PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

 News
Feb 262013
 
PH senior diplomat off to KL to iron out Sabah problem

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:27 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs has sent a senior diplomat to Kuala Lumpur to coordinate efforts with the Malaysian authorities toward the speedy resolution of the Sabah standoff as the situation dragged on into its third week. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Brillantes is now in the Malaysian capital to help the Philippine Embassy there in expediting the resolution of the situation in Sabah, where followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III continue to stand their ground despite repeated appeals from the Philippine government for them to pull out. “We see that at this point in time, there would be a need for more people who would be able to help out in the coordination work….  He’s there to help Ambassador (Eduardo Malaya) to help in coordinating the  peaceful resolution of this issue in Lahad Datu,” DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez said at a news briefing Tuesday. “Being a senior diplomat and being a former ambassador (to) Malaysia, he will also have some contacts and he would be able to coordinate well with the Malaysian authorities to be able to achieve the objectives to bring the group back home,” said Hernandez. He reiterated the Philippine government’s appeal for Kiram’s group to return home peacefully. “We don’t want to put them in harm’s way. And we believe the Kiram family are concerned about the welfare and interest of the Read More …

Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

 News
Feb 262013
 
Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

By Maila Ager INQUIRER.net 5:13 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Four senators on Tuesday rallied behind President Benigno Aquino III’s call for a peaceful settlement to a two-week long standoff in Sabah, two of them even suggested a need for intervention by international bodies  to  end  the  conflict. “Maybe we should intensify our request for intervention by the international bodies, international tribunal including  Asean to reduce its negative effect in the ongoing peace process and to avoid any problem with Malaysia without renouncing our claim to Sabah,”  Senator Gringo Honasan  said in a mix of English and Filipino  in a phone patch interview. “But it is important that the debate is calm, peaceful and diplomatic,” Honasan added. Instead  of resorting to violence, Senator  Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the “heirs” of the sultan  of Sulu, Jamalul  Kiram  III,  may raise their  claim  of the  land  before international  tribunals. “Yes, Sabah should be peacefully settled. I suggest to the heirs to use international courts and tribunal,” Pimentel said in a text message.  Senators  Francis “Chiz” Escudero and  Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan  also  backed Aquino’s call  for a peaceful  end to the Sabah claim. “Bringing the supposed Sabah heirs and government representatives in one table would allow discussions on the complex issues involved in the Sabah claim including the plight of Sabah residents who have Filipino roots,” Escudero said in a separate statement. He said a dialogue on the Sabah claim should include the Malaysian government to Read More …

‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

 News
Feb 262013
 
‘Kiram followers to continue Sabah standoff’—Sulu sultanate spokesman

By Jamie Marie Elona INQUIRER.net 4:59 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III will continue their standoff in Sabah until the government of Malaysia agrees to discuss the process by which the conflict can be resolved, Abraham Julpa Idjirani, secretary-general and spokesman of the Sulu sultanate and North Borneo said Tuesday. In an interview with Radyo INQUIRER 990AM, Idjirani said there is nothing to lose if the Malaysian government would consider a discussion with the Sultanate of Sulu through the intercession of the Philippine government. For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Irony engulfs Yahoo's new work-in-office policy

 Economy
Feb 262013
 
Irony engulfs Yahoo's new work-in-office policy

ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) — Since Marissa Mayer became chief executive of Yahoo, she has been working hard to get the Internet pioneer off its deathbed and make it an innovator once again. She started with free food and new smartphones for every employee, borrowing from the playbook of Google, her employer until last year. Now, though, Yahoo has made a surprise move: abolishing its work-at-home policy and ordering everyone to work in the office. A memo explaining the policy change, from the company’s human resources department, says face-to-face interaction among employees fosters a more collaborative culture — a hallmark of Google’s approach to its business. In trying to get back on track, Yahoo is taking on one of the country’s biggest workplace issues: whether the ability to work from home, and other flexible arrangements, leads to greater productivity or inhibits innovation and collaboration. Across the country, companies like Aetna, Booz Allen Hamilton and Zappos.com are confronting these trade-offs as they compete to attract and retain the best employees. Bank of America, for example, which had a popular program for working remotely, decided late last year to require employees in certain roles to come back to the office. Employees, especially younger ones, expect to be able to work remotely, analysts say. And overall the trend is toward greater workplace flexibility. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Still, said John Challenger, chief executive of Challenger Gray & Christmas, an outplacement and executive coaching firm, “A lot of companies are Read More …

PSE among best stock markets in 2012

 Economy
Feb 252013
 
PSE among best stock markets in 2012

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Stock Exchange ranked third globally among top performing bourses last year in terms of domestic market capitalization, PSE reported on Tuesday. Citing a report from the World Federation of Exchanges, the local bourse said that it was only outpaced by the stock exchanges in Turkey and Thailand after posting a 38.9 percent expansion in 2012. WFE is composed of 50 bourses all over the world. “Ranking among the top markets around the world is a feat which I think all Filipinos can be proud of as we are pitted against the best of the best markets in these global rankings. This is a testament to what we have been saying that the Philippines is now indeed in the global radar for investments and these numbers prove our worth as a viable investment destination,” PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Hans Sicat said. The report likewise noted that the PSE ranked third after the Saudi Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange after posting a 25.3-percent growth in the value trading turnover. It also placed fourth in terms of trades growth and fifth in terms of broad market index growth. In 2011, PSE also ranked first in the growth of its broad market index, third in domestic market capitalization and fourth in trading turnover among 51 stock exchanges. PSE added that among the top performing stock markets in 2011, it was the only one which figured in the best performing markets list by posting growth across Read More …

MILF: We will not revive sultanates

 Entertainment
Feb 252013
 
MILF: We will not revive sultanates

Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program: Peace Dividends of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) beneficiaries listens to the speech of President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Ceremonial Launch at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Monday (February 11, 2013). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is not keen on reviving sultanates once the Bangsamoro political entity is established. MILF’s website Luwaran quoted MILF committee on information deputy chairman Khaled Musa as saying: “We want to preserve it, but we will not revive it.” Some 200 Filipinos, who claimed to be followers of Crown Prince Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram, entered Sabah last week. Their intentions were unclear at the beginning, until Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said a royal decree was issued ordering his men to go there and establish anew their claim on Sabah. He said they have been alienated by the peace deal between the MILF and the government. Khaled denied this, saying Kiram’s group has been contacted regarding the peace deal. “We have reached out to you as we did to other groups in Mindanao on the subject of resolving the conflict in Mindanao. We did this on several occasions particularly when the MILF peace panel had a sortie in Zamboanga City more than a year ago.” Khaled said the MILF will not stand in the way if the sultanates would want to revive their political systems. “The sultanate is part of Moro history and heritage Read More …

Myrtle still learning the ropes of showbiz

 Entertainment
Feb 252013
 
Myrtle still learning the ropes of showbiz

Myrtle Sarrosa (MNS Photo) Aware that she’s still far from mastering the ropes of showbiz, “Pinoy Big Brother” winner Myrtle Sarrosa vowed to do her best to become a better actress given all the opportunities that have been going her way. Sarrosa thanked the ABS-CBN management for continuing to trust her with good projects. Immediately after winning the reality show, Sarrosa became part of the series “Kahit Puso’y Masugatan” and was also given a recurring role on the sitcom “Toda Max.” “Kasi I already did some sessions last time with sir Pen Medina. And ngayon naman I’m taking more lessons na with Star Magic,” she said. Aside from taking more acting workshops to hone her skills, Sarrosa said she also tries to talk to her veteran co-stars. “I really, really learn a lot from them. Nung nakausap ko si Miss Dawn (Zulueta), she taught me to always do everything to my best ability para mas gumaling ka kasi if you give your best, you’ll always be happy with your performance,” she shared. The 18-year old actress said it is her resolution this year to “work harder to achieve my dreams.” “I’ll work harder…to improve on my acting, singing, dancing, and hosting so that I can make the people who believe in me proud. I want to do everything I can, lahat ng bagay, to do my best para sa lahat ng tao na nainiwala sa akin na I deserve ‘yung tiwala nila,” she said. Sarrosa said this is also her Read More …

No sanction for Loren, Chiz, Grace Poe if they join UNA sorties, says Team PNoy spokesman

 Entertainment
Feb 252013
 
No sanction for Loren, Chiz, Grace Poe if they join UNA sorties, says Team PNoy spokesman

Senator Loren Legarda (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph ) Senator Francis Escudero (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph) former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board head Grace Poe-Llamanzares (screenshot courtesy of www.liberalparty.org.ph) MANILA  (Mabuhay) — Team PNoy will not sanction its three candidates – reelectionist senators Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero and former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board head Grace Poe-Llamanzares – if they join the sorties of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Team PNoy spokesman Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone on Monday said it would be the three candidates’ judgement call if they also want to join the rallies of UNA, which adopted them as candidates. Evardone said it was lamentable that UNA was making a big issue out of the non-appearance of Legarda, Escudero, and Poe during its proclamation rally in Cebu last week. He said UNA only wanted to “drive a wedge and sow intrigue” among the members of the Team PNoy senatorial slate. He said the administration would not impose sanctions on the three candidates should they decide to join the stage with other UNA bets. But Evardone said the electorate would prefer a consistent campaign among senatorial bets. (MNS)

Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

 Entertainment
Feb 252013
 
Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

President Benigno S. Aquino III meeting with local Leaders with Community, Dumangas, Iloilo 02/21/2013 (screenshot courtesy of RTV Malacanang : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxcJnha5moc) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that resolving the Sabah standoff through the use of force is not the effective way to deal with the problem. “Pag tinapatan mo ng armas siyempre ang kabilang panig iisa lang ang magiging puwedeng tugon sa mga hamon na yun. So hindi yun ang solusyon,” the President said in an interview in Iloilo on Thursday. “We have been dealing with this. We have been talking to parties concerned including the family of the Sultan to ensure na may peaceful resolution.” Resolving the standoff doesn’t rest entirely on the government’s hands, he said, adding that there has to be cooperation among all other entities to achieve a resolution on the current crisis and later on a long-term solution to the dispute. The President also acknowledged the good relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia, having helped the country in forging a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “They (the Malaysians) have been very, very friendly to us. And they have been very, very supportive to us. And we have to, as a brother nation in ASEAN, also have to respond.” The government has been studying the Sabah issue and has compiled available data, the President said. One of the information mentioned by the President includes the treaty or agreement that was signed in 1878, which contain so many amendments. It Read More …

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