MVP Group still keen on agri investments

 Economy
Feb 232014
 
MVP Group still keen on agri investments

MANILA, Philippines – The group of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan is still intent on pursuing agriculture investments in the country despite the difficulty in acquiring substantial tracts of land. Interviewed on the sidelines of the launch of new TV 5 program Yaman ng Bayan on Friday night, Panglinan said Hong-Kong based First Pacific Co. Ltd. is still interested in pursuing commercial rice cultivation in the Philippines and bullish about sugar prospects in the country. Pangilinan said the prospective agricultural investments in the Philippines would be carried out by First Pacific’s food unit PT Indofood, the largest food producer in Indonesia. In 2012, Pangilinan and hybrid rice seed grower SL Agritech Corp. engaged in talks for a partnership on large scale rice farming in which First Pacific would provide the tracts of land while SL Agritech will provide the rice seeds. “It’s still under discussion with SL Agritech. But it would still be pursued here,” Pangilinan said. SL Agritech, owned by businessman Henry Lim Bon Liong  is a subsidiary of the Sterling Paper group of companies. It was formed in 1998, performing research work on hybrid rice. At least 10,000 hectares is needed for the project. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Pangilinan said he is interested in the development of agriculture as a major industry in the country because of numerous opportunities and challenges brought about by the implementation of the free trade regime within Southeast Asia in 2015. “We want to go for agriculture as a Read More …

House passes bill on disposition of idle gov’t-owned lands

 News
Feb 232014
 
House passes bill on disposition of idle gov’t-owned lands

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure outlining how idle government-owned land should be evaluated and possibly used for socialized housing. The measure, known as the Idle Government-Owned Lands Disposition Act of 2013, will be transmitted to the Senate for further deliberation. Under the proposed law, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) is mandated to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to conduct an inventory of all idle government-owned lands that have not been used in the last 10 years for the purpose for which they have been reserved. The National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Land Management Bureau (LMB) will be required to identify and set aside inventories of these idle government lands—the lists of which will be provided by the HUDCC—that are suitable for socialized housing. Local government units (LGUs) shall then identify and set aside inventoried idle government lands owned by the local government that are suitable for socialized housing, with the assistance from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). According to the bill, at least 10 percent of government-owned lands not set aside for socialized housing must be sold, alienated and encumbered for development purposes. As an alternative, at least 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale of government-owned idle lands should be allocated to socialized housing projects. Employees from the government agency that facilitated the sale of idle land and who have low wages shall be given first priority as Read More …

Palace stands by former PNP exec on martial law victims' claims board

 News
Feb 232014
 
Palace stands by former PNP exec on martial law victims' claims board

Malacañang on Sunday thanked former senator Joker Arroyo for his opinion, but said it stands behind the appointment of a former police officer as head of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board. “We respect the views of former Senator Joker Arroyo who [was] an ardent freedom fighter and human rights advocate in the Martial Law period. Nagkakaiba lang po ang pananaw niya sa pananaw ng ating Pangulo sa paghirang kay General Lina Sarmiento,” Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said in an interview aired over state-run dzRB. Arroyo earlier rejected Sarmiento’s appointment, saying she did not meet the minimum standards set by the Human Rights Victims’ Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013. “General Sarmiento, whatever her qualifications in the field of human rights violations might be today, cannot have any track record of involvement in or understanding or knowledge of the human rights situation during the martial law period,” Arroyo wrote in his open letter to Aquino, published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.  But Coloma explained that President Aquino has a deep understanding of the nature of the job that Sarmiento has to accomplish, being a survivor of Martial Law abuse himself. “Si Pangulong Aquino ay mayroon pong malalim at malawak na pag-unawa diyan sa usapin ng human rights dahil sa kanyang personal na karanasan at sa naranasan na rin po ng kanyang pamilya sa buong kaganapan ng Martial Law at ito po ay isinaalang-alang din niya sa pagpili ng mga kasapi ng Claims Board,” he said. “Doon po sa batas na Read More …

PNP: Arrest of Sinaloa leader a ‘major blow’ vs. flow of drugs to PHL

 News
Feb 232014
 
PNP: Arrest of Sinaloa leader a ‘major blow’ vs. flow of drugs to PHL

The Philippine National Police on Sunday welcomed the arrest of the leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, saying it could delay or even stop the cartels’ expansion to the Philippines. Police Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesman, said a vacuum in leadership caused by the arrest of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman could lead to a halt in the flow of illegal drugs that Sinaloa has reportedly been bringing to the country. “This will be a major blow to their operation, and that includes here in the Philippines. We welcome this development,” he said. The PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force confirmed the existence of the Sinaloa drug cartel in the country after P400 million in methamphetamine was seized in a raid in Batangas in December 2013. The raid was followed by the arrests of two people linked to Sinaloa in operations in the southern part of Metro Manila.  Sindac said, though, some people may try to keep the Sinaloa drug operation going. Police will be on the lookout for them, but Sindac said authorities are focused on Chinese drug syndicates, which have bigger operations. Guzman was captured in the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan on Saturday by Mexican Navy personnel. — JDS, GMA News

Palace: No special consideration for PSG member caught using cloned ATM card

 News
Feb 232014
 
Palace: No special consideration for PSG member caught using cloned ATM card

There will be no special treatment for a member of the Presidential Security Group who was caught using a cloned automated teller machine (ATM) card, Malacañang stressed Sunday. Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said PSG member Raphael Marcial will have to face the consequences of his actions. “Meron naman pong mga sinusunod na patakaran ang AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at ang PSG hinggil sa appropriate disciplinary actions at ito po ay ipatutupad,” he said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier reports said Marcial, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 2008, was arrested during a surveillance operation where he was caught using a cloned ATM card. Coloma said PSG head Commodore Raul Ubando issued a relief order on Marcial, who will undergo inquest proceedings in Manila. “Tinitiyak lang ng PSG na iyong paggalang sa kanyang mga karapatan, sa kanyang mga legal rights. Pagkatapos po non, depende sa magiging findings ng inquest,” he said. Coloma added PSG members, like all government employees, are expected to be law-abiding citizens at all times. “They must face the consequences of their actions in accordance with the law,” he said. — LBG, GMA News

Feb 25 a regular working day, but all classes suspended — Palace

 News
Feb 222014
 
Feb 25 a regular working day, but all classes suspended — Palace

While there will be no classes on Tuesday on the 28th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, there will be work in offices, Malacañang stressed Sunday. Citing Proclamation 655 series of 2013,  Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr., in an interview on dzRB, said: “(W)alang pasok sa lahat ng paaralan, lahat ng antas at ito ay isang regular working day. The EDSA-1 Revolution ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos and installed Aquino’s late mother Corazon to the presidency. But Coloma said this year’s commemoration will be unique as it will be held outside Metro Manila, with the traditional “Salubungan” in Cebu. He said Cebu had been the bulwark of the opposition during the Marcos administration. It was also where the late former President Corazon Aquino, then the opposition’s presidential bet, was staying when the military withdrew support for Marcos. Aquino itinerary On Tuesday, Coloma said,  Aquino will go to Cateel, Davao Oriental to check on the progress of rehabilitation work there in the wake of Typhoon Pablo in December 2011. He said Aquino will then head for Loon town in Bohol in Central Visayas for a town hall-style meeting. Aquino is also scheduled to visit Cebu province’s Bantayan Island, one of the areas where super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) made landfall. He will also head to Guiuan in Eastern Samar and in Tanauan in Leyte in Eastern Visayas and inspect the Department of Health’s project in Tacloban City. — LBG, GMA News

China ships in disputed waters, says Japan coastguard

 News
Feb 222014
 
China ships in disputed waters, says Japan coastguard

Agence France-Presse 12:47 pm | Sunday, February 23rd, 2014 In this Sept. 2012 photo, the tiny islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese are seen. AP PHOTO TOKYO – Three Chinese coastguard ships sailed through disputed waters off Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea Sunday, the latest such incident in a bitter territorial row between the Asian giants. The Chinese vessels entered the 12-nautical-mile territorial waters off one of the Senkakus, which China claims and calls the Diaoyus, at around 9 am (0000 GMT) and left the area around two hours later, the Japan Coast Guard said. It was the fifth time this year that state-owned Chinese ships entered the zone and the first in six days. Chinese vessels and aircraft have regularly approached the East China Sea archipelago — thought to harbor vast natural resources — after Japan nationalized some of the islands in September 2012, setting off the latest round in a long-running territorial dispute. Fears of conflict rose in November when China imposed an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea and said it required notification from planes crossing the area. Washington was angered by the move, saying it could lead to confusion high in the skies. US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Beijing against unilateral moves to set up a similar air defense zone over the South China Sea, where the Philippines in particular has voiced worries about China’s maritime claims. Earlier this Read More …

Motorcade awaits Olympic skater Michael Martinez upon arrival in Manila

 News
Feb 222014
 
Motorcade awaits Olympic skater Michael Martinez upon arrival in Manila

A hectic schedule that includes a motorcade and press conference awaits Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez once he arrives home Sunday afternoon. Martinez is due to arrive in Manila after giving honor to the Philippines at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, radio dzBB reported. Upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Martinez will be welcomed with a motorcade that will take him to the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. He is scheduled to hold a press conference there, the report added. Martinez brought honor to the Philippines in the Winter Olympics in the figure skating event, where several people were impressed with his performance, noting he came from a tropical country. The 17-year-old Martinez’s love for skating started at an ice skating rink at a mall in Metro Manila. — LBG, GMA News

What seizure? Car importers cry foul

 News
Feb 222014
 
What seizure? Car importers cry foul

Port Irene in Cagayan Freeport Sta. Ana, Cagayan. A big-time contractor, who has close personal and business ties to the former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and her family, cornered the bulk of P5 billion in state largesse given to the Cagayan Freeport in the last five years. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines—A group of car importers based in Port Irene in Cagayan on Saturday protested the statements made by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) that portrayed them as car smugglers. Jaime Vicente, president of the Automotive Rebuilding Industry of Cagayan Inc. (Aric), described as “malicious” the BOC’s insinuation that they tried to sneak out imported vehicles from the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) in Santa Ana town. “What is most lamentable are insinuations that the BOC has confiscated the 38 units for which we have filed for import entry. There appears a clear attempt to give the public the impression that the vehicles were ‘intercepted’ while these were being illegally brought out of the port,” Vicente said in a statement. Vicente was referring to an announcement made by Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla at a press briefing on Friday, 10 days after BOC agents at its Aparri collection office issued warrants of seizure on 38 assorted vehicles presented for acceptance by Fenix (Ceza) International, one of the licensed used car importers at the CSEZFP. The 38 units were part of 347 vehicles that comprised the Dec. 14 shipment from Japan, the import documents Read More …

68 years of injustice and still counting

 News
Feb 222014
 
68 years of injustice and still counting

Filipino American community leaders, supporters, students and Philippine Embassy officials observing the 71st anniversary of the Fall of Bataan with a wreath-laying ceremony on April 9 at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. FILE PHOTO It has been 68 years—68 years since the Rescission Act of 1946 removed United States military service recognition and benefits to Filipino World War II veterans; 68 years under a pall of injustice for thousands of Filipino World War II veterans, who to this day, have not received their due; 68 years of ongoing hardships. Despite concerted action to correct the unjust treatment, most efforts have remained futile except for a few provisions adjusting some benefits. The harsh effect of the Rescission Act is still experienced by many veterans to this day. George is a Filipino World War II veteran who is currently residing in California. He has a service-connected disability and is one of the few veterans receiving compensation from the US Veterans Affairs office. In January, he received a letter from the VA  notifying him of its intention to reduce his benefits to 50 percent of what he was currently receiving. What is the reason for the reduction of this benefit? What steps should he take to ensure his compensation benefit is not reduced? The 1946 Rescission Act More than 250,000 Filipinos were conscripted to join the US Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE) during World War II. After the war, President Truman signed the Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries