PH in the dark on exact date, time of Filipina’s execution in China

 News
Jul 022013
 
PH in the dark on exact date, time of Filipina’s execution in China

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:18 pm | Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The deadline is Wednesday (July 3), but the Philippines remains in the dark on the exact time the Filipino drug courier sentenced to death in China will be executed. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday afternoon that the Chinese government had not informed the Philippine government when it would carry out the death penalty on the 35-year-old Filipino woman arrested for drug trafficking in the city of Hangzhou in eastern China in 2011. “We have not yet received any specific date or time for the execution of our kababayan in Hangzhou, but it seems that it is very imminent,” the DFA spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, said in a press briefing on Tuesday. On Monday, the woman’s family, including her mother and son, were granted a 30-minute final visit at the Zhejiang Detention Center in Hangzhou, where she has been jailed for two years now. The family, who was in Shanghai as of Tuesday, has requested that their privacy be respected and asked that their loved one’s name be kept in confidence, Hernandez said. “We don’t know if we will be informed before or after [the execution]. There were cases when we were informed before and there were cases when it happened right after the visit of the family of the accused,” he said. Hernandez said the execution would likely be carried out through lethal Read More …

PH, US end naval exercises near disputed sea

 News
Jul 022013
 
PH, US end naval exercises near disputed sea

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 7:25 pm | Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 USS Fitzgerald (C). INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine-US joint military exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, concluded on Tuesday after six days of a series of shore-based and at sea events. The ceremony was held on board the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), the United States Embassy said in a statement. Shore-based training events covered several naval competencies, including jungle warfare and marksmanship; tactical combat casualty care; riverine small boat operations; visit, board, search and seizure; and diving and salvage. In the exercises 60 nautical miles east of Panatag, an area claimed both by China and Philippines, the Fitzgerald conducted maneuvering, communications and gunnery exercises with the Philippine Navy flagship BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF 15) and the Philippine coast guard salvage and rescue vessel BRP Edsa (SARV 02). Panatag Shoal, an area contested by Philippines and China, is located 124 nautical miles off Zambales, but is well within the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The dispute led to a maritime standoff between the Philippines and China last year. The incident prompted Manila to seek the United Nations’ arbitration. Participating ships included the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) with embarked Commander, Task Group 73.1/ Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff, and the diving and salvage ships, USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52). A company of Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment participated in the shore-based events. “It was a Read More …

Australia advises citizens to avoid travelling to parts of Mindanao

 News
Jul 022013
 
Australia advises citizens to avoid travelling to parts of Mindanao

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:31 pm | Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 Screengrab from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website MANILA, Philippines — The Australian government warned its citizens on Tuesday against travel to parts of Mindanao citing “a very high threat” of terrorism and violent crime. In a July 1 update of its travel advisory on the Philippines, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) also bared that all scheduled trips of Australian Embassy staff to key Mindanao cities have been cancelled. “We continue to strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups,” said the DFAT advisory posted on its website. DFAT said the scheduled travel of its Philippine staff to Davao City, Cotabato City and Zamboanga City “have been cancelled until further notice.” “We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack and the high level of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks,” read Australia’s advisory. DFAT also urged Australian citizens to “reconsider” travel to eastern Mindanao, including Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The Australian Read More …

PNoy to replace NIA chief, orders probe on agency's funds

 News
Jul 012013
 
PNoy to replace NIA chief, orders probe on agency's funds

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday said he plans to replace Antonio Nangel as head of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA). “Maliban na lang kung magkaroon ako ng amnesia mula ngayon hanggang mamaya, wala akong balak irenew siya [Nangel],” the President said. He added that he has ordered a probe on NIA’s funds after he found out from the Department of Budget and Management that the agency was able to spend its entire budget in the past years without completing its projects. Last week, Aquino publicly scolded Nangel and other NIA employees for supposedly failing to meet their self-employed targets. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News

Aquino plans to appoint RH law author as DOH Usec

 News
Jul 012013
 
Aquino plans to appoint RH law author as DOH Usec

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday revealed that he plans to appoint former Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, one of the primary authors of the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill, as health undersecretary. “She will bring a lot of political savvy to the Department of Health and will enhance the cooperation between the DoH, the local government units and the national government,” the President said. He added that he chose Garin, who was aligned with the Aquino-chaired Liberal Party when she was congresswoman, due to her “extensive experience” as a doctor and a lawmaker. —KG, GMA News

Aquino backs US, Japan access to PHL bases

 News
Jul 012013
 
Aquino backs US, Japan access to PHL bases

PNoy vows to modernize PAF . President Benigno Aquino III, along with PAF chief Lt. Gen. Lauro dela Cruz (left) and Col. Domingo Palisoc (right), presents the command plaque and streamer during the 66th anniversary rites of the Philippine Air Force at Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Monday, July 1. Aquino vowed to purchase new aircraft, including attack helicopters, in the next five years to beef up the country’s air force.This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme ‘Makabagong Lakas, Matatag na Bukas.’ Benhur Arcayan President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday expressed support for the plan to give the United States and Japan access to Philippine bases. Aquino said it is only a “natural circumstance” to allow these countries into Philippine bases “to build a credible alliance” with them. “Kung hindi tayo makikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, maling paghahanda iyon,” the President said. He however said that US and Japanese troops will not be “permanent fixtures” in the country’s bases. The President made these statements amid an ongoing territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea. —KG, GMA News

PNoy distributes brand new pistols to PNP officers

 News
Jul 012013
 
PNoy distributes brand new pistols to PNP officers

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday led the distribution of 22,603 pistols to Philippine National Police (PNP) officers as part of the government’s effort to arm each police officer in the country with a handgun.   Glock 17 9mm automatic pistol Aquino, himself a gun enthusiast, handed the brand-new Glock 17 Generation 4 pistols to some PNP officers in turnover ceremonies at the National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. According to the PNP, each pistol was bought for P16,569, much lower than its current retail price of P40,940. The PNP said the government was able to save P200 million for the handguns. According to the Glock website, the Glock 17 is the “world’s most popular pistol.” The unit specifically given to PNP officers has a reversible enlarged magazine catch and a dual recoil spring assembly, among other features. The pistols distributed by the President were part of the 74,879 handguns procured by the PNP as part of the P1-billion contract signed last September to fully fill up the handgun requirements of the police force. The handgun contract was signed last year after the PNP and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) officials faced a Senate inquiry for a plan to procure allegedly overpriced assault rifles. The PNP eventually aborted the rifle deal.  — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News 

Tighter security, no guns in Batasang Pambansa after Benaldo incident

 News
Jul 012013
 
Tighter security, no guns in Batasang Pambansa after Benaldo incident

Guns will no longer be allowed, and security measures will be tightened inside the House of Representatives after former Cagayan de Oro first district Rep. Benjo Benaldo was found bleeding from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the South Lobby last week. Those entering the Batasan complex in Quezon City, including congressmen, must now undergo strict inspection, according to report on GMA News TV’s State of the Nation on Monday night.  Even congressmen and their security personnel will not be allowed to bring guns inside, the report said. “We have a standing policy na hindi naman talaga allowed ang guns in the House. In fact, may areas of surrendering,” Atty. Marilyn Barua-Yap, Sec. Gen., House of Representatives, said in the same report. Bodyguards are supposed to leave their guns with the Legislative Security Bureau, but the rule was not strictly implemented, according to Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, who suggested stricter regulations on carrying firearms inside the House of Representatives. “I suggest that we revisit our regulations on carrying firearms. Let us find out if regulations are lacking or the rules are not implemented,” Acop, a former police general, said on Friday. Representatives Benjie Agarao (Laguna), Noel Villanueva (Tarlac), and Sherwin Tugna (Civac party-list) agreed with Acop. “Its members are supposedly honorable men and women and it is incumbent upon them to act accordingly. If ever there are threats on the life of any member of Congress, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies of government to provide the Read More …

UP Alumni SF offers first-ever Filipino cultural summer day camp

 News
Jul 012013
 
UP Alumni SF offers first-ever Filipino cultural summer day camp

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 7:00 am | Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO—The first-ever Filipino Cultural Summer Day Camp is being offered by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco at the Bessie Carmichael Middle School on July 8-19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children 10-18 years old can learn about Philippine history, geography, arts and conversational Tagalog. The summer camp will be for 10 days , plus a  field trip on Saturday, July 13, and the graduation on Saturday, July 20. Reduced registration fees are available for those who qualify. Organizations, friends and family members are requested to spread the word. For details and to register, registration forms can also be downloaded from www.upaasf.org. you may also contact: Cecile Ascalon,  camp coordinator at cgascalon@gmail.com or call her at 650-201-4913, or Letty Quizon, program chair, at lettyquizon@gmail.com (408-455-4137). 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: Culture , day camp , geography , history , summer camp , Tagalog lessons 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:

Lilia de Lima, PEZA’s Powerhouse

 News
Jul 012013
 
Lilia de Lima, PEZA’s Powerhouse

The Brew By Esther Misa Chavez 6:46 am | Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 PEZA Director General Lilia de Lima at trade briefing in San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO—To doubting Thomases out there—the news is true. Numbers do not lie. The Philippines IS Asia’s rising tiger. A number of global credit rating agencies have upgraded the Philippine’s rank to BBB- (Investment Grade). The New York Times calls the Philippines the “Newest Bright Spot in Asia.” Lilia B. de Lima said as much to a group of businessmen and community leaders at a breakfast briefing held at Dentons Law Offices on Market Street. The director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and undersecretary of Trade and Industry led the briefing, themed “Business and Investment Opportunities in Philippine Economic Zones as gateways to the 600 Million Strong South East Asian Market” hosted by CalAsia. Joining her was Arlen Chou, president and COO of Rucker & Kolls Inc., an American firm that has been running a full operation in one of the PEZA facilities the past six years. Chou confirmed that his business is thriving inside PEZA. Rucker & Kolls is the original patent holder of the probe card and a leader in providing reliable testing of complicated testing requirements. Leaving no doubt among the attendees that PEZA is indeed the “gateway to the Asean market in a leading global emerging economy,” Dr. de Lima said that of the 86 percent total commodity and service exports from the Philippines, 76 percent comes from Read More …

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