US defense chief here next week

 News
Aug 242013
 
US defense chief here next week

By Nikko DizonPhilippine Daily Inquirer 7:59 pm | Saturday, August 24th, 2013 U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks at a Pentagon news conference in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) MANILA, Philippines – US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will meet with President Benigno Aquino III next week to discuss the ongoing negotiations for increased presence of American soldiers in the Philippines, the US Department of Defense said in a statement released Friday (Saturday in Manila). Hagel will also be meeting with his counterpart, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario during his two day visit on August 29-30. The agreement that would pave the way for more US troops to be stationed in the Philippines and give them access to the military facilities is being presented to Filipinos by the Philippine government as a deterrent to China’s increasing presence in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China sea that the Philippines claims to be within its exclusive economic zone. The Philippines and China continue to be locked in a territorial dispute, particularly over Panatag Shoal off Zambales province and the Ayungin Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group or Spratlys. According to the US statement, Hagel will talk to President Aquino, Gazmin, and Del Rosario “about ongoing negotiations for a framework agreement that would allow US forces to operate on Philippine military bases and in Philippine territory and waters to help build Philippine armed forces capacity in maritime security and maritime domain awareness.” The US had maintained Read More …

One Filipina’s social media activism (and how it shaped the Aug. 26 protest)

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Aug 242013
 
One Filipina’s social media activism (and how it shaped the Aug. 26 protest)

Kuwento By Boying PimentelPhilippine Daily Inquirer 3:34 pm | Saturday, August 24th, 2013 Roman Catholic priest Fr. Robert Reyes, second from left, prepares to run blindfolded along with supporters to protest the pork barrel scandal Friday in Manila. AP Peachy Rallonza Bretana’s social activism has followed a pattern: she saw something on Facebook and got really mad. That’s what happened when she came across the clip of the crying, dancing boy on Willie Revillame’s TV show two years ago. It happened again this month when she began reading the posts about some little known, somewhat obscure government program called the Priority Development Assistant Fund. “There’s not much difference in the way it started,” she told me in an email. “You see/read something on YouTube and online then you become so angry that you vent out your anger and disgust online by sharing to your friends. Both the Revillame case and this PDAF scam stemmed from the way they affected me on a personal level. “As in: Gigil na gigil ka sa galit.” Actually, there is one difference. The Revillame case, which sparked outrage so vehement it caused the show to be suspended and created a heightened awareness around the way children are treated on TV, was triggered by a clip that Peachy says was “instantly revolting.” The anger related to the pork barrel controversy, however, took a little longer to boil over. It started with a stream of news stories and blogs and the comments. Then the Commission on Audit Read More …

Threats to coral reefs continue, says Paje

 News
Aug 242013
 
Threats to coral reefs continue, says Paje

By DJ YapPhilippine Daily Inquirer 2:24 pm | Saturday, August 24th, 2013 Graphic on Asia’s Coral Triangle, which contains nearly 30 percent of the world’s reefs and more than 3,000 species of fish. AFP MANILA, Philippines—Environment Secretary Ramon Paje on Saturday said more action was needed to save the reefs of the Coral Triangle, an important marine area encompassing Asia Pacific countries, including the Philippines, in the face of growing threats to their ecosystems from overfishing,  pollution and climate change. While the Philippines has taken steps to protect its reefs and the marine life they host, more effort is necessary to develop sustainable solutions for the threatened reefs in the Coral Triangle, a global hot spot of marine biodiversity, Paje said. “We face a crisis on the continued degradation of our fragile ecosystems and resources that could endanger the survival and quality of life of future generations,” Paje said in a press release. “Investing in coastal and marine protection can certainly help ensure a better future for our children and a better environment for all.” Last week, the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI)-Philippines National Coordinating Committee, which is co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture, hosted a CTI Forum in Makati City. The event also saw the launch of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program or SCREMP, designed by the Philippine government to more effectively protect and rehabilitate the coral reefs in the region. SCREMP will focus on habitat conservation and protection, as Read More …

OFWs in Egypt urged anew to cooperate in ongoing evacuation

 News
Aug 242013
 
OFWs in Egypt urged anew to cooperate in ongoing evacuation

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:48 pm | Saturday, August 24th, 2013 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Albert del Rosario AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has renewed government’s call for Filipinos in Egypt to cooperate in the ongoing mandatory evacuation, citing the worsening instability in the Arab country. The Philippine Embassy in Cairo also advised Philippine citizens across Egypt to immediately contact the post to sign up for repatriation and stay indoors while awaiting evacuation as the strife-torn country remains under a state of emergency. “Our two visits in Cairo within the last 12 days to assess the security situation have convinced us that the marked deterioration in peace and order, exacerbated by complex political challenges has called for the raising of our alert level to mandatory repatriation,” said Del Rosario, who arrived this week from his second visit to Cairo. He ordered the declaration of Crisis Alert Level 4 for some 6,000 Filipinos in Egypt on Monday after seeing for himself that the situation was no longer safe. Government also has a standing order barring the deployment of new workers to Egypt and the return of Egypt-based Filipinos currently on vacation out of the country. “This is the highest level possible, and we therefore strongly urge our countrymen in Egypt to register with the Philippine Embassy in Cairo for early repatriation,” said Del Rosario. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said only trickles have signed up for repatriation as Filipinos in Egypt Read More …

No sex-for-flight case, just simple negligence raps

 News
Aug 232013
 
No sex-for-flight case, just simple negligence raps

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:05 am | Saturday, August 24th, 2013 Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Not finding any evidence of a sex-for-repatriation racket, the labor official in Riyadh who was the subject of recent complaints from distressed overseas women workers will face charges of “simple negligence” for other work-related matters, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said. Baldoz said two other labor officials implicated in the sex-for-repatriation controversy will also face unrelated charges “for apparently not performing their duties well.” Baldoz has approved the filing of administrative charges against Riyadh Labor Attache Adam Musa for gross negligence; Jordan officer in charge Labor Attaché Mario Antonio for grave misconduct; and Riyadh Assistant Labor Attaché Antonio Villafuerte for simple negligence. In a statement, Baldoz said the fact-finding team tasked to look into the controversy has found prima facie evidence against the officials, not for the sex-for-repatriation allegations but for other infractions, including their “failure to do their duties well.” She clarified that the team did not find the involvement of any of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) organic personnel in any “sex-for-fly” or “sex-for-hire” activities. The investigation report said some distressed workers had apparently been recruited into a prostitution ring, but it did not involve their personnel. In addition to the charge of simple negligence against Villafuerte, Baldoz also approved the fact-finding team’s recommendation to refer the complaints for sexual harassment against the Riyadh official to the DOLE Committee on Decorum and Investigation. Nicon Fameronag, DOLE Read More …

Severe Tropical Storm Trami hits Taiwan

 News
Aug 212013
 
Severe Tropical Storm Trami hits Taiwan

Associated Press 8:42 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 With their boat safely docked in harbor, fishermen take the time to repair nets as they ride out approaching Tropical Storm Trami near Toucheng, north eastern Taiwan, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.Severe Tropical Storm Trami bore down Wednesday on heavily populated northern Taiwan, prompting schools and offices to close down as heavy rains threatened to trigger landslides and other disruptions throughout the island. (AP Photo/Wally Santana) TAIPEI — Severe Tropical Storm Trami struck Wednesday in heavily populated northern Taiwan, prompting schools and offices to close down as heavy rains triggered landslides and other disruptions throughout the island. At 5:30 p.m.(0330 GMT), the Central Weather Bureau said the center of the storm was located offshore, 100 kilometers (63 miles) northeast of the capital of Taipei, packing sustained winds of 108 kmh (68 mph) with gusts of up to 137 kmh. It was expected to complete its passage of the island’s northern coast by midnight, heading westward on a direct course toward the Chinese province of Fujian. An increase of 10 kph in sustained wind speed would cause the storm to be upgraded to typhoon status, though forecasters were unsure if that would happen. Earlier this week, Trami wreaked havoc in the Philippine capital of Manila and in outlying regions, leaving 15 dead, 41 injured and affecting more than 1 million people as floodwaters swamped wide swathes of the densely-populated region. President Benigno Aquino III visited emergency shelters to distribute food packs and cheer Read More …

OWWA vows more flexible loan programs for OFWS

 News
Aug 212013
 
OWWA vows more flexible loan programs for OFWS

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:40 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has vowed to make the government’s loan assistance program for overseas Filipino workers more flexible by easing requirements and application procedures. “We’re [finding ways to make it] more flexible and accessible to OFWs. We are making adjustments in procedures and requirements in response to reports that some are finding it hard to avail of the loan assistance,” OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said. Dimzon clarified reports that the OWWA was asking for too many requirements that make it difficult for OFWs to avail of the program. “It’s not true, we have to clear that. The OWWA actually almost [does] not ask for any requirement. We just check with our database if they are members, active or non-active. Then we will provide them with certification, saying they are OFW or former OFW, which they have to show to Land Bank,” she said. “If they will avail of the loan on behalf of the member, they just need authorization. And then, of course, they have to undergo training on financial literacy, which only takes a day,” she added. Under the P2-billion reintegration program, the OWWA offering loans for OFWs, especially displaced or distressed workers, who decide to come home for good and put up or expand an existing business in the country. OFWs may apply for business capital loans ranging from P300,000 to P2 million from the P2-billion Reintegration Loan Fund offered Read More …

OFW found dead in suitcase in Egypt

 News
Aug 212013
 
OFW found dead in suitcase in Egypt

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 8:13 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 In this Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013 photo a convoy of Egyptian police vehicles patrols the southern city of Assiut, Egypt. (AP Photo/Roger Anis, El Shorouk Newspaper) EGYPT OUT MANILA, Philippines – An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was found dead in a suitcase in Cairo, Egypt, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. “A female OFW was reported on Aug 17 to have been killed in Cairo. Her body was found concealed in a large suitcase which was left around the dump site in Nasr City,” Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez said in a text message Wednesday. The identity of the body could not be immediately determined due to its advanced stage of decomposition. It was also not yet clear whether the OFW was collateral damage in the ongoing civil unrest in the country. “In cooperation with the [Philippine] embassy [in Egypt], the police authorities are ascertaining the positive identity, cause, and circumstances of her death prior to notifying the victim’s next of kin,” Hernandez said. Previously, the DFA has raised crisis alert level 4 in Egypt due to the civil unrest between supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi and government security forces. Violent clashes ensued when authorities dispersed a sit-in protest of Morsi’s supporters who were demanding his reinstatement. Hundreds were reported killed with thousands more injured from the clashes. A month-long state of emergency has been declared by the government. Related Stories: First batch of OFWs repatriated from Read More …

First batch of OFWs repatriated from Egypt to arrive in PH

 News
Aug 212013
 
First batch of OFWs repatriated from Egypt to arrive in PH

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 4:44 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 Egyptian soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint during a dawn-to-dusk curfew in the Zamalek district of Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013. The Philippines has ordered the mandatory evacuation of some 6,000 Filipinos from Egypt following a visit to the Arab country by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to investigate the security situation after days of violent clashes. AP PHOTO/MAYA ALLERUZZO MANILA, Philippines – Five Filipinos will comprise the first batch of overseas Filipino workers to be repatriated from Egypt in light of the crisis alert level 4 raised due to the escalating civil strife in that country. “Five Filipinos are to be repatriated to the Philippines in view of the crisis alert level 4 imposed [due to] the current political situation in Egypt,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman assistant secretary Raul Hernandez said Wednesday in a text message. “Three of them came from Cairo, and two from Alexandria. Their flight is scheduled to arrive Aug 21, 4:20 p.m. via [flight] QR646,” Hernandez said. Violence erupted in Cairo after government security forces dispersed a sit-in protest of ousted president Mohammed Morsi’s supporters who have been demanding his reinstatement after being deposed in a military coup last July. Hundreds have been reported killed in the violent dispersal, the latest of a series of clashes between pro-Morsi protesters and government authorities. The DFA issued crisis alert level 4 last Aug 19 after a month-long state of emergency was declared in the Read More …

Court allows bail for 12 Chinese fishers

 News
Aug 202013
 
Court allows bail for 12 Chinese fishers

By Redempto D. AndaInquirer Southern Luzon 10:18 pm | Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—The regional trial court has allowed the 12 Chinese fishers responsible for the grounding of their vessel in Tubbataha Reefs in April to post bail, according to their lawyer. Richalex Jagmis, counsel for the Chinese nationals currently detained at the Palawan provincial jail, said he received the decision on the bail petition he filed Monday afternoon from RTC Branch 51 Presiding Judge Ambrosio de Luna. The court, however, doubled the bail amount recommended by the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office handling the case for the complainant Tubbataha Management Office from P120,000 to P240,000 each, or a total of P2.8 million. It pointed out that the accused need to appear before the hearings on charges of poaching and illegal possession of endangered species. The accused are set to be arraigned for additional cases, including violation of the Philippine Wildlife Act and attempted bribery. The latter complaint arose from a report made by the park rangers of Tubbataha stating that the Chinese had tried to bribe them after the grounding incident. “I don’t know yet what will be the action on the part of my clients. And the order states that they need to appear before the hearings,” Jagmis said. The Chinese vessel’s grounding in Tubbataha came right after a similar incident involving a US Navy minesweeper, which prompted American authorities to dismantle the ship on site. The inspection conducted by Tubbataha park rangers on the Chinese fishing boat Read More …

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