Lozada wants 3 Sandiganbayan justices to inhibit themselves from his graft cases

 News
Jun 232013
 
Lozada wants 3 Sandiganbayan justices to inhibit themselves from his graft cases

The camp of whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. has asked the entire fourth division of the Sandiganbayan to inhibit itself from the graft cases he is facing before the anti-graft court. In a four-page motion to recuse filed late Friday, Lozada’s camp accused Associate Justice Gregory Ong, who chairs the Sandiganbayan fourth division, of forming a “negative opinion” against Lozada. Lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno, Lozada’s counsel, said in the motion that Ong’s remarks during hearings on Lozada’s case last May indicate the magistrate’s supposedly negative opinion against the whistleblower. Diokno said Ong admonished Lozada in court for smiling and for being “escorted by too many people.” The associate justice also supposedly said that Lozada “loves talking.” “The foregoing comments indicate that His Honor has formed a negative opinion about Mr. Lozada; that it would be better if Mr. Lozada and his supporters do not personally attend the trial; and that Mr. Lozada talks too much and smiles too often,” the defense camp said in the motion. Lozada’s lawyer also said that Ong seems to be “monitoring the situation of Mr. Lozada vis-a-vis President Benigno Aquino III even if this is neither material nor relevant to the cases at bar.” The defense particularly took offense on this comment supposedly made by Ong in open court: “Para kung may importante kayong meetings or you want to go to the media and say something against our President again, you won’t be arrested, okay?” Aside from Ong, the defense camp also wants Associate Justices Jose Read More …

Win now, study later: Preparing neophyte politicians for the tasks ahead

 News
Jun 232013
 
Win now, study later: Preparing neophyte politicians for the tasks ahead

How do you prepare a politician with zero experience in government for three to six years in office—and do it in less than a week? This is the challenge being faced by some institutions which offer crash courses to newly-elected local officials and lawmakers to try to prepare them for the tasks ahead. The University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), for instance, recently organized a five-day course for Senator-elect Nancy Binay. Before winning her Senate seat last elections, Binay served as personal assistant to her parents, Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay. Maynard Matammu of the UP-NCPAG’s Center for Policy and Executive Development, one of the persons who prepared Binay’s crash course, explained that the topics tackled during Binay’s course were “customized” based on the senator-elect’s preferences. “We drafted the course and met with the senator. We informed her about the specific topics per session and who the resource persons will be. We made sure that the course will touch on her priority areas and subjects that were in her platform,” Matammu said in an interview. He said the center has been organizing these courses for years as part of its “extension services” to the public. In Binay’s case, her course included introductory discussions on the Philippine administrative system, the Senate, the economy and the national budget process—all tackled in sessions that lasted for an hour and a half. The course likewise allowed Binay to have “sessions with experts” on Read More …

Pag-IBIG mulls hike in members’ contribution

 Economy
Jun 222013
 
Pag-IBIG mulls hike in members’ contribution

MANILA, Philippines – The Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund is considering an increase in the minimum monthly contribution of its members to P200 as part of its goal to double its loan portfolio to P50 billion. Pag-IBIG chief executive officer Darlene Marie Berberabe said the increase in members’ contributions from the current P100 may be done via a flexible schedule. She said an enlarged capital will allow Pag-IBIG to provide more housing loans to its members as well as real estate developers. To date, the fund has a housing loan portfolio of around P21 billion.  It also has P40 billion in investible funds other than the housing and cash loans. Pag-IBIG is mandated to invest up to 70 percent of its portfolio in housing while the rest are for member loans. It is looking at a 15 percent increase in its net earnings this year to P15 billion. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Pag-IBIG is also planning to boost its membership base to about 20 million by yearend from the present 12.6 million, targeting the overseas Filipinos market, three million of which are already members. To better serve the needs of its members, Pag-Ibig has partnered with Globe Telecom to allow its 12.6 million members to pay their monthly contributions and housing loans using their mobile phones.

Galoc consortium eyes new oil well drillings

 Economy
Jun 222013
 
Galoc consortium eyes new oil well drillings

MANILA, Philippines – The consortium operating the Galoc oil field has put off plans to drill a new well in the oil field located in northwest Palawan but said it continues to be on the lookout for other possible wells within the field. In a disclosure to the Australian Stock Exchange, Otto Energy, one of the companies behind the venture, said the Ocean Patriot drilling rig, which has been contracted for the second phase of the Galoc drilling campaign, is incapable of drilling some of the optimal well locations for a Galoc exploration well. “Therefore, the joint venture has made the decision to defer exploration drilling from this current campaign and will incorporate the results from the Phase 2 drilling campaign into plans for further exploration drilling,” Otto Energy said in the disclosure. Nonetheless, Otto chief executive officer Gregor McNab said the consortium would continue to explore locations for another well. “The outcome of the Galoc exploration studies has been very positive and reinforces our view that this field continues to outperform expectations. We look forward to progressing drilling of a Galoc exploration well at the preferred drilling location as soon as a suitable rig can be secured,” McNab said. In the meantime, Otto Energy looks forward to safe execution of the Galoc Phase project, drilling of the Duhat-2 well and acquisition of seismic in equipment two Tanzanian blocks over the coming months,” he said.

Bank of Commerce sale falls apart

 Economy
Jun 222013
 
Bank of Commerce sale falls apart

MANILA, Philippines – Diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) plan to unload subsidiary Bank of Commerce fell through after CIMB Group Holdings walked away from the supposed P12.2 billion transaction. In a disclosure to the Malaysian Stock Exchange over the weekend, CIMB said the parties failed to reach an agreement after extending negotiations when the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) lapsed. “As such, the parties will not proceed with the proposed acquisition, CIMB said. Surces said land issues were one of the factors blamed for the failed deal.  Under the Philippine Constitution, foreigners are barred from owning land in the country.       CIMB said the SPAs with sellers San Miguel Properties Inc., SMC Retirement Plan and Q-Tech Alliance Holdings Inc. lapsed in December while the deal with minority shareholders expired in February. In 2012, CIMB agreed to buy SMC’s 60-percent stake in BoC for P12.2 billion. SMC currently owns 84 percent of the mid-sized lender. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1  Regulators Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Bank Negara Malaysia had already approved the deal, which would have allowed CIMB to gain a foothold in the Philippines’ banking sector while giving SMC additional cash for its diversification projects. Early this month, SMC said the transaction would push through in July. CIMB is the second largest bank in Malaysia with presence in eight of 10 ASEAN nations (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam and Myanmar). It also has market presence in China, Hong Kong, Bahrain, India, Sri Lanka, Read More …

Coal seen as main energy source in Mindanao by 2018

 Economy
Jun 222013
 
Coal seen as main energy source in Mindanao by 2018

MANILA, Philippines – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) said the island’s main source of energy would come from coal by 2018 as it stressed that diversifying sources would help address the power crunch in the island. In a recent presentation at the Department of Energy, MinDa director for investment promotions and public affairs Romeo Montegro said next to coal, renewable energy and oil would also become major sources of power in the island. This is necessary to meet the growing demand for power and attract existing and new players, he said. “Ensuring sufficient and reliable power supply for Mindanao is particularly crucial to attract more investments to achieve broad-based growth and long-term sustainable development,” Montero said. Data from MinDA showed that by 2018, coal will account for 56 percent of the energy mix in the region, while renewable energy and oil will account for 30 percent and 14 percent, respectively. Committed projects in Mindanao include the 15-megawatt (mw) bunker-fired peaking plant of EEI Power Corp. in Davao del Norte, the 300-MW coal plant of Therma South Energy Inc. and Energy Development Corp.’s 50-MW Mindanao 3 geothermal plant. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Indicative power projects, on the other hand, include the 100-MW San Ramon coal plant in Zamboanga City, 20-MW biomass plant of FDC Utilities Inc. in Davao del Norte and 1,200-MW coal plant of San Miguel Corp. Montenegro said that while coal will be the major source of power in the region, renewable energy, particularly Read More …

OFWs warned vs recruiter

 General
Jun 212013
 
OFWs warned vs recruiter

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:51 am | Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 Hong Kong. AFP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has warned Filipino workers in Hong Kong against dealing with a recruitment agency offering jobs in Canada. POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the Canada jobs offered by Yamsuan and Associates Overseas Employment Services Ltd./Pacific Management Services Ltd. are nonexistent. He advised applicants to be more vigilant and discerning in dealing with recruitment firms. “Scammers with tempting job offers are out there, waiting to pound on unsuspecting applicants who are willing to part with their hard-earned money for a chance to work overseas,” Cacdac said. Citing a report from the Department of Foreign Affair’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA), Cacdac said Yamsuan and Associates has been posting ads in English newspapers in Hong Kong targeting household service workers for supposed jobs in Canada. “The advertisement says the agency can help them find work in Canada and invites them to an orientation in its office,” the OUMWA said. 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: Canada , Hong Kong , Illegal recruitment , Leo Cacdac , Philippine Overseas Employment Administration , POEA Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this Read More …

USS Guardian grounding blamed on officers, gear

 News
Jun 212013
 
USS Guardian grounding blamed on officers, gear

By Nikko DizonPhilippine Daily Inquirer 3:31 am | Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 In a photo released by the U.S. Navy, the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian sits aground in this Jan. 22, 2013 file photo on the Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea in the Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Lack of leadership and faulty navigational equipment led to the grounding of the former USS Guardian on the Tubbataha Reef last January, which could have been prevented, according to the official report of the United States Navy. “The USS Guardian leadership and watch teams failed to adhere to prudent, safe, and sound navigation principles which would have alerted them to approaching dangers with sufficient time to take mitigating action,” concluded  Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, in the 160-page document. “The watch team’s observations of visual cues in the hours leading up to the grounding, combined with electronic cues and alarms, should have triggered immediate steps to resolve warnings and reconcile discrepancies,” Haney said. The US Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office on Friday released a press statement summarizing the US Navy’s report on the results of its investigation into the minesweeper’s grounding on Tubbataha Reef. A link to the summary version of the report was also available online. Haney described as a “tragic mishap” the Jan. 17 grounding of the US vessel in the World Heritage Site, which destroyed more than 2,000 square meters of prized corals that would take years to rehabilitate.   Preventable mishap “This Read More …

Meat-Free Favorites – Hominy Edamame Salad

 Entertainment
Jun 212013
 

By Elena Johnson This refreshing salad makes a filling lunch or, paired with some crusty bread, a light dinner. Hominy has a unique texture and flavor which compliments the flavors of edamame (immature soybeans), tomato, and basil vinaigrette found in this recipe. Edamame beans are packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins making this salad a […]

Marian Rivera blamed for Regal Films’ absence in MMFF

 Entertainment
Jun 212013
 

MANILA, June 20 (Mabuhay) – — Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde is blaming the alleged solo-billing demand of actress Marian Rivera for the film outfit’s failure to submit an exclusive entry to 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). This year, Regal Films will be co-producing with Star Cinema and Skylight Films a horror movie starring […]

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