THE PHILIPPINES is set to hold air service talks with Canada today and tomorrow to expand passenger traffic between the countries.
May 262014
May 262014
THE GOVERNMENT is considering increasing the capacity allocation for wind power projects under the feed-in tariff (FiT) program.
May 262014
A LOT has been said about tax burden, stifling tax rules, and tight Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) assessments. Many taxpayers believe that there’s already too much to bear in terms of the impact of taxes in the Philippines. In particular, for salaried employees, this is very much felt every payday, when they account for their meager take-home money, after being ripped by huge income tax deductions. For the individual investors alike, the weight of tax is felt when they see their corporations subjected to vast corporate income tax, in addition to the dividends tax that they have to pay when they earn their investment yield. Tie these to some recent confusing tax rules and unpredictably bizarre tax assessments, and we can imagine how a taxpayer in the Philippines would take a selfie of his face reacting to such situations.
May 262014
WORLD IS THEIR OYSTER Or soon it will be, as Oyster Bay and Ulugan Bay in Palawan province are being developed as a “mini-Subic” where the country’s two former US Coast Guard cutters will be based. Above, an outrigger carrying fishermen sails past a Philippine Navy vessel, one of many scattered on the bay fronting the West Philippine Sea. Oyster Bay is only 160 kilometers from the disputed Spratly Islands where China has been reclaiming Mabini Reef (Johnson South Reef) and building what appears to be an airstrip. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ OYSTER BAY, Palawan—There are no Americans here on Oyster Bay—only a handful of Navy officers and men, with their ships that are docked at this base called Naval Station Carlito Cunanan (NSCC). In fact, the Naval Forces West (Navforwest) denied talks that the US military is helping the Philippine Navy improve the physical structure of the Oyster Bay Navy Detachment or that it will be turned into a US naval station. “The development plan for Oyster Bay is being done by the Philippine Navy,” said Lt. Senior Grade Jonjoe Saquiman, Navforwest spokesperson, when asked about the rumors. The talk is that the Americans will be spearheading the Oyster Bay development after the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) is signed and the NSCC is possibly among the facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that will be shared with US troops and their vessels. Edca base AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista has said Oyster Bay is among his Read More …
May 262014
By Tetch Torres-TupasINQUIRER.net 1:00 pm | Monday, May 26th, 2014 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Two former senators who voted to kick the US military bases out of the Philippines in 1991 on Monday asked the Supreme Court to declare as unconstitutional the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca). At the same time, former Senators Rene Saguisag and Wigberto Tañada and several other petitioners also asked the high court to issue a restraining order against Edca’s implementation. Other petitioners include former UP President, Dr. Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo Jr., Dean Pacifico A. Agabin, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, Atty. Steve Salonga who is a son of former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga, lawyers Harry Roque, Evalyn Ursua and Edre Olalia, Dr. Carol Pagaduan-Araullo and Dr. Roland Simbulan, and former Representative Teddy Casiño of Bayan. In a 61-page petition, petitioners said the government cannot use the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the Philippines in justifying Edca’s implementation because the MDT has already been superseded by the 1987 Constitution which renounces war as a national policy. Petitioners added that Edca “also does not provide any substantial, long-term real benefit, much less distinct advantage or improvement in our position vis-à-vis the United States.” The Edca was signed last April. Critics say its signing was fast-tracked in time for the Philippine visit of US President Barack Obama in April. ‘Edca a magnet for war,’ says lawmaker Santiago confident SC will declare EDCA unconstitutional Follow Us Other Stories: Navy to hold anniversary at base facing West Philippine Sea TFC launches ‘Galing ng Filipino Dance Move Promo’ PH Consulate hiring for overseas voter registration Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free Read More …
May 262014
NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar – President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, arrives for the traditional group photo opportunity during the 24th ASEAN Summit Plenary at the Jade Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Center here last May 11. “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” is the theme for this year’s ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of a united ASEAN. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The implementation of martial law in Thailand after months of political disturbance will not hinder Southeast Asian countries from forming an integrated economy by 2015, a finance minister said Tuesday. “This is a necessary development probably there because they’ve had an impasse for quite a period already,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters on the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Investor Seminar in Makati City. “That shows you a march towards maturation of the members of the region,” he said, noting the process will only be a short time. On Tuesday, Thailand’s army announced the imposition of martial law “to restore order after six months of street protests that have left the country without a proper functioning government. The army, however, pointed out it is not a military coup, Reuters reported. What’s important in the ASEAN Economic Community is businesses continue working, Purisima said. “Politics can happen but at the same time business has its own rhyme,” he said. By 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will set in motion the creation of Read More …
May 262014
Thai Kingdom MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines on Tuesday raised its crisis alert in Thailand and advised Filipinos there to prepare for possible evacuation if necessary after the Thai military declared a nationwide martial law. Crisis Alert 2 was raised by Manila, which means Filipinos must refrain from undertaking non-essential movements, avoid public places and prepare for evacuation if needed, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told a press briefing. There is no travel ban to Thailand, Jose said, but unnecessary travel is discouraged. Only those Filipinos with existing contracts to Thailand will be allowed to return there for work. There are between 10,000 to 15,000 Filipino workers in Thailand. “The Philippine embassy in Bangkok has advised Filipinos to exercise extreme caution and vigilance, avoid travelling to rally sites and gatherings and to refrain from taking part in protests,” he said. Thailand’s military declared a nationwide martial law on Tuesday to restore order in the troubled Southeast Asian nation, which is functioning without a proper government since its Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine of her ministers were dismissed by the court on May for abuse of power. Thailand has been besieged by violent pro-Thaksin and anti-government protesters since November last year and dozens have been killed. So far, Filipinos there have yet to feel the effects of the martial law, said Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Garcia in an interview on “Balitanghali” on Tuesday. “Wala po kaming nakitang kakaiba. Dati na hong may military presence. Ngayon lang mas prominente sila, Read More …
May 262014
President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the 72nd commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 09, 2014). This year’s theme is “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago”. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III presided over the mass oath-taking of newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a ceremony in Malacanang on Tuesday. The Chief Executive was joined by AFP Chief General Emmanuel Bautista and Department of National Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta when he swore in the military officers at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang Palace. Leading the roster of the newly-promoted officers were Army Chief Hernando Iriberri, Air Force Chief Jeffrey Delgado, and Central Command Commanding General John Bonafos, all promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Also inducted into office were Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez, Rear Admiral Romeo Santiago Nebres, Commodore Enrico Juan Talon, Commodore Jorge Amba, Commodore Virgilio Garcia, Commodore Rafael Mariano, and Rear Admiral Antonio Habulan, Jr. Promoted to the rank of Major General were Virgilio Hernandez, Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, Jr., Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Silvino Alcabasa, Jr., Lysander Suerte, Oscar Lactao, Remigio Valdez, and Emeraldo Magnaye. Promoted to the rank of Brigadier General were Rafael Valencia, Martin Pinto, Wilson Leyva, Alexis Tamondong, Carlito Galvez, Jr., Eduardo Davalan, Dario Quindoza, Inocencio Mayangao, Elmer Pabale, Jose Tanjuan, Jr., Angelito de Read More …
May 262014
View of Angat Dam from San Lorenzo (Hilltop), Norzagaray, Bulacan. http://en.wikipedia.org/ MANILA (Mabuhay) – Despite rain in recent days, water levels at Angat Dam in Bulacan and other major dams in Luzon continued to fall, state hydrologists said Wednesday. PAGASA said that as of 6 a.m., only Ipo Dam (Bulacan) and Pantabangan Dam (Nueva Ecija) registered higher water levels compared to Tuesday. Angat Dam, which supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs, saw its water level go down to 177.44 meters from 177.69 meters Tuesday. Other dams whose water levels fell included: La Mesa (Quezon City): 77.74 meters from 77.8 meters Tuesday Ambuklao (Benguet): 740.7 meters from 740.86 meters Tuesday Binga (Benguet): 567.89 meters from 568.09 meters Tuesday San Roque (Pangasinan-Benguet): 236.45 meters from 236.55 meters Tuesday Magat (Isabela): 167.19 meters from 167.42 meters Tuesday Caliraya (Laguna): 286.38 meters from 286.79 meters Tuesday On the other hand, dams that saw their water levels increase from Tuesday were: Ipo: 99.67 meters from 99.66 meters Tuesday Pantabangan: 182.24 meters from 182.19 meters Tuesday. (MNS)
May 262014
Robin Padilla (MNS Photo) Action star Robin Padilla on Sunday confirmed that he will be playing Andres Bonifacio in an upcoming biopic of the Filipino hero. Padilla said playing the “Supremo” is a dream come true for him. “Dream role ‘yon lalo na para sa akin. Pagmamahal natin sa mahal na Pilipinas,” Padilla said on the sidelines of the 45th Box Office Entertainment Awards. The actor said he already met Bonifacio’s descendants. “Ang larawan na ito ay kuha sa loob ng tahanan ng kung saan nilitis ang Gat Andres Bonifacio. Ang mga kasama ko rito ay ang mga direktang kamag-anak ng Supremo. Ang kanyang mga apo at apo sa tuhod, kasama rin ang may-ari ng bahay at aming direktor EnZo at ang kanyang lakambini Rina,” Padilla posted on his Instagram account. Padilla said that he is still unsure who else will be in the movie. “Hindi ko alam kung sino ang lalabas na Gregoria del Pilar pero hindi (si Mariel),” he said, referring to wife Mariel Rodriguez, who accompanied him at Sunday’s awards night. (MNS)