HAMBURG — A group of animal feed makers in the Philippines has purchased about 120,000 metric tons of soymeal in a tender for the same volume which closed last week but made no purchase in a tender for 134,500 MT of feed wheat, European traders said on Tuesday.
DAVAO CITY — Cacao farmers in this city are cashing in on fermented dried cacao beans, whose price is about one-third more than that of beans dried traditionally.
In any sport, winning is not necessarily everything. In boxing, winning can be worse than losing. “After you win a fight that people think you didn’t deserve, instead of coming out to the public walking tall, you come out with your face down, hoping nobody reminds you of that moment. It’s an ugly feeling,” said Joel Diaz, trainer of Timothy “Dessert Storm” Bradley who won a controversial split decision victory against Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao on June 9th, 2012. “Tim and I talked about that night and I said to him ‘Tim, if we lost that fight, it would have been better. Because people would say you fought twelve rounds with Manny Pacquiao and he didn’t hurt you. That would’ve been better than people approaching you, attacking you, insulting you.’ I’ve been out with my family and my kids and people approach me and insult me as if we stole something valuable,” Diaz said. It was suppose to have been a glorious moment in Bradley’s boxing career – ending Pacquiao’s 15-bout winning streak and the 8-division world boxing champion’s dominance in the welterweight division. But the controversy put a dark cloud over the victory. “It affected him really bad to the point where he didn’t want to go anywhere. He didn’t want to see anybody, only his family. It got really bad to the point where I came to visit him one day and he’s in his house, in a wheelchair and I see the frustration in his face. It Read More …
Japan Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. AFP file photo MANILA, Philippines—Japan, which is facing similar security issues with China, has reaffirmed its support for the Philippine recourse to international arbitration over its dispute with Beijing involving territories in an area of the South China Sea, called the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines, citing its basis in international law. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has conveyed his government’s support for the Philippines’ filing of a case before a UN tribunal to settle its dispute with China as he reiterated Tokyo’s advocacy of the rule of law, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. “Referring to the Philippines’ submission of its memorial in furtherance of the arbitration proceedings it has initiated relative to South China Sea/West Philippine Sea issues, Minister Kishida reiterated Japan’s support for the Philippines’ effort to seek a resolution grounded on international law, which is consistent with Japan’s own rule of law advocacy,” the DFA said. Kishida met with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario for talks at the former’s residence in Hiroshima on April 11. Hiroshima, which bounced back from the devastation wrought by an atomic bomb in 1945, hosted the 8th ministerial meeting of the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI). The 12-nation regional grouping of ministers was formed in 2010 with the goal of a “world free from nuclear weapons” through advancing nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament processes, the DFA said. The Philippines joined the initiative in September last year. Bilateral cooperation During the meeting, Kishida Read More …
By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 6:32 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 Department of Foreign Affairs building INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday that it has granted visa-free privileges to seven countries allowing their nationals to enter Philippines for 30 days. “Effective today, April 15, nationals of seven (7) additional countries will now enjoy visa-free privilege to enter the Philippines for a period of stay of 30 days,” DFA said in a statement. “These countries are Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan,” it said. The granting of visa-free privilege is seen to promote tourism and investments from the countries. “The [countries] have been emerging as key players in the international economic community and which have growing bilateral ties with the Philippines,” DFA said. “The DFA fully supports national efforts to attract more tourists and potential investors to the Philippines. In particular, the DFA, through its various embassies and consulates abroad, has been playing an active role in helping the Department of Tourism reach its target of 10 million foreign tourist arrivals by 2015,” DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, said in the statement. The DFA also announced that it has removed the visa-free privilege of Somalia putting back the need for Somalis to apply for a visa at Philippine Embassies or consulates. A list of all countries with visa-free privilege, now numbering 157, is available at the DFA website at https://www.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/site-administrator/visa-information. RELATED STORY Visa-free entry for Indian nationals Follow Us Other Stories: Japan mulls no Read More …
Manny Pacquiao lands a left hand to the head of Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 12, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines united in celebration on Sunday as its boxing hero Manny Pacquiao cemented his comeback by avenging his 2012 loss to American Timothy Bradley to regain the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title. Crowds watching the fight, which was broadcast live from Las Vegas in several parks, squares and public stadiums around the archipelago, erupted in cheers as Pacquiao was declared winner in a unanimous 12-round decision. “The people of the nation are united in cheering on the victory of the nation’s fist, Congressman Manny Pacquiao. He is the symbol of the excellence of the Filipino in all endeavors,” said President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma shortly after the victory. He said Pacquiao’s latest victory was symbolic of the way Filipinos can recover from the worst disasters, an apparent reference to Super Typhoon Haiyan and the earthquake that struck the country last year, killing thousands. Street sweeper Fernando Baque 52, one of the thousands who watched the fight on a giant screen in a park in suburban Manila, said: “I was happy to see him win. He can still take it. He isn’t that old. He really controlled the fight. His punches really rocked Bradley. “He shouldn’t retire yet. The country still needs him,” he told AFP. Questions about whether Pacquiao had grown too old to fight surfaced Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the security arrangements and facilities at the domestic departure area, Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City on Thursday (October 31) to ensure the safety of the passengers during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day following the launching of DOTC’s Undas 2013 “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe.” (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – After the country regained the much-coveted Category 1 status from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Malacañang on Saturday assured the public that the government will ensure that the Philippine aviation upgrade will be sustained. In an interview aired on government-run dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the FAA will observe the country for the next two years “at sisiguraduhin na magiging mahigpit ‘yung ating pagsubabay doon sa mga guideline.” “Sinisigurado din naman po ng ating pamahalaan na hindi na po tayo magkaroon ng mga SSC, or ‘yung tinatawag po nilang Significant Safety Concern. So, may dalawang taon po tayo para ipagpatuloy po ‘yung ating mga hakbang at masiguradong hindi na po tayo mabalik sa Category 2,” she added. On Thursday, the FAA said the Philippines has complied with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). “With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, the Republic of the Philippines’ air carriers can add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of US carriers,” it said. It said the return to Category 1 status is Read More …
Freddie Roach: “We are training for big game in this fight. Manny (Pacquiao, left) knows he is going to have to hunt Bradley down and close the show this time. The first fight with (Timothy) Bradley was so easy for Manny that after six rounds he just took it easy on him. Not this time. Our Mantra is ‘Close the show. No mercy.” MANILA (Mabuhay) – A day after he regained his WBO welterweight title, boxing champ and congressman Manny Pacquiao still faces a tough fight against Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares. Henares once again reminded Pacquiao to settle his previous tax deficiency, which has now ballooned to an estimated P2.6 billion due to interest. Pacquiao’s tax deficiency was assessed at P2.1 billion as of December 2012, after the BIR discovered that he has not been paying income taxes in the Philippines on his winnings for his previous fights in 2008 and 2009. “As of December 2012, P2.1 billion. Pero may 2013, so 20% (interest) pa yan. Ngayon April, may 6.67% (interest) pa. So tumatakbo na yan… So yun P2.1 billion, madaragdagan ng P26.67% (interest). Estimate lang around P2.65 billion na (tax deficiency),” she said. During the boxing champ’s visit to the BIR last year, Henares said they discussed how he can settle his tax deficiency. “Alam niyo ho, bumisita siya sa amin last year. Sinabi namin kung ano puede niyang gawin but since bumisita siya, wala ho ulit kaming communication,” she said. Last January, Pacquiao paid Read More …
SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Hayden Kho Jr. (MNS Photo) SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Hayden Kho Jr. and Dr. Vicky Belo finally made peace to each other during their spiritual trip to the Holy Land, Israel. Kho surprised his Instagram followers when he posted a photo with Revilla with a caption: “But this is really the most amazing part of the trip – a miracle. No judgments please and no sour comments. All heavens rejoice for another soul pledged for Christ.” He also shared a verse from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Kho, Revilla and his wife Cavite Representative Lani Mercado and Belo, meanwhile, were in one photo, smiling. Belo posted the picture with the majestic pyramids of Egypt as background. Belo said the reconciliation was a good way to start the Holy Week. “I’ve spent the last 2 weeks following Jesus footsteps which made him even more real to me. I know I can never thank Him enough for what He’s done for me but I will spend the rest of my life TRYING to live a life pleasing to God,” she added. Revilla and Belo’s friendship was tainted when the actor-turned-politician led the Senate investigation on Read More …
INQUIRER.net 5:16 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – Talks are underway to finally lift the tough visa requirements for Filipinos to visit Japan, a report said Wednesday. Kyodo News reported that the Japanese government and its ruling coalition “are making arrangements” to waive the visa requirements for its visitors from Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. The lifting of the visa is part of the country’s “revised action plan due in June to make Japan a tourism-oriented country,” Kyodo News said quoting government sources. The measure also aims to increase Japan’s annual tourist arrivals to 20 million as the country prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the report said. The Japanese Embassy in Manila has yet to confirm the report. Japanese visa is known to be among the toughest to get for Filipino tourists in light of Japan’s strict requirements and screening process. The Japanese government has eased its visa policy for Southeast Asian countries last year by only issuing multiple-entry tourist visas to Filipinos. Previously, multiple-entry visas only cater to those visiting Japan due to commercial reasons, artists and specialists (athletes, professors and government officials), and immediate family members of Japan residents. RELATED STORY Japan now issuing multiple-entry visas to Filipinos Follow Us Other Stories: South Korea, Japan to hold talks on comfort women Hiroo Onoda: Hero or villain? US to China: We will protect Philippines Japan envoy apologizes to PH for WW2 Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; Read More …