PNP: Arrest of Sinaloa leader a ‘major blow’ vs. flow of drugs to PHL

 News
Feb 232014
 
PNP: Arrest of Sinaloa leader a ‘major blow’ vs. flow of drugs to PHL

The Philippine National Police on Sunday welcomed the arrest of the leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel, saying it could delay or even stop the cartels’ expansion to the Philippines. Police Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesman, said a vacuum in leadership caused by the arrest of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman could lead to a halt in the flow of illegal drugs that Sinaloa has reportedly been bringing to the country. “This will be a major blow to their operation, and that includes here in the Philippines. We welcome this development,” he said. The PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force confirmed the existence of the Sinaloa drug cartel in the country after P400 million in methamphetamine was seized in a raid in Batangas in December 2013. The raid was followed by the arrests of two people linked to Sinaloa in operations in the southern part of Metro Manila.  Sindac said, though, some people may try to keep the Sinaloa drug operation going. Police will be on the lookout for them, but Sindac said authorities are focused on Chinese drug syndicates, which have bigger operations. Guzman was captured in the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan on Saturday by Mexican Navy personnel. — JDS, GMA News

Motorcade awaits Olympic skater Michael Martinez upon arrival in Manila

 News
Feb 222014
 
Motorcade awaits Olympic skater Michael Martinez upon arrival in Manila

A hectic schedule that includes a motorcade and press conference awaits Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez once he arrives home Sunday afternoon. Martinez is due to arrive in Manila after giving honor to the Philippines at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, radio dzBB reported. Upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Martinez will be welcomed with a motorcade that will take him to the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. He is scheduled to hold a press conference there, the report added. Martinez brought honor to the Philippines in the Winter Olympics in the figure skating event, where several people were impressed with his performance, noting he came from a tropical country. The 17-year-old Martinez’s love for skating started at an ice skating rink at a mall in Metro Manila. — LBG, GMA News

Holcim breaches P4-B profit mark in 2013

 Economy
Feb 202014
 
Holcim breaches P4-B profit mark in 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Robust sales and improvement in operating efficiencies allowed cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. to breach the P4-billion income mark last year. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Holcim Philippines said its net income jumped 26 percent to a record P4.55 billion last year from P3.62 billion in 2012 on the back of strong demand and good cost management. The cement manufacturer expects further demand growth this year even as it has postponed its plan to invest $550 million for a new factory in Bulacan pending studies on the synergy with other Holcim offices in Southeast Asia, a company official said. “Our company benefited from the good business environment, which has allowed the construction boom to persist and cement demand to thrive,” said Holcim Philippines CEO Eduardo A. Sahagun. Revenues rose six percent to P28.89 billion from P27.15 billion. The firm said its revenues improved last year, buoyed by good price management and steady volumes on the continued growth of cement demand. “The market was made robust by the government’s heavy investments on infrastructure and the private sector’s commercial, residential and industrial projects,” Holcim Philippines said. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 In anticipation of continued demand growth this year, Sahagun said the company finished major projects in 2013 such as the capacity upgrades for its La Union and Misamis Oriental plants and the reactivation of its idle grinding facility in Batangas. “Strong cement demand seen on continued construction, with the industry recognized as Read More …

German arrested for allegedly beating up Filipina girlfriend

 News
Feb 192014
 
German arrested for allegedly beating up Filipina girlfriend

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 6:59 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines–For allegedly beating up his Filipina girlfriend, a German national has been arrested by the police in Tabaco town, Albay province. Michael Alexander Schneider, 53, was collared Monday afternoon after being charged with two counts of violation of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 in a house in Barangay (village) San Carlos. Senior Superintendent Eduardo Chavez, Catanduanes Provincial Police Office director, told INQUIRER.net over the phone Wednesday that Schneider committed violence to his Filipina girlfriend based in Catanduanes and then fled to Tabaco. Upon settling in Tabaco, Chavez said Schneider met another Filipina. Asked how long Schneider had been staying in the Philippines, the Catanduanes PPO chief said the Bureau of Immigration found no travel record in Schneider’s passport. He faces immediate deportation once the police receive complaints or information linking him to illegal activities. An arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 42 of Virac, Catanduanes was served on Schneider. Schneider is currently under the custody of Catanduanes Police Provincial Office for proper disposition. 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: Albay , Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act of 2004 , Barangay San Carlos , Read More …

PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

 News
Feb 192014
 
PH listed as 3rd most dangerous place for journalists

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 6:06 pm | Wednesday, February 19th, 2014 Maguindanao massacre. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines was listed as the third most dangerous place for journalist in the world following Syria and Iraq, a report from the International News Safety Institute’s said. The report entitled “Killing the Messenger” provided information about 134 journalists and media personnel who were killed doing their work in 29 countries in 2013. The report said 20 journalists died in Syria which retained its spot as the most dangerous place for journalist in the world for the second year while 16 died in Iraq, 14 died in the Philippines. The report revealed that 65 journalists lost their lives in armed conflict situations while 69 were killed in peacetime covering issues such as crime and corruption. The report added that most journalists were targeted and shooting was the most common cause of death with 63 percent. The report added that print media is the most dangerous among any other medium. In the Philippines, unprecedented media killings continues to pose threat to the country including the unresolved Maguindanao massacre which is considered the deadliest single event for journalists in history. RELATED STORIES PH’s slow justice system has worsened impunity in media killings—senators PH rank in press freedom index drops to 149 from 147 PH government is committed to end impunity, says Coloma 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? Read More …

Nasdaq opens Manila support office

 Economy
Feb 192014
 
Nasdaq opens Manila support office

The Nasdaq Video Wall facing Times Square in New York City. Nasdaq photo MANILA, Philippines — Nasdaq has opened a customer service center in the Philippines in a coup for the country’s rapidly growing outsourcing industry. The operator of the namesake U.S. stock exchange says Wednesday the office will be part of its efforts to provide 24-hour support services for its corporate clients. It says the Manila office has 170 staff. Aside from its stock and futures markets in the U.S., the company has exchanges in Europe as well as stock index and trading technology businesses. For foreign companies, the Philippines has become the go to country in Southeast Asia for call centers and outsourcing of back office business functions. India’s outsourcing industry is also thriving as multinational companies seek to lower costs by basing some functions in countries with lower wages. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

OFW, sole breadwinner of family, killed in Macau accident

 News
Feb 172014
 
OFW, sole breadwinner of family, killed in Macau accident

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:55 pm | Monday, February 17th, 2014 MANILA, Philippines – A Filipina overseas worker in Macau and sole breadwinner of her family in the Philippines was killed in a car accident after participating in the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) worldwide walk event last Saturday. Imelda Ignacio-Austria, 48, was hit by a car as she was crossing a street on the morning of February 15, her husband Villamor Austria, 45, said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net Monday. Fellow INC members in Macau were the ones who informed him of the tragic accident. Villamor said that he and their 14-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl rely on the remittances of Imelda as he has yet to get a job after his previous work in construction. A report by the Macau Daily Times published Monday said that the driver was “in his twenties,” and had passed the breathalyzer test, which measures blood alcohol levels. “She was crossing the road between the Macau Tower and Sai Van Lake Square with two other Filipino women at around 10 am on Saturday, before being hit by a private car,” it said. The report also said that police believe she may have been jaywalking. It did not state whether the driver has been detained. Elvin Jerome Austria Laceda, a nephew of Imelda, said that they are worried the driver will not be held accountable if it was found her aunt was jaywalking. “We are worried that they might have local laws there that would Read More …

Fil-Am Honolulu city councilor to run for US Congress

 News
Feb 162014
 
Fil-Am Honolulu city councilor to run for US Congress

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 4:49 pm | Sunday, February 16th, 2014 Joey Manahan HONOLULU – Joey Manahan, current Honolulu City Council Member and Filipino immigrant, declared his candidacy for Hawaii’s First Congressional District House seat. If elected, Manahan would be the first Filipino immigrant to serve in the US House of Representatives. “The American Dream is what led my mother to bring me to the US from the Philippines when I was just ten years old. This country gave us opportunities we otherwise would not have had and I’m so grateful for that,” said Manahan. “But today, too many Hawaiians feel that dream slipping through their fingers. We need leaders in Congress who understand what it takes to ensure that every person living in this great nation has the chance to succeed,” Manahan added. Manahan was born in Makati, Philippines and came to America with his mother, Maite. They first lived in San Jose, California, before moving to Honolulu. His grandfather was Dr. Constantino Manahan, a prominent obstetrician in the Philippines. In addition to his current role as City Council Member, Manahan previously was elected to the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives and spent two years as the Vice Speaker of the Hawaiʻi Legislature. He has focused on upgrading schools and housing projects and promoting Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry for job creation. Manahan also authored the first successful legislation in any state to designate October as Filipino-American Heritage Month. He has advocated for improved veterans’ benefits and reunification among the families of Read More …

IPOPHL vows to get Phl out of USTR watchlist

 Economy
Feb 152014
 
IPOPHL vows to get Phl out of USTR watchlist

MANILA, Philippines – As the Philippines continues to be kept out of the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Notorious Markets List, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) intends to strengthen efforts to be taken off the watchlist of countries with intellectual property rights (IPR) violations. According to IPOPHL director General Ricardo Blancaflor, being out of the latest Out of Cycle Review of Notorious Markets for a second year is a positive development. The USTR first took off the Quiapo shopping district from its Notorious Markets List in its report released in December 2012. The Quiapo shopping district was among the markets which took action to address widespread availability of pirated or counterfeit goods. “These are welcome developments but we are still working on additional submissions to strengthen our national position with regards to the 301 watchlist,” Blancaflor said. Given the recent development and favorable feedback of American companies and associations on the government’s efforts to protect IPR, the IPOPHL hopes the country would be taken off the watchlist. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “Some American companies and associations gave positive comments on Philippine efforts to address IP protection and we acknowledged these. We addressed constructively some of the concerns,” he said. In the USTR’s 2013 Special 301 Report, the Philippines was retained in the watchlist of countries with IP violations, subject to further review of progress in key areas. Countries placed on the watchlist are those which need to address underlying Read More …

Filipino figure skater hailed after reaching Sochi final

 Entertainment
Feb 142014
 
Filipino figure skater hailed after reaching Sochi final

MANILA, February 14, 2014 (AFP) – Philippine Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez was hailed as a hero on Friday even as a senior sports official denied accusations that the government had failed to support him. The 17-year-old, the lone representative of the tropical country at the Sochi Games, made history after he qualified Thursday from the men’s short program for the free skate on Friday, despite numerous disadvantages, including being forced to learn his craft on a skating rink in a shopping mall. Local news reports suggested his family had struggled to pay for his training and that the government did not provide any support. But Ricardo Garcia, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, said Martinez had received adequate financial support from the government and private donors. “We are very happy with his performance. For a guy who learned how to skate in the Philippines, to make it to the finals… it is really amazing,” Garcia told AFP. “This is a very big issue for us. We have an athlete who is an Olympian who made it to the final rounds,” he added. Some of the country’s wealthiest tycoons were sponsoring Martinez and the national skating association never asked for additional funds for him, Garcia said. The Philippine Olympic Committee asked the government for $7,200 to cover some of Martinez’s additional expenses but this money was released in December, he added. Speaking after his performance at the Iceberg Skating Palace on Friday, Martinez was elated with his performance: “The Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries