Beijing restaurant manager refuses to apologize over ‘racist’ sign

 News
Feb 282013
 
Beijing restaurant manager refuses to apologize over ‘racist’ sign

Associated Press 3:13 pm | Thursday, February 28th, 2013 A restaurant in Beijing displays its sentiment toward the citizens of the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan with which China has territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea and the Sea of Japan. The sign says Japanese, Filipinos, Vietnamese and dogs are barred from the restaurant, presumably in that order. AFP FILE PHOTO BEIJING – A defiant Beijing restaurant manager refused to apologize Thursday despite removing a “racist” sign barring citizens of states in maritime disputes with China, along with dogs, following an international outcry. The notice in the window of the Beijing Snacks restaurant read: “This shop does not receive the Japanese, the Philippines, the Vietnamese and dog(s)” in both Chinese and English. But despite taking down the sign after accusations of racism, the manager said he had no regrets and would not apologize for any offence caused. Images of the sign went viral in Vietnam and were splashed across newspapers in the Philippines on Wednesday. Both are involved in bitter territorial disputes with China over islands in the South China Sea. The manager, surnamed Wang, said it was taken down “because it was a lot of bother”. “I don’t have any regrets,” he told AFP. “I was just getting too many phone calls about it.” He seemed surprised at the attention it had generated but said he would not apologize for any offense caused, suggesting it may have been misinterpreted. “Maybe people misunderstood our meaning… it only said we would Read More …

Trading company charged with tax evasion

 Economy
Feb 282013
 
Trading company charged with tax evasion

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue filed on Thursday a criminal complaint against a trading company for tax evasion. Jera Marketing, Inc. (JMI) and its President Ester Almendrala were charged before the Department of Justice for violating the National Revenue Code of 1997 as defined and penalized under Section 255 and in relation to Section 253. JMI is a local corporation involved in trading goods. It is registered with the BIR and is based in San Pedro, Laguna. The state agency said the firm failed to submit its books of accounts and other accounting records for all internal revenue taxes covering taxable year 2006. JMI was earlier issued a letter of authority for BIR to examine its documents. A subpoena duces tecum, a preliminary collection letter, a final notice before seizure and a warrant of distraint and/or levy were also issued to the company to settle its tax obligations. “However, despite such repeated demands and the lapse of a considerable length of time, JMI has obstinately failed and adamantly refused to pay, through its responsible corporate officer, the aforementioned deficiency taxes, to the prejudice of government,” BIR said. The criminal case filed against JMI is the 152nd filed under the bureau’s Run After Tax Evaders program.

No change in Sabah stand-off amid reports of imminent attack

 News
Feb 282013
 
No change in Sabah stand-off amid reports of imminent attack

By Ruben SarioThe Star-Asia News Network 2:43 pm | Thursday, February 28th, 2013 TANJUNG LABIAN (LAHAD DATU) – The ongoing Sulu stand-off in this Sabah east coast district remains unchanged for the third week on Thursday. Numerous reports have emerged of an imminent attack by security forces on the group. One report claimed that several soldiers came close to Kampung Tanduo where the followers of the Sulu Sultanate are holed up. A heavy presence of security personnel was observed at various strategic locations surrounding the seaside village late Wednesday. Sabah police also declined to comment if shots were fired in the area on Wednesday evening although nearby villagers claimed to have heard them. Sulu group leader Rajah Muda Azzimudie Kiram told Philippines media that his men had fired warning shots after spotting what he claimed were six Malaysian security personnel entering the village. While claiming to come to Sabah in peace, Azzimudie warned that his followers were willing to “fight to the death” if provoked. 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: Department of Justice , Features , Global Nation , Malaysia , Prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram , Sabah , Sultan Jamalul Kiram III Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact Read More …

Purchases of capital, consumer goods push PHL imports growth in December 2012

 Entertainment
Feb 282013
 
Purchases of capital, consumer goods push PHL imports growth in December 2012

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) logo Growth in payments for capital goods, consumer goods, raw materials, and intermediate goods propelled Philippine merchandise imports to a 13.2-percent year-on-year increase in December 2012, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “The improvement in imports performance during the period represents a rebound in the value of imports from a 6.4 percent contraction a year ago and partly reflects the favorable sentiments of both businesses and consumers,” said Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan. The country’s merchandise imports amounted to $4.6 billion in December 2012, up from the $4.6 billion during the same month in 2011. Imported capital goods rose by 40.2 percent to $1.8 billion from $1.3 billion from a year ago due to higher payments for aircrafts, ships, and boats (564.7%), telecommunications equipment and electrical machineries (10.0%), and power generating and specialized machines (15.9%). The increase in imports of aircrafts, ships, and boats is partly attributed to aircraft purchases of Cebu Pacific. Also, consumer goods grew by 38.2 percent to $688.3 million in December 2012 from $497.9 million from the same month in 2011. This was due to higher payments for both durable (50.4%) and non-durable (28.1%) consumer products. “The higher receipts from imported consumer goods were due in part to the more favorable sentiments of consumers, specifically towards durable items,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General. Imports of raw materials and intermediate goods, meanwhile, also increased by 6.1 percent as values of both imported unprocessed raw Read More …

President Aquino appeals to Sultan of Sulu to recall followers and end Sabah Standoff

 Entertainment
Feb 272013
 
President Aquino appeals to Sultan of Sulu to recall followers and end Sabah Standoff

  (Map coutesy of www.sabah.edu.my) President Benigno S. Aquino III appealed to Sultan Jamalul Kiram III of Sulu to recall his followers holed up in a portion of Lahad Datu town in the eastern province of Sabah, Malaysia in order to peacefully end the two-week standoff between Malaysian authorities and the Sulu Sultan who has been pressing his people’s claim to said land. The President aired his appeal in a press conference with the Malacanang Press Corps that was aired over government-run television and radio stations People’s Television (PTV-4) and dzRB Radyoo ng Bayan on Tuesday. “And so this is my appeal to you: These are your people, and it behooves you to recall them. It must be clear to you that this small group of people will not succeed in addressing your grievances, and that there is no way that force can achieve your aims,” the President said. “You are a leader of your clan, and every leader seeks the well-being of his constituents. These times require you to use your influence to prevail on our countrymen to desist from this hopeless cause,” he added. According to the President, Philippine and Malaysian authorities have been coordinating efforts to peacefully resolve the situation…and have not ceased.” “What is clear is that a peaceful resolution of this issue is to everybody’s interest. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that there are legitimate grievances, the presence of an armed group in Lahad Datu will only bring us further away Read More …

Aquino inspects Laguindingan Airport project, expects new facility to boost tourism

 Entertainment
Feb 272013
 
Aquino inspects Laguindingan Airport project, expects new facility to boost tourism

  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Logo LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental: President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Tuesday the ongoing construction of the Laguindingan Airport that is expected to boost tourism in the Northern Mindanao region once it becomes operational. Transportation officials told the President in a briefing that the P7.8 billion airport project will be operational on April 30 this year. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is currently in the process of approving the first flight that will land in the new airport by April, they said. The Laguindingan Airport can accommodate large aircrafts such as the Airbus A330-300, transportation officials said adding that the airport’s runway could be expanded to accommodate even bigger airplanes like the Boeing 747. The new facility, with two boarding bridges and five aircraft parking bays, can cater up to 1.6 million passengers each year, officials said. The project started in 1988 during the leadership of the first Aquino administration but hasn’t materialized until the present administration of President Aquino, 25 years after it was conceptualized. In his speech during a meeting with Cagayan de Oro officials, the President said the new airport will serve tourists who want to visit the island of Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro City or Iligan City. With the new airport, Cagayan de Oro will surpass the 460,000 tourist arrivals in 2011 and will reach the 2.5 million foreign and domestic tourist arrivals before the end of 2016, he said. Aside from building the new airport, Read More …

Coloma cites Aquino government’s five-year digital strategy to provide Filipino people reliable, affordable, secure information access

 Entertainment
Feb 272013
 
Coloma cites Aquino government’s five-year digital strategy to provide Filipino people reliable, affordable, secure information access

(World Summit on the Information Society Logo) Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has adopted a five-year digital strategy to provide the Filipino people a reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. Speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review Event, High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, held on February 25 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, Sec. Coloma underscored the need for every Filipino to have access to information and communication technology. “The Philippine government has adopted a five-year digital strategy anchored upon this vision: A digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” Coloma said. Coloma noted that the Aquino administration is currently implementing five strategies to provide service for the people in all matters concerning communications. “Firstly, the development of e-Government is a priority in order to facilitate greater efficiencies and effectiveness in the delivery of basic social services and minimize opportunities for corruption,” he said. Coloma said the government is also adopting the “strategy of digital inclusion and capacity building” to foster an enabling environment through a broadband policy that aims to reach previously unserved areas and customers. He said the Philippines recently enacted a law that will protect women and children against Read More …

Aren’t you ‘on’ yet?

 Economy
Feb 272013
 

TO SWITCH channels, you simply have to hold the remote control and press the +/- or up/down channel or use the scroll key/s. It is a way of life; something we do every day without effort at all. Wasn’t there a time when you wished everything can be remote controlled? This wish coming true may not be too far out in the future but obviously will not cover everything.

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