By Jason GUTIERREZ MANILA (AFP) – The Philippines said Sunday it was aiming swiftly to sign a final peace deal with Muslim rebels to end a rebellion that has killed tens of thousands, following a major breakthrough in talks. Chief peace negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the government could reach a final deal with the Moro […]
NEW YORK – Family planning, higher education and quality time with loved ones are priorities for people around the world, according to a new global Nielsen survey focusing on lifestyle values released on Friday. The Nielsen poll of more than 29,000 people in 58 countries also showed that most people think women should have a say in important household issues, but opinions diverged on how the roles of wife and mother are perceived. “It was very striking that spending quality time with family was the No. 1 most important item,” said James Russo, senior vice president of Global Consumer Insights of Nielsen, a global provider of information and insights. In Nielsen’s first poll on lifestyle values, 80 percent of people surveyed said that spending time with family was most important, with the number rising to 88 percent in Latin America. “One of the more interesting findings is the consistency in these values,” Russo added, “which tells us that we are similar in many ways.” Family planning, or deciding on how many children to have, was a top issue, with 77 percent of people saying it was important, particularly in Latin America. In largely Catholic countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico, 90 percent or more agreed that it was crucial, compared to 45 percent of Norwegians and more than 50 percent of Danes and French. The rating for higher education was similar around the world, with 78 percent of people globally saying it was a priority. In emerging markets like Read More …
EU, PHL agree to expand justice reform program. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (left), European Union Ambassdor Guy Ledoux (center), and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas II sign a memorandum of agreement expanding the EU-PHL Justice Reform Program. The EU will support the program with a euro 10 million (P570M) grant. GMA News The European Union has earmarked P570 million or about €10 million to improve the Philippines’ justice system to benefit the poor and disadvantaged people. This was formalized Thursday through the launch of European Union-Philippine Justice Support Programme II (EPJUST-II), the third of similar funding programs by the EU in the country. In his speech, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas highlighted the importance of the financial support from the EU, particularly for poor Filipinos who could not afford the services of lawyers. “With the assistance from the EU, we can address the justice situation in the country. We can help the poor and the voiceless. They would now be given this access and they can better realize their hopes and their rights as citizens of this country,” he said. Aside from giving poor Filipinos access to justice, the funding also seeks to address extra-legal killings and enforced disappearances. For several years, human rights groups have scored the Philippines’ dismal human rights record, particularly during the Arroyo administration when cases of extra-judcial killings soared to more than 1,000. But when President Beningo Aquino III assumed the presidency in 2010, the United Nations noted a significant decrease in reported Read More …
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Three overseas Filipina workers accused an embattled Philippine labor official in Saudi of sexual abuse but refused to file formal testimonies. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the three Filipinas complained against Assistant Labor Attaché Antonio Villafuerte, who has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse against him. “They are not coming with statements […]
Tropical Storm Soulik forecast track as of 8Jul2013. The Weather Central forecast track for Soulik as of 8am Monday shows that the tropical storm may enter the northeastern corner of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday. GMA News As Typhoon Soulik continued to approach the Philippines Wednesday morning, officials of the Office of Civil Defense in seven regions, including Metro Manila, were instructed to adopt the needed precautions. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had the OCD prepare for the possibility of heavy rain from Soulik, which would be codenamed “Huaning” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). OCD regional units placed under alert included Metro Manila, Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa, radio dzBB reported. PAGASA earlier said Soulik had intensified into a typhoon and continues to gain strength while approaching Northern Luzon, and may enhance the southwest monsoon. Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard placed its units in Northern Luzon on alert, radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said the units in Northern Luzon are to go around coastal areas and dissuade fishermen from going out to sea at this time. PAGASA said Soulik is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility as early as 10 a.m. Wednesday. — LBG, GMA News
Cyclone off of PAR as of 5am, July 8. The Japan Meteorological Agency’s forecast track of a cyclone just outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of 5am (PHT), July 8. At its current rate and direction, PAGASA says it may enter the PAR by Wednesday and may just bring to extreme Northern Luzon. Japan Meteorological Agency Tropical Storm Soulik intensified further early Tuesday as it continued to approach the Philippines, even as state weather forecasters said the cyclone may enter the Philippine area of responsibility Wednesday and stay until Friday. But PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said their models show Soulik is not likely to make landfall on any part of the Philippines, even as it will enhance the southwest monsoon. “Hindi ito magla-landfall sa Pilipinas. Kung papatuloy ito, maaring mag-landfall ito sa Taiwan. Kung west-northwest or northwest ito, sa southeastern China (Our models show it is not likely to make landfall on the Philippines. Our models show it could make landfall on Taiwan. Or if it goes west-northwest or northwest, it could make landfall on Southeastern China),” Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio. Also, he said their models show a possibility of Soulik heading for Korea or even Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency’s 5:45 a.m. update described Soulik as a strong tropical storm, and indicated Soulik may not make landfall over the Philippines. So far, Mendoza said their forecast models indicate Soulik is not likely to have any direct effect on the Philippines, but added it Read More …
The Vatican’s decision to canonize the late Pope John Paul II may draw more young people to the Church, a Philippine Catholic bishop said Saturday. Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said John Paul II served as an inspiration to the youth and had been a role model to Church leaders and the world’s Catholics. “He could draw thousands of young people and listen to him so I hope this time that he is becoming a saint, he could draw more young people closer to the Church,” Baylon said in an article posted Saturday on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site. Baylon also noted John Paul II was instrumental in “awakening the spirit of generosity and enthusiasm among the young people to love the Church.” Filipinos particularly have a special place in their hearts for John Paul II, who visited the Philippines twice – in 1981 and 1995. In his 1995 visit, he interacted with young Filipinos and youths from all over the World during the World Youth Day celebration. “That’s why it’s really a blessing for the youth that he will become (a) saint,” Baylon said. The CBCP noted Pope Francis on Friday approved a miracle needed to canonize Pope John Paul II, and waived some Vatican rules to honor Pope John XXIII. Both popes are closely identified with the historic Second Vatican Council meetings that brought the Church into modern times. For his part, Lipa (Batangas) archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the canonization of the two popes “speaks Read More …
The Philippine government on Thursday described as a “forward step” China’s decision to discuss a code of conduct on the South China Sea with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines is ready to discuss its draft of the code with Chinese officials to try to diffuse tension at the South China Sea. “We have already drafted the code of conduct, and we have asked them to discuss it with us. China has already said that they are discussing with us, so this is a step in the right direction,” Lacierda said. The President’s spokesperson refused to “speculate” when asked if the Philippine government thinks China is only using talks on the code as a delaying tactic. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said his country has agreed to hold “official consultations” on a proposed code of conduct on the South China Sea with Southeast Asian nations. Sea dispute China is asserting its historial claim on the entire South China Sea. The Philippines, however, is claiming its ownership of some parts of the South China Sea—which it calls the West Philippine Sea—under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei also have claims over parts of the South China Sea. Lacierda said that the Philippines will continue to seek international arbitration on its territorial dispute with China while talks on the sea code are ongoing. “We have used the proper approaches, Read More …
The BRP Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s newest warship, is due to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In an article posted on its website July 3, the DFA mentioned the expected arrival date after the BRP Alcaraz reached San Diego last June 29. “BRP Alcaraz is expected to arrive in the Philippines on August 3, 2013,” it said. Last June 29, the BRP Alcaraz arrived at the 52nd US Naval Base in San Diego, California, while en route to the Philippines. Its crew received a warm welcome from Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Maria Hellen de la Vega and the Filipino community, the same article said. De la Vega said the BRP Alcaraz is “a fitting acquisition for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program.” She added it “will enhance the Philippines’ naval assets, adding the Philippines must attach greater focus and attention to maritime security.” BRP Alcaraz (PF-16) is the Philippine Navy’s second Hamilton-class cutter and sister ship of the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15). The BRP Alcaraz has 14 officers and 74 crew members led by Capt. Ernesto Baldovino. “(It) is capable of conducting patrols for long periods of time and can withstand heavy weather and rough sea conditions,” the DFA said. BRP Alcaraz was named after Commodore Ramon Alcaraz, a Philippine Navy officer, who commanded a patrol boat that shot down three Japanese aircraft. — RSJ, GMA News
MANILA (Mabuhay) — With Philippines and Japan being close neighbors, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera on Thursday expressed his government’s willingness to cooperate in “defense of remote islands as well as the defense of territory or territorial sea.” Onodera made this statement during his courtesy call to Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin at […]