Lacson: Distribution of Yolanda funds by Mar Roxas appropriate  

 News
Apr 162014
 
Lacson: Distribution of Yolanda funds by Mar Roxas appropriate  

Following  allegations of politicking against administration officials, rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson on Thursday defended the move of Interior Sec. Mar Roxas to distribute funds to typhoon-hit areas. In a statement, Lacson said “some people” questioned why it was Roxas and not the rehabilitation czar who distributed the checks for the reconstruction of public buildings in areas affected by super Typhoon Yolanda. Lacson said that while the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR) has the power to recommend rehabilitation measures to the President, the power to implement plans and programs still remains with the appropriate government agencies. “When it comes to the distribution of funds for the reconstruction of structures like municipal buildings, public markets and civic centers, the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) is the agency that has the power to implement the distribution of such funds,” he said. “[So] it was natural and appropriate for DILG Secretary Roxas to be the person distributing such funds since DILG is the government agency with the power to implement the distribution,” he added. He also clarified it was he, after consultation with the League of Municipalities, who recommended to the President that funds for the reconstruction of municipal buildings, public markets and civic centers be “downloaded” directly to the mayors. “We were grateful that the President, Budget Secretary Abad and DILG Secretary Roxas acted favorably and implemented our recommendation to fast-track the distribution of funds to the mayors,” he said. Lacson also reiterated that PARR does not manage or Read More …

Traffic builds up along NLEX, SLEX as Holy Week exodus continues

 News
Apr 162014
 
Traffic builds up along NLEX, SLEX as Holy Week exodus continues

Vehicles continue to build up in several points along the North and South Luzon Expressways Thursday morning as more Filipinos continue to head for provinces for the Holy Week. As of 10:07 a.m., traffic along the Calamba Toll Plaza in SLEX has become moderate, with the queue of vehicles reaching 1.2 kilometers, the Toll Regulatory Board said on Twitter. Ambulant tellers have been deployed and a counterflow lane has been opened.  A 500-meter queue is also building up along the SLEX toll plaza in Ayala, Alabang. The traffic situation along the northbound lanes from Calamba and Ayala, meanwhile, remains light. As of 10:08 a.m., the traffic is moderate to heavy along NLEX from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Balagtas Interchange in Bulacan, the Tollways Management Corporation (TMC) tweeted.  The traffic flow also ranges from moderate to heavy in the northbound lane from Balintawak Toll Plaza to Sta. Rita Interchange. The same traffic situation has also been reported from Bocaue Interchange to Dau in Pampanga. The queue of vehicles along the Dau Toll Plaza has reached approximately 1 kilometer, according to TRB. TMC said on Twitter that the heavy traffic flow in these areas is due to the large volume of vehicles passing along NLEX. — Xianne Arcangel/RSJ, GMA News

PHL still 3rd deadliest country for journalists — int'l watchdog group  

 News
Apr 162014
 
PHL still 3rd deadliest country for journalists — int'l watchdog group  

The Philippines once again ranked as the third most deadly country for journalists in the world, based on the report of the international watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Based on the CPJ’s 2014 Global Impunity Index, the Philippines retained its third worst spot on the list, which it has held since 2010. This year, it was just behind Iraq and Somalia. “Fresh violence and a failure to prosecute old cases kept Iraq, Somalia, and the Philippines in the three worst slots on the Index,” said the group. It explained that the conviction of the gunman who shot broadcaster-environmentalist Gerry Ortega in 2011 was a

No schedule yet for Napoles’ surgery, lawyer says

 News
Apr 162014
 
No schedule yet for Napoles’ surgery, lawyer says

More than two weeks after alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles was brought to Ospital ng Makati, there is still no definite date yet when she will undergo surgery for her cyst in the uterus. Lawyer Bruce Rivera, Napoles’ counsel, said the doctors have yet to discuss with the patient the result of the biopsy conducted on her last April 8. The result was supposed to be released three days after the procedure was done. “No date (on the surgery) as of yet. Mayroon na raw na resulta pero hindi pa alam ni Mrs. Napoles, hindi pa siya nakakausap ng duktor. Yung mga duktor hindi pa pwedeng magsalita hanggang hindi pa nila nakakausap si Mrs. Napoles. After Holy Week na siguro magkakaroon ng conference on that,” Rivera said in a phone interview with GMA News Online. Napoles, according to doctors, has myoma uteri. She has complained of profuse vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain since late last year. Dr. Perry Ishmael Peralta, Ospital ng Makati medical director, earlier said the result of the endometrial biopsy would show if the cyst is benign or malignant. The next procedure to be done on Napoles will depend on the result of the biopsy. “Malalaman yung extent ng surgery based on the result of the biopsy. More extensive ang gagawin kung lumabas na cancerous yung cyst,” he told reporters earlier. Napoles has been confined at Ospital ng Makati since March 31 after the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 granted her appeal to Read More …

Syria most dangerous country for journalists, PH 3rd—watchdog

 News
Apr 162014
 
Syria most dangerous country for journalists, PH 3rd—watchdog

This photo released by Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV Facebook page, shows a combo picture of three Al-Manar TV journalists, cameraman Mohammed Mantash, left, reporter Hamza al-Haj Hassan, center, and technician Halim Allaw, right, who were killed while covering the battle between the Syrian government forces and rebels, in the Syrian town of Maaloula, Syria, Monday, April 14, 2014. AP/Al-Manar TV NEW YORK— Syria is the world’s most dangerous country for journalists a US-based watchdog said Wednesday as it published its annual impunity index tracking unsolved killings of reporters. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists reported a “rising number of targeted killings” of reporters in Syria as a recent threat to journalists operating in the war-torn country. “With unprecedented numbers of abductions and high rates of fatalities in combat and crossfire, Syria was already the world’s most dangerous country for journalists,” CPJ said. Iraq remained on top of the rankings with the worst record for solving murders of journalists. Somalia came in second with the Philippines third, the watchdog announced. Iraq, with 100 percent impunity in 100 cases, has topped the rankings ever since the survey began in 2008. Since then, 2012 was the first year that no journalists were killed in relation to their work in Iraq, but 2013 saw a spike to 10 journalist killings, nine of them murders, CPJ said. There were four new murders in Somalia in 2013. “Elusive armed insurgent groups have terrorized the media beyond the reach of Somalia’s fragile law and order institutions, but Read More …

Japan says visa-free entry still a plan

 News
Apr 162014
 
Japan says visa-free entry still a plan

Kyoto path. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Not so fast, don’t buy that plane ticket to Tokyo just yet. The Japanese Embassy in Manila has clarified that the proposal to waive the visa requirement for Filipino tourists to Japan remains to be a plan, saying that such a policy would require bilateral talks between Tokyo and Manila. Miwa Yamatoya, press officer at the Japanese Embassy, said the visa waiver would require “comprehensive consideration” between the two countries. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Tuesday that the Japanese government and its ruling coalition “are making arrangements” to exempt tourists from the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam from the visa requirement in an effort to boost tourism. “At this point, the exemption of visas for these three countries and the possibility of including this in the ‘action plan’ has not reached any conclusion,” Yamatoya told the Inquirer. Yamatoya said the embassy was “unable to confirm” the Kyodo story. “While promoting us as a tourism-oriented country, the Japanese government has recognized there are demands to relax the policy on visas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also intends to promote tourism more,” said Yamatoya, responding to a query via e-mail. “However, regarding the visa issue, there will be comprehensive consideration, such as the bilateral relationship between countries and diplomatic purposes. There also will be a need for talks between the government ministries concerned,” she said. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to issue a comment. 61-percent increase According to the Kyodo report, the visa Read More …

FDA warns vs. expired sunscreen  

 News
Apr 162014
 
FDA warns vs. expired sunscreen  

Even sunscreen products can lose their effectivity when stored for a long time, and vacationers would do well to keep an eye on the expiry date. This was the advice of the Food and Drug Administration, which also urged the public to report products that cause an adverse reaction. “Remember that not all sunscreens have the same ingredients. Choose a product that suits your skin. Be aware of the expiration date because some sunscreen ingredients might degrade over time,” it said. It also advised consumers to “read the label and follow the instructions on the amount that can be applied on the body.” The products may also contain when to apply sunscreens before actual exposure and the frequency of re-application, it said. On the other hand, the FDA said consumers can report adverse reactions via email to report@fda.gov.ph. It advised health professionals to log in at the FDA Website and click the ADR Report platform and accomplish the form on line. Creams or gels? The FDA also suggested sunscreen creams are best for the face and dry skin while gels are good for hairy areas of the skin. Water-resistant sunscreen products are best when going swimming or when sweating profusely, it added. “Regardless of which sunscreen preparation you choose, be sure to apply it generously to achieve full UV ray protection,” it said. Also, the FDA said babies can be protected from sun by being kept in the shade or with appropriate clothes or cover. “Allow them to drink plenty Read More …

SSS website unavailable from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday

 News
Apr 162014
 
SSS website unavailable from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday

Citing a scheduled maintenance of its facilities, the Social Security System on Tuesday said it may be inaccessible to netizens from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. Visitors to the SSS website were greeted with a popup notice indicating the site will not be available from 4 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Sunday. “This is due to the shutdown of our Main Data Center for the scheduled maintenance of the electrical power subsystem of the SSS Main Office,” it said. Presently, the SSS site allows members to log in and check the status of their memberships. Several government agencies, including the Light and Metro Rail Transit systems, are expected to use the Holy Week to conduct maintenance of their facilities. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News

Netizens welcome Japan’s visa-free travel plan

 News
Apr 162014
 
Netizens welcome Japan’s visa-free travel plan

By Bong LozadaINQUIRER.net 8:21 pm | Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—Even without an official announcement, and decision, for a visa-free travel for Filipinos to Japan, Netizens are all hyped up for the possibility. On Tuesday, talks were underway to lift the visa requirement of Filipinos, Indonesians and Vietnamese travelling to Japan. It was a unanimous message on Twitter that Filipinos are elated for the possibility. One Jean Austin Rogers is “looking forward” for the new opportunity. Another user, who goes by the handle Primeputri, said that the visa-free travel is “dream come true.” Jelito de Leon may not be pretty elated with the news but he is one of those “glass is half-full” people. “I have my fingers crossed for the visa-free Japan trips for Filipinos!” he said on his Twitter account. A Twitter user who goes by the handle Dude Interrupted have a more direct emotion toward the news. “Eat this HK!” he posted after Hong Kong required Philippine visas for Filipinos travelling to the country. RELATED STORIES Visa-free travel to Japan could boost tourism Japan mulls no visa rule for Filipinos Japan now issuing multiple-entry visas to Filipinos Follow Us Other Stories: Visa-free travel to Japan could boost tourism Japan backs PH in case before UN Japan mulls no visa rule for Filipinos South Korea, Japan to hold talks on comfort women 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 Read More …

PNoy to spend Holy Week in ‘resorts’

 News
Apr 162014
 
PNoy to spend Holy Week in ‘resorts’

President Benigno Aquino III will spend the Holy Week holidays in “resorts.” “Iyong dating gawi, either sa Times Mountain Resort sa Quezon City o kaya naman sa Pangarap River Resort, doon tayo maglalagi,” Aquino told reporters Wednesday when asked on where he would spend the Holy Week. The “resorts,” however, are only references to his family’s home on Times Street in Quezon City and his official residence Bahay Pangarap. On a serious note, Aquino, a bachelor, said he will be with his sisters for Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday and for Mass on Easter Sunday. Aquino, meanwhile, reminded Filipinos to do good even after the Holy Week is over. “Huwag po sana nating kalimutan: ang pagpapakumbaba, pagmamalakasakit, at paggawa ng matuwid ay hindi lamang para sa mahal na araw. Ang ginagawa nating pagninilay at panalangin ay paghahanda lamang para sa isang buong buhay ng pagsunod sa halimbawa ni Kristo,” he said in his Lenten message. He also reiterated the Palace’s earlier call for Filipinos to make sacrifices just as Jesus Christ did. “Tiyak naman pong lahat ng ating pinaghirapan ay may positibong ambag para sa ikabubuti  ng mas nakakarami. At di po ba, napakaliit lamang ng hinihingi sa atin kumpara sa ibinigay ni Hesukristo?” The President said. “Magsilbi po sanang inspirasyon sa atin ang ipinamalas na pagmamahal ni Hesukristo. Ito ang gabay natin ngayon bilang mga Kristiyano sa pagharap sa sarili nating mga sangandaan at sa pagsisilbing tanglaw sa mga Kristiyano ng kinabukasan,” he added. — KBK, GMA News

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