PRICES of many farm products sold in trading centers nationwide were stable in the first seven days of this month from the previous week, with only vegetables showing increases, according to data dated June 6 that were posted on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Web site.
FLAG FLIES HIGH on Philippine territory as troops proudly salute at flag-raising rites on Pagasa Island during the country’s 116th Independence Day celebration on Thursday. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHILIPPINE NAVY The Philippines has filed a new diplomatic protest against China over its land reclamation on McKennan (Hughes) Reef in the Spratly group of islands, which is indisputably within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson, said the foreign office lodged the protest sometime last week. But he could not say how China responded to the latest note verbale. The Chinese Embassy in Manila had immediately rejected all previous Philippine protests in relation to the South China Sea dispute. Filed last week “We filed the protest last week. The reclamation there was confirmed first,” said Jose. He said the Philippines continues monitoring to confirm what appeared to be similar Chinese activities on Gavin (Gaven) Reefs and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef, also in the Spratlys, which President Aquino and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario bared on Thursday last week, expressing concern over Beijing’s “aggressive expansion agenda” in the disputed waters. China is also known to be undertaking similar activities on Malvar (Eldad) Reef. Jose said the Philippines would “definitely lodge a similar protest” against China once it is confirmed that it was reclaiming land in these territories. Jose could not say whether last week’s diplomatic protest was filed before or after the top officials made public the surveillance information on Chinese activities Read More …
Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Daniel Bosio (Photo courtesy of http://ffemagazine.com/) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The arraignment of Italian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Daniel Bosio was set on June 18, 2014 at 1 p.m. This was after the Biñan City, Laguna Regional Trial Court (RTC) found probable cause in the cases of three counts of violation of Section 10-b of Republic Act No. 7610, or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, and three counts of violation of Section 4 of RA No. 10364, or the “Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012”. The cases were filed by the Binan City Prosecutor’s Office against the foreign ambassador. According to Biñan City Chief Prosecutor Agripino Baybay, Biñan City RTC Branch 22 Presiding Judge Theodoro Solis has issued a commitment order directing the Binan City Philippine National Police (PNP) to transfer Ambassador Bosio back to the Binan city jail. Bosio was rushed to a hospital in Makati City after complaining of chest pains and difficulty in breathing. The Italian ambassador was arrested by the Biñan City PNP due to a complaint of alleged molestation committed against three children of minor age while he was on vacation in the country in April this year. (MNS)
President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Opening Ceremony of the 2013 Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON 2013) at the 3rd Floor, SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premiere in Davao City on Thursday (March 07, 2013). The MICE Conference is a prestigious gathering of key players in the travel and tourism industry. The conference will provide the Host an opportunity to showcase its destinations to approximately 400 stakeholders in the tourism industry comprised of: travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, resort owners, professional congress/ exhibition/event organizers, association/corporate executives, destination management companies, airline representatives, local government officials, academe, students and the media. In photo are Senator Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (MNS Photo). MANILA (Mabuhay) – Whether in jail or free, congressmen who are linked to the pork barrel scam will still get their salaries and full benefits. Speaker Sonny Belmonte said the House of Representatives does not have rules that automatically suspend congressmen who are charged with plunder. He pointed out that Senator Antonio Trillanes received his salary and full benefits even while in jail for rebellion charges. Belmonte said lawmakers linked to the pork barrel scam of Janet Lim Napoles will remain members of the Lower House even if they are arrested, as long as they are not convicted. Congressmen who are accused of plunder but are allowed to post bail can return to the chamber and continue with their duties, he said. Napoles earlier listed down the names of 100 congressmen who Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence at the Plaza Quince Martires in Naga city, Camarines Sur on Thursday (June 12, 2014). This year’s theme is “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Ma. Leonor Robredo and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Maria Serena Diokno. (MNS photo) MANILA, June 12 (Mabuhay) – The wife of the late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was given a national platform in President Benigno Aquino III’s Independence Day program at her district in Naga, Camarines Sur. Leni Robredo, a neophyte district representative in the 16th Congress, was tapped to speak before President Aquino’s own speech. She is supposedly being groomed for a national position in the 2016 elections by the administration Liberal Party. Robredo encouraged everyone to be a hero. “Noon pong nabubuhay pa ang aking asawang si Jesse, madalas niyang sabihin: ‘Upang magtagumpay ang ating bayan, nawa’y gawin nating bayani ang karaniwang mamamayan.’ Panahon na po upang gawin nating bayani ang ating mga sarili.” Robredo pointed out that the heroes of Bicol, the 15 martyrs after whom the venue of today’s Independence Day rites was named, became heroes when they chose to put the interest of their fellowmen above their own. “Ngayong araw, hayaan niyo po akong sabihin na hindi ipinipilit ang Read More …
Fashion blogger Ashley Dy also gives pointers on how to start a blog.
DFA spokesman Charles Jose. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Blog posts promoting discrimination against Filipinos in Singapore is isolated and that Filipinos remain an important part of the city-state economy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday. “Our compatriots there know they are important to the eyes of the Singaporean government and their contributions to the Singaporean economy have been recognized,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose told reporters in response to questions about discrimination in the country. “Those kinds of attitudes are likely isolated to a small number of Singaporeans who don’t have the full appreciation or understand of the role of Filipinos there,” he said. A blogger said in a post on May 24, 2014 that “Filipinos have long overstayed their welcome, and they must be advised in no less clearer terms that we are growing intolerant of their presence.” The blogger, who did not identify himself, gave suggestions on how to express displeasure against Filipinos such as: refusing to talk to Filipino service workers and asking for a Singaporean instead and “pushing or nudging” them “when the Peenoise get rowdy or obviously do not observe basic social decorum.” He also recommended not helping any Filipino involved in a serious accident and to make a mess when eating at Jollibee or any Filipino themed restaurant. “Toss food into your mouth, chew thoroughly, then spit it out. Bite another morsel and repeat. Do this till your plate is a masterpiece of regurgitated nastiness. Ask for the bill (pay in cash), scribble ‘Pinoy food fucking tastes like shit’ on Read More …
By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 7:14 pm | Friday, June 13th, 2014 Department of Foreign Affairs building INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) processed a record number of absentee voters in the first month of the overseas voting registration (OVR) for the 2016 presidential elections. “Philippine Embassies and consulates processed a total of 18,631 new overseas registered voters,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a press conference Friday. “The figure is 111 percent higher than the OVR for the 2013 senatorial elections and 64 percent higher than the 2010 presidential elections,” he said. The registration for overseas voting is being done by all 84 foreign service posts of the DFA all over the world. Registration will last until Oct. 31, 2015. The Overseas Absentee Voting Act was passed in 2013 and was first implemented during the 2007 senatorial elections. RELATED STORIES 2016 national elections: Overseas absentee voter registration begins Consulate sends out notice for registration of overseas absentee voters All about overseas absentee voting Follow Us Other Stories: PH files new protest vs China’s reclamation project in McKennan reef Parangal to showcase Ta’u Sug artistry in San Francisco ethnic dance fest San Francisco mayor hoists PH flag at City Hall to mark Independence Day Sea rise will bring floods to parts of Silicon Valley 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 your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Read More …
Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. at the 1st Annual Inaugural Filipino American Visionary Awards – Arrivals held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The event took place on Friday, March 7, 2008. Photo by: Sthanlee B. Mirador MANILA, June 12 (Mabuhay) — “Sorry if I didn’t please you.” This was Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.’s message to Filipinos who criticized on the Internet his privilege speech and audio-visual presentation at the Senate last Monday. In an interview on Wednesday, Revilla said he delivered a speech and sang an original song just to thank his supporters as he faces plunder charges and impending arrest in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. “Sinabi ko kung ano ang nasa puso ko, iyong pasasalamat sa sambayanang Pilipino, at iyon naman ang pinakamahalaga. Alam naman natin ang patutunguhan nito,” Revilla told reporters. “Kung mayroon man akong hindi napaligaya sa aking privilege speech, tayo ay humihingi na paumanhin sa kanila. Iyong awitin na iyon ay hinandog ko sa 20 milyong katao na sumuporta sa akin,” he added. Revilla, in his speech on Monday, said he is ready to face arrest and detention. He also dared President Benigno Aquino III to solve start solving the country’s problems after going after those allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam. Before ending his speech, Revilla showed an audio-visual presentation, which used his original song entitled “Salamat Kaibigan.” ‘I am a good sport’ On Tuesday, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Malacañang agrees with the “overwhelming” negative reaction Read More …
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence at the Plaza Quince Martires in Naga city, Camarines Sur on Thursday (June 12, 2014). This year’s theme is “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Ma. Leonor Robredo and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Maria Serena Diokno. (MNS photo) NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur, June 12 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has called on Filipinos to relive the spirit of heroism that spurred the revolution against Spanish colonialism more than a hundred years ago. In his message during the 116th anniversary celebration of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, the President said the sacrifices of Filipino heroes must be recognized and must serve as an inspiration, as the country pursues the righteous path that the administration champions. “Bilang mga tagapagmana ng kalayaang ipinaglaban ng mga nauna sa atin, tungkulin po ng bawat isa sa ating hindi na hayaang bumalik ang ating bansa sa dati nitong kalagayan; ang hindi na muling magbunsod ng mga panibagong sakripisyo sa maraming Pilipino,” he said during the ceremony held at Plaza Quince Martires here Thursday. With this in mind, the government continues to carry out major projects that will improve the conditions of the people in the Bicol region, he said, giving as an example the Read More …