PH maids in HK seek direct hiring as recruitment agencies demand placement fees

 News
Feb 262013
 

By Tina G. Santos Philippine Daily Inquirer 6:45 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong want the Philippine government to lift the ban on the direct hiring of Filipino domestic workers abroad. According to a statement from the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil), Filipino household service workers in the territory will troop Wednesday, to the Philippine Consulate General to express their demand. The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante-HK), the organization leading the picket protest, stated that returning the direct hiring as an option to remove a threat to the livelihood of Filipino domestic workers, especially those processing their papers now. This demand by Filipino domestic workers comes at a time when recruitment agencies from Hong Kong and the Philippines are fighting over the placement fees being charged to the Filipino domestic workers. According to Unifil, the Philippines-based recruitment agencies want the Philippine government to allow them to charge the workers placement fees while letting the Hong Kong-based agencies to determine fees on their own. “In the middle of this still-unresolved ‘brawl,’ Filipino domestic workers are being wrongfully blamed and used as scapegoats by agencies, especially those based in HK. Such baseless accusations are only fodder for the anti-migrant sentiments being fanned by many entities in Hong Kong,” it added. Recently, the Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP), the Philippines-based agencies, imposed a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Hong Kong as it complained of the overly strict and Read More …

Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

 News
Feb 262013
 
Senators back Aquino’s call to end Sabah standoff peacefully

By Maila Ager INQUIRER.net 5:13 pm | Tuesday, February 26th, 2013 President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Four senators on Tuesday rallied behind President Benigno Aquino III’s call for a peaceful settlement to a two-week long standoff in Sabah, two of them even suggested a need for intervention by international bodies  to  end  the  conflict. “Maybe we should intensify our request for intervention by the international bodies, international tribunal including  Asean to reduce its negative effect in the ongoing peace process and to avoid any problem with Malaysia without renouncing our claim to Sabah,”  Senator Gringo Honasan  said in a mix of English and Filipino  in a phone patch interview. “But it is important that the debate is calm, peaceful and diplomatic,” Honasan added. Instead  of resorting to violence, Senator  Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the “heirs” of the sultan  of Sulu, Jamalul  Kiram  III,  may raise their  claim  of the  land  before international  tribunals. “Yes, Sabah should be peacefully settled. I suggest to the heirs to use international courts and tribunal,” Pimentel said in a text message.  Senators  Francis “Chiz” Escudero and  Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan  also  backed Aquino’s call  for a peaceful  end to the Sabah claim. “Bringing the supposed Sabah heirs and government representatives in one table would allow discussions on the complex issues involved in the Sabah claim including the plight of Sabah residents who have Filipino roots,” Escudero said in a separate statement. He said a dialogue on the Sabah claim should include the Malaysian government to Read More …

Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

 Entertainment
Feb 252013
 
Aquino says Sabah standoff must be resolved peacefully

President Benigno S. Aquino III meeting with local Leaders with Community, Dumangas, Iloilo 02/21/2013 (screenshot courtesy of RTV Malacanang : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxcJnha5moc) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday that resolving the Sabah standoff through the use of force is not the effective way to deal with the problem. “Pag tinapatan mo ng armas siyempre ang kabilang panig iisa lang ang magiging puwedeng tugon sa mga hamon na yun. So hindi yun ang solusyon,” the President said in an interview in Iloilo on Thursday. “We have been dealing with this. We have been talking to parties concerned including the family of the Sultan to ensure na may peaceful resolution.” Resolving the standoff doesn’t rest entirely on the government’s hands, he said, adding that there has to be cooperation among all other entities to achieve a resolution on the current crisis and later on a long-term solution to the dispute. The President also acknowledged the good relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia, having helped the country in forging a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “They (the Malaysians) have been very, very friendly to us. And they have been very, very supportive to us. And we have to, as a brother nation in ASEAN, also have to respond.” The government has been studying the Sabah issue and has compiled available data, the President said. One of the information mentioned by the President includes the treaty or agreement that was signed in 1878, which contain so many amendments. It Read More …

Tax treatment of deposits, cash advances

 Economy
Feb 252013
 

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) new issuance, Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 16-2013 (RMC 16-2013) clarified the tax treatment of deposits/advances given by clients/customers to their suppliers/providers. This new issuance is an offshoot of RMC 89-2012, which involves cash advances given to General Professional Partnerships (GPPs). Unlike RMC 89-2012, RMC 16-2013 covers all taxpayers, other than GPPs, doing business in the Philippines. The latter details all the tax implications to and obligations of the taxpayer and the client for purposes of recording and documentation of the deposits/cash advance made.

3 gov’t agencies join forces to help children get ready for school

 News
Feb 222013
 
3 gov’t agencies join forces to help children get ready for school

INQUIRER.net 6:03 pm | Friday, February 22nd, 2013 L-R: Daphne Oseña-Paez (UNICEF Special Advocate for Children); UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi; ECCD Council Governing Board Chair Teresita Inciong; Australian Ambassador Bill Twedell; DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman; OIC-Director Marilette Almayda of the Bureau of Elementary Education-DepED; and Teresa Mariano, Head of the Social Services Dept. of QC LGU. MANILA, Philippines – The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, the Department of Education (DepED), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched this February an innovative project called Early Learning for Life which aims to help children ages 3-5 years old get ready for school. “The vital years of the child 0-6 years old should be a collective aspiration,” said Dr. Teresita G. Inciong, Chairperson of the ECCD Governing Board. She continued: “It is in this light that the Project responds to the urgent need for children to get the right start to learning and development, and eventually complete their education.” Significant research studies show that 50 per cent of a person’s ability to learn is developed in the first few years of life. However, national statistics indicate that only 78 out of 100 Grade 1 entrants have kindergarten experience. “This initiative is most welcome as it will give our young learners a strong foundational head start in early education,” Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC said. The $18M project, funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and in collaboration with UN children’s agency, UNICEF, will Read More …

Malaysia’s lease payments for Sabah bolsters sultan’s claim—Gazmin

 News
Feb 222013
 
Malaysia’s lease payments for Sabah bolsters sultan’s claim—Gazmin

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 6:01 pm | Friday, February 22nd, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, left, joins prayers at the Blue Mosque in Taguig City Friday. AP MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Friday Malaysia’s continuing payment of lease for Sabah bolsters the Philippine claim over the territory. “You see, the sultanate is being paid 5,000 ringgit up to now,” said Gazmin, referring to the nominal yearly compensation the heirs to the Sultanate of Sulu receive from Malaysia under a long-standing agreement. “So if you are being paid then there’s claim,” he said in a press briefing. Dozens of followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III sailed over to neighboring Sabah island more than a week ago to assert their centuries-old claim over the area. Also among their demands is additional compensation. Malaysian authorities surrounded the group, which is believed to be made up of anywhere between 80 and 400 people, and a stand-off has since been in place while negotiations continue. Kuala Lumpur has given the 300 followers of the sultan led by his brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, until Friday to decide whether to leave on their own, or be rounded up and deported. But Gazmin said that while the claims of royal family could be valid, it is not right to send an armed group to Sabah to reclaim their territory. President Benigno Aquino in his first public comments on the issue Thursday said: “Going there with arms is not the way to resolve this.” “When you brandish arms, Read More …

Visiting solon: US may review rejected benefit claims of PH war vets

 News
Feb 222013
 
Visiting solon: US may review rejected benefit claims of PH war vets

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:23 pm | Friday, February 22nd, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—The United States is open to a review of rejected benefit claims of thousands of aging Filipino World War II veterans as deserving former servicemen should receive the compensation due them, the chair of the US House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs said Friday. Florida lawmaker Jeff Miller, head of a US congressional delegation that visited the Philippines this week, told the Inquirer on Friday that his government was willing to take a second look at claims of Filipino veterans earlier denied by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Miller quickly pointed out, however, that such review was not a guarantee of a reconsideration, saying the US government is “very careful” in studying and approving claims of Filipinos who served under the US flag more than six decades ago. “We understand that there are other individuals who claim that they have a right to compensation, and I agree that every person should have the opportunity for a full and complete review,” Miller said. “But we have to be careful that only those that have earned the compensation get the compensation,” added the lawmaker, who led four other fellow lawmakers on three-day visit in the Philippines. During a meeting at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario requested Miller’s support as he called for a review of the rejection of claims of  24,385 Filipino veterans under the Filipino Veterans Equity (FVEC). Miller said Read More …

Sabah Standoff: Sultan’s men won’t leave despite deadline

 News
Feb 222013
 
Sabah Standoff: Sultan’s men won’t leave despite deadline

By Nikko DizonPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:53 pm | Friday, February 22nd, 2013 Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram talks to reporters during a news conference in Alabang, south of Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. His followers who crossed to the Malaysian state of Sabah this month will not leave and are reclaiming the area as their ancestral territory, the sultan said Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, amid a tense standoff. AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA MANILA, Philippines—The followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III holed up in Lahad Datu town in Sabah refused to leave despite the Friday deadline set by Malaysia. Jamalul, his brother Ishmael and wife Princess Fatima Cecilia and some of their followers faced the media on Friday in a press conference at the Blue Mosque in Maharlika Village in Taguig City, saying they will consult their followers regarding their next move. Princess Fatima, who is the sultan’s spokesperson, said the family wants the Sabah issue to be resolved before the International Court of Justice and that they are open to negotiate with Malaysia. She also said that the family was hurt by President Benigno Aquino’s statement that the Sabah issue was “dormant” but she welcomed his directive for his top Cabinet officials to study the Sabah claim issue. 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 Read More …

P2.1-B medical facility to rise in Makati

 Economy
Feb 212013
 
P2.1-B medical facility to rise in Makati

MANILA, Philippines – Real estate firm Century Properties Group Inc. aims to be a major player in the government’s push to develop the country’s medical tourism industry. The property firm said it is on track to completing the construction of the 28-story Centuria Medical Makati in 2014. “The P2.1-billion project is positioned to attract local residents and most especially medical travelers, who are looking for quality treatment in a world-class facility that can offer huge cost savings, as compared to costs of medical treatment in their own countries,” said Century Properties chairman Jose E.B. Antonio. The outpatient medical facility will serve as a platform to support the Philippine government’s thrust to offer world-class medical services to foreign patients, Antonio said. It will house 553 clinics for doctors specializing in various medical practices. Centuria will offer also offer a day surgery center, radiology center, diagnostic laboratory, digital imaging, pharmacy, recovery suites, and an ambulance transfer service. To date, 84 percent of Centuria’s clinic spaces have been pre-sold. Clinic sizes range from 27 square meters to 187 sqm, with a current average price of P160,000 per square meter. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 “With the added push from the tourism and health departments of our government, Century Properties is very optimistic about the prospects of medical tourism in the Philippines,” Antonio said. In 2010, the Philippines posted $25.3 million in revenues from the health and wellness industry, 60 percent of which came from foreign visitors. Medical procedures in Read More …

Forum focuses on ‘Doing business amidst new threats’

 Economy
Feb 212013
 
Forum focuses on ‘Doing business amidst new threats’

MANILA, Philippines – Business, government and institutions face increasing threats to their survival and competitiveness. The challenge lies in the increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks, natural hazards, market uncertainties driven by geo-political risks, identity thefts and counterfeit crimes. In this year’s 8th PROTECT conference series on “Doing Business Amidst New Threats”, leading practitioners will present best practices and the latest advances on risk management, ICT advances to solve crimes, disaster preparedness, business continuity and technologies to fight identity thefts and counterfeit cases. A round table discussion will analyze the impact on security in Asia of developments in other parts of the world.  In another session, future global critical concerns to the next century is the subject of a panel discussion among experts in the fields of food supply, energy sources, health issues and regional/global political dynamics. The PROTECT series is the largest and longest-running conference with specialized exhibit on security, risk and emergency management in the Philippines. Launched in 2005 with the Anti-Terrorism Council in response to the New York 9-11 terrorist attack, the PROTECT series has, over the years devoted added attention to risks arising from increasing natural disasters, pandemics, ICT developments and the changing face of terrorism This annual conference is attended by CEOs and senior executives of government and private companies and organizations responsible for guiding their institutions navigate the changing powerful forces of economics, technology, culture, and politics. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 The conference, to be held on April Read More …

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