Jinggoy unfazed by court allowing evidence from AMLC

 Entertainment
Mar 092015
 
Jinggoy unfazed by court allowing evidence from AMLC

Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday, June 30, for his arraignment over the plunder charges filed against him and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles in connection with the alleged P10-B pork barrel scam. (MNS photo) MANILA, Mar 9 (Mabuhay) – While Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is disappointed by the decision of the Sandiganbayan to allow the testimony of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in his bail hearing, he remains confident of his chances for temporary freedom. “Athough we are saddened by the decision of the court, we have to abide by it. We are ready. I’m totally unfazed,” Estrada told reporters after his bail hearing Monday. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denied with finality the motion of Senator Jinggoy Estrada to block the admission of the AMLC inquiry report on his bank accounts and other assets as the prosecution’s evidence against him for his plunder and graft charges in connection with the pork barrel scam. In an 18-page resolution issued on Thursday, the anti-graft court junked Estrada’s motion for reconsideration for “lack of merit,” saying the senator failed to prove that he had the right to protected from the State’s power to inquire into bank accounts believed to be engaged in illegal activities. Estrada said his lawyers would come up with an appropriate defense against the report, so long as the AMLC special investigator does not tell tall tales. “Ayos lang, basta wag lang sila gumawa ng ibang kwento,” Estrada quipped. In his motion for reconsideration filed last month, Read More …

Amid resignation calls, Aquino gets support from evangelical church leaders

 Entertainment
Mar 092015
 
Amid resignation calls, Aquino gets support from evangelical church leaders

Thousands of students from the University of the Philippines participate Friday in a simultaneous walkout in campuses nationwide to call for President Aquino’s resignation. Different student organizations joined the protest calling for justice, accountability, and change to commemorate the 1st month of the Mamasapano incident. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday received support from evangelical church leaders amid calls for him to resigned over the bloody Mamasapano operation last January 25. During the prayer meeting at the Malacañan Palace grounds, Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva urged Aquino on behalf of other evangelical church leaders not to quit his post. “We are beseeching you to fulfill your duty, your constitutional duty to finish your term,” Villanueva told Aquino during the prayer gathering. Villanueva also assured the President of “all-out support to protect the Constitution.” Before this, the JIL leader read Bible verses on submitting to government authorities and warning against rebellion. Villanueva’s son, Joel, its the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and is Aquino’s close pal. (MNS)

Kitchen Stories: Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce

 Entertainment
Mar 092015
 
Kitchen Stories: Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce

We’ve been cooking a lot of chicken dishes lately, particularly white chicken meat, which has a little less fat and fewer calories compared to dark meat. We are really trying our best to make healthier choices when it comes to our meals. Chicken breast meat has more protein and less cholesterol, so it’s the better choice. We like adding it to our salads, or serving it with some roasted or steamed vegetables and we look forward to sharing our chicken recipes with you! She Said: Our New Year’s resolution to eat healthier meals has been going well so far. We’ve been eating more fruits and vegetables and we’re slowly choosing lean meats over fatty cuts. she said: Now, we only hope to be successful when it comes to desserts! We both have a weakness for all things sweet and can’t resist chocolates, cakes and cookies, but we’re really trying our best most especially for the Lenten season. This recipe calls for skinless chicken breast fillet. The accompanying sauce is a French classic, made with mustard and heavy cream which you can substitute with milk or even plain yogurt. It makes a perfect sauce for pan-seared fish and as topping for pork tenderloin, too. Serve this with some steamed string beans and rice on the side and you’ve got yourself the perfect lunch. Enjoy! Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: Chicken in Creamy Mustard Sauce(adapted from The Pioneer Woman) 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 tablespoons olive oil Read More …

Taiwan for sharing riches of South China Sea

 News
Mar 092015
 
Taiwan for sharing riches of South China Sea

TAIPEI—Taiwan is pushing for joint explorations and development among claimant nations in the South China Sea as a path toward the peaceful resolution of the protracted dispute, hoping the parties would set aside sovereignty issues for the sake of mutual benefit. Kao Ming-Tsun, senior advisor at Taipei’s Department of Economic Affairs, told visiting Manila journalists: “Our concept is that we should be sharing all these resources in these areas, whether in the East China Sea or South China Sea. We should all share the resources together.” The Philippines calls its area in the waters the West Philippine Sea. “Our position would be to share the resources, to put aside differences,” said Kao, who is involved in looking after Taipei’s affairs with China. Taiwan and the Philippines are among the claimants to parts of the South China Sea, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and China. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province, while the island state asserts its sovereignty and right to independent representation and participation in the international community. The Philippines, meanwhile, observes a one-China policy, handling affairs with Taiwan through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taipei. Taiwan deals with the Philippines through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Teco) in Manila. Among the more vocal claimants to disputed islands within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippines is pursuing an arbitration case in the United Nations to invalidate China’s “excessive” territorial delineation through its so-called nine-dash line. Manila also hopes to stop Chinese incursions into its Read More …

BI collects over P3 B in 2014, highest since 1940

 General
Mar 092015
 
BI collects over P3 B in 2014, highest since 1940

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration collected P3.022 billion in revenue 2014, the highest since it was created in 1940. As they are about to celebrate their 75th anniversary this year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) yesterday announced that they have achieved the highest revenue collection amounting to P3.022 billion since the agency’s creation in 1940. In a statement, BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the revenue in 2014 increased by P36.628 million from the P2.985 million total collection in 2013. “As we enter our 75th anniversary in September with theme ‘Be Inspired, Be Innovative, Be Involved’, we commit to provide the best immigration experience to our clientele,” said Mison. He said that they were able to surpass their other annual collections even if the bureau was not primarily a revenue-generating agency but more of a law enforcement agency. This, he added, was an indication that many foreign nationals have been complying with the immigration and registration laws of the country. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In 2014, the BI implemented measures to make payments more accessible and convenient to foreigners such as the one-way processing of visa transactions with specified timelines to avoid papers from going back and forth between offices; field offices were moved to malls for easier access to the clients; and cashless payments were also allowed. As for their personnel, the BI provided trainings including values, leadership and customer service to equip them with the proper skills in dealing with clients’ needs. Read More …

Long-term investments tax exempt – BIR

 Economy
Mar 092015
 
Long-term investments tax exempt – BIR

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue reiterated that interest earnings from long-term deposits or investments are exempted from income tax as long as these have a maturity period of not less than five years. The deposits or investments covered by this rule are time deposits or investments in the form of savings, common or individual trust funds, deposit substitutes and investment management accounts. The income tax exemption can only be enjoyed by depositors that are individual citizens or aliens engaged in trade or business in the Philippines. The long-term deposits or investments must be issued by banks only and not by other entities or individuals.  These must also be issued by banks in denominations of P10,000. Moreover, these deposits should not be terminated before end of the fifth year otherwise they shall be subjected to the graduated withholding tax rates based on the age of the deposit –  five percent (four years to less than five years), 12 percent (three years to less than four years) and 20 percent (less than three years). Except those specifically exempted by law, any other income such as gains from trading, foreign exchange gain shall not be covered by income tax exemption. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In order for interest income derived from investments in individual trust funds or investment management accounts to be exempt from income tax, the investment must be managed by the bank for the named individual at least five years without interruption. The Read More …

DOTC likely to bid out P10.3-B Puerto Princesa airport separately

 Economy
Mar 092015
 
DOTC likely to bid out P10.3-B Puerto Princesa airport separately

Puerto Princesa airport. STAR/File photo  MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is considering excluding the Puerto Princesa airport from the list of six provincial airport projects worth P128 billion that is being offered to investors under the public private partnership (PPP) scheme. A source said the P10.3-billion Puerto Princesa airport would likely be excluded from the list as it is feasible to bid the operation and maintenance (O&M) separately. “Puerto Princesa is likely to be temporarily excluded from the bundled project since it turns out that it may be feasible to bid out its O&M separately,” the source said. Instead, the source pointed out that the Puerto Princesa airport project could be offered to private investors together with the airports in Coron and Busuanga as well as the new airport in San Vicente under a comprehensive airport development plan for the rapidly growing tourism zone of Palawan. The DOTC and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have decided to split the bidding for the O&M of the six provincial airports with three airports each to help ensure that all airports are awarded to competent players and ensure efficient tender of all airports. Package A consists of the Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, and Bacolod-Silay airports worth P60.93 billion while Package B comprises of the Davao, Laguindingan, and New Bohol (Panglao) airports worth P66.9 billion. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The biggest project is the P40.57-billion contract to improve the services and enhance Read More …

Century Properties eyes higher stake in Pacific Star bldg

 Economy
Mar 092015
 
Century Properties eyes higher stake in Pacific Star bldg

MANILA, Philippines – Upscale developer Century Properties Group Inc. is keen on acquiring more shares in the firm that owns the Pacific Star Building in Makati City, the company’s top official said. In an interview, Century Properties chairman Jose Antonio told The STAR that the company is interested in hiking further its 50 percent stake in the low-rise tower located at the corner of Sen. Gil J. Puyat and Makati Avenue. “Yes we are looking to increase our stake if it is for sale. We are looking at any available units,” Antonio said. He said the company is also keen on even extending its ownership to Pacific Star’s high-rise tower, the structure situated just beside the low-rise building, if it would be offered for sale. The listed property firm controlled by the Antonio family acquired last year a 50-percent stake in the company that owns the low-rise tower of Pacific Star Building in a move to diversify its revenue streams and expand its commercial portfolio. “Right now, we’re redeveloping the low-rise tower,” Antonio said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The Pacific Star Building is a 20-year-old office building and a landmark in the Makati central business district. It consists of a 29-story structure and a six-story low-rise building.

Balance and flexibility in your senior years

 Entertainment
Mar 092015
 
Balance and flexibility in your senior years

Seniors and the elderly should stretch two to three times a week, performing each stretch three to five times with a 20-30-second hold. Photo from quotering.com My father is an inspiration to his many friends and acquaintances. He is the epitome of a healthy nonagenarian who still drives his car, plays golf, travels, goes to office, and exercises on a daily basis. During my father’s 90th birthday some years back, one segment of the program we prepared for him was to ask a few of his friends to talk about their experiences with him. Almost all of his friends have known him for decades although they are younger than him. They are bound by their love for golf and they travel together to attend golf tournaments for senior citizens.  All of them talked about how sprite and flexible Dad is at his age. One particular friend was Dad’s roommate during one of their trips and, in his speech, he said he was astounded to see Dad doing shoulder stands as part of his exercise regimen before getting ready for the day’s golf game.How did Dad achieve flexibility and strength till his nonagenarian years?For what it is worth, there was not a time in Dad’s life that he did not do a kind of sport — basketball in his younger years, swimming and tennis in his 30s and 40s, golf in his 50s till the present, in his 90s.His exercises include a lot of stretching ( leg, body, and arm stretches), Read More …

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