Supreme Court extends order stopping RH law

 News
Jul 152013
 
Supreme Court extends order stopping RH law

(UPDATED 1:00 p.m.) – In a close vote, Supreme Court justices on Tuesday extended indefinitely the status quo ante order (SQAO) stopping the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law. The SC imposed a status quo ante order on the law last March, delaying its implementation. The order was supposed to expire on July 17 but the high court extend it on Tuesday. The SC Public Information Office said the justices voted 8-7 to extend the status quo ante (Latin for “the way things were before”) order against the health measure. “SC, voting 8-7, ordered SQAO in RH Law extended until further orders effective immediately,” the SC PIO said. The status quo ante order directs the parties to observe the status or situation before the implementation of the RH law. The controversial law mandates the government to use public to distribute contraceptives, deploy midwives, and teach sex education in elementary among others. The extension came a day before the original 120-day SQA order, issued on March 19, was to expire on Wednesday. In the original SQA order, the justices voted 10-5. The five who dissented in the earlier voting were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Marvic Leonen. The second round of oral arguments on the controversial law is scheduled for July 23, when petitioners are expected to continue presenting their arguments against the law, enacted by President Benigno Aquino III in December 2012. During the first day of Read More …

De Lima questions deaths of two suspects in Laguna

 News
Jul 152013
 
De Lima questions deaths of two suspects in Laguna

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is questioning the circumstances of the deaths of two suspected criminals in Laguna who were shot while in police custody and being transferred from Cavite on Monday night. In a press conference in Manila, De Lima said many questions have to be answered on the deaths of Ricky Cadavero alias “Kambal” and Wilfredo Panogalinga alias “Kulot,” who were said to have been shot dead by their police escorts after the two supposedly tried escaping. Cadavero and Panogalinga were being held for illegal possession of firearms. The police officers were transporting Cadavero and Panogalinga back to Camp Vicente Lim in Laguna from Cavite, where the two underwent inquest proceedings when the shooting hyappened on Monday. An initial police report said that at a little past 6:30 p.m., as the police convoy was passing through San Pedro, Laguna on the Magsaysay Highway, the van carrying Cadavero and Panogalinga was shot at by unknown gunmen on two motorcycles. Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, head of the San Pedro Police, said that it was at this point that Cadavero and Panogalinga made a grab for their police escorts’ weapons. The officers resisted and the two alleged gangster ended up getting shot. The police officers suffered minor injuries. Meanwhile, the motorcycle-riding gunmen sped away. The other vehicle in the police convoy then rushed Cadavero and Panogalinga to the nearest hospital, but they were declared “dead on arrival.” Cadavero and Panogalinga were in police custody as they were arrested by the Philippine National Police last Friday Read More …

Trader linked to P10-B pork barrel scam turns tables on whistleblower

 News
Jul 152013
 
Trader linked to P10-B pork barrel scam turns tables on whistleblower

The businesswoman implicated in the P10-billion ghost project scam involving legislators’ pork barrel funds has fired back with her own accusations against a probable witness in the case. “Hindi po. Ako ay isang mother ng mga anak ko. Si Benhur ‘Kilap Kilap’ Luy ang scammer,” Janet Lim Napoles said in a one-on-one interview with GMA News’ Vicky Morales on Saksi on Monday.  This was Napoles’ response to allegations that she is the “mother of all scams,” after being implicated in multi-billion peso ghost projects being probed by the National Bureau of Investigation. Her accuser, Luy, said Napoles’ company JLN Corporation was tapped in ghost projects of the government, including the fertilizer fund scam, the Malampaya fund scam, and several other projects implemented with money coming from the Priority Development Assistance Fund. The ghost projects were pegged in one report as totalling P10 billion worth, and the scam had allegedly been going on for 10 years. “Wow, napakalaki niyan, P10 billion. Buong release na ‘yan ng Kongreso at Senado. So bakit for 10 years ngayon lang sila nagsalita?” Napoles said, frowning.  Sitting with her legs crossed and her hands on her lap, Napoles appeared calm. However, her voice rose as she called for proof of the accusations against her.  “Kaya nga ho, nakakahiya. Nananawagan naman ako kay Ma’am na sana mapatunayan muna ng mga whistleblower bago naman po idamay nila, dinungisan ang isang institusyon na Senado, dahil lang sa mga whistleblower na gustong magtago, magkubli ng katotohanan,” Napoles said, referring to Senator Read More …

PAGASA: Tropical Depression Isang off Quezon coast, Signal 1 up over north Luzon

 News
Jul 152013
 
PAGASA: Tropical Depression Isang off Quezon coast, Signal 1 up over north Luzon

(Updated 6:20 a.m.) In its 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Warning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said that the low pressure area east of Infanta, Quezon has developed into a tropical depression named Isang. This has prompted PAGASA to raise Public Storm Signal Number 1 over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Ifugao, Cagayan including the Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Mt. Province, Kalinga and Apayao. Those living in areas under the Storm Signal are alerted against possible landslides and flashfloods. As of 4 a.m., the center of Isang was estimated to be 300 km east of Infanta, and had maximum winds of 45 kph. Estimated rainfall within its 300 km diameter is between 5-15 mm per hour (moderate-heavy). Isang was moving west-northwest at 19 kph. It is expected to be 20 km east of Tuguegarao City by Wednesday moring. By Thursday it is expected that Isang will be 230 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes. — DVM, GMA News

BI denies illegally holding American in overstaying case

 News
Jul 152013
 
BI denies illegally holding American in overstaying case

By Jocelyn R. UyPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:18 am | Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr.: Allegation baseless MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday denied arbitrarily detaining an American it had arrested three years ago for overstaying his visa. In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. belied the claim of Walter Francis Groves that the bureau had been violating his rights since his arrest on March 23, 2010. David said the BI could not allow Groves’ deportation pending the final resolution of his estafa case in the Makati City regional trial court. While Grove’s case had been “provisionally dismissed,” David said it could still be revived should the parties to the case fail to comply with the compromise agreement reached at the proceedings. David also cited the contention of prosecutor Roberto Lao—who was assigned to the BI by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima—that under the rules the bureau had to wait two years from the date of the provisional dismissal of the case before Groves could be deported to the United States. “But if the court would issue a clearance that there was no more pending case against him, we would waste no time and deport him immediately aboard the first available flight to the US,” David said. He also said he could not approve a bail petition filed by Grove because the deportation order against him was final. Earlier, Grove filed a complaint against David in the Office of the President, charging that he Read More …

Oil firms imposing big-time price hike Tuesday morning

 News
Jul 152013
 
Oil firms imposing big-time price hike Tuesday morning

Starting 6 a.m. Tuesday, oil companies will impose a big-time fuel price hike. At least two major oil firms on Monday night announced price hikes for fuel products including gasoline, kerosene and diesel, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported. Chevron and Shell both cited price changes in the world market for oil as the reason behind the hike, the report said. The price hikes include: – 75 centavos per liter for diesel– P1.60 per liter for gasoline– P1.00 per liter for kerosene A separate report by GMA News’ Julius Segovia said Petron will implement a similar oil price hike on Tuesday morning. Last week, oil companies including Petron, Shell and Chevron also raised prices of their products. Last week’s price adjustments included: – 60 centavos per liter for gasoline– 45 centavos per liter for diesel– 40 centavos per liter for kerosene — DVM, GMA News

Chinese drug traffickers, Ozamis robbers nabbed by police

 News
Jul 152013
 
Chinese drug traffickers, Ozamis robbers nabbed by police

Convicted members of the Ozamis robbery and hold-up group as well as two Chinese drug traffickers were nabbed by police authorities in two consecutive arrests over the weekend, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government. Serial bank robbers Ricky Cadavero alias “Kambal” and his accomplice Wilfredo Panogalinga Jr. alias “Kulot” were arrested last Friday at Barangay San Agustin 2, Dasmariñas, Cavite. Cadavero escaped New Bilibid Prison December last year, while Panogalinga escaped from Ozamis City jail July last year. Cadavero’s group is linked to various mall and bank robberies in Metro Manila. Panogalinga is also a key suspect in the shooting and killing of a foreigner during the September 2012 robbery of a 7-11 convenience store in Malate, Manila, police said. He is also responsible for the killing of a security guard in another 7-11 store last December 2012. In a “24 Oras” report on Monday, both suspects said poverty compelled them to commit crimes. They were killed Monday night by their police escorts during what police investigators said was an attempt by the Ozamis gang to rescue them. Meanwhile, convicted drug traffickers and couple Li Lan Yan alias Jackson Dy and Wang Li Na, both of whom escaped the Cavite Provincial Jail last February, were recaptured on Saturday at San Juan City. The third drug trafficker Li Tian Hua escaped the police’s dragnet operation, and is believed to have fled to China. Other members of the Ozamis group arrested in Cavite and Batangas were: Nestor Buenabente alias Moklo,Rogie Read More …

Taiwan military drill stages China attack scenario

 News
Jul 152013
 
Taiwan military drill stages China attack scenario

Agence France-Presse 9:00 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 TAIPEI — Taiwan started a computerized military drill on Monday, set against an imagined scenario in which China invades the island in 2017. The five-day exercise is part of the island’s biggest annual military maneuver which is this year codenamed ‘Han Kuang 29′ (Han Glory 29), officials at the defense ministry said Monday. The drill simulates a surprise attack by the Chinese in 2017, followed by a large-scale invasion, the ministry said, without explaining why the scenario is being staged in that particular year. But analysts said the time-frame was reasonable, given China’s continued military development and its territorial disputes with neighboring countries. “Looking ahead, we can expect China to put into service — to name just a few — its first carrier battle group, stealth planes and Type 081 amphibious assault ships,” Kevin Cheng, editor-in-chief of the Taipei-based Asia-Pacific Defense Magazine, told AFP. “China’s landing capabilities would be significantly lifted once its forces are armed with the amphibious assault ships, designed to carry transport, anti-submarine and attack helicopters,” he said. The amphibious assault ships could be used in its disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, Cheng added. He also warned of the threat from China’s deployment of more than 1,500 ballistic and cruise missiles targeting Taiwan, as their accuracy has been enhanced. Tensions across the Taiwan Strait have eased since Ma Ying-jeou’s China-friendly administration came to power in 2008 on a platform of beefing up Read More …

Canadian embassy opens new visa application centers in Makati, Cebu

 News
Jul 152013
 
Canadian embassy opens new visa application centers in Makati, Cebu

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:09 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–Hoping to bring its services closer to more Filipinos, the Canadian government has opened new visa centers in two key cities here to ease the application process for Philippine citizens. The Canadian Embassy in Manila announced on Monday its new visa application centers (VACs) in Makati City and Cebu City, facilities that aim “to make the process of applying for a visa to enter Canada easier and more convenient.” Those planning a trip to Canada may now apply at Canada’s VACs at the Ecoplaza Building on Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Makati City and the Keppel Center at the Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. Previously, visa processing was centralized at the Canadian Embassy at the RCBC Plaza on Ayala Avenue in Makati City. The opening of the two Canadian VACs is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) efforts to widen its presence around the world, the Embassy said in a statement yesterday. “CIC is expanding its VAC network around the world to provide valuable administrative support to applicants before, during and after their temporary resident application is assessed by a CIC immigration officer,” the Embassy said in a statement. The visa services expansion is part of Canada’s plans to encourage more people to visit and work there to bolster the Canadian economy. “The Government of Canada plans to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth by attracting an increasing number of visitors as well as the Read More …

Bilateral talks with China becoming impossible – DFA

 News
Jul 152013
 
Bilateral talks with China becoming impossible – DFA

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:39 pm | Monday, July 15th, 2013 DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Accept that we own the entire South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) before we talk. That was gist of “the Chinese unequivocal message” on the territorial dispute with the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) despite several attempts at negotiations, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez told reporters Monday. “It has, therefore, become impossible to continue bilateral discussion on disputes in the WPS with China on the basis of this rigid position,” Hernandez said. “This led us to finally resort to arbitration under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS),” he said. The DFA’s statement was in response to another statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that said “the Philippine’s claim that it had exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful settlement of dispute is completely not true.” Hernandez said that their statement was baseless and he enumerated the many attempts of the Philippines to settle the dispute. “Since intrusions in the Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal) started in April 2012 alone, we have had nearly fifty consultations with China,” he said. The DFA had officially asked China to bring the issue “to a dispute settlement mechanism to resolve the issue on a long-term basis” through a note verbale dated April 26, 2012. Hernandez said that China replied that it Read More …

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