Fatal flaws

 Economy
Dec 202014
 
Fatal flaws

“Failure of elections” may occur if technical troubles encountered on the vote counting machines (VCMs) being offered by the company Indra Sistemas are experienced during the 2016 national polls. Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials said the pitfalls of using “unproven” voting machines showed up during Monday’s demonstration of Indra’s VCM as observed by the technical working group of the poll body’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). A Comelec BAC official said the fatal weakness of Indra’s machine were revealed during intense scrutiny of the Technical Working Group. There are 14 members of the bids committee chaired by Helen Aguila-Flores and vice chairperson Jubil Surmeida. The official disclosed that, out of the 408 items on the TWG’s checklist the Indra machine flunked 121.  “We should be very careful who we allow to supply our elections systems. This is courting danger. If we experience these technical troubles on a massive scale on election day, it may result in the failure of elections,” the official added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 A Spanish information technology provider, Indra is one of just two entities bidding for the Comelec’s P2-billion contract to provide election system management and supply 23,000 voting machines to augment the 82,000 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines for the 2016 national elections. The other bidder, Smartmatic-TIM, supplied the 82,000 PCOS which were used in the first two successful automated elections in 2010 and 2013. It was observed that Indra’s machine failed to allow for a verification of Read More …

Globe, PLDT activate interconnection links in Ilocos Sur

 Economy
Dec 202014
 
Globe, PLDT activate interconnection links in Ilocos Sur

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) continued to expand interconnection links in the provinces, this time allowing subscribers in Ilocos Sur to call each other for free. Globe announced in a statement that the commercial activation of the interconnection deal with PLDT took effect last Dec. 10 allowing their landline customers to realize substantial savings as they no longer have to pay for long distance charges when calling one another. Landline subscribers of Globelines and PLDT were charged with long distance rate when making phones to one another. Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said Globelines subscribers could simply dial the seven-digit telephone number to connect with PLDT and vice-versa. “The goal of the company has always been to offer products and services that are relevant to our customers. The expansion of our collaboration with competition further enhances our customers’ access to affordable telecommunication services especially for those that are residing in the provinces,” Castelo said According to him, Globe is also open for discussions for potential interconnection arrangement with other local exchange carriers. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Globe and PLDT have existing interconnection in Metro Manila, Cavite, Iloilo, Capiz, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Leyte, Davao City, Pampanga, Bulacan, Zamboanga, Laguna, Quezon, La Union, Nueva Ecija, and Benguet, General Santos/South Cotabato , Tarlac, Davao del Norte, and Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte and Zambales.

SSS releases P1.72 B salary loans to calamity-hit members

 General
Dec 202014
 
SSS releases P1.72 B salary loans to calamity-hit members

MANILA, Philippines – The Social Security System (SSS) has disbursed P1.72 billion in salary loans to members hit by a string of calamities. Conceived in 2013, the relief assistance program has already benefited more than 92,000 members adversely affected by the Zamboanga armed conflict, Bohol earthquake, and typhoons in 2013 and 2014. The SSS likewise advanced more than P332 million in pensions to more than 21,000 pensioners affected by the calamities. The state pension fund started receiving applications from members affected by Typhoon Ruby last Dec. 15. Qualified members can avail of salary and housing loans, or get in advance their three-months worth of pensions, said SSS vice president and officer in charge for lending and asset management division May Catherine C. Ciriaco. Only active members and regular pensioners living or working in areas that had been declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) can apply under the program. These areas at present include San Pablo City, Laguna; Batangas; Albay; Camarines Sur; Catanduanes; Masbate; Naga City; Sorsogon City; municipalities of Juban, Gubat, Magallanes in Sorsogon; Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “SSS members who are facing short-term cash needs can apply for salary loans with waived service fee. If they have existing loans, they can renew it under the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) as long as they are eligible in terms of contributions based on our regular loan guidelines,” Ciriaco said. In Read More …

LOOK: Police release Pemberton mug shots

 News
Dec 202014
 
LOOK: Police release Pemberton mug shots

The Olongapo City police on Saturday officially released the mug shots of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was charged with murder for the killing of transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude.  Source: Philippine National Police GMA News’ Rida Reyes also tweeted a photo of a police crime lab data sheet showing the US Marine’s fingerprints. On Friday, Pemberton appeared before the Olongapo City regional trial court over murder charges lodged against him, but was not arraigned. He was brought there under heavy security, in a convoy that left his detention facility in Camp Aguinaldo before dawn Friday. At the Olongapo City Hall of Justice, Pemberton underwent a medical examination and a booking procedure. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News

Life on streets is difficult, but free, says anthropologist

 News
Dec 202014
 
Life on streets is difficult, but free, says anthropologist

AFP file PHOTO/Jay DIRECTO Though many would look down on the homeless, for those living on the streets this way of life may be difficult but it comes with a kind of freedom, Thammasat University anthropologist Boonlert Visetprecha said. Boonlert spent a while living with and learning from homeless people in Bangkok as part of his fieldwork several years ago, and then he spent 15 months – from January 2013 – living on the streets in Manila as part of his doctoral dissertation in anthropology for the University of Wisconsin. There are about 3,000 homeless people in Bangkok but as many as 100,000 in Manila, Boonlert said in his presentation at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of political science yesterday. The event was organized by the university’s Master of Arts in International Studies Program. While factors like slashed social welfare and state housing or beautification of urban areas pushing rental rates beyond the reach of the poor result in people becoming homeless in developed countries, in developing nations it is factors like underemployment, broken homes, weak social welfare and a rising jobless rate. He said that while 7 per cent of the population in the Philippines are unemployed, as many as 20 percent are underemployed. With absurdly low wages – which could be less than Bt100 per day for uneducated people over the age of 40 – people find it difficult to cover their daily expenses and end up becoming homeless in Manila, Boonlert said. Former convicts also find it difficult to Read More …

DFA looks into China plan to build maritime observation network

 News
Dec 202014
 
DFA looks into China plan to build maritime observation network

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – China is planning to construct an observation network by 2020 to protect its maritime interests and promote disaster risk reduction, a foreign publication reported. As China and other Asian countries face territorial disputes, China Daily on Friday said a guideline on the observation network was recently released by the State Oceanic Administration. The observation network initiative includes the building of radar stations, tsunami warning observation stations, and satellite operations. An official from the Disaster Prevention and Reduction Department, Chen Zhi, said their government plans to bolster its lagging offshore observation capacity, specifically its maritime observation methods, infrastructure and technical support. With concerns that the observation network will further heighten tension in the region, the Philippine government said its Department of Foreign Affairs is already studying the matter. “Our policy is we do not want to escalate tensions in the area, and so we have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to look into it,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a radio interview. “They will be the ones responsible in discussing this matter or issue any statement to that effect,” he added. China has been strengthening is maritime capacity for the past years as it attempts to reinforce its claim on various parts of South China Sea. The Philippines is currently pursuing an arbitration case against China before the United Nations. China Daily said offshore disasters have resulted in economic losses (costing at least $2.6 billion) and casualties for China. Read More …

4 oil firms to cut fuel prices

 General
Dec 202014
 
4 oil firms to cut fuel prices

popular . Mayweather: I’m a ‘rich coward’; Pacquiao is financially troubled 3 Sandiganbayan justices quit cases vs Jinggoy Estrada Aquino announces increase in soldiers’ subsistence allowance The year of the youngbloods 4 cops charged over summary killings Cosco sets P1-billion share buyback Pemberton shows up for first time How Mika Lagdameo prepares her children for success videos Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 5 – Dec. 19, 2014) 8 children killed in home in northern Australia Hack attack vs Sony Pictures spurs call for more North Korea sanctions Laude family wants Pemberton in local jail during trial Simbang Gabi at the Gesu (Day 4 – Dec. 18, 2014) INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Petron has announced a price rollback on its fuel prices effective December 21. The following price cuts would take effect 12:01 a.m. this Sunday: 10 per liter for gasoline 35 per liter for diesel 40 per liter for kerosene On December 11, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board slashed the minimum fare of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from P8.50 to P7.50 due to the price rollbacks of fuels products. RELATED STORIES Jeepney fare rolled back LTFRB approves P1 provisional jeepney fare rollback in NCR Tags: fuel News oil prices Petron roll back 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 Read More …

PHL orders crackdown on privileged jailbirds

 News
Dec 202014
 
PHL orders crackdown on privileged jailbirds

Philippine authorities have given privileged inmates in the country’s main prison until Christmas Eve to turn over their hidden guns, drugs and other contraband or the notorious facility will face a major shakedown. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima issued the ultimatum after two surprise searches of the Bilibid prison this week uncovered a horde of prohibited items including firearms, drugs, stashes of US dollars — and even a Jacuzzi and a stripper bar. Revelations that drug lords have been “living like kings” in luxury cells have shocked the Philippines, a nation used to tales of official corruption. “Before Christmas, they should produce the contraband because we believe there are still illegal drugs and items kept hidden,” de Lima said after leading the second search on Friday. “I told  them to produce that, otherwise I will really… turn the facility upside down,” she told reporters. Flanked by heavily-armed troops, de Lima led the searches of the luxurious special apartments of convicted drug lords in a sprawling suburban Manila complex built for 8,900 inmates but currently housing 23,000. “I am disgusted, even beyond disgusted,” she said after the raids, which uncovered secret panels leading to hidden rooms. Three officials connected with Bilibid were relieved of their posts in preparation for an investigation over the apparent complicity of jail officials in allowing the items to be smuggled in, she said. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has ordered de Lima to reform the prison system, which has long been known for corruption with wealthy inmates Read More …

Lives of danger, poverty on Philippines’ typhoon coast

 General
Dec 192014
 
Lives of danger, poverty on Philippines' typhoon coast

Life is a constant throw of the dice for farmer Nilo Dilao and other residents of the Philippine island of Samar, the ground zero for many of East Asia’s deadliest storms. Homes, boats, crops, livestock and jobs are all on the line each time the monster winds roar in from the Pacific Ocean, leaving survivors to mourn their dead and pick up the broken pieces, year in and year out. “Life is a struggle here,” Dilao, 43, told AFP a few days after Typhoon Hagupit destroyed his shanty and killed more than 20 people this month. He likened the plight of local people to those of stray chickens. “We’re scratching at the soil non-stop in hopes of finding a scrap to eat,” he said. Hagupit came a year after Super Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest ever storm recorded on land, killed 7,350 people on Samar and neighbouring islands. Samar, about half the size of Belgium, is often the first major Asian landmass hit by the more than 20 tropical storms or typhoons that are born in the Pacific Ocean each year. With much of the mountainous island stripped by deforestation, most of its 1.8 million residents live on narrow, sea-level strips along the coast, at the mercy of the storms’ ferocious winds and tsunami-like ocean surges. Living in the town of Taft on Samar’s east coast, the Dilao family survived both the storm surges of both Hagupit and Haiyan by fleeing to a nearby hill, waiting them out under a raggedy Read More …

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