February 2013 – Page 20

Malaysia says it’s keeping Amalilio

News

Feb 092013

By Jerome Aning Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:03 am | Sunday, February 10th, 2013 MANUEL AMALILIO. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Malaysia has no plans to extradite Manuel Karingal Amalilio (aka Mohammad Kamal Sa’ad), who is wanted by Philippine authorities for allegedly swindling 15,000 Filipinos of P12 billion in a fraudulent investment scheme, but who has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Sabah court for possession of a fake Philippine passport. In a statement reported in Malaysia’s Star newspaper on Saturday, Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail said Malaysia would not extradite “Mohammad Kamal” since he is a Malaysian citizen holding a valid and active identification card. However, relevant authorities have been directed to check and freeze all financial records and assets belonging to Amalilio and his associates, the Star quoted Gani as saying. In the same statement, Gani said the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had requested Amalilio’s extradition. He said Philippine Justice Undersecretary Jose Vincent B. Salazar had also requested that the Malaysian government freeze Amalilio’s assets, savings and investments and those owned by people related to him. He also said that the Attorney General’s Chambers had received a formal request from the Philippines’ Department of Justice to hand over Amalilio to the Philippines under the Asean Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act of 2004. Separate court Gani said the request was being handled by the international affairs division of the Attorney General’s Chambers, a separate court for the states of Sabah and Sarawak which deals with civil law matters Read More …

Heroic ‘yaya’ hugging boy, escape from their kidnappers

News

Feb 092013

Heroic ‘yaya’ hugging boy, escape from their kidnappers

Philippine Daily Inquirer 1:01 am | Sunday, February 10th, 2013 OZAMIZ CITY—The family of the 1-year-old Filipino-Canadian boy kidnapped in Pagadian City on Thursday morning credited his 17-year-old nanny for his safe return on Friday. The boy was snatched along with his nanny at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday after armed men barged into the family’s house on Sto. Rosario Road in Dau village. Karen Maata, mother of the kidnapped boy, said nanny Carolyn Remetre seized an opportunity to flee when the kidnappers briefly left them unguarded in a safe house here on Friday afternoon. Maata, who came over to fetch her son, Timothy Sokolov, and the nanny after the escape, recounted to reporters the girl’s story—how, in her determination to escape from captivity, she hugged Timothy tight, double-checked that nobody was watching them and dashed to freedom. “She was crying and distraught and decided to go inside Gaisano Mall,” Maata said, noting that the girl did not know who to run to for help. She said Remetre decided to sit in a corner inside Gaisano Mall while trying to compose herself and thinking of a place to go when local policeman PO1 Alex Bentero saw her crying. Maata said that initially, the nanny refused to open up to Bentero because he was a stranger despite his being in uniform. But she finally talked when he persisted in questioning her, she said. Bentero then took Remetre and Timothy to the city police station, where Maata said she and the Zamboanga Read More …

SkyCable vows to fix GMA signal disruption

Economy

Feb 092013

SkyCable vows to fix GMA signal disruption

MANILA, Philippines – SkyCable Corp., a unit of broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. of the Lopez clan, has vowed to cooperate with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to resolve its difference with publicly-held GMA Network Inc. over signal disruptions. “SkyCable, together with GMA Network and NTC, has been working hand-in-hand to explore necessary procedures to be undertaken in order to resolve the signal disruption issue at hand,” the company said in a statement. In the meantime, SkyCable said subscribers who are experiencing the said DigiBox problem could fix this manually by rescanning their DigiBox. “We regret this temporary inconvenience and extend our apologies for any difficulty brought about by this system upgrade,” the company said. GMA has filed a complaint against SkyCable over the unilateral change in channel assignment for the second time in less than four months. Butch Raquel, consultant to the chairman and chief executive officer for corporate communications, said the company filed a complaint before the NTC for the rechanneling undertaken by SkyCable last Feb.1. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “GMA Network expresses its concern as to why it gets to be affected by whatever SkyCable is doing or modifying in its system,” Raquel stressed. Last Feb. 1, SkyCable conducted a system upgrade to enhance signal clarity for GMA from channel 12 to channel 99, Shop TV from channel 13, SKY Preview Channel from channel 21, and ABN from channel 163. In a letter to NTC commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, GMA vice president for legal Read More …

Nueva Ecija farmers’ association to subsidize SSS payment

Economy

Feb 092013

Nueva Ecija farmers’ association to subsidize SSS payment

MANILA, Philippines – The Social Security System (SSS), the state-run provident fund for private employees, has signed an agreement with a local irrigators association in Nueva Ecija to subsidize farmers’ contributions to the agency. In an agreement signed last month between Deep Well Sumulong Irrigators Association of Nueva Ecija and SSS covering 185 farmers, the association would provide a counterpart amount that would match its members’ monthly SSS contribution. As a result, the monthly contributions of member farmers to the SSS would double, SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said. “In effect, the subsidy will double the amount of the farmers’ SSS contributions,” De Quiros said. SSS contributions range from P104 to P1,560 every month depending on the member’s monthly earnings. If, for instance, the farmer saves P156 as SSS contribution a month, the association would add P156 as counterpart subsidy, for a total of P312 that will be credited to the farmer’s SSS account. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The subsidy serves as additional motivation for farmers to save up for their future. The more they save, the more they will receive in counterpart funds for their contributions,” De Quiros said. Furthermore, the SSS chief said the arrangement with the association ensures convenient and regular remittance of the farmers’ SSS premiums because the association will do it for them. The association will use the cash incentives granted by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) to associations that have shown efficient collection of Read More …

Seair to impose higher fuel surcharge

Economy

Feb 092013

MANILA, Philippines – Low-cost carrier Southeast Asian Airlines (Seair), a unit of Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd. of Singapore, is set to impose higher fuel surcharge for all its international and domestic passengers on the back of the continued rise in the price of aviation fuel in the world market. Seair has filed a petition with the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) seeking to impose a fuel surcharge of P500 for all its international passengers and P300 for all its domestic passengers flying within the Philippines except Davao. The budget airline is also set to impose a fuel surcharge of P400 for the passengers of its Manila to Davao flights. The CAB allows airlines to impose fuel surcharge on international and domestic passengers as a temporary relief to help them recover losses arising from the increase in jet fuel prices in the world market. Latest results of the jet fuel price monitor of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) showed that average price of jet fuel rose 3.8 percent to $132.4 per barrel from a month ago level or higher than the full year target of $130.3 per barrel set by IATA. Seair flies from Manila to Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, and Boracay via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Its international destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and Kota Kinabalu via the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In August last year, Tiger Airways through wholly-owned subsidiary Roar Aviation II Read More …

MCLE seminar for lawyers

Economy

Feb 092013

MANILA, Philippines – April 14, 2013 is the deadline for all lawyers to fulfill their fourth compliance to the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). To enable lawyers to comply with requirements, the Center for Global Best Practices (CGBP) is hosting a one-time “2013 MCLE Program” on Thursday and Friday, March 7 and 8, 2013 and Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23, 2013 at the Garden Ballroom of the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City. This unique four-day program offering 36 MCLE credit units is also open to non-lawyers as well as those who have not completed their MCLE requirements. For details, you may log on to www.cgbp.org or call Manila lines: (02) 842-7148/59 and 556-8968/69, Cebu lines: (032) 512-3106 or 07 or Baguio line: (074) 423-5148. In this series of seminars, we bring together the most seasoned and sought-after lecturers in the country. Unlike the usual run-of-the-mill MCLE-accredited programs, this is uniquely packed with special and interesting topics, namely: (Day 1) Strategies in Winning Election Cases at the Comelec by Ferdinand Rafanan; How to Employ Discovery Modes to Settle Cases Swiftly by Jose A. Bernas; New Rules and Cases on Annulment by GMA TV host on Legal Forum Joji Antonio-Alonso; and How to Win Complex Commercial Disputes through Arbitration or a Mini Trial by Victor Lazatin; (Day 2) Handling PPP and BOT projects with multinational corporations by former DOJ secretary Alberto C. Agra; How to Defend Lawyers from Professional Malpractice by former chairman of PRC Justice Nicolas Lapena; Updates on Read More …

MAP raises awareness for ASEAN integration

Economy

Feb 092013

MAP raises awareness for ASEAN integration

MANILA, Philippines – The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has formed a committee that will help the government and the business community prepare for the opportunities and risks of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration. The MAP has created the ASEAN Integration Committee (AIC) to raise the awareness of the business community sector on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as well as country branding efforts. The AIC headed by Junie del Mundo has a two-fold mandate: to conduct an information drive and consultations with businesses and to push country branding initiatives. The AIC will likewise implement activities under the MAP-ASEAN Business Advisory Council Agreement from this year onwards. The AIC is part of MAP’s Economic Development Cluster, a grouping of other committees on trade and development, working on ways to create an environment conducive to promoting rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth. “AIC captures MAP’s commitment to operationalize our thrust to help build the foundation for economic growth through relevant, timely and private sector-focused offerings,” MAP president Melito Salazar, Jr. said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Among the activities planned to help the government and the businesses sector prepare for the ASEAN’s unified market is to conduct a series of fora on the AEC and its impact on the country. The MAP is set to hold its first AEC forum next month. Earlier, Salazar said the group intends to come up with a master plan that would contain strategies on how businesses Read More …

Philippine laundering law ‘exempts’ casinos

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Philippine laundering law ‘exempts’ casinos

The $1.2 billion Solaire Manila Resorts (design model above) is one of four gaming operations licensed at Manila’s bayside Entertainment City, a government project designed to compete with Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. MANILA, Feb 6, 2013 (AFP) – Casinos were given a free pass as the Philippine parliament Wednesday passed a tougher law against money-laundering but protected the government’s bid to chase mega-dollars in Asia’s gaming boom. The amendments passed by the Senate and House of Representatives apply to businesses other than banks and aim to stop the funneling of proceeds from criminal activity, as well as to block terror funding. They also raise prison terms and fines. However, Senator Teofisto Guingona said casinos and Internet gaming were excluded at the request of the House and of the state regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “(They) excluded casinos from coverage because (House members) warned it would deter investors. That’s the number one reason. And number two, Pagcor,” Guingona told reporters, referring to the regulator’s abridged name. The Senate’s passage of the law came five weeks before the opening of Entertainment City, an $4 billion Manila casino complex aimed at rivalling Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub. The latest changes to a 2001 statute are now expected to be signed into law by President Benigno Aquino. Banks were already covered under the 2001 law. The new law’s passage followed a threat last year to blacklist the Philippines unless it assumes greater powers to Read More …

O Skin Care’s Love Month

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Buy two facials and get 50 %Off on your companion’s facial Couple in Facial It’s the love month. Love is in the air and giving love is what we should all do. Valentine’s is just around the corner so we should all celebrate this special love month. For O Skin Care , February is just the perfect month to give special treats from the heart! It takes two to tango and with O it takes two to get a 50%off combo. For the whole month of February, O Skin Care gives love to all who come in as couples. Buy 2 Facials and get 50% off your companion’s facial from Mondays to Thursdays . This promo is valid only until Feb 28. Olivia Quido-Co skin Specialist to the Stars is quick to say” This is one of my favorite time of the year because we celebrate the month of loving. Love makes us all connected and in O Skin Care , we connect with our clients with much attention and personal care.This special treat is for all our loyal patrons and to all new clients who have not tried our service.” Fresh from a very successful and phenomenal opening of O Skin Care Cerritos Mall, Olivia Quido-Co have so much appreciation for those people who attended her grand celebration. “I think a thousand people trooped to celebrate with us that day in our white tent party and I am so grateful they all came .Most specially to the big artists Read More …

Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrities Part 3

Entertainment

Feb 092013

Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrities Part 3

Asian celebrities in Los Angeles namely (from left) Tracy Bui, Emily Liu, Jannelle So (second from right) and Hana Kim (rightmost), all of whom are either producers or hosts of a TV program on Channel 18 KSCI headed by their Vice President April Kuan (third from right) in Monday’s news conference in Rosemead to promote Taiwan as a tourist destination as they all listen to Trust Lin (third from left), who heads the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Los Angeles. The celebrities will lead separate delegations to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the third and final leg of the Travel to Taiwan with LA 18 Celebrity April 1-6. Photo: Rhony Laigo LOS ANGELES – The Taiwan Tourism Bureau presents the third sequel of the Travel to Taiwan series in conjunction with Channel LA 18 KSCI-TV as part of “Time for Taiwan” promotion. LA 18 celebrities – Jannelle So, Hana Kim, Tracy Bui and Emily Liu – will lead Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese guide tours respectively. The weeklong trip for each group will introduce tour members as well as TV audiences to Taiwan’s cultural customs and traditions. This show will provide TV audiences with an in-depth look at Taiwan’s rich culture and showcase Taiwan’s island beauty. In a news conference held Monday at 888 Seafood Restaurant in Rosemead, the celebrities took part in promoting their tour along with KSC Vice President April Kuan and Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director Trust Lin. The trips are scheduled for March 25 for Chinese and Read More …

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