Maniolas

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, shares the stage with the PPDWE heads of delegation for a group photo during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy 2015 Fora Public Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE) at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Thursday (September 17), with the theme: “Women as Prime Movers of Inclusive Growth.” The Fora supports the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy by gathering more participation from multi-sector key players from the private sector, academia, and civil society for dialogue and exchange of learning and best endeavors to advance gender integration, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment agenda in APEC. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippines is looking at starting an initiative that would allow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to apply for financing using their record in paying monthly electricity and water dues as credentials. Department of Trade and Industry Nora Terrado, chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women and the Economy 2015 Fora, said this proposal conforms with the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) 2015-2018 Strategic Plan that “supports the integration of gender responsive policies to further advance women’s empowerment and gender equality.” In the Philippines, more than 60 percent of MSMEs are owned by women. Terrado highlighted the need for the informal sector to build credentials “because most of them don’t have bank accounts.” One of Read More …

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte MANILA (Mabuhay) – A supporter of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte claimed on Friday that convincing the tough-speaking mayor to run for President in 2016 is the only way to push for real reform. Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) founding chairman and president Dante Jimenez said Duterte is “the only person who could bring drastic changes” in the country and break the status quo. The VACC official insisted that no other politician can equal the reforms the mayor pushed in his turf which is now considered as the sixth safest city in the world. Jimenez appealed to fellow Duterte supporters to join the demonstration at Rizal Park, Manila on September 26 to trump Duterte’s plans to retire from public life next year. “It’s high time na i-lay down na natin ang baraha. Status quo ba tayo or palitan natin ang sistema ng gobyerno?” Jimenez said. Jimenez also bemoans the possibility that Duterte may no longer change his mind on ruling out a presidential bid. “Nakakalungkot kung ito po ay hindi pagbibigyan man lamang ni Mayor Duterte ang panawagan ng mga kababayan natin na sawang-sawa nang araw-araw may patayan, araw-araw may rape, araw-araw may mga carnapping, kidnapping at saka murder, riding-in-tandem, drugs.” Duterte announced earlier this month that he has no plans of seeking the presidency and will retire from public life next year. The mayor instead promised that he will support any candidate who backs federalism and will support his advocacy in Mindanao.(MNS)

By Abner Galino Veteran Franco Arcebal and Bernie Ganon listen as Justice for Filipino American Veterans Coordinator Art Garcia stresses a point. Photo: Odette Galino FILIPINO American veteran leader Franco Arcebal recently urged the Filipino-American youth to continue seeking justice for his fellow World War II veterans who were denied rights by the government of the United States of America shortly after the war ended.  “You wouldn’t know (the injustice committed against the veterans) if no one had told you. That is why you need to continue telling others about our story so that the others would know,” Arcebal told a gathering in the historic Filipino town in downtown Los Angeles last week. Arcebal, together Bernie Ganon and Art Garcia, prominent leaders espousing the causes of WW II veterans, were part of a panel that spoke to students and community youths in an event called Face to Face with Filipino American Veterans organized by Kabataang Maka-Bayan, pro-people youth group Los Angeles.  “It’s terrible. Can you imagine? A government propagating justice all over the world, but doing this injustice to Filipino veterans?,” Arcebal lamented. Arcebal was referring to the Rescission Act of 1946 which took away rights and benefits from some 200,000 Filipinos who fought with the US military during World War II against the Japanese. The said law was passed by the US Congress a few months after it granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Prior to this, the US Congress passed a law called the Servicemen’s Read More …