Legarda proposes new ground for annulment

 General
May 282014
 
Legarda proposes new ground for annulment

Senator Loren Legarda recently filed a bill seeking to add one more ground for annulment—separation of the couple for at least five years. In her explanatory note of Senate Bill 2225 filed on May 14, Legarda said the measure would help expedite the tedious process of annulment as well as lower the backlog of cases besetting the lower courts. “Parties seeking annulment require legal counsel for assistance in filing petitions and substantiating claims. Hence, annulment is widely considered a lengthy, tedious, and financially exhaustive procedure,” Legarda said. “This bill addresses such concerns by providing an additional ground for annulment…This amendment likewise caters to those who cannot afford legal services by making litigation as simple and expedient as possible,” Legarda said. The bill seeks to amend Chapter 3 of Executive Order No. 209 otherwise known as the Family Code of the Philippines. Currently Chapter 3 of the Family Code identifies six valid grounds for annulment: Lack of parental consent Insanity Fraud Force, intimidation, or undue influence Impotence Sexually transmissible diseases Under SB 2225, “a marriage may also be annulled if the parties have been separated in fact for at least five years” provided that the parties “shall both be required to present affidavits or certifications from parents, children of legal age, and other relatives attesting to the fact of the separation period without prejudice to whatever documents the court may further require.” “The separation period is crucial as the ultimate expression of the couple’s desire for an annulment,” the bill states. Read More …

Economy disappoints

 Economy
May 282014
 
Economy disappoints

MANILA, Philippines  – The Philippine economy grew by 5.7 percent in the first quarter of the year, lower than the 6.5 to 7.5-percent full-year target set by the government. During the first quarter last year, the Philippine economy expanded by 7.7 percent, the highest quarterly growth rate achieved in the Aquino administration. This is a developing story.

Lower corporate tax rates: Another step towards global competitiveness

 Economy
May 282014
 

JUST last week, the Philippines hosted the 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia. It was attended by the host country’s leader, President Benigno Aquino III, as well as leaders of other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and over 600 delegates from business, finance and civil society.

At Bistro, sweet endings are made of these

 Entertainment
May 282014
 
At Bistro, sweet endings are made of these

Nothing caps a meal better than a decadent dessert. Whether hot or cold, these sweet treats from The Bistro Group of Restaurants — Krazy Garlik, TGIFriday’s, Watami, Flapjacks, Fish & Co. and Bulgogi Brothers — can make dining completely satisfying. Crema Catalana at Krazy Garlik Served on a ramekin dish, this Spanish-style creme brulee oozes with creamy, garlicky goodness as it’s topped not only with burnt sugar but roasted candied garlic as well. Get garlic- krazed, whether you choose their savory or sweet dishes, at Krazy Garlik Greenbelt 5,  Alabang Town Center, Newport Mall Resorts World and  Greenhills Promenade. Hot Fudge Chocolate Cake at Fish & Co. This warm chocolate cake is luxuriously smothered with  homemade  chocolate sauce served with vanilla ice cream.  What I love about this  dessert is that it’s not  overly sweet, it’s so moist, you can taste melted  chocolate bits. Have a taste and get hooked at Fish & Co Greenbelt 3,  SM Mall of Asia and TriNoma Mall. Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Maccha Tiramisu at Watami Tiramisu with a twist best describes Watami’s green tea indulgence — the maccha (green tea) tiramisu. The cream is layered upon a bed of ladyfinger biscuit crumbs topped with unsweetened maccha powder.  A perfect way to end a great meal at Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant at the Mall of Asia, Glorietta 2 and Shangri-La EDSA Plaza Mall. Banana Pecan Pancakes at Flapjacks Who can resist a moist and fluffy pancake? Not me, especially if it’s Read More …

Meralco seeks expansion in other areas

 Economy
May 282014
 
Meralco seeks expansion in other areas

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s top power distributor, is looking to expand its business in new areas within and outside its franchise area, its top official said. “We are looking for opportunities in new areas. We’re looking in the north Pampanga all the way to La Union,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said. He said the company is also eyeing the southern part of Luzon such as the Laguna area. “In the South we are looking (from) parts of Laguna where we’re not yet there to the Batangas (area),” Reyes said. Outside its franchise area, Meralco may also establish presence in the Visayas or Mindanao by acquiring a stake in existing distribution utilities or electric cooperatives (ECs). “As far as parts of Visayas and Mindanao, our objective is those areas where Meralco can be of value because we have the resources, we have the track record and we have the experience. Because if there are already utilities there, private distribution utilities or ECs doing a good job there, Meralco can contribute. In that way we can help improve the countryside, we help improve the communities because we observed that when we go to certain areas, other businesses follow,” Reyes said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Meralco has also signed an agreement with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for a 25-year agreement covering the power distribution facilities in the Cavite Economic Zone (CEB). The agreement will allow Meralco to operate and maintain the Read More …

Century Properties breaks ground for The Spire

 Economy
May 282014
 
Century Properties breaks ground for The Spire

MANILA, Philippines – Real estate developer Century Properties Group Inc. expects more than P8 billion in sales from its eighth and last upscale residential tower in its flagship mixed-development Century City in Makati. The listed property firm of the Antonio family broke ground yesterday for Century Spire, a 60-story upscale residential and office tower in collaboration with Studio Daniel Libeskind and Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio. “We’ve sold close to 67 percent of our units to date,” said Jose Roberto Antonio, Century Properties managing director and Century Spire project head. Antonio said Filipino and foreign buyers are taking advantage of the project’s prime location which is at the heart of modern Makati, stellar architecture, and modern design. Kristina Garcia, director for investor relations of Century Properties, said projected sales revenue from Century Spire is expected to reach P8.4  billion. Century Spire is a glass-clad high-rise tower that expands with an iconic crown. World renowned architect Daniel Libeskind created a design crescendo at the top of the tower by placing a glass-clad form between the two highest tower shafts. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “I am delighted to be part of a project destined to reshape Manila’s skyline and to make a bold and optimistic statement about the future of the Philippines,” said Libeskind, the master planner for the World Trade Center redevelopment in New York. “It is a privilege to work with a visionary like Daniel Libeskind. Together with Armani/Casa, he will set the bar even higher Read More …

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