PRC bares passers in naval architect and marine engineer exams

 News
Sep 292014
 
PRC bares passers in naval architect and marine engineer exams

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on Monday announced that 57 out of 105 examinees passed the Naval Architect & Marine Engineer Licensure Examination given by the Board of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in Manila in September 2014.   The members of the Board of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering who gave the licensure examination were Engr. William B. Hernandez and Engr. Edward B. Cruz. The results were released in two working days after the last day of examination. The examinees who garnered the 10 highest scores are 1. Rodel Dalawampu Maala, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 89.9 2. Edmund Tejada Ramos, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 89.5 3. Ana Theresa Sibulo Mercado, Mariners Polytechnic College Foundation-Baras, 89.1 4. Marlette Floredeliz Natividad, University of Cebu, 87.7  5. Wilson Monterona Pegarido, University of Cebu, 87.6 6. Dondon Perez Mendoza, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 87.1 7. Norwin Duran Dela Cruz, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 87.0 8. Lea Valle Barrameda, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 86.7 9. Clyde Rupert Sumagang Escalona, University of Cebu, 86.5     Gerald Vincent Bughao Gardiano, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 86.5 10. Ramon Angelo Salilican Chacon, Namei Polytechnic Institute, 86.4 Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration will start on October 3, 2014. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and Read More …

Sandiganbayan finds probable cause vs. 2 Napoles children

 News
Sep 292014
 
Sandiganbayan finds probable cause vs. 2 Napoles children

A Sandiganbayan special division has found probable cause to try two of detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles’ children for graft in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. In a decision promulgated Monday, Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, along with Associate Justices Samuel Martires, Alex Quiroz, Jose Hernandez and Maria Cristina Cornejo, affirmed that Jo Christine and James Christopher Napoles had a hand in the scam that their mother allegedly masterminded. Meanwhile, the anti-graft court cleared Napoles’ driver, Fernando Ramirez, due to insufficiency of evidence. “After further considering the records of these cases, and due deliberations, the court finds the existence of probable cause against the said accused except for accused Fernando Ramirez,” the three-page resolution said. According to the affidavit of the whistleblowers, the Napoles siblings were both officials of their mother’s JLN Corp., which was allegedly used in the scam. Merlina Suñas, one of the whistleblowers in the case, said the siblings were among those who forged signatures of the beneficiaries of projects supposedly funded by the pork barrel of several lawmakers. The court has set the arraignment of Napoles’ children on October 13. Other than Jo Christine and James Christopher, seven others will be arraigned for graft charges, namely: – Margarita Guaninez, accountant;– Dorilyn Fabian, incorporator and secretary (Agrikultura Para sa Magbubukid Foundation Inc.);– Amparo Fernandez, incorporator and secretary (Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation)– Jesus Castillo, incorporator and treasurer (Peoples’ Organization for Progress and Development)– Renato Ornopia, Masaganang Ani para sa Magsasaka FoundationAileen Palama, Countrywide Agri and Read More …

After USS Guardian case, SC justice sees need to refine sovereign immunity doctrine

 News
Sep 292014
 
After USS Guardian case, SC justice sees need to refine sovereign immunity doctrine

The writ of kalikasan plea on the grounding of a US Navy minesweeper in the Tubbataha Reef in January 2013 might have been junked by the Supreme Court but the ruling has opened doors for a possible review of the doctrine of sovereign immunity as applied in the Philippines. In a concurring opinion, SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen emphasized the need in future cases to refine the scopes and limitations of the doctrine of sovereign immunity so those responsible for environment-related incidents like the grounding in the Tubbataha may be held liable. “Our doctrine regarding sovereign immunity needs to be refined in the proper case with respect to its nature, source, and its limitations,” Leonen said. He said the high court can study refining the limits of the doctrine of sovereign immunity’s application when determining jurisdictional immunities of foreign warships, “specifically when it violates domestic laws implementing international obligations even while on innocent passage.” The doctrine is currently understood as “a basic right extended to states by other states on the basis of respect for sovereignty and independence,” said Leonen. In the 1987 Philippine Constitution, sovereign immunity is contained in Article XVI, Section 3, which provides that “[the] State may not be sued without its consent.” The Guardian grounding The USS Guardian ran aground on Tubbataha Reef on January 17, 2013 but much of its potentially harmful content – including 15,000 gallons of fuel – were removed from the ship immediately. The ship was cut up and finally removed in Read More …

Dismissed justice Ong tried influencing SC magistrates –Leonen

 News
Sep 292014
 
Dismissed justice Ong tried influencing SC magistrates –Leonen

Dismissed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong allegedly tried “influencing” Supreme Court justices while he was being investigated over his links with alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Jante Lim-Napoles, according to one of the magistrates. In his 38-page concurring opinion, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said he received information that Ong tried negotiating with SC magistrates on how to deal with the complaint filed against him. The SC last week voted 8-5-2 to dismiss Ong from service for gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety. Leonen, who did not disclose where he got his information, said that over the course of the SC’s motu proprio probe on Ong, colleagues have pointed to the need for “compassion” over the case. “We are told that he has served long years as a judge and as a justice,” Leonen wrote. “We were even told that he attempted to informally circulate a letter through other colleagues in this court that he was willing to take an optional retirement should he be meted with any kind of suspension,” he added. While Ong was dismissed for gross misconduct, dishonesty and impropriety for fraternizing with Napoles, Leonen said Ong’s “audacity to try to influence” SC justices could have been another basis for his dismissal. “It shows that he has at least made attempts to communicate ex parte with members of this court outside the formal processes allowed by our rules,” Leonen said. “Ex parte communication sub rosa by one being investigated with any member of this court while we sit in Read More …

Irvine Global Village Festival celebrates cultural diversity

 Entertainment
Sep 292014
 
Irvine Global Village Festival celebrates cultural diversity

The City of Irvine takes pride anew in the richness of its cultural diversity with the weekend staging (September 27), now on its 13th year, of the Annual Global Village Festival  at the Bill Barber Park. The traditional showcase of at least 50 ethnic groups whose members call  Irvine their home has been been promoted  as the “number one activity to attend in Orange County and touted as the Best Festival by a local weekly and a venue for promoting cross cultural interactions”. The celebration of culture has been successful in attracting a horde of guests lured by its diversified sounds, dances, tastes and colors of the countries represented. The Festival traces its beginnings in 1998 when a group of residents established the City’s first Multicultural Festival to help promote understanding and build harmony. Two years later, the second Festival triggered the interest to expand holding the cultural cum family event in a larger venue to accommodate the growing attendees. In 2001, Irvine Global Village Festival the new name for the annual event moved to the Irvine Civic Center where it drew an estimated crowd of 4,000. The originators of the event formed the Irvine Multicultural Association to guide in the planning of the cultural mecca which each year was able to attract more attendees. The signature event of one of the most progressive cities in Orange County after more than a decade continues to highlight Irvine’s cultural vibrance and diversity that has since grown in scope that now includes more Read More …

Dip in Binay’s popularity could have been bigger, says UNA

 News
Sep 292014
 
Dip in Binay’s popularity could have been bigger, says UNA

Instead of sounding the alarm bells, the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Monday expressed surprise that preference for Vice President Jejomar Binay as the next President slipped by only 10 percentage points despite the corruption-related controversies he was facing.  “Given the very challenging and rough times that the Vice President faced in the past weeks, we expected a bigger decline—but the latest survey results are a surprise for us,” UNA interim president and Navotas Representative Tobias “Toby Tiangco said in a statement. Results of the latest Pulse Asia survey released earlier in the day showed significant drop in the number of Filipinos who were inclined to vote for Binay as their next President. Despite the decline, Binay, UNA’s presumptive standard-bearer remained as the top choice for the presidency, with a lead of 18 percentage points over second placer Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. Roxas is said to be the sole choice of the ruling Liberal Party to run as President in 2016. Tiangco said the survey results showed the public remained confident Binay was capable of solving the country’s problems. “The latest figures will only motivate the Vice President to improve the bar of public service, and no amount of smear and slander can shake him,” the opposition stalwart said, adding the public was aware the allegations against the Vice President were part of a ploy by administration allies to drag him down. Binay and members of his family have been accused of  benefiting from the alleged overpricing of Read More …

Ombudsman orders probe on Abaya, Vitangcol over MRT contract

 General
Sep 292014
 
Ombudsman orders probe on Abaya, Vitangcol over MRT contract

An unusually big number of commuters stand shoulder-to-shoulder while waiting for their train ride at the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 station on Taft Avenue and Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Pasay City on Thursday morning (March 27, 2014). The commuters, coming from as far as Cavite, are bound for their places of work in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan and Quezon City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Ombudsman has ordered a preliminary investigation against Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya, former MRT administrator Al Vitangcol and 19 other persons for granting an MRT-3 maintenance contract under allegedly questionable circumstances. The investigation includes DOTC Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members, namely: Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, Undersecretary Rafael Antonio Santos, Assistant Secretary Ildefonso Patdu, Assistant Secretary Dante Lantin, and LRTA Administrator Honorito Chaneco. Also included in the probe are members of the Negotiating Team, namely: Misael Narca, Engr. Joel Magbanua, Arnel Manresa, Natividad Sansolis, Engr. Gina Rodriguez, Eugene Cecilio, Engr. Raphael Lavides, Atty. Geronimo Quintos; and representatives from the joint venture of the Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corporation-Comm Builders and Technology Philippines Corporation (PH Trams – CB&T) Wilson De Vera, Arturo Soriano, Marlo Dela Cruz, Manolo Maralit and Federico Remo. All are under investigation for alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), some for alleged violations of the procurement law, and some for administrative charges. The Ombudsman said it found there was no emergency to justify awarding the $1 Read More …

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