May 202015
 
Google self-driving prototype cars to hit public roads

This summer, a few of the prototype vehicles we’ve created will leave the test track and hit the familiar roads of Mountain View, California, with our safety drivers aboard,” said project chief Chris Urmson in a blog post. Google said its self-driving prototype cars were ready to leave the test track and hit public roads in California, in a step forward for its autonomous automobile program. San Francisco, United States (AFP) – Google announced Friday its self-driving prototype cars were ready to leave the test track and hit public roads in California, in a step forward for its autonomous automobile program. The move comes after Google’s internal testing of the bubble-shaped vehicle over the past year and more extensive experience with technology adapted for existing cars. “Now we’re announcing the next step for our project: this summer, a few of the prototype vehicles we’ve created will leave the test track and hit the familiar roads of Mountain View, California, with our safety drivers aboard,” said project chief Chris Urmson in a blog post. “We’ve been running the vehicles through rigorous testing at our test facilities, and ensuring our software and sensors work as they’re supposed to on this new vehicle.” The Google car uses the same technology as its fleet of Lexus SUVs which has logged some 1.6 million kilometers (one million miles). “So the new prototypes already have lots of experience to draw on – in fact, it’s the equivalent of about 75 years of typical American adult driving Read More …

May 202015
 
Drilon: Binay not immune from lawsuits

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during the 36th National Conference of Employers at Marriott hotel in Pasay City on Friday. Binay told the business community his family only has five bank accounts, denying the Anti Money Laundering Council report that he owns about 242 bank accounts. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon contradicted on Tuesday a lawyer’s statement that Vice President Jejomar Binay was immune from suits, saying that “no one is above the law.” Drilion said it would be difficult to accept the argument of University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque Jr. that any case that would be filed against the Vice President would be dismissed since he was enjoying immunity from lawsuits while in office. “Medyo mahirap pong tanggapin ang ganung klaseng position dahil sa ating sinusunod sa demokrasya, tayo po ay pantay-pantay sa ilalim ng batas. Mayaman ka man o mahirap, makapangyarihan o pangkaraniwang mamamayan, kung tayo po ay may pananagutan sa batas, dapat tayo ay (panagutin),” the Senate leader said in a radio interview on Tuesday. (That kind of argument is a bit hard to accept because in our democracy, we are all equal under the law. Whether you are rich or poor, powerful or ordinary citizens, if you  have violated the law then  you should be held liable) “No one is above the law. Under the theory of Professor Harry Roque, kung ikaw ay nagnakaw, basta impeachable official ka, hindi ka pwedeng sampahan ng kaso. Ako po ay Read More …

May 202015
 
Valenzuela fire prompts Palace to call for review of occupational, fire safety laws

Relatives of footwear factory workers weep during a special Mass in Manila on Monday for the 72 people who were killed during the fire. Authorities are still investigating if conditions in the factory contributed to the death of the workers. Many of those who died were workers trapped during the blaze. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – After over 70 people were killed in a factory fire in Valenzuela City last week, Malacañang on Tuesday called on Congress to revisit the country’s laws on occupational and fire safety. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said there is already a need to “update” the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was enacted in 1970. Congress should explore the possibility of criminalizing violations to occupational safety standards, Coloma added. “Walang criminal penalties na nakatakda kaya’t tila baga walang ngipin iyong batas. Hindi naman magiging epektibo kung walang naitakdang penalty na magiging deterrent o pipigil sa paglabag dito,” the Palace official said in the radio interview. “Kaya mahalaga na makunsidera na ng ating mga mambabatas iyong mga nakahain na batas, panukalang batas hinggil sa criminalization ng mga violations sa Occupational Safety and Health Regulation natin,” he added. At least 72 individuals were confirmed dead in a fire that razed a factory in Valenzuela owned by Kentex Manufacturing Corporation. The Bureau of Fire Protection is currently leading the probe on incident. Following the deadly Valenzuela fire, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago pushed for the passage of a pending bill seeking to make building owners criminally liable for Read More …

May 202015
 
Duterte: No room for failure if I become president

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is a bold local official who seems to “endorse” violence against criminals. MANILA (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said there will be no room for failure if he chooses to run and becomes president in 2016. During a speech before overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong last Sunday, Duterte said he is still “trying to feel the pulse of the people, relate to their local leaders, and ask myself whether I am ready for the awesome responsibilities of the presidency.” According to Duterte, “should I run for President and win in 2016, there will be no room for him to fail.” “I will not be president and sit for six years and at the end of my term, tell you that I tried my best, but failed. No…if I run and win, I cannot afford to fail my people. So if it is His will for me to run, then God help me.” Duterte, who spent most of his political life being the mayor of Davao City, emerged as the third most preferred potential presidential candidate in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. He was tied with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is the presumptive bet of the ruling Liberal Party. Duterte explained that despite his decades of experience in politics, “the presidency is not an easy job.” “You have to hit the ground running, and you can never stop providing solutions to poverty, high prices, joblessness, while ensuring that people are safe in Read More …

May 202015
 
Drilon orders arrest of 14 resource persons in Binay probe

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair TG Guingona together with Senator Koko Pimentel called a meeting of the Blue Ribbon committee members, Monday afternoon. The committee has cited for contempt 17 resource speakers who failed to attend the hearing on the allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday signed the arrest and detention order of 14 resource persons cited in contempt for continued refusal to attend the Senate’s hearings on corruption allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay. Included in the arrest and detention order was Binay’s alleged bagman and dummy, Gerry Limlingan. The 13 others ordered arrested and detained were the following: Vissia Marie Aldon, Danilo Villas, Aida Alcantara, Hirene Lopez, Irene S. Chong, Imee S. Chong, Kim Tun S. Chong, Irish S. Chong, Erlinda S. Chong, Kimster S. Chong, Anne Lorraine Buencamino-Tiu, James L. Tiu and Antonio L. Tiu. The arrest order came a day after the Senate blue ribbon committee being headed by Senator Teofisto Guingona III upheld Monday its subcommittee’s recommendation to cite the resource persons in contempt. Drilon said it is necessary to enforce the rules of the Senate otherwise people will not heed the rules, the senator said. “Importante po ito na maipakita natin na dapat sumunod at tumupad doon sa subpoena ng Senado, otherwise kung hindi po natin ginawa ito, wala na pong susunod sa mga mga subpoena at hindi po namin magagawa ang aming trabaho dahil ang mga resource persons ay babalewalain ang lahat Read More …

May 202015
 
Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce South Bay to hold mixer at Buffalo Wild Wings May 21

Photo taken during the FACC-SLAA Business & Professionals Networking Mixer held on March 19, 2015, Henrick Macalintal, Benildo Tan, Abe Pagtama, Andy Z. Edralin, Evelyn Andamo, Jennifer Song, Cheryl Elumba, Megaworldre Re, Gabe Pagtama, Cynthia Raymundo-Tan, Loi Herrera, Josephine Edralin Basilio, Paz Villanueva Velasquez, Carson Knight, Marlene Robbins, Rocky Pavone, Joel Escabarte Dalguntas-Realtor, Abe Pagtama, Fe P. Koons, Joel Dalguntas-Realtor, Frederick Alain Docdocil and Manuel Angeles at Long Beach Marriott.Photo courtesy of Docdocil Brothers Photography (Facc Slaa Facebook page) Carson, CA – The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce South Bay Los Angeles is inviting business owners and professionals to come to its mixer this Thursday from 6-9 pm at Buffalo Wild Wings in Carson at 730 Del Amo Blvd. Cynthia Tan, president of the FACC-SLAA, said that mixer will give the opportunity for local businesses to network with its other and also to become members of the FACC-SLAA. “We also invite the general public to come and know the businesses in the South Bay. The Fil-Am Chamber has many activities this year as such the entrepreneurship workshops, the upcoming Filipino American History Month in October and the Philippine American Independence Day on July 4 at the Stub Hub Center,” Tan said. For more information on the business mixer, go to the facebook page facc slaa or call 310.748.9688 or email fred@bakitwhy.com.

May 202015
 
CHED grants tuition hikes in 313 private colleges and universities

Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan (right) of the Commission on Higher Education discusses during a news conference Wednesday at the CHED Office in Quezon City the Students’ Grants-in-aid Program for Poverty Alleviation, a most exciting part of the government’s student assistance program as it directly benefits students of the poorest families. The SGP-PA, with an allocation of P500M, is administered by CHED for State Universities and Colleges in support of the reform agenda for public higher education. Also in photo is Social Welfare Secretary Corazon J. Soliman. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – A total of 313 private colleges and universities nationwide will implement an increase in tuition and other school fees this school year. A statement released by the Commission on Higher Education said the average increase across all regions is 6.48 percent. There were no approved increases in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda. According to CHED, the tuition hike was warranted given the effects of inflation and the improvement of facilities in the schools. CHED added however that it has made available more than 100,000 financial assistance grants for deserving students. CHED has yet to release the list of schools with tuition fee hike. (MNS)

May 192015
 
Kathryn, Nadine finally meet

Nadine Lustre and Kathryn Bernardo (MNS Photo) Teen stars Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre were finally introduced to each other formally recently. The two young stars met face to face during rehearsals for their respective numbers on “ASAP.” In a post on the official Instagram account of the variety show, Bernardo and Lustre can be seen posing side by side along with Julia Barretto. Another photo of them was again uploaded on “ASAP’s” account after their opening production number. In a past interview, Bernardo admitted there exists “some kind of awkwardness” between her and Lustre because a lot of people are constantly comparing them. “Siguro meron kaming awkwardness kasi with the social media, the Twitter, the Instagram, parang nauunahan ng lahat ng tao bago pa kami mag-meet,” Bernardo had said. Bernardo also once said she would like to get to know Lustre more, and maybe even hang out with her in the future. Since Lustre rose to fame in last year’s “Diary ng Panget,” not a few have commented that she and Bernardo look alike. Moreover, Bernardo’s team-up with Padilla is also being compared to the tandem of Lustre and James Reid. Despite this, Lustre had shrugged off comparisons, pointing out that she and Reid are just starting out and still have much to prove. Lustre’s latest film “Para sa Hopeless Romantic,” which also features Barretto, opens in theaters on Wednesday. (MNS)