Palace: Aquino studying recommendation to pardon elderly inmates

 News
Dec 192014
 
Palace: Aquino studying recommendation to pardon elderly inmates

Malacañang on Saturday assured the public it is studying a recommendation to grant executive clemency to elderly inmates. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel is studying the matter and will come out with its recommendations. “Hintayin natin ang magiging pagsusuri rito ng ating Chief Presidential Legal Counsel sa Office of the Executive Secretary,” he said on government-run dzRB radio. “Let’s wait for the recommendations to be made,” he added. A report on The Philippine Star said Public Attorney’s Office head Persida Acosta asked President Benigno Aquino III to grant pardon to elderly and ill inmates. She was quoted in the report as saying most of the convicts are seriously ill, and that they are hoping Aquino will consider. But Lacierda declined to comment further, saying he does not want to give “false hope.” “Ayaw natin magbigay ng false hope. Kailangan pag-aralan ang lista… Pag-aaralan yan nang maayos ng palasyo,” he said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Ombudsman to probe into Bilibid controversy

 News
Dec 192014
 
Ombudsman to probe into Bilibid controversy

The Office of the Ombudsman has created a panel to investigate the alleged special treatment of some rich inmates at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. A highly-placed source told GMA News Online on Saturday that the Ombudsman ordered the investigation after a series of surprise inspections yielded contraband in the national penitentiary’s maximum security area. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had led the surprise inspections at the NBP this week. On Friday, at least three officials were relieved from their posts after the inspections. Among those relieved were NBP superintendent Roberto Rabo, assistant director for operations Celso Bravo, and Davao Penal Farm superintendent Venancio Tesoro, who was former NBP head. Named OIC NBP superintendent was Richard Schwarzkopf; while Superintendent Rachel Ruelo, head of the Women’s Correctional, was tapped to replace Rabo. Meanwhile, Superintendent Geraldo Padilla will replace Tesoro as head of the Davao Penal Farm. — Amanda Fernandez/LBG, GMA News

DFA releases authentication service schedule for holiday season

 News
Dec 192014
 
DFA releases authentication service schedule for holiday season

popular Pasay City cops sue Aiko Melendez’s drunk gun-toting ex, pal Beermen drown Texters, takes game one in semis series 4 cops charged over summary killings Employer of OFW killed by lion charged Pemberton submits to court custody, seeks reduction of murder rap to homicide Sandiganbayan denies Jinggoy Estrada holiday furlough Gov’t seeks bidders for P781-M Bicol airport contract Jollibee Foods Corp. to operate Dunkin’ Donuts network in China 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) MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has released its schedule for its authentication services amid the observance of several public holidays in December. The following schedule applies to the following branches: Department of Foreign Affairs-Aseana (DFA Aseana), DFA NCR-West (SM Manila), DFA NCR-East (SM Megamall). DFA NCR-Northeast (Ali Mall), DFA NCR-South (Metro Gaisano Alabang), and DFA San Fernando-Pampanga (Robinson Starmills). DFA said its regular schedule will resume on January 5. For Expedite-filed documents: Date of Filing Date of Release 19 December 2014 22 December 2014 22 December 2014 23 December 2014 23 December 2014 29 December 2014 For Regular-filed documents: Date of Filing Date of Release 19 December 2014 07 January 2015 22 December 2014 08 January 2015 23 December 2014 08 January 2015 29 December Read More …

Palace: No discussion yet on who will replace retiring Comelec chief

 General
Dec 192014
 
Palace: No discussion yet on who will replace retiring Comelec chief

There is still no discussion—at least officially—at this time on who will replace Sixto Brillantes Jr., who is due to retire as Commission on Elections chairman in February, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda downplayed reports that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is being eyed as a potential replacement for Brillantes. “Wala akong narinig na official diyan. We cannot confim that. There’s no discussion yet as to who will be recommended as the next Comelec chair,” he said on government-run dzRB radio. Besides, he said anyone who will be named will have to go through the confirmation process. So far, he said the Palace has no nominee for the post. “The President has not informed us of his choice,” he said. Brillantes, along with Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Lucenito Tagle, are to retire in February 2015. On Friday, Brillantes dressed up as Santa Claus in what could be his last Christmas as Comelec chairman. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News

Pemberton shows up for first time

 News
Dec 192014
 
Pemberton shows up for first time

OLONGAPO CITY—For a moment, Marilou Laude held the gaze of Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton on Friday morning as she saw for the first time the US Marine she had accused of murdering her transgender sister, in a case that could test the strength of security ties between the Philippines and the United States. “We locked eyes briefly but he averted his gaze. He was quiet the whole time. [He] had such an innocent face. I wanted to ask him why he killed my sister,” Marilou told reporters after emerging from the courtroom. Pemberton, charged with killing Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, was taken from his detention in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and brought to court in Olongapo City to heed the warrant issued for his arrest. US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. PHOTO FROM PEMBERTON FACEBOOK ACCOUNT Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, head of the military’s public affairs office, said a five-vehicle convoy carrying Pemberton left the camp at 2 a.m. The 19-year-old US Marine arrived at the Olongapo City Hall of Justice at 5 a.m. under heavy guard, including American armed service personnel assigned to secure him. Olongapo police blocked all doors leading to the courtroom. At least 20 officers were stationed at the doors and along corridors on the floor where the courtroom was located. Pemberton was whisked through a backdoor into the courtroom, evading dozens of journalists and cameramen waiting for him. Journalists were barred from the courtroom, but the clerk of court briefed them on the proceedings afterward. Read More …

DOTC allots P781 M for Bicol int’l airport

 General
Dec 192014
 
DOTC allots P781 M for Bicol int’l airport

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has earmarked P781 million to develop the Bicol international airport in Daraga, Albay as the government pursues the development of provincial airports. The project for the New Legaspi airport involves the construction of landside facilities as well as the construction of several buildings including the operation and control tower. Buildings to be constructed include administration, cargo terminal, crash fire rescue, power house, and maintenance buildings as well as material recovery facilities, pump house and water tank, chilled water pump house, fuel storage tank, chlorination house, among others. In the invitation to bid, the DOTC said interested investors have until Jan. 21 to submit their bids. Last week, the DOTC together with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) rolled out the bidding for the operation and maintenance six provincial airports in a contract worth P116.2 billion. The biggest project is the P40.57-billion contract to improve the services and enhance the airside and landside facilities at the Davao international airport followed by the P30.4-billion contract for the Iloilo international airport. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Other projects are the Bacolod – Silay international airport with P20.26 billion, the Laguindingan airport with P14.62 billion, Puerto Princesa airport with P5.81 billion, and New Bohol (Panglao) airport with P4.57 billion. 

BOP swings to deficit in Nov

 Economy
Dec 192014
 
BOP swings to deficit in Nov

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s balance of payments swung to a deficit in November, hitting $314 million from a surplus of $837 million in the same period last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported yesterday. The latest figure was also a turnaround from four consecutive months of surplus, BSP data showed. The country last saw a monthly BOP deficit in June at $24 million. The BOP is a summary of a country’s transactions with the rest of the world. In the first 11 months of the year, the country’s BOP position swung to a deficit of $3.722 billion from the $4.666 billion in the same period last year. This was largely because of a $4.48-billion deficit recorded in January alone on heightened volatility in global financial markets due to the start of the US Federal Reserve’s reduction in its monthly asset purchases. The BSP expects the country to end the year with a BOP deficit of $3.4 billion. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. last month said the BOP position has been largely affected by the normalization of policy in the US especially as this resulted in a reallocation of assets among markets and economies.

6,274 Phl products to enjoy zero duty in EU by Dec 25

 Economy
Dec 192014
 
6,274 Phl products to enjoy zero duty in EU by Dec 25

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines can start enjoying its European Union (EU) Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status by Dec. 25. “The publication (of approval of Philippines’ application) on the EU official journal is on the 24th of December. It takes effect one day after the publication,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux said in a press conference yesterday. “This is quite a nice Christmas gift for the Philippines,” he added. The EU Parliament approved the Philippines’ application to qualify for EU GSP+ status during its plenary meeting on Dec. 18. By being qualified for the GSP+ scheme, the Philippines can enjoy zero duty for 6,274 products exported to the EU for a period of 10 years. Before the approval of its application for EU GSP+ status, the Philippines was a beneficiary of the regular GSP program which covers 6,209 products, with 2,442 products subject to zero duty and the rest subject with lower tariffs. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said yesterday the EU GSP+ would allow the country to increase its exports to the EU by 611.8 million euros and create more than 200,000 new jobs in the first three years of implementation of the program. “It (increase in exports) really depends on how fast we can train people,” he said. The Philippines’ approved application, he added, also strengthens the country’s aim to become a manufacturing base in Southeast Asia as it is the only country in the region Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries