Disqualification bids

 Economy
Dec 222015
 
Disqualification bids

The camp of Sen. Grace Poe has hinted someone is behind the several attempts designed to have her disqualified from the presidential race. There are two who stand to benefit from Poe’s disqualification, Liberal Party standard bearer and Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay, although of course the picture changes with the entry of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the race. One newspaper columnist cited some political analysts as saying the group of Binay may be behind all of this as evidenced by the following: First, it was United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) president Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco who made the opening salvo when he questioned the citizenship of Poe during a press conference. And then right after, a disqualification case based on citizenship questions was filed with the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) by lawyer Rizalito David, the former chief of staff of then Sen. Francisco Tatad, against Poe. Tatad is known to be an ardent supporter of Binay. (David has also filed a disqualification case against Duterte with the Comelec last Dec. 21, opposing the Davao mayor’s substitution for PDP-Laban former standard bearer Martin Diño and branding this as null and void) Second, David’s lawyer, Manuelito Luna, also represented Tatad in another case, this time filed with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), to disqualify Poe from the presidential race. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Third, former UE Law Dean Amado Valdez filed a disqualification case with the Comelec against Poe’s bid for the presidency. Read More …

No end to flooding, heavy traffic

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
No end to flooding, heavy traffic

There seems to be no end to the perennial flooding problems that has plagued Metro Manila for years. A week ago, it was reported that large areas of Metro Manila was flooded because of typhoon “Nona” and tropical depression “Onyok,”  making it virtually difficult for residents to commute. As usual, thousands of motorists and commuters were reportedly stranded in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Hundreds of commuters who were unavailable to find public transport, were forced to wade through waist-deep floods just to get home. Vendors eat their lunch as they wait for customers at a flooded market in Candaba, Pampanga, north of Manila on Friday. Vast swathes of farmlands inundated by Typhoon Lando in October were flooded again this week due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Nona.(MNS photo) Metro Manila has a total population of about 12 million and its total land area is equivalent to or even larger than most provinces in the Philippines. Until such time that the government demolish all shanties built by illegal settlers along esteros, sidewalks and those under bridges, Metro Manila will continue to deteriorate. Since there is no alternative for low income housing, people are forced to live or squat in make-shift shanties along esteros, sidewalks or even under bridges. Congressmen and Mayors in Metro Manila have ignored the presence of these “squatters” since they represent votes during elections. Hopefully, elected officials in Metropolitan Manila will have the political will, one of these days, to finally evict these illegal squatters if only to help Read More …

Achievements of young Fil-Ams cited in Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
Achievements of young Fil-Ams cited in Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards

Outstanding Filipino-American students WASHINGTON, DC—Thirteen young, outstanding Filipino-Americans were recognized for their academic excellence and community service during the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards on 17 December 2015 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy. Now on its 23rd year, the annual award recognizes students from the elementary, high school, and undergraduate levels in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area who epitomize the values of the Philippine National Hero. This year’s awardees were the following (grade levels during AY 2014-2015): Trina Sophia LaFortune – 3rd grade, Holy Spirit School Rebecca Verba Honigford – 4th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School Gerard Gonzaga – 6th grade, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School Regina Verba Honigford – 6th grade, Our Lady of Good Counsel School Arianne Arizala – 7th grade, Redland Middle School Adeline Christelle Baban – 8th grade, St. John Academy Justin Francis T. Bustamante – 8th grade, St. Peter’s School Janelle Gonzaga – 9th grade, Freedom High School Nicholas T. Mañalac – 9th grade, Fairfax High School Jed Paolo Dela Torre – 10th grade, Benjamin Banneker High School Joseph Brandon B. Gopiao – 10th grade, Lake Braddock Secondary School Allan James Phillips – 11th grade, Oakton High School Jennifer Marie R. Palo – graduate level, Bowie State University In his keynote address, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. talked about Rizal’s life and urged the awardees to continue learning more about the hero after whom the award is named. “Jose Rizal’s accomplishments were never achieved before by a Filipino during that time. He realized his potential and he never allowed life’s hardships to stop him Read More …

Pia Wurtzbach wins Miss Universe

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
Pia Wurtzbach wins Miss Universe

But not after host Steve Harvey says Miss Colombia was winner Miss Philippines 2015, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (center), who was mistakenly named as First Runner-up, reacts with other contestants after being named the eventual winner and 2015 Miss Universe at the Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday (Monday in Manila) (MNS photo) MANILA, Dec 21 (Mabuhay) – Pia Wurtzbach was crowned Miss Universe 2015 on Sunday (Monday PHL time). She becomes only the third Filipina to win the crown after Gloria Diaz and Margarita Moran. The 26-year-old Filipina-German actress and model was crowned amid much confusion after host Steve Harvey initially announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner of the 64th edition of the pageant. Harvey apologized and said he read the wrong results. Pia was shocked so was Ariadna. Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega stood awkwardly between Pia and Ariadna and only after a few minutes was she able to get the crown off Ariadna’s head and put it on Pia’s head. Pia was elegant in her final walk before the winners were named, as shown in this video of Miss Universe on their official Twitter account In the question and answer portion, when asked why she should be named Miss Universe (a question also asked of Miss USA and Miss Colombia), Pia said she will use her voice to influence the youth and raise awareness to causes that are relevant such as HIV awareness. “I will use my voice to influence the youth and Read More …

PHL spends $1.8-B on military modernization

 Entertainment
Dec 212015
 
PHL spends $1.8-B on military modernization

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the 80th founding anniversary of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday (Dec. 21, 2015) at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. Also in photo is National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.(MNS photo) Manila, Philippines | AFP | Monday 12/21/2015 – Philippine President Benigno Aquino promised Monday that 83.9 billion pesos ($1.77 billion) allocated for military modernization projects would be spent by 2017 as the country faces a territorial dispute with China. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the armed forces, Aquino said his administration had already spent 56.79 billion pesos of the total scheduled for full disbursement by 2017 on “big-ticket” modernization programs. This was more than the sum spent by the three previous administrations, said Aquino, who took office in 2010 and leaves office next year, as he bemoaned the lack of proper equipment that had long hampered the military. “Back then, because of lack of equipment, there was a soldier in a sensitive operation carrying a purple backpack from a fast food chain. I just don’t think a purple backpack is suited for an operation in the jungle,” he told assembled soldiers. The president cited the new equipment purchased in recent years including FA-50 jets, the country’s first supersonic fighter aircraft for a decade. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Gen. Hernando Iriberri (left), leads the arrival honors for President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 80th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Read More …

Mar taunts Rody: Ang lider ng ating bansa, hindi umuurong

 General
Dec 212015
 
Mar taunts Rody: Ang lider ng ating bansa, hindi umuurong

President Benigno S. Aquino III with Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo are greeted by supporters outside the Manila Cathedral as they walk to Commission on Election building to file their Certificate of Candidacy, Thursday, (October 15). Tomorrow, Friday, (October 16) is the deadline of filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections. (MNS photo) LEYTE, Dec 21 (Mabuhay) – Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas is far from done with his tirades against fellow presidential candidate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. In his visit to Baybay, Leyte Sunday, Roxas taunted Duterte for “backing out” from his challenge of settling their feud through a debate, fistfight or a slapping match. “Hamon sa sampalan, umurong; hamon sa suntukan, umurong; hamon sa debate, umurong. Ang lider ng ating bansa hindi umuurong sa hamon, hinaharap ito,” Roxas insisted. Roxas’ criticism of the peace and order in Davao sparked a bitter word war with Duterte. The seven-term mayor has accused Roxas of falsely claiming that he is a graduate of the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. What followed was a mutual challenge to slap each other if one of them was proven wrong. Roxas also dared Duterte to a fistfight and debate. In the interview, Roxas stressed that he was able to disprove Duterte’s accusation regarding his academic credentials. The administration’s bet said the Wharton School itself confirmed that he finished his undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics, major in Finance from the school in Read More …

Transparency through TIMTA

 Economy
Dec 212015
 

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation promotes free and open trade and investment thereby increasing competition throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This makes it an opportune time to offer an attractive business environment to foreign investors. One of the tools for attracting foreign investment is fiscal incentives. Currently, several investment promotion agencies (IPAs) such as the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and others grant tax holidays, investment allowances, accelerated depreciation, reduced corporate income tax rates, and exemptions from indirect taxes, to eligible investors.

WTO members to scrap export subsidies

 General
Dec 212015
 
WTO members to scrap export subsidies

Philippine Daily Inquirer By: Ronnel W. Domingo, December 22nd, 2015 12:30 AM MEMBERS of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including the Philippines, moved to scrap agricultural export subsidies, providing a fresh whiff of agreement even as the global grouping continued to be divided on the direction of worldwide trade reforms. WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo said in a statement that the decision was the “most significant outcome on agriculture” since the group was formed 20 years ago. “WTO members—especially developing countries—have consistently demanded action on this issue due to the enormous distorting potential of these subsidies for domestic production and trade,” Azevedo said. “Today’s decision tackles the issue once and for all.” Gathered in Kenya for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, the ministers adopted the so-called Nairobi Package that includes a decision on export competition. The nine-page decision states that WTO members that are developed countries will immediately eliminate their remaining export subsidy entitlements. Also, members that are developing countries will eliminate their export subsidy entitlements by the end of 2018. However, developing members may keep the flexibility to cover marketing and transport costs for agriculture exports until the end of 2023. As for the poorest and food-importing countries, they are provided additional time to comply with the decision. The United States and the European Union, among the Philippines’ major trading partners, have in years raised concern about the latter offering support for exporters. In particular, the EU has described this as a “potentially trade-restrictive” measure. Also, Washington Read More …

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