DOTC chief claims LRT, MRT fare hike followed standard procedures

 Entertainment
Jan 072015
 
DOTC chief claims LRT, MRT fare hike followed standard procedures

Two days before Christmas and with thousands of Metro Manila denizens on vacation outside the metropolis, MRT riders experience a rare comfortable ride to their destinations on Tuesday, December 23. Malacañang on Monday stood firm on the government’s decision to raise fares of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) amid calls from some senators to defer the fare hike scheduled that took effect January 4, 2015.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) defended its move to green light the fare increase for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT), which was based on laid-out procedures, its top official said Monday. This is in light of ongoing improvements in the light rails systems, which include the replacement of rails in LRT 1 and MRT, DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya told reporters in a briefing Monday. Abaya said the DOTC merely followed the procedures undertaken in the previous fare increase by LRT in 2003. “We used the same procedures… We’re careful about that. 2011 palang napapag-usapan na ‘yan, wala pa sa executive,” he said. “The procedures were laid out, we had public consultations. What was laid out, we’re just merely following,” Abaya added. Abaya made the statement after Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a former lawmaker and 17 other individuals asked the Supreme Court to stop the LRT and MRT fare increase authorized by the DOTC. Petitioners, which include Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes, former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and former Read More …

Muslim leaders call for a sectoral representative of Muslims outside Bangsamoro

 Entertainment
Jan 072015
 
Muslim leaders call for a sectoral representative of Muslims outside Bangsamoro

Filipino Muslims gather at the Quiapo Mosque in Manila on Sunday (June 29, 2014) to mark the start of Ramadan, a time for spiritual reflection. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from eating, fasting, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Muslim leaders gathered Monday in a roundtable discussion to convey their call for a sectoral representative of Muslims residing outside the Bangsamoro entity. Led by 1-Bangsamoro movement, the event served as a venue for leaders to justify their recommendation for the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. Among the factors which support their recommendation are said to be the large number of Muslims living outside the Bangsamoro entity who have found residence in some parts of Luzon and Visayas; and also the “big contribution” of the said sector of Muslims. Apart from having a sectoral representative, Muslim leaders also urged for the creation of Shari’ah courts in certain areas in the country where there is an “appreciable” number of Muslims. This is due to some cases of Muslims which are only covered by the Shari’ah law, they said. Adding to their list of demands for the BBL is the conduct of special voters’ registration for Muslims outside Mindanao and also for Muslim OFWs. In the House of Representatives, only two committee hearings are left before the committee’s voting on BBL. “We are looking forward to the passage of BBL before the year ends,” Sultan Mohammad Bano of National Federation of Police Read More …

All-English affair for pope’s Sri Lanka-Philippines trip

 News
Jan 072015
 
All-English affair for pope’s Sri Lanka-Philippines trip

Pope Francis, right, meets with faithful at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. AP VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines is shaping up as an all-English affair. The Argentine pope plans to deliver all 11 speeches and homilies in English in a major break from his Italian and occasional Spanish norm. Francis tried out his English a few times during his pilgrimage to South Korea last summer. The Vatican said at the time that the try-out was such a success — Francis even managed to crack jokes off-the-cuff in English — that he would use it more during his second Asian foray. Francis arrives in Sri Lanka Jan. 13 for a two-day visit heavy on calls for reconciliation after the country’s quarter-century civil war. He then flies to the Philippines on Jan. 15 to visit the region hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan. He returns to Rome Jan. 19. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Wednesday that five separate open-air popemobiles would be used during the trip. Francis has eschewed the covered, bullet-proof popemobiles that his predecessors used overseas in favor of open-topped vehicles that he can easily get down from to greet the crowds. While Francis isn’t expected to make any major overtures to China during his trip, he will once again fly through Chinese airspace, giving him the opportunity of sending a new greeting to President Xi Jinping. Read More …

China’s reclamation in West PH Sea 50 % done, says AFP chief

 News
Jan 072015
 
China’s reclamation in West PH Sea 50 % done, says AFP chief

popular Ariella Arida to host online stint for Miss Universe pageant Aces wary of Beermen shooters, not just June Mar Fajardo Jihadist ‘eager for fame’ accidentally reveals Syria location on Twitter–report PAL adjusts flights during Papal visit Want to be a doctor? It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation Supreme Court orders reinstatement of Marcos children in ill-gotten wealth case videos Letters to Pope Francis tell stories of injustice, struggle Gov’t execs backing LRT-MRT fare hike should quit —Cayetano Cayetano ‘dreams of changing’ PH but remains fickle about 2016 plans Tail of doomed AirAsia jet found in Java Sea–Indonesian exec 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation MANILA, Philippines – The military has expressed alarm over the progress of China’ reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “About 50 percent na tapos na sila. It’s alarming in the sense that it could be used for purposes other than peaceful use,” AFP chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “Mayroong isang nire-reclaim na mahaba-haba, about 1 point something or 2 kilometers. Di pa siya developed as an airfield, pero at that span it could be,” he said. He did not identify however which areas in the disputed seas were being reclaimed. The Philippines has a pending case in the international court over the sea dispute. Reclamation activities were reported in recent months in Kagitingan Reef (Fiery Cross Reef) in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys). Last May, Defense Secretary Voltaire Read More …

AirAsia cancels flights in Naia for papal visit

 News
Jan 072015
 
AirAsia cancels flights in Naia for papal visit

popular Ariella Arida to host online stint for Miss Universe pageant Aces wary of Beermen shooters, not just June Mar Fajardo Jihadist ‘eager for fame’ accidentally reveals Syria location on Twitter–report PAL adjusts flights during Papal visit Want to be a doctor? It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation Supreme Court orders reinstatement of Marcos children in ill-gotten wealth case videos Letters to Pope Francis tell stories of injustice, struggle Gov’t execs backing LRT-MRT fare hike should quit —Cayetano Cayetano ‘dreams of changing’ PH but remains fickle about 2016 plans Tail of doomed AirAsia jet found in Java Sea–Indonesian exec 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation MANILA, Philippines—AirAsia on Wednesday said it has canceled domestic and international flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) during the visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines on January 15, 17 and 19. “In line with the papal visit, roads leading to the airport will be temporarily closed and will therefore affect airline operations from January 15 to 19,” AirAsia said in a statement.The following are the canceled flights: SCREENGRAB from AirAsia Facebook Page AirAsia said affected passengers would be able to choose from these options: • Move to the next available flights of the same route within 30 days from original departure• Credit shell valid for 90 days • Refund Affected passengers may call AirAsia’s hotline: (+632) 7422742 from Mondays to Sundays at 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have Read More …

Filipinos going to HK reminded not to bring restricted items

 News
Jan 072015
 
Filipinos going to HK reminded not to bring restricted items

popular Ariella Arida to host online stint for Miss Universe pageant Aces wary of Beermen shooters, not just June Mar Fajardo Jihadist ‘eager for fame’ accidentally reveals Syria location on Twitter–report PAL adjusts flights during Papal visit Want to be a doctor? It’s offense vs defense in PBA Finals 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation Supreme Court orders reinstatement of Marcos children in ill-gotten wealth case videos Letters to Pope Francis tell stories of injustice, struggle Gov’t execs backing LRT-MRT fare hike should quit —Cayetano Cayetano ‘dreams of changing’ PH but remains fickle about 2016 plans Tail of doomed AirAsia jet found in Java Sea–Indonesian exec 119 face raps over garlic price manipulation MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay reminded Filipinos going to Hong Kong not to bring restricted items such as stun guns and similar devices in their hand-carried or checked-in baggage. Binay said stun guns and other devices such as tear gas, bullets, extendible batons, flick knives and knuckle dusters are considered “arms” that are under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance of Hong Kong. “Nananawagan po ako sa ating mga kababayan na maging maingat at huwag nang tangkain pang magdala ng mga pinagbabawal na gamit sa Hong Kong,” Binay said in a statement   on Wednesday. “Mahigpit po sila doon at maging ang inyong mga checked in luggage ay kanilang tinitignan at sinisiyasat ng maigi,” he added. Binay issued this warning after the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong released a report that 60 Filipinos, especially seafarers, were Read More …

Officials hail fearless first-of-the-year transaction amid market volatility

 Economy
Jan 072015
 
Officials hail fearless first-of-the-year transaction amid market volatility

MANILA, Philippines – Finance officials hailed the successfully concluded liability management transaction, as the Philippines marked its return to the international capital markets with a showing consistent with its now emergent sterling reputation. “It took courage and conviction to pursue strategic transaction in the midst of global market volatility. Strong economic fundamentals and track record of well placed deals allowed the RoP to be the first issuer in the global dollar market and to execute a $2 billion 25-year bond at an all time low coupon of 3.95%,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said. This is reminiscent of the award-winning 1-day Accelerated Switch Tender Offer conducted last Jan. 10, 2014, hailed by FinanceAsia to be an innovative case of proactive liability management. “As the reputation of the [Philippines] gains steam in the international markets, we are proud to be the first to issue global bonds in the dollars space,” Purisima added. Treasurer of the Philippines Rosalia de Leon reported on the success of the transaction, saying, “Cash orderbook reached $7.9 billion or 15 times oversubscribed, while liability management orderbook reached $6.1 billion in market value terms. The size of the final deal is $2.0 billion, of which $1.5 billion were used to switch and retire old bonds $500 million in new money will be used for funding the budget.” “Notably, we attracted new name investment grade-only investors in this transaction. This robust response from the international markets reflects that our manifest confidence in the strength of the Philippine economy and liability Read More …

Complete list of canceled flights during Papal visit

 Economy
Jan 072015
 
Complete list of canceled flights during Papal visit

A Philippine Airlines flight ascends from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in this undated photo. Philstar.com/AJ Bolando MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced limited operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 15, 17 and 19 to give way to Pope Francis’ visit in the country. Passengers who have booked on flights listed below are advised to call their airlines for rebooking or refund. Philippine Airlines January 15: Local Manila-Bacolod-Manila (2P2907/2908)Manila-Busuanga-Manila (2P2033/2034)Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila (2P2527/2528)Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila (2P2525/2526)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2057/2058)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2049/2050)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2063/2064)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2053/2054)Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2817/2818)Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2819/2820)Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2823/2824)Manila-Dumaguete-Manila (2P2543/2544)Manila-Laoag-Manila (2P2196/2197)Manila-Legazpi-Manila (2P2927/2928)Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila (2P2787/2788)Manila-Surigao-Manila (2P2095/2096)Manila-Tacloban-Manila (2P2985/2986)Manila-Tacloban-Manila (2P2987/2988)Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila (2P2777/2778)Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila (2P2014/2015)Manila-Zamboanga-Manila (2P2997/2998)Davao-Manila (2P2808 Jan. 16)Cebu-Manila (PR2860)Manila-Cebu-Manila (PR2861/2862)Manila-Cebu (PR2863) January 15: International Manila-Singapore-Manila (PR511/502)Manila-Hong Kong-Manila (PR318/319)Manila-Hong Kong-Manila (PR312/313)Manila-Kansai (PR408)Manila-Bangkok-Manila (PR736/737)Manila-Honolulu-Manila (PR100/101) Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 January 19: Local Manila-Bacolod-Manila (2P2903/2914)Manila-Basco-Manila (2P2084/2085)Manila-Busuanga-Manila (2P2031/2032)Manila-Butuan-Manila (2P2967/2968)Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila (PR1519/1520)Manila-Calbayog-Manila (2P2071/2072)Manila-Catarman-Manila (2P2079/2080)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2039/2040)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2045/2046)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2043/2044)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2051/2052)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2059/2060)Manila-Caticlan-Manila (2P2041/2042)Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2811/2810)Manila-Davao-Manila (2P2813/2814)Manila-Iloilo-Manila (2P2931/2940)Manila-Kalibo-Manila (2P2969/2970)Manila-Legazpi-Manila (2P2925/2926)Manila-Naga-Manila (2P2265/2266)Manila-Ozamiz-Manila (2P2889/2890)Manila-Puerto Princesa-Manila (2P2781/2782)Manila-Roxas-Manila (2P2201/2202)Manila-Surigao-Manila (2P2095/2096)Manila-Tacloban-Manila (2P2981/2982)Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila (2P2773/2774)Manila-Zamboanga-Manila (2P2993/2994)Manila-Zamboanga-Manila (2P2991/2992)Zamboanga-Jolo-Zamboanga (2P2245/2246)Manila-Cebu-Manila (PR2841/2842)Cebu-Manila (PR2846)Manila-Cebu (PR2849) January 19: International Manila-Hong Kong-Manila (PR300/301)Manila-Hong Kong (PR312 Jan. 18) & Hong Kong-Manila (PR313)Manila-Singapore (PR509 Jan. 18) & Singapore-Manila (PR510)Manila-Haneda-Manila (PR422/421)Manila-Haneda-Manila (PR424/423 Jan. 18)Manila-Bangkok-Manila (PR730/731)Manila-Jakarta-Manila (PR539/540)Manila-Fukuoka-Manila (PR426/425)Manila-Singapore-Manila (PR507/508) Air Asia Cebu Pacific January 15: Local 5J479/480 Manila – Bacolod – Manila5J481/482 Manila – Bacolod – Manila5J487/488 Manila – Bacolod – Manila5J529/530 Manila – Busuanga – Manila5J531/532 Manila – Busuanga – Manila5J539/540 Manila – Busuanga – Manila5J787/788 Manila – Butuan – Manila5J899/900 Manila – Caticlan – Manila5J905/906 Manila – Caticlan – Manila5J911/912 Manila – Read More …

Preparations to secure Pope in PH still need improvement—Roxas

 General
Jan 072015
 
Preparations to secure Pope in PH still need improvement—Roxas

MANILA, Philippines–Government agencies and security forces met with President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday to present plans to secure Pope Francis and millions of people ‎who will gather during the Pope’s four-day visit to the country. But Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II admitted on Wednesday that after the President scrutinized and critiqued the proposals of various agencies, more improvement is needed. “Yesterday we had a four-hour session led by President (Aquino). He went over the proposed security plans for each part of the Pope’s visit and critiqued them. May mga dapat pang paigtingin at palakasin (We still have to iron out and fortify a few things),” Roxas told reporters during the Philippine National Police’s traditional New Year’s call in Camp Crame. With only eight days left before the Pontiff’s arrival, Roxas added that the concerned agencies, including the PNP, will continue to polish the security measures for the people and the Pope. Also during the meeting, all intelligence services of the government merged and presented a report to the President. Roxas refused to divulge the report’s content but he named the agencies involved, which included the National Security Agency (NSA), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the intelligence units of the military and police. “We are doing everything to make sure the Pope is safe. Also, the security of the people is equally important,” he added. In a separate interview, PNP officer in charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said they have not monitored any threats against Read More …

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