DOJ creates panel to probe perks for Bilibid ‘VIPs’

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
DOJ creates panel to probe perks for Bilibid ‘VIPs’

(DOJ building) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice has created a three-member committee to investigate the unauthorized hospitalization and other perks of so-called “high profile” inmates of the New Bilibid Prison, such as convicted drug lord Ricardo “Cha cha” Camata. Undersecretary Francisco Baraan has been named to head the committee created by Department Order No. 435 issued by Secretary Leila de Lima, who instructed that the probe should go beyond the case of Camata, who was allowed to check into the Metropolitan Medical Center last month, ostensibly because of a lung ailment, despite the lack of permission from the DOJ. “Said fact-finding committee shall be mandated to investigate the incident involving inmate Ricardo Camata, as well as validate and probe other similar recent incidents involving other high-profile inmates,” de Lima said in her order. The members of the committee are National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director for Intelligence Service Jose Doloiras and State Counsel Charles Cambaleza. During his “confinement,” Camata, who heads the Sigue-Sigue Sputnik gang, CCTV footage showed visitors, including starlet Krista Miller, entering the convict’s room. The scandal led to the relief of NBP warden, Superintendent Fajardo Lansangan and the 12 guards who escorted Camata to the hospital, acting NBP hospital chief Gloria Achazo-Garcia and Dr. Cecilia Villanueva, and Superintendent Gabriel Magan, head of the jail’s escort unit. Baraan’s committee has also been tasked to determine the administrative or criminal liabilities incurred by the jail officials in the Camata case, and to recommend measures to prevent a Read More …

BOC misses revenue collection goal in May

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
BOC misses revenue collection goal in May

A man arranges his peso bills inside a currency exchange shop Friday, Nov. 9, 2007, in Manila, Philippines. The dollar closed Friday at 42.795 pesos, where the peso rose to a new seven-year high on prospects of further U.S. interest rate cuts and likely increases in remittances from Filipinos overseas. (AP Photo/Pat Roque) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Customs missed its revenue collection target for May. Total revenues hit P28.81 billion in May, 11 percent higher than a year-ago but 18 percent less than its goal of P35.09 billion due to lower volume of importations. The BOC said the volume of imports fell nearly 7 percent in May from year-ago figures, due to reduced imports of crude oil and oil products; alcohol products; computers; electronic devices; industrial machinery; mineral products; as well as paper and pharmaceutical products. Cash collections, on the other hand, jumped 10 percent to P28.53 billion in May, as the average value declared by importers grew 24%. “Looking beyond the revenue target, our collection efficiency is improving as we enhance our reference valuation figures and improve enforcement of customs policies and procedures, surveillance and apprehension of smuggled goods. As we sustain process improvements, equip our people with better ICT tools and continue plugging sources of revenue leaks, we expect collections to become better,” Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said in a statement. For the first five months of the year, Customs revenues were up 20 percent to P146.07 billion. Total import volume reached 28 billion kilograms, Read More …

Fil-Am Chamber of commerce fundraiser reaches out to community

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
Fil-Am Chamber of commerce fundraiser reaches out to community

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC), one of the busiest and most active organizations in the county of 34 cities, will earmark proceeds of its annual golf tournament on July 16 at the at the Oak Creek Golf Club as it has done so for four years in a row to a community organization in support of its advocacy. In the effort to extend its reach out to the community as part of its avowed mission, FACCOC has maintained a strong cooperation with various professional and business organizations in the service of the community. This year’s recipient is Reach Out, a nonprofit group from the Inland Empire. The annual golf tournament has been one of the highlights of FACCOC in its calendar of events that draws the members together who share the same passion for the sport and serves as the only fundraising tool to raise needed funds to help the organization to fulfill its mission of helping the community. The golf tournament has been limited to only 144 players and offers the opportunity for the golfer-participants to win $1 million, $10,000 and $5,000 in a hole-in-one contest as well as in others contests that will put their skills to the test like putting and driving. Coordinating this year’s tournament are FACCOC President Rodolfo “Jun” Jao (949) 751-8268 and Felix de Leon (949) 413-7453. Meanwhile Reach Out is a non-profit organization which shares the same outreach philosophy of FACCOC that’s focused on “embracing communities, youth and families to strengthen the human Read More …

So health-tea!

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
So health-tea!

Unlike the Philippines, tea has long been regarded in countries such as Britain, China, Japan, and Indonesia as an elixir of good health, and with good reason.  Consumption of some teas may be protective against heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers; and it can boost immune function, improve mental alertness, and increase satiety, as some research suggests.  So, Filipinos may need to start steeping and sipping more tea if we want to be healthier! “If there’s anything that can confidently be communicated to the public, it’s the strong association of tea drinking with a lower risk of common chronic diseases, particularly heart disease, and the demonstration of that benefit through clinical trials,” says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, PhD, director of the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, and chair of the International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health, held in Washington, DC recently. The symposium spotlighted new evidence of the health benefits of tea, ranging from preventing osteoporosis to improving digestion.  Other new studies have recently linked tea consumption to lower incidence of some cancers and reduced risk of functional disability. Why is tea good for you?  All types of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, while varying in their nutritional profiles, contain antioxidant compounds called flavonoids.  “About one-third of the weight of the tea leaf is flavonoid, which is high, especially when you consider that they are accompanied by virtually no calories,” Blumberg explains.  “There are a lot of related Read More …

Learning starts with role playing

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
Learning starts with role playing

Welcome to play city: KidZania is a child-proportioned metropolis with over 100 role-playing activities where kids can learn about the inner workings of a city and explore different career options. MANILA, Philippines – Parents might want to rethink the amount of time they let their children role-play as teachers and doctors in their make-believe worlds because these might actually be building the foundation of their future careers. Renowned child education expert and De La Salle University-Manila professor Maricar Gustilo-de Ocampo, PhD revealed that role-play, the most prevalent type of play among children, can help kids adapt better to the world around them. “Play is the seed of learning,” said Dr. Gustilo-de Ocampo in her presentation about the importance of play in a child’s development during the Bulong Pulungan media forum organized by KidZania Manila at Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City.  “As the global leader in children’s edutainment, KidZania Manila is the ultimate role-play venue for kids, and come 2015, Filipino kids will have access to this innovative play corner,” said Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas, president and CEO of Play Innovations Inc., the local franchise owner of KidZania Manila. Dr. Gustilo-de Ocampo added that engaging in play reinforces the learning skills of children that they will find beneficial in the long run. “Kids build skills in essential development areas whenever they use their imagination during play,” said Dr. Gustilo-de Ocampo. She added that the cognitive, social, and academic abilities of the child are developed whenever they engage in pretend play or role-play. Lifestyle Read More …

Rising prices: Crisis in the making

 Economy
Jun 232014
 
Rising prices: Crisis in the making

Inflation figures released by the National Statistics Office for April have shown a much higher level compared to the 3.9 percent posted the previous month. While it’s true that this 4.1-percent increase is still within the projected band of between three to five percent that had been forecasted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), it should set off some worrying by our government. In recent weeks, prices of food (including rice, pork, beef and vegetables), electricity, and fuel have been rising. It’s been awhile since Filipinos have seen this kind of price instability of so many basic commodities at about the same time. And after having enjoyed a long period of relative stability in inflation rates, one can’t help fear that a bubble is just about to burst. Global trend The World Bank, too, has expressed concern about rising food prices in the global market which has been attributed to droughts in some parts of the world, political and economic stress in some major food producing countries, and the rising demand by China. In a recent report, the Bank said that world food prices increased by four percent from January to April compared to the same period last year, putting an end to relatively stable food pricing across the globe that started in August 2012. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Among the headliners in food products that saw increases were wheat and maize, which were up 18 and 12 percent, respectively, despite the bumper Read More …

Veteran patients learn to ride some waves this summer

 Entertainment
Jun 232014
 
Veteran patients learn to ride some waves this summer

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and Team RWB hold second annual Waves of Valor Surf Camp Waves of Valor Surf Camp with Team Red, White and Blue at Santa Monica Beach Lifeguard Tower 28.(photo courtesy of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System facebook page) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLAHS) and Team Red White and Blue will be holding the second annual Waves of Valor Surf Camp for Veterans. The aim of Waves of Valor is to assist Veteran patients in their reintegration into society through team building and social interaction. Surf camp participants include GLAHS patients who may have conditions ranging from Traumatic Brain Injury, hemiparesis, Post Traumatic Stress, and Substance Use Disorder.  Team RWB volunteers provide Veteran patients with an opportunity to learn how to surf through professional surfers, members of the community, and fellow Veterans. This year, Waves of Valor will be held on four different days; June 21st and August 9th in Santa Monica through Team RWB Los Angeles, and July 19th and September 27th in Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach through Team RWB Orange County.  These events will boast an attendance of 100 volunteers and patients per surf session.  “We are excited to continue our partnership with Team RWB to offer these surf camps to our patients.  This partnership is an excellent example of utilizing community resources to further GLAHS’s Patient Centered Care philosophy of providing a positive healthcare experience in a healing environment.  These surf camps are some of our most Read More …

Four Islamic militants captured in Philippines

 General
Jun 232014
 
Four Islamic militants captured in Philippines

Security forces have captured four members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippines, including one accused of the 2002 kidnapping of Christian missionaries who were later beheaded, police said Monday. It was the latest in a series of reported arrests of senior Abu Sayyaf men as operations against the group are intensified. Three of the four were arrested in a coastal village near the port city of Zamboanga on Mindanao island on Sunday night, said city police chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro. “We recovered from them documents of a plan to kidnap a local businessman and a son of a shipyard owner,” Casimiro said. “The plot was thwarted and we have heightened the security alert around the city,” he said. Earlier on the same day, Casimiro said combined military and police intelligence units arrested Sattar Sabtula, an Abu Sayyaf member involved in the 2002 kidnapping of a group of Jehovah’s Witness missionaries on the nearby island of Jolo, a rebel stronghold. Two of the missionaries were beheaded while four others were freed after months in captivity following ransom payments, police said. On June 11 Khair Mundos, listed as one of the “most wanted” terrorists by the US government which put a $500,000 reward on his head, was captured in a Manila suburb. A week later two of Mundo’s followers, who were linked to various kidnappings for ransom, were captured in Zamboanga. The Abu Sayyaf is a small gang of Islamic militants blamed for the country’s worst terrorist Read More …

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