Comelec employees want next commissioners to come from their ranks

 News
Feb 182013
 
Comelec employees want next commissioners to come from their ranks

Employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are urging President Benigno Aquino III to pick the next two commissioners from their ranks so that their rights and well-being will be championed. “We have earlier manifested our desire for the President to appoint commissioners from the ranks. Those that will work for the best interest of the rank and file,” said Mac Ramirez, Comelec-EU national president, in a media advisory Monday. The 6,000-strong Comelec Employees’ Union is set to name their bet Tuesday at a press conference. The two commissioners will replace Commissioners Armando Velasco and Rene Sarmiento, who both retired last February 2. Of the two, it was Velasco who rose from the ranks, starting as an election officer in Baguio City in 1991. He was the poll director in the Cordillera Administrative Region prior to his appointment as commissioner in November 2008 to fill in the unfinished term of Commissioner Moslemen Macarambon. Sarmiento, on the other hand, was a human rights lawyer. He worked for the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process before being appointed to the Comelec in 2006 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He replaced former Commissioner Rufino Javier. Sarmiento earlier said he has been hearing the names of former Lanao del Norte Macabangkit Lanto; Legal Network for Truthful Elections executive director lawyer Louie Guia; lawyer Angelina Santiago, daughter of a former justice; Comelec law department director lawyer Esperanza Ladra; Comelec planning department director lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan; and acting deputy director for administration lawyer Adolfo Ibanez as possible Read More …

Despite incident involving armed Pinoys, Malacañang won't reopen Sabah claim

 News
Feb 182013
 
Despite incident involving armed Pinoys, Malacañang won't reopen Sabah claim

Malaysian cops, troops surround Filipino armed group in Sabah . Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib (center) leaves after a meeting at a police base near Lahad Datu on Borneo island on Sunday. About 100 armed men holed up in a village in Sabah, Malaysia refuse to leave, saying they have links with the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines which has a historic claim over the northern tip of Borneo island. Malaysia police and army troops have surrounded the village, with navy boats patrolling nearby islands. Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad Malacañang remained adamant that despite the incident involving some 400 people including 20 gunmen who have crossed over to the Malaysian state of Sabah, the Aquino administration will not revisit the country’s claim to the disputed land. “From what I understand, the claim is there and it hasn’t moved for quite some time. I also remember that the President did mention that it’s been dormant. Let’s leave it at that for the moment,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a briefing. In the 1960s, the Philippine government laid claim over Sabah based on historical and legal data, but later suspended its claim and instead forged close cooperation with its neighbor Malaysian. Valte added that more than any claim over Sabah, the administration is more concerned about the safety of those involved in the standoff. “The main concern really is the safety of the people who are there. So ‘yun po muna ‘yung pinag-uusapan at ‘yung sinesentruhan natin,” Valte said. “[We want] Read More …

DFA asks Kiram group anew to leave Sabah

 News
Feb 182013
 
DFA asks Kiram group anew to leave Sabah

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer 4:39 pm | Monday, February 18th, 2013 DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday reiterated its call for a Filipino armed group holding fort in Sabah to return home peacefully saying the standoff could potentially impact the on-going peace talks in Mindanao and bilateral ties between the Philippines and Malaysia. Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson, said Philippine officials have been in constant coordination with their Malaysian counterparts in hopes of settling the standoff without bloodshed. “We are endeavoring to have the group leave Lahad Datu peacefully and this remains to be a work in progress in coordination with the Malaysian government. We want this issue to be settled in a peaceful manner,” said Hernandez. “What is important for now is for them to leave that area because this could affect existing issues we have including peace talks and possible bilateral relations,” said the official in a briefing Monday afternoon. The DFA said the government has yet to officially confirm the identity and objectives of the armed group that landed on Sabah’s Lahad Datu district last week. But Sultan Jamalul Kiram had said he sent the group of some 400 people, among them 20 armed men, to establish permanent residence in the area, asserting his family’s ancestral ownership over the land. The DFA further lauded the Malaysian government’s peaceful approach to the dispute.

Anaheim launches year of kindness, stronger business – citizen involvement

 Entertainment
Feb 182013
 
Anaheim launches year of kindness, stronger business – citizen involvement

by : Rey Andres OC FIL AM CHAMBER EDUCATES: The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County will hold an educational seminar for small business owners on March 13 at Crowne Plaza Resort Anaheim to enhance readiness of small business owners in navigating new rules in their operations. File photo shows the officers and members of Faccoc Board at the organization’s January mixer in Irvine. (webphoto by: Andy Edralin) The City of Anaheim’s top “to do list for 2013” includes emphasis on a year-long program to increase volunteerism, a citizen review commission and a districting system which Mayor Tom Tait unveiled  in his Third Annual State of the City speech before some 800 business leaders at the City National Grove of Anaheim recently. Hosted by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, the City Executive highlighted his administration’s accomplishment for the past year punctuated by the new expansion of world-famous California Adventure, the recently opened outdoor Grand Plaza of the Anaheim Convention Center featuring a world-class approach to event hosting,  and the groundbreaking of the new transportation hub known as Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center. Emphasizing the importance of engaging his constituents  in transforming Anaheim, Mayor Tait invited  the community “to work together in the effort”. The Mayor also invited the community composed of diverse backgrounds and different ethnicities to work together to transform Anaheim  into a city where “all people feel included, where families feel safe, where schools are successful and jobs are plentiful.” In announcing 2013 as the “Year Read More …

Comelec mulls reso to minimize vote-buying

 Entertainment
Feb 182013
 
Comelec mulls reso to minimize vote-buying

(COMELEC Seal) MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to go strong against vote-buyers as Election Day approaches, its chairman, Sixto Brillantes Jr., said Friday. “Konting warning sa vote-buying, we are coming out with something, which I will not announce,” Brillantes said, adding they may come up with a resolution to minimize the illegal practice of buying and selling votes. “I actually said we are mulling over whether we can come out with a resolution and somehow minimize vote-buying,” he said. He said the resolution may be issued at least 10 days before May 13, Election Day. “Kasi ang vote-buying is really being used a few days before the elections, usually bisperas or two days before.” He refused to give other details, saying it might preempt the plan of the poll body. “Kung sasabihin ko ngayon e di wala na, walang kwenta yung pinaplano namin.” Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code defines vote-buying as “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate Read More …

CA backs Aga Muhlach, wife in CamSur case

 Entertainment
Feb 182013
 
CA backs Aga Muhlach, wife in CamSur case

Aga Muhlach (MNS Photo) MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) — The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the reinstatement of actor and Liberal Party congressional bet Aga Muhlach and wife, Charlene Gonzales, in the list of registered voters in Camarines Sur, a move that will bolster his election bid. In a 19-page Decision penned by Associate Justice Vicente Veloso, the appellate court’s 12th Division annulled and set aside the ruling of the San Jose, Camarines Sur Regional Trial Court (RTC) which excluded the Muhlachs in the voters’ list. Judge Noel Paulite of San Jose Branch 30 and Judge Ricky Begino of San Jose, Presentacion, Camarines Sur issued the rulings that removed the Muhlachs’ names from the voters’ list. “Wherefore, the petition is Granted. The assailed decision dated December 17, 2012 and December 21, 2012 Entry of Judgment of the Regional Trial Court of San Jose Camarines Sur, Branch 30, as well as the Decision dated October 25, 2012 of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of San Jose-Presentacion, Camarines Sur are Annulled and Set Aside. The petition for Exclusion is hereby Dismissed for lack of merit,” the CA decision read. The CA ordered the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to include the Muhlachs in the voters list and “annotate them on the Voters Registration Record.” “The Election Registration Board (ERB) is consequently ordered to permanently Reinstate and Reactivate the names of petitioners Ariel A. Muhlach and Charlene Mae B. Muhlach in the list of Voters of Precinct No. 10A, Barangay San Juan, San Read More …

Palace to review IP Code amendments

 Entertainment
Feb 182013
 
Palace to review IP Code amendments

Intellectual Property Code Philippines Logo(websafety.com.ph) MANILA, Feb 15 (Mabuhay) — The proposed amendments to the Intellectual Property Code are still under review by the Office of the President. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said position papers of various groups opposing the amendments have been submitted to the OP for consideration. Some sectors have expressed concerns over the proposed ban on jailbreaking, downloading and sharing music, and bringing home books and DVDs from other countries. “Those are three concerns raised by people who are against those particular amendments. Those three are precisely the ones that we have given to the Office of the President, to the team that is reviewing it to see kung ano po ba ang basehan ng mga objections na ito,” Valte said. The President received the amendments on January 29 and has 30 days to either veto the bill or sign it into law. Non-action from the President will make it “lapse into law.” “Hindi po ito revenue bill, hindi rin ito tariff bill. So hindi po ito pwedeng i-line item veto. So either the President vetoes it or he signs it or he lets it lapse into law,” Valte said. Internet rights activists are urging President Aquino to veto proposed amendments to Intellectual Property Code that they say will make jailbreaking an Apple device or importing books from abroad illegal. Officials of Democracy.Net.PH said the proposed amendments to Republic Act 8293 infringe on the right of the people to import books, media and music for their Read More …

Chiz, Grace, Loren already made their choice: Tañada

 Entertainment
Feb 182013
 
Chiz, Grace, Loren already made their choice: Tañada

Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Senatorial candidates flashes the Laban sign as Noel Cabangon performs “Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino” during the Team PNoy Senate Campaign Launch at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila City on Tuesday (February 12, 2013). The administration candidates for the midterm elections are Aurora Lone District Representative Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, former Akbayan Partylist Representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senators Alan Peter “Compañero” Cayetano and Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Senator Loren Legarda, former Senators Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., Senators Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III and Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, and former Las Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar. Team PNoy is the coalition of the Liberal Party (LP), Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) and the Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party (Akbayan). The latest survey shows the Filipinos’ high preference for Team PNoy senatorial candidates is an indication of their confidence to President Aquino and his team. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 14 (Mabuhay) -– The spokesperson of the Liberal Party on Thursday said common candidates Grace Poe, Senator Francis Escudero and Senator Loren Legarda have made their choice on which slate to join in the May 2013 election. “Nag-desisyon na sila. They appeared sa proclamation rally, sa Batangas sortie, nandoon sila. Mamaya sa Laguna, kasama sila ulit. Tingin Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries