Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free Read More …

Factories torched in anti-China protest in Vietnam

 News
May 132014
 
Factories torched in anti-China protest in Vietnam

Vietnamese protesters carry a banner with a Vietnamese slogan reading, “China must respect and execute the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.” AP FILE PHOTO HANOI, Vietnam—Anti-China mobs torched up to 15 foreign-owned factories and trashed many more in southern Vietnam as anger over the recent deployment by China of an oil rig in disputed Southeast Asian waters span dangerously out of control, officials and state media said Wednesday. The unrest at industrial parks established to attract foreign investors was the most serious outbreak of public disorder in the tightly controlled country in years. It points to the dangers for the government as it manages public anger at China and also protests itself against the Chinese deployment in a part of the South China Sea it claims as its own. The unrest late Tuesday at a Singapore-run industrial park and others nearby followed protests by up to 20,000 workers at the complexes in Binh Duong province. Smaller groups attacked factories they believed were Chinese-run, but some were Taiwanese or South Korean, VnExpress website quoted Tran Van Nam, the deputy head of the province’s people’s committee, as saying. On Wednesday morning, groups of men on motorbikes remained on the streets and all the factories in the area were closed, said one park manager, who declined to give his name because of sensitivities of the developments. Riot police had been deployed. Another said many foreign-owned factories were putting banners on the gates of the factories saying “We Read More …

Manila says China reclaiming land in disputed sea

 News
May 132014
 
Manila says China reclaiming land in disputed sea

12:29 pm | Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario (center). BONG LOZADA/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has protested China’s efforts to reclaim land in a disputed reef in the South China Sea that can be used to build any facility, including an airstrip or an offshore military base in the increasingly volatile region, the country’s top diplomat and other officials said Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told The Associated Press that the Philippines lodged the protest against China last month after surveillance aircraft confirmed, and took pictures of the reclamation and dredging being done by Chinese vessels at the Johnson Reef (Mabini Reef) in the Spratly Islands, which Manila says violates a regional non-aggression pact. China has replied to the Philippine protest by saying that the reef belonged to it, he said. Del Rosario said it’s not clear what China would build on the reef, which Manila claims as part of its western province of Palawan, but one possibility is an airstrip. Another official says China can also build an off-shore military base. “We’re not exactly sure what [their intentions there are],” Del Rosario said. Another senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the issue, said China’s reclamation was first detected by air force planes six months ago. When the Philippine government deployed aircraft to help search for a missing Malaysian jetliner in March, the planes also spotted the continuing reclamation on the Read More …

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