Cardinal Quevedo condemns ISIS persecution of Christians, minorities in Iraq

 News
Aug 252014
 
Cardinal Quevedo condemns ISIS persecution of Christians, minorities in Iraq

By Jocelyn R. Uy |Philippine Daily Inquirer 9:58 am | Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo. Photo courtesy of CBCP News MANILA, Philippines–Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo joined the international community in condemning the barbaric actions by the jihadist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighting in strife-torn Iraq. Over Church-run Radio Veritas, Quevedo expressed support Monday for the worldwide condemnation of the persecution of Christians and minority groups there. “I think I would neglect my duty as a religious leader not to condemn the situation in Iraq as created by this fundamentalist radical group,” said Quevedo, who has been known for his peace advocacy in Mindanao. He added that “the time to use religion in the name of religious hegemony is long past the dialogue in the name of peace.” Earlier, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Socrates Villegas urged all members of the Church hierarchy to offer all Masses on Aug. 18 for peace in Iraq. This was in response to the call of Pope Francis for all the faithful of the Church across the globe to raise a voice of ceaseless prayer for the restoration of peace in Iraq and Syria. The extremist group has seized control of several areas in the two Middle Eastern countries and persecuted Christians and other minorities residing there. The group has also driven Christians away from Mosul by threatening to kill them if they continued to stay in the area without converting to Islam. Read More …

Peacekeepers coming home in 2-3 months

 News
Aug 252014
 
Peacekeepers coming home in 2-3 months

In March 8, 2013, file photo, a UN peacekeeper from the Philippines UNDOF force crosses to Syria at the Quneitra Crossing between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The pullout of more than 400 Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia and the Golan Heights may take two to three months, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. AP MANILA, Philippines–The pullout of more than 400 Filipino peacekeepers from Liberia and the Golan Heights may take two to three months, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “It may take two to three months to complete the process,” DFA spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose stated on Monday. Malacañang had said over the weekend it was ordering the repatriation of the Filipino soldiers serving as peacekeepers for the United Nations in the Golan Heights in the Middle East and Liberia in West Africa. The government was forced to pull the troops out due to security and health concerns. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario had said 115 soldiers in Liberia were being recalled because the Ebola virus outbreak “has the potential of being catastrophic.” Top defense and military officials on Monday defended the decision to pull out the 332-strong Filipino peacekeeping mission from the Golan Heights, saying the security equation in the Israeli-occupied territory had changed. Not abandonment  Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin stressed the decision was not an abandonment of the Philippines’ commitment to the UN Disengagement Observer Force since the pullout process would only start in October when the Filipino troops’ five-year Read More …

Fil-Am history conferees celebrate ‘togetherness’

 News
Aug 252014
 
Fil-Am history conferees celebrate ‘togetherness’

New York FANHS delegates at San Diego conference FACEBOOK PHOTO SAN DIEGO, California–Some 500 Filipino American history buffs, activists and academics convened July 31 to August 2 at the Kona Kai Hotel and Resort in Shelter Island for the Filipino American National Historical Society’s 2014 conference. Of special attention was the Wednesday evening memorial tribute to FANHS co-founder “Uncle” Fred Cordova who passed away peacefully at 82 on December 21, 2013. The conference theme was KAPWA: Moving Forward in Unity, with kapwa, meaning “togetherness,” as the “core construct” of Filipino psychology. Kapwa refers to community; not doing things alone. Plenary Keynote speakers and programs,= included, Dr. Leny Strobel, Ret. Army Major General Antonio Taguba, Dr. Connie Mariano, and the screening of “Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the UFW” with filmmaker Marissa Aroy, Assemblyman Rob Bonta and Johnny Itliong. A cross-generational spread of participants and topics was apparent in the panels, workshops and roundtables, all reflecting the Filipino experience in America, from the first Filipino American organization founded in New Orleans to the “Empire of Funk: Hip Hop Representation in Filipina/o America.” Remie Estepa Brown, a founding member of the first Filipino American student organization (1971) at San Diego State University, MATAPANG, a first time FANHS conference attendee felt that it was so important to be able to disseminate the history of Filipinos. She recalled the role of MATAPANG in visiting the UFW manongs in Agbayani Village, starting the community based San Diego Project Bayanihan and an early 1970s controversial  “Miss Read More …

Fil-Am star Ellona Santiago upbeat after ‘X Factor’ stint

 News
Aug 252014
 
Fil-Am star Ellona Santiago upbeat after ‘X Factor’ stint

SAN FRANCISCO, California—Fil-Am singer Ellona Santiago instantly became the pride of Filipinos worldwide after her solo debut on the Fox Channel hit music television competition, “X Factor.” Her passion for music, upbeat performances and strong vocals gained her international attention as she worked her way deeper into the competition. But this teen singing sensation did not happen over night.  Her music abilities have been honed since she could barely walk. “I’ve been singing since I was about two-and-a-half years old. I would perform at various events like birthdays, weddings and fiestas,” Ellona recalls. “My dad was actually the one who has been with me from the start. He would always play songs on our stereo machine and everywhere we go so I would listen to it and one day I started to sing through our karaoke machine. My family thought I could read but I really just memorized the song.” The “X Factor” stage was no mystery to Ellona, who had competed previously. Taking a big step and moving into a solo career, she competed for the second time and won the hearts of not only the audience, but judges as well.  Her time on “X Factor” has given her the experience, exposure and opportunity to further her music and move towards a more serious singing career. “I’ve always been so passionate with music especially because my whole family is musically inclined,” Ellona explains. “I’ve always wanted to inspire others through my singing and performance. My favorite part is actually performing Read More …

Fil-Am, 10 others appeal for deportation deferral

 News
Aug 252014
 
Fil-Am, 10 others appeal for deportation deferral

• Homeland Security chief vows to take a ‘hard look’ at request • Group launches drive to ‘humanize’ immigration debate   Jose Antonio Vargas WASHINGTON, DC — Prominent Filipino journalist and activist Jose Antonio Vargas and 10 other undocumented immigrants on Wednesday, August 20 appealed for deportation deferrals and the inclusion of most of the 11 million undocumented immigrants in any executive action to reduce deportations. In a letter to Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, the 11 who came from across the nation asked for deferred action to allow them to stay in the country “we call home.” Vargas, and the 10 others outlined their case during a press conference Wednesday at the National Press Club and made a personal appeal to President Barack Obama to “administer relief” for similarly situated immigrants “who are integral members of our evolving American community.” Apart from the 33-year-old Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and filmmaker, the 10 others are Erica Aldape, 24; Maria Guadalupe Arreola, 55; Felipe Jesus Diosdado, 35; Maria del Rosario Duarte Villanueva, 54; Michaela Graham, 52; Noemi Romero, 23; Eduardo Sanmiego, 22; Yestel Velasquez, 38; Aly Wane, 37; and Jong-Min you, 34. Unique story to tell Each one has a unique story to tell: a 54-year-old Mexican woman in rural Alabama who is caring for three grandchildren after their parents were deported; a son of a former UN diplomat who has lived in the U.S. for 25 year since he was eight, getting his education and working in the country; Read More …

More suggestions on traffic from readers

 Economy
Aug 252014
 
More suggestions on traffic from readers

We received quite a number of letters from readers commenting on the topic of the last column. So while the iron is still hot, let’s strike with a few of them. Read on. This one is from Rene Moral. He wrote: “Before any of your suggestions are adopted and implemented, what can be done is to identify intersections that contribute to traffic gridlock because undisciplined drivers block rather than keep these open. “There are even ignorant MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority)traffic enforcers who allow vehicles to block intersections. Boni Serrano corner Katipunan Road is a classic example. “The vital intersections should be manned by properly trained traffic cops from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.: the first shift responsible for managing traffic from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the second shift, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. “The names of the traffic officers on duty must be conspicuously posted where motorists can easily see these so complaints can easily be lodged against them should they abandon their posts or if they “misbehave” (extort from drivers). Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “It would be best if CCTV cameras connected to the MMDA headquarters are installed which are focused on how the traffic officers on duty are managing traffic conditions at any given time so MMDA officials will know who is doing his job properly and who is not. “We see a lot of MMDA traffic officers standing by the side of the road waving at motorists. Instead Read More …

PLDT broadband base breaches 1-M mark

 Economy
Aug 252014
 
PLDT broadband base breaches 1-M mark

MANILA, Philippines – Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has breached the one-million mark in broadband subscribers as of end-June, its top executive said. PLDT president and CEO Napoleon Nazareno said the continued expansion could be traced to the company’s integrated approach through which various fixed line and wireless services are deployed providing a range of high-quality voice, data and multimedia services to customers.  “In this highly competitive business, it is heartening to know that majority of the broadband market appreciate our products and services,” Nazareno said. The biggest contributors to wired revenues were PLDT Home Fibr and PLDT Home DSL with a combined 20 percent revenue increase. PLDT Home added nearly 100,000 new wired broadband subscribers, posting double-digit growth in the first six months compared to the same period last year. “Our growing broadband subscriber base will continue to increase as we move rapidly to the digital age where people are connected 24/7. We are enriching our communications services with a growing portfolio of digital multimedia content and life solutions that address our customers various needs,” Nazareno added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Gary Dujali, PLDT vice president and head of Home Marketing, said PLDT Home DSL and PLDT Home Fibr serve as a foundation for value-added services such as pay TV, video on demand and live streaming. “Compelling content plays an important part in the growth equation.  PLDT enables customers to experience the most engaging and compelling content in their favorite music, movies, Read More …

Family feud: Binays vs Cayetanos

 Economy
Aug 252014
 
Family feud: Binays vs Cayetanos

It’s very obvious that no matter how they couch the ongoing Senate hearing, the political heat is obviously on with the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay as the main target. Nobody believes otherwise. Makati City Congresswoman Abigail Binay accused Senator Alan Peter Cayetano of “bullying” the vice president’s family to “generate loads of free publicity for himself.” That’s the only reason why Cayetano has been going after the Binays, Abigail said, claiming that the senator will not be able to get as much media mileage if he set his sight on a non-entity. Alan Peter has reportedly been telling his people he wants to quadruple his voter support (he obtained a little over 17.5 million votes in the 2013 elections). If one can remember, the Binays and the Cayetanos also had a turf war last year over certain barangays within Bonifacio Global City, with both Makati and Taguig claiming jurisdiction.  Big businessmen are behind Alan Peter and it’s no secret that their candidate is eyeing the 2016 presidential elections. His initial objective is to project himself as a viable alternative to DILG Secretary Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party. Our sources tell us that Cayetano has put together a team as early as March to monitor surveys, create political ads and other strategies to make sure that his name continues to be “top of mind” as a presidentiable. Aside from Cayetano, Sonny Trillanes has also been positioning himself not necessarily as the standard bearer but as a vice presidentiable. Read More …

Digitizing administrative feasibility

 Economy
Aug 252014
 
Digitizing administrative feasibility

A cornerstone of a sound taxation system is that the tax regulation must be administratively feasible. In as much as generating sufficient revenue for the government becomes a chief consideration, tax legislations should be equally reverent to the importance of softening the blow of said imposition to the taxpayer.  Essential to tax collection efforts is the preservation and availability of the taxpayers’ books of accounts and other accounting records for the purpose of tax audits. To this end, it can be remembered that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) made a declaration in Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 17-2013 that it is in the best interest of both the government and the taxpayers that said records are retained for a longer period of 10 years. Perhaps in an effort to alleviate taxpayer efforts in preserving their books of accounts, the BIR has issued on 30 July 2014, RR No 5-2014, where the BIR has allowed the retention of electronic images as an alternative to keeping hard copies of the accounting records of the taxpayers. Under this RR, during the 10 years required by RR 17-2013 for the retention of records, the taxpayers shall within the first five years thereof, retain hard copies of the books of accounts, including subsidiary books and other accounting records. Thereafter, the taxpayer appears to have the option of retaining only the electronic image copies of the hard copies of the said records. In ensuring the integrity and security of these electronic images, the BIR has instructed Read More …

Cebu Pacific launches Agent Xpress check-in service at Kalibo airport

 Economy
Aug 252014
 
Cebu Pacific launches Agent Xpress check-in service at Kalibo airport

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific Air becomes the first airline in Southeast Asia to deploy special roaming airport agents, who can check in passengers using a tablet while they are still queuing up. CEB launched Agent Xpress service at Kalibo Airport last Aug. 25, 2014, just in time for the influx of tourists returning from a long weekend in Boracay. Kalibo is a gateway to the world-renowned island. Kalibo Airport was prioritized for CEB’s innovative service, due to the high volume of passengers and limited counter space. “Agent Xpress can make the check-in process faster and more convenient for our guests, given space limitations in certain airports. We are studying the launch of Agent Xpress in other airports as well,” said CEB VP for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog. The Agent Xpress service can check in guests with confirmed flight itineraries, from four hours to 45 minutes before the flight departure. Roaming agents approach guests queuing up for a security screening or at the check-in counter, verify their booking confirmation numbers or name and flight details, and print their boarding passes. Those with no bags for check-in can immediately proceed to the boarding gate. Those with bags for check-in should proceed to the bag drop counters. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Passengers can check in individually or as a group for one-way or travel thru flights, which connect to an onward destination. Since agents are already operating the tablet, they can verify travel documents on the Read More …

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