December 2013 – Page 19

BSP keeps key rates steady

Economy

Dec 122013

MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas decided yesterday to keep its key policy rates steady amid a manageable inflation environment. The BSP’s overnight borrowing and lending rates were maintained at 3.5 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. Interest rates on special deposit accounts facility and the reserve requirement ratios were also left unchanged. “The Monetary Board’s decision is based on its assessment that the inflation environment remains manageable,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said in a briefing. The country’s average inflation rate of 2.8 percent for the first 11 months of the year was still below the BSP’s full-year target range of three to five percent. “While inflation forecasts have slightly risen due to the recent increase in global oil prices, utility rate adjustments, and the impact of the recent typhoons, the future inflation path continues to be within the target over the policy horizon since the uptick is expected to be largely transitory,” he added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Market expectations of inflation remain consistent with the target range,” he added. The Monetary Board expects inflation to average 2.9 percent this year, slightly below its previous forecast of three percent announced in October. But the central bank hiked its 2014 inflation forecast to 4.5 percent from four percent on the back of higher oil prices, power adjustments and the impact of recent natural calamities. The 2015 inflation forecast, meanwhile, has been downgraded to 3.2 percent from 3.4 percent. The Monetary Board is Read More …

Public warned vs fake SSS checks

Economy

Dec 122013

MANILA, Philippines – The Social Security System is warning the public, especially small establishments, against unscrupulous individuals who are passing off fake SSS checks. The warning was issued following a report from SSS La Union branch officer-in-charge Francisco F. Pentecostes that a phony check was encashed from a grocery store amounting to P9,000. “We want to remind everyone to be more prudent in accepting SSS checks being encashed to them. The fake SSS check that was encashed may look authentic for someone who is not familiar with the SSS check. But if placed side by side with the real SSS check, one can see a lot of inconsistencies,” the pension fund said. According to the SSS, the fake SSS check was allegedly issued by Land Bank of the Philippines Baguio City Branch but the account from which it will be drawn is from Land Bank Tarlac Branch. “The SSS check also indicated two different account numbers and the signatures are not by authorized signatories of the agency,” SSS said. The pension fund pointed out that authentic SSS checks only have one account number which is located above the check date and at the bottom part of the check, unlike the fake one which contained two different account numbers. The SS number of the member-payee is also printed on the check while such information is not found on the fake check. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Most importantly, the SSS president is the only signatory for all Read More …

What to expect from Kathryn-Daniel horror film ‘Pagpag’

Entertainment

Dec 122013

What to expect from Kathryn-Daniel horror film ‘Pagpag’

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (MNS Photo) “Pagpag,” the lone horror entry in the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival, marks the second time rumored couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla will co-star a full-length feature. Director Frasco Mortiz said fans can expect moments of horror, comedy and a little bit of romance between the “Got to Believe” stars. “May mga nanakot, may suspense, may kaunting comedy tapos siyempre, may kilig between Kathryn and Daniel,” he said. “Pagpag,” Mortiz said, is a film about a group of teenagers who refuse to believe the Filipino superstition of “shaking off” evil spirits after visiting a wake. “May mga na-violate sila sa lamay na mga pamahiin nating mga Pinoy…Tapos hindi sila nagpag-pag before umuwi. Hindi sila naniwala na dapat magpag-pag kayo pag galing kayo ng burol,” he said. But Mortiz said that moviegoers can expect a slightly toned down horror film, citing the audience its cast will attract. “’Yung pagka-horror niya kasi, hindi naman siya parang ‘Feng Shui’ (2004 film starring Kris Aquino) na parang hardcore na horror. Siyempre dahil medyo bata ‘yung audience namin,” he admitted. The film also features other Kapamilya stars such as Paulo Avelino, Nikki Gil, Shaina Magdayao and Miles Ocampo. “Feeling ko something to look forward to is ngayon lang ulit sila makakita ng ganitong klaseng pelikula na ‘yung mga hottest na teensters natin ngayon na magkakasama sa isang pelikula,” Mortiz said. “Pagpag,” along with seven other entries to the annual film festival, will open on Christmas day. (MNS)

2,800 typhoon-hit families to have new homes before Xmas

Entertainment

Dec 122013

2,800 typhoon-hit families to have new homes before Xmas

A professional diver dressed as Santa Claus interacts with children while swimming inside a giant aquarium as part of Christmas celebrations at the Manila Ocean Park November 28, 2013. The Philippines, a mainly Roman Catholic country in Southeast Asia, prepares for Christmas early – shopping malls start playing Christmas carols in September and lanterns and fireworks are put up in early December. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Government is stepping up efforts to build homes for some 2,800 families affected by super typhoon “Yolanda” before Christmas. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said the construction of 119 bunkhouse units in devastated areas in Eastern Visayas is being fast-tracked for completion on or before December 22. The bunkhouses will serve as temporary shelter for some 2,856 families displaced by the massive typhoon, which struck central Philippines last November 8. The DPWH said it is hoping that more bunkhouses will be completed in time for New Year. While site development and construction activities in 29 different sites are being hampered by sporadic heavy rains, the DPWH assured that private contractors have committed to work double time during good weather to facilitate the completion of the bunkhouses. Upon completion, the DPWH will turn over the bunkhouses to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to beneficiaries. (MNS)

Recto wants higher take home pay for Pinoys this Christmas

Entertainment

Dec 122013

Recto wants higher take home pay for Pinoys this Christmas

Actors and television host German “Kuya Germs” Moreno and Jake Vargas grace the Christmas tree lighting and fireworks display at the Tutuban Center in Divisoria, Manila.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto has filed a resolution seeking to increase the cap on the 13th month pay, Christmas bonus and other benefits exempted from income tax. Senate Bill No. 256 seeks to increase the cap to P75,000 from the current P30,000. Any amount in excess is already subject to the Tax Code. Recto said the ceiling was set by law almost 20 years ago. “We owe it to the people to amend laws that tend to be more repressive rather than be beneficial to the people. In this bill, we intend to breathe life again to the spirit of the law that, during the time of its passage, intended to allow the people to enjoy more of their hard-earned money,” he said. He said the P30,000 cap, set in 1994 via Republic Act 7833, no longer applies today. “At that time, the lowest monthly basic salary for government employees (Salary Grade 1, Step 1) was P2,800 and that of the President of the Philippines (Salary Grade 33) was at P25,000,” he said. At present, he added, the basic salaries have been adjusted such that SG-1 Step 1 now stands at P9,000 and SG-33 is at P120,000. Recto, former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief, said the ceiling estimates is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the Read More …

President Aquino to pursue closer PHL-Japan ties in Tokyo visit

Entertainment

Dec 122013

President Aquino to pursue closer PHL-Japan ties in Tokyo visit

President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, review the honor guards during the Arrival Ceremony at the Malacañan Palace Grounds for his Official Visit to the Republic of the Philippines on Saturday (July 27, 2013). The visit of Prime Minister Abe will further advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan. The last time that the prime minister of Japan visited the Philippines was in December 2006 when Prime Minister Abe visited Manila during his first term as the head of the Japanese Government. Japan is one of only two strategic partners of the Philippines. In 2012, Japan was the Philippines’ number one trade partner and provider of official development assistance as well as the second major source of approved investments and third source of tourist arrivals. (MNS photo) TOKYO, Japan (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III will pursue closer ties between the Philippines and Japan during his visit here this week for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative summit. President Aquino and the Philippine delegation are to take part in several events aimed at bolstering various aspects of Philippine-Japan friendship. On Friday, the President is scheduled to receive an Honorary doctorate law degree from Sophia University. The President is then expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a bilateral meeting and a working lunch at the Prime Minister’s official residence. He is then to meet with the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) at the Keidanren Read More …

President Aquino orders early release of bonuses for gov’t workers

General

Dec 122013

President Aquino orders early release of bonuses for gov’t workers

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the nation in commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30, 2013) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan.” Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Acting on instructions issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of P6.2 billion to support the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for government employees, which was made available to government workers as early as end of November. The PEI, which is normally distributed to public servants in December, was released a full month ahead of its regular release schedule to accommodate the urgent needs of government employees nationwide, particularly those stricken by a succession of severe calamities, including the more recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol and typhoon Yolanda. The Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) – which is distributed to employees at P5,000 each – shall be granted across the board to all public officials and employees holding regular plantilla positions in departments/agencies, state universities and colleges, and government-owned or controlled corporations. Uniformed/military personnel will likewise be supported by this release, as well as contractual and casual personnel who have rendered at least nine (9) months of service for 2013. “President Aquino understands the urgent needs of those affected by typhoons and disasters, especially our government employees who’ve worked tirelessly to help other Filipinos recover Read More …

Alice Dixson talks about her successful 2013, FHM cover

General

Dec 122013

Alice Dixson talks about her successful 2013, FHM cover

SEASON actress Alice Dixson is ending the year with a bang with successful television and movie projects, and not to mention her sexy cover girl pictorial. This year alone, the Kapatid star was featured in “Never Say Goodbye,” opposite Superstar Nora Aunor, recently premiered her film “When the Love is Gone” with Gabby Concepcion and is currently appearing in TV5 series “For Love Or Money” with Derek Ramsay. For someone who said she’s “experimenting” with her showbiz career, one could say Alice is doing a fine job. “I don’t think I could ask for anything more. I have a blockbuster movie, I just found out that we have a really good following on ‘For Love or Money,’ this FHM cover, new endorsement by the end of the year, and may movie pa next year kaya all is good and I’m very happy.” Alice shared that she likes to be versatile. She know what she wants and happy that the viewers are receptive to her projects. The 44-year-old fitness buff surprised everyone when she decided to pose for the men’s magazine, FHM Philippines. She was worried at first to pose for the December issue as it’s not really her image — daring and sexy, but Alice said she’s happy that it came out okay. Alice disclosed the offer came after she did the bikini scene in “For Love or Money”. But the actress shared she already had a similar pictorial during the summer. She tapped a photographer friend to take photos Read More …

F-commerce enabler Tack This expands to Philippines with integration on KimStore

General

Dec 122013

F-commerce enabler Tack This expands to Philippines with integration on KimStore

After selling gadgets on Facebook for over seven years, facebook-commerce page KimStore has now tapped the services of Singapore-based startup Tack This to better its consumers’ online buying experience. For Tack This, it’s also a part of its expansion into the Philippines. Launched in Singapore in 2011, Tack This is a platform that provides e-commerce pages on Facebook (f-commerce) and blogs a real virtual shopping experience without the need to write code from scratch. Users simply need to copy and paste code, similar to how YouTube videos can be embedded into any site. Tack This partnered with telco Smart Communications’ mobile app development arm Voyager Innovations as its local partner in tapping the f-commerce and e-commerce markets in the country. One of its first customers in the Philippines is KimStore, a go-to virtual shop by Filipino consumers which has over 260,000 likes on Facebook. It became popular by offering smartphones, tablets and other devices at relatively low prices compared to retail stores. Prior to using Tack This, KimStore accepted orders through calls, SMS and personal messages on Facebook. Now, KimStore founder Kim Lato says with Tack This on its Facebook page, consumers can now do away with the manual ordering process. She adds: TackThis helped in widening my store’s online presence by allowing my customers to buy straight from my Facebook page. With Tack This on KimStore, users will be led to a page of all the available items from the seller by clicking a tab. They can then add an item to the shopping cart Read More …

China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

News

Dec 122013

China retaliates, accuses Japan of stirring up trouble in sea row

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 7:04 pm | Thursday, December 12th, 2013 Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei PHOTO FROM CHINA-EMBASSY.ORG MANILA, Philippines – It’s now China’s turn to point a finger at Japan saying that it was the one stirring up trouble in the East China Sea and that it has “ulterior political motives” in making a big issue out of the Chinese Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). “The one who stirs up troubles and changes the status quo on the Diaoyu (Senkaku) islands and in the East China Sea is no other than Japan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said in a press conference in China Wednesday, the transcript of which was posted on its website. “Japan makes irresponsible accusation of China’s normal maritime and air activities and hypes up ‘China threat’ since it has ulterior political motives,” he said. The Diaoyu or Sankaku Islands are several disputed islands in the East China Sea being claimed by China but currently under the control of Japan. China’s recently established ADIZ covers the airspace above the disputed islands. Japan and the United States (US) previously criticized China for the ADIZ saying that it unilaterally changes the status quo in the East China Sea. Japan, US, and South Korea defied the ADIZ by sending airplanes into the zone and not identifying themselves with China. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a previous statement that the ADIZ “increases tensions in the region and create risks of an incident.” Lei reiterated that China Read More …

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