Japan logs $10.4 billion trade deficit for May

 Economy
Jun 182013
 
Japan logs $10.4 billion trade deficit for May

Agence France-Presse 9:35 am | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 Money traders work under a screen indicating the U.S. dollar is traded at 100.845 yen at a foreign exchange company in Tokyo, Friday, May 10, 2013. INQUIRER file photo TOKYO – Japan’s trade deficit for May expanded 9.5 percent from a year earlier to $10.4 billion, official data showed Wednesday as import costs rose on a weak yen. Data from the finance ministry showed Japan incurred a trade deficit of 993.9 billion yen, the 11th straight monthly shortfall. That was the longest run of monthly deficits since a 14-month string from July 1979 to August 1980. But May’s deficit was smaller than expected as the market had forecast a shortfall of around 1.2 trillion yen. Exports rose 10.1 percent to 5.76 trillion yen, growing for the third straight month on higher shipments to the United States and China. Imports also climbed 10.0 percent, an increase for the seventh consecutive month, as costs of fuel and other items jumped due to a weaker yen. A lower yen helps make Japanese exporters more competitive overseas but pushes up import bills. Japan’s fuel imports have soared as most of its nuclear reactors remain off-line since the huge earthquake and tsunami in 2011 sparked the world’s worst atomic accident in a generation. 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 Read More …

BI to launch 6-month tourist visa next week

 News
Jun 182013
 
BI to launch 6-month tourist visa next week

By Jocelyn R. UyPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:51 am | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Foreign visitors who want to extend their vacation in the Philippines may now do so without the usual hassles. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Tuesday that foreigners who would like to stay longer in the country, could avail of a six-month, long-stay tourist visa from the agency. The program is set to be formally launched next week, according to the BI. In a statement, Immigration Commissioner also announced that the bureau would introduce the new visa sticker to replace the wet stamp it was using to implement extensions of stay on the passports of foreign tourists. The Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to draw more international travelers into the country by giving them the privilege to prolong their stay in the country without the need to frequently visit the BI office to process their documents. Currently, the bureau allows foreign tourists a maximum stay of two months in the country each time they apply for visa extensions. “Through this long-stay visa, we [also] expect lesser crowding in our offices due to the decreased volume of visa extension applicants,” stated David. On the other hand, the new visa sticker will help the bureau prevent the proliferation of fake visa extension stamps, which have victimized many foreigners, added the BI chief, who noted that the new sticker would have security and tracking features that Read More …

Fil-Am group marks 40 years of service and activism

 News
Jun 182013
 
Fil-Am group marks 40 years of service and activism

By Rose PaquetteINQUIRER.net US Bureau 4:57 am | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 Filipino Advocates for Justice executive director Lillian Galedo (center). OAKLAND, California–Forty years. That’s how long the Filipino Advocates for Justice (FAJJ, a multiservice civil rights organization, has been serving the more vulnerable in the Filipino community in the San Francisco Bay Area’s “East Bay.” Celebrating its 40th anniversary on June 20, FAJ has helped build a labor/community coalition to prevent the loss of jobs and services for the Filipino Americans in Northern California. It has stood up to unjust laws and discriminatory practices, developed leaders and organized the community on major social issues. Its headquarters is in Oakland, with another office in Union City. FAJ’s 40th Anniversary “social justice honorees” are  Assembly member Rob Bonta,  Asian Health Services, Carlos Villa (posthumously), Mari Rose Taruc and Honorata Nono, a caregiver. “Nono is an organizer and strategist for worker empowerment,” says FAJ organizer Fiona Cruz.  Over the last four years, FAJ has worked with some 70 Filipino homecare workers in the East Bay, San Mateo, and Fresno. “I never wanted to be a leader,” said Nono. “I didn’t go past fourth grade and didn’t think I can lead. Now I’m doing so many things I never thought I could do. She’s active in PAWIS (People’s Association of Workers and Immigrants), which was initially formed to protect the jobs of airport screeners in the wake of the September 11 attacks.  Today it focuses on organizing and supporting home care workers. Humble beginnings   One Read More …

China Sea row discussed in US officials’ call on DND

 News
Jun 182013
 
China Sea row discussed in US officials’ call on DND

Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:19 am | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 Secretary of the Navy Mabus is honored by Philippine military members after a meeting with the Philippine Defense Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin. Mabus discussed Tuesday regional security issues during the meeting. US NAVY PHOTO/MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS ARIF PATANI MANILA, Philippines—US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus discussed Tuesday regional security issues in a meeting with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The representatives from the two departments discussed security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, modernization efforts, and the US’s commitment to provide humanitarian assistance in times of disasters/calamities,” the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement. “Secretary Mabus further intimated the critical nature of the Philippines for the US rebalance in the Asia-Pacific,” the statement said. Also in the meeting at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo were Navy Flag Office in Command Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano, US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, and Defense Undersecretaries Honorio Azcueta and Pio Batino. Thomas described Mabus’ visit as a “mutually beneficial and important trip.” He said one of the issues discussed was the situation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). He noted that Mabus’ trip came on the heels of the trip to the Philippines by Adm. Samuel Locklear III, commander of the US Pacific Command. “We have sent many high-level officials here in the last few years to Read More …

US 7-11 stores rapped for exploiting Filipinos

 News
Jun 182013
 
US 7-11 stores rapped for exploiting Filipinos

Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:47 am | Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 Graphics depicting the locations of 7-Eleven stores involved in a federal indictment are shown after a news conference at the US Attorney’s office, Monday, June 17, 2013, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Philippine officials in the US are investigating the reported exploitation of Filipino immigrants at several 7-Eleven convenience stores in two East Coast states under a scheme likened to a “modern-day plantation system” where their wages are withheld and their employment concealed under stolen identities. AP PHOTO/JOHN MINCHILLO MANILA, Philippines—Philippine officials in the United States are investigating the reported exploitation of Filipino immigrants at several 7-Eleven convenience stores in two East Coast states under a scheme likened to a “modern-day plantation system” where their wages are withheld and their employment concealed under stolen identities. Nine store owners and managers were charged on Monday in the scheme to exploit immigrants from Pakistan and the Philippines, in part by paying them using the stolen Social Security numbers of a child and three dead people, according to the Associated Press (AP). Most of the defendants were arrested early Monday as US federal authorities raided 14 franchise stores on Long Island, New York, and in Virginia. Immigration and customs enforcement agents were executing search warrants at about 30 other stores across the US suspected of similar infractions, authorities said at a news conference in Brooklyn. The Philippine Embassy in Washington and the Philippine Consulate General in New York are looking into Read More …

Legislator bares sexual exploitation of Filipinas by PH embassy personnel

 News
Jun 182013
 
Legislator bares sexual exploitation of Filipinas by PH embassy personnel

By Leila B. SalaverriaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:32 pm | Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello PHOTO TAKEN FROM FACEBOOK.COM MANILA, Philippines—Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello claimed Tuesday that three Philippine embassy officials have been sexually exploiting distressed Filipino female workers in the Middle East, a practice that higher-ups had allegedly ignored. Bello said at a news conference that two of the embassy personnel, whom he identified as officers of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Jordanian capital Amman and in Kuwait, were involved in running sex rings in those two places that send Filipinas to service wealthy clients. The third official, he claimed, was a member of the augmentation team of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the embassy in Damascus, Syria, who allegedly engaged in sexual acts with OFWs staying at the embassy’s shelter for distressed workers. Bello said he was making a public disclosure of the information, which he claimed had come from “unimpeachable sources” within the DFA and the DOLE, after they asked him to expose the unsavory deeds perpetrated in their offices. “Indeed, our sources have asked us to expose the criminals in their ranks because their acts are giving the agencies a bad name, and they can no longer tolerate the inaction of their superiors,” he said. 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, Read More …

California Senate honors June 12 and Filipino contributions

 News
Jun 172013
 
California Senate honors June 12 and Filipino contributions

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 5:13 am | Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor with California Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett. The Senate officially declared June 12 as Philippine Independence Day. SACRAMENTO– California’s State Senate unanimously approved a resolution sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-East Bay) Senator Corbett honoring June 12 as Philippine Independence Day. The state Senate also made a  “special recognition of California’s Filipino American citizens” and thanked them for their “countless contributions to our nation’s cultural, economic and political heritage.” “I thank my Senate colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, for supporting SCR 47 today to honor Philippine independence, as well as the thriving Filipino-American community in California,” Senator Corbett said. “The 10th State Senate District is home to tens of thousands of Filipino-Americans that contribute to the diversity of our state, in fields such as government, medicine, business and education.  Visiting Naga City in the Philippines as Mayor of San Leandro during a Sister City trip helped me appreciate even more the strong connection between our East Bay communities and the beautiful island nation of the Philippines.  I greatly appreciate their rich history and traditions that live on in California today.” Many Filipino-Americans continue to make an indelible mark on life in California, including several individuals that live and work in the 10th State Senate District.  Some of those community leaders include: ·    Assemblymember Rob Bonta (First Filipino-American elected to the California Legislature) ·    Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye ·    Philippine Read More …

44 aliens in credit card scam ordered arrested

 News
Jun 172013
 
44 aliens in credit card scam ordered arrested

By Jeannette I. AndradePhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:47 am | Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 AFP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—A judge has issued warrants for the arrest of 44 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals accused of involvement in credit card fraud. Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 216 Judge Alfonso Cruz III ordered the arrest of the foreigners, who are charged with violating the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998 for hacking into the records of credit cardholders and using the information obtained to manufacture fake credit cards. Bail for each of the accused was set at P24,000. The 44 foreigners were previously rounded up by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Technical Intelligence Division in simultaneous raids conducted in November 27 last year at Don Antonio Heights and White Plains Subdivisions. Although the NBI agents were able to confiscate a skimming device, several bogus credit cards and other electronic devices from the group, the inquest prosecutor recommended that the case be subjected to further investigation, resulting in the release of those arrested. Last month, Assistant State Prosecutor Arnold Magpantay resolved that there was probable cause to indict the foreigners for credit card fraud. In his resolution, Magpantay said that while the electronic devices appeared to be ordinary items (routers, laptop computers and phones), these could be used as tools in committing a crime. He also noted that none of the 44 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were able to sufficiently explain their possession of skimming devices which were used in the manufacture Read More …

‘Fishing talks between PH, Taiwan may violate ‘one-China’ policy’

 News
Jun 172013
 
‘Fishing talks between PH, Taiwan may violate ‘one-China’ policy’

SAYS LAW EXPERT: By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:44 pm | Monday, June 17th, 2013 Harry Roque, chairman of the Center for International Law MANILA, Philippines — The start of fisheries talks between the Philippines and Taiwan might violate the country’s one-China policy and Manila should instead craft any future pact with Taipei as a local government of China, an international law expert said. Harry Roque, chairman of the Center for International Law, however, welcomed the decision of the two sides to avoid the use of force in fishing disputes — a positive step in what has been rough relations between the Philippines and what it considers a province of China. “Talks may violate the one-China policy. All talks with Taiwan should be because it is part of China. The alternative is to craft as an agreement with a local government of China,” Roque said on Monday. As part of the government’s one-China policy, the Philippines handles its ties with Taiwan not through the Department of Foreign Affairs but through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office under the Office of the President, with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office as its counterpart. Roque, however, has a positive view of the agreement against the use of force in fishing issues, saying the right to life is above the right to use natural resources. “But I welcome the agreement not to resort to use of force against illegal poachers. The right to life is preeminent and superior specially to mere ecological rights Read More …

UN voices concern over child warriors in PH

 News
Jun 172013
 
UN voices concern over child warriors in PH

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:28 pm | Monday, June 17th, 2013 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — Some 26 children were recruited as soldiers, messengers and informants in conflict zones while dozens of other minors were slain and maimed in militant attacks and gunfights in the Philippines last year, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said in a report. In the report “Grave violations committed against children in 22 situations of concern” released on June 12, Ban expressed concern over the use of children as operatives, informants and messengers in conflict areas, recruited by terror groups, militant organizations and even state agents. The report specified the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the Philippine military as those involved in using children in their operations. “During the reporting period, the country task force recorded 11 incidents of recruitment and use of children, involving 23 boys and 3 girls between 12 and 17 years of age,” read Ban’s report, which the UN publicly released last week but was first reported to the UN Security Council on May 15. Culled by a UN country task force, the confirmed cases represent a decrease in child involvement in conflict but the world body remained concerned that minors are at all involved. “That figure represents a decrease in 2012, given that there were 26 incidents affecting 33 Read More …

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