SC: DAP oral arguments moved to November 19

 News
Nov 072013
 
SC: DAP oral arguments moved to November 19

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday moved to November 19 the oral arguments on the constitutionality of the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). “Urgent Advisory: oral argument in the consolidated #DAP cases is reset from (November) 11 to (November) 19 at 2 PM,” the SC Public Information Office tweeted. The SC initially scheduled the oral arguments on October 22, had it reset to November 19 and moved the same to November 11. As of Thursday, the high court has received nine petitions questioning the DAP’s constitutionality especially as it was realigned without the Congress’ approval. The DAP received flack after Senator Jinggoy Estrada bared that he and other senators who voted to convict former Chief Justice Renato Corona in May last year received P50 million each in additional funds months after the impeachment trial. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad later admitted that the funds came from the DAP, but maintained these were not bribes or incentives for senators. He said the DAP fund, which is basically realigned savings, was released to address sluggish government spending in 2011. Estrada, along with Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., is facing a plunder complaint over the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam supposedly masterminded by trader Janet Lim-Napoles. All three seantors have denied being involved in the alleged anomaly. In a televised address last week, President Benigno Aquino III criticized “thieves” who equated the DAP with the pork barrel scam, adding that his critics were diverting the public’s attention and smearing his Read More …

HK lawmakers vote to scrap visa-free access to Pinoys over Manila bus hostage tragedy

 News
Nov 072013
 
HK lawmakers vote to scrap visa-free access to Pinoys over Manila bus hostage tragedy

Hong Kong lawmakers voted this week to impose economic sanctions on the Philippines and cancel the visa-free access for Filipinos due to the Manila bus hostage crisis three years ago, South China Morning Post reported. The report said lawmakers voted to pass a non-binding motion by People Power’s Albert Chan Wai-yip calling on the government to impose sanctions.  They also voted 41 to three in favor of former security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee’s amendment calling for visa-free access to be scrapped, the report added. More than 100,000 Filipino domestic helpers are working in Hong Kong. Hong Kong tourists, meanwhile, are among the top ten tourist groups arriving in the Philippines with 86,396 arrivals from January to August this year. Sought for comment, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez neither confirmed nor denied the imposition of sanctions but said the government will continue to work to address the issue. “We will continue to work quietly to achieve a mutually satisfactory conclusion,” Hernandez said in a text message sent Friday to GMA News Online. Last Tuesday, Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said the government may impose unspecified economic sanctions on the Philippines if Manila will not apologize and grant compensation for a hostage tragedy in 2010, Reuters reported. The Hong Kong government has been demanding for an apology–from the Philippine government and not the Manila City government– and compensation to the victims’ families.  Last month, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, now Manila mayor, personally delivered a written apology to the People’s Republic Read More …

SolGen asks SC to junk DAP cases for lack of merit

 News
Nov 072013
 
SolGen asks SC to junk DAP cases for lack of merit

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), representing the Aquino administration, on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to junk all cases filed against the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) for lack of merit.   In a 41-page comment, the OSG asked the high court to dismiss all petitions against DAP for “lack of merit” and deny the application for a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction. “The burden is on the petitioners to establish their case and prove grave abuse of discretion on the part of the respondents [but] the petitions, mostly anchored on newspaper clippings and media reports, are miserably lacking on the allegations of facts that would support a claim of grave abuse of discretion,” it said. “It is incomprehensible, therefore, given the insufficiency and uncertainty of facts, how petitioners can allege grave abuse of discretion,” it added. Last week, parties in at least eight petitions challenging DAP’s legality agreed to answer six main questions during oral arguments before the SC on Nov. 11. Among these questions are on the nature of the DAP, whether it is a fund or a program, and the legal basis for its creation. In its comment, the OSG said DAP is “neither a fund nor an appropriation but a program or an administrative system of prioritizing spending.” “As is obvious from its name, it is a program for accelerating disbursements. What is only unstated in the title of the program—DAP—is that the sources of funds are from, first, the legitimately-generated savings Read More …

Palace: No suspension of work in govt offices

 News
Nov 072013
 
Palace: No suspension of work in govt offices

Despite the threat of Typhoon Yolanda, Malacañang on Friday said that there is no suspension of work in government offices yet. “No announcement on work suspension from ES [Executive Secretary’s] office; not warranted by present and forecast weather situation,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a text message to reporters. He issued the statement after Yolanda, dubbed the most powerful typhoon in the world this year, made landfall in the Philippines on Friday morning. On Thursday night, President Benigno Aquino addressed the public in a televised message and warned them about the danger Yolanda brings. — Kimberly Jane T. Tan /LBG, GMA News

DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

 News
Nov 072013
 
DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 5:05 pm | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday announced the suspension of services, including the releasing of passports, in seven regional consular offices from November 8 to 9 due to expected bad weather. “The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises the public that due to super typhoon Yolanda, consular services at DFA Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) in Tacloban, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Lipa, and Lucena will be temporarily suspended on November 8-9 (Friday and Saturday),” DFA said in a statement. Normal operations will resume on November 11 (Monday). The affected RCOs may be contacted through the following numbers: Tacloban – (053) 321-8233 Legazpi – (052) 480-3000 Cebu – (032) 520-5898 Bacolod – (034) 441-2675 Iloilo – (033) 337-8017 Lipa – (043) 722-0578 Lucena – (042) 710-4526 The DFA main office may be reached at (02) 536-0000, passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph and ppt_do@yahoo.com. 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: DFA , Foreign affairs , Passport Service , Supertyphoon Yolanda , weather 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: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

South African slapped with drug raps over cocaine haul at NAIA

 News
Nov 072013
 
South African slapped with drug raps over cocaine haul at NAIA

By Jerry E. EsplanadaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:56 pm | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 Customs chief Ruffy Biazon.  RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs filed drug smuggling charges before the Department of Justice against a South African national who was caught carrying 8.5 kilos of cocaine by alert BOC personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) two weeks ago. Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said they have filed criminal charges against suspected drug mule Debbie Reyneke, citing the Department of Finance-attached agency’s intensified campaign against the use of the country’s ports of entry in the illegal drug trade. “This should send a strong warning to international drug syndicates that the Philippines is not a place for illegal and hazardous drugs,” he said, stressing the BOC would not allow any foreign drug ring make the country one of their markets. In a statement, the former Muntinlupa City legislator also said the BOC would “prosecute and seek for the maximum penalties allowed by law to all those caught attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country, if only to spare the lives of many young Filipinos.” “Reyneke’s arrest on October 23 upon her arrival from Dubai on board an Emirates flight was the result of the bureau’s enhanced intelligence network,” said Biazon. He disclosed that “Customs officials at the NAIA were already alerted of her arrival and the possibility of having illegal drugs in her luggage. When her bag was inspected, it yielded food packs containing a substance that tested Read More …

Makers of ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ get Congressional recognition

 News
Nov 062013
 
Makers of ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ get Congressional recognition

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 9:35 am | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 Stephen Sifuentes, representing US Sen. Dean Heller, and Lt. Cmdr. Ceasar Elpidio of the Filipino American Veterans and Families organization, present producer/director Donald Plata the Certificate of Congressional Recognition. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO LAS VEGAS—Representatives of US Sen. Dean Heller and US Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada presented filmmakers Donald Plata, Lou Diamond Phillips and Chris Schaefer certificates of Congressional Recognition for creating and producing the documentary movie “Forgotten Soldiers.” The legislators also recognized the Philippine Scouts Heritage Society for its support of the film, and the Nevada chapter of the Filipino-American Veterans and Families organization presented the filmmakers the Freedom Award at the Leatherneck Club in Las Vegas. “Forgotten Soldiers” tells the story of the Philippine Scouts, a little-known US Army organization composed of Filipino soldiers and American officers.  The Scouts were the backbone of General Douglas MacArthur’s US Army Forces in the Far East at the beginning of World War II. Fighting alongside US National Guard units and the Philippine Army, they held out for more than four months on Bataan and Corregidor while every other Allied stronghold in the Pacific fell to the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. The soldiers were promised food, ammunition and reinforcements…but months went by and the reinforcements never came.  Eventually the men were surrounded by the Japanese, starved out and subjected to one of the worst atrocities in military history–the Bataan Death March. The Freedom Award plaque and the congressional certificates were presented at Read More …

DOT chief sees more European tourists

 News
Nov 062013
 
DOT chief sees more European tourists

By Doris C. DumlaoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:14 am | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.: Optimistic INQUIRER.net file photo LONDON—Foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines reached a little over 3.8 million in the first nine months of the year, moving closer to the full-year target of five million visitors this year, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said. Europe, which currently contributes at least 10 percent of foreign tourist arrivals, is seen boosting its share especially as flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has started flying back to the continent after a 15-year absence. In an interview at the sidelines of a reception held here to toast the opening of PAL’s nonstop flights between Manila and London (via Heathrow airport), Jimenez said he was optimistic that more European visitors would come to the Philippines. “Europe has been underperforming because there were limitations before,” Jimenez said, noting previous limitations on flight connectivity as well as nonportability of insurance when the blacklist on Philippine carriers in the European Union was in effect. But with all these concerns addressed, Jimenez said more European travelers could come to the Philippines, thereby boosting tourism receipts as European visitors typically spend more daily and stay longer. On average, he said a European visitor spends much more for each day of stay in the Philippines and stays for at least eight days to as long as 16 days. This means that if more European travelers come to the Philippines, the nature and quality of tourist receipts Read More …

PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

 News
Nov 042013
 
PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 3:42 pm | Monday, November 4th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The government is verifying among its intelligence communities a report from Australian media that the country has been used as a key “listening post” by the United States’ National Security Agency. “We are checking with our intelligence community. We are discussing if anything’s happening. So far there are no signs,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday. The foreign media report said that Australia is sharing information with NSA, an agency involved with whistleblower Edward Snowden’s leaks. “A secret map released by Snowden revealed the US had also set up surveillance facilities in embassies and consulates, including in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Yangon, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing,” the ABC News said. The ABC News also said that it was the same map that Snowden released to Der Spiegel, a German news magazine. It showed listening posts around the world including Manila. Renato Reyes, Secretary General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the use of Philippines as a listening post with or without the knowledge of the government, is “a violation of our sovereignty as a nation.” “It opens us to violations of our right to privacy. Even Malacañang could be subject to surveillance. All the affairs of government could be monitored by a foreign entity,” he also said. Reyes also said the new US ambassador should explain to the public the real Read More …

New Zealand provides P30-M assistance to PH quake, flood victims

 News
Nov 042013
 
New Zealand provides P30-M assistance to PH quake, flood victims

INQUIRER.net 2:55 pm | Monday, November 4th, 2013 New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully (L) MANILA, Philippines–New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully announced Monday that New Zealand is providing $NZ850,000 (approximately P30 million) in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines following the recent disasters that have hit Central Visayas and Mindanao. “We are deeply sympathetic to the plight of people affected by these crises,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, in an official statement sent via email to media companies. “We hope that the assistance announced today by Minister McCully will aid in the rapid recovery of the communities affected by the Bohol Earthquake and flooding in Zamboanga.” New Zealand’s assistance package will contribute $500,000 through UNICEF as one of the key implementing partners of the United Nations appeal following the Bohol earthquake. Another $100,000 has been allocated to draw on New Zealand technical expertise to help the Philippine government further assess the earthquake damage and prepare for reconstruction work. Ambassador Levermore said that New Zealand’s contribution responds to the international appeal launched by the United Nations after a new assessment revealed that an estimated 370,000 people had been left living in temporary shelters after the 7.2 earthquake struck two weeks ago. In addition, $250,000 is being provided for urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for the conflict-displaced population living in Zamboanga City, where recent flooding has placed significant pressure on emergency shelters and created serious health risks. The New Zealand Aid Programme already supports disaster risk management and Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries