SC junks Syjuco plea vs. President authority over Deputy Ombudsman

 News
Apr 162014
 
SC junks Syjuco plea vs. President authority over Deputy Ombudsman

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. seeking to strip off the President with authority to discipline the Deputy Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor. In a five-page notice of resolution, the SC said Syjuco failed to prove that he would suffer great injustice and injury with the supposed “interference” of the executive department with the Office of the Ombudsman. “His allegation… is unsubstantiated and is without any leg to stand on,” the high court said. “We rule that petitioner failed to demonstrate adequate interest in the outcome of the controversy as to vest him with the requisite locus standi.” In his petition, Syjuco argued that he has “locus standi” or legal standing on the matter because he stands to be affected by the “continued interference” of the Office of the President with the Office of the Ombudsman, before which he has pending cases. The SC had already struck down as unconstitutional Section 8 (2) of Republic Act 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of  1989, which gave the President the authority to discipline both the Deputy Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor. The high court ultimately ruled that the President can only discipline only the special prosecutor, and not the deputy ombudsman. According to the court, locus standi has been defined as a personal and substantial interest in a case such that the party has sustained or will sustain direct injury as a result of the governmental act that is being challenged. The high Read More …

CPA board exams postponed indefinitely, says PRC

 News
Apr 162014
 
CPA board exams postponed indefinitely, says PRC

The licensure exams for certified public accountants (CPA) scheduled next month have been postponed indefinitely, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced Wednesday. In a resolution, PRC officials led by chairperson Teresita Manzala ordered the deferral and rescheduling of the CPA board exams due to vacancies in the Board of Accountancy, which administers the tests. The board only currently has two sitting members out of the six mandated by law. President Benigno Aquino III appoints members of the board. “The board is short of the requirement for a quorum to validly transact official business, including the formulation and extraction of test items or questions, administration of the examination proper and releasing of results,” the PRC said in its resolution. The PRC did not set a new date for the CPA board exams, which were supposed to take place on May 11, 12, 18 and 19. — Andreo Calonzo/BM, GMA News

PNoy apologizes for NAIA air conditioning problem, blames govt procurement system

 News
Apr 162014
 
PNoy apologizes for NAIA air conditioning problem, blames govt procurement system

The heat is on at the NAIA. Sweltering heat and a non-functioning air-conditioning system plague departing passengers at the NAIA Terminal 1 on Tuesday, April 15, causing at least one case of fainting. Ariel Fernandez President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday apologized for the air conditioning problem at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, blaming the matter on the government’s procurement system. “Humihingi tayo ng paumanhin at pasensiya pero talagang sa higpit ng mga patakaran sa gobyerno… hindi ka naman puwedeng umorder ngayon at deliver within 30 days,” Aquino said during an interview with reporters at the North Port Passenger Terminal Complex in Manila. He explained that the contract to supply new air conditioners for the 30-year-old Terminal 1 was awarded in November last year but the air conditioners will only be delivered in August this year. “Ngayon pinapatanong ko bakit ganoon katagal? Alam ninyo sa gobyerno, pag meron kang gustong bilin, normally apat na buwan mula sa inorder mo hanggang mai-deliver pero inaabot ng siyam na buwan,” he said. “Custom-made ba itong mga aircon na ito, hindi off-the-shelf? Hinihintay ko iyong feedback noong umabot nga sa atin iyong problema doon sa T1,” he added. — RSJ, GMA News

Japan backs PH in case before UN

 News
Apr 152014
 
Japan backs PH in case before UN

Japan Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. AFP file photo MANILA, Philippines—Japan, which is facing similar security issues with China, has reaffirmed its support for the Philippine recourse to international arbitration over its dispute with Beijing involving territories in an area of the South China Sea, called the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines, citing its basis in international law. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has conveyed his government’s support for the Philippines’ filing of a case before a UN tribunal to settle its dispute with China as he reiterated Tokyo’s advocacy of the rule of law, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. “Referring to the Philippines’ submission of its memorial in furtherance of the arbitration proceedings it has initiated relative to South China Sea/West Philippine Sea issues, Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s support for the Philippines’ effort to seek a resolution grounded on international law, which is consistent with Japan’s own rule of law advocacy,” the DFA said. Kishida met with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario for talks at the former’s residence in Hiroshima on April 11. Hiroshima, which bounced back from the devastation wrought by an atomic bomb in 1945, hosted the 8th ministerial meeting of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI). The 12-nation regional grouping of ministers was formed in 2010 with the goal of a “world free from nuclear weapons” through advancing nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament processes, the DFA said. The Philippines joined the initiative in September last year. Bilateral cooperation During the meeting, Kishida Read More …

DFA grants visa-free privilege to 7 countries

 News
Apr 152014
 
DFA grants visa-free privilege to 7 countries

By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 6:32 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 Department of Foreign Affairs building INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday that it has granted visa-free privileges to seven countries allowing their nationals to enter Philippines for 30 days. “Effective today, April 15, nationals of seven (7) additional countries will now enjoy visa-free privilege to enter the Philippines for a period of stay of 30 days,” DFA said in a statement. “These countries are Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” it said. The granting of visa-free privilege is seen to promote tourism and investments from the countries. “The [countries] have been emerging as key players in the international economic community and which have growing bilateral ties with the Philippines,” DFA said. “The DFA fully supports national efforts to attract more tourists and potential investors to the Philippines. In particular, the DFA, through its various embassies and consulates abroad, has been playing an active role in helping the Department of Tourism reach its target of 10 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2015,” DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, said in the statement. The DFA also announced that it has removed the visa-free privilege of Somalia putting back the need for Somalis to apply for a visa at Philippine Embassies or consulates. A list of all countries with visa-free privilege, now numbering 157, is available at the DFA website at https://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/site-administrator/visa-information. RELATED STORY Visa-free entry for Indian nationals Follow Us Other Stories: Japan mulls no Read More …

Japan mulls no visa rule for Filipinos

 News
Apr 152014
 
Japan mulls no visa rule for Filipinos

INQUIRER.net 5:16 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – Talks are underway to finally lift the tough visa requirements for Filipinos to visit Japan, a report said Wednesday. Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government and its ruling coalition “are making arrangements” to waive the visa requirements for its visitors from Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. The lifting of the visa is part of the country’s “revised action plan due in June to make Japan a tourism-oriented country,” Kyodo News said quoting government sources. The measure also aims to increase Japan’s annual tourist arrivals to 20 million as the country prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the report said. The Japanese Embassy in Manila has yet to confirm the report. Japanese visa is known to be among the toughest to get for Filipino tourists in light of Japan’s strict requirements and screening process. The Japanese government has eased its visa policy for Southeast Asian countries last year by only issuing multiple-entry tourist visas to Filipinos. Previously, multiple-entry visas only cater to those visiting Japan due to commercial reasons,  artists and specialists (athletes, professors and government officials), and immediate family members of Japan residents. RELATED STORY Japan now issuing multiple-entry visas to Filipinos Follow Us Other Stories: South Korea, Japan to hold talks on comfort women Hiroo Onoda: Hero or villain? US to China: We will protect Philippines Japan envoy apologizes to PH for WW2 Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; Read More …

Remains of Filipino seaman killed over iPad to arrive home on Black Saturday

 News
Apr 152014
 
Remains of Filipino seaman killed over iPad to arrive home on Black Saturday

By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 4:22 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The remains of a Filipino seaman who was killed by a robber in Honduras after he refused to give his iPad is set to be flown back home on April 19, Black Saturday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Tuesday. The Filipino was identified as Jaycob Escobedo Gaban, an assistant cook on board the ship Norwegian Pearl since October 2013. “He was shot and killed by a robber during a port call on the island of Roatan last April 7, 2014,” OWWA said in a statement. “Gaban was reportedly in a restaurant holding his iPad when a man tried to snatch it from him. He was shot when he resisted to give his gadget. The perpetrator was already arrested and is now in custody of the national police and special forces in Honduras,” it said. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has instructed OWWA to extend full assistance to the wife and daughter of the deceased seaman who are residing in Sorsogon, Bicol. “OWWA is ready to release the death and burial benefits due the family of Gaban, plus scholarship and livelihood grant to the children and the spouse,” OWWA said. According to records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there are 366,865 sea-based workers as of 2012. Follow Us Other Stories: Filipino in UAE dies from MERS Leland Yee smuggling case spurs review of exportation procedures Charity football for Read More …

OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

 News
Apr 152014
 
OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 1:52 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 DFA spokesman Charles Jose. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Tuesday all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East on the breakout of the deadly disease in the region that has claimed the life of a Filipino and affected five others. “We are advising all Filipinos not only in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but in the whole of Middle East to take precautionary measures against the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said in an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM. Jose, however,  told  OFWs to “remain calm” amid the spread of the deadly virus. He said OFWs should practice proper hygiene, frequent washing of hands,   follow advisories from health authorities, and those who experience any of the disease’s symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention. On Monday, the DFA confirmed the death of a Filipino from the deadly virus and the hospitalization of five others. “The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that one Filipino worker died on April 10 due to MERS, while five others remain under quarantine as a  precautionary measure,” Jose said. The Filipino fatality, according to him, was a paramedic whose identity has yet to be disclosed. “We withhold the name as per request by the family. We also have the name of the five Filipinos who are affected but their family also requested not to disclose their names,” he said. The five Read More …

PNR to limit trips Thursday, suspend ops Friday-Saturday

 News
Apr 142014
 
PNR to limit trips Thursday, suspend ops Friday-Saturday

The Philippine National Railways will have limited trips for its commuter trains on Maundy Thursday, and will suspend operations on Good Friday and Black Saturday. In an advisory, the PNR said this will allow its personnel to conduct much-needed maintenance on its trains and other facilities. “We will likewise take this opportunity, while our operations are suspended, to do some additional maintenance work for our trains and tracks,” said PNR general manager Engr. Joseph Allan Dilay. During the Holy Week, the PNR said it will have limited operations for its Metro Manila commuter service running the route between Tutuban and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. On Maundy Thursday, the PNR will have shorter operating hours and end operations at 7:30 p.m. It will suspend operations from Good Friday until Black Saturday, but will be back Easter Sunday but without the 5 a.m. first trip. Normal operations will resume on Monday. Dilay also said the PNR will provide additional manpower and facilities during the Lenten season to ensure security in its terminals and stations and inside the trains. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

SC: Half day for court employees on Wednesday

 News
Apr 142014
 
SC: Half day for court employees on Wednesday

Court employees will be sent home early on Wednesday in observance of the Holy Week. This was according to a work schedule advisory for the judiciary issued by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. “Work in all courts will only be up to 12 noon,” SC spokesman and Public Information Office chief Theodore Te told reporters. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are both regular holidays, while Black Saturday is a special non-working day. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News

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