DOLE studies ‘endo’ options

 Economy
Nov 152016
 
DOLE studies ‘endo’ options

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now considering more options to finally put an end to the widespread illegal contractual employment scheme in the country. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello yesterday reported that DOLE was looking at four proposals submitted by different employers and labor groups on how to address the issue of contractualization. Bello said DOLE was studying the recommendation of the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce in addition to the win-win solution proposed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the middle ground position of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. He declined to elaborate on the proposal of the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce, except to say it was a “radical” measure to address contractualization. “We will have to assimilate all these inputs that will address the focal position of President Duterte which is to end illegal forms of contractualization,” he said. Bello earlier said DOLE was inclined to adopt ECOP’s proposal as a temporary policy to resolve illegal forms of contractualization. Speaking at the 6th national forum of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors, Bello assured service providers that DOLE would be fair in deciding a new policy to address contractualization. The labor chief said it was “unrealistic” for the government to impose a total ban since there are legal forms of contractualization provided under the law. After holding two labor summits this week, Bello said DOLE would come out before the end of the year with a final policy Read More …

Pia Wurtzbach addresses bashers, defends advocacy work

 Entertainment
Nov 142016
 
Pia Wurtzbach addresses bashers, defends advocacy work

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach posted a lengthy message on her personal Instagram account, addressing bashers who keep questioning her work as Miss Universe. In her caption, Wurtzbach said she posted the message because she is tired of people complaining about her seeming lack of focus on her advocacy, especially on raising awareness for HIV/AIDS. “Just to get some things straight. I haven’t forgotten about my advocacy, ok? I’m so tired of people complaining that I haven’t found “the cure” for HIV when clearly I said I would raise awareness. I’m not magically gonna come up with a potion that cures everything,” she said. She added that she is not the type of person who would document all her movement and post it online for people to see. “Just like the during the competition, I wasn’t posting my everyday pageant activities and that upset a lot of fans. They thought I wasn’t doing any effort. I just really did not like posting anything online. Why? Cos I didn’t feel like I needed to. Instagram isn’t part of the judges panel. Am I gonna carry my phone around with me and take every selfie, every photo I see to ease your worries? No. I don’t work like that. I put my phone down and I work. And did it work? Yes,” Wurtzbach said. For Wurtzbach, the fact that she is being bashed for allegedly not doing her job is in itself raising awareness for HIV/AIDS. “So before you go saying that Read More …

Paulo Avelino comments on rumoured girlfriend

 Entertainment
Nov 142016
 
Paulo Avelino comments on rumoured girlfriend

Paulo Avelino (MNS photo) Photos of Paulo Avelino with his rumoured girlfriend, model and entrepreneur Natasha Villaroman, have been making the rounds online. The pictures were originally shared by Villaroman’s mother on Facebook although they have already been taken down. Nonetheless, the actor’s supporters were quick to repost the photos, which were supposedly taken at the luxury resort Amanpulo in Palawan, in other social networking sites. During a press conference for his upcoming movie “The Unmarried Wife”, Avelino was asked to comment on the photos. “I just don’t like people getting bashed or people making up things just to destroy a person because ayaw nila sa kanya or ayaw nila sa akin. Ayaw ko lang na may naba-bash. Ayaw ko siyang naba-bash,” he said. The actor also confirmed that he is currently dating someone although he did not name any person in particular. Avelino’s last known relationship was with KC Concepcion. (MNS)

Kris to return on TV with Duterte interview

 Entertainment
Nov 142016
 
Kris to return on TV with Duterte interview

Kris Aquino (MNS photo) Seven months since she bade goodbye to viewers of “Kris TV,” Kris Aquino is ready to make her TV comeback with a one-on-one interview with no less than the President of the Philippines. In an Instagram post, Aquino shared that she is set for a sit-down interview with President Rodrigo Duterte, the successor of her brother Benigno Aquino III. “I promised myself, babalik ako for a once in a lifetime, one on one interview,” she wrote in the caption. Aquino’s interview with Duterte will air on November 11 on TV5 and PTV4. Aquino’s morning show on ABS-CBN, “Kris TV,” aired its final episode on March 23 after she decided to take a break from show business because of health problems. After being a regular fixture of ABS-CBN for almost 20 years, Aquino announced last September that she has decided to leave the network. At that time, Aquino also revealed that she is set to do a project with APT Entertainment, Inc., which is closely associated with rival GMA-7. APT stands for Antonio P. Tuviera, and is a subsidiary of TAPE Inc., the producer of “Eat Bulaga,” among other shows. (MNS)

Inigo Pascual, Kelley Day exclusively dating

 Entertainment
Nov 142016
 
Inigo Pascual, Kelley Day exclusively dating

  Inigo Pascual and Kelley Day (MNS photo) “Basically,” replied Iñigo Pascual when asked about whether he and GirlTrends member Kelley Day are “exclusively dating”. Iñigo stopped short of saying that he and Day are already a couple, explaining that they have yet to put a label on their relationship. “It’s just we haven’t confirmed that we’re together even to each other,” he shared. “The way I can describe it is that it’s basically us but there’s nothing official yet, nothing’s labeled yet. Mas okay na po iyon for now because we’re still young, and she’s barely starting her career.” He also said that his father, Kapamilya star Piolo Pascual, approves of his relationship with the Filipino-American beauty. “I’m glad that he likes Kelley. Every time that we’re together, he’s always been really friendly with all of my friends,” he said. Iñigo and Day walked the red carpet of the 10th Star Magic Ball in matching white outfits. Inigo looked suave in his off-white tuxedo by Francis Libiran, while Day was stunning in a revealing, patterned Leo Almodal creation with a plunging neckline. The pair first met at an acting workshop more than six months ago, and have since been spotted together in public events. “I consider her to be one of my most trusted friends,” Iñigo said in an earlier interview. “I find her to be really beautiful and really charming so we’ll see where this goes. I’m happy with what we have right now.”  (MNS)

Yeng, husband postpone plans to have a baby

 Entertainment
Nov 142016
 
Yeng, husband postpone plans to have a baby

Yeng Constantino (MNS photo) Singer-composer Yeng Constantino and her husband Victor “Yan” Asuncion have postponed their plans to have a baby next year. Constantino shared that her husband is very supportive of her career and all the projects that come her way. “Buti na lang napaka-understanding naman ni Yan. Ang sarap lang ng feeling na supportive yung asawa mo,” Constantino said. “Kami ‘yung type ng couple na mayroon talaga kaming timeline na ‘o by 2017 magbe-baby na tayo.’ Pero since he sees things happening in my career right now, ‘Gawin mo lang ‘yung gusto mong gawin kasi pangarap mo ‘yan.’ Kinikilig ako,” she added. The couple tied the knot in February 2015. For Constantino, this has been the most blessed year for her. “There was a time a in my career na (iniisip ko) ano kaya ang mangyayari. But this year nakita ko ‘yung fruit ng pinagggagawa ko na pagsulat ng kanta. This year nagkaroon ng ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan,’ ‘We Love OPM,’ then may bago kaming show nila Vice, Sandara at Kuya Aga. And I also have a musical, ginawa ng musical ang aking mga awitin. End of this year, may concert kami ng ‘Divas’ kasama namin si Angeline (Quinto), KZ, Kyla at ako sa Araneta Coliseum. So sobrang amazing talaga na year,” she explained. (MNS)

How to revolutionize doing business in the Philippines

 Economy
Nov 142016
 

With this year’s promising growth in our GDP, the Philippines has been dubbed the fastest-growing economy among Asian nations. We can achieve more if we are able to continuously improve on areas that are critical to growing the economy. The difficulty of doing business has been our long standing problem. Although the Philippines moved up to no. 99 from no. 103 last year in World Bank’s “doing business” ranking, the Philippines dropped from number 165 to number 171 in the category of starting a business. Outdated procedures and “red tape” remain the biggest obstacles towards improving doing business. From setting-up, to complying with local rules and regulations, even dissolution of a business is a lengthy and complicated process. Many procedural reforms claim to have reduced the number of days to secure certificates, licenses, and permits. Yet in reality, it still takes at least one to as long as three months to fully register in all government agencies.

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