Remains of Filipino seaman killed over iPad to arrive home on Black Saturday

 News
Apr 152014
 
Remains of Filipino seaman killed over iPad to arrive home on Black Saturday

By Matikas SantosINQURER.net 4:22 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The remains of a Filipino seaman who was killed by a robber in Honduras after he refused to give his iPad is set to be flown back home on April 19, Black Saturday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Tuesday. The Filipino was identified as Jaycob Escobedo Gaban, an assistant cook on board the ship Norwegian Pearl since October 2013. “He was shot and killed by a robber during a port call on the island of Roatan last April 7, 2014,” OWWA said in a statement. “Gaban was reportedly in a restaurant holding his iPad when a man tried to snatch it from him. He was shot when he resisted to give his gadget. The perpetrator was already arrested and is now in custody of the national police and special forces in Honduras,” it said. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has instructed OWWA to extend full assistance to the wife and daughter of the deceased seaman who are residing in Sorsogon, Bicol. “OWWA is ready to release the death and burial benefits due the family of Gaban, plus scholarship and livelihood grant to the children and the spouse,” OWWA said. According to records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there are 366,865 sea-based workers as of 2012. Follow Us Other Stories: Filipino in UAE dies from MERS Leland Yee smuggling case spurs review of exportation procedures Charity football for Read More …

OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

 News
Apr 152014
 
OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 1:52 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 DFA spokesman Charles Jose. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Tuesday all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East on the breakout of the deadly disease in the region that has claimed the life of a Filipino and affected five others. “We are advising all Filipinos not only in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but in the whole of Middle East to take precautionary measures against the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said in an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM. Jose, however,  told  OFWs to “remain calm” amid the spread of the deadly virus. He said OFWs should practice proper hygiene, frequent washing of hands,   follow advisories from health authorities, and those who experience any of the disease’s symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention. On Monday, the DFA confirmed the death of a Filipino from the deadly virus and the hospitalization of five others. “The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that one Filipino worker died on April 10 due to MERS, while five others remain under quarantine as a  precautionary measure,” Jose said. The Filipino fatality, according to him, was a paramedic whose identity has yet to be disclosed. “We withhold the name as per request by the family. We also have the name of the five Filipinos who are affected but their family also requested not to disclose their names,” he said. The five Read More …

PNR to limit trips Thursday, suspend ops Friday-Saturday

 News
Apr 142014
 
PNR to limit trips Thursday, suspend ops Friday-Saturday

The Philippine National Railways will have limited trips for its commuter trains on Maundy Thursday, and will suspend operations on Good Friday and Black Saturday. In an advisory, the PNR said this will allow its personnel to conduct much-needed maintenance on its trains and other facilities. “We will likewise take this opportunity, while our operations are suspended, to do some additional maintenance work for our trains and tracks,” said PNR general manager Engr. Joseph Allan Dilay. During the Holy Week, the PNR said it will have limited operations for its Metro Manila commuter service running the route between Tutuban and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. On Maundy Thursday, the PNR will have shorter operating hours and end operations at 7:30 p.m. It will suspend operations from Good Friday until Black Saturday, but will be back Easter Sunday but without the 5 a.m. first trip. Normal operations will resume on Monday. Dilay also said the PNR will provide additional manpower and facilities during the Lenten season to ensure security in its terminals and stations and inside the trains. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

SC: Half day for court employees on Wednesday

 News
Apr 142014
 
SC: Half day for court employees on Wednesday

Court employees will be sent home early on Wednesday in observance of the Holy Week. This was according to a work schedule advisory for the judiciary issued by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. “Work in all courts will only be up to 12 noon,” SC spokesman and Public Information Office chief Theodore Te told reporters. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are both regular holidays, while Black Saturday is a special non-working day. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News

OWWA promises aid to family of MERS-CoV fatality

 News
Apr 142014
 
OWWA promises aid to family of MERS-CoV fatality

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 10:09 am | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured that it will provide assistance to the family of the Filipino who died from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Monday that the Filipino, a medical worker in Al Ain, died after contracting the deadly MERS-Coronavirus (CoV) that has claimed 88 lives worldwide according to the latest figures of the World Health Organization (WHO). Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a statement Tuesday that she has instructed OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to provide full assistance to the victim’s family. Five other Filipino health workers were also infected and have been put in quarantine, according to the DFA. “Our people in the [Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi] are regularly sending us updates on the other Filipinos who have reportedly been in contact with the Filipino nurse before his death. The other co-workers, all nurses, are quarantined in a hospital and are under close observation,” Baldoz said. “We hope and pray that they will recover soon and that they will be safe from the killer virus,” Dimzon said in the same statement. The body of the Filipino who died is set to be cremated as soon as documents have been processed, OWWA said. According to records of the WHO, at least 212 cases of Read More …

Bangsamoro Basic Law draft submitted to Palace

 News
Apr 142014
 
Bangsamoro Basic Law draft submitted to Palace

Malacañang has received the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a measure which will formalize the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “In behalf of the OP [Office of the President], Usec Michael Frederick Musngi received from MILF panel chair Mohaqber Iqbal relevant documents pertaining to a draft bill on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said in a text message sent to reporters on Monday night. He did not, however, provide anymore details. But on Monday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte expressed confidence that the bill will stand legal scrutiny. The draft BBL, which was crafted by the 15-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission, was based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed late March. The Palace had said the Office of Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs will review the draft then submit it to Congress. It added it aims to have the BBL ratified by the end of the year or the first quarter of 2015.  Once approved by Congress, the BBL will be put through a plebiscite involving Mindanao provinces that want to be part of the Bangsamoro political entity. The Palace hopes to conduct the plebiscite by June 2016. —Kimberly Jane Tan/KG, GMA News

Pacquiao reclaims WBO welterweight belt, Bradley undefeated no more

 Entertainment
Apr 142014
 
Pacquiao reclaims WBO welterweight belt, Bradley undefeated no more

By Rod Mijares Manny Pacquiao connects with a left hook to wrestle back his World Boxing Organization welterweight championship belt from Timothy Bradley Saturday during their rematch at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, where Pacquiao won by unanimous decision. Photo: Benny Uy Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao reclaimed the WBO Welterweight championship belt from American Timothy Bradley in a rematch Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada via a unanimous decision. It was a vindication on Pacquiao as he was able to redeem himself in front of a pro-Pacquiao sold-out crowd at the Garden, 97% of whom voted that he is going to win the fight. Unlike his first fight when Bradley won via a controversial split decision, the Filipino won in a very convincing fashion vintage Pacquiao to the cheers of fans in attendance throwing punches in salvo from the start to finish controlling majority of the 12-round bout. Judges Michael Pernick of Florida and Craig Metcalfe of Alberta, Canada both scored 116-112. Judge Glenn Trowbridge from Nevada scored it 118-110 giving only round 4 and 5 to Bradley. Pacquiao connected 50 out of 219 jabs thrown while Bradley thrown more jabs at 287 but only connected 32 . The challenger connected 148 out of 344 power punches thrown while the defending champion only connected 109 out of 340 power punches thrown. Both Pacquiao’s feet lifted in the air in round 4 when Bradley hit him with a right. Fortunately, he landed in both Read More …

Work in courts up to noon on Holy Wednesday —Supreme Court

 News
Apr 142014
 
Work in courts up to noon on Holy Wednesday —Supreme Court

Work in all courts on Holy Wednesday will be up to noon only, the Supreme Court said Tuesday. In an advisory on its Twitter account, the high court said this was on orders of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. “Work in all courts (for Wednesday) will be only up to 12NN, as per instructions of the (Chief Justice),” the SC Public Information Office said. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are already considered regular holidays. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News

Disease threatens world’s bananas—UN

 News
Apr 142014
 
Disease threatens world’s bananas—UN

Cavendish bananas from Mindanao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO ROME—The United Nations warned on Monday of the potential “massive destruction” of the world’s $5.0-billion (3.6-billion euro) a year banana crop as a plant disease spreads from Asia to Africa and the Middle East. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said the TR4 strain of Panama disease, which has already hit tens of thousands of hectares in Southeast Asia, had been reported in Jordan and Mozambique. The disease is “posing a serious threat to production and export” of bananas, the fourth-most important food crop for the world’s least developed countries and a key revenue source for poor farmers, FAO said in a report. There is no cure for TR4, which particularly affects the Cavendish variety that accounts for 47 percent of world banana production—by far the biggest. The disease affects the trees but not the bananas themselves and the only solution is to cut down the trees, dig trenches between trees to prevent its spread and impose strict quarantine measures. Top producers in Latin America, including the world’s main producer Ecuador, have so far not been affected but FAO warned there was a “potential” risk. “I think it’s sheer luck. It’s not a question of whether it will arrive but when. There’s no prevention,” said Gert Kema, director of the banana research programme at Wageningen University in the Netherlands who manages the site panamadisease.org. Kema said the availability of bananas in Europe and the United States had not been affected by the Read More …

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