Henkel transfers German technologies to Phl firm

 Economy
Oct 132013
 
Henkel transfers German technologies to Phl firm

MANILA, Philippines – German manufacturing giant Henkel is transferring two revolutionary technologies to its local partner, the Monheim Group of Companies (MGC), for the marketing and distribution of laundry products in the Philippines.  Henkel is sharing to MGC the fiber rebonding technology, which is the formula behind Perwoll liquid detergent, and the fabric ionizer formula, which is the technology behind Vernel Soft – fabric softener.  MGC president Gino Baltao said “German technologies are among the best in the world. We are proud to bring these technologies to the Filipinos through Perwoll Brilliant White and Vernel Soft.”   Baltao said with the Henkel technologies, MGC would proceed with its P300-million investment to grow Henkel’s laundry and home care business in the Philippines.  The investment will be pumped into the technology transfer, research and product development, raw materials importation and brand building.  “The Monheim Group is committed to delivering the cutting-edge German quality fabric softeners and laundry detergents with a strong advocacy to protect our environment.  The technology transfer between Henkel Germany and the Monheim Group assures the Filipinos of that commitment,” Benjie Ros, MGC treasurer said.  Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The technology transfer marks the fusion of a global company and a Filipino-owned firm to pursue business expansion.  “We need local expertise and we think we can grow much faster with Monheim as our partner. We can take advantage of so many synergies,” Thomas Jungmann, director for global business development of Henkel’s Laundry & Home Care, said.  Read More …

Swiss grants await Filipino grads, doctors

 News
Oct 122013
 
Swiss grants await Filipino grads, doctors

By Dona Z. PazzibuganPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:53 am | Sunday, October 13th, 2013 Education Secretary Armin Luistro. FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Swiss government is offering scholarships to those currently taking up doctorate studies in the Philippines and to medical doctors wishing to undertake specializations in select universities in Switzerland, according to Education Secretary Armin Luistro. Luistro said the research scholarships were open to those studying for a doctorate degree who wish to conduct a 12-month research with a professor in a Swiss university. The scholarship is also open to medical doctors undertaking specializations. Scholarships are also available to those wishing to go through a Ph.D. program in a Swiss university for a maximum of three years. The Swiss government is also offering a grant for researchers with a doctorate degree wishing to conduct post-doctoral research at a Swiss university for 12 months. The deadline for applications for academic year 2014-15 is Nov. 15. “We welcome this offer which is part of the continuing promotion of understanding and cooperation between our country and the Swiss Confederation,” Luistro said. The scholarship and research grants offered by the Swiss government are almost similar to those offered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) through the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) that was organized only last year. 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 Read More …

Filipino Muslims fly to Mecca for Hajj on Saudi tab

 News
Oct 122013
 
Filipino Muslims fly to Mecca for Hajj on Saudi tab

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:19 am | Sunday, October 13th, 2013 The sun sets behind the minarets of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Everybody flies for the Hajj, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Going on a pilgrimage to Mecca has been a lifelong dream for lawyer Samina Macabando but the hefty price of the journey—up to P200,000—was always a barrier. This year, the Marawi City native is finally making the sojourn that Muslims around the world make their life’s mission. The 31-year-old lawyer is among 47 Filipinos the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is flying to and billeting for free in Mecca this month for the Hajj, in Islam a defining expression of devotion to the faith. “I’ve been dreaming of this ever since I was young,” said Macabando. “It’s very important. It’s one of the five pillars of Islam. If you go on the pilgrimage, your faith is complete,” she told the Inquirer. Officials of the Saudi Embassy in Manila and the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) feted the pilgrims at the embassy in Makati City on Saturday where they were handed their plane tickets, the Ihraam (the sacred white clothing that Muslims wear for the Hajj) and other gifts. The group, selected from around the Philippines through a stringent process, will be provided “luxurious accommodations and other services that befit them as guests” during their 10-day trip, said the embassy’s chargé d’affaires, Abdullelah Aljebreen, in remarks Read More …

DFA protests call to bar Filipino workers from Hong Kong

 News
Oct 122013
 
DFA protests call to bar Filipino workers from Hong Kong

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:07 am | Sunday, October 13th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez.  INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reacted sharply on Saturday to a proposal by a political party in Hong Kong to ban Filipino domestic workers from the Chinese territory until the Philippines issues an apology for the death of eight HK tourists during a bus hijack in Manila more than three years ago. The status of thousands of innocent Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong should not be leveraged with the city’s appeal for a categorical apology from the Philippines for the tragic result of the bus hijack incident at Rizal Park on Aug. 23, 2010, the DFA said in a statement. “Let us de-link the issue from the Filipino workers in Hong Kong whose dedication to their work and high skill set have contributed to the society and economy of Hong Kong,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, the DFA spokesperson. Hernandez cited the longstanding presence of Filipinos in the former British colony, adding that most Hong Kong residents shared a different view from lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip, who led the ban call. Eman Villanueva, spokesperson for the Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body, was quoted in the South China Morning Post as saying that Chan was “barking up the wrong tree.” “Chan is just exploiting the political situation to gain popularity. What does the visa issue have to do with the Manila hostage incident? This is racist and he Read More …

DAP funding Coast Guard patrols in disputed waters

 News
Oct 102013
 
DAP funding Coast Guard patrols in disputed waters

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:21 pm | Thursday, October 10th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program has been paying for Philippine Coast Guard patrols at Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales province, as well as in other disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said Thursday. “We looked through our records and the discussion on the DAP. There were funds released to the PCG in September 2012. Forty-four million [pesos] was released as additional MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) for the patrol operations at Bajo de Masinloc,” said Abaya, who was guest of honor at the PCG’s 112th anniversary celebration on Thursday. “Likewise, P105 million was allocated for the capability requirements of PCG operations in the West Philippine Sea,” he added. The Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag Shoal and internationally as Scarborough Shoal, is at the center of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China, with the Philippines bringing the dispute to a United Nations tribunal for arbitration. Concrete blocks that could be used to anchor construction posts had been sighted at the shoal recently. Last year, Chinese fishing vessels were discovered illegally poaching endemic Philippine marine species in its waters. A standoff ensued when Philippine authorities were prevented from apprehending the fishermen by Chinese navy ships that blocked them. China has also been claiming nearly all of the South China Sea, parts of which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Read More …

BIR seeks IRS help in finding Napoles assets in United States

 News
Oct 102013
 
BIR seeks IRS help in finding Napoles assets in United States

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Internal Revenue expects its American counterpart — the Internal Revenue Service — to help find any assets that Janet Lim Napoles and her family may have in the United States. BIR Commissioner Kim Henares confirmed, on Thursday, reports that the tax bureau has sought the assistance of the IRS, and she expressed confidence the latter would give a favorable response given the existence of a tax treaty between the Philippines and the United States. Henares said that under the tax treaty of the Philippines with the United States, as well as with many other countries, each of the two parties could seek the assistance of the other in pursuing people guilty or suspected of tax evasion. Member-countries of the influential and international group Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to which the Philippines and the Unites States are members, are expected to help out in efforts to catch tax evaders and money launderers, according to Henares. “Cooperation [between internal revenue agencies of member-countries] is a common practice. Non-cooperative countries may be subjected to blacklisting by the OECD,” she said in a phone interview. “So, yes we [the BIR] have asked assistance of the IRS. In return, we should also help them in case they need information from the Philippines on tax matters,” Henares also said. The BIR thought of seeking help from the IRS amid reports the Napoles family may have assets in the United States, Read More …

Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

 News
Oct 102013
 
Indonesian military chief starts 3-day Manila visit

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:53 pm | Thursday, October 10th, 2013 Indonesia’s military chief General Moeldoko pays a courtesy call to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at the General Headquarters Camp Aguinaldo. He is on a “goodwill visit” to the country from October 9 to 11. Photo from AFP Public Affairs MANILA, Philippines – Indonesia’s military chief is in the Philippines for a three-day visit. General Moeldoko, commander-in-chief of Tentara Nacional Indonesia (Indonesian Defense Forces), paid a courtesy call to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines General Emmanuel Bautista on Thursday at Camp Aguinaldo. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said his visit was part of a tradition of military chiefs among Asean counterparts. He will be in the country from October 9 to 11. 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 , General Moeldoko , Global Nation , Indonesia , Military 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

No Filipino hurt or killed in fresh clashes in Egypt

 News
Oct 072013
 
No Filipino hurt or killed in fresh clashes in Egypt

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:02 pm | Monday, October 7th, 2013 DFA spokesman Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — There were no reported Filipino casualties in fresh clashes that left more than 50 dead across Egypt, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday. “No report of Filipino casualties in the latest incident in Egypt. We continue to advise Filipinos there to take extra precaution and avail [themselves] of the mandatory repatriation program of the Philippine government,” said Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, spokesman of the Department of Foreign Affairs in a text message on Monday. The resurgence of violence marked the anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, as Egypt’s military-backed government commemorated the event on Sunday, breaking the relative calm since bloody clashes erupted in August, reports from the ground said. Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s supporters clashed with police in Cairo and other parts of Egypt, leaving more than 50 dead and nearly 300 injured. Clashes in August prompted the Philippines to order a mandatory evacuation of some 6,000 Filipinos there amid the “marked deterioration of peace and order, exacerbated by the complex political challenges,” as Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had said. Filipinos in Egypt are mostly employed as skilled and household service workers in Cairo and Alexandria. Since the mandatory repatriation call, some 145 Filipinos have so far volunteered to return to the Philippines, Hernandez said. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks Read More …

No Obama? No problem

 News
Oct 052013
 
No Obama? No problem

President Barack Obama. AP FILE PHOTO Malacañang on Saturday played down the absence of US President Barack Obama from two key regional meetings—the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Bali, Indonesia on Monday and Tuesday and the East Asia Summit in Brunei on Wednesday and Thursday—to be attended by the region’s leaders, including President Benigno Aquino III. “I don’t think the Philippine objectives, which are a peaceful and rules-based resolution to [its territorial dispute with China], are going to be affected greatly by the absence of President Obama at one or two meetings,” Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang told journalists here. “Certainly, his presence here is welcome but this is a long game and if President Obama is not present in one or two meetings, then that’s not going to have an impact on our position,” Carandang said. Obama scrapped his attendance in the two meetings and visits to the Philippines and Malaysia this week because of the partial shutdown of the US government, forced by deadlock between the Democrats and the Republicans in Congress on the budget. US Secretary of State John Kerry is attending the two summits and visiting Manila and Kuala Lumpur in Obama’s place. Good for China But without Obama, the largest presence in the room at the two meetings will be that of China’s leader, Xi Jinping, who is already in the region visiting Malaysia and Indonesia to boost Beijing’s reputation after straining its relations with the Philippines and Vietnam over territorial disputes in the West Read More …

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