Apr 222014
 
Cabinet secretary denies going to HK with Erap

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras on Tuesday denied that he went to Hong Kong with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who organized the trip to apologize for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis. “No I am here in Manila and just had meetings,” Almendras told GMA News Online in a text message, denying several reports that said he went to Hong Kong with Estrada and Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima. Almendras, however, did not respond after he was asked whether he will follow Estrada or meet the families of the hostage victims. A Palace source, however, said without elaborating that Almendras will fly to Hong Kong for a separate meeting. Hong Kong has been demanding an apology from President Benigno Aquino III for the botched rescue attempt of Hong Kong hostages in a bus in the Luneta. Aquino has steadfastly declined to apologize, saying that would create a legal liability and citing Filipino fatalities in China for which China has not apologized and paid compensation. Eight tourists from Hong Kong were killed during the hostage crisis perpetrated by a dismissed policeman. Last November, Almendras went to Hong Kong to turn over a donation for the jaw operation of a hostage survivor. — KBK, GMA News

Apr 222014
 
Solons bat for low-interest rate housing loans for ‘homeless’ public school teachers

President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Presentation of Estero de San Miguel Micro Medium-Rise Building (mMRB) Model Unit at the Claro M. Recto High School Auditorium in Barangay 412, Zone 42, Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila City on Wednesday (February 19, 2014). The Estero de San Miguel Project is in line with the program goal of providing safe, affordable, decent and humane relocation in accordance with the Relocation Action Plan (RAP) through the People’s Plan mechanism and process for on-site, near-city relocation of affected ISFs in accordance with People’s Plan that contains shelter solutions and finance scheme development, validated and accepted by the ISFs themselves. The MRB model unit started construction in November 2013 and was completed in January 2014. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Public school teachers who are “homeless” may soon have the opportunity to have a house of their own through a housing loan with a fixed interest rate of five percent per annum. This is just one of the features of the housing loan that Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) proposed under a bill which he authored together with his brother, Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao). House Bill 4061 seeks to institutionalize the Public School Teachers Housing Program to provide housing loans for qualified public school teachers and which shall be administered by the Department of Education (DepEd). Aside from the low-interest rate, the housing loan is payable within a period of 20 years to 30 years, depending Read More …

Apr 222014
 
PHL receives draft law for Muslim self-rule

President Benigno S. Aquino III and His Excellency Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, witness as Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor signs in the Palace guest book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace for the Prime Minister’s Working Visit to the Philippines and to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on Thursday (March 27). MANILA (AFP) – Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday formally received a draft law representing a crucial step towards the creation of an autonomous area for the country’s Muslim minority, following a historic peace deal. Aquino received the Bangsamoro Basic Law from a special transition committee headed by representatives of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), once the main Muslim rebel group in the majority-Catholic Philippines, his aides said. The law will speed up the process of creating the autonomous region as part of a peace process to end decades of fighting that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Just last month, the MILF signed a landmark pact to end one of Asia’s longest and deadliest conflicts, promising to give up their arms for an autonomous homeland in the southern Philippines. As part of this accord, a transition committee was formed that drafted the “basic law” for the autonomous area. Presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that the draft law would stand the legal challenges of groups which are opposing the accord. “Some groups have already made known their intention to challenge the Read More …

Apr 212014
 
Palace: No reason yet to doubt PCSO amid Grand Lotto draw row

PCSO-Philippine Lotto MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday said there is no reason yet to doubt the integrity of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office amid reported rigging of last Monday’s 6/55 Grand Lotto draw. In an interview aired on government-run radio dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said since the lottery is televised, “’yan ang ginawang safeguard para maipakitang maayos at walang nangyayaring kalokohan sa lotto draw.” When asked if PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II will be summoned, Valte said: “At this point, there is no reason to do that [last Monday’s draw].” Earlier, a photo posted on Filipino’s Patriotism’s Facebook page on Wednesday showed that nobody won the P249.8 million jackpot, while two – and not 25 – snagged the P169,410 pot for the five-digit lotto draw. The PCSO earlier said a bettor from Muntinlupa City who placed her bet in Makati City won the P249.8 million 6/55 Grand Lotto jackpot prize. “Pero sa hard copy na ibinigay sa amin ng isang reliable source ay walang nanalo ng jackpot? at maging ang sinasabing 25 naman sa premyong P169,410 ay dalawa lang ang nanalo base sa hard copy ng results…?” the caption of the controversial photo read. The photo has been shared more than 5,400 times as of posting time. However, Rojas said the zero winner indicated in the document refers to Visayas and Mindanao. “Hindi doon nanggaling ang lucky lotto outlet na nagbigay ng winning ticket. Ang ating winning ticket ay nanggaling dito sa Luzon,” he said. Read More …

Apr 212014
 
Filipino-American to host World Championship Robotics Competition

Courtesy of FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Facebook page LOS ANGELES, C.A.,  – We are pleased to announce that Filipino-American, Jojo Aguilar, is returning as the Master of Ceremony for the 2014 First (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri on April 23-26, 2014 at the Edward Jones Dome.  More than 10,000 high school students from around the globe will travel to compete their custom-built robots and put them to the test.    FIRST is non-profit organization which produces robotics competition around the world exposing students K-12 to  the exciting opportunities in science, technology and engineering fields through robotics. “After being the Master of Ceremony for the FIRST Robotics Los Angeles Regional Competition during the last five years and hosting the World Championships the last two years, being invited back to host another world championships is very exciting for me,” says Aguilar. “Jojo easily gained the respect and admiration of competing students and other event workers at the competition in an atmosphere of significant pressure,” says First Production Developer, Blair Hundertmark. First Robotics Competition combines sports excitement with the rigors of science and technology.  Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams are challenged to fundraise, design a brand, exercise teamwork and build and program robots to perform tasks against competitors. About Jojo Aguilar:  Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jojo Aguilar started as an Outreach Specialist for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory leading him to partner with Read More …

Apr 212014
 
Edison International Awards $1.2-M in scholarships to scholars

(Southern California Edison building) ROSEMEAD, Calif.– Congratulations to 30 high school seniors across Southern California Edison’s (SCE) service territory who have been named 2014 Edison Scholars, each winning a $40,000 scholarship offered by Edison International, parent company of SCE. The scholars live in or attend public or private high schools in SCE’s service area and plan to pursue college studies in the science, technology, engineering or math fields, also known as STEM. “Congratulations to these outstanding Edison Scholars,” said Janet Clayton, senior vice president of Corporate Communications for Edison International and Southern California Edison. “Edison International is committed to supporting students pursuing the science, technology, engineering and math fields, and we know that their talents will benefit our region and our future workforce.” Since 2006, EIX has awarded almost $4 million in scholarships to 460 students. Under the $1.2 million Edison Scholars Program, each student will be awarded a scholarship valued at $40,000 and paid over four years. Recipients may also be eligible for summer internships at SCE after completing their second year of college. Dependents of Edison International employees are not eligible for the Edison Scholars Program. More than 1,400 students applied for the scholarships, a 92 percent increase over the previous school year. Those offered Edison scholarships are:  Evelyn Batz, San Gorgonio H.S., San Bernardino; Javier Cuan-Martinez, Great Oak H.S., Temecula; Brenden Dickerson, John Muir H.S., Pasadena; Trevor Esparza, Saddleback Christian Academy, Mission Viejo; Berenice Estrada, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Los Angeles; Javier Evangelista, Roosevelt H.S., Los Angeles; Melissa Fiacco, Moorpark H.S., Moorpark; Edwin Gonzalez, Carson H.S., Carson; Tony Read More …

Apr 212014
 
Fil-Am elected mayor of Bellflower, California

Bellflower Mayor Sonny Santa Ines. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO • Sonny Santa Ines elected mayor by fellow city council members in Bellflower, in Los Angeles County • Vows to maintain city’s good public safety record and promote local economy • Has been active in city government for many years LOS ANGELES, California – Another Filipino has been elected to a key city council position in Southern California. Sonny R. Santa Ines, 60, was recently elected by his fellow members in the Bellflower City Council to become the city’s next chief executive. Bellflower is a quaint suburban city in Los Angeles County. Santa Ines was elected to the city council in March 2011, and his term as a council member will expire on March 2015. Santa Ines’ election as Bellflower mayor follows the election of another Fil-Am to the Sierra Madre City Council — Rachelle Pastor Arizmendi. “I entered public service to give back to my community where my family and I have lived for over twenty years. I felt very strongly that I can use my talent and enthusiasm to help improve the City,” Santa Ines told Asian Journal via email correspondence. According to Santa Ines, his priorities include maintaining and improving Bellflower’s good public safety record, promote economic development in the city’s economic corridors, and improve the quality of life of the city’s residents. Prior to being part of the city council, Santa Ines was appointed to the Bellflower Planning Commission, the Bellflower Town Center Design Review Committee, Bellflower Unified School Read More …

Apr 212014
 
Pamalakaya hits China incursions on Ayungin Shoal

Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:26 am | Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014 China was warned Thursday against trying to tow away the BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal, as this could be considered an attack against the Philippines and prompt the United States to defend the country in keeping with their Mutual Defense Treaty. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–The fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas, or Pamalakaya, has assailed China for violating Philippine sovereignty by insisting that Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Reef) and eight other rock formations in the West Philippine Sea belong to Beijing. Pamalakaya vice chair Salvador France yesterday asked the Chinese government to “respect the Filipino people’s legitimate claim over these islets and the body of water where they are located.” He said the rock formations are inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. France also asked Beijing to “demilitarize Ayungin Shoal and other areas occupied by Chinese military forces.” Chinese naval units “should also stop harassing Filipino fishermen trying to make a living in the West Philippine Sea,” France said. Aside from Ayungin Shoal, France was also referring to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Mischief Reef, McKennan Reef, Subi Reef, Gaven Reef, Johnson Reef, Cuarteron Reef and Fiery Cross Reef. Pamalakaya also slammed the United States for “meddling in the current row between the Philippines and China.” Washington has been “manipulating all South China Sea-related issues to effectively promote increased US military presence in the contested waters,” it said. For its part, the Philippine government is “consistently playing Read More …