Kim says wear something comfortable; Kathryn urges you keep make-up light.
Feb 082015
Feb 082015
(Updated 10:32 a.m.) The Senate investigation on the deadly Mamasapano encounter that took the lives of 44 elite cops has started on Monday morning. Former Philippine National Police chief General Alan Purisima, and at least four cabinet officials attended the hearing. The Senate hearing was led by the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, chaired by Senator Grace Poe. In her opening statement, Senator Poe said that the resource persons should answer the hanging questions on command and control issues, combat operations and intelligence, training of police forces, and equipage of forces. “In the assumption that there was good intelligence…. why did the PNP employ a small number of forces?” the neophyte senator said. “Were our police troops equipped with appropriate weapons and other equipment needed for such kind of operations?” she added. Poe also challenged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s sincerity to achieve peace. “I believe the MILF should commit to specify time frame to clear the area of BIFF forces together with government forces.” Present at the hearing Among the resource persons present at the hearing were: Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II Secretary Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Justice Secretary Leila De Lima Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, peace panel chairman ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman PNP OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin Justice Secretary Leila De Lima Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of 6th Read More …
Feb 082015
THE GOVERNMENT said it will decide within the month on the project bundling of P116.23-billion worth of contracts to develop, operate and maintain six regional airports, officials said on Saturday.
Feb 082015
DAVAO CITY — Even with the current airport coming in for a P40.57-billion upgrade this year under the national government’s public-private partnership program, Davao’s Regional Development Council (RDC) is planning for a second, bigger airport or a cluster of satellite airports.
Feb 082015
(First of two parts) The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Action Plan 6 on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative recognizes that countries need to incorporate sufficient safeguards in their tax treaties and domestic rules to protect against practices that take advantage of the differences in national tax systems and the weaknesses in the application of tax treaties.
Feb 082015
I spent the past two weeks as a Pacific Leadership Fellow at the School of International and Pacific Relations of the University of California, San Diego, and the highlight of my fellowship was a 40-minute talk I gave on the general topic of “Democracy and Cultural Expression: Confronting Modernization in the Philippines.” The PLF — usually a government or business leader from the Asia-Pacific region — is asked to make a public presentation to a large audience composed of academic and community representatives, to introduce and discuss major issues facing his or her society. I felt it safer to presume that the non-Filipino members of my audience last Jan. 28 knew very little about Philippine history and politics, so I began with a broad overview of that history, bringing things to the present and the medium-term horizon, considering both our strengths and resources — noting the robustness of our recent economic growth — but also the longstanding inequalities and structural weaknesses that continue to hold us back. Here’s a slightly edited excerpt from the rest of my talk: We have to pause and wonder exactly what kind of democracy we have in the Philippines, and what needs to be done — particularly on the cultural front — to achieve a fuller sense of the word. I wouldn’t go so far as to call Philippine democracy a sham, because most Filipinos enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms absent in patently undemocratic societies —freedom of expression, of association, of mobility, of enterprise; the Read More …
Feb 082015
Helena Benitez: One of our Mother of All Mother Entrepreneurs, she was the chair of the Philippine Women’s University, the first alumna who became its president and chairwoman. She was an active educator, society leader, legislator, and women’s advocate. Three weeks from now we will once again celebrate Women’s Month: March. And for the past six years, Go Negosyo has celebrated the contributions and successes of many Filipinas through our Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit. This summit is dedicated to all Filipinos — particularly Filipinas — who strive to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s success. For six years in a row, this summit, which usually has over 5,000 attendees, empowers our Filipinas by equipping them with a positive mindset and the tools and concepts necessary for them to pursue the path towards success, most especially by being entrepreneurial and enterprising. This year, during our seventh Filipina Summit, we will continue to recognize a new batch of Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Awardees who have inspiring stories of success in their own different fields. We all know that the business sector is no longer dominated by men. Even Pinays can be champions in the various fields and industries of this country. Before we name the latest batch of Filipinas, let me share with you some of our Most Inspiring Filipina Awardees for the past six seasons of the Filipina Summit. They have shared their stories, inspirations and advice with many. We hope that before we name the latest batch, you can learn Read More …
Feb 082015
MANILA, Philippines – Factory output likely expanded by 7.5 percent in December due to a strong demand from the domestic market and a rise in export performance, Moody’s Analytics said. “Industrial production in the Philippines grew strongly through the second half of 2014 and we expect this to continue in the December report,” Moody’s Analytics said in a research note. “Robust domestic demand improving export demand are driving a solid upturn in manufacturing,” the research firm said. Manufacturing output, as measured by the volume of production index, grew faster by 8.1 percent in November from 7.7 percent in October. Official December factory output data will be released on Tuesday. “Fourth quarter GDP figures have already been released, showing a 7.3-percent year-on-year expansion in manufacturing,” Moody’s Analytics said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “We expect a similar return in the final industrial production print for the year,” Moody’s continued. The November performance was driven by the increases in the production of printing products, fabricated metal products, beverages, paper and paper products, non-metallic mineral products, and basic metals, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed. Meanwhile, the value of production index also went up by 7.5 percent in November from a year ago. The PSA said this was due to higher returns from printing products, fabricated metal products, beverages, paper and paper products, non-metallic mineral products, and leather products. The country’s manufacturing sector recorded double-digit growth in the second half of 2013, helping the domestic economy achieve a Read More …
Feb 082015
MANILA, Philippines – Don’t be duped, fooled, or taken advantage by others in business deals and personal transactions because of unfamiliarity on contract law. Life is a series of agreements and it will be useful to understand contract law, especially for non-lawyers in family businesses and for professionals. It’s a life skill that all citizens must know. Don’t be one of the many who have become victims of flawed, void or voidable contracts that cannot be enforced. To help you avoid pitfalls and traps in creating and enforcing agreements, the Center for Global Best Practices is launching a one-day seminar entitled, “Best Practices Guide on Contract Law for Non-Lawyers” on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. For details and a complete list of upcoming seminars including How To Prevent, Collect and Prosecute Those With Bouncing Checks, International Trade Training Seminars, HR Laws, Education Law, and more, you may log on to www.cgbp.org or call (+63 2) 842-7148/ 59 and 556-8968/ 69, Cebu lines: (+63 32) 512-3106 or 07 or Baguio line: (+63 74) 423-5148. This pioneering seminar is designed to update professionals, businessmen and non-lawyers about the fundamentals and sticky areas of Philippine law governing obligations and contracts. Knowledge of the substance and form of agreements can prevent serious conflicts and business losses that can snowball into lawsuits and even violence. A legally enforceable contract binds the parties to their respective promises and signals the start of a smooth and continuous relationship for them. Read More …
Feb 082015
MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is set to hold bilateral air talks with Singapore authorities this week and is likewise looking at the possibility of holding similar discussions with the United Arab Emirates. This was revealed to the STAR by CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla on the sidelines of Singapore Airlines’s recent launch of its Showcase and Travel Fair 2015 last week at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. Arcilla said he would meet with the Philippine air panel and representatives of the UAE today to discuss Emirates Airlines’ request for more seat entitlements. “We are going to meet again (today). I don’t know what will happen,” Arcilla revealed, adding that “discussions are complicated since it would involve Sixth Freedom issues.” UAE has been pushing for bilateral air talks to formalize its request for more seat entitlements for the Manila-Dubai route after Emirates’ code-sharing arrangement with Philippine Airlines ended several months ago. However, local carriers PAL and Cebu Pacific are opposed to the UAE’s move to hold bilateral air talks as it would affect the two local airlines’ plans to expand their operations in the Middle East which is a top destination for overseas Filipino workers. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Emirates Airlines was recently penalized by CAB for mounting unauthorized extra flights for the Manila-Dubai route. Meanwhile, CAB is also scheduled to hold bilateral air talks with Singapore on Thursday. According to Arcilla, one of the topics for discussion would include the Read More …