THE FIRST SEAPORT project to be offered under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme will be rolled out before Christmas, the Transportation chief said on Monday.
Dec 222014
Dec 222014
PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. C. Aquino III is set to sign today the proposed P2.606 trillion budget for next year, preserving the administration’s track record of on-time budget approvals.
Dec 222014
WITH BARELY two days before Christmas, many of us are still not done with their shopping lists. Walking through aisles at a department store has never been as frantic as during holiday rush. Armed with the Christmas wish lists of friends and family, I braved the throngs of last-minute shoppers.
Dec 222014
popular Drug lords rule New Bilibid Prison Viber goes public Prosecutors want judge off Laude case Slain Lucena cop hailed as hero Outlook for 2015 Mayweather: I’m a ‘rich coward’; Pacquiao is financially troubled US warns citizens of terror threat UPLB scientists name new insect after Bonifacio videos Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 8 – Dec. 22, 2014 ) Bb. Pilipinas queens: Beauty need not be skin-deep Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 7 – Dec. 21, 2014) Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 6 – Dec. 20, 2014) Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 5 – Dec. 19, 2014) US Embassy in Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—American citizens in the country were warned by the US Embassy to be on guard against terror groups and “those inspired by them” during the holiday season, as it cited the Sydney cafe siege last week that took the lives of three people, including the hostage-taker. The embassy issued the warning yesterday in an “Emergency Message for US Citizens,” saying the US Department of State had also issued an updated Worldwide Travel Warning on Dec. 19. “The lone wolf attack in Australia on Dec. 15, resulting in the deaths of two hostages, is a reminder that US citizens should be extra cautious, maintain a very high level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security,” said the embassy’s message dated Dec. 22. It said the travel alert would be effective until March 19, 2015. The US Embassy Read More …
Dec 222014
MANILA, Philippines—Five policemen belonging to the 29-man Philippine National Police (PNP) delegation to the peacekeeping mission in Liberia last year were honored on Monday for their dedication to their mission in the face of the deadly Ebola outbreak. The policemen, the last to complete the 21-day quarantine at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, received letters of commendation, United Nations service medals and “Medalya ng Papuri” for their sacrifice and courage. PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who arrived from Liberia early this month, led the awarding ceremony. The awardees were Senior Supt. Cesar Binag, deputy commissioner of the United Nations Mission in Liberia; Supt. Eduardo Abaday, Supt. Nixon Cayaban, Chief Insp. Emmanuel Caquilala and SPO3 Khynnimer Absari. The Philippines sent 133 peacekeepers from the AFP and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to Liberia. They were repatriated ahead of schedule following the Ebola virus outbreak in the West African nation. The first batch of 24 peacekeepers arrived in November and was quarantined for 21 days on Caballo Island on Manila Bay. They were honored by the PNP earlier this month. “These police peacekeepers are the new heroes of the country for their sacrifice and dedication,” Espina said. The PNP has been sending contingents to UN peacekeeping missions since 1992, first in Cambodia, and then to other countries also torn by conflict. Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of INQUIRER.net. Read More …
Dec 222014
AP FILE PHOTO OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines—The city’s prosecutors on Monday asked the judge hearing the murder case against US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton to inhibit herself because of her association with the serviceman’s lawyer. Judge Roline Ginez-Jabalde of Regional Trial Court Branch 74 here was a classmate of Pemberton’s lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores, at the San Beda College of Law, said lawyer Virgie Suarez, one of the counsels of the family of slain transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude. The prosecutors’ manifestation would be filed on Jan. 5 but Suarez disclosed it at a news conference after Jabalde addressed a petition filed by Pemberton’s lawyers to set aside and dismiss the murder charge. Lawyer Gerry Gruspe, RTC Branch 74 clerk of court, said Jabalde may resolve Pemberton’s petition to review the case on Tuesday. Laude’s lawyers said that asking Jabalde’s inhibition from the case would be another matter for the court to address as the government starts the countdown to the year to resolve the case as required by the Visiting Forces Agreement. Suarez said the one-year prescription started on Dec. 15, the day Olongapo City Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos formally charged Pemberton with Laude’s murder. “It is the judge ultimately who will decide whether or not she will inhibit [herself from the case],” said lawyer Harry Roque, the Laude family’s chief counsel. Both Roque and Suarez said they had no preference as to the judge who would handle the case since, they noted, the state had overwhelming evidence that Pemberton Read More …
Dec 222014
Winners all: Filipino-American elected officials in the San Francisco Bay Area at celebration with Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr. PHOTO BY ARNOLD PERDIGAL SAN FRANCISCO — Led by Consul General Henry Bensurto Jr., the San Francisco Philippine Consulate General on December 15 feted Filipino- Americans who were successful in their bids for elected office in the last November 14 elections. It was certainly a night to remember at the consulate’s Philippine Center Kalayaan Hall as winners gathered not just to be acknowledged but also, in the words of third-termer and only Filipina in the San Francisco School Board Hydra Mendoza, “to inspire one another.” The first Fil-Am in the California State Assembly Rob Bonta of the 18th District who now also chairs the health and purse committees, was “inspired, invigorated and very energized with so many Filipino American elected officials around.” “I am very excited to be with all of you because Filipino political empowerment is so very important to me and every one of us elected to office represents that empowerment and its future,” Bonta stated. “We will encourage the others who may not be sure who are on the sidelines thinking about serving and not be served to step in to step forward and submit themselves for the service of our community. And for that I want to thank you as we don’t get thanked enough in going through our daily work,” he added. For the consulate, the night was very important considering the long struggle that Filipino Americans Read More …
Dec 222014
Newlyweds Liza Diño and Aiza Seguerra.THEPROUDRAD.COM PHOTO DALY CITY, California — Former child star and singer-songwriter Aiza Seguerra was in town for a weekend to do a show at Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, California. But on December 8, many were surprised to learn Aiza and girlfriend Liza Diño had tied the knot in Ben Lomond, a 90-minute drive from San Francisco. The intimate ceremony was reminiscent of the “Twilight” wedding with the Stones and Flowers Barn venue surrounded by redwoods. “Getting married is settling down but that’s not us,” Aiza told Manila Mail in a brief interview before boarding the couple’s return flight to Manila. “It’s enjoying life more now with the person I love, everything that we do now is going to be better because we are doing it together.” Aiza, who identifies himself as a transgender man, was not feeling well during the interview. He spoke in a hoarse voice, the reason he couldn’t perform a song for Liza’s march during their wedding. “But the wedding went on beautifully,” said Emma Calayan, owner of the Calayan Skin Care Aesthetics in Tracy, California and a close friend of Aiza who helped the couple prepare for the wedding. “Everyone had a great time.” About 65 people attended the ceremony. “Mostly special friends, family and people we really care about,” she said. “We didn’t want a big ceremony because mas masaya pag intimate lang (we find it more meaningful when it’s intimate).” Emma said the venue had been chosen Read More …
Dec 222014
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Transportation and Communications drew two offers for its first transportation hub public private partnership (PPP) deal to be located in southern Metro Manila even as most of the potential bidders snubbed the P2.5-billion project. Transportation department spokesperson Michael Sagcal said the two companies that submitted offers for the Integrated Transport System-Southwest PPP were MWM Terminals, led by Megawide Construction Corp., and Gotianun-led Filinvest Land Inc. The two were among 16 companies, including conglomerates San Miguel Corp., Ayala Corp. and Megaworld Corp., that acquired bid documents but did not submit any offers on the Dec. 22 deadline. The project, which was rolled out in December 2013 but has suffered several delays, is being implemented using a single-stage process. This means qualification, technical and financial proposals are submitted at one time and will be evaluated within the next two months. A dual-stage structure means these are submitted and evaluated separately. “Although we would have preferred to have more groups participating in the bid, we are nevertheless satisfied to have two established and reputable companies competing for the project,” Sagcal said. For Megawide, the PPP deal, which is the first of three ITS projects in the pipeline, would allow the company mainly to expand its construction portfolio and diversify its business, according to Megawide chief marketing officer Louie Ferrer. The ITS was meant to create intermodal hubs where provincial buses would disembark passengers to transfer to other in-city modes of transport such as elevated railways, city buses and UV Read More …
Dec 222014
MANILA, Philippines – The holiday season is upon us. With plenty of time to party and indulge in sumptuous food and drinks, it is easy to lose track of one’s fitness goals. But don’t let the holidays ruin your good health. Instead, use this period to improve yourself. “By practicing healthy habits, you can take care of your health and well-being this season and all year long,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines, a leading HMO provider in the country. Here are four ways to stay healthy this season: 1) Eat and drink moderately. Holiday treats are yummy, but most of them are packed with calories, fat, and sugar. To prevent overeating, condition your mind and body to stop eating before you’re satisfied. Eat a light snack before going to a party and when you’re there, eat food in small portions. Try to include vegetables and fruits on your plate to have fiber. If you overeat during one meal, go light on the next. Keep your drinking habits in moderation, whether the beverages are alcoholic or not. Intoxicating drinks can induce overeating and reduce your inhibitions while the non-alcoholic ones are mostly full of calories and sugar. If you feel thirsty or tired, it’s always better to drink water. 2) Exercise regularly. You may not have the time to hit the gym for your regular workout during the busy season, but this doesn’t mean you need to stop exercising altogether. While you’re at home, do about 10-minute push-ups Read More …