Govt peace panel chair: Talks with MILF resume in a 'congenial' tone

 News
Jul 082013
 
Govt peace panel chair: Talks with MILF resume in a 'congenial' tone

The Philippine government’s chief peace negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front said Monday she is positive talks with the secessionist group will “achieve something” despite pending contentious issues. Peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said both parties resumed peace talks in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in a “congenial” tone as they try to agree on the wealth-sharing and power-sharing arrangements for the proposed Bangsamoro political entity.  “We’re focusing on the options here. We had a very congenial discussion on these issues. These issues are still on the table,” Coronel-Ferrer said in an interview aired over ANC. She added that the 38th round of peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF will last until Thursday. The peace talks resumed months after the MILF had accused the government of delaying the signing of the peace agreement after allegedly reneging on its commitment to meet with MILF negotiators immediately after the May 10 elections and for proposing changes in the wealth-sharing agreement. MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar earlier said that his group is likely to reject the government’s proposed changes in the wealth-sharing annex. Last October, the government and the MILF signed a landmark framework agreement that would pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro territory to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). — ELR, GMA News

Lawyer of Serendra blast victim to Ayala Land: Pay family for damages

 News
Jul 082013
 
Lawyer of Serendra blast victim to Ayala Land: Pay family for damages

The lawyer of Angelito San Juan, the tenant who was injured in the May 31 explosion of a condominium unit at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) who later died without giving a statement, said the family is planning on suing Ayala Land Inc. for damages. In a “24 Oras” report on Monday, San Juan’s attorney Raymund Fortun said that although Ayala Land has paid for San Juan’s hospitalization and burial, it has not yet coordinated with the family to settle damages. “A civil suit for damages, actual, moral and exemplary damages has to be imposed. We’re always open to any form of settlement of these cases,” Fortun said. “Kailangan lang namin maging reasonable sila at maging sincere ang kanilang desire to try to alleviate ‘yung suffering of parties involved,” he added. He said the family deserves compensation for any financial loss they could face following the death of San Juan, who succumbed to burns all over his body. “Mayroon pang ilang taon na ‘yung tao ay magiging productive, na kikita pa o mapapakinabangan ng kanyang pamilya. Dahil dito sa hindi inaasahang pagkamatay, nawalan ang pamilya ng ganito,” Fortun said. “Certainly some form of compensation would be justified,” he added. Suzette Naval, Ayala Land’s corporation communications manager, told GMA News Online: “We’ve not had any information about the intention [of the family about compensation].” She said that Ayala LAnd has yet to issue a statement about the family’s plea. Meanwhile, Interior secretary Mar Roxas has assured the public that his department will Read More …

Palace: First day of Ramadan is not a holiday

 News
Jul 082013
 
Palace: First day of Ramadan is not a holiday

The first day of the holy month of Ramadan is not a holiday, Malacañang said Monday. In a post on its Twitter account, the Official Gazette said it made the clarification after receiving many queries about whether Tuesday is a holiday because of Ramadan. “[Regarding] queries: Tomorrow, July 9, 2013, is not a nationwide holiday,” it said. However, the date of the start of Ramadan varies—July 9 in some countries, July 10 in others. According to MakkahCalendar.org, the Philippines will be among the countries that should start Ramadan on July 10. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, and offer prayers. The Official Gazette pointed out that Proclamation 495 does not include the start of Ramadan on its list of holidays. It also noted that separate proclamations will be issued for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha. — BM, GMA News

Military halts ops vs. MILF breakaway group before start of Ramadan

 News
Jul 082013
 
Military halts ops vs. MILF breakaway group before start of Ramadan

The military has halted its operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)—the armed wing of a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)—in time for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, officials said Monday. In a text message to reporters, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the military “will keep the peace during Ramadan” but “will act accordingly should harassment continue to persist.” Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, meanwhile said that troops have already “called off” their operations against the BIFF since they were only allowed three days to conduct operations against the group. “We have to abide by that kasi ayaw naman natin na ma-derail ‘yung peace process,” Gapuz said in a separate interview. He, however, added that government troops are “prepared” to “react” if the BIFF launches attacks during Ramadan. 2 clashes On Saturday, five soldiers were killed in two separate attacks launched by the BIFF in Maguindanao and North Cotabato. Col. Dickson Hermoso, spokesman for the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the attacks may have been launched by the BIFF to derail the peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF, which formally resumed on Monday. Last October, the government and the MILF signed a landmark framework agreement that would pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro territory to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar earlier appealed to the BIFF to support the Read More …

PAGASA: Storm Soulik intensifies, moves closer to PHL 

 News
Jul 082013
 
PAGASA: Storm Soulik intensifies, moves closer to PHL 

Tropical Storm Soulik forecast track as of 8Jul2013. The Weather Central forecast track for Soulik as of 8am Monday shows that the tropical storm may enter the northeastern corner of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday. GMA News Tropical Storm Soulik intensified anew Monday afternoon as it moved closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility, state weather forecasters said. In a radio interview, PAGASA forecaster Gladys Saludes said Soulik is  expected to enter the PAR Wednesday afternoon. “Bahagya ito lumakas… by Wednesday afternoon papasok ito ng Philippine Aea of Responsibility,” Saludes told dzBB radio. Once it does, she said the tropical storm will be locally codenamed Huaning. She said the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon. Saludes said that as of 5 p.m., Soulik was estimated at 2,010 km east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is moving west at 20 kph, she added. “Maghahatak ito ng habagat sa Huwebes,” she said. The Japan Meteorological Agency, meanwhile, projected that Soulik may continue to move west. Tuesday outlook PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin said the Intertropical Convergence Zone will continue to affect Palawan and Mindanao. “Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the east to northeast over Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate,” it said. — RSJ, GMA News

SC urged to issue opinion on bid to let US, allies to use PH bases

 News
Jul 082013
 
SC urged to issue opinion on bid to let US, allies to use PH bases

By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 3:35 pm | Monday, July 8th, 2013 Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Fisherfolk group on Monday urged Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to issue a legal opinion that puts question on the constitutionality of the proposal to allow the US government and other military allies of the Philippines to use military bases across the country. In a three-page letter to De Lima dated July 8, members of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) through its Vice Chairperson Salvador France and Peter Gonzalez, Chairperson-Southern Tagalog said they believe the Justice Department is “constitutionally, politically and morally obliged to issue a legal opinion that questions the legality of such proposal. “We ask the honourable chief of the justice department to break her silence and tell the people in Malacañang that the proposal to give greater access to US, Japan and other junior partners of Washington DC for rated-A military intervention and aggression all over the country is a flagrant violation of the 1987 Constitution and grand affront to the sovereign rights of more than 100-million Filipinos,” they said in their letter. President Benigno Aquino III defended the plan to give the US and Japan access to the former US bases in the Philippines. The government has dismissed report that the Philippines is planning to build new air and naval bases that US forces could use to counter China’s creeping presence in the West Philippine Sea. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on Read More …

10 MANILA PARKS TO VISIT

 News
Jul 072013
 
10 MANILA PARKS TO VISIT

Let nature take its course and find its way to you with these 10 green patches around Manila–all natural, healthy, and pocket-friendly, but most of all, they’re refreshing alternatives for your next weekend outing. READ FULL STORY PHOTO: Paco Park

Stay indoors, Filipinos in Egypt told

 News
Jul 072013
 
Stay indoors, Filipinos in Egypt told

Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:50 am | Monday, July 8th, 2013 Opponents of Egypt’s Islamist President Mohammed Morsi burn pictures showing the United States President Barack Obama during a rally outside the Presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, July 7, 2013. As clashes between protesters raged over the ouster of Morsi, Malacañang on Sunday cautioned Filipinos in Egypt not to venture out on “unnecessary errands.” AP PHOTO/Hassan Ammar MANILA, Philippines—As clashes between protesters raged over the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi, Malacañang on Sunday cautioned Filipinos in Egypt not to venture out on “unnecessary errands.” Undersecretary Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, reminded the 6,000 Filipinos there that alert level 1 raised by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) remained in effect. Under this alert, Filipinos are advised to stay indoors, avoid areas of protest and take all necessary precautions. “The alert level stays, which is why this has not been lifted by the DFA to warn our citizens that they shouldn’t venture out on any unnecessary errands while there are still incidents (skirmishes) like this,” said Valte over government-run dzRB radio. Morsi’s ouster by the military following days of demonstrations has triggered violent clashes between his supporters and the opposition that has led to deaths and injuries. The Philippine government is monitoring the unrest 24/7 through duty officers manning the embassy and its communication lines, foreign affairs officials have said. “We continue to monitor the temperature, so to speak, and we are ready to extend any assistance that may be required Read More …

POEA warns nurses

 News
Jul 072013
 
POEA warns nurses

Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:35 am | Monday, July 8th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Saturday warned Filipino nurses seeking work abroad about fixers offering jobs in Germany. The POEA earlier announced Germany was hiring 500 nurses from the Philippines. ZAV, the agency authorized to recruit Filipino health professionals under German law, has the final say in the selection of candidates, the POEA said. POEA chief Hans Leo Cacdac advised jobseekers to report fixers through tel. 7221144 or 7221155, or e-mail info@poea.gov.ph, or via facebook.com/ poea.official or twitter.com/poeaNews.—Tina G. Santos 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: Germany , jobs , Nurses , Philippine Overseas Employment Administration , Philippines 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 Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

Asiana Airlines to continue PH flights

 News
Jul 072013
 
Asiana Airlines to continue PH flights

By Miguel R. CamusPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:57 am | Monday, July 8th, 2013 Fire crews respond to the scene where Asiana Flight 214 crashed at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday, July 6, 2013. Asiana Airlines may continue flying into the Philippines while the country’s air safety officials are waiting for the results of the investigation of the crash of one of the carrier’s planes in San Francisco, California, on Saturday. AP PHOTO/NOAH BERGER MANILA, Philippines—Asiana Airlines may continue flying into the Philippines while the country’s air safety officials are waiting for the results of the investigation of the crash of one of the carrier’s planes in San Francisco, California, on Saturday. The South Korean airline operates flights to Manila, Clark and Cebu. Deputy Director General John Andrews of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said that if a problem with Asiana’s Boeing 777 was found to be the cause of the crash, it would have negative implications for the plane’s manufacturer and the airlines operating that type of aircraft. “Only two areas to be looked at: man and machine. It should not be difficult as the CVR (cockpit voice recorder) and FDR (flight data recorder) have been retrieved,” Andrews said. “If machine is the cause, there is possibility of worldwide grounding of Boeing 777,” he said. Philippine Airlines, which flies daily flights to San Francisco, said none of its flights would be diverted, as San Francisco International Airport has several runways. In a statement posted on its Read More …

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