DOLE: Less popular jobs among best paying

 News
Feb 082013
 
DOLE: Less popular jobs among best paying

With graduation nearing, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday disclosed the highest-paying occupations in the last five years—and many of them are not as popular and as fashionable as, say, being a nurse or an engineer. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said some of these jobs may be “less popular and less considered but pay the highest salaries.” “I also advise them to refrain from choosing courses based on what’s in vogue or fashionable, or, to use the popular social lingo of the youth, what’s ‘trending’ and popular. Just because a neighbor’s son or daughter will take up this or that course does not mean you should follow suit,” she said. Citing the latest study of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Baldoz said the high-paying jobs in the Philippines include aviation, banking and finance, business process outsourcing, creative industries, cyber services, manufacturing, and mining. 10 highest paying jobs “An art director, for example, which is under creative industries, can receive a corresponding median salary of P69,286 a month, while a geologist’s salary is P64,889 a month on the average,” she said. The DOLE also said an aircraft pilot, a navigator, and a flight engineer could receive as high as P57,789 a month salary; mining engineer and metallurgical engineer, P55,638 a month; and a computer programmer, P43,573 per month. Rounding up the top 10 high-paying positions are: systems analyst and systems designer, P42,112 a month production supervisor and general foreman, P36,133 a month actuarian, with P35,480 a month Read More …

GMA Network asks SC to stop airtime limits on pol ads

 News
Feb 082013
 
GMA Network asks SC to stop airtime limits on pol ads

(Updated 5:44 p.m.) Broadcast giant GMA Network Corp. on Friday asked the Supreme Court to stop and declare as illegal two Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolutions limiting political advertisements in television and radio. In a 56-page petition for certiorari, the network said Comelec Resolution 9615 issued in January and Resolution 9631 in February imposing limits on the total number of minutes for a national or local candidate’s broadcast campaign were “too restrictive.” “We raised that the aggregate airtime for political advertisements is restrictive considering that it inpinges on the right to suffarge and the right of the people to be informed on important matters and the right of the people to free speech and expression,” said one of the network’s lawyers, Maria Estelita Arles. Under the January Comelec ruling, which was upheld by the February resolution, the following guidelines were set: For all national candidates, 120 minutes in all TV networks and 180 minutes in all radio stations For all local candidates, 60 minutes in all TV networks and 90 minutes in all radio stations. GMA Network also asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction against the Comelec ruling. It also said the Comelec ruling should be declared unconstitutional and unlawful for having been promulgated in excess or without jurisdiction. “Section 9(a) of the new rulesis a cruel and oppressive regulation as it imposes the unreasonable and nearly impossible burden on the broadcast mass media of monitoring a candidate’s or political Read More …

On his birthday, PNoy visits boy with cancer

 News
Feb 082013
 
On his birthday, PNoy visits boy with cancer

On his birthday, President Benigno Aquino III on Friday took time off from his official schedule to fulfill the wish of a 15-year-old cancer patient who seemed to have given up hope in getting well. Jericho Navarro Rafols, has been suffering from bone cancer since he was 13. Doctors attending him had to amputate his right leg to stop the spread of the disease. “The boy had given up, but the President’s Friday morning lifted the boy’s spirits,” said a palace staffer. “Sa una ayaw na magpagamot at lumaban, pero nung sinabi ni PNoy [na] i-tuloy ang laban, doon siya nagkaroon [uli] ng lakas na lumaban…,” the Palace staff added. Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang confirmed the President’s visit to the boy. “The President visited Jericho Rafols, a bone cancer patient at the Philippine Orthopedic Center. It was [his] wish to meet the President,” Carandang told reporters at a briefing. “The President took time off from his schedule. He had a meeting with the PMS (Presidential Management Staff), [but] he took time off from his schedule to personally greet the boy,” he added. While at the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Aquino also visited another patient who has been confined for over 15 years. Mario Maniego was on his way home from work in 1998 when he slipped on a gutter and fell, hitting his spinal chord. Both Rafols and Maniego are confined in the charity ward of the hospital. First birthday greeting Members of the Presidential Security Group had the pleasure of Read More …

Manila Fame design trade show set for March and October

 News
Feb 072013
 
Manila Fame design trade show set for March and October

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 10:26 am | Friday, February 8th, 2013 Manila FAME International, the Philippines’ Design and Lifestyle Event showcasing design-forward and high-quality Philippine-made artisanal products, will take place on March 14-17, 2013 and October 17-20, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Manila. The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry announced that the semi-annual trade show will bring together Manila Now, CEBUNEXT and Bijoux Cebu, four of the country’s major sourcing events. The trade show will feature furniture and furnishings, home accents, gifts, holiday décor, fashion accessories, apparel and textiles, among others. It will also highlight Design Week Philippines, a celebration of design through events scheduled around Manila FAME to strengthen the country’s position as Asia’s design destination. The trade show is approved by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. To become a FAME Guest and avail of free services: travel assistance, business matching, coordinated factory visits, interpreters, FAME buddies, shuttle service from airport, hotel and venue, visit http://www.manilafame.com and www.citem.com.ph For registration and other assistance, email  the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley    at  pdtisf@aol.com , ptic-sv@philippinecentersf.com and mailto:pdtisf@aol.com or call at (415) 773-2336 and (408) 980-9637. 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: apparel , Read More …

One Billion Rising on Valentine’s Day

 News
Feb 072013
 
One Billion Rising on Valentine’s Day

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 10:25 am | Friday, February 8th, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco women’s rights supporters will join activists in193 countries on the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls. “One Billion Rising,” began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. On February 14, 2013, the City of San Francisco will welcome One Billion Rising to the steps of City Hall from 4-6 p.m. Joining them will be Mayor Edwin M. Lee, District Attorney George Gascón, Board of Supervisors president David Chiu, V-Day executive director Susan Celia Swan, Commission on the Status of Women president Julie Soo, Filipina Women’s Network president Marily Mondejar and other city leaders. The Event will feature DJs spinning, flash mobs dancing, and special guests (to be announced). To support One Billion Rising to end violence, signing up online:www.onebillionrisingsf.org/join . 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: flash mob , San Francisco officials , V-Day , Valentine’s Day , violence against women , Women’s Rights Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Read More …

Vegas judge nixes Mrs. Lapid bid to serve sentence in PH

 News
Feb 072013
 
Vegas judge nixes Mrs. Lapid bid to serve sentence in PH

By Tonette OrejasInquirer Central Luzon 6:03 am | Friday, February 8th, 2013 Marissa Lapid with husband, Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—A judge in Las Vegas, Nevada, has turned down the request of the wife of Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid to live in the Philippines as she serves three years of probation for dollar smuggling and reporting violations, an Inquirer source said. Last Monday’s ruling by United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen denied Marissa Lapid’s request to live in the Philippines while on probation, said the source who was inside the courtroom when the sentence was handed to the senator’s wife. The sentence came more than a year after the Department of Homeland Security found $40,000 in her luggage when she entered Nevada in November 2011. She pleaded guilty in a plea bargain. Probation Aside from the probation that comes with travel restrictions, the sentence includes a five-month home confinement for which she was required to continue wearing an ankle bracelet that electronically tracks her location, according to reports quoting the spokesperson of Nevada US Attorney Daniel Bogden. The source explained this “means she can’t travel and has to report to an officer of the court in a supervised release system for three consecutive years, usually once a month.” The source declined to be named, citing future work in the Philippines. “There is usually a fine and an additional sentence of time served or added as possible total time to serve if they fail to adhere to Read More …

Cranes in place to lift US ship piece by piece; Aquino OK’s plan

 News
Feb 072013
 
Cranes in place to lift US ship piece by piece; Aquino OK’s plan

By Michael Lim Ubac, Paolo G. MontecilloPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:58 am | Friday, February 8th, 2013 President Aquino approved Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, the salvage operations plan submitted by the US Navy to use floating cranes to lift piece by piece its stranded minesweeper out of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea. AP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino approved Thursday the salvage operations plan submitted by the US Navy to use floating cranes to lift piece by piece its stranded minesweeper out of the Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea. In a statement, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said, “We have carefully reviewed the US Navy’s salvage operations plan and we were assured that among their priorities is to have no further damage to the Tubbataha Reefs.” He said the DOTC had “considered several factors and imposed certain conditions before we gave clearance for the US Navy and commercial salvors it has commissioned to undertake the dismantling and vertical removal of the grounded US ship.” “It was presented to [President Aquino] by Secretary Abaya and he has approved it,” said Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang at a briefing in Malacañang. After getting the President’s approval, Abaya promptly issued a statement to formally announce the government’s acceptance of the salvage plan. Asked if the plan had been modified in any way following discussions between Philippine and US officials, Carandang said the salvage plan was approved “as presented” by the US Navy. He said the plan would follow “a general timeframe,” but declined Read More …

Respondent in Aman Futures case wants to be state witness

 News
Feb 072013
 
Respondent in Aman Futures case wants to be state witness

A respondent in the syndicated estafa cases filed against officials of the Aman Futures Group Philippines on Thursday asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to be formally admitted as state witness in the case. Donna Coyme told a DOJ preliminary investigation that she is ready to divulge whatever she knows about the company and its founder, Manuel Amalilio. During the proceedings, Coyme denied being an officer of the Aman Futures Group. “Investor lang po ako dun. Napagkamalan lang po ako na officer kasi araw-araw po ako nandun sa mga Luna, dahil tutor ako ng mga anak nila,” she told the DOJ panel, referring to company president Fernando Luna and his wife Nimfa. “I have an idea of what was going on because I was in their (Lunas’) house every day,” she added when asked on what her possible testimony will be about. She also said she never saw Pagadian Mayor Samuel Co, another respondent in the case, in the Aman Futures office. Coyme said the company used the Lunas’ house as its headquarters. Her statement ran contrary to Mr. Luna’s claim that he was just Amalilio’s driver who was asked to stand as company president. Amalilio is currently serving a two-year sentence in Malaysia after he was caught in possession of a fraudulent passport and ID. He went to Malaysia after news broke out of his firm’s alleged illegal activity. Aman Futures is accused of defrauding thousands of investors through a so-called “Ponzi Scheme,” in which the firm misrepresents itself Read More …

PNoy warns vs. 'fake' admin allies, takes swipe at Revilla

 News
Feb 072013
 
PNoy warns vs. 'fake' admin allies, takes swipe at Revilla

President Benigno Aquino III used a Liberal Party event in Cavite province on Thursday to take a swipe at politicians who he said are just pretending to be allies of the administration, a report on “24 Oras” said. “Paalala lamang po, asahan na po ninyong may mga nagpapanggap at may mga nakikisakay diumano sa ating krusada,” he said in his speech without giving names. “Matuto po tayong kumilatis ng mga susunod na lider ng bansa upang matiyak na aarangkada tayo sa katuparan n gating mga pangarap at hindi na kailanman lumihis pa,” he added. At one point, the president even said the electorate should not take their chances on “agimat” or “anting-anting (amulets)” — a statement that could be construed as referring to Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and his family. “Huwag po tayong umasa sa tsamba o sa agimat o anting-anting,” Aquino said. Aquino gave the speech days after the opposition party Lakas-CMD said it is eyeing Revilla, an actor known in some of his popular movies as “Agimat,” as its standard bearer in the 2016 presidential election. Cavite is a known bailiwick of the Revilla political clan. Revilla’s father, Ramon Revilla Sr., is a former actor and senator popularly known for his movies about amulets. His wife, Lani Mercado, is the incumbent congresswoman of Cavite’s second district while his son, Jolo Revilla, is running for vice governor in the May elections. The “24 Oras” report by Theresa Andrada said Sen. Revilla did not directly comment on Aquino’s statement Read More …

Manual polls an option only for worst-case scenario — Brillantes

 News
Feb 072013
 
Manual polls an option only for worst-case scenario — Brillantes

Manual election is still an option in May, but only for the worst-case scenario, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Thursday. “Manual is the final contingency kung talagang may mangyaring grabe na talagang hindi na matutuloy [ang automation],” Brillantes told reporters. Although Brillantes said they are ready for such eventuality, he expressed confidence that the present situation does not call for the manual conduct of elections. “Hindi naman tayo pupunta sa manual. The law already requires automation,” he said. He also said they are not giving weight to proposals to revert to manual polls. “Meron din kaming contingency in the event na kailangang mag-manual, pero hindi namin masyadong pinapansin ‘yan dahil hindi naman kami naniniwalang kailangan naming mag-manual,” the Comelec chief said. Members of the minority bloc at the House of Representatives on Wednesday said they would be “more comfortable” with a manual election after some glitches were observed during the mock elections held over the weekend in preparation for the May automated polls. During the mock polls held in various areas last Saturday, some glitches were encountered in transmitting the results and feeding the ballots to the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS). Brillantes, who said the mock polls generally went “smoothly” despite the glitches, said those who want manual elections should repeal Republic Act 9369, which mandates the automated casting and counting of votes. Section 1 of the Poll Automation Law states that: “It is policy of the State to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and informed elections… Read More …

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