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Aquino ‘deeply touched’ on meeting Aung San Suu Kyi

 News
Jun 082013
 
Aquino ‘deeply touched’ on meeting Aung San Suu Kyi

By Cynthia D. BalanaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:01 am | Sunday, June 9th, 2013 Aung San Suu Kyi. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO NAYPYITAW, BURMA—President Benigno Aquino III said his brief encounter with Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi struck in him a deep personal cord. “Nakakamanghang kausap iyung isang person na very historical, iyong sa akin may pagka-personal (It’s awe-inspiring to talk to someone who is part of history, which for me in also quite personal),” the President said at a press conference here Friday night. “The struggle that my father underwent, my mother underwent … and you can see, that she (Suu Kyi) underwent the same thing (too),” he said. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Mr. Aquino and the Burmese leader on the sidelines of the three-day World Economic Forum on East Asia in this second largest Southeast Asian country. Mr. Aquino admitted he was overwhelmed upon seeing and talking to Suu Kyi, whose struggle against the Burmese military junta resulted in her detention for 20 years. The President’s father, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was also incarcerated by a dictatorship and his crusade to restore democracy in the Philippines culminated in his assassination in 1983.  A people power revolt in 1986 brought his widow, Cory, to power. During her time, the late president Cory Aquino campaigned for the release of Suu Kyi and the restoration of democracy in Burma. During their meeting, the President reiterated his long standing invitation to Suu Kyi to visit the Philippines Read More …

UN leads observance of World Oceans Day

 News
Jun 072013
 
UN leads observance of World Oceans Day

By DJ YapPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:59 am | Saturday, June 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The United Nations leads the observance today of World Oceans Day, which seeks to remind the public about how crucial the oceans are for humankind’s survival. This year’s theme is: “Together we have the power to protect the ocean!” “All stakeholders must be involved in the rehabilitation of the Philippine seas,” said Dr. Perry Aliño of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute at a press briefing called by Greenpeace. “We need to strengthen our existing social and ecological networks. Government mechanisms must be set up, with concrete solutions such as increasing the number and effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas,” he added. According to the Greenpeace report “Oceans in the Balance,” the world is fast destroying marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests and is “extracting more and more fish from the sea than it can sustainably provide.” Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Greenpeace , Philippine oceans , United Nations , World Oceans Day Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

NBI, Taiwanese probers to swap evidence

 News
Jun 072013
 
NBI, Taiwanese probers to swap evidence

By Nancy C. CarvajalPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:23 am | Saturday, June 8th, 2013 Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng’s boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing No. 28, is checked by Taiwanese officers after arriving at Liuqiu port in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, Saturday, May 11, 2013. Taiwanese boat owner Steven Liao said the damage to the Guang Ta Hsin 28 costs around NT$8 million (P11 million). AP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it would not be able to complete its report on the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman last month or proceed with the filing of charges against the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel involved until a counterpart Taiwanese team of investigators sends them a set of authenticated documents from the latter’s own probe of the incident. Virgilio Mendez, the NBI deputy director for regional services, told a press conference on Friday that the agency has ended its discussions with the Taiwanese probers after holding a series of meetings. “Discussions were terminated this afternoon and we agreed on some issues like exchange and clarification of evidence collected,” Mendez said. He described the meetings as “cordial and at the same time passionate”. But Mendez said the NBI report on its investigation cannot be finished until their Taiwanese counterparts send to the Manila Economic Cultural Office (Meco), the Philippines’ de facto embassy in Taipei, the results of their own investigation, complete with authenticated and translated documents constituting their evidence. Mendez said they requested for an “official English translation Read More …

Nonprofit honors 8 as SF’s ‘Distinguished Citizens’

 News
Jun 072013
 
Nonprofit honors 8 as SF’s ‘Distinguished Citizens’

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 3:55 am | Saturday, June 8th, 2013 Facebook Photo SAN FRANCISCO–A nonprofit community service center selected eight Filipino Americans, including California State Assembly member Rob Bonta, as San Francisco Bay Area’s “Distinguished Citizens” for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields. San Francisco nonprofit West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service is honoring eight outstanding Filipino Americans in a benefit luncheon and auction on June 22, Saturday at the Hotel Intercontinental on Howard St., San Francisco. West Bay’s board of directors and officers selected the honorees to serve as role models and mentors to Filipino youth in underserved communities. The awardees will be paired with, and mentor eight outstanding students from West Bay’s afterschool program. The awardees are as follows:
 Public Affairs-Rob Bonta, California State Assembly member, representing the 18th District
; Corporate Leadership-Ezra Garrett, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, vice president for community affairs; 
Community Service-Marily Mondejar, president, Filipino Women’s Network
; Medicine-Dr. Carmelo Roco, MD internal medicine, private practitioner; 
Education -Jeffrey Burgos, principal, Roof Top Elementary School
; Innovation-Ralph Colet, chief Engineer, Colet Special Vehicle Design; 
Entrepreneurship-Rod Mercado, president and CEO, Financial Rescue LLC
; Philanthropy-Angie Louie, owner, Hana Zen Japanese Grill and Sushi Bar
. The event is presented by Clearchannel Outdoor together with Hotel Intercontinental San Francisco, and supported by Financial Rescue LLC, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds will benefit West Bay’s Academic Enrichment and Mentorship Program, which provides afterschool help to students from K-12 in underserved communities. Tickets are at Read More …

Police nab suspects in slaying of two Fil-Am teens in San Jose, CA

 News
Jun 072013
 
Police nab suspects in slaying of two Fil-Am teens in San Jose, CA

By Harvey I. BarkinINQUIRER.net US Bureau 3:21 am | Saturday, June 8th, 2013 Christian Comilang SAN JOSE, California–A combined team of the Covert Response and Metro units of the San Jose Police Department last Saturday, arrested without incident two suspects in the May 26 slaying of two Filipino American high school students. The victims, Christian Comilang, 15, and Johnson Cular, 16, were students of Independent High School and members of the Filipino Youth Coalition, a community service group founded in 1992. The two were San Jose residents who would have been sophomores in the fall. After a week-long wait without word from the SJPD as to possible motive or suspects in slayings of two Filipino American youths, the youth coalition appealed to authorities for action. Police on June 1 finally arrested Matthew Clifford, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile. The two suspects were booked at the Santa Clara County Jail and Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall, respectively. Clifford is a resident of this city, but the other suspect has not been named since he is still a minor. Shot pointblank According to FYC sources, Comilang and Cular separated from a group of youths enjoying a late Sunday afternoon frolic toward the end of Rinehart Drive, behind the Kohl’s department store along McKee Road. They were seen talking to a stranger on a bicycle, who had one hand in his pocket. The bicyclist suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Comilang and Cular pointblank. The police report logged the 911 call at Read More …

NBI, Taiwan probers meet anew to discuss Balintang Channel shooting

 News
Jun 062013
 
NBI, Taiwan probers meet anew to discuss Balintang Channel shooting

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 1:27 pm | Thursday, June 6th, 2013 Taiwanese investigators use a rubber boat in Manila’s South Harbor to inspect the hull of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship involved in the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman in the Balintang Channel earlier this month. The Taiwanese are here while NBI investigators are in Taiwan to make a parallel investigation. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and a team of investigators from Taiwan will meet Thursday to talk about their findings on the shooting incident in Balintang Channel last May 9 that led to the death of a Taiwanese fisherman. NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas confirmed that the Taiwanese probers arrived in the country Thursday morning to sit down with their counterparts with the NBI. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima earlier said it was the Taiwanese probers who requested the meeting. Both the Philippine and Taiwanese governments are investigating the May 9 shooting by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel of 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng. The PCG personnel have maintained that Shih-Cheng was accidentally shot at, after the Taiwanese fishing vessel refused to heed their warning shots. The meeting will not resort to any “cross-checking” of findings, De Lima added. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in Read More …

Filipinos hold ‘hala bira’ Independence Day Fete in NYC

 News
Jun 062013
 
Filipinos hold ‘hala bira’ Independence Day Fete in NYC

By Elton LugayINQUIRER.net US Bureau 1:17 pm | Thursday, June 6th, 2013 Iloilo’s dinagyang dancers strut their stuff. Photo by Elton Lugay NEW YORK—The city was having one of those hot and humid Sundays when the air was at its driest and the heat of the sun was punishing, unless you were in a park under a shady elm tree waiting for the big Philippine Independence Day parade. Marian Rivera and Sen. Bong Revilla greet throng. Photo by Elton Lugay Schoolteacher Catherine Ranili from Brooklyn didn’t mind the heat at all last Sunday, June 2. She was on Madison Avenue to watch her idol Sharon Cuneta perform live for what seemed to be the largest Philippine Independence Day celebration ever, with a crowd that at times grew to more than 80,000. “I grew up with her songs,” she told the INQUIRER.net. Cuneta of TV 5 was among the showbiz celebrities that graced the event and gave it luster. With her were Aga Muhlach and Derek Ramsay. Wearing a black suit, the Megastar was all sweat as she sang Rey Valera’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko.” Senator Bong Revilla of GMA Pinoy TV performed the same song after TV 5’s segment. The three networks shared one stage and had their show one at a time. Thousands cheered as Cuneta kicked off the parade’s four-hour musical program. She apologized for causing the parade’s delay, saying her limo was snarled in traffic as they headed to the assembly area. Marian Rivera and Read More …

Balance press freedom, responsibility amid ‘exciting times’—Shinawatra

 News
Jun 042013
 
Balance press freedom, responsibility amid ‘exciting times’—Shinawatra

By Lynette Ordonez-LunaINQUIRER.net 1:01 pm | Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. AP FILE PHOTO BANGKOK, Thailand—Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said here Tuesday that media lived in “exciting times” but underscored a need to balance its freedom and responsibility of providing knowledge and information in its various forms. “The news and publishing industries stand at an exciting time . . . recognizing its wider role in understanding people of our nations with the use of technology to reach a wider audience,” said Shinawatra here, the third day of the World Association of Newspapers and Publishers (WAN-IFRA) attended by over 1,000 participants worldwide. Shinawatra said that freedom without responsibility “may lead to confusion.” “Freedom of the press isn’t unlimited even in the most advanced countries,” said the prime minister. She said that it was “important to have high standards and responsibilities.” “Press and [the] media could find for themselves where this middleground is. And none is more evident than in cyberspace, which has been used for good and misuse,” she said. Bangkok is hosting from June 2-5 the WAN-IFRA conference which, for the first time, is staging simultaneously the 65th World Newspaper Congress, the 20th World Editors Forum and the 23rd World Advertisers Forum. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Read More …

US: Corruption abets terror in PH

 News
Jun 012013
 
US: Corruption abets terror in PH

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:08 am | Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—While citing its “strong counterterrorism cooperation” with the Philippines, the United States noted that “official corruption” and resource and personnel constraints had stymied the country’s antiterror campaign. In its latest Country Reports on Terrorism released this week, the US Department of State, however, lauded the Philippines continuing pressure on known terror groups, saying that its efforts in the last decade “have been successful at isolating and constraining the activities of domestic and transnational terrorists.” Mindanao remains classified as a “terrorist haven” due to the presence of the al-Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf which the US had tagged  as a foreign terrorist organization. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), also remain on the terror list. “The Philippines has coordinated with US law enforcement authorities, especially regarding US  fugitives and suspected terrorists. An under-resourced and understaffed law enforcement and justice system coupled with widespread official corruption, however, resulted in limited domestic investigations, unexecuted arrest warrants, few prosecutions, and lengthy trials of cases,” said the report released on May 30. The report noted, for instance, that the proscription case the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) brought against the Abu Sayyaf, the first of its kind that sought to officially tag the group as a terrorist organization under the 2007 Human Security Act, had remained pending by the end of last year. The US also cited a Manila court’s dismissal of an Read More …

No special talks to help OFWs losing their jobs in Taiwan

 News
Jun 012013
 
No special talks to help OFWs losing their jobs in Taiwan

By Nancy C. CarvajalPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:47 am | Sunday, June 2nd, 2013 Taiwanese investigators rides a rubber boat as they inspect a ship involved in the alleged shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman while they continue their probe in Manila on Tuesday, May 28, 2013. The daughter of the Taiwanese fisherman allegedly killed by Filipino coast guards filed murder charges during joint proceedings held by Taiwanese and Philippine prosecutors in Pingtung County on Tuesday. AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA MANILA, Philippines—There are no special talks to help Filipinos who are losing their jobs in Taiwan after the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coast guards three weeks ago. Arthur Abiera, Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) representative, told a news conference on Thursday that negotiations with Taiwanese authorities involved general matters for the restoration of good relations between the Philippines and Taiwan. Labor issues are only part of the talks, he said. Taiwan froze new jobs for Filipino migrant workers and Taiwanese employers are not renewing contracts in retaliation for the shooting death of fisherman Hung Shih-chen on May 9. Many of the 87,000 Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan are affected by the retaliatory measure but Abiera said Meco could not do anything about it. “That’s the Taiwanese government’s decision,” Abiera said. “We are trying to address all issues. It’s sad that they will be affected.” Why us? “Why should we suffer for what other Filipinos had done?” asked Maryanne, a Filipino migrant worker in Taiwan who asked that her last Read More …

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