July 2013 – Page 14

US military officers in PH for series of talks

News

Jul 232013

US military officers in PH for series of talks

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:01 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Ranking United States military officers are in the country for a series of Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) talks. The contingent from the US is led by Major General Gregg Sturdevant, chief of Strategic Planning Policy (J5) of US Pacific Command. “Dumating sila dito para makipag-meeting execom [executive committee] para planuhin yung mga activities na gagawin next year,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, when asked to confirm about the visit of the US officials. (“They arrived here for execom meeting to plan out next year’s activities,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, when asked to confirm about the visit of the US officials.) Gazmin said the talks will tackle humanitarian activities and military drills between US and Philippines including Balikatan, which is usually planned one year ahead. Both the delegates of the PH-US will participate in the talks at Camp Aguinaldo from Wednesday until Friday. RELATED STORIES: US Secretary of the Navy meets with PH defense, military officials ‘Rebalancing’ of US forces in PH tackled by Gazmin, US defense official Bigger US military role in Philippines sought 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: Defense Read More …

Gazmin dismisses Aquino failure to mention West PH Sea row in SONA

News

Jul 232013

Gazmin dismisses Aquino failure to mention West PH Sea row in SONA

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 5:58 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday said he didn’t see the need for President Benigno Aquino III to mention the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute with China during his fourth State of the Nation Address the day before. He said the arbitration proceedings by the United Nations has started. “Well because the process is moving, it’s been organized, the members have been organized, so the process has begun,” Gazmin told reporters in Filipino in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo. “Our legal proceedings might be affected,” he added. A five-member tribunal has been formed for the arbitration process, and the proceedings began in the Netherlands last week despite China’s refusal to cooperate. Gazmin said that China has maintained its presence in Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) off Palawan and Panatag (Scarborough Shoal) off Zambales, which are both well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. He said there were at least two Chinese ships monitored in the periphery of Ayungin and two Chinese Maritime Surveillance ships in Panatag. The West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) had been a longtime source of conflict in the region, with China claiming ownership of the entire area. 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 …

DFA: Filipina teen bound for Brazil finally allowed to fly out of KL

News

Jul 232013

DFA: Filipina teen bound for Brazil finally allowed to fly out of KL

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:39 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 An Air France-KLM plane on an airport tarmac. The airline reportedly prevented an 18-year-old indigenous Filipino woman, who was en route to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for World Youth Day from boarding on her onward flight on July 20 at the Kuala Lumpur airport because she appeared “not ready to travel” even if she had a folder with full documentation supporting her trip to Brazil. PHOTO FROM AIRFRANCEKLM-FINANCE.COM MANILA, Philippines — The Filipino teen barred from boarding her connecting flight to Brazil from Kuala Lumpur was finally able to push through with her trip to participate in the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday. Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said that 18-year-old Arjean Marie Belco took a KLM Airlines flight on Tuesday after her sponsor, GoodX.org, managed to rebook her connecting flight to Brazil. “Upon learning of the incident, our Embassy in Kuala Lumpur immediately contacted Ms. Arjean Belco to inquire about her situation and find out how it could help. She informed the Embassy that a representative from Goodx.org was already taking care of the arrangements,” Hernandez said in a text message on Tuesday. “Per the information we received this morning, Goodx.org was able to resolve the situation and Arjean is on her way to Brazil,” he said. Belco, a native of Bukidnon’s Talaandig tribe, was denied boarding Read More …

China unveils coast guard to handle sea conflict

News

Jul 232013

China unveils coast guard to handle sea conflict

Agence France-Presse 4:25 pm | Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 BEIJING — China’s new unified coast guard agency has gone into operation, state media reported Tuesday amid maritime disputes with neighbors, and experts said more ships will be armed as a result. The China Coast Guard integrates the functions of marine surveillance, the existing coast guard which came under the police, fisheries law enforcement and Customs’ anti-smuggling maritime police. The divisions “that were not allowed to be equipped with weapons can be armed now,” Yang Mian, professor of international relations at the Communication University of China, was quoted as saying by the Global Times newspaper. “The new agency will also make our law enforcement more powerful.” The new agency will “have reasonable and legal law enforcement equipment” and “detect and rapidly handle in accordance with the law acts that harm China’s maritime rights and interests,” Zhang Junshe, a military researcher, wrote in a commentary in the PLA Daily. Tensions have been growing over China’s island disputes with Japan and other neighbors. Chinese surveillance ships have frequently approached disputed islands in the East China Sea, which Japan controls and knows as the Senkakus but China claims as the Diaoyus, after Tokyo nationalized some of them last September. The Philippines and Vietnam have accused Beijing of aggressively asserting its extensive claims in the South China Sea, although tensions have abated slightly with Hanoi in recent weeks. With an eye on the rows, the United States has strengthened military cooperation with Japan and the Read More …

Miriam wants end to SONA fashion parade

News

Jul 232013

To end what she described as the “obsession to bling” of some politicians, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday said she will propose uniform attires during the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President. In a statement, Santiago said she will file a resolution prescribing an official uniform for members of Congress attending the SONA. “I watched TV and could not stand it. The SONA event should be a serious time for the Congress to pick up policy directions indicated by the President. It should not be treated as Oscar night in Hollywood, with a red carpet, where peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as coached by media in a feeding frenzy,” the senator said. Santiago said a simple pencil skirt and a short-sleeved barong blouse will be enough for this occasion. Santiago failed to attend the SONA for the past two years due to health reasons. In 2011, she wore a gold terno made by Filipino designer Inno Sotto to the event. The senator admitted that she “was once a clueless participant in those mindless events.” “The highlight of the SONA is the President. It is not the flashy women. Now the flaky men are even getting into the act. They also parade, sometimes with photogenic arm candy, into the session hall and preen like their female counterparts. Enough!” Santiago said. Santiago also reminded her fellow politicians that under the Civil Code, “thoughtless extravagance” may be stopped by courts “during a period of acute Read More …

Fresh syndicated estafa charges filed vs. Amalilio, 11 others

News

Jul 232013

Fresh syndicated estafa charges filed vs. Amalilio, 11 others

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended fresh syndicated estafa charges against Aman Futures owner Manuel Amalilio and former Pagadian City mayor Samuel Co in connection with a large-scale investment scam that duped 15,000 investors last year. In a resolution, the DOJ special panel said the three elements of syndicated estafa according to Presidential Decree No. 1689 were all “present” in the case — a) estafa or other forms of swindling under Articles 315 and 316 of the Revised Penal Code is committed; b) estafa or swindling is committed by a syndicate; and c) defraudation results in the misappropriation of moneys contributed by stockholders, members of rural banks, etc. “Evidence shows that there is sufficient ground to engender a well founded belief that the crime of syndicated estafa has been committed and that respondents… are probably guilty thereof and should be held for trial,” the panel said in a 66-page resolution. Amalilio is currently serving a two-year jail sentence in Malaysia for possession of fake passports and IDs. Syndicated estafa is a non-bailable offense in the Philippines. Aside from Amalilio and Co, also ordered charged were Fernando Luna, Lelian Lim Gan, Eduard Lim, Wilanie Fuentes, Naezelle Rodriguez, Lurix Lopez, Mohammad Hassan Mackno, Dimasara Jova, Ian Madarang, and Priscilla Ann Fernandez Co. The latest DOJ resolution stemmed from two complaints—one filed by Co and another by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)—and three private complainants, including a certain Fabian Tapayan. Co’s complaint was dismissed after the panel found him an “active-participant Read More …

Imelda Marcos 'just fine' after slip

News

Jul 232013

Former first lady and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos assured the public Tuesday that she was just fine, thank you. “Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos would like to assure the public that she is in stable condition now after she met a small accident at the House of Representatives,” her chief-of-staff Filadelfo Diaz III said in a statement. The accident happened as the 84-year-old lawmaker was making her way out of the session hall Monday after the elections for the Speaker of the House, which Fourth District Quezon City Rep. Sonny Belmonte eventually won. According to Diaz, Marcos’ right foot slipped, causing her to lose her balance and hit her left knee on the floor. Despite Marcos being rushed to the hospital, Diaz said there was nothing to worry about. “Based on initial check-up conducted by the House of Representatives medical team, it is only a minor injury and there is no reason to worry. For her complete safety, she was advised to immediately undergo an X-ray scan and have her foot fully checked in the hospital,” he added. —KG, GMA News

Palace on 'missing' SONA items: PNoy can't include everything

News

Jul 232013

Palace on 'missing' SONA items: PNoy can't include everything

PNoy: Napakasarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito. President Benigno Aquino III delivers his State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives on Monday, July 22. Joe Galvez Several issues were obviously left out of President Benigno Aquino III’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), but a Palace spokesperson on Tuesday said this was only natural. “Given the limited amount of time… Meron nga pong suggestion na baka daw po dapat mag-checklist na lang si Pangulo, tapos banggitin lahat ng sektor. Pero kung gagawin po natin ‘yon ay baka dalawang araw din po tayong nagso-SONA,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday. She likewise said it was the “judgment” of the President which items can and can be mentioned. But she quickly noted that non-inclusion in the SONA does not mean that the issue is being ignored by the administration. “Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na hindi nabanggit ay wala po tayong ginagawa o kaya’y hindi po ‘yan importante din sa atin. Binanggit po ‘yon ng Pangulo, in reference to the supposed MRT scam and ‘yung PDAF scam. Malinaw naman po ‘yung sinabi ng Pangulo na iniisip ‘nung iba na wala tayong ginagawa kasi hindi natin nababanggit, pero hindi naman po totoo ‘yon,” she said. Among the issues which were not mentioned by Aquino in his speech is the country’s row with China, which Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario said was a good call. —KG, GMA News

Palace defends decision to keep Biazon as Customs chief

News

Jul 232013

Palace defends decision to keep Biazon as Customs chief

(Updated 3:17 p.m.) Malacañang on Tuesday defended President Benigno Aquino III’s decision not to accept Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon’s resignation despite the President’s negative comments about the bureau on his State of the Nation Address (SONA). “As Commissioner Biazon had already shared on his Twitter account yesterday, the President’s response that the confidence remains, as both gentlemen know the challenges and as well as the limitations that are being faced by… Biazon in the Bureau of Customs, and that the confidence in the commissioner remains,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) was one of the three government agencies scolded by Aquino during his fourth SONA for supposed mediocre work. The others were the Bureau of Immigration and the National Irrigation Administration. Right after the SONA, Biazon, on his Twitter account, said he offered his resignation to Aquino but that the President said his confidence in him “remains the same.” The heads of the other agencies that were publicly berated by the President had either resigned or had not been reappointed. Biazon, for his part, said he will stay with the BOC as long as Aquino’s confidence in his remains. “Kung nandiyan pa ang kumpyansa ng pangulo, mananatili tayo,” he said in an interview on GMA News TV’s “News To Go” on Tuesday. Sacrificial lamb But he also expressed ambivalence, noting that he is thinking if keeping the post “is all worth it.” “Pinag-iisipan ko rin if this is all worth it Read More …

VP Binay: HUDCC to lead study on new settlements

News

Jul 222013

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) will lead a study on establishing new settlements that would encourage economic opportunities outside Metro Manila, Vice President Jejomar Binay said. Binay, who chairs the HUDCC, said creating investor-friendly and safe settlements nationwide will help realize the administration’s goal of inclusive growth. “We shall identify future settlements using new technologies on climate change, such as geohazard maps and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), to protect our people and ensure that our communities would be out of danger from the effects of climate change,” Binay said on his Facebook page. “This study will entail a long and very comprehensive urban planning but I believe that it is doable,” he added. LiDar is the country’s first three-dimensional mapping technology that gives accurate topographical information. Binay also said the study aims to correct a misconception that the best economic opportunities are in Metro Manila. The misconception may have made Metro Manila reach its carrying capacity in a short time, he said. “We need to reverse this trend. Instead of people going to one location to seek for greener pastures, we should bring the opportunities to them through these new settlements,” he said. Binay noted the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change chaired by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje had approved the study on the establishment of new and safer settlements. He said Paje asked the HUDCC to lead the proposed study group. Meanwhile, Binay said the proposed study will support the initiative of government officials to find Read More …

Older Entries Newer Entries