ETF launch comes at opportune time

 Economy
Aug 042013
 
ETF launch comes at opportune time

MANILA, Philippines – The launch of the Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) this year comes at a time when investor confidence is high given the stock market’s ascent and the investment grade rating for the Philippines. The timely launch of the new investment product is expected to result in more investors participating in the local capital market, industry experts said. “While we wanted to roll this out earlier, we’re pleased that it is happening this time when the robust economy serves as a backdrop to launch these types of investment products,” said Philippine Stock Exchange president and CEO Hans Sicat. “The launch of the ETF is exceptionally timely. This instrument will improve financial intermediation which is one of the hallmarks of long-term economic development,” said National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon. For ETF expert Robert Tull Jr., the current momentum of the stock market serves as a good backdrop for the introduction of ETFs. “It’s always positive when investors see the equity markets up. Another value is that the Philippines has moved to investment grade rating now, which builds a lot of investor confidence,” Tull said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Tull, CEO of consultancy firm Robert Tull & Co., has played a leading role in the design and development of more than 300 ETF products in the past 20 years. ETFs are securities and investment instruments that monitor a commodity of assets like an index fund but trades like a normal stock in an exchange. Last month, the Read More …

Explain why you availed of 'pork,' Palace urges militant solons

 News
Aug 042013
 
Explain why you availed of 'pork,' Palace urges militant solons

Malacañang on Sunday challenged militant lawmakers who are calling for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel, to explain why they availed of their share in the first place. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte gave this reply to the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc, which called for the unconditional abolition of the pork barrel. “They should be the ones to explain why they are calling for abolition yet they avail of the funds under PDAF,” she said on government-run dzRB. She also said there is no need for the lawmakers to plead with the Palace to give their share of the pork barrel funds to them. “I don’t think pleading is needed considering most of it has been released in the past year,” she said. A report on the Philippine Daily Inquirer cited documents from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showing five members of the bloc have received P481 million since President Benigno Aquino assumed office in 2010. — LBG, GMA News

PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

 News
Aug 042013
 
PHL intensifies intel gathering, target hardening amid al Qaeda threat

The Philippine government has intensified intelligence-gathering and target-hardening efforts against terrorism in the wake of a new worldwide alert issued by the US over possible attacks by the al Qaeda terror network. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Sunday said the National Security Adviser has told the Palace that such efforts are focused on the targets of these alerts. “We take into consideration the alert that has been issued. According to the National Security Adviser, we are intensifying our intelligence-gathering to address the issues raised in the alert,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. Asked if the Philippines has adopted the proper security measures, she said, “Opo, opo, certainly (Yes, yes, certainly).” However, Valte declined to comment for now on questions on whether a bombing that killed at least eight people in Cagayan de Oro City last July 26 was related to the US worldwide alert. She also noted the US alert indicates the threat is “directed to western targets.” “I would not comment on that considering the investigation is still ongoing,” she said. Valte would also not give details of the security measures. “We cannot divulge security measures, it’s like telling those who want to do harm, these are the things you should go against,” she said. On August 2, the US State Department issued a travel alert warning about the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. It said its current information Read More …

Navy: BRP Ramon Alcaraz now anchored at Subic Bay

 News
Aug 032013
 
Navy: BRP Ramon Alcaraz now anchored at Subic Bay

PHL’s new warship sails along Aurora coast . The BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails off the coast of Aurora province on Friday, August 2, after it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday. Filipino fishermen greeted the crew as it journeyed for Subic Bay. The 115-meter Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy is expected to be welcomed by President Benigno Aquino II on August 4. Ronald Leander The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s second warship, is now anchored at Subic Bay after a two-month journey from the United States, the Philippine Navy said Sunday. In a radio interview, Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the ship docked at about 7 a.m. Sunday. “Nakaankla ang Alcaraz sa Subic Bay, nag-a-undergo siya ng quarantine Immigration and Customs procedures,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the vessel’s crew members, which include 14 officers under Capt. Ernesto Baldovino and 74 enlisted personnel, are in high spirits. Fabic said the vessel’s crew are excited to meet their loved ones in the Philippines again. “Sa ngayon high morale sila (crew members) after nakarating ng Pilipinas after almost dalawang buwan ng paglalayag mula US…,”  he said. The BRP Alcaraz will be formally welcomed Tuesday in ceremonies led by President Benigno Aquino. — LBG, GMA News

LPA nears Cebu; floods, landslides threaten Palawan, Vis-Min

 News
Aug 032013
 
LPA nears Cebu; floods, landslides threaten Palawan, Vis-Min

Rain clouds over much of the Visayas, Mindanao and Bicol. “Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao region will experience moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said in its 5:00 p.m. weather bulletin Saturday. PAGASA added that “Palawan, Bicol region and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.” PAGASA Residents in parts of Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao were advised before noon Sunday to brace for possible flash floods and landslides as a potential cyclone moved near Cebu. State weather forecasters said the potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, was estimated in the vicinity of Mactan, Cebu as of 8 a.m. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the LPA is embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone. “These weather systems are expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in Palawan, Visayas and regions of Zamboanga Peninsula Northern Mindanao, ARMM and SOCCSKSARGEN which may trigger flash floods and landslides,” it said. “Residents in these areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures,” it added. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Joey Figuracion said the LPA has a low chance of becoming a cyclone. But if it does, it will be codenamed Kiko. — LBG, GMA News

DOTC: Bad weather forces 2 flight cancellations

 News
Aug 032013
 
DOTC: Bad weather forces 2 flight cancellations

Bad weather in Bohol prompted the cancellation of at least two domestic flights Sunday, the Department of Transportation and Communications said. In a post on its Twitter account, the DOTC said the affected flights, between Manila and Bohol, belonged to air carrier Cebu Pacific. The canceled flights included: – 5J-617: Manila to Tagbilaran– 5J-618: Tagbilaran to Manila Earlier, state weather forecasters warned of rain over Visayas and parts of Mindanao as a low-pressure area neared Surigao City. PAGASA said Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Davao “will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.” — LBG, GMA news

US-bound Inquirer scholar looks to life of service

 News
Aug 032013
 
US-bound Inquirer scholar looks to life of service

By Sunshine BlancoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:51 am | Sunday, August 4th, 2013 INQUIRER scholar Jhesset Enano says, “I look forward to telling more and better stories of the people, may it be of the successful or the still hard-at-work, and to let the voice of those without beheard,” as she prepares for her American sojourn. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—“My three years at UP have taught me a central principle: Serve the people. It is a constant reminder that everything I do should not simply be for myself, but for the advancement of the nation and of its people.” That was Jhesset Thrina Enano, a journalism student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, summing up her life experience thus far, on the eve of a giant leap in her pursuit of learning and academic excellence. Along with four other successful nominees from the Philippines, Enano was picked from a pool of 51 applicants to be part of the 2013 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in the United States. In-depth exposure Funded by the US Department of State and administered in this country by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation—also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines—the program aims to “provide a large and diverse group of student leaders with an in-depth exposure to US society, culture and academic institutions by engaging them in substantive academic exchanges in colleges and universities in the United States.” Selection was based on merit in the form of academic accomplishments, leadership and ambassadorial skills, and commitment to Read More …

All systems go for Anne-Sam reunion movie

 Entertainment
Aug 032013
 

Anne Curtis and Sam Milby are gearing up for their reunion project, an upcoming movie titled “The Gifted.” On Instagram, Milby uploaded a photo of himself, Curtis and actress Cristine Reyes from their story conference on Thursday. Reyes also uploaded a photo taken on the same day on Instagram. Curtis, for her part, said in […]

Toughest nurse on the planet

 News
Aug 032013
 
Toughest nurse on the planet

By Odette Montelibano 9:43 pm | Saturday, August 3rd, 2013 TORONTO, Canada—Filipino-American mixed martial artist Phillipe Ignacio Nover brings pride to Filipinos as the reigning lightweight champion in Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat. However, when he is not fighting in the cage, Nover is busy saving lives at the Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York where he is a registered nurse at the hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab. Nover, 29, has been balancing both careers in the last eight years. He started fighting professionally in 2003 and has been working as a nurse since he passed the nursing board exams in 2005. He recently won the mixed martial arts (MMA) lightweight belt over contender Mike Santiago by unanimous decision. Nover is set to defend his championship belt from Tennessee fighter Adam “Prime Time” Townsend on Sept. 20, at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 2008, Nover was tapped to be part of the UFC-produced reality TV show “The Ultimate Fighter” which pitted two teams against each other. In episode 8 of the series he earned the moniker the “toughest nurse on the planet.” But Nover suffered a setback in his fighting career following his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2010 and neck surgery to correct an aggravated herniated disk. But he is fighting his way back. The UFC is the one of the largest mixed martial arts promotion companies worldwide. Two loves Fighting has always been a passion for Nover. He started Read More …

Health is Wealth at the 11th Annual Historic Filipinotown Festival

 Entertainment
Aug 032013
 

GMA Network, through its international channels – GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International – partners with the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HIFINC), in celebrating the 11th Annual Historic Filipinotown Festival and 5K Run on August 4, 2013, at the Silver Lake Medical Center grounds in Los Angeles, California. Dubbed “Kalusugan ay Kayamanan”, which means “Health is Wealth,” the annual event starts off […]

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