Chief Justice Sereno chosen as ‘voice’ at Dubai anti-corruption summit

 News
Aug 212014
 
Chief Justice Sereno chosen as ‘voice’ at Dubai anti-corruption summit

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has been chosen as one of the “voices” to speak at a global conference on transparency and anti-corruption to be held in Dubai in November. The Supreme Court Public Information said in a statement that the annual Summit on the Global Agenda Council on Transparency and Anti-Corruption of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is the world’s largest brainstorming of members of the Network Global Agenda Councils. The WEF nominated Sereno to become one of the summit’s “voices” following her keynote speech aptly titled “Exacting Public Accountability and the Potential for Economic Growth” delivered before the East Asia Summit of the WEF in Manila in May 2014. “This speech… prompted (the WEF Partnering Against Corruption Initiative) to nominate (Chief Justice Sereno) to be a voice on the Global Agenda Council,” said Gretchen Jonker, Associate Director of the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative. In that keynote speech, Sereno discussed issues that matter to investors, particularly the stability of the investment policy framework and the length of judicial processes. She said the judiciary has started to intensify its attention on stabilizing jurisprudence, including that affecting the way business is to be conducted. “Because the Constitution requires such a careful balancing of interests of the Filipinos, especially the underprivileged, of preservation of a healthful ecology, of the interests of posterity, policy-making in this country must go beyond the traditional confines of governance, and must ask questions on environmental sustainability, on the long-term health of the people, and of the future Read More …

Gun advocates protest new firearm registration policy

 News
Aug 212014
 
Gun advocates protest new firearm registration policy

A group of gun advocates on Thursday voiced opposition to the government requirement for all gun owners, new and old, to secure a license first before they could register their firearms. “Our concern is the retroactive application of this. This requirement should only cover for new applicants and not the existing firearms owners,” said Ernesto Tabujara III, head of the Peaceful Responsible Owners of Guns (PROGUN). A provision of the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) for Republic Act 10591 states that in place of a gun license, which will no longer be allowed, gun owners and buyers should secure first from the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-FEO) a License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF). Under the IRR, which was issued in May by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the LTOPF will be a requirement in registering firearms. Tabujara said the provision is “unconstitutional,” adding “[I]t is not right to retroactively implement this to cover existing gun owners.” “Some of us are registered gun owners for 10 to 20 years. I think existing gun owners should not be subjected to this,” he said. The group is set to question the IRR in court as, according to Tabujara, they were not consulted by the PNP during its drafting. “We’ve been trying our best to tell the PNP to give us the chance with our suggestion but we were never given a chance to be heard, we were not allowed to be heard,” Tabujara said. “As such, PROGUN shall be questioning Read More …

Comelec to send registration documents to Arroyo at VMMC

 News
Aug 212014
 
Comelec to send registration documents to Arroyo at VMMC

Commission on Elections chair Sixto Brillantes said the Comelec would send a representative to carry out the registration of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the 2016 elections.  Brillantes said they “[would] send the election officer and the documents” to Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City. He said the Comelec was still arranging the schedule for Arroyo’s registration. He added that the Arroyo camp “[would] shoulder the expenses.” In a resolution dated August 5, the Sandiganbayan First Division allowed the former president to register for the upcoming elections with a Comelec representative sent to VMMC. “As prayed, Lubao, Pampanga Election officer Leonilo Paule Miguel, or any of his duly authorized representatives, is hereby ordered to cause the voter list re activation and biometrics vialidation of accused Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at her place of detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), North Avenue, Quezon City, not later than October 15, 2015,” the resolution said. Arroyo is facing plunder charges in connection with her alleged misuse of some P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds. – Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB, GMA News

Militants use Ninoy Aquino Day to blast PNoy’s ‘dictatorial tendencies’

 News
Aug 212014
 
Militants use Ninoy Aquino Day to blast PNoy’s ‘dictatorial tendencies’

Militants rally near Aquino residence. Policemen block activists from staging a protest rally near the house of President Benigno Aquino III along Times Street in Quezon City on Thursday, August 21. The protesters were condemning the the proposed Charter change and term extension of the president. GMA News On the 31st anniversary of Ninoy Aquino’s murder on Thursday, several militant groups called for President Benigno Aquino III to remember his father’s firm stand against dictatorship. In a statement, Anakbayan national chair Vencer Crisostomo said if Ninoy was still alive today, he would have been “infuriated” at Aquino for saying he is open to calls to extend his stay in power through Charter change. “Noynoy’s undemocratic plans of using Cha-cha for term extension, curbing the powers of the Supreme Court, and filling his legislature of yellow zombies will surely infuriate Ninoy,” he said. He said a protest rally is set at the Luneta Park in Manila on August 22 and 25 against the possible term extension of Aquino. Earlier this month, Aquino, in a television interview, said he is keeping his options open on calls to extend his stay in power beyond 2016, even if the 1987 Constitution ratified under his late mother Corazon’s presidency allows only one six-year term for a President. No to term extension Meanwhile, members of the Promotion of Church People’s Response  gathered on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Monument in Quezon City to protest Aquino’s “openness” to extending his term. “We pause in genuine respect for Read More …

MILF take crucial step on path to pact

 News
Aug 212014
 
MILF take crucial step on path to pact

The country’s largest Muslim rebel group has taken a crucial step in ending decades of conflict, formally submitting to the president a final proposal for self-rule that both it and the government have agreed on, a presidential adviser said. The two sides signed a deal in March to end nearly five decades of conflict on the resource-rich southern island of Mindanao but hopes for peace were thrown into doubt this month when the rebels accused the government of reneging on the pact. But 10 days of negotiations rescued the deal under which the main rebel group – the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – has agreed to disband and rebuild communities in exchange for powers over the economy and society in the Bangsamoro region. Big companies such as food processor Del Monte Pacific Limited, which has a pineapple plantation in Mindanao, said they were considering expanding operations after the deal but most have held back pending evidence of real peace. “As agreed upon by the parties, the MILF submitted the final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law to the Office of the Executive Secretary yesterday evening,” the presidential adviser on the peace talks, Teresita Quintos Deles, said in a text message on Thursday. “As further agreed upon, the latest draft has been submitted to the president for his review. Further discussions may be held based on the guidance of the president,” she said. The conflict has killed more than 120,000 people, displaced 2 million and hobbled economic growth in the Read More …

Solar aerator for bangus production launched

 News
Aug 202014
 
Solar aerator for bangus production launched

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines  – Bangus (milkfish) production here and in Sual town, the two major producers in Pangasinan, goes high-tech with the pilot experimentation of a solar-powered aerator system as a defense against fish kill and to improve cultivation. Makiko Takaoka, general manager of Nomura Research Institute, said this is the first time they will see the whole cycle of bangus production using the solar powered aeration system. “We can expect more oxygen will be digested by the fish, growth rate will be more effective and mortality will be decreased,” said Takaoka, whose group coordinated the project. Hirano Seiji, senior vice president of Power Bank System that developed the aeration system, said this was first introduced in Japan four years ago and they saw remarkable growth of tuna as well as oyster. The experimentation for bangus production in the Philippines would take about four to five months and once it succeeds, they intend to introduce it to other Asian countries. An initial study using solar panels for milkfish production was commissioned by the Japanese government in 2012 in Laguna. However, there was limited observation on the improvement in the water quality and fatality rate of the fish due to the timing and duration of the project, which was only one month. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Power Bank System Co., Ltd., supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), shall perform demonstration in order to gather additional data, Read More …

Wanted Iranian dies in NBI custody

 News
Aug 192014
 
Wanted Iranian dies in NBI custody

By Nancy C. Carvajal |Philippine Daily Inquirer 9:26 am | Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–An Iranian national arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on the request of the US Department of Justice after he was indicted in a US court for being part of a conspiracy to smuggle to Iran about 20 tons of specialized steel “with nuclear applications” died Monday evening of cardiac arrest, an NBI official said. The NBI said the United States government had sought the extradition of Parviz Khaki, 47, of Tehran after he was arrested by NBI agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in 2012. The US justice department told the NBI the Iranian was indicted in the District Court of Columbia for being part of a conspiracy to smuggle to Iran about 20 tons of specialized steel “with nuclear applications” which were considered suitable for gas centrifuges used in uranium enrichment. Khaki was indicted on six counts of fraud over his attempt to deliver the highly technical materials and nickel alloy to Iran. Records showed Khaki was also charged by the US justice department with money laundering and violating US laws with respect to the American embargo against Iran. NBI records showed the Iranian was on his way back to Iran when he was arrested by NBI agents at Naia Terminal 1 on May 26, 2012. Khaki’s extradition to the US did not push through, however, after the Iranian Embassy filed a petition in Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 21 opposing his extradition. Read More …

DFA hits harassment of PH fishers by Chinese

 News
Aug 192014
 
DFA hits harassment of PH fishers by Chinese

DFA spokesman and assistant secretary Charles Jose: Chinese harassment of Filipino fishermen. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Foreign Affairs will include incidents of Chinese harassment of Filipino fishermen exercising their right to fish in Philippine seas, in its new diplomatic protest to be filed this week against China’s “illegitimate sovereignty patrols” in Philippine waters. Incidents like this would show proof of the Philippines’ concern over the “constant and overwhelming presence” of China in Philippine waters, said Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the DFA spokesman. He said they will be included in a new diplomatic protest “because this is the result of the presence of China, they are harassing (fishermen) and this is affecting our ability to exercise our sovereign rights there.” Jose made the remarks in reaction to an incident last Aug. 1 where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel allegedly harassed a small fishing boat carrying local officials led by Pag-asa island Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr. and journalists to the island off Palawan. According to Jose, the DFA has not received a report on the Pag-asa island incident, explaining that the department gets intelligence reports involving Filipino fishermen being harassed by Chinese ships in Philippine waters. He said the diplomatic protest will be made through a note verbale sent to the Chinese Embassy in Manila. Jose earlier said diplomatic protest will deal not only with the incident reported by President Aquino involving the presence of two Chinese research vessels on the oil-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, but also to what appeared to be China’s Read More …

In the Know: Itu Aba

 News
Aug 192014
 
In the Know: Itu Aba

A handout picture received from Taiwan’s National Security Council on Sept. 1, 2012, shows Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan holding a national flag at Itu Aba or Taiping, the biggest islet of the disputed Spratlys on Aug.31, 2012. Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza may have committed a “grave mistake” in his handling of the Philippine case against China in the United Nations arbitral tribunal when he directed the government’s international lawyers to exclude the Taiwan-occupied island of Itu Aba from the 4,000-page memorial before it was submitted to the tribunal in The Hague in March. AFP PHOTO/Taiwan’s National Security Council Itu Aba, the largest island in the disputed Spratlys, is occupied by Taiwan and administered by its Coast Guard. The 37.7-hectare island, 463 kilometers away from Palawan province and some 1,600 km southwest of Taiwan, has sophisticated facilities, including a 1,200-meter runway and its own freshwater source. According to earlier reports, Taiwan is also building a $100-million port next to the airstrip. The port is reportedly designed to accommodate 3,000-ton naval frigates and coast guard cutters. The runway is also being upgraded for Hercules C-130 transport planes. Taiwan officials said the improvements would be finished by late next year. China and Taiwan share claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, a legacy of the Chinese civil war when the Communists split from the Nationalists and eventually took control of the Chinese mainland in 1949. The Nationalists settled in Taiwan and still claim to be the legitimate rulers of greater China. Vietnam, Read More …

Filipino arts and eats fest goes mainstream in Toronto

 News
Aug 192014
 
Filipino arts and eats fest goes mainstream in Toronto

INQUIRER.net US/Canada Bureau 5:53 am | Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 Kultura arts festival in Totonto featured performances, food and handicraft KAPISANAN PHILIPPINE CENTRE FOR ARTS & CULTURE/DJ TRAN PHOTO Crowds at Kultura Filipino Arts Festival at Wychwood Barns. KAPISANAN PHILIPPINE CENTRE FOR ARTS & CULTURE PHOTOS TORONTO, Canada — Kain Kalye or the Filipino Street Eats Competition drew lines of eager tasters at the 9th Annual Kultura Filipino Arts Festival August 7 to 10 at Wychwood Barns. Grazers shelled out $3 to $7 for halo-halo, longganisa, chicken and pork barbecues and other traditional Filipino dishes, from local eateries like Halo-Halo World Café, TitaFlips, Lola Kusina, Tocino Boys and Lamesa. The six-month-old Lola Kusina’s crispy siopao won the popular vote. With “cultural pride and a progressive outlook on the Filipino-Canadian experience, Kultura Filipino Arts Festival has captured the broader Toronto public for a decade with its innovative programming of live performances, traditional and modern cuisine, curated interactive art installations and a bustling marketplace,” reports CBC News Toronto. The Kultura Filipino Arts Festival Marketplace offered wares from Filipino-Canadian arts and crafts sellers. Tocino Boys barbecue a big hit at Kain Kalye Follow Us Other Stories: Wanted Iranian dies in NBI custody DFA hits harassment of PH fishers by Chinese California’s health safety net stressed despite Obamacare 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, Read More …

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