WASHINGTON, D.C.—The crippling labor unrest that sent foreign investors packing many years ago is now a thing of the past, Manila’s pointman in the United States said as he urged American companies to invest in the Philippines and take advantage of the unprecedented peace in the country’s labor front. “Now is the best time for […]
The Sandiganbayan First Division on Thursday has ordered the arrest of former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot in connection with the 11 counts of perjury charges filed against him. The Sandiganbayan also prohibited Ligot from leaving the country without clearance from the court. “After perusing the Informations and evaluating the resolution of the prosecutor, the evidence in support thereof and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, it appears that sufficient grounds exist for the finding of probable cause for the purpose of issuing a warrant of arrest against the accused charged in the instant cases,” the anti-graft court said in its resolution. Ligot’s bail bond was set at P6,000 per count, or a total of P66,000. The charges, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last April 13, were related to a forfeiture case earlier filed against Ligot, his wife Erlinda, their children Paulo, Riza, Miguel, and relatives Edgardo Yambao and Miguela Paragas for the recovery of unexplained wealth allegedly worth at least P135.28 million. Graft investigators said the former military general concealed assets by omitting them from his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the years 1993 to 2003. Ligot, retired since 2004, served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller from July 1999 to March 2001. He and his family were accused of amassing P135,280,822.11 in unexplained wealth, including several hectares of land in Bukidnon and Rizal, posh condominium units, houses and lots in the United States, several vehicles, and millions Read More …
MANILA, April 6, 2013 (AFP) – The Philippines will ask the United States to pay 58 million pesos ($1.4 million) in compensation for damage caused by a US warship to a protected coral reef, the manager of the reef said Saturday. The amount is based on studies by Philippine agencies including the coast guard that […]
WASHINGTON DC (2 April 2013) – Reiterating Washington’s apology over the grounding of the USS Guardian, Secretary of State John F. Kerry today assured Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario that the United States will cooperate with the Philippines in addressing issues related to the damage caused by the incident on Tubbataha Reef. “Secretary […]
MANILA, Apr 1 (Mabuhay) — CONFLICTING priorities and fear of entering a long distance relationship have pushed television personalities Coleen Garcia and Gabriel Valenciano to end their one-year romance. Gab recently left for the United States to pursue a degree in music technology in Orlando, Florida. Before his trip, Coleen said that they ended the […]
(World Summit on the Information Society Logo) Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said President Benigno S. Aquino III’s government has adopted a five-year digital strategy to provide the Filipino people a reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. Speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review Event, High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, held on February 25 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, Sec. Coloma underscored the need for every Filipino to have access to information and communication technology. “The Philippine government has adopted a five-year digital strategy anchored upon this vision: A digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” Coloma said. Coloma noted that the Aquino administration is currently implementing five strategies to provide service for the people in all matters concerning communications. “Firstly, the development of e-Government is a priority in order to facilitate greater efficiencies and effectiveness in the delivery of basic social services and minimize opportunities for corruption,” he said. Coloma said the government is also adopting the “strategy of digital inclusion and capacity building” to foster an enabling environment through a broadband policy that aims to reach previously unserved areas and customers. He said the Philippines recently enacted a law that will protect women and children against Read More …
MANILA, Philippines – Hopes are high that leaders in the United States will strike a deal to stop spending cuts from taking effect Friday, an event that could trigger heightened risk aversion in the emerging markets like the Philippines, the central bank said. “Given what transpired at year-end, most analysts have probably not factored in ‘sequestration’ (or the automatic spending cuts) in their baselines,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. said. “As in the past, I think we can expect heightened volatility in the market in the run up to March 1,” he said in a text message to reporters Tuesday night. US lawmakers found themselves pitted against each other anew, two months after dodging the “fiscal cliff”— the $600-billion spending cuts and tax rises— by choosing to hike income taxes to generate revenues. They however left decision on disbursement cuts, choosing to extend the leeway by another 60 days which is bound to end Friday midnight, Washington time. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 A total of $85 billion worth of cuts could kick in immediately, affecting government services and employee payrolls, seen detrimental to the still-fragile US economy. On Tuesday, the BSP chief said the market would evaluate how the US would act to avert a looming budget problem. “Again, what we could see in the market is a move to safe haven. But what that safe haven is would depend on risk appetite at that point,” Tetangco said. “Given the US Read More …
Discover and experience why ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ By MANNY V. ILAGAN The Los Angeles contingent from last year’s 7th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour poses with President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace. The 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour is set for July 9-15 this year. (Malacañang photo by Gil Nartea) LOS ANGELES – Filipinos in the United States will experience and discover for themselves why “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” when they join the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines on July 9 – 15, 2013. Launching ceremonies for this year’s Tour is scheduled for Thursday, February 7 at the Philippine Consulate General Office, located at 3600 Wilshire Blvd., 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Highlight of the Tour is the Special Visit to Malacanang and an audience with President Benigno S. Aquino III. Moreover, participants can expect more fun, more adventures and lot of exciting activities as they experience a grand welcome and reception, explore business and investment opportunities, and delight in onsite bazaars and mini-trade fairs. For only $1,933 per person on double occupancy, with fuel tax and surcharges included, the BASIC TOUR features the following: • Round-trip ticket from Los Angeles to Manila via Philippine Airlines (departing on July 7, 2013) • 3 nights stay at the EDSA Shangri-la hotel in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City • Daily buffet breakfast and 2 lunches • Dinners with cultural show and entertainment • Historic Read More …
Carmina Villaruel (MNS Photo) MANILA, Feb 5 (Mabuhay) — Actress and television host Carmina Villaroel feels “very fortunate” to have a supportive family who understands the demanding nature of her work. Villaroel said she always consults husband Zoren Legaspi and her twins before taking on a role. “Very open ako pati sa mga kids. So kapag sinabi ni Zoren na go, kapag okay sa kanya at sa kambal, go ako. Kaya kapag mayroong isang may ayaw, huwag na lang. So far, I’m very thankful and blessed na very supportive sila sa trabaho ko,” she said. Currently, Villaroel appears in the afternoon series “Minsan May Isang Pangarap” and also hosts the showbiz-oriented show “Showbiz Inside Report” every Saturday. Since she gets home late from tapings most of the time, Villaroel said she sees to it that she still gets to spend time with her family. “Ako kasi as much as gusto ko magbigay ng quantity time, quality time na lang with them,” she said. Even though her twins are already grown ups, Villaroel said they still sleep in one bedroom. “I have to be in the middle kasi gusto nila katabi nila ako. Ginagawa nila akong human pillow, minsan masakit na likod ko pero it’s okay. Hindi ko kaya na nandoon sila sa kabilang room,” she shared. Villaroel and Legaspi have been partners for 12 years and only got married last November. In 2001, the actress gave birth to their children in the United States. (MNS)