Cuisia: PHL-US relations ‘never been better’

 Entertainment
Jan 142015
 
Cuisia: PHL-US relations ‘never been better’

Photo above shows (L-R) Trade Representative Archimedes Gomez, Mr. Tulsi Das Reyes, Mr. Isidro Consunji, President DMCI Holdings, Inc; Mr. Rainero Borja, President, EGS Philippines; Dr. Bernardo Villegas, Head of Delegation; Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega; Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr.; Mr. Gary Toebban, President, LA Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Rick Nordin, Vice President, Woodbury University; Mr. Jesus Zulueta, Chairman, ZMG Ward Howell; Mr. Robert Dispo, President, First Metro Investment Corp and Ms. Melissa Ramoso, Office of Senator Ted W. Lieu, 29th District WASHINGTON, D.C. – Manila’s relations with Washington are at their highest based on how the two allies worked together during the past year, according to the Philippine ambassador to the United States. “Our relations with the United States have never been better,” Ambassador Cuisia said in his remarks during a reception he hosted on Wednesday night for Washington-based journalists led by National Press Club President Myron Belkind. Ambassador Cuisia said the main highlight of a stronger Philippine-US alliance was the visit to Manila in April of President Barack Obama and the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The other highlights of Philippine-US relations in 2014 were the restoration of the country’s Category I aviation safety rating; its removal from the Special 301 Watch List of countries with intellectual property rights issues; and the favorable outcome of the review on trade benefits under the General Scheme of Preferences. “As a result of the FAA aviation safety upgrade, Philippine Airlines will now be flying from Manila to New York Read More …

Group calls on Pope Francis to speak out for OFWs

 Entertainment
Jan 142015
 
Group calls on Pope Francis to speak out for OFWs

Government security officers simulate the motorcade of Pope Francis upon his arrival using one of the Popemobiles the pontiff will use during his five-day visit to the Philippines. Traffic to some roads will be rerouted starting Thursday until the Pope’s departure on Monday. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A migrants’ rights group on Tuesday called on Pope Francis to speak on behalf of overseas Filipinos to stimulate government action for the improvement of migrant rights. “We call on Pope Francis to heed our call: Stand with us against trafficking and modern-day slavery of Filipino migrants! Struggle with us against [President Benigno] Aquino [III]’s labor export policy!,” said Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, in a statement. According to Martinez, Pope Francis’ outspoken attitude towards human trafficking. In his traditional Angelus prayer in 2013, Pope Francis highlighted the plight of refugees and migrants, saying their “dramatic” condition is “marked by fear, uncertainty and difficulties.” Martinez said Pope Francis’ support would help the 125 Filipinos currently on death row abroad, the 7,000 in jail, and the 25,000 left stranded and awaiting repatriation in the Middle East. “As he visits the Philippines, we call on Pope Francis to speak on behalf of an estimated 15 million overseas Filipinos in over 239 countries around the world. We call on him to speak out for Filipino migrants in distress and their families,” he said. Pope Francis, who will be in the Philippines from January 15 to 19, will meet with Filipino families affected by migration, poverty, Read More …

No SC action means LRT, MRT fare hikes enforced

 General
Jan 142015
 
No SC action means LRT, MRT fare hikes enforced

President Benigno S. Aquino III meets with his Cabinet Secretaries at the President’s Hall of Malacanang Monday (October 13) concerning the status of the MRT 3 maintenance. The President is concerned about negative reports he has been receiving regarding Metro Rail operations. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — The controversial fare increases ordered by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)for the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit will have to remain in place for now. The high tribunal, sitting in its first full court session for the year, did not issue a temporary restraining order being requested by several groups against DOTC Order 2014-014, which increased last January 4 the base fare of P11 for both the MRT and the LRT and an additional P1.00 charged per kilometer. There are currently four petitions against the fare hike, namely the ones filed by former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco; a group led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, joined by 17 individuals; the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters Inc. (UFCC); and a group led by party-list Bayan Muna. In their respective pleas, the petitioners said the DOTC committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing Order 2014-014 because it has no jurisdiction to decide on applications for transportation fare increase and issue implementing orders. The order was issued in violation of the right of the public to notice and hearing, they argued. Named respondents were DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya, MRT-3 officer-in-charge Renato San Jose, LRT administrator Honorito Chaneco, MRT Corp., and Light Rail Read More …

URC net profit goes up by 15.2% to P11.65B as of September 2014

 General
Jan 142015
 
URC net profit goes up by 15.2% to P11.65B as of September 2014

popular . Sensitivities Europe’s Muslims feel heat of backlash after Paris terror Korean airline heiress, Binays on same page Singapore hospital sacks Filipino nurse for ‘offensive’ online remarks Jeepney popemobile drives to history LPA east of Mindanao now a tropical depression Translating mercy Choosing ex-military chief to head gov’t peace panel an insult, says Joma Sison videos Key US military command’s Twitter, YouTube sites hacked Pope Francis’ arrival speech in Sri Lanka For nth time, De Lima inspects Bilibid Pope Francis arrives in Sri Lanka for first leg of weeklong Asian tour Excitement builds ahead of Pope Francis’ PH visit MANILA, Philippines – The Gokongwei-led Universal Robina Corp. chalked up a net profit of P11.65 billion in its fiscal year ending September 2014, 15.2 percent higher year-on-year, as the company expanded the branded consumer food business here and abroad. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, URC reported a 14.1 percent year-on-year growth in net sales to P92.38 billion. The local branded consumer food (BCF) group business grew net sales by 24.1 percent year-on-year to P52.35 billion while the international branded consumer food business expanded by 7.8 percent to P23.78 billion. On the other hand, non-branded consumer foods group posted a 2.9 percent decline in net sales due to lower sugar volumes. Operating income for the fiscal year amounted to P14.12 billion, up by 37.4 percent versus last year. Operating income margins expanded by 259 basis points versus the previous fiscal year due to lower average prices Read More …

AFP Medical Center head reinstated 

 News
Jan 132015
 
AFP Medical Center head reinstated 

The head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) has been reinstatement, months after being relieved from his post over an alleged anomalous procurement of medical supplies worth P80 million. In the a statement released Wednesday morning, the AFP said Brig. Gen. Normando T. Sta. Ana Jr. was reinstated as the AFPMC commander effective last Monday. Military chief Gen. General Gregorio Catapang Jr. ordered his Sta. Ana’s relief last October 14 to give way to a “thorough and impartial” investigation on the alleged anomaly. Based on news reports, a certain Renato Villafuerte filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman as regards the procurement of P80 million worth medicine and other medical supplies for the AFP Medical Center without public bidding. Catapang then ordered a separate probe.  However, after an investigation was made, the military found Villafuerte “to be a fictitious person.” It added that complaints against Sta. Ana was “dismissed for lack of evidence to support the allegations, and nobody testified to substantiate the complaints.” — Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News

Epal tarps? More ‘welcome’ tarpaulins mushroom as papal arrival nears

 News
Jan 132015
 
Epal tarps? More ‘welcome’ tarpaulins mushroom as papal arrival nears

With just a day before Pope Francis arrives, posters and tarpaulins bearing names and even images of politicians continued to surface. In a barangay in southern Luzon, some posters even featured the images of the entire barangay council, as shown by photos tweeted by GMA News stringer Peewee Bacuño. The photos of the local leaders were positioned under a larger image of the Pope. In Tacloban, some so-called epal materials featured the names of local politicians, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. Photos tweeted by dzBB’s Mateo showed the names of the politicians prominently displayed alongside the “welcome” message for the pope. These followed the sprouting of so-called epal signs last Sunday in parts of Metro Manila, where messages welcoming the pope featured the names of barangay officials. The pope is due to arrive in the Philippines Jan. 15. He will go to Leyte Jan. 17 for a Mass in Tacloban and lunch with survivors of recent calamities in Palo.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

Aquino inspects Pope Francis arrival dry run

 News
Jan 132015
 
Aquino inspects Pope Francis arrival dry run

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday night personally inspected the dry run of the convoy that would secure Pope Francis upon his arrival in the Philippines on Jan. 15. Aquino joined officials including interior secretary Manuel Roxas II at the route from Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported. He also joined the inspection of the Light Rail Transit station at Quirino Avenue, which is near the papal nunciature where the pope will stay during his visit.   During the inspection, portions of roads at the route of the papal convoy near the nunciature were closed. Tuesday night’s dry run is the last before the pope’s arrival on Thursday afternoon. The pope will stay in the Philippines until Jan. 19. During his stay, the pope will have events in Metro Manila and Leyte.   Meanwhile, streets near the Manila Cathedral were also closed since 8 p.m. Tuesday, dzBB’s James Agustin reported. Streets closed included A. Soriano Avenue corner Cabildo and General Luna near Plaza Roma.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News

72 percent of Pinoys have ‘much trust’ in Pope Francis —SWS

 News
Jan 132015
 
72 percent of Pinoys have ‘much trust’ in Pope Francis —SWS

When he arrives in the Philippines on Thursday, Pope Francis would be glad to know he enjoys “much trust” from a little over seven out of 10 Filipinos, according to a survey conducted Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 by pollster Social Weather Stations. The SWS, which posted the results of its survey Tuesday, said 72 percent of adult Filipinos have much trust and 12 percent having little trust in the Pope. It said this translates to a net trust rating of +59, or “very good.” SWS noted the Pope—formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio—enjoyed a “very good” +59 with 71 percent having much trust in him and 12 percent having little trust in him in September 2013. “The Catholic Pope has always been highly regarded by Filipinos, with Pope John Paul II garnering the highest public trust in the history of SWS surveys,” SWS said. Pope Francis is to arrive Jan. 15 for a five-day visit where he will take part in activities in Metro Manila and Leyte. The survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,800 adults nationwide, with 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and 900 in the Visayas. Sampling error margins of ±2% for national percentages, ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and ±3% for Visayas applied to the survey. SWS trust ratings consider net scores of +70 and above as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49 “good”; +10 to +29 “moderate”; +9 to -9 “neutral”; -10 to -29 “poor”; Read More …

GMA News coverage of Pope Francis visit to screen live at malls, buses and on Mercury Quiapo video wall

 General
Jan 132015
 
GMA News coverage of Pope Francis visit to screen live at malls, buses and on Mercury Quiapo video wall

GMA News has partnered with various malls and establishments nationwide to present the special coverage of Pope Francis’ visit from January 15 to 19. The following malls have agreed to show GMA News’ live special coverage via big screens: Mega Manila SM North Edsa SM Manila SM San Lazaro SM Sta. Mesa SM Marikina SM Masinag SM Taytay SM Novaliches SM Fairview SM BF Paranque Luzon  City Walk Mall, Tarlac SM Clark SM San Fernando, Downtown SM Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecijia LCC Mall Legazpi LCC Mall Naga LCC Mall Polangui  VISMIN The District Ayala Mall, Bacolod Public Plaza, Bacolod Marymart Mall, Iloilo GT Mall, Iloilo Gaisano Mall, Davao City Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City Limketkai Mall, CdeO Gaisano Mall, CdeO Centrio Mall, CdeO Provincial Capitol, Misamis Oriental These bus companies will also join in showing the live coverage of the papal visit on their fleets: G Liner Fariñas Bus Transit Five Star Bus company (including bus stations) Mercury Drug in Quiapo also agreed to show GMA News’ special coverage through their big screen. The special coverage can be followed from: January 15, Thursday: Arrival Of Pope And Open Air Motorcade GMA 7: 5:15pm – 8:00pm January 16, Friday: Manila Cathedral Mass GNTV Channel 11: 11:15am – 1:30pm, 5:00pm – 8:30pm January 17, Saturday: Going to Tacloban City GNTV Channel 11: 9:30am-7:00pm January 18, Sunday: Pope Travels from Nunciature to UST, UST Motorcade, Meets w/ Young People GMA 7: 9:45am –12:00pm, 2:00pm – 6:00pm Pope Francis will be arriving in the Philippines Read More …

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