Defense accord with US a ‘security cover’ for PH

 News
Apr 122014
 
Defense accord with US a ‘security cover’ for PH

US President Barack Obama (right) and President Aquino MALACAÑANG FILE PHOTO The new defense agreement the Philippines and the United States could sign on or before the visit of US President Barack Obama later this month is designed as a “security cover” for the Philippines amid the changing security landscape in the region. This is how a ranking government official privy to the talks described to the Inquirer the “Agreement on Enhanced Defense Cooperation” that gives, among other things, a boost to the minimum defense capability posture of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “It’s more for deterrence, a security cover for the Philippines,” said the official, who requesting anonymity for lack of authority to speak to reporters. “We are taking our neighbors into account as well,” the official added, without referring to  China with which the Philippines is locked in a bitter territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone. The United States has openly challenged China’s claim to 90 percent of the 3.5-square-kilometer South China Sea and sided with the Philippines as well as Japan in the territorial disputes. Japan and China are both claiming ownership of the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu Islands by China) in the East China Sea. According to the official, the draft agreement does not yet spell out how exactly the US military could boost the AFP’s capability, but “we are headed toward that.” The official noted that the press statement released Read More …

Basilan boy is now US city mayor

 News
Apr 122014
 
Basilan boy is now US city mayor

ANTONIO Cartagena , Basilan born and an alumnus of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, is now the mayor of Walnut, an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. AJPRESS PHOTO LOS ANGELES—Filipinos are slowly making their mark in the political realm in the United States. In California alone, a number of Fil-Ams have secured positions in the corridors of power, where they can create positive change for the Filipino community in the Golden State. A few names come up: State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, Cerritos Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Pulido and Carson City Mayor Pro-Tem Elito Santarina. The list of current and former Fil-Am politicians would no doubt include many other illustrious names. However, only a few can compare to the tenure, experience and legacy of the City of Walnut Mayor Antonio “Tony” Cartagena. Walnut, an affluent city in Los Angeles County, spans 23.05 square kilometers and hosts around 30,000 residents. Born and raised in province of Basilan, Mayor Cartagena is a longtime Walnut City councilor. Today, he is serving his fourth term as Walnut City mayor (he was appointed in July 2013). He previously held the post in 2002, 2006 and 2010. Cartagena is passionate about promoting diversity in a previously Caucasian-dominated city council. A more diverse council can be more responsive to the needs of all its constituents, he said. His goal is to preserve Walnut’s rural atmosphere by preventing the proliferation of street gangs, conserving Walnut’s open spaces and continuing the tradition of excellence in the local school district. Read More …

PHL aims for US defense deal before Obama visit

 News
Apr 122014
 
PHL aims for US defense deal before Obama visit

The Philippines said Friday it hopes to complete a new defense accord with the United States ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama this month, as a territorial dispute with China simmers. The chief Philippine negotiator, defense undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, said in a statement the latest round of discussions about an increased US military presence in the country was “very productive”. “This round brought us much closer to finding full consensus and the draft provisions on key points of an enhanced defense cooperation will be submitted to the president for his review,” Batino said. Philippine negotiators on Friday said the eighth round of talks on a proposed military agreement had seen both sides “finding consensus on key points of a draft”. The agreement proposes allowing more US troops, aircraft, and ships to pass through the Philippines, as well as storing equipment in this country that could help mobilize American forces faster – particularly in the case of natural disasters. The accord would provide “critical and timely support to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (and the) achievement of the country’s minimum credible defense posture,” Batino’s statement said. The deal would not allow the US military to “establish a permanent military presence or base” or bring nuclear weapons into the country, in line with the Philippine Constitution. The proposed agreement could be signed before President Obama visits the Philippines this month, a foreign department spokesman said. “We aim to conclude the negotiations before the Obama visit,” Read More …

Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

 Entertainment
Apr 112014
 
Envoy: US to stand by PHL amid ‘threats’

President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line during the 72nd commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Wednesday (April 09, 2014). This year’s theme is “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago”. (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – The United States on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to stand by the Philippines, its long-time ally, in the face of threats –  a statement that could have extra meaning in light of recent developments in the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing. “As treaty allies, when the Philippines faces threats or natural disasters, so do we,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg during his speech at the commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan in Bataan. Goldberg did not mention specific threats, but his speech came at the time of increasing tensions between the Philippines and China over overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Relations between the two Asian neighbors hit a low point when the Philippines sought arbitration in January 2013 to try to declare as illegal China’s massive claim over the South China Sea because it overlaps with Manila’s territories. In his speech, Goldberg instead explained that the shared “history of sacrifice” between Filipino and American troops during World War II “forges the special relationship” of the two countries. “As shown in history and present until this very day, we can and will continue to work together shoulder to shoulder to Read More …

Lab clue to caffeine benefit on Alzheimer’s

 Entertainment
Apr 112014
 
Lab clue to caffeine benefit on Alzheimer’s

©Lasse Kristensen/shutterstock.com (PARIS-AFP) – French and German researchers on Wednesday said they had found evidence in the lab to back theories that drinking caffeine has a preventive effect on Alzheimer’s disease. In mice, regular doses of caffeine inhibited the growth of tau, a protein that clogs brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients, they said. The discovery was made among mice that had been genetically modified to produce tau. They were given a tiny dose of caffeine — 0.3 grammes per litre (0.005 ounces per pint) — in their drinking water over 10 months. This is roughly equivalent to two cups of coffee per day for human beings. The mice were compared with an identical group of “tau” rodents which did not get the caffeine dose. “Mice that were given caffeine were less affected in terms of memory and tau buildup but also in terms of inflammation of the brain tissue,” said David Blum of France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Previous research has found that older people are less likely to suffer cognitive decline if they take regular, moderate amounts of caffeine. Experiments have also found that caffeine slows memory loss in mice bred to develop so-called amyloid plaques — another compound buildup in the brain that is associated with Alzheimer’s. The study appears in the US journal Neurobiology of Aging.

It’s a ‘test of sanity,’ says Ayungin soldier

 News
Apr 102014
 
It’s a ‘test of sanity,’ says Ayungin soldier

Members of the Ayungin Marines pay a courtesy call to Vice President Jejomar Binay at Coconut Palace. FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines – “Don’t lose hope,” a soldier previously assigned at BRP Sierra Madre tells future men who will be assigned there. Marine First Lieutenant Mike Pelotera led eight soldiers at the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting ship that serves as the Philippine Navy detachment in Ayungin Shoal in the disputed West Philippine Sea, a resource-rich territory claimed by China but is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Pelotera’s team was surrounded by water for five months and he said the assignment was “a test of sanity.” Soldiers stationed in Ayungin usually serve for only three months. The nine-man Marine team was recently replaced by fresh troops last March, a second attempt for a rotation that month. On March 9, the Philippine government tried to resupply and bring new soldiers, but Chinese vessels surrounding the area blocked them. The next attempt on March 29, a Philippine civilian ship finally got past Chinese blockade after a two-hour standoff. “If they didn’t make it, we would have been stuck again,” Pelotera told INQUIRER.net. The rotation had been stalled because Philippine ships could not get past Chinese blockade. The soldiers at BRP Sierra Madre had to be content with airdrops. For five months, the soldiers at BRP Sierra Madre were not able to communicate with their families. “They have to endure loneliness,” Pelotera advised future soldiers of Ayungin. “But as time passes by, you Read More …

Toyota, GM recalls push US to near-record pace

 Economy
Apr 102014
 
Toyota, GM recalls push US to near-record pace

DETROIT (AP) – Big US recalls by General Motors and Toyota have put the auto industry on a record pace as companies try to avoid bad publicity and punishment from an increasingly aggressive government. On Wednesday, Toyota announced it was recalling nearly 1.8 million vehicles in the US to fix a spate of problems, including air bags that might not inflate. It’s part of a worldwide recall of 6.4 million cars and trucks. So far this year, automakers have recalled about nine million vehicles in the US. If that pace continues, the nation would break the record of 30.8 million recalled vehicles set in 2004. Most of the recalls are from Toyota and General Motors, two automakers that are under government scrutiny and facing bad publicity and allegations that they concealed safety issues. Toyota’s latest recalls were announced before the company even developed specific repairs. They come two weeks after the Justice Department skewered the Japanese automaker for covering up problems that caused unintended acceleration in some cars starting in 2009. Toyota agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle that case, but federal prosecutors can resurrect a wire fraud charge if the company fails to comply with the terms of the settlement. Toyota’s actions come as rival GM recalls 2.6 million small cars for defective ignition switches the company links to at least 13 deaths. Of those, 2.2 million are in the US. As that crisis unfolded, GM announced recalls of another 3.4 million US vehicles. Business ( Article MRec Read More …

NBI doing own probe on US state senator’s alleged firearms smuggling

 News
Apr 092014
 
NBI doing own probe on US state senator’s alleged firearms smuggling

The National Bureau of Investigation has started working on its own investigation into the alleged involvement of a US state senator in the illegal trade of firearms with rebels in Mindanao. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima confirmed that the NBI has finished an “initial” probe on the matter. “But limited lang muna doon iyong pag-verify ng the presence nung US [state] senator na iyan na nabanggit sa [FBI] report,” said De Lima, adding that the lawmaker in question, California state senator Leland Yee, had visited the Philippines only once. According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, Yee was part of a conspiracy to deal firearms without a license and to illegally import firearms from a Muslim separatist group in the Philippines. Yee was arrested in March on charges of corruption and alleged conspiracy to illegally trade in firearms. The FBI affidavit also claims that Yee has associates in the Philippines “trying to overthrow the current government.” “We felt that it is important to us also to try to verify lalo na iyong mga supposed travel of that US [state] senator here in the Philippines,” De Lima said. “We know exactly the month, year and the dates,” she added, but refused to elaborate. The Justice Secretary clarified that even though the NBI has not yet been “formally” tapped by US authorities to look into the matter, the bureau just the same has started “working on it” and “verifying” certain information on the supposed firearms smuggling. “I am not sure if Read More …

China wants PH to drop arbitration case to heal diplomatic wounds

 News
Apr 082014
 
China wants PH to drop arbitration case to heal diplomatic wounds

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 3:56 pm | Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 A China Coast Guard vessel attempts to block a Philippine government vessel as the latter tries to enter the China Second Thomas Disputed Shoals, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, to orate Philippine troops and resupply provisions Saturday, March 29, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The new Chinese Ambassador to the Manila urged the Philippines to set aside its United Nations (UN) arbitration case over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute in order to bring back the good relations of both countries. “The current difficulties in the bilateral relations, caused by some problems including the arbitration case on the South China Sea issue, are not what the Chinese side wishes to see, and are not in the common interests of both China and the Philippines,” Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said in a statement after he presented his credentials to President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday. “It is China’s hope that the Philippine side could, in the spirit of seeking common grounds while shelving differences, work with the Chinese side to properly handle relevant disputes, and to overcome obstacles and bring the bilateral ties back to the normal track of development,” he said. The Philippines on March 30 submitted its memorial to the UN arbitration court seeking to invalidate China’s nine-dash line claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including portions of the Philippine 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. China has expelled Filipino fishermen from Bajo de Read More …

SF Bay Area lawmaker’s request for hearing on Medicare fraud by hospital chain granted

 News
Apr 032014
 
SF Bay Area lawmaker’s request for hearing on Medicare fraud by hospital chain granted

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 4:26 am | Friday, April 4th, 2014 • Republican chair of oversight agrees to hearing request by Democratic colleague • Florida-based hospital chain under fire for alleged fraud • $600 million taxpayers’ money allegedly stolen in scheme Rep. Jackie Speier. FEMINIST.ORG PHOTO WASHINGTON, DC — The Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Darrell Issa agreed to hold a hearing into alleged Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE fraud by a for-profit hospital chain. Congresswomen Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo/Redwood City) requested the hearing after claims emerged of potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud conducted by Health Management Associates (HMA), a for-profit hospital chain based in Naples, Florida, that is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice. “I appreciate Chairman Issa agreeing to hold a hearing on this important bipartisan issue,” Speier stated in a letter to Issa. “These federal programs are obviously vulnerable to fraud, which puts the health care needs of our seniors, our poor, our service members, and our veterans at risk.” Speier added that “taxpayers have allegedly been ripped off by $600 million in this scheme and a full investigation by the Oversight committee should go toward protecting these valuable programs and the millions of Americans they serve.” Since 2009, the DOJ has recovered more than $19 billion through False Claims Act cases, with more than $13.4 billion recovered from cases involving federal health care programs. RELATED STORIES Speier and USCIS Reach Out to Citizenship Applicants US solon vows help for RP over Read More …

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