Think tank finds May 13 polls ‘questionable’

 News
May 302013
 
Think tank finds May 13 polls ‘questionable’

Prof. Bobby Tuazon, Director for Policy Studies at think tank Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) on Wednesday said the May 13 midterm polls were unreliable, citing several aspects of non-compliance with election laws. “Kwestyunable [dahil] ung proseso na dinaanan ng midterm elections—ranging from patuloy na non-compliance sa mahigpit na election provisions—digital signature, verifiability feature [hanggang] itong nangyaring premature proclamation,” Tuazon said in an interview aired over GMA News TV’s “News to Go”. Tuazon added that the observation was not just CenPEG’s alone, as other election watchdogs also saw the poll results as unreliable. “Kabilang na diyan ang AES (Automated Election System) watch at ilan pang kapatid dito sa election monitoring, ay nagkakaisa sila na kwestyunable ang naging conduct at naging resulta ng midterm election,” he said. Tuason pointed out that to date, around 10 million votes have yet to be counted and these “missing” votes gave the elections a sense of confusion. “‘Yung the fact na halos 13 thousand ER’s (election returns) ay hindi pa talagang nata-transmit, equivalent iyon to 8 million to 10 million votes that remained to be unaccounted for; pinaka latest ang discrepancies na nakita roon sa kalahati ng mga RMA (Random Manual Audit) areas,” he said. “Lahat ng ito, tingin namin, nagdudulot ng pangamba at agam agam sa question na was the vote really counted? Sino ba talaga actual na nanalo at natalo lalo na sa senatorial race?” he added. Accuracy rating Tuazon also brought up the much debated accuracy rating of the PCOS Read More …

Grace overcame ‘stumbles’ during campaign – Drilon

 Entertainment
May 302013
 

MANILA  (Mabuhay) — Sen. Frank Drilon on Monday said Team PNoy candidate Grace Poe’s feat of topping the senatorial election is a “pleasant surprise” especially after she made some blunders during the campaign. Drilon said Poe was able to overcome a controversy wherein she told the audience in Cebu that her father, the late Action […]

US, Canada, UK warn vs travel to Mindanao

 News
May 302013
 
US, Canada, UK warn vs travel to Mindanao

By Tarra Quismundo and Michael Lim UbacPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:51 pm | Thursday, May 30th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Three more countries have issued travel advisories against Mindanao amid the United States’ warning of a “credible kidnap threat” in the Zamboanga Peninsula. This developed as the Philippines said there was “no specific threat” in the area based on monitoring of law enforcement and security officials. In a Palace briefing Thursday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government “respects the prerogative of any country to issue any precautionary measures that they feel their citizens must take while here in our country.” “In fact, when it comes to our citizens abroad, [other countries] also respect our prerogative to issue this kind of advisory to our countrymen [stationed overseas],” said Valte. She cited the recent terrorist attack in Boston—which killed three people and injured 264 others—where the Philippine government issued a similar message to Filipino citizens who may be in the area. In its travel advisory on Wednesday, the US state department cited a report about the resurgence of kidnapping groups, particularly in Zamboanga, that were targeting foreigners. On Thursday, Australia advised its nationals against traveling to parts of Mindanao, particularly Zamboanga and Sulu, citing a similar warning that the United States had issued its citizens. “We continue to strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed Read More …

Lagman's son to continue father's fight for centenarians' benefits

 News
May 302013
 
Lagman's son to continue father's fight for centenarians' benefits

In what appears to be a case of the son continuing his father’s fight, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s son, Edcel Jr., is set to refile the bill seeking to give additional benefits to Filipino centenarians when the 16th Congress opens in July. This was according to the elder Lagman, days after President Benigno Aquino III vetoed the proposed measure that seeks to give, among others, a 75-percent discount on goods and services to Filipino centenarians for supposedly being “too heavy” for businesses. “Ang aking anak, si Congressman-elect Edcel Lagman Jr., ay ipa-file ang original House version na walang objectionable portion na nilagay ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan,” Lagman said in an interview on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” on Thursday. The younger Lagman will replace his father as Albay first district representative after winning in the recently concluded midterm elections. The bill entitles Filipino citizens who reached and will reach the age of 100 to a P100,000 cash gift as well as a letter of felicitation from the president congratulating the centenarian for his or her longevity. Pangilinan’s fault? The elder Lagman, the bill’s author at the House of Representatives, blamed Sen. Francis Pangilinan for the measure’s fate, saying it was the senator who raised the proposed discount rate to 75 percent from the original 50 percent. “Ang rason kung bakit binitin ng pangulo dahil sa Senate version sapagkat tinaasan ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan ‘yung 50 percent discount to 75 percent,” he said, adding Pangilinan essentially copied his bill and Read More …

Phl stocks tumble on US Fed concerns; Q1 GDP fails to cheer market

 Economy
May 302013
 
Phl stocks tumble on US Fed concerns; Q1 GDP fails to cheer market

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – The Philippine stock market suffered a huge loss today despite a better-than-expected growth of the Philippine economy in the first quarter. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index dived by 3.81 percent or 275.22 points to 6,953.33. The broader all-share index slipped by 3.02 percent or 133.99 points to 4,298.18. Trading volume reached 1.9 billion shares worth P16.86 billion ($397.26 million) with 160 stocks declining, 15 advancing, and 38 were unchanged. All six counters were down. Analyst Justino Calaycay of Accord Capital Equities Corp. said a string of negative news overseas pulled down the Philippine stock market on Thursday, overshadowing the positive gross domestic output (GDP) of the country. “Concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s stimulus stance and questions over European and China’s growth added dark clouds over the horizon,” Calaycay said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Overnight, US stocks retreated off a record high on fears that improving economic numbers may prompt the Federal Reserve to step on the stimulus brakes. European shares were likewise down with investors reading off a similar note, in addition to International Monetary Fund’s outlook of a slower growth for China, the world’s second largest economy. The international, multilateral lending institution project China to grow at less than 8 percent this year. These developments overshadowed the news of  a higher than expected growth rate. The National Statistical Coordination Board reported Thursday that an upbeat business and consumer sentiment, increased public spending and a robust manufacturing and construction Read More …

PH tells China: Don’t tell us what to do within our territory

 News
May 302013
 
PH tells China: Don’t tell us what to do within our territory

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:33 pm | Thursday, May 30th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines — No other country could tell the Philippines what it can and cannot do within its territory. Its message getting sharper, the Philippines told China, on Thursday, to keep its hands off the country’s sovereign affairs in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) after Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing expressed concerns that the country might be building more structures in the Ayungin Shoal. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also reiterated the country’s ownership of the territory and called on China anew to pull out its government and fishing vessels from around the shoal, where they were deployed nearly a month ago. The Philippines protested the Chinese deployment before its embassy in Manila but the DFA still has yet to receive an official response. “Ayungin shoal is an integral part of the Philippine national territory. China is not in a position to dictate on what the Philippines can do within its maritime domain,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson, said. “In the first place, China has no right to be there and because they have no right to be there, they are also not in a position to dictate on whatever we want to do within our maritime domain,” he added. In a brief pull-aside meeting at the national military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, Ma had told Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that her government was concerned that the Philippines could be building Read More …

Tourist arrivals up by 10%

 Economy
May 302013
 
Tourist arrivals up by 10%

MANILA, Philippines – Foreign visitor arrivals soared in the first four months of the year with a 10.12-percent increase from the same period in 2012, the Department of Tourism (DOT) noted on Thursday. The state agency said a total of 1,649,458 foreigners visited the country from January-April, with January yielding the largest volume of 436,079 visitors and February posting the highest growth of 15.52 percent. The figure represents 30 percent of the target arrivals for 2013, DOT added. Bringing the most number of visitors was Korea with 406,595 or a market share of 24.65 percent and growth of 23.08 percent. This was followed by the United States with 246,011 visitors or a 14.91-percent share, Japan (148,950 or 9.03), China (132,307 or 8.02 percent), Australia (72,015 or 4.37 percent) and Taiwan (53,867 or 4.24 percent). Rounding out the top sources of foreign visitors are Singapore with 55,096 (15.90 percent), Canada with 50,352 (4.25 percent), Hong Kong with 45,734 (12.87 percent), United Kingdom with 43,055 (3.10 percent), Malaysia with 35,069 (8.36 percent) and Germany with 28,799 (9.16% percent). Other source markets with double-digit gains include Russia (30.33 percent), India (23.13 percent) and France (20.10 percent), DOT said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “This growth is an affirmation of our various marketing and destination development activities, strengthened by partnerships with the various stakeholders. While the upsurge may primarily be attributed to the summer season, it is also a clear indication that the nation has galvanized its reputation as an Read More …

Defense chief says China, not PHL, violating code of conduct in Spratlys

 News
May 302013
 
Defense chief says China, not PHL, violating code of conduct in Spratlys

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday claimed that China and not the Philippines was allegedly violating the Declaration on the Code of Conduct (DOC) in disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea. Gazmin made the statement in a chance interview with reporters at Camp Aquinaldo a day after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing over questions about whether or not China will remove its ships from the Ayungin Shoal. On Wednesday, Gazmin said China intends to keep monitoring Manila over concerns that the Philippines intends to put up new structures on Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas) in the disputed Spratly Islands. Gazmin explained that China was concerned about a Philippine ship that was on its way to the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Gazmin explained that the ship is not there to build structures in the disputed territories but is on a supply mission. On Thursday, Gazmin said, “Well we’ve been adhering to the conduct, we’ve been following the DOC, wala naman tayong viniolate.” Gazmin alleged that it is China that is not adhering to the DOC. “Sila ang hindi [sumusunod], kaya nga ito pwedeng [isama] sa ating mga protesta, kaya nga lumalabas yang sunud-sunod na protest natin,” Gazmin said. “Tayo ay nagpupunta dun because of routine provisional missions, at saka yung regular rotation of forces. Ang tao dun stays there for three months, alangan naman three months ka dun sa barko, ang area mo napakaliit, tapos puro dagat lang so kailangan constant ang rotation,” he added. ‘Deescalation’ Read More …

Rainy Friday forecast for most of the PHL

 News
May 302013
 
Rainy Friday forecast for most of the PHL

Rainy Thursday expected over most of southern Luzon. PAGASA weatherman Aldzar Aurelio on Thursday, May 30, shows a satellite image of clouds over the Philippines that could bring thunderstorms and rains to parts of Luzon, particularly the Bicol and Quezon provinces, as well as the NCR. GMA News Metro Manila and most parts of the country may expect rain on Friday, even as state weather forecasters said Thursday they expect to announce the start of the rainy season next week. PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang also noted a relatively cool maximum temperature in Metro Manila on Thursday, at 29.2 degrees Celsius. “Iiral pa rin ang inter-tropical convergence zone,” Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. But Galang said they still cannot declare the start of the rainy season this week yet because the southwest monsoon has not set in. Temperature On Friday, PAGASA said Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 31 degrees Celsius, while Tuguegarao City may expect temperatures of 24 to 36 degrees Celsius. Angeles and Olongapo Cities may expect temperatures of 23 to 32 degrees Celsius on Friday. Friday outlook PAGASA’s 5 p.m. Thursday bulletin indicated the ITCZ is across Mindanao and may bring rain to most parts of the country. “Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms,” it said. It added the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or Read More …

Gov't keeps targets despite surprising first-quarter growth

 Economy
May 302013
 
Gov't keeps targets despite surprising first-quarter growth

MANILA, Philippines – Growth targets will be retained while inflation forecasts will be revisited, officials said, after the first-quarter economic expansion both surprising  policymakers and becoming the fastest in Asia for the period. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Aquino administration is “sticking” to its six- to seven-percent growth target for the year “at the moment,” even after the uptick for the first three months registered way beyond at 7.8 percent. “We periodically review assumptions. We will consider first quarter performance when we meet,” Balisacan told reporters on Thursday after the data’s announcement. The Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC), the body setting macro-economic targets, has yet to set a meeting to review its assumptions, but Budget Secretary Florencio Abad acknowledged growth would be sustained in the coming months. “We intend to sustain or surpass the very standards we set over the succeeding quarters,” said Abad, who is also DBCC chairman, in a statement. He did not elaborate. The 7.8-percent growth last quarter surpassed all growth rates in Asia, notably in China (7.7 percent), Indonesia (six percent), Thailand (5.3 percent), Vietnam (4.9 percent), Malaysia (4.1 percent), Japan (3.5 percent), South Korea (1.5 percent). Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Strong consumption driven by election-spending, investments and government spending were tagged as the drivers for the growth, which was the fastest in three years. A stable inflation, averaging three percent as of March, was also noted. However, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said there is need to Read More …

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