DOLE: After 2877 hired in January job fairs, more job fairs coming in March

 News
Mar 072013
 
DOLE: After 2877 hired in January job fairs, more job fairs coming in March

At least 2,877 jobseekers found work on the spot in 40 job fairs conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment last January, with more job fairs coming this month, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said. Baldoz said the job fairs are the DOLE’s response to requests for employment assistance. “The Department has still many job fairs to come. We expect more job applicants will be hired on the spot in the next job fairs which we will conduct year round,” said Baldoz. Breakdown In the 40 job fairs held last January, a total of 21,385 jobseekers registered for 70,651 job vacancies offered by 621 prospective employers. Of these, 9,461 of these vacancies were from Metro Manila. More than half (51 percent or 11,938) of the applicants were women. “During the job fairs, applicants select vacancies suited to their qualifications and employers could interview and hire on the spot qualified workers,” Baldoz said. Schedule for March In March, the DOLE regional offices will hold 81 job fairs, as follows: Metro Manila March 11: Quezon City Hall Covered Walk and SM San Lazaro, Manila March 18: SM Tunasan, Muntinlupa City March 20: Star J Malabon March 21: Pasay City Sports Complex March 22: Quezon city and Pasay City Region 1 March 8: Urdaneta City University, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan March 26: CB Mall, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan March 30: Asingan Gym, Asingan, Pangasinan Job fairs are also tentatively scheduled at the University of Pangasinan, Dagupan City; Colegio De Dagupan; and Bayambang, Pangasinan this March. Read More …

Navy: 121 Pinoy evacuees aboard two boats from Sabah now on way to Tawi-Tawi

 News
Mar 072013
 
Navy: 121 Pinoy evacuees aboard two boats from Sabah now on way to Tawi-Tawi

(UPDATED 1:30 p.m.) –  At least 121 Filipinos were aboard the two motorized vessels that were heading for Tawi-Tawi from Sabah before they were intercepted by the Philippine Navy early on Friday. Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said in a radio interview they also found sacks of rice and foodstuff aboard the two ships. “Yung destination nila, papuntang Bongao. In-escort ng Philippine Navy papuntang Bongao para sa proper disposition,” Fabic said in an interview on dzBB radio. On Thursday, Malaysia had set up a tight blockade and defensive line at Sabah’s east coast.  Earlier this week, a vessel carrying Filipinos fleeing from the conflict in Sabah arrived in Tawi-Tawi.  Malaysian forces had adopted an all-out stance against Kiram’s followers after a series of fatal clashes since March 1. On Thursday, the sultan declared a unilateral ceasefire after the United Nations called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but Malaysia has rejected the ceasefire offer. —KG/VVP, GMA News

Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

 News
Mar 042013
 
Analyst urges emotional restraint over conflict in Sabah

By Karen Boncocan INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer DZIQ 990 AM 3:38 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – A political analyst on Monday called for emotional restraint as tension between the royal army of the Sultanate of Sulu and the Malaysian authorities escalated in Sabah. In an interview with Radyo Inquirer, Professor Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism, said that violent reactions from the public would only aggravate the situation. “We have to exercise self-restraint,” he said, pointing out that he has observed “mutual reactions” from both sides of the Filipino and Malaysian people. Violent reactions could spill over and cause further conflict, he said. “We are observers, we have to be calm.” Banlaoi also urged the government to make a stand on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah. “Dapat ma-clarify ang position ng gobyerno sa Sabah. Napapanahon na rin na ma-clarify ng gobyerno kung ano talaga ang opisyal na position nito–kung dormant man, ida-drop ba o ipapaglaban ba? [The government should clarify its position on the sultanate’s claim to Sabah. It is about time that the government clarify its official position—if it is dormant, will we drop it or will we fight for it?]” he asked. For more of the interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Aquino on top of Sabah situation, says Drilon

 News
Mar 042013
 
Aquino on top of Sabah situation, says Drilon

By Tetch Torres-Tupas INQUIRER.net 3:30 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 President Benigno S. Aquino III. Malacañang Photo Bureau MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino is on top of the situation with regards to the conflict in Sabah, Senator Franklin Drilon, Team PNoy campaign manager, said Monday. At the same time Drilon appealed to the people to stop inserting politics in the Sabah issue. “Campaign rhetoric should take a backseat so that we can properly address the welfare of the 800,000 Filipinos living in Sabah. Already 300 of our countrymen have been deported. We are making this appeal in behalf of our compatriots who are living and earning their living in Malaysia,” Drilon said at a press conference. Aquino has been criticized for being in Pampanga campaigning with Team PNoy senatorial candidates while the exchange of firefight was ongoing in Lahad Datu, Sabah. “Let me tell you from personal knowledge that while the President had to fulfill that commitment of the speaking engagement with the local leaders, he had to leave the stage to go back to the room and continue monitor the situation,” Drilon said. “He continues to govern, he’s on top of the situation and he has a schedule to follow. However, we will repeat, the welfare of 800,000 Filipinos which are caught in this very delicate situation in Sabah will be more than prime interest,” he added. “Let us not muddle an already complicated situation,” Drilon said.

Risa Hontiveros, Hagedorn claim illegal posters removed

 News
Mar 042013
 
Risa Hontiveros, Hagedorn claim illegal posters removed

Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bet Risa Hontiveros and independent candidate Edward Hagedorn told the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that they have removed their “illegal” campaign posters. “We received letters na nag-comply sila but whether or not they complied is another question,” lawyer Esmeralda Amora-Ladra, head of the Comelec law department, told reporters on Monday. Two weeks ago, Ladra said they sent notices to the two senatorial bets after they were found to have illegal campaign posters. The notice for Hontiveros, who was found to have illegal campaign posters in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, was received on February 20 while the notice for Hagedorn, who allegedly has an illegal poster along Osmeña Highway in Manila, was received on February 21. However, Ladra said the two claimed that they were not the ones who put these up. “May letter but yung pagtanggal talaga is another matter that we have to check through the monitoring teams of the EID,” she said. The Comelec’s Education and Information Department (EID) monitors the posting of campaign materials nationwide. Punishment Failure to remove illegal campaign propaganda constitutes an election offense that is punishable under Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code. The provision states that any person found guilty of any election offense shall be punished with imprisonment from one to six years and shall not be subject to probation. The guilty party shall also be sentenced to “suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.” On the other hand, Section Read More …

PH asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance on sultan’s followers

 News
Mar 042013
 
PH asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance on sultan’s followers

By Matikas Santos INQUIRER.net 3:02 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines has asked the Malaysian government to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with members of the Sultanate of Sulu’s “Royal Army” that figured in a weeks-long standoff in Sabah that turned violent last week. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesman Raul Hernandez told reporters Monday that Secretary Albert Del Rosario had met anew with Malaysian Ambassador Mohammad Zamri bin Mohammad Kassim and had handed over a note verbale. “The note verbale states that the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia both value the lives of their citizens and share the same objective of preventing further loss of lives and further bloodshed,” Hernandez said “In this light the Philippine government has called on the forces of the royal sultanate of Sulu led by Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram to surrender peacefully,” he added. Hernandez said Del Rosario was set to fly to Kuala Lumpur to personally hand over the requests of the Philippine government to his counterpart in Malaysia, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman. The Philippines was requesting clearance to allow a Philippine Navy ship to dock and bring humanitarian and consular aid to Filipinos. He also reiterated the Philippines’ request for a full briefing on the operations carried out by Malaysian authorities against Kiram’s group.

Comelec: SC has no jurisdiction over order to remove Bacolod church's oversized tarp

 News
Mar 042013
 
Comelec: SC has no jurisdiction over order to remove Bacolod church's oversized tarp

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over its order to the Diocese of Bacolod to remove its controversial “Team Buhay/Team Patay” tarpaulin. “Wala pa namang kaso, ano inaakyat nila sa Supreme Court?” Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. told reporters during an interview Monday. “The only thing we’ve sent so far is a letter coming from the Comelec telling them to remove it (tarpaulin) in three days. What will they tell the Supreme Court? May sulat kaming tinanggap dito? Di naman pupwede ‘yun,” he added. According to reports, the Bacolod diocese filed a petition with the Supreme Court asking it to declare as unconstitutional the Comelec’s orders to remove the tarpaulin. But Brillantes said for the diocese to go to the high court on the basis of their letter is “the best evidence that there is something wrong with the lawyer.” “Simpleng-simple lang, sundin lang ninyo ‘yung sukat [ng tarpaulin], tama na sa amin ‘yun. I think it is the lawyer of the bishop who is trying to make something out of this, who is trying to make a big fuss of a small matter,” he said. He also said unless they are restrained by the Supreme Court, they will proceed with the filing of election offense charges against the people behind the oversized tarpaulin. “By tomorrow if the Supreme Court does not come out with anything, no TRO (temporary restraining order) or nothing, we will proceed with the process,” he said. “When we say Read More …

Summer is almost here, but don't discount cyclones yet —PAGASA

 News
Mar 042013
 
Summer is almost here, but don't discount cyclones yet —PAGASA

Satellite image at 7 a.m., 4 March 2013. | Weather Central Just because summer is coming may not necessarily mean there will be no cyclone this month, state weather forecasters said Monday. PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz said in a radio interview that “zero to one” cyclone is expected this month in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). “Meron tayong zero or one, there is a chance,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. The next cyclone to enter the PAR will be codenamed “Dante,” the fourth cyclone to enter the area this year. The Philippines is finally looking forward to summer, as the northeast monsoon that brought cold weather to parts of the country continues to weaken. Loiz said the official announcement of summer may come as early as next week. But he said the northeast monsoon will make a “final surge” before finally bowing out in favor of the hot summer season. “Ang analysis namin sa China and ibang parte, medyo pahina na ang amihan. Pero nagkaroon ng surge pero inaasahan natin ang paglakas ng amihan bago mawala na,” he said. — TJD, GMA News

PHL asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with sultan's followers

 News
Mar 042013
 
PHL asks Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with sultan's followers

Malaysian troops deployed as Sabah clashes escalate. Malaysian soldiers man a security checkpoint in Semporna, the new area where a standoff with armed followers of the Sulu sultan in Simunul, Borneo occured on Sunday. Five Malaysian policemen and two gunmen died in a fresh clash as fears mounted that violence linked to a deadly standoff with Filipino intruders had widened to other areas. AFP (Updated 2:44 p.m.) The Philippines has asked Malaysia to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remnants of a Filipino group that figured in a weeks-long standoff in Sabah following the violence that erupted there last week. At a press briefing in Manila on Monday, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez said in a Note Verbale given by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to the Malaysian ambassador to the Philippines, both country expressed that they “value the lives of their citizens, and share the same objective of preventing further loss of lives and further bloodshed.” Hernandez added, “Therefore, the Philippine government requests the Malaysian authorities to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remaining members” of the Filipino group, which is led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. Kiram and his group are claiming ownership over Sabah. Hernandez also said Del Rosario is flying to Kuala Lumpur on Monday afternoon to discuss with the Malaysian government ways to de-escalate the tensions in Sabah. He also said they have received information from the Malaysian government that the situation in Sabah is Read More …

‘We can’t interfere’— defense chief

 News
Mar 032013
 
‘We can’t interfere’— defense chief

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 1:28 pm | Monday, March 4th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government remains in talks with Malaysia despite skirmishes in Sabah over the weekend, but claimed they are not allowed to interfere. “Right now nakikipag-ugnayan tayo but because of the operation, hindi tayo pwede makialam. Call ng Malaysian govenment yun,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said in a radio interview on Monday. Sultan Jamalul Kiram III’s followers and Malaysian security forces clashed in Sabah on Friday and Saturday, with fatalities on both sides. This prompted the Philippines to increase its security in Mindanao, with 10 Navy ships now deployed between Tawi-Tawi and Sabah, to prevent followers of Kiram to send reinforcements in Sabah. “Ang ginagawa natin ay pine-prevent natin ang movement noong galing dito papuntang Malaysia baka … may nagpapadala ng reinforcements para lalong palakihin ang gulo,” Gazmin said. Malaysia also reportedly heightened its security in Sabah. The defense chief though said they have not received reports that the  sultan’s followers from Mindanao were able to go to Sabah by speedboat early Saturday. Gazmin also said that President Benigno Aquino III has ordered to assist evacuees, and at the same time identify those who were involved in the standoff. “Ang (order sa atin)  ay tulungan ang evacuees at the same time i-identify ang mga na-involved sa standoff…kung ano ang participation nila tignan natin. But ang majority ng attention natin ay mga civilians na involved dito na pinaalis na sa area,” he Read More …

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