Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filipinos still okay in Ukraine, says Palace

News

Feb 222014

2:43 pm | Saturday, February 22nd, 2014

MANILA,Philippines—The Aquino government is exerting efforts to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Ukraine amid a deep political crisis in which scores have been killed and hundreds injured earlier this week, Malacañang said Saturday.

“Because of some of the events transpiring in Ukraine, particularly Kiev, the DFA has been monitoring the situation and making sure they are watching out for the welfare of Filipinos there,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on radio.

Valte added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) continues to be on the lookout as the violence has claimed 77 lives.

She, however said, there has not been any report of Filipinos in Ukraine being adversely affected or injured due to the crisis.

On Friday, the Ukraine government and opposition leaders reached a deal to end the political crisis and the bloody fighting, especially in Kiev.

Aliens reminded to register for ‘14

News

Jan 272014

Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:07 am | Tuesday, January 28th, 2014 Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison: A reminder. facebook photo MANILA, Philippines—Foreigners living in the country who are over 14 but under 65 years old are required to make a personal appearance and fill out new forms for their annual report before the March 1 deadline or face administrative fines, Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said on Monday. Mison said it would only take 10 minutes to register provided the annual report form is completely filled out and all requirements are complete. Mison said the annual report form may be downloaded from the website immigration.gov.ph. but an application fee of P310 must be paid directly to the immigration bureau’s cashier. The new procedure strictly enforces immigration rules prescribed by the Alien Registration Act, Mison said, adding that at least 209,000 registered foreigners must report in person to Bureau of Immigration (BI) offices in the country. He also advised foreigners who register and pay their application fee to ask for an official receipt from the BI cashier to avoid being victimized by fixers and extortionists preying on them.—Niña P. Calleja Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: aliens , annual report , Bureau of Immigration , Immigration , Philippines Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Read More …

In the Know: Naphthalene

Economy

Jan 032014

Philippine Daily Inquirer 4:04 am | Saturday, January 4th, 2014 Naphthalene, a main ingredient in producing mothballs, is a chemical compound widely used as an insecticide and pest repellent. Made from crude oil or coal tar, this crystalline can be colorless but also range in color from solid white to brown. It can be found in car exhaust, cigarette smoke, or smoke from forest fires. Naphthalene, which was first registered as a pesticide in the United States in 1948, is primarily used to control clothes moth and silverfish through vapors that, in airtight containers, can kill insects. It is also used to repel animals such as squirrels and bats. Some hanging toilet bowl deodorizers may also contain naphthalene. Naphthalene is considered moderately toxic to some species of fish, water fleas and Pacific oysters, and slightly toxic to green algae. Apart from mothballs, this toxic and active ingredient is also used in the production of plastics, dyes, resins, lubricants and fuels. Exposure to naphthalene vapors may result in headache, nausea, dizziness or vomiting. Children who accidentally consume mothballs may also develop diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and painful urination with discolored urine. Breathing in napthalene vapors or consuming the product may result in hemolytic anemia, which occurs when red blood cells break apart and fail to carry oxygen through the body. When naphthalene enters the body, it breaks down to alpha-naphthol, which is linked to the development of hemolytic anemia. Kidney and liver damage may occur as alpha-naphthol and other metabolites are Read More …

Palace: ‘Friendly’ shootfest will not deter BIR from pursuing tax case vs. Pacquiao

News

Jan 012014

Palace: ‘Friendly’ shootfest will not deter BIR from pursuing tax case vs. Pacquiao

The government will still pursue the tax case against boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao despite a recent sports activity in Malacañang where President Benigno Aquino III had Pacquiao partnered with Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares. “Joining a sports activity where the President is present does not stop or deter the [Bureau of Internal Revenue] from pursuing its case against Representative Pacquiao,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. in a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras” Wednesday. He was referring to the shootfest held at the Presidential Security Group’s firing range last December 21 where Pacquiao was partnered with Henares. The Pacquiao-Henares tandem in the shootfest was reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Jan. 1, 2014. The BIR has filed a P2.2-billion tax evasion case against Pacquiao, resulting in the freezing of his bank accounts. The case stemmed from the supposed failure of Pacquiao’s accountant to report in his income tax returns (ITR) the multi-million-dollar taxes collected by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from his prize winnings for the years 2008 to 2009, reportedly amounting to $28 million. The Court of Tax Appeals has issued a gag order against Pacquiao and Henares. Interviewed by GMA News, Henares said she and Pacquiao did not talk about the tax case during the shootfest. “We just conversed about who shoots which target and how we will do it,” Henares said. “Lahat ng usapan was all about the friendly game lang.” She added that they were “cordial” Read More …

British embassy closed for 6 days

News

Dec 232013

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 10:02 am | Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The British Embassy in Manila announced on Tuesday that it will be closed for six days during the holiday season. “The British Embassy Manila is closed today, December 24 until December 26,” the embassy announced on Twitter. Its offices will also be closed from December 30, 2013 to January 1, 2014. “For British nationals who need urgent assistance during these days, please call +63 2 858 2200. Please follow instructions when you are connected to be put through to Consular Response,” the embassy said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: British Embassy , embassies , Holidays , office , Philippines , services Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

News

Nov 072013

DFA suspends passport service in several areas due to ‘Yolanda’

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 5:05 pm | Thursday, November 7th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday announced the suspension of services, including the releasing of passports, in seven regional consular offices from November 8 to 9 due to expected bad weather. “The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advises the public that due to super typhoon Yolanda, consular services at DFA Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) in Tacloban, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Lipa, and Lucena will be temporarily suspended on November 8-9 (Friday and Saturday),” DFA said in a statement. Normal operations will resume on November 11 (Monday). The affected RCOs may be contacted through the following numbers: Tacloban – (053) 321-8233 Legazpi – (052) 480-3000 Cebu – (032) 520-5898 Bacolod – (034) 441-2675 Iloilo – (033) 337-8017 Lipa – (043) 722-0578 Lucena – (042) 710-4526 The DFA main office may be reached at (02) 536-0000, passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph and ppt_do@yahoo.com. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: DFA , Foreign affairs , Passport Service , Supertyphoon Yolanda , weather Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Read More …

U.S. Embassy closed on Nov. 1 for All Saints’ Day

News

Oct 312013

U.S. Embassy closed on Nov. 1 for All Saints’ Day

INQUIRER.net 3:33 pm | Thursday, October 31st, 2013 US Embassy in Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO The Embassy of the United States in Manila and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Friday, November 1, 2013, in observance of All Saints’ Day, a Philippine holiday. The Embassy and its affiliated offices will resume services on Monday, Nov. 4. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: all saints’ day , Global Nation , Holidays , u.s. embassy Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

4 labor recruitment firms suspended

News

Aug 292013

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:35 pm | Thursday, August 29th, 2013 Philippine Overseas Labor Employment office www.poea.gov.ph MANILA—The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration on Thursday ordered the preventive suspension of four recruitment agencies, which recruited and deployed the two female workers who testified against officials of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Saudi Arabia in the Senate investigation into the “sex- for-flight” scandal. POEA chief Hans Leo Cacdac issued the order of preventive suspension against Kozen International Inc , Azizzah International Manpower Services, Jobstar International Manpower Services, and Ideal Placement and Manpower Services, which were found to have engaged in alleged misrepresentation, contract substitution and illegal collection of placement fee, and to have committed other alleged violations of the law in the process of recruitment and deployment of OFWs Elena Beleta and Grace Victoria Sales. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Global Nation , Philippine Overseas Employment , sex-for-flight scam Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate: c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer Chino Roces Avenue corner Yague and Mascardo Streets, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Or fax nos. +63 2 8974793 to 94

Dutch activist who scolded Filipino cop detained

News

Aug 062013

Dutch activist who scolded Filipino cop detained

Associated Press 2:46 pm | Tuesday, August 6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Immigration authorities have detained a Dutch activist photographed confronting a police officer during a rally last month against President Benigno Aquino III, a lawyer said. Lawyer Rey Cortez said airport immigration staff prevented Thomas van Beersum from boarding his plane to the Netherlands early Tuesday. Cortez said his 20-year-old client was just being harassed by requiring him to obtain a “clearance” to leave the country. Beersum has said in an open letter that he joined left-wing demonstrators because he was outraged by alleged human rights violations in the country, including the killing of a Dutch aid worker last year. Many Filipinos have denounced Beersum for interfering in Philippine affairs. Spokesmen for the Bureau of Immigration and the Dutch Embassy could not be reached for comment. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Activist , Bureau of Immigration , Police , rally Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

Senate agrees to cut spending on oversight committees

News

Aug 052013

Senate agrees to cut spending on oversight committees

The Senate has agreed to cut spending on oversight committees following controversies on the use of the government funds involving some senators. In a statement on Tuesday, Senate President Franklin Drilon said he and his colleagues have reached a consensus to trim down the number of oversight committees. “We will rationalize the oversight committees so that we will be able to save funds by the end of the year,” Drilon said. However, he noted that the Senate has yet to decide which of its 35 oversight panels will be removed and retained. Oversight committees are created to check the implementation of specific laws. Some existing oversight panels include those tasked to monitor the Clean Air Act, the Overseas Voting Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Law. Drilon said scrapping of some of these ad hoc panels will save the Senate up to P500 million annually. Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto earlier said the Senate leadership may trim down the number of oversight panels down to 20. The Senate made this decision after controversies involving some senators and the use of government funds over the past months. Last month, the Philippine Daily Inquirer ran a series of reports detailing how fake groups supposedly used the “pork barrel” of some senators and House members to fund ghost projects worth P10 billion. Earlier this year, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was also accused of irregular disbursement of maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) to some senators. Based on the proposed 2014 budget, the Read More …

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