Petilla’s real problems just starting

 Economy
Dec 292013
 
Petilla’s real problems just starting

I have no doubt Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla meant it when he said he will resign if he failed to reconnect the towns in Leyte and Eastern Samar to the power grid by Christmas Eve. But only three towns remain to be connected and that is definitely substantial compliance. ABS-CBN reports the three towns were connected by Friday last week. PNoy was right to reject his resignation. Indeed, P-Noy should hang on to Petilla. It is rare to have someone like him who is ready to put his job on the line towards the accomplishment of a goal. I have not personally met Petilla and initially dismissed him as just another politician. But he is showing himself to be a breed apart from many in P-Noy’s cabinet and key officials. How I wish this retired General Honrado would do a Petilla and put his job on the line on the issue of providing functioning air conditioners, working CCTVs and clean washrooms in all the NAIA terminals. Because he knows he is a bosom buddy of P-Noy (relative pa daw), all he has offered these past three years are excuses, a mountain of excuses. Kung hindi kaya ang trabaho, resign! But he seems to be kapalmuks to the core. Having worked at the Ministry of Energy, I understand the challenges that Petilla faces. We did well enough then because we had an exceptionally results oriented boss in Ronnie Velasco who took no excuses for failure. It was also martial law. Now, Petilla and the energy bosses after Read More …

BTr to offer securities worth P135B in Q1

 Economy
Dec 292013
 
BTr to offer securities worth P135B in Q1

By Michelle V. RemoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:42 pm | Sunday, December 29th, 2013 The government plans to sell P135 billion worth of treasury bills and bonds in the first quarter of the coming year, according to the Bureau of the Treasury. The amount represents a nearly 10-percent rise from the P122.96 billion worth of government securities sold in the domestic market in the same period of 2013. The decision to raise domestic borrowings came on the heels of the government’s announcement to hike public expenditures for infrastructure and social services. The government has been forced to beef up spending and support reconstruction activities in areas affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” which devastated the Visayas last month. To accommodate the higher spending, the government is ready to post a higher budget deficit and borrow more in 2014. In the notice posted on its website, the Treasury said P60 billion worth of T-bills and P75 billion worth of T-bonds would be auctioned off in January to March. About P4 billion worth of 91-day T-bills and P6 billion worth of 182-day bills, as well as P10 billion in 364-day notes will be sold each month. Also, P25 billion worth of bonds will be sold each month. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima told reporters that the government would continue to borrow more from the domestic than the foreign market in the coming year. This will allow the government to minimize its exposure to foreign-exchange risks, he explained. The government does not need to borrow abroad if Read More …

Del Rosario bids Chinese Ambassador Ma ‘fond’ farewell

 News
Dec 272013
 
Del Rosario bids Chinese Ambassador Ma ‘fond’ farewell

Chinese Ambassador to Manila, Ma Keqing. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Despite the frayed ties between the Philippines and China over unresolved territorial disputes, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario gave outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Manila Ma Keqing a cordial farewell on Monday. As Ma prepared to end her two-year Manila posting, Del Rosario hosted a farewell lunch before the Christmas break, describing her as “our dear friend.” Del Rosario said he hoped Ma would share with the Chinese people her experience of the “kindness, warmth and courage of the Filipino people.” “Our farewell exchange was friendly and positive,” Del Rosario told the Inquirer of his last meeting with Ma at a Manila hotel. In his toast, Del Rosario acknowledged how “challenges” have marked the relations between the Philippines and China, an indirect reference to disputes over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “Your posting here has been marked by challenges. Notwithstanding, Ambassador, you have experienced the kindness, warmth and courage of the Filipino people. You were able to know more of how the Filipinos feel, think and act to uphold what we believe is right,” said Del Rosario in his remarks, a copy of which was furnished the Inquirer. “Our friendship is historic and deep, and we hope this bond will enable us to surmount the challenges so that our two countries can flourish in the spirit of deep mutual respect,” said the Philippines’ top diplomat. Recounting Ma’s response, Del Rosario said the outgoing envoy also acknowledged the challenges and Read More …

UK financial firm donates over P8-M to Sagip Kapamilya

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
UK financial firm donates over P8-M to Sagip Kapamilya

Consul General Senen Malile with C&C Alpha Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie and Luis Bariuan from ABS-CBN Europe (ABS-CBN News) LONDON – Investment company C&C Alpha Group has donated $200,000 (approximately P8,888,098) to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya as part of the continuing aid efforts for the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda). It was the largest cash donation by a single entity from the UK based on a list of aid contributions coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in London since relief efforts began a month ago. A simple ceremony at the Philippine Cultural Centre in London last December 19 officially marked the company’s contribution. Consul General Senen Mangalile from the Philippine Embassy welcomed representatives from C&C Alpha, including CEO Cherian Thomas and Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie. “We’re overwhelmed by the enormity of the response, and the warmth and generosity of the British people, the UK government, and the international community in the UK. They all came up and proved that we do not stand alone in this catastrophe,” said Mangalile. “C&C wants to be involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the most affected areas, and that for us is the most important phase of the response to typhoon Haiyan.” The company, which has investments in the Philippines, specifically wants their contribution to go towards rebuilding affected communities through infrastructure and long-term projects. “We believe very strongly in the Philippines, and the people of the Philippines, especially the community that live here in the UK. And this disaster has Read More …

DPWH chief vows corrupt-free reconstruction in typhoon-hit areas

 Entertainment
Dec 272013
 
DPWH chief vows corrupt-free reconstruction in typhoon-hit areas

Palo, Leyte  (Mabuhay) – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson vowed to fight against misuse of funds intended for reconstruction activities in typhoon-stricken areas. In a meeting Thursday with 16 regional directors, typhoon-affected DPWH employees and maintenance personnel who assisted in disaster response, Singson said that he will not forgive officials who will attempt to misuse rehabilitation funds. “Our fight against corruption will continue. We will make sure that budget will be used to rebuild areas destoyed by ‘Yolanda’ and should not fall into wrong hands,” Singson said. “I’m warning those who will take advantage in this task that we will not forgive you whether you are a congressman, regional director or division chief.” He said he had a meeting this week with rehabilitation czar former Senator Panfilo Lacson to discuss measures to ensure that reconstruction efforts will not be tainted with corruption, more so that these funds have been entrusted to the Philippine government by donor countries. The government aims to substantially complete the recovery efforts by June 2016 or before the end of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term. It is expected to rebuild the lives of about 16 million people in central Philippines. Singson led the distribution of initial assistance to storm-affected DPWH employees in the region. Those whose houses were totally washed away received P5,000 each. Workers with partially damaged houses got P2,500 each. The DPWH chief vowed to give more assistance to displaced employees in the region on top of the Read More …

Don’t let PHL become a ‘forgotten crisis’: UN chief

 Entertainment
Dec 262013
 
Don’t let PHL become a ‘forgotten crisis’: UN chief

President Benigno S. Aquino III bids farewell to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at the Malacañan Palace Grounds after the courtesy call on Saturday (December 21, 2013). The UN Chief is also scheduled to visit communities that were devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hardest by the super typhoon when it made landfall in the Visayas and Southern Luzon last November 08, 2013. (MNS photo) MANILA (AFP) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on donor nations Sunday to ramp up aid to typhoon-battered Philippines as it grapples with a funding shortfall on the long road to recovery. “We must not allow this to be another forgotten crisis,” Ban told reporters a day after touring the storm-ravaged city of Tacloban. He said the UN had only achieved 30 percent of the $791 million in aid it had appealed for to boost relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan last month. “I am appealing (to) the donor community, to speed up, scale up their support,” Ban said, adding that he had met with the ambassadors of key donor countries in Manila on Sunday. He said he was deeply moved and inspired by his visit to Tacloban on Saturday, where despite the many challenges “people are working hard to recover”. Ban acknowledged some bottlenecks in relief efforts in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon owing to logistical challenges in reaching remote central Philippine islands impacted by the typhoon. However, Read More …

A wish for 2014

 News
Dec 252013
 
A wish for 2014

Christmas is the celebration of God coming into the world as a man. The man Jesus Christ who is God proclaimed to us the good news – that God is a loving God who loves us. Jesus also taught us how to live: Love God above everything else; Love your neighbor as yourself. And for our sins to be forgiven, He suffered and died for us. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, His message, teachings, sacrifice and His entire life itself – are all manifestations of God’s love. Christ’s promise to us of a place of eternal bliss after our lives in this world of tears – is truly reason for constant celebration and joy. For those who make Jesus Christ the Center of their lives, connect Him to every facet of their existence – how they live and how they die – their lives bear much fruit not only for themselves but also for others. And even if faced with the worst of situations, their faith in God’s love and mercy keeps them from crumbling. It is a part of God’s love that the start of the new year comes exactly a week after we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ. A new year symbolically and in actuality can mean a new beginning as well as the ending of certain aspects of our lives. Making a list of resolutions for the new year is a good idea. Whether it’s a resolution connected to improving one’s situation – financial, Read More …

Papal Nuncio spends Christmas with ‘Yolanda’ survivors

 News
Dec 232013
 
Papal Nuncio spends Christmas with ‘Yolanda’ survivors

By Kristine Angeli SabilloINQUIRER.net 12:04 pm | Tuesday, December 24th, 2013 Typhoon survivors attend mass at the damaged Santo Nino Church in Tacloban, central Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013. AP MANILA, Philippines – Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, arrived in Tacloban City in Leyte on Tuesday morning to visit and spend Christmas with the typhoon survivors. Pinto, representative of Pope Francis, was welcomed by local priests when he arrived at the Tacloban City Airport around 9 a.m., Inquirer Radio 990AM said. The papal nuncio will first visit an evacuation center in the city to see first-hand the situation of families affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” last month. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Pinto will attend a gathering of the clergy before leading the midnight mass at the Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration in Palo. Palo Archbishop John Du, in a statement, said they were worried about where the papal nuncio will sleep but Pinto was quoted saying, “I will sleep wherever you sleep.” On Christmas Day, Pinto will preside over a 10 a.m. mass at the Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban City before heading to Manila. 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: Catholics , Christmas , Giuseppe Pinto , Papal Nuncio , Philippins , Religion , Tacloban Factual errors? Read More …

PHL’s communist insurgents to declare own Christmas truce

 Entertainment
Dec 222013
 
PHL’s communist insurgents to declare own Christmas truce

Christmas decors and amenities at Marikina Riverbanks.(MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Communist rebels will declare a ceasefire during the holidays to allow their comrades to mark the 45th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines on Dec. 26. In a statement posted on its website late Tuesday, the CPP said: “The leadership… is set to declare a ceasefire in order to pave the way for the national celebrations of the [Party’s] 45th anniversary as well as to give way to the Filipino people’s traditional observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.” But the CPP did not immediately specify the dates of the ceasefire. It also called on the government to order the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stand down on December 26 and the days leading to it, “in order to allow… thousands of people to peacefully travel to and join the celebrations.” For this year’s celebration, the CPP said it expects “several hundred” people’s assemblies inside the guerrilla zones across the country. It said most participants are likely to travel by foot to the people’s assemblies. “Travel arrangements are also being made for the revolutionary forces and guests coming in from the cities or other towns,” it added. Also, the CPP said the celebrations will be modest. On the other hand, the CPP said the mass activities will also collect funds and materials that will be contributed to the rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). “The assemblies shall, however, be appropriately joyous to Read More …

No automatic relief under TPS

 Entertainment
Dec 222013
 
No automatic relief under TPS

Undocumented will still have to apply even if Temporary Protected Status for PHL is granted Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. offers a toast during the Independence Day Reception at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Elmer G. Cato) Los Angeles – Though it seems like a big welcome news for the Philippine government to request the US to grant Temporary Protected Status for the country, it doesn’t mean automatic relief for the undocumented. According to the provisions of TPS as stated in the official US Customs and Immigration Services website, applicants will still have to meet certain requirements before they can get legalized and not be deported. In its website, USCIS said, “To be granted any other immigration benefit you must still meet all the eligibility requirements for that particular benefit. It also reminds applicants that once granted, TPS does not mean lawful permanent resident status or that you become a green card holder. As in any other immigration benefits, if you have been convicted of any felony, forget about applying for relief, even if TPS is granted to the Philippines. You may also not qualify if you : Are found inadmissible as an immigrant under applicable grounds in INA section 212(a), including non-waivable criminal and security-related grounds; Are subject to any of the mandatory bars to asylum. These include, but are not limited to, participating in the persecution of another individual or engaging in or inciting terrorist activity; Fail to meet the continuous physical Read More …

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