January 2014 – Page 16

PAL set to resume flights to Paris

Economy

Jan 162014

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has inked a new air agreement with France that would allow national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to resume flights to Paris after 16 years, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) reported yesterday. CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said in a text message that the Philippines managed to get half of the 14 flights per week it was seeking from France. “We agreed on seven flights per week between the Philippines and France. Seven is the limit that the French are willing to agree for now, although we were asking for at least 14,” Arcilla said. He pointed out that the seven flights per week was more than the maximum four flights per week enjoyed by PAL when the airline used to fly to Paris until 1998 “The maximum that PAL could use before was four when it previously operated to Paris (until 1998),” he added. Arcilla explained that both the Philippines and France agreed on a third country code sharing that would allow French airlines mainly Air France and KLM to fly to Manila via Amsterdam that could further boost tourism in the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “This means that Air France can operate from Paris to Manila via Amsterdam, using KLM as operating carrier. This means possible additional flights from Europe that will support travel and tourism,” he said. On the part of the Philippines, he pointed out that domestic airlines could partner with any Southeast or East Read More …

Toyota aims to sell 90,000 cars this year

Economy

Jan 162014

Toyota aims to sell 90,000 cars this year

MANILA, Philippines – Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) is banking on the newly launched Corolla Altis and three other vehicle models to be introduced this year to achieve sales of more than 90,000 units, an official said. TMPC president Michinobu Sugata told reporters that aside from the new Altis launched on Wednesday, the company is planning to introduce three more vehicle models to support higher sales this year. “For Toyota, we expect to sell more than 90,000 units this year because of new model introductions such as the Altis and three more models,” he said. Last year, TMPC’s total sales hit an all-time high of 75,587 units, surpassing the company’s projected sales of 75,000 units for that year. Sugata said the company aims to sell 500 units per month of the newly launched Altis. “Our target market for this model is the relatively affluent younger generation,” he said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The new Altis, which is available in seven variants and imported from Thailand, is priced between P836,000 to P1.216 million. Next month, Sugata said the company is set to introduce, another vehicle model here. But while the company is introducing new vehicle models, it has no immediate plans to manufacture new vehicle models to add to the Vios and Innova which are assembled at its plant in Santa Rosa in Laguna. “We are still studying what other models can be assembled here and we are waiting for the roadmap,” he said. “We want Read More …

Visit of Secretary John Kerry

Economy

Jan 162014

Last month, the US Secretary of State made a very brief visit to Manila. As announced by the embassy, the objective of the visit was to repair the damage to the credibility of America’s so-called “pivot to Asia” from President Obama’s canceled trip as well as Kerry’s canceled visit due to a typhoon. It was my expectation that he would comment on the recently announced Chinese Air Defense Zone as well as clarify his position on the Clinton “pivot to Asia” doctrine versus his “rebalancing to Asia”. Moreover, I expected he would also address an enhanced economic cooperation in the Philippines and the region. I was fortunate to have been invited to a small gathering of business executives and former government officials at the Diamond Hotel. After a one hour delay, the Secretary made brief remarks focusing on the resilience of the Filipino people, the confirmation of an additional $40 million for military assistance and verbal support for securing Category 1 from the Federal Aviation Authority. He did focus on the importance of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and encouraged the Philippines to join. President Aquino in September 2010 announced we are open to joining if it benefits the country. Such membership, however, would require Constitutional amendments to some of its economic provisions including on foreign equity restrictions. But for his own reasons, the President adamantly rejected proposals to amend the Constitution. Subsequent to our brief meeting, the Secretary and his party went to DFA for a meeting with Secretary Read More …

Net hot money inflow up 8% to $4.225 B in 2013

Economy

Jan 162014

Net hot money inflow up 8% to $4.225 B in 2013

MANILA, Philippines – The net inflow of foreign portfolio investments, also known as hot money, surged eight percent in 2013, exceeding the central bank’s projection on the back of the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data showed net hot money inflow went up to $4.225 billion last year from $3.911 billion in 2012. It was also way above the revised $3.2 billion assumption of the central bank for 2013. Foreign portfolio investments are also called hot money given the ease with which the funds enter and exit economies. The BSP attributed the increase in hot money inflow to the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals; sustained high growth in the first three quarters; (and) the investment grade ratings given to the Philippines. The central bank also said crisis in developing countries such as the United States and those in the euro zone also caused funds to be diverted to emerging economies such as the Philippines. Gross inflows jumped 54 percent to $28.404 billion in 2013 from $18.483 billion in 2012, while gross outflows climbed 66 percent to $24.180 billion from $14.571 billion. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Last year’s gross inflows were the highest recorded since 1999, surpassing the previous record high of $18.5 billion in 2012. “There was a steady stream of investment inflows of more than $2 billion a month except in the ghost month of August, believed to be unlucky for business, and in December due to the announcement of the forthcoming Read More …

Global HR solutions provider opens Phl office

Economy

Jan 162014

Global HR solutions provider opens Phl office

MANILA, Philippines – Global human resources (HR) solutions provider SilkRoad has established a new office in the Philippines as it seeks to grow its operations in the country and in Asia. In a statement, SilkRoad chief operating officer and co-founder Brian Platz said the company decided to set-up an office in the country as it sees an important market given the fast pace at which the economy is growing. “We believe the Philippines not only presents a unique opportunity for us to help local companies strengthen their talent acquisition and management programs and build their bottom line; our presence on the ground will also act as a strategic hub, helping us grow our operations all over Asia,” he said. In an increasingly competitive environment, he said companies have to take their business to new levels and differentiate themselves in the market. “SilkRoad helps companies manage their talent pool to keep things efficient,” he said. SilkRoad provides a full suite of HR software solutions to small and medium businesses that enable them to find, attract, develop and retain the best talent possible. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 As a solutions provider, SilkRoad leverages the potential of the Philippines as a hub of talent in software development. The company’s clients can also use a range of technologies to determine influence among their employees. “By learning more about their most influential employees, organizations can better understand how they contribute to the company and leverage their influence to help drive Read More …

Lawyer: Jinggoy trying hard to outsmart SC

Entertainment

Jan 162014

Lawyer: Jinggoy trying hard to outsmart SC

Senator Jinggoy Estrada (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Jinggoy Estrada is circumventing the decision of the Supreme Court by skillfully realigning his P200 million priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to the budgets of Manila, Caloocan, and a town in Cagayan province. In a statement, lawyer Romulo Macalintal said the high court was very precise in its decision declaring the pork barrel unconstitutional. There, the high court said the move was to “rectify an error which has persisted in the chronicles of our history” such as interventions from legislators. “To sanction such ‘re-insertion’ of their PDAF in the budget and allow them to realign or re-assign the funds to whatever or whomsoever they desire, is to circumvent the ruling of the SC that the legislators should not be accorded ‘post-enactment authority’ in the areas of ‘project identification, fund release, or fund realignment,’” Macalintal said. He explained Estrada’s action is a “post enactment” – one that is not related to his congressional oversight function. “Estrada’s act of realigning his ‘re-inserted PDAF’ is tantamount to ‘playing a role’ in the implementation of the budget which, as the SC decision declares, is violative of the principle of separation of powers and therefore unconstitutional,” he said. He said the SC was clear in saying that lawmakers can’t “substitute their judgments in utilizing public funds for local development.” He said allowing legislators to circumvent the SC is “to revert to the evil sought to be prevented by the SC decision, that of ultimately or once Read More …

Health Department working with LGUs to contain measles, says Palace

Entertainment

Jan 162014

Health Department working with LGUs to contain measles, says Palace

The Department of Health-National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) launches Monday (December 16, 2013) a massive measles vaccination campaign following the increase in the number of cases recorded in the metropolis. The vaccination was held at the covered court of Purok Molave, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City although teams will be deployed in 17 other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila. According to DOH-NCR Regional Director Dr. Eduardo Janairo, the agency will not wait for an epidemic of measles to spread and affect a large number of children. Janairo says it must be stopped aggressively so that we can prevent large-scale outbreaks that can lead to serious illness and even death. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Health (DOH) has been actively coordinating with local government units to prevent the spread of measles in the country, a Palace official said on Saturday. Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that children with ages 9 to 11 months have been receiving the first dose of anti-measles vaccine and the second phase will be those who are 12 to 23 months old. One to two years old will be inoculated by receiving the anti-measles booster. “Ginagawa ito ng Department of Health, in cooperation with the local government units. In particular, dito sa City of Manila, in cooperation with the DOH, nag-cover na sila ng 148 barangays at ang breakdown ay 21,560 children,” Valte said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. Children with ages not more than five years Read More …

PHL celebrates as caregiver wins Israel’s X Factor

Entertainment

Jan 152014

MANILA, January 15, 2014 (AFP) – Celebrations broke out in the Philippines Wednesday after a Filipina who has spent nearly half her life as a caregiver overseas won Israel’s first “X Factor” competition. Rose Fostanes, one of millions of Filipinos working abroad, won the television talent show late Tuesday with a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” that delighted fans in both countries. Local television, news websites, social media and even the president lavished praise on the unmarried, openly gay 47-year-old, who has worked abroad for more than two decades – including six years in Israel – to support her family. “We know the situation she was in and we are very proud that she has again given the Philippines pride in the showcase of her talent,” President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters Wednesday. “The Filipino has an innate advantage when it comes to the arts…It clearly shows that the excellence of the Filipino can be expressed anywhere, everywhere, when they are given the opportunity to show their talent.” Fostanes has been likened by fans to Susan Boyle, the middle-aged Scottish singer whose humble looks and shy demeanor belied a scintillating voice that captivated millions on the television talent show “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2009. Fostanes’ day job had been to care for an elderly employer in Tel Aviv. She is one of some 10 million Filipinos, about a tenth of the population, who have gone to work abroad to escape poverty and joblessness back home. Israel’s media Read More …

Bong: Welcome si Jodi sa pamilya namin

Entertainment

Jan 152014

Jodi Sta. Maria (MNS Photo) Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. denied rumors that his son, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla, is expecting a baby with girlfriend and “Be Careful With My Heart” star Jodi Sta. Maria. “Hindi naman [buntis si Jodi],” he said. Revilla went on to express his support for his son’s relationship with Sta. Maria. “What’s important is that they’re happy. Welcome si Jodi sa family namin,” the former action star said. The younger Revilla earlier denied that Sta. Maria is pregnant. The actress’ leading man in “Be Careful With My Heart,” actor Richard Yap, similarly addressed the rumor, saying fans may be confusing the pregnancy of Sta. Maria’s character in the series with real life. Sta. Maria has a son with former partner Pampi Lacson. The actress, in an earlier interview, said they are making steps to annul their marriage. The 24-year-old Revilla also has a son with former girlfriend Grace Adriano. While Sta. Maria and Revilla have been seen attending family gatherings as a couple, they have separately denied planning to get married soon. (MNS)

More Pinoys approved, trusted VP Binay than PNoy in Q4 of 2013 – Pulse Asia

Entertainment

Jan 152014

More Pinoys approved, trusted VP Binay than PNoy in Q4 of 2013 – Pulse Asia

Vice President Jejomar Binay (right), Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Councilor Cristina Romualdez discuss the construction of 400 houses in Tacloban City and another 200 houses in Palo, Leyte for the victims of typhoon “Yolanda” after the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement Thursday at the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Coconut Palace, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex in Pasay City on Thursday (Jan. 9, 2014). (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – More Filipinos approved and trusted Vice President Jejomar Binay than President Benigno Aquino III during the last quarter of 2013, according to a recent Pulse Asia survey. The survey, conducted from December 8 to 15, 2013, showed both Aquino and Binay registering majority approval and trust ratings. However, Aquino’s ratings declined while Binay’s went up. Aquino’s approval rating went down from 79 in September to 73 in December, while his trust rating plunged from 76 in September to 74 in December. Binay, on the other hand, got an approval rating of 80 in December, which was up three notches from 77 in September. His trust rating also went up to 77 in December from 74 in September. Malacañang has yet to comment on the latest survey, but in an earlier interview, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said that it is not “appropriate” to compare the two. “The magnitude and depth of the President’s responsibilities are of a higher and different order from those of the Vice President,” he said. “It must Read More …

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