Japanese national arrested for fake visa extension stamps on passport

 News
Apr 292013
 
Japanese national arrested for fake visa extension stamps on passport

By Tetch Torres-Tupas INQUIRER.net 6:51 pm | Monday, April 29th, 2013 Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines–The Bureau of Immigration arrested Monday a Japanese national after he was caught with fake visa extension on his passport. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. identified the Japanese national as Hidenobu Yuzawa, 38. Yuzawa went to the bureau’s main office in Intramuros, Manila to have his stay extended. Yuzawa’s application for extension of stay was, however, rejected after personnel at the BI visa extension section discovered two fake visa extension stamps on his passport. He was then endorsed to the BI intelligence division, charged with immigration law violation at the legal division and committed to the BI detention center in Bicutan, Taguig. Yuzawa, meanwhile, explained that a travel agent helped him extend his visa. David said foreigners can avoid the scheme by personally extending their visas at the BI or by engaging travel agencies accredited by the bureau.  The list of the agencies can be viewed at www.immigration.gov.ph. According to lawyer Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, Yuzawa identified a tour operator at the Robinson’s Mall in Dasmariñas, Cavite as responsible for faking his visa extensions.

2 recruitment agencies lose licenses over collection of placement fees

 News
Apr 252013
 
2 recruitment agencies lose licenses over collection of placement fees

By Tina G. Santos Philippine Daily Inquirer 8:25 am | Friday, April 26th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines—For allegedly violating the rule on placement fee, two recruitment agencies engaged in the recruitment and placement of household service workers to Hong Kong have been stripped of their licenses to operate by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). According to the Society of Hong Kong Accredited Recruiters of the Philippines (SHARP), an association of Hong Kong deploying agencies, the POEA issued the orders of cancellation against All Pro Staffing & Constructing Services and ABC Manpower Agency Inc. with offices, respectively, at Cubao, Quezon City and San Isidro, Makati. The two agencies belong to the top 10 agencies deploying household service workers to Hong Kong, said SHARP. The cancellation came on the heels of the moratorium on deployment of household workers to Hong Kong staged by SHARP member associations. SHARP initiated the moratorium on Feb. 27 to convince the Hong Kong employers and its counterpart Hong Kong employment agencies to pay the costs of recruitment instead of passing them on to the household service workers in the form of excessive placement fee.  It was lifted after a month as a substantial number of Hong Kong employment agencies agreed to the new terms of recruitment based on no placement fee. “The cancellation, I believe, is part of the pro-active position undertaken by the POEA with respect to the pronounced goal of the moratorium, which is to attain a hiring system of absolutely no placement fee for Read More …

Fil-Am scientist, who helped find a cure for HIV baby, among TIME’s most influential people

 News
Apr 252013
 
Fil-Am scientist, who helped find a cure for HIV baby, among TIME’s most influential people

By ELTON LUGAY (TheFilAm.net) INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 6:00 am | Friday, April 26th, 2013 Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga NEW YORK CITY—One of two Filipinos who made this year’s TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World is Dr. Katherine Luzuriaga, a pediatric allergist and immunologist from the University of Massachusetts, who was part of the team that developed a cure for an HIV-positive infant. The other awardee is Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. They were among the prominent and distinguished personalities who were honored at an April 23 awards ceremony at the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle. Aquino was not present. “We consider this a great achievement,” Luzuriaga, speaking for her team, said. “We’re very honored and actually very humbled to be among the ranks of these individuals that have been chosen.” Luzuriaga, a Filipino American, has been at the forefront of pediatric HIV/AIDS research. Her bio says she has over 20 years experience in “patient-oriented research focused on mother-to-child transmission of HIV.” Later, she asked me, “Pilipino ka ba? Darating ba si presidente?” Luzuriaga, who is also a professor of pediatrics and medicine, said her team is honored “to have our work considered to Barbara Walters be of greatinfluence. To a scientist, that means a lot.” The work does not end with the TIME honor, she said. “One of the things about the finding is that it points the way to new studies that we can do and we’d like to go on and continue to make progress Read More …

Filipino consul says sorry, claims he was tired, provoked

 News
Apr 252013
 
Filipino consul says sorry, claims he was tired, provoked

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 5:16 am | Friday, April 26th, 2013 Jose Ampeso, the Philippine consul general to Vancouver, as shown in the video posted on YouTube: So sorry. Screen grab from www.youtube.com MANILA, Philippines—He is sorry for behaving the way he did, but said he was unjustly provoked during a very tiring day at work. Jose Ampeso, the Philippine consul general to Vancouver, apologized Thursday for any offense his videotaped rant may have caused but gave the excuse that he was provoked by a Filipino-Canadian offering “to give a measly dollar” to his mission’s fund drive for typhoon victims in the Philippines. “The video alone is not sufficient to draw any reasonable conclusions from, one way or the other. Hence, it is unfair and unjust to use it to malign my character,” said Ampeso, a career diplomat for the past three decades, serving in various overseas posts. In a statement on Thursday, Ampeso claimed the 28-second video “does not tell the whole story” about his run-in with a Filipino who was applying to renew his passport during the Vancouver mission’s passport renewal outreach program in Alberta, Canada, on April 19. Insults and ridicule Ampeso said the passport applicant “insulted me and poked fun at being requested to make a donation to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).” “That’s why I became so agitated while explaining to him that if he had to give anything at all, it has to come from the heart for the typhoon victims. It Read More …

Int’l arbitration panel ready to hear PH case against China

 News
Apr 252013
 
Int’l arbitration panel ready to hear PH case against China

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:26 am | Friday, April 26th, 2013 Judge Shunji Yanai, president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, has appointed the last three members of the panel of five international arbitrators that would hear the Philippines’ case against China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday, April 25, 2013. PHOTO FROM ITLOS.ORG MANILA, Philippines—The panel of five international arbitrators that would hear the Philippines’ case against China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) has been completed, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said that Judge Shunji Yanai, president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos), had appointed the last three members of the panel. “That means the case is moving and, as expected, we are hoping that this case that we filed in the tribunal will proceed as soon as possible,” said Hernandez in a press briefing. In a letter dated April 24, Yanai informed Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, head of the Philippine legal team pursuing the case, that the panel had been completed. The newly appointed arbitrators are Judge Chris Pinto (Sri Lanka), who will serve as panel president, and Itlos judges Jean-Pierre Cot (France) and Alfred Soons (The Netherlands). In March, Yanai appointed Polish Itlos Judge Stanislaw Pawlak to join his fellow Judge Rudiger Wolfrum (Germany) in the panel. The Philippines nominated Wolfrum to the panel upon filing its Read More …

Fil-Am papers fighting for life in a digital world

 News
Apr 252013
 
Fil-Am papers fighting for life in a digital world

By Rose PaquetteINQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 4:20 am | Friday, April 26th, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO–Publishers and operators of Filipino American newspapers in the Bay Area are struggling to cope with the technological revolution. Like their mainstream counterparts, they are barely surviving cutthroat competition from digital news media for advertising revenue. A representative of a Fil-Am paper who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Unlike before, with digital advertising today, advertisers can choose from various options.“ Filipino-owned or controlled papers currently circulating in Northern California include the Asian Journal (LA-based), Philippine News, Philippines Today, The Filam Star, Manila Mail, Balita, Pinas, The San Francisco Post, Tribune. Most are weeklies. A previous player, the Manila Bulletin USA has discontinued its circulation in the region. One paper is rumored to be bowing out of the competition soon as it continues to  “bleed” as it tries to remain afloat despite minimal advertisements. “We are not re-loading our racks anymore, “ an editor recently told Inquirer.net. Reduced circulation   An independent newspaper contractor in charge of the delivery of various papers said another publication has apparently reduced its circulation and is dropping off papers only in selected markets in the South Bay. Some publishers are ready to give up and are said to be on the lookout for buyers. Some publishers put up a brave front.  One who declined to be identified said, “We are not affected by ‘competition’–we’ve been operating for years, and as far as we’re concerned, we have loyal advertisers and our circulation Read More …

Police file charges vs 3 Indian nationals over bomb in minivan

 News
Apr 252013
 
Police file charges vs 3 Indian nationals over bomb in minivan

By Jamie Marie ElonaINQURER.net 7:31 pm | Thursday, April 25th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Police filed charges Thursday against three Indian nationals who allegedly took for servicing a minivan in Laguna that was later found to be rigged with a powerful improvised explosive device, police said. Senior Inspector Walter Ebora, Alaminos Police Chief, said charges of illegal possession of explosives have been filed against Indian nationals identified as Narinder Singh, Rajeth Kumar and Jasbir Singh. He said the suspects underwent inquest proceedings earlier Thursday. Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, Calabarzon police regional director, said the three took the Toyota Avanza for engine oil replacement at a repair shop along Maharlika Highway in Barangay (village) San Benito in Alaminos, Laguna around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, and left a few minutes later. A mechanic then discovered the explosive device under the engine of the vehicle. Earlier reports said the bomb was made from military-grade C-4 explosives rigged to a mobile phone as a trigger device. The mobile phone’s battery ran out that’s why the device didn’t explode, police said. He said authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the incident. 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: car bombs , Crime , Features , Regions , Terrorism Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article Read More …

Manila disputes report of killings near Malaysia

 News
Apr 252013
 
Manila disputes report of killings near Malaysia

Associated Press 6:48 pm | Thursday, April 25th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines— The Philippine military disputed a newspaper report that its naval and coast guard forces killed 35 gunmen to stop them from entering the Malaysian state of Sabah. Malaysia’s The Star quoted Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as telling a news conference Thursday in Penang that Philippine troops shot the gunmen from southern Sulu province before they could enter Malaysian waters, after the gunmen had refused to turn back. Philippine regional naval commander Capt. Renato Yonque says the border with Malaysia has been “very quiet,” and “we have no information on that.” Hamidi and his aides did not immediately answer calls to their cell phones. Since March, Malaysian troops have battled armed followers of Sultan Jamalulu Kiram III of Sulu who is claiming Sabah. 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: Malaysia , Malaysian state , Sabah , Sabah Crisis , Sulu 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:

Filipino seafarers in Portugal get to vote for first time in years through OAV

 News
Apr 252013
 
Filipino seafarers in Portugal get to vote for first time in years through OAV

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 6:08 pm | Thursday, April 25th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines — One seafarer had not voted in nearly 18 years. Another thought the Binay on the ballot was Vice President Jejomar Binay suddenly seeking a Senate seat. Still, another has been out of the show biz loop and thought reelectionist Juan Miguel Zubiri was still dating singer-actress Vina Morales. But they were only too happy to vote, finally able to exercise their right to choose their leaders even while thousands of miles away from home, perhaps for too long. If only to reach a sector mostly excluded in the polls, the Philippine Embassy in Portugal has devised a way to reach the Filipino seafarers and let them vote. “We call it “akyat-barko,” Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe Lhuiller told reporters of the unique system he designed. “It was just one of the crazy ideas I had. Because why would they come to the Embassy to vote? They have no time. Their ship arrives at 7 a.m., they leave at 6 p.m. And of course they want to go out there [to see the city],” said Lhuiller in an interview in Manila. Under the scheme proposed by the envoy and approved by the Commission on Elections, Lhuiller himself and two other staff personally boarded ships at the Lisbon port to look for Filipinos who would like to register in the Overseas Absentee Voting system. The Embassy team then went back to port this week to see if Read More …

Philippine police nab 3 Indians with bomb in car

 News
Apr 252013
 
Philippine police nab 3 Indians with bomb in car

Associated Press 5:38 pm | Thursday, April 25th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines— A Philippine police official says three Indian nationals are facing charges of illegal explosives possession after a powerful homemade bomb was found inside their car. Regional police chief Benito Estipona says a mechanic found the device in the engine compartment Wednesday at a car dealership in Laguna province’s Alaminos township. The three men left the vehicle there for repairs. He says the device was fashioned from C4 explosives connected to a detonator, battery and a cellphone. Estipona said Thursday that police will continue investigating to determine those responsible for placing the bomb in the car, but the three men were liable for carrying the device. He said a government prosecutor will determine the extent of their criminal liability or whether they were the targets of a would-be bombing. 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: home-made bomb , illegal possession of exclusives , Indian national 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:

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