Tubbataha Reef accident ignored during meeting of PH officials with US lawmakers

 News
Jan 292013
 
Tubbataha Reef accident ignored during meeting of PH officials with US lawmakers

By Tarra Quismundo Philippine Daily Inquirer 8:59 pm | Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, right, looks at the guest book which was signed by visiting US congressmen led by Edward Royce, R-Calif., left, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Manila, Philippines. Rep. Royce is in Manila for talks with top Philippine officials, including President Benigno Aquino III, aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries. Others in the photo are Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York, second from left, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., third from left, Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., fourth from left, and Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa., second from right. AP MANILA, Philippines — The grounding of a United States minesweeper ship on Tubbataha Reef and its increasing damage on the marine sanctuary and protected area in the Sulu Sea was apparently not on the agenda when a delegation of US lawmakers met with Philippine officials on Monday. Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said discussions between the Philippine and US sides instead focused on furthering long-standing defense and economic ties between the two countries. Environmental issues were discussed broadly, with focus on Philippine initiatives on preparing for and mitigating the impact of climate change, officials said. “There was a discussion of the leadership of the Philippines in terms of conservation of the environment,” said Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Carlos Sorreta, who was present in the meeting. Asked if there was an Read More …

Tatay in America: From macho Filipino to Mr. Mom

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Jan 292013
 
Tatay in America: From macho Filipino to Mr. Mom

Kuwento By Benjamin Pimentel 8:47 pm | Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 Jojo Abinales with daughter Angela SAN FRANCISCO – One would hang out at a laundromat watching telenovelas. Another didn’t know the difference between a blouse and a skirt. Meet the Filipino man as Mr. Mom. They cook, do the laundry and take care of their children. In other words, they don’t fit the traditional image of the Filipino male. Or more specifically, the macho Filipino. The ranks of at-home dads, as Mr. Moms are also known, are growing in the United States, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. And they are helping change the parenting styles in America, the story said. Reading that story led me to think of three Filipino Mr. Moms I know. They’re friends of mine, fellow expats now based in the US. To be sure, in a society where having a maid is a luxury few can afford, Filipino men in the US take on far more parenting and household responsibilities than their counterparts back home. I went on paternity leave twice to take care of my kids. But those stints were short, each gig lasting no more than three months. On the other hand, my three friends played that role for at least a year. For one of them, it’s turned into a life-long commitment. It is, they all agreed, a tough job. “It was easy when there was only one child, but when there was another one, it became difficult,” said Romel Read More …

Democrats in PH celebrate Obama reelection

 News
Jan 272013
 
Democrats in PH celebrate Obama reelection

By Tarra QuismundoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 4:31 am | Monday, January 28th, 2013 US President Barack Obama. AP PHOTO While thousands of miles away from their homeland, American Democrats in the Philippines celebrated the reelection of President Barack Obama. Democrats Abroad, an organization of Americans based in the Philippines, marked the second inauguration of Obama in a modest gathering on Saturday at a pub in Makati City. “Someone asked me during the elections ‘Why do you care [when] you live here?’  I said, well, it’s actually close to me, I have family there and I keep in touch and care about my family,” said Democrats Abroad vice chairperson Lisa Kircher Lumbao. A Philippine resident for 20 years now, Lumbao has been participating in US polls from the Philippines for the last four elections. For Lumbao, Obama’s reelection bodes well for both her birthplace and her current residence, citing the close relationship between the Philippines and the United States. “The Philippines is very affected by the US economy. The whole world is affected by the US economy. And having Obama elected is really good for the economy, compared to what the Republicans were proposing,” said Lumbao of the opposing party’s proposals on tax and spending cuts. More than 20 members showed up for Saturday’s inauguration party, where the group watched the Jan. 21 inaugural ceremonies at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Asked about international interest in the Democratic president, Lumbao said: “I think a lot of people are interested in the Read More …

No haggling over reef fine–Abaya

 News
Jan 272013
 
No haggling over reef fine–Abaya

By TJ BurgonioPhilippine Daily Inquirer 1:40 am | Monday, January 28th, 2013 Tubbataha Reefs. YVETTE LEE/CONTRIBUTOR The penalty for the damage caused to the Tubbataha Reefs by a US Navy minesweeper is non-negotiable, Transportation Secretary Joseph E.A. Abaya said Sunday. But to be able to conduct a thorough investigation, the Philippine government should have access to the commanding officer and crew of the USS Guardian which has been stuck in the marine park since  Jan. 17, Abaya said. “Well, there are laws in place. I don’t think this is subject to tawaran (haggling) or negotiation. I heard of the figure of $300 [fine] per square meter. If that is really engraved in the law then there’s no room for negotiation whether this is high or low,” he told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Abaya said he had yet to look into whether there would be a need to impose an additional fine for the damage left by the minesweeper on the world-renowned reefs pending its extrication. On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, President Aquino told reporters the US Navy would be held liable and be made to pay for the damage. The 63-meter, 1,300-ton ship, part of the US naval fleet stationed in Japan, docked at the former American naval base in Subic Bay on Jan. 12 for routine refueling, resupply and rest and recreation. Palawan stop   It was scheduled to make a brief stop at Puerto Princesa City before heading off to Read More …

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