Duterte wants speedy release of Vietnamese fishermen caught poaching in PHL waters last year

 Entertainment
Oct 022016
 
Duterte wants speedy release of Vietnamese fishermen caught poaching in PHL waters last year

President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang at the Presidential State Palace in Hanoi on Thursday. Duterte is in Vietnam for a 2-day official visit to discuss bilateral matters and strengthen ties with the socialist republic. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) — Fresh from a two-day official visit in Vietnam, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite the release of all Vietnamese fishermen caught poaching in Philippine waters last year. No timetable has been set for the release although the President reportedly wanted it soon and at government’s expense, according to Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes. Balmes added the Vietnamese vessels used in the illegal fishing activities which were seized by Philippine authorities will also be returned to Vietnam. President Rodrigo Duterte and Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang bend over to show respect during a ceremony at the State Palace in Hanoi on September 29. (MNS photo) It was not immediately clear why the President issued the directive, why it only covered a certain year, and how many Vietnamese fishermen would benefit from it. Reports said seven Vietnamese fishermen were arrested by the Philippine Navy over illegal fishing activities 33 nautical miles west of Currimao, Ilocos Norte in October last year. The Vietnamese reportedly caught manta rays, tuna, and shark meat and fins. And just weeks before Duterte flew to Hanoi for his business trip, the Philippine Navy nabbed 17 Vietnamese fishermen on board three vessels on September 8 for suspected poaching Read More …

PHL-Vietnam ties seen to strengthen after Duterte visit

 Entertainment
Oct 022016
 
PHL-Vietnam ties seen to strengthen after Duterte visit

President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam on September 28. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed confidence that the Philippines will build a stronger relationship with Vietnam as he pledged to work closely with his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to find ways to collaborate in the campaign against the illegal drugs trade. In his predeparture briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II in Pasay City, the President said he will work with Vietnam and the rest of the ASEAN in curtailing the proliferation of illegal drugs to secure a better future for the next generations. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photograph with his delegation and some overseas Filipinos in Vietnam on September 28.(MNS photo) “I am confident that, as we build on the outcomes of this visit, the relations between the Philippines and Vietnam will become even more stronger, pursued, as it has to be, with mutual respect, closer cooperation and deeper understanding,” the President said. He said that upon his return, he would report on the accomplishments of his visit. President Duterte stressed that the two-day official visit is important as the Philippines and Vietnam commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations. Both countries also prepare to take leadership in the roles of the region in 2017 — the Philippines as chair of the ASEAN and Vietnam, as chair of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). He said that for the past 40 Read More …

Sen. Aquino has prerogative to investigate foreign policy direction of Duterte administration: DFA

 Entertainment
Oct 022016
 
Sen. Aquino has prerogative to investigate foreign policy direction of Duterte administration: DFA

By Jelly F. Musico PROMOTING THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS: Senator Migz Zubiri, chair of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, on Tuesday discusses proposals seeking to promote the ease of doing business in the country by simplifying bureaucratic procedures, eradicating red tape and promoting competitiveness. Looking on is Sen. Bam Aquino. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Tuesday that Senator Paolo Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino has the prerogative to conduct Senate inquiry into foreign policy direction of President Rodrigo Duterte. ”I’m sure as a senator of the Republic, that is well within the prerogative of any senator to inquire into — as a matter fact, the Senate is already inquiring into that,” Yasay said in a press briefing in Malacanang. Aquino, cousin of President Duterte’s predecessor President Benigno Aquino III, has filed Senate Resolution No. 158 asking the Senate to investigate what he claimed conflicting statements of President Duterte and his senior officials. ”This is a matter that will probably be more a concern of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that we have, chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. So, if he wants to air these concerns, then he brings it to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee so that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will be able to investigate this matter,” Yasay said. Yasay believed that there are no conflicting statements from President Duterte and his Cabinet officials with regards to the foreign policy direction of the government. ”Our foreign policy must Read More …

PSG denies De Lima’s claim that Sanchez was forced to sign affidavit

 Entertainment
Oct 022016
 
PSG denies De Lima’s claim that Sanchez was forced to sign affidavit

Senator Leila de Lima welcomes Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa before the start of the Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings.(MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – The Presidential Security Group refuted on Wednesday Senator Leila de Lima’s claim that her former security aide Philippine Air Force (PAF) Sgt. Jonel Sanchez was forced to sign an affidavit against the lady senator. ”This is to refute her statement about Sgt. Jonel Sanchez PAF. To date, he has not signed any affidavit to that effect,” PSG spokesperson Lt. Col. Michael Aquino said in a press statement. Aquino said Sanchez, who has been confined to barracks while he was being investigated for allegation that he was De Lima’s bagman, has signified to have a counsel “preferably of his own choice.” ”But up to now he has not presented one. Since we fully respect his right to counsel, we have given him enough leverage to produce one. Therefore, the text message sent to Sen. De Lima has no basis,” Aquino said. In a press conference at the Senate on Wednesday, De Lima claimed that she received a text message from her asset that her former security aide was being forced to sign an affidavit. Aquino assured that the PSG will abide by the rule of law in handling the case of Sanchez. The PSG reportedly said it would allow Sanchez to appear in the House of Representatives inquiry into the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Read More …

LAPD to train Manila cops vs drugs

 Entertainment
Oct 022016
 
LAPD to train Manila cops vs drugs

By Lily O. Ramos President Duterte leads the inspection of shabu laboratory in Arayat, Pampanga: President Rodrigo R. Duterte leads the inspection of the seized shabu laboratory in Arayat, Pampanga on Tuesday (Sept. 27, 2016. (Photo by Rey Baniquet/PPD/PNA) MANILA  (PNA) – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada announced Wednesday he will bring to the city next month a team of elite policemen-instructors from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to train members of the Manila Police District (MPD) to become Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructors. DARE Philippines Association, Inc., a non-profit non-government organization, brought DARE from the US to Philippine schools in 1993 through Estrada’s initiative when he was vice president and concurrent head of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC). Estrada said they hope to train more DARE instructors as part of the city government’s plan to expand the coverage of DARE, a classroom instruction program that taps active duty police officers to teach Grades 5 and 6 students good decision-making skills to keep them away from drugs and other vices. “We will be going full-blast so we need more DARE instructors who will give DARE lessons,” the mayor said. “This is my way of helping President Duterte in his fight against drugs, by teaching the young generation how to say ‘No’ to drugs at an early age.” “This (DARE) is our first line of defense against illegal drugs in our schools. We must save our children before drugs get them,” he added. As chairman of DARE Philippines, Estrada has Read More …

Voluntary disclosure could return to BoC

 Economy
Oct 022016
 

IMPORTERS could once more resort to a voluntary disclosure program for errors in their Bureau of Customs (BoC) records, with a draft memorandum order for the implementation of the post-clearance audit provisions of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) providing for a Prior Disclosure Program (PDP), restoring the bureau’s post-clearance audit functions.

The impact of IFRS 16, Leases, on lessees in the retail industry

 Economy
Oct 022016
 

(First of two parts) After a long wait, the new accounting standard on leases, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 16, was finally issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in January 2016. IFRS 16 will replace the currently used International Accounting Standards (IAS) 17, Leases. It will have a significant impact on lessees as they will be required to recognize most of their leases on their balance sheets. On the other hand, there will be little or virtually no impact for the lessors as their accounting for their lease contracts will be substantially the same.

Filipino housewife is ‘Vietnam Idol’

 News
Oct 022016
 
Filipino housewife is ‘Vietnam Idol’

‘VIETNAM IDOL’ Janice Buco was adjudged winner of the seventh season of “Vietnam Idol.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THEY told her she couldn’t make it in “Vietnam Idol,” a popular singing tilt. But 28-year-old Janice Buco was destined to prove them all wrong. On Friday night, Buco wowed even her fiercest detractors and was adjudged the winner of the seventh season of “Vietnam Idol.” She is the first Filipino and foreigner to ever join and win the contest, which only opened its doors to non-Vietnamese singers this year. Buco, who adopted the stage name of Janice Phuong, chalked up her victory to sheer determination and a lot of guts. “I didn’t have an inkling that I would win. I thought I’d only end up in second place because I was a Filipino and not Vietnamese,” she said on Saturday. On the night of the finals on Friday in Ho Chi Minh City, she could not believe her ears when the host called her name as the victor, defeating a 22-year-old local. “Up to now, it still hasn’t sunk in. I couldn’t help crying when they announced that I won,” she said. She won 54.25 percent of the audiences’ votes with her powerful alto, taking home a cash prize of 600 million Vietnamese dong ($28,600). “Vietnam Idol” is based on the show, “American Idol.” From Bohol Buco, a native of Bohol province, has been staying in Hanoi for a couple of years with her Vietnamese husband, Minh Que. She was supposed to perform Read More …

Philexport urges more competitive monetary policy

 Economy
Oct 022016
 
Philexport urges more competitive monetary policy

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.  (Philexport) is urging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to adopt a monetary policy that will allow the Philippine peso to be competitive and at the same time generate more employment This is in line with the country’s weakening exports which have declined for 16 months in a row until July this year. As a significant catalyst for sustainable economic growth, Philexport president Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. said the export sector stands to benefit if the BSP promotes a competitive exchange rate to weather the export slump and help push inclusive growth. He said this would also benefit other dollar-generating sectors, including the business process outsourcing, overseas Filipino workers, and tourism. “What we are therefore aiming now is the institutionalization of this policy that can push inclusive growth by incorporating the words inclusive growth and full employment as one other important objective of the BSP’s monetary policy, along with maintaining price stability,” Ortiz Luis said. The export group chief said this could be done through amending the Central Bank law or RA 7653. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Ortiz Luis said the European Central Bank and the United States Federal Reserve are currently implementing the “dual mandate” of promoting maximum employment and inflation objectives. “Although the peso remains at a competitive level between P46 and P48 to a dollar, institutionalizing measures to cover times of excessive peso appreciation should be in place just as there are guidelines for Read More …

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