DOTC to probe Marina’s liability in approving design of capsized Kim Nirvana

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
DOTC to probe Marina’s liability in approving design of capsized Kim Nirvana

Rescuers unload a body bag containing the remains of one the passengers retrieved from the ill-fated M/V Kim Nirvana at the pier in Ormoc City, Leyte on Friday. A ferry loaded with nearly 200 people capsized 200 meters from the shore on Thursday, officials said, killing at least 41 people.(MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya on Monday said officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) may be held liable if the design of the ill-fated MB Kim Nirvana-B was approved despite its supposed deficiencies. “Kung may pagkakamali ng disensyo, nasa Marina ‘yan, nasa naval architect or kung sino man licensed na nag-approve ng design na ito. Titingnan din natin ‘yung anggulo na ‘yan,” Abaya said. The motor banca was bound for Camotes Island in Cebu when it capsized off Ormoc City port shortly after noon Thursday, killing at least 60 passengers. Engineer Nelson Ramirez of the United Filipino Seafarers earlier said that Marina officials must be held liable for approving the design of and issuing an accreditation to Kim Nirvana. “By merely looking at the picture of M/V Kim Nirvana, you don’t have to be a maritime expert to say that this motorized banca is seaworthy or not. You can immediately see that the stability of this double decker vessel is questionable. How it passed the safety standards is the most controversial question of the day,” he said. Abaya said he has tasked Marina Administrator Maximo Mejia, Jr. to probe the approval of Kim Nirvana’s design. Read More …

Door for one-on-one talks with PHL open ‘forever,’ Chinese envoy says

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
Door for one-on-one talks with PHL open ‘forever,’ Chinese envoy says

Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — A day before a United Nations tribunal hears the Philippines’ case against China, Beijing’s ambassador again asked Manila on Monday to consider direct negotiations to resolve their long-running territorial row over the South China Sea. Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua has repeatedly conveyed China’s offer to hold bilateral talks with the Philippine government on their maritime conflicts, saying its door for consultation “is still open and will be open forever.” “I think the best is to sit down bilaterally to talk. We need to resume our bilateral negotiation without any condition. I think this is the best way that we can discuss how to peacefully settle these disputes,” Zhao told journalists at his official residence after the Chinese government donated books to the National Library of the Philippines. For the first time since Manila filed the case against China before the The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, a five-man panel of judges will conduct oral arguments from July 7 to 13 to determine jurisdiction over the Philippines’ complaint questioning Beijing massive claim in the resource-rich waters. “Our door for bilateral consultation and negotiation is still open and will be open forever,” Zhao said. But Philippine government officials said Read More …

NaFFAA Commends Carnegie’s tribute to immigrants

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
NaFFAA Commends Carnegie’s tribute to immigrants

Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban & Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) Washington, D.C. “We are heartened by Carnegie Corporation’s July 4th tribute to immigrants and their vital contributions to this country,” says NaFFAA National Chairman JT Mallonga, in a statement praising the corporation’s “Great Immigrants: The Pride of America” initiative. This year, 39 naturalized citizens from more than 30 countries are being honored for helping strengthen American democracy and advancing U.S. society, culture and economy. Among the honorees are two Filipino Americans: Seton Hall University President Dr. A. Gabriel Esteban and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret.) “Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, came to this country as the son of impoverished immigrants and grew up to become one of the greatest contributors to American industry and philanthropy,” said Carnegie Corporation President Vartan Gregorian. “His devotion to U.S. democracy stemmed from his conviction that the new infusion of talent that immigrants bring to our country keeps American society vibrant.” Every July 4 since 2006, Carnegie Corporation pays tribute to immigrants and their accomplishments. “It’s a great honor to the Filipino American community that two of our leaders have been recognized for their valuable contributions to this country,” adds Mallonga. “Their inspiring accomplishments are a source of pride for us, and we will strive to do the same through our civic engagement and advocacy efforts.”

Peanut Butter Perfection

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
Peanut Butter Perfection

New mash-ups and recipes your family will love (Family Features) From classic recipes passed down through generations to new creations you wouldn’t expect to find on grandma’s table, there’s no shortage of ways to pack peanut butter into deliciously diverse dishes. Celebrate your enduring love for this sticky staple with these winning entries from Southern Peanut Growers’ annual “PB My Way” recipe contest showcasing PB lovers’ all-time favorite peanut butter dishes. Find more inspiration for cooking with peanut butter at www.peanutbutterlovers.com. Peanut Butter Noodle Nests with Spicy Orange Shrimp Grand Prize Winner Peanut Butter Noodle Nests with Spicy Orange Shrimp Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce 1/4 cup orange marmalade 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon grated ginger 8 ounces shrimp, peeled, de-veined 1/4 cup onion, diced 1/4 cup red pepper, diced 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 cloves minced garlic 1/4 cup coconut milk, plus extra 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 1/4 cup island teriyaki sauce 2 teaspoons crystalized ginger 1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (or to taste) 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 (12-ounce) packages ramen noodles, cooked according to package directions 1 cup coleslaw mix Peanuts and scallions, for garnish In medium bowl, combine Sriracha, marmalade, soy sauce, vinegar and grated ginger. Stir to combine and add shrimp. Refrigerate 20 minutes. In large skillet over medium heat, saute onion and pepper in peanut oil until tender. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Reduce heat and add coconut milk, peanut butter, teriyaki sauce, Read More …

Tropical Storm Linfa brings floods in northern Luzon

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
Tropical Storm Linfa brings floods in northern Luzon

Aerial shot of the province of which was heavily damaged by super typhoon Yolanda (MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP |  – Floods inundated towns in the northern Philippines as Tropical Storm Linfa struck the northern edge of the archipelago, where relief agencies were braced for disaster on Sunday. The region’s civil defense chief Chito Castro said that at least 11 coastal towns had been affected by floodwaters and swelling rivers as Linfa passed over the area. “The rain is strong, the wind is strong. Major roads are impassable. Some houses are half-covered (with water), some are completely covered,” he told reporters. He said there were still no reports of casualties from the storm, but this could be because the focus was on relief efforts. Power has also been knocked out in large areas of the north, hampering communications. The storm, packing maximum winds of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, is moving northwest at nine kilometers per hour and is expected to curve northwards, moving off Luzon by Sunday evening. National civil defense chief Alexander Pama said “we have pre-positioned the items necessary” in case the storm prompts any massive evacuations. The disaster-plagued Philippines is hit by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, many of them deadly. Among the worst in recent memory was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the central Philippines in November 2013, leaving more than 7,350 people dead or missing.

Chiz says Coast Guard budget provides for more safety inspections to reduce sea mishaps

 Entertainment
Jul 072015
 
Chiz says Coast Guard budget provides for more safety inspections to reduce sea mishaps

Senator Chiz Escudero, chair of the Joint Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures, conducts a hearing today on the report of the Development Budget Coordinating Committee on the status and direction of the economic, fiscal and monetary policies of the government. Also in photo is Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab.(MNS photo) Senator Chiz Escudero reminded the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of the “promissory note” attached to its P5.6 billion budget this year that it would step up safety inspections of sea vessels and cut down mishaps by the country’s 9,574-strong merchant fleet. Escudero, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said “the targets, to begin with, are already very low, so there’s no excuse on why they can’t be met.” Under the “performance indicators”  affixed to the PCG budget in Republic Act 10651, or the 2015 National Budget, the agency vowed to cut maritime accidents by “5 percent, or from 264 in 2013 to 251 this year.” As to other “maritime incidents,” the Coast Guard promised to bring it down to 517 from 544, or a 5-percent reduction, Escudero said. Escudero said the agency, which is attached to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) also committed to slash marine pollution accidents to 32 percent from 35 percent. “Limang porsyento na bawas sa bilang ng mga aksidente lang ang hinihingi sa PCG, siguro naman kaya nilang tupdin iyon,” Escudero said. But the Bicolano lawmaker said the PCG should have set a higher target considering “the volume of maritime traffic in this archipelagic country of ours.” “There Read More …

BIR ITAD and refunds on erroneously paid taxes

 Economy
Jul 062015
 

It is a well-settled principle that tax exemptions are construed strictly against taxpayers. Hence, tax refunds, which are considered as tax exemptions, are resolved strictly against the claimant. Under Section 229 of the Tax Code of 1997, as amended, any national internal revenue tax alleged to have been erroneously or illegally assessed or collected may be refunded within two years from the date of payment of the tax or penalty by filing a claim for refund or credit with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR).

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