‘Pork scam’ senators buck special courts

 News
Jun 252014
 
‘Pork scam’ senators buck special courts

The three senators accused of plunder in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam have all opposed a request by the Office of the Ombudsman for the creation of special courts that will exclusively handle criminal cases stemming from the mess. In a comment he submitted to the Supreme Court, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said creating special divisions of the Sandiganbayan would raise “equal protection” and “due process” issues as it departs from established rules, procedures, and practices of the Sandiganbayan. He also said that the “national magnitude” and complexities of issues involved in the case were not compelling reasons to create special divisions. “The three Sandiganbayan divisions to which the PDAF cases were raffled on 13 June 2014, are all capable to hear and try the PDAF cases, thus, obviating any need to create special divisions,” Estrada said. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, in a separate comment, said assigning special courts would “subvert the carefully crafted system” of raffling off cases, which he said was intended to ensure that members of the court that will preside over a case are and appear to be independent and impartial. “Considering the highly charged and biased environment prevailing in regard these cases, and that the request is made by the Ombudsman, the impression that may be created is that the Supreme Court has now joined the clamor for the condemnation and punishment of those involved in the so-called PDAF cases, including the accused in the case,” Enrile said. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Read More …

Philippines, Indonesia discuss border activities

 News
Jun 252014
 
Philippines, Indonesia discuss border activities

By Bong LozadaINQUIRER.net 8:38 pm | Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines—Strengthening its peaceful relations with each other, the Philippines and Indonesia discussed border activities of the two nations Wednesday in Davao City. Captain Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command, said the 33rd Philippines-Indonesia Vice Chairmen’s Conference was for peaceful resolutions for any tension that may arise in the borders. “The conference is another opportunity to further strengthen mutual commitment for a peaceful resolution of issues arising at the border of the two neighboring countries,” Caber said. He also downplayed any issues that the meeting touched topics about the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, saying the conference was purely between the Philippines and Indonesia. Last May 23, President Benigno Aquino III and Indonesian President Susilo Yudhoyono presided over the signing of a maritime border accord between the two countries. Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Chairman of the Philippine Border Committee, led the Philippine side of the conference with Laksma (Commodore) Raja Morni Harahap leading the Indonesian party. During the conference the two officials agreed upon the following: a joint Philippine-Indonesian search and rescue operations on the border seas, information sharing between the Philippine Navy Naval Operations Center and Indonesian Navy Command Control Center and between the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Operations Center and the Eastern Fleet Command of the Indonesian Navy, the expansion of activities between the two nations during humanitarian and disaster response, review the standard operating procedure on mandatory Read More …

PHL, US troops begin CARAT exercises

 News
Jun 252014
 
PHL, US troops begin CARAT exercises

Troops from the Philippines and United States will participate in the 20th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) joint military exercises on Thursday. The US Embassy in Manila on Wednesday said a US Navy task group that includes ships, aircraft, Sailors and Marines will take part in the exercise. Exercise events will occur in “several locations ashore and at sea including Subic Bay, San Antonio in Zambales, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Ternate.” “This year’s CARAT Philippines will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights.  Sailors and Marines will exchange best practices and share information with their Philippine Armed Forces counterparts during multiple professional exchanges and seminars ashore,” it said. The embassy added that civil action projects, community service events and band concerts would facilitate interaction with the local community. Previous CARAT exercises were held in Mindanao (2012), Palawan (2011), Subic Bay (2010 and 2013), Cebu (2009) and other locations. “As in years past, the sea phase will take place in international waters west of Subic Bay,” the embassy said. No relation to current events The embassy said CARAT, which promotes regional maritime cooperation with many participating navies, “is not in response to current events.” The Philippines is in the middle of a dispute with China over territories in the West Philippine Sea. The US supports the Philippines’ move to bring the matter up for arbitration before a United Nations tribunal. The embassy said the 2014 CARAT series began Read More …

PH frowns on new China map

 News
Jun 252014
 
PH frowns on new China map

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 6:59 pm | Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday frowned upon China’s new map encompassing West Philippine Sea, saying it heightens tension in the region. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it was “apparent that [the] move does not promote the cause of regional stability”. However, he said the government will pursue peaceful means in resolving the territorial dispute. “We reiterate our focus on diplomatic, political and legal options that will bring about the peaceful resolution of disputes on conflicting claims to maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a statement. Chinese news agency Xinhua first published the maps made by Hunan Map Publishing House, which marked China’s territory with ten dash lines drawn close to the coasts of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines’ islands of Palawan and Luzon. China has long been criticized by its neighbors for its “expansionist agenda,” prompting the Philippines and other claimants in South China Sea to seek international arbitration on the issue. RELATED STORIES China publishes new map China turning reefs into ‘artificial islands’ for ‘dominance’–expert Follow Us Other Stories: Philippines, Indonesia discuss border activities Filipina maids, other helpers being spied on in Singapore PH gets Singapore backing in sea dispute Filipino ex-sex slaves demand justice from Japan Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on Read More …

Filipina maids, other helpers being spied on in Singapore

 General
Jun 252014
 
Filipina maids, other helpers being spied on in Singapore

MANILA, Philippines—In Singapore, more employers are hiring private detectives to trail their maids. Such is the case of 27-year-old administrative assistant Shoba Devi, who got suspicious when her Filipina maid of a few months started chatting on the phone late at night. “Devi, who is single and lives with her father who is in his 60s, said: “I didn’t know if she had a boyfriend and I was worried for our safety if she brought her boyfriend home,” She said in a report by The Straits Times published on June 25. Last February, Devi hired a private investigator to check out on her maid during her days off. It turns out that the maid- who is in her 20s and married- had a Bangladeshi boyfriend. On her days off, they would eat out, shop and later check in a budget hotel. “I kind of expected her to have a boyfriend but I was shocked that she checked into a hotel with her boyfriend. What would happen if she got pregnant? So I sent her home,” Devi said. Devi spent S$2,500 or (US$2,002) for three days of monitoring her maid and she thinks it’s all worth it. The report said that private investigators charge about $1,000 (US$800) and S$4,000 (US$3,203) to track maids. The same report said that six investigators they interviewed all got regular assignments every month to track maids, and the demands double during June and December school holidays when families go on holiday and leave the maids at Read More …

Growth target seen in reach

 Economy
Jun 242014
 

THE ECONOMY could still achieve its growth target for this year despite a first-quarter slowdown, an economist and former Cabinet official yesterday said, banking on reconstruction activities, rising investor interest in Mindanao, and continued growth of remittances.

PNoy returns from 1-day working visit to Japan

 News
Jun 242014
 
PNoy returns from 1-day working visit to Japan

PNoy, Abe discuss territorial dispute with China . President Benigno Aquino III shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the start of their meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 24. The two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing territorial dispute with China in a bid to maintain peace in the region. AFP/Yuya Shino/Pool President Benigno Aquino III arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 early  Tuesday from his one-day working visit to Japan, radio dzBB reported. On his arrival, Aquino said his trip and discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were significant. Both countries had agreed to cooperate on tourism, car manufacturing, solving Metro Manila’s traffic problem, and support of the Mindanao peace process. Aquino also emphasized Abe’s support for the Philippines’ position on the territorial rows in the region’s seas. “Sa immediate na antas, isinusulong natin ang moratorium sa mga gawaing direktang nagdudulot ng tensyon. Sa intermediate naman, muli nating inilalatag ang panawagan para sa buong pagpapatupad ng ASEAN-China Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, or DOC, at ang agarang pagbubuo ng isang binding Code of Conduct, o isang isang binding COC. Sa final approach naman, naniniwala tayong bibigyang-linaw ng arbitration ang maritime entitlements ng lahat ng partido, na siya naman magiging matibay na basehan para maresolbahan ang maritime disputes para sa kapakanan ng lahat,” he said. “Ang paninindigan po natin: Magagawa natin ito sa patuloy na pagbubuklod at pagdadamayan, at sa pagpiling Read More …

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