Despite reservations from allies, VP Binay wants to push through with Trillanes debate

 News
Nov 022014
 
Despite reservations from allies, VP Binay wants to push through with Trillanes debate

Despite the misgivings of some of his allies in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Vice President Jejomar Binay is ready to face Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a debate, one of his spokespersons said Sunday. Lawyer Jose Virgilio “JV” Bautista admitted in an interview over dzBB radio that a number of Binay’s allies, including the party’s interim president Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, have reservations about the debate because they are uncertain if the Vice President’s explanation will lead to the resolution of the controversies hounding him. “If the debate will result in a enlightening of the issues among the public, welcome na welcome po ‘yan. Siguro sa amin, ang magandang pag-debatehan diyan ay tama pa po ba ‘yong ginaganap na imbestigasyon ng Senate blue ribbon sub-committee tungkol doon sa overpriced building ng Makati. Kasi po ang obserbasyon namin ay… yung imbestigasyon, nag-deteriorate na into [a]witch hunt, into a platform para sirain na lang si VP,” he said. Although UNA members have differing views on the planned debate, Bautista, the party’s interim secretary general, said that the vice president is determined to face off with Trillanes. UNA is in the process of constituting a team to meet with representatives from the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), which will sponsor the debate, he said. According to Bautista, Nov. 10 has been suggested as the possible date of the debate but said that will still depend on Binay’s schedule. Asked if he is certain Binay will not back out of the Read More …

Jodi Sta. Maria: A mother’s passion

 Entertainment
Nov 022014
 
Jodi Sta. Maria: A mother’s passion

Jodi Sta. Maria (MNS photo) While admitting that she can’t stop her son, Thirdy, from joining show business if he wants to, Jodi Sta. Maria stressed that she would want for him to finish college first. “Alam ko kasi kapag nag-showbiz siya ngayon mahihirapan na siya makatapos sa pag-aaral,” she said. Jodi admits she brings Thirdy with her to work at times. “Gusto ko kasi siya ma-expose sa line ng work ko. I also want him to know where I am when I’m not home para hindi siya naghahanap kung nasaan ba si Mommy,” she shared. Nevertheless, eight-year-old Thirdy doesn’t seem interested in being an actor at this point. The 32-year-old single mom shared that whenever she asks about wanting to act, he would often respond with a curt, “No.” “Commercials daw muna sa ngayon gusto niya, kasi mapupuyat siya… nakikita niya kasi kung ano ginagawa ko sa set,” Jodi added. Still, Jodi is prepared should her son change his mind. “I will just support him,” she said. Jodi shared that she has a good relationship with his son. “I think that’s very important for parents… not just communicate, but to connect (with their children),” she said. Jodi admitted that she has become picky with roles, explaining that she only wants projects that impart good values to viewers, particularly the young. “Kasi napatunayan ko ang epekto ng isang programa sa kanyang manonood,” she reasoned. Jodi’s decision also hinges on her son’s viewing habits. “Kasi ’yung pinapanood niya minsan, ginagawa niya. Read More …

Wells Fargo offers free credit scores to customers until Nov. 16

 General
Nov 022014
 
Wells Fargo offers free credit scores to customers until Nov. 16

Offer promotes financial health and wellness as a third of Americans are more worried about financial than physical health SAN FRANCISCO – In an effort to help customers succeed financially, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) is offering its customers their free consumer credit score and complimentary credit report through Nov. 16, 2014. For more information about this limited time promotion, visit https://www.wellsfargo.com/freecreditscore. “A recent Wells Fargo survey said 27 percent of Americans are more worried about their financial health than their physical health,” said Gary Korotzer, an executive vice president in Wells Fargo’s Consumer Credit Solutions Group. “In much the same way an annual check-up helps us stay physically healthy, consumers can take control of their financial health by regularly checking their credit and taking steps to improve it.” About the Free Consumer Credit Score Program From Oct. 1 – Nov. 16, 2014, all Wells Fargo customers can access their free consumer credit score and complimentary credit report by visiting a Wells Fargo banking store and obtaining a unique personal access code from a Wells Fargo banker. Since its inception in 2012, more than 800,000 customers and team members have taken advantage of the promotion and obtained their free consumer credit score and complimentary credit report. In its third year, the Wells Fargo’s Free Credit Score promotion coincides with the American Bankers Association’s Get Smart About Credit day, a national campaign of volunteer bankers who work with young people to raise awareness about the importance of using credit responsibly. As part Read More …

Solon wants sale, use of e-cigarettes regulated

 News
Nov 022014
 
Solon wants sale, use of e-cigarettes regulated

A lawmaker wants to regulate the manufacture, distribution, sale, importation and use of electronic cigarettes, which has become popular among smokers trying to overcome their tobacco addiction. Parañaque City Rep. Eric Olivarez,author of House Bill 5093 or the proposed E-Cigarettes or Vape Regulation Act of 2014, said e-cigarettes cannot be considered completely risk-free because they are still a source of nicotine, a known addictive substance. “Although it may be safer than a cigarette or tobacco, because it does not produce real smoke as a very dangerous by-product of the latter, the long-term effects of vaping e-cigarettes are still not guaranteed to be completely safe,” he said in the bill’s explanatory note. Under Olivarez’s proposal, manufacturers of e-cigarettes will be required to put health warnings on the packaging of their products. The Department of Health (DOH) will prescribe the standard for the size and content for these labels. Apart from this, the DOH may also impose restrictions and regulations on the flavor, composition, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes. The sale of e-cigarettes to minors will be prohibited regardless of who will use or consume the product. Even if e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to regular cigarettes, Olivarez said they can still induce substance dependence because they function as a nicotine delivery device. “E-cigarette delivers toxic chemicals and carcinogens into the lungs. It also has the potential of making bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics,” he said. E-cigarettes contain a liquid solution that produces an aerosol when heated by an atomizer Read More …

PNP chief Purisima: I’ll answer charges before the Ombudsman

 General
Nov 022014
 
PNP chief Purisima: I’ll answer charges before the Ombudsman

Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima said that he will answer questions about his wealth before the Office of the Ombudsman following Senator Grace Poe’s recommendation that the alleged inconsistencies in his testimony be further scrutinized. In a post on his Twitter account Friday, Purisima said: “We respect the recommendation of Sen. Poe and we will answer charges once required by the Ombudsman to do so,” he said. “Since news report has said that Senate resolution will be referred to Ombudsman, then I will answer issues to be raised by Ombudsman,” Purisima added. On the same day Purisima tweeted his statement, the Senate panel on public order and dangerous drugs urged the Office of the Ombudsman in its report to expedite the resolution of the complaints filed against the PNP chief. Poe, who heads the Senate panel, earlier said she would recommend to the Ombudsman to look into how the PNP chief obtained his wealth, noting there were “certain questions” Purisima needs to answer regarding his Statement of Asset, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Purisima is facing graft and plunder charges over his supposed mansion in Nueva Ecija and the renovation of the “White House,” the PNP chief’s official quarters inside the police’s main headquarters in Camp Crame. Last September, the Ombudsman created a panel to probe Purisima over a supposed anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier service in 2011. Despite the allegations of corruption hounding Purisima, PNP spokesman Sr. Supt. Wilben Mayor said Sunday Read More …

Green cards for sale, but there’s catch

 News
Nov 012014
 
Green cards for sale, but there’s catch

On Feb. 8, 2013, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought charges against a Chicago regional center for defrauding close to 300 foreign investors out of $156 million. This investment scam was sold to foreign investors as part of the United States Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) EB-5 Immigrant Investors Visa program. In exchange for investing in the regional center’s development of a hotel and convention center, foreign investors were promised US citizenship. In the end, none of the investors obtained a green card through the scam, but became parties of a legal battle against the regional center to recoup their losses. While the victims of the Chicago regional center recently recovered most of their investments with the help of the SEC, many foreign investors are not as fortunate. Therefore, the Chicago regional center’s scam should serve as a warning to all EB-5 foreign investors about the importance of vetting all projects and hiring competent legal counsel and accountants. What is EB-5? The EB-5 immigrant investor visa program was created by USCIS in the ’90s to provide immigrant investors a pathway to obtain US citizenship. The criteria for the investment is that the amount must be either $1 million or $500,000 “at risk” in a new commercial enterprise that creates 10 full-time jobs. A new commercial enterprise is usually a franchise or a commercial real estate development (hotel, shopping mall, residential/office building). In order to prevent money laundering or have drug traffickers participate in the EB-5 program, the source Read More …

Over 60,000 yearly apply for immigrant, fiancé, fiancée, spouse visas—US Embassy

 General
Nov 012014
 
Over 60,000 yearly apply for immigrant, fiancé, fiancée, spouse visas—US Embassy

popular Binay in panic mode, says Cayetano Gina and Racquel Pareño: Mother and daughter take to the stage Stars in the news Well-loved, jovial ‘giant’ Juan Flavier dies at 79 Tropical Storm ‘Paeng’ here, but not for long SC asked anew to stop construction of condo tower near Rizal Park Camarines Norte gov. wife surfaces, bares husband’s ‘sex video’ Abu Sayyaf given P1 M for girl’s release, says ARMM police chief videos Sueselbeck leaves, says sorry for ‘not being aware of political part’ of Laude slay Filipino families honor their dead Assistant Ombudsman explains why Revilla’s wealth must be seized Binay allies ‘gatecrash’ Senate probe Binay daughter’s Instagram post: ‘Our place in Batangas’ According to the United States Embassy in Manila, there are over 50,000 immigrant visa applications and more than 11,000 fiancé/fiancée and spouse visa applications each year. These types of visas are for applicants planning to permanently relocate to the US. On the other hand, there are more than 200,000 applications for nonimmigrant visas annually. Source: http://manila.usembassy.gov/visas.html Tags: Fiancé Visa Fiancee visa Global Pinoy Immigrant visa Spouse visa US embassy visa Related Stories: Australia investigates ‘paedophile’ father in Thai baby scandal Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Bangladesh ferry owner faces charges in sinking Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for Read More …

How bad decisions happen

 Economy
Nov 012014
 
How bad decisions happen

(Expressing my gratitude to the CMMA for awarding the column Best Business Column for 2014.) Leadership is never easy. People desire positions of high leadership without knowing the many challenges that accompany such titles.  Most people equate leadership with high positions, but this is not quite the case and I do have an explanation for this. These people are focused on the perks of leadership; they do not understand the price of leadership. When you’re a leader, all eyes are on you. Every person makes mistakes. No one is exempted from making wrong decisions. When you were a junior, you probably got some tongue lashing or a memo. As a leader, you get the blame for every mistake. The entire team criticizes and comments against you. Your bosses start to doubt your capabilities and you begin to doubt yourself as well. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 I’ve made many bad decisions when I was building my career as an executive in the companies I worked for and I’ve also made many bad decisions as an entrepreneur. But thankfully, over the years I have learned to recognize the warning signs of a bad leadership decision. This is the value of evaluated experience. Perhaps you might find these warning signs helpful, but please do consider the context. These are just hints and not foolproof. But should this list of hints help you make better decisions and avoid bad decisions, then I’d be glad because it has attained its Read More …

Revenues of key industries up 10.8% in Q2 – PSA

 Economy
Nov 012014
 
Revenues of key industries up 10.8% in Q2 – PSA

MANILA, Philippines – Revenues of the country’s key industries grew by 10.8 percent in the second quarter of 2014, led by the double-digit growth rates in the transportation, communications, and real estate sector. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)Interim Deputy National Statistician Officer-in-Charge Romeo S. Recide said the total gross revenue index of key industries grew by 10.8 percent in the April to June period, higher than the 9.6 percent expansion a year ago. Among industries, revenues in the transportation and communication grew the fastest at a rate of 21.1 percent in the period, compared to a growth rate of only 2.7 percent growth in the same period in 2013. With a strong and sustained 15.8 percent, the real estate sector improved its gross revenue gain from 11.9 percent last year. Earnings from manufacturing grew by 13.8 percent from three percent last year. The private services contracted this quarter, while finance and trade slowed down, with revenues falling by 10.3 percent and 9.6 percent from 12.0 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Recide said that total employment index improved from a 1.1 percent growth rate in 2013 to 4.7 percent this year. Except for electricity and water, which declined by 0.3 percent, all sectors registered gains. Based on the October 2014 issue of the Quarterly Economic Indices (QEI), growth of the total employment index was largely caused by the upturn of transportation and communication with a growth rate of 5.9 percent, and manufacturing with Read More …

Meralco-EGCO is on track with Quezon plant

 Economy
Nov 012014
 
Meralco-EGCO is on track with Quezon plant

MANILA, Philippines – San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co. (SBPL), the joint venture formed by Meralco PowerGen (MGen), the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), and a Thai power firm is on track to jumpstarting its 455-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Quezon, an official said. Angelito Lantin, MGen senior vice president and commercial development head said they are raising P40 billion from the debt market to fund the project. He said they are now finalizing the project financing deal with local and international banks to raise the needed amount. MGen and New Growth BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. (EGCO) of Thailand, partly owned by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), have teamed up to form the San Buenaventura power project. Under the arrangement, MGen will own 51 percent of the power facility, including rights to assign up to two percent to an approved assignee, while New Growth B.V. holds the remaining 49 percent. Lantin expressed hopes that the project financing deal would be approved in six months. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We hope that within six months, it will be approved…Everything is geared up for completion of these activities. We hope to issue a notice to proceed very early next year,” Lantin said. San Buenaventura has already signed a power supply agreement with Meralco for the sale and purchase of the plant’s entire output for a 20-year period upon commencement of commercial operations and subject to the approval Read More …

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