For false alarm, Saudia Airlines in hot water

 News
Sep 232016
 
For false alarm, Saudia Airlines in hot water

The special operations unit of the Philippine National Police aviation security group conducts clearing operations around the isolated Saudia airplane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday (Sept. 20, 2016). JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER Airport authorities are looking into possible penalties to be imposed on Saudi Airlines (Saudia) following Tuesday’s hijacking false alarm at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia). Both the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) are evaluating possible penalties for the false alarm that sent Naia emergency and security forces scrambling to respond. According to Caap officer in charge Jim Sydiongco, his agency is still investigating Tuesday’s incident. According to the Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup), the two pilots of the Manila-bound Saudia flight, which was carrying some 400 pilgrims from Mecca, intended to send distress signal 7600 to the Manila control tower because there was  “no communication,” but mistakenly pressed 7500, which meant there was a hijacking in progress, to air traffic controllers. “The licenses of the pilots are issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia so it is up to them to come up with sanctions. Our jurisdiction is over the airline which operates in the Philippines.  So whatever are the findings, be it sanctions or fines, we still do not know,” he said. MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal told the Inquirer the agency is evaluating whether or not penalties may be imposed on Saudia. Sydiongco said they are also investigating whether or not Saudia could be held accountable Read More …

Parameters of ceasefire in the works

 News
Sep 232016
 
Parameters of ceasefire in the works

Peace negotiators of the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are set to hammer out parameters of what counts as ceasefire violations next month. NDFP ceasefire committee panelist Tirso Alcantara disclosed this development, saying the agreement on Oct. 28 would be the takeoff point before the peace panels can finally work out a bilateral ceasefire. While the NDFP confirmed the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process’ Wednesday statement that no violent encounters have been reported since peace talks resumed last month, consultants said violations of the separately declared ceasefires have occurred. “What we’ll talk about on Oct. 28, we will consolidate the unilateral ceasefires so that would serve as the basis for what should be done,” Alcantara, said, while clarifying “that’s not yet the mutual bilateral ceasefire.” “It’s simply a consolidation of what violations have occurred, what should be done based on the consolidation of the previously declared ceasefires,” he said in a Friday forum. The peace panels have earlier agreed to finalize ceasefire mechanisms in 60 days, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza said on Aug. 29 after the conclusion of the first round of peace talks in Oslo. Alan Jazmines, vice chair of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms, said that even with the ceasefires in place, military and paramilitary forces have continued to disturb local civilian communities. “The problem remains. That needs to be stopped,” Jazmines said. Latest Antidrug judge survives ambush in Agusan Senators Read More …

Gov’t lays down rules for UN, EU probers

 News
Sep 232016
 
Gov’t lays down rules for UN, EU probers

THE CHIEF’S CHOPPER COMETH President Duterte’s helicopter touches down in Villanueva town, Misamis Oriental, on Thursday. Mr. Duterte attended the unveiling of the inaugural marker and ceremonial switch-on of the Filinvest Development Corp. thermal plant. Malacañang Photo Special rapporteurs and rights experts from the United Nations and the European Union invited by President Duterte to investigate the growing number of deaths in the government’s war on drugs must comply with certain protocols and guidelines,  Charles Jose, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday. “UN special rapporteurs follow protocols set by host countries, that’s the process,” Jose said, adding that people to be interviewed and places that they intend to visit are subject to the approval of the government. He said the Philippine government may not allow UN and EU experts to visit Manila’s sprawling slums and talk to families of victims there since “the safety of the rapporteurs is part of the protocols to be considered.” The national police said more than 3,000 drug suspects have been killed by police in operations and unknown vigilante groups since Mr. Duterte took office on June 30. Mr. Duterte himself has said those brutally killed and found with signs indicating they were drug dealers could have been slain by rivals to make it appear they were victims of summary executions. Most of the victims of summary executions in relation to the government’s war on drugs, however, have taken place in slum areas. But Jose said the UN and EU officials may Read More …

Your internal operation system

 Economy
Sep 232016
 
Your internal operation system

You and I are familiar with terms like IOS and Android. These are the internal operating systems of our mobile phones and other gadgets. When a “virus” enters it and when the internal operating system is affected by it, then the entire device does not work with full efficiency. In some other cases, the contents of the device just get decimated. Have you ever experienced a big “win” whether in business or in other things? You worked hard for it, you prepared for it and you practically invested a major part of your time, attention, talent, energy and even your life into it and once you get the expected outcome, the expected ecstasy of joy and celebration was just not there. Perhaps, this is why we have a phrase for it that says: “The hunt is better than the kill.” Like finding gold in a mine, I discovered Dr. Dallas Willard addressing this issue and then, it all makes sense. Dallas Willard is a philosophy professor who passed away just a few years ago but was considered as one of the most influential thinkers in America. Allow me to share some of his thoughts and interject with a few side comments of mine. Willard asks a question: Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “What makes you smile and what claims your energy?” These are the things that claim your soul. When Jesus says: “What profits a man even if he gains the whole world and loses his Read More …

New US government critical to BPO, OFW cash flows

 Economy
Sep 232016
 
New US government critical to BPO, OFW cash flows

Moody’s Investors Service said cash remittances and the income of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the Philippines would be affected by a shift in US policies under the next administration. STAR/File photo Moody’s warns of policy shift MANILA, Philippines – Moody’s Investors Service said cash remittances and the income of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the Philippines would be affected by a shift in US policies under the next administration. In a research note Moody’s said the outcome of the Nov. 8 presidential elections in the US could range from a continuation of the status quo to a gradual retrenchment from trade and investment ties, and curbs on immigration. The rating agency said remittances to Asia including the Philippines could weaken if US tightens immigration rules. “Immigration has been another major focus of the US election campaign. A tightening in immigration rules in the US would over time dampen growth in remittances to other countries, which are significant for some Asia-Pacific sovereigns,” Moody’s said. Moody’s said remittances from the US accounted for 3.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 9.2 percent of the current account (CA) surplus last year. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed cash remittances from overseas Filipinos inched up three percent in the first seven months after contracting 5.4 percent in July alone. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Money sent home by Filipinos abroad reached $15.32 billion from January to July, $449 Read More …

Market jitters wipe out PSEi gains

 Economy
Sep 232016
 
Market jitters wipe out PSEi gains

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined 38.75 points, or 0.49 percent, to settle at 7,723.60, while the broader All Shares index shed 16.34 points, or 0.35 percent to finish at 4,586.71. STAR/File photo MANILA, Philippines – The local stock market erased whatever gains it booked on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve decided to keep rates steady. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined 38.75 points, or 0.49 percent, to settle at 7,723.60, while the broader All Shares index shed 16.34 points, or 0.35 percent to finish at 4,586.71. The rest of counters closed in negative territory except for the mining and oil and the property sectors, which gained 1.39 percent and 0.03 percent, respectively. Total value turnover reached P7.61 billion as advancing stocks outnumbered decliners, 90 to 89 while 51 stocks were left unchanged. Analysts said stock market investors are becoming jittery over President Duterte’s rhetoric and the spate of extrajudicial killings. Standard & Poor’s, a global debt watcher, has warned that stability and predictability of policy making in the Philippines has diminished somewhat with the President’s statements. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “The President has a strong focus on improving ‘law and order,’ which has allegedly resulted in numerous instances of extrajudicial killings since he came to power. We believe this could undermine respect for the rule of law and human rights, through the direct challenges it presents to  the legitimacy of the judiciary, media, and other democratic institutions. When combined Read More …

As DA review on QR starts rice import policy in limbo

 Economy
Sep 232016
 
As DA review on QR starts rice import policy in limbo

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s policy on rice imports remains in limbo as the Department of Agriculture (DA) is just starting to review the possible extension of the quantitative restriction on the main Filipino staple food. “There’s no decision yet. We are doing consultations nationwide with the stakeholders. There are ways to hack it through renegotiations,” Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano told reporters. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has made public his stand on seeking another extension of the QR by least two more years. Should the Philippines decide to extend the QR, World Trade Organization (WTO) member-countries that wish to seek concession for allowing the extension would have to negotiate with the country, which would normally take at least one year of negotiations. In 2014, the Philippines under former president Benigno Aquino III won approval of the WTO to keep import restrictions for three more years to June 2017. The previous administration took two years to renegotiate the extension. “If it would be painless and just extend for two years, then we retain the same concession. If they (WTO members) will ask for more in terms of rice, we don’t have a problem if it’s reasonable. But, they could ask conceivably concessions outside of agriculture which we may be sensitive,” Serrano said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 He said Congress would need to amend the Agricultural Tariffication Act. Under the law, only rice is protected by the QR and it did not specify Read More …

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