Generals' group wants mandatory ROTC revived

 News
Jul 242013
 
Generals' group wants mandatory ROTC revived

A group of active and retired military and police generals on Wednesday called for the revival of the mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC) in college. In a resolution, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) said mandatory ROTC, which was abolished over a decade ago, will instill patriotism among male college students. It said the current setup under National Service Training Program Act of 2001 has been “insufficient” in instilling “the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen.” The group added that the present setup, where ROTC is only optional and voluntary, “do not address the military training ideally required of every citizen.” “(More than) 10 years after the abolition of the ROTC as mandatory program, there is now a growing sentiment that the national defense preparedness of our nation has not been served well since the alternative programs in the National Service Training Program are deemed insufficient to inculcate the values of discipline and patriotism required of every citizen and do not address the military training ideally required of every citizen,” AGFO said. The group also said that “geopolitical developments in the Asia Pacific Region have accentuated the weakness of the Philippine defense posture and exposed the very limited capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) to defend the national sovereignty.” AGFO is currently headed by retired Army Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, the executive director of the Visiting Forces Agreement Commission. The mandatory ROTC program was scrapped in 2002 following the passage of Read More …

DepEd clarifies face veil removal order for Muslim teachers

 News
Jul 242013
 
DepEd clarifies face veil removal order for Muslim teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday clarified that a recent order requesting Filipino Muslim teachers to remove their face veil inside the classroom applies only to Arabic language instructors. Although some reacted to the order vehemently, some Muslim teachers welcomed the order, saying that having the students see their face is particularly important in language class, and is especially effective when teaching younger students. “What the order actually states is that teachers handling Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) are requested to remove the veil covering the face (niqab) when teaching in the classroom,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement on Wednesday. “This is to promote better teacher-pupil relationship and to support effective language teaching since seeing the teacher’s lips helps in the correct production of letter sounds,” he noted. Luistro is referring to DepEd Order no. 32 series of 2013, which reiterates DECS order No. 53, series of 2001 or Strengthening the Protection of Religious Rights of Students. An Agence France-Presse report on Tuesday said that Muslim teachers were told to remove their veil during lessons. However, the report failed to mention that the order was only referring to the full-face veil, and only applies to those teaching the Arabic language. The order states that wearing a veil covering the entire face is allowed outside the classroom, but that it is “strongly suggested” that the veil be removed or partially removed (the detachable mouth and nose cover) during classes so that students can see the Read More …

Bill filed to allow foreign vessels greater flexibility in Philippine waters

 News
Jul 242013
 
Bill filed to allow foreign vessels greater flexibility in Philippine waters

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the second district of Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday filed a bill that will remove restrictions on foreign vessels entering the country. “[Should it be passed,] this bill will bring goods here. It will remove all limitations, and will allow foreign vessels to travel port by port,” Rodriguez told GMA News Online. House Bill 1789, or “An Act Allowing Foreign Vessels to Engage in Coastwise Trade in the Country and for other purposes,” otherwise known as the “Coastwise Trade Act of 2013,” repeals the Cabotage law. In his State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III also mentioned that he wants to see Congress amend the law. The Cabotage Law prohibits foreign vessels from serving domestic shipment routes, but Aquino said amendments will increase competition and strengthen industries. “Mapapalakas po nito ang kompetisyon,” he said. Rodriguez explained that with the passage of the Coastwise Trade Act of 2013, foreign vessels will be allowed more flexibility in Philippine waters, thereby ending the practice of foreign ships of using other nearby ports with less restrictions. “The problem right now is that while [foreign vessels] can enter the country through one port, it’s very expensive to travel for example from Mindanao to Luzon. In contrast, it’s very cheap to move from Hong Kong to Luzon,” he said. Rodriguez also explained that a similar bill was filed in the 15th Congress, but that it failed to pass. “This bill was filed in the previous Congress, but we have refiled it, Read More …

Hundreds protest China’s ‘bullying’ of Philippines

 News
Jul 242013
 
Hundreds protest China’s ‘bullying’ of Philippines

Agence France-Presse 6:58 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 Risa Hontiveros. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Hundreds of Philippine activists on Wednesday accused China of “gunboat diplomacy”, demonstrating at a noisy Manila protest against the Asian giant’s moves to stake its claims in the South China Sea. Riot police cordoned off the entrance to an office building housing the Chinese consulate as an estimated one thousand demonstrators took Beijing to task for “bullying” the Philippines. The protest, which ended peacefully two hours later, came amid festering tensions between the two neighbours over Scarborough Shoal, a Philippine-claimed outcrop seized by China after a two-month naval stand-off last year. “Our simple message for China today is to stop your intrusions, and stop your bullying of other claimant countries,” Risa Hontiveros, a former member of parliament and one of the protest leaders, told AFP. The demonstrators, who included politicians, former military officers and church officials, accused China in a statement handed out at the protest of implementing “gunboat diplomacy in the region”. They put up a portable stage on the street, snarling traffic as they sang patriotic songs, blew horns, danced and hoisted anti-Chinese slogans. China claims nearly all of the strategically vital South China Sea, even waters close to the shores of its smaller neighbours. Apart from Scarborough, the Philippines has also protested the presence of Chinese navy vessels near Philippine-held Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands. The islands have been a source of regional tension for decades, with China and Vietnam Read More …

Bill liberalizing entry of foreign vessels in PH filed

 News
Jul 242013
 
Bill liberalizing entry of foreign vessels in PH filed

By Leila B. SalaverriaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:55 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—After President Benigno Aquino III pushed for the amendment of the cabotage law in his State of the Nation Address, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed a measure to liberalize the entry of foreign vessels in the country and to allow them to engage in coastwise trade. Rodriguez, in his bill, said the country’s current cabotage principle reserving coastwise trade for national flag carriers has given rise to inefficiency because local operators have cornered the market. “The cabotage policy limits competition and encourages inefficiency among local vessel operators since foreign vessels are not allowed to pick-up local cargo for delivery to another port within the Philippines. Local vessel operators are not forced to compete in terms of freight coast and service quality with international vessel operators,” he said in his explanatory note to the bill. This foreign trade barrier must be lifted, he added. Foreign-owned vessels should be allowed to ship export and import cargoes under the same rules and regulations covering domestic shipping companies, and they should be allowed to dock at any port in the country, he said. This would bring about a host of benefits for the country, he said. Domestic tourism would receive a boost, and port revenues would increase. Shipping companies would also offer more competitive fees. Foreign vessels would also be able to provide the transshipment services needed by local Read More …

2 SoKor airline pilots fined for violating air traffic regulations – CAAP

 News
Jul 242013
 
2 SoKor airline pilots fined for violating air traffic regulations – CAAP

6:41 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has penalized two pilots of a South Korean airline for violating air traffic regulations. Fined US$1,000 each were two pilots of an Air Busan Co. Ltd aircraft for violations of Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation (PCAR) Parts 10.1.1.6 on operation requirements and Part 8.8.2.2 on air traffic control clearances. The CAAP, in a statement issued Tuesday, did not identify the pilots but according to the agency’s flight operations department, the offense on October 6, 2013, was “busting altitude” or the unauthorized deviation from an assigned height. Like other air traffic regulators worldwide, the CAAP assigns altitude limits for aircraft to prevent midair collisions. The decision finding the pilots liable for violating the PCAR was recommended by safety inspectors Rizal Ventura and Alfredo Juliano who investigated the incident. The CAAP said the flight operations department  has been placed under investigation for “various violations” of the PCAR. Air Busan is a subsidiary of Asiana Airlines. Air Busan operates flights from Cebu City to Busan, South Korea’s second largest city. RELATED STORIES CAAP passes ICAO audit—Abaya   Training to focus on wet runway landings, ‘go-arounds’   CAAP to seek lifting of ban on PH carriers   Plane’s locator failed during Masbate crash 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 Read More …

Pals raising fund to repatriate Pampanga nurse slain in US

 News
Jul 242013
 
Pals raising fund to repatriate Pampanga nurse slain in US

By Tonette OrejasInquirer Central Luzon 6:32 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines–The friends of a Filipino nurse who was shot and killed Saturday as he rode his car to work in Memphis, Tennessee, began raising money to bring his remains back to the Philippines, his aunt in Angeles City said on Wednesday. Angelina Geronimo said the body of her nephew, Eraño Catap Santos, 33, could not yet be brought home because the investigation has yet to be completed. “There are no suspects yet,” Geronimo said of the probe in the United States. A report from ABC News Radio (http://abcnewsradioonline.com/memphis-news/) cited witnesses as telling investigators that Santos “was shot during a physical altercation” in the parking lot of the Stonebridge Crossing Apartments. The report said Santos’ vehicle was seized. Geronimo said Santos’ friends are raising $10,000 (P432,200) to bring him home for a burial in Angeles City. Santos, a bachelor and the youngest of four siblings who were orphaned at an early age, started working in Tennessee in May last year. “He was kind, quiet and had many friends,” Geronimo said. RELATED STORIES OFW remittances up by 6% to $2B in April 3 OFWs come forward to complain of abuse  Solon wants PH, Taiwan to make up for OFWs’ sake 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 Read More …

First Afghan woman governor wins Magsaysay award

 News
Jul 242013
 
First Afghan woman governor wins Magsaysay award

Associated Press 3:59 pm | Wednesday, July 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines— Afghanistan’s first and only female governor and a humanitarian worker from the Kachin minority in Myanmar are among this year’s recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards. Habiba Sarabi was honored for helping build a functioning local government and pushing for education and women’s rights in Afghanistan’s Bamyan province despite discrimination and poverty. Lahpai Seng Raw helps rehabilitate damaged communities amid armed conflict. The Ramon Magsaysay Awards announced Wednesday it will honor three individuals and two organizations for changing their societies for the better. It is named after former president Ramon Magsaysay who died in a plane crash in 1957. 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: Awards , education , Women Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

PNoy promises P6.2B for projects vs. flooding

 Entertainment
Jul 232013
 

MANILA, July 22 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday assured the public that his administration is putting in place mechanisms that would lessen the damage brought by natural disasters. During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino said his administration has allocated P6.2 billion to prevent flooding in Metro Manila. He […]

PNoy pushes for SSS contribution rate hike

 Entertainment
Jul 232013
 

MANILA, July 22 (Mabuhay) — President Aquino announced in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he is pushing for a slight increase in the Social Security System (SSS) contribution rate. Aquino noted that the SSS had 21 across-the-board pension increases from 1980 to 2012, but the contribution rate has only been raised […]

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