VANCOUVER - A Filipina nurse made it to “Business in Vancouver 2010 Forty under 40” list, a recognition of British Columbia's up and coming business stars for more than 20 years.
Marilyn Senador was a former nurse at the Vancouver General Hospital who came to Canada in 1999.
After working for more than 5 years, she saw a business opportunity for patients needing care even after they were discharged.
She then set up Saltgrass Health Incorporated, which provides nursing care to hospitals, nursing homes, seniors’ facilities and private residents.
Senador has also established 2 group homes for people with brain injuries.
The Pinay nurse also volunteered at the Multicultural Helping House Society during her free time.
The awards night will happen on February 1, 2011. (report from Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Winfrey promises to spill family secret Monday
LOS ANGELES – Oprah Winfrey has staged many a family reunion on her talk show. But on Monday's episode, she promises, the drama will be about her.
Winfrey told viewers Thursday that she will have a reunion of her own on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She wouldn't say with whom — only that it involves something she's learned about recently and is known to only a few people close to her.
"I thought I'd seen it all. But this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles," Winfrey says in a promotional spot for the show. The word "miracle" appears on screen, reinforcing her pronouncement.
"I was given some news that literally shook me to my core. This time, I'm the one being reunited," she said. "I was keeping a family secret for months, and on Monday you're going to hear it straight from me."
Her production company, Harpo, declined to provide further details Friday.
Given Winfrey's tangled family history, the possibilities for her reunion are many.
She was born to unmarried teenagers, Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, and raised at various times by a grandmother, her mother, and her father and stepmother in Mississippi, Wisconsin and Tennessee, according to Winfrey and various biographies.
However, Kitty Kelley's unauthorized 2010 biography of Winfrey alleges that Vernon Winfrey isn't Oprah's biological father. Kelley also claims that she discovered the actual father's identity but was keeping it secret until Winfrey learns the truth herself.
As a teenager, Oprah Winfrey gave birth to a son who died shortly afterward. That chapter of her life was revealed after a family member sold the story to a tabloid in 1990, and Winfrey was said to have felt betrayed.
Using her Chicago-based show to disclose a new wrinkle in her personal history allows her to keep other media from getting hold of it first.
Winfrey has proved herself a master at milking family reunion drama, celebrity and otherwise, on her syndicated talk show that's in its 25th and final season. This month, she launched a cable channel, OWN.
She reunited more than 100 members of the Osmonds. She brought together both the screen family from "The Sound of Music" and descendants of the real-life members of the musical Von Trapp family portrayed in the film. After decades apart, singer Seal and his foster sister were reunited on Winfrey's show.
There was also the memorable reunion involving Clemantine and Claire Wamariya, sisters who escaped the Rwandan genocide and later immigrated to America without knowing if their parents had survived. They learned they had, but it wasn't until they were onstage with Winfrey that the sisters saw their mother and father again. (report from AP / GMANews.tv)
Winfrey told viewers Thursday that she will have a reunion of her own on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She wouldn't say with whom — only that it involves something she's learned about recently and is known to only a few people close to her.
"I thought I'd seen it all. But this, my friends, is the miracle of all miracles," Winfrey says in a promotional spot for the show. The word "miracle" appears on screen, reinforcing her pronouncement.
"I was given some news that literally shook me to my core. This time, I'm the one being reunited," she said. "I was keeping a family secret for months, and on Monday you're going to hear it straight from me."
Her production company, Harpo, declined to provide further details Friday.
Given Winfrey's tangled family history, the possibilities for her reunion are many.
She was born to unmarried teenagers, Vernon Winfrey and Vernita Lee, and raised at various times by a grandmother, her mother, and her father and stepmother in Mississippi, Wisconsin and Tennessee, according to Winfrey and various biographies.
However, Kitty Kelley's unauthorized 2010 biography of Winfrey alleges that Vernon Winfrey isn't Oprah's biological father. Kelley also claims that she discovered the actual father's identity but was keeping it secret until Winfrey learns the truth herself.
As a teenager, Oprah Winfrey gave birth to a son who died shortly afterward. That chapter of her life was revealed after a family member sold the story to a tabloid in 1990, and Winfrey was said to have felt betrayed.
Using her Chicago-based show to disclose a new wrinkle in her personal history allows her to keep other media from getting hold of it first.
Winfrey has proved herself a master at milking family reunion drama, celebrity and otherwise, on her syndicated talk show that's in its 25th and final season. This month, she launched a cable channel, OWN.
She reunited more than 100 members of the Osmonds. She brought together both the screen family from "The Sound of Music" and descendants of the real-life members of the musical Von Trapp family portrayed in the film. After decades apart, singer Seal and his foster sister were reunited on Winfrey's show.
There was also the memorable reunion involving Clemantine and Claire Wamariya, sisters who escaped the Rwandan genocide and later immigrated to America without knowing if their parents had survived. They learned they had, but it wasn't until they were onstage with Winfrey that the sisters saw their mother and father again. (report from AP / GMANews.tv)
Former NBI deputy chief found dead
MANILA, Philippines - A former ranking official of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was found dead inside his house in Katarungan Village, Muntinlupa City, on Friday night.
Police said former NBI deputy director Alejandro Tenerife, 69, was found dead by his household helper inside his bedroom at past 6 p.m..
Investigators said Tenerife died of a single gunshot wound in the head.
House maid Jane Barya said her employer has been complaining of some kind of an illness for a very long time. She said that the former NBI official frequently vomits.
Barya added that the former NBI official also has difficulty in sleeping.
The family of the victim and the NBI have declined to immediately comment on Tenerife's death.
Police said that the NBI is conducting an independent investigation into the incident. (report from Jerome Lanting, ABS-CBN News)
Police said former NBI deputy director Alejandro Tenerife, 69, was found dead by his household helper inside his bedroom at past 6 p.m..
Investigators said Tenerife died of a single gunshot wound in the head.
House maid Jane Barya said her employer has been complaining of some kind of an illness for a very long time. She said that the former NBI official frequently vomits.
Barya added that the former NBI official also has difficulty in sleeping.
The family of the victim and the NBI have declined to immediately comment on Tenerife's death.
Police said that the NBI is conducting an independent investigation into the incident. (report from Jerome Lanting, ABS-CBN News)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Singer’s bus franchise suspended
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has cancelled the franchise of Philippine Corinthian Liner, a bus company run by singer Claire de la Fuente.
In an interview, LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said the regulator also suspended the franchises of two smaller bus companies for their participation in the transport strike on the 15th of November last year.
The strike, which was done on a Monday, left thousands of Metro Manila commuters stranded.
Iway said the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) of De la Fuente’s Philippine Corinthian Liner Corp., which operates 107 buses on Edsa, was cancelled.
“This company did not deny its participation in the strike. They claimed that it was their right,” he said in an interview.
However, Iway said the board noted that transportation was a public service. “This transport strike was unlawful,” he said.
“The board hopes to send a strong message that holding a public transport franchise is a privilege given by the state and is always subject to government regulation,” Iway said.
De la Fuente, who is also a restaurateur, refused to make statement, saying she had not yet received a copy of the LTFRB resolution.
Meanwhile, Iway said the franchises of ES Transport Inc. and Bovjen Transportation Services Inc. were suspended for three and six months, respectively.
ES Transport operates 10 units while Bovjen has 16. Iway said the two companies were given lighter penalties because they both claimed that they did not participate in the strike. However, neither was able to produce enough evidence to prove otherwise.
Last November’s strike was done in protest of the Metro Manila Development Authority’s move to include buses in the plate number coding scheme to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads during certain hours of the day.
The scheme, aimed at reducing congestion by keeping vehicles off the road one day of every week depending on their plate numbers, previously covered only private cars.
Buses have been consistently blamed for heavy traffic on Metro Manila roads, especially on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa). A previous study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that Edsa can handle a maximum 1,600 buses a day. Some 3,500 of them ply the route daily. (report from Paolo Luis G. Montecillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
In an interview, LTFRB board member Manuel Iway said the regulator also suspended the franchises of two smaller bus companies for their participation in the transport strike on the 15th of November last year.
The strike, which was done on a Monday, left thousands of Metro Manila commuters stranded.
Iway said the certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) of De la Fuente’s Philippine Corinthian Liner Corp., which operates 107 buses on Edsa, was cancelled.
“This company did not deny its participation in the strike. They claimed that it was their right,” he said in an interview.
However, Iway said the board noted that transportation was a public service. “This transport strike was unlawful,” he said.
“The board hopes to send a strong message that holding a public transport franchise is a privilege given by the state and is always subject to government regulation,” Iway said.
De la Fuente, who is also a restaurateur, refused to make statement, saying she had not yet received a copy of the LTFRB resolution.
Meanwhile, Iway said the franchises of ES Transport Inc. and Bovjen Transportation Services Inc. were suspended for three and six months, respectively.
ES Transport operates 10 units while Bovjen has 16. Iway said the two companies were given lighter penalties because they both claimed that they did not participate in the strike. However, neither was able to produce enough evidence to prove otherwise.
Last November’s strike was done in protest of the Metro Manila Development Authority’s move to include buses in the plate number coding scheme to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads during certain hours of the day.
The scheme, aimed at reducing congestion by keeping vehicles off the road one day of every week depending on their plate numbers, previously covered only private cars.
Buses have been consistently blamed for heavy traffic on Metro Manila roads, especially on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa). A previous study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency showed that Edsa can handle a maximum 1,600 buses a day. Some 3,500 of them ply the route daily. (report from Paolo Luis G. Montecillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Aquino sends top official to south to inspect anti-poor programs
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III today sent a top official to inspect several anti-poverty programs in the south, where Muslim militants linked to al-Qaeda are active.
Corazon Dinky Soliman, secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development, arrived here and led a road show of Manila's pro-poor programs in the restive oil-rich Mindanao.
Soliman said the government is promoting the convergence of Manila's three core programs namely: the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), and the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA-K).
Soliman hopes that these projects will not only uplift the lives of poor people but as well solve insurgency problems.
Leftist New Peoples Army, Muslim separatist rebels, Abu Sayyaf militants and armed men engaged in kidnapping and bomb attacks operates in the region.
"These programs were identified as the office three legs of convergence for poverty reduction. She will meet the direct beneficiaries of these programs as well as local officials, stakeholders, and media," Soliman said.
The Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, was launched in 2001 as a strategy of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for reducing poverty in the country.
In the SEA-K Program, 662 projects were put in place, helping 12,942 families throughout the country. A total of P63.369 million ($1.43 million) has been released as seed capital for livelihood projects. (report from Philstar.com)
Corazon Dinky Soliman, secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development, arrived here and led a road show of Manila's pro-poor programs in the restive oil-rich Mindanao.
Soliman said the government is promoting the convergence of Manila's three core programs namely: the Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), and the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA-K).
Soliman hopes that these projects will not only uplift the lives of poor people but as well solve insurgency problems.
Leftist New Peoples Army, Muslim separatist rebels, Abu Sayyaf militants and armed men engaged in kidnapping and bomb attacks operates in the region.
"These programs were identified as the office three legs of convergence for poverty reduction. She will meet the direct beneficiaries of these programs as well as local officials, stakeholders, and media," Soliman said.
The Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, was launched in 2001 as a strategy of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for reducing poverty in the country.
In the SEA-K Program, 662 projects were put in place, helping 12,942 families throughout the country. A total of P63.369 million ($1.43 million) has been released as seed capital for livelihood projects. (report from Philstar.com)
PNoy did not endorse Mar as successor: official
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III did not endorse former senator Manuel Roxas II, his defeated runningmate in the May 2010 elections, as his successor when his term ends in June 2016, a senior official said today.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang said Aquino's remarks at the Liberal Party's socials night in Malacañang about the possibility of Roxas replacing him was not an explicit endorsement for the Liberal Party president.
"It's still too early. It's only 2011," Carandang said.
He also said he does not see any problem with Roxas' entry into the Palace as Aquino's chief troubleshooter when the one- year ban on appointing defeated candidates expires in the middle of this year.
He said there is only a lot of interest in Roxas' appointment because he was Aquino's runningmate.
He said if Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr., who belongs to another political faction in the Aquino administration, has no problem with Roxas' impending entry into the Palace, he also does not see why there should be any problem with Roxas' appointment.
Ochoa earlier said he is not threatened by Roxas' impending entry into the Palace because the job of chief troubleshooter is only "advisory" while his functions are mandated by law. (report from Philstar.com)
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang said Aquino's remarks at the Liberal Party's socials night in Malacañang about the possibility of Roxas replacing him was not an explicit endorsement for the Liberal Party president.
"It's still too early. It's only 2011," Carandang said.
He also said he does not see any problem with Roxas' entry into the Palace as Aquino's chief troubleshooter when the one- year ban on appointing defeated candidates expires in the middle of this year.
He said there is only a lot of interest in Roxas' appointment because he was Aquino's runningmate.
He said if Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr., who belongs to another political faction in the Aquino administration, has no problem with Roxas' impending entry into the Palace, he also does not see why there should be any problem with Roxas' appointment.
Ochoa earlier said he is not threatened by Roxas' impending entry into the Palace because the job of chief troubleshooter is only "advisory" while his functions are mandated by law. (report from Philstar.com)
Police discover high-powered weapons in Cotabato
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine National Police Special Action Force recovered high-powered firearms in a cemetery in the southern Philippines, police said today.
The assorted weapons, usually used by kidnap-for-ransom groups, were discovered within the vicinity of Cotabato City Public Cemetery in Cotabato City Thursday evening, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.
Among those recovered were 50 caliber heavy machine guns, 30 caliber machine guns with tripod and without tripod, 81 mm mortar tube, 60 mm mortar with plate and bipod, and double barrel 12 gauge shotgun.
"The recovery was made based on an earlier information that unknown contraband are to be buried at the cemetery," Cruz said.
The southern part of the country has been notorious for being the hideout of terrorist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group, the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the leftist rebel New People's Army. (report from Philstar.com)
The assorted weapons, usually used by kidnap-for-ransom groups, were discovered within the vicinity of Cotabato City Public Cemetery in Cotabato City Thursday evening, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.
Among those recovered were 50 caliber heavy machine guns, 30 caliber machine guns with tripod and without tripod, 81 mm mortar tube, 60 mm mortar with plate and bipod, and double barrel 12 gauge shotgun.
"The recovery was made based on an earlier information that unknown contraband are to be buried at the cemetery," Cruz said.
The southern part of the country has been notorious for being the hideout of terrorist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group, the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the leftist rebel New People's Army. (report from Philstar.com)
Rebels kill state militia in Agusan: military
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected leftist rebels gunned down a state militia today in the southern Philippines, the military said.
The victim, Arnel Pantallion, 25, assigned in the military's 23rd Battalion, was attacked by an unknown New People's Army (NPA) guerilla in the village of Sta. Rita in the town of San Luis, Agusan del Sur province, said Lt. Col Medel Aguilar, spokesperson for the military's 10th Division.
Pantallion was heading home when he was shot dead, added Aguilar.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The Philippine military estimates that there are some 4,100 NPA guerrilla fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the Southeast Asian country.
Formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftists bogged down after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations in 2002.
In the latest development, the Philippine government and CPP- led National Democratic Front (NDF) agreed on Jan. 18 in Norway to resume the formal peace negotiation from Feb. 15 to 21, with the hope of completing it within 18 months. (report from Philstar.com)
The victim, Arnel Pantallion, 25, assigned in the military's 23rd Battalion, was attacked by an unknown New People's Army (NPA) guerilla in the village of Sta. Rita in the town of San Luis, Agusan del Sur province, said Lt. Col Medel Aguilar, spokesperson for the military's 10th Division.
Pantallion was heading home when he was shot dead, added Aguilar.
The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been waging a guerrilla campaign in the countryside for more than four decades. The Philippine military estimates that there are some 4,100 NPA guerrilla fighters scattered in more than 60 provinces throughout the Southeast Asian country.
Formal peace talks between the Philippine government and the leftists bogged down after the United States included the NPA and its parent body as foreign terrorist organizations in 2002.
In the latest development, the Philippine government and CPP- led National Democratic Front (NDF) agreed on Jan. 18 in Norway to resume the formal peace negotiation from Feb. 15 to 21, with the hope of completing it within 18 months. (report from Philstar.com)
6 wounded in accidental grenade blast in Cagayan de Oro
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - A police officer and five other people were wounded in an accidental grenade blast today in the southern Philippines, police said.
Senior Police Officer 3 Cris Cadelina was giving lecture about anti-terrorism around 11:40 a.m in the southern city of Cagayan de Oro when a grenade he was holding accidentally went off, said Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Southeastern Mindanao police.
Cadelina accidentally pulled out the grenade's safety pin, causing it to explode, wounding him and five others, said Khu, adding the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital and are now out of danger. (report from Philstar.com)
Senior Police Officer 3 Cris Cadelina was giving lecture about anti-terrorism around 11:40 a.m in the southern city of Cagayan de Oro when a grenade he was holding accidentally went off, said Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Southeastern Mindanao police.
Cadelina accidentally pulled out the grenade's safety pin, causing it to explode, wounding him and five others, said Khu, adding the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital and are now out of danger. (report from Philstar.com)
KC Ryan Sayon, kumpirmadong 'demure girl'
NAKAUSAP ANG KaJoyfulness talent na si KC Ryan Sayon sa NCCC Mall Davao dahil sa balitang 'demure girl' o mahiyaing babae siya.
Totoong mahiyain siya dahil hindi siya sanay o 'di kaya'y ayaw makunan ng video sa camera. Aminado si Sayon na dahil sa mga taong nakasalamuha niya pati sa mga katrabaho ay hanggang picture lang ang kaya niyang ipakita sa camera.
Totoong mahiyain siya dahil hindi siya sanay o 'di kaya'y ayaw makunan ng video sa camera. Aminado si Sayon na dahil sa mga taong nakasalamuha niya pati sa mga katrabaho ay hanggang picture lang ang kaya niyang ipakita sa camera.
Other slain car dealer’s father mulls libel vs TV journalist, station
MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) Arsenio Evangelista, father of slain car dealer Venson Evangelista, plans to follow the lead of lawyer Oliver Lozano in filing libel charges against TV5's Erwin Tulfo and the station’s management.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Arsenio Evangelista vehemently denied a Tulfo report that his son may have had links to alleged car theft syndicate leader Raymond Dominguez prior to his death. He said his family, including his son, had never been involved in car theft. (report from Kristine Felisse Mangunay, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Arsenio Evangelista vehemently denied a Tulfo report that his son may have had links to alleged car theft syndicate leader Raymond Dominguez prior to his death. He said his family, including his son, had never been involved in car theft. (report from Kristine Felisse Mangunay, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Militiaman killed in clash with leftist rebels in Davao
MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – One militiaman was killed while nine soldiers were injured in today’s clash between government troops and leftist rebels in Davao City, a Philippine Army official said.
Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade said New People's Army rebels detonated a bomb that killed a militiaman identified as CAA Pangilinan.
Four members of the 69th Infantry Batalion and five members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police were wounded. They are now being treated in a nearby hospital.
The government troops are pursuing the rebels. (report from Philstar.com)
Army spokesman Col. Antonio Parlade said New People's Army rebels detonated a bomb that killed a militiaman identified as CAA Pangilinan.
Four members of the 69th Infantry Batalion and five members of the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police were wounded. They are now being treated in a nearby hospital.
The government troops are pursuing the rebels. (report from Philstar.com)
DFA: Passport services suspended on Jan. 22
MANILA, Philippines – Passport services at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be suspended on Saturday, January 22, due to a systems maintenance check.
The announcement, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA), was published in the Official Gazette.
The DFA-OCA said passport applicants whose appointments are scheduled on January 22 will be accommodated for processing on any working day (Monday to Friday) from January 24 (Monday) to February 17 (Thursday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (report from Philstar.com)
The announcement, issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA), was published in the Official Gazette.
The DFA-OCA said passport applicants whose appointments are scheduled on January 22 will be accommodated for processing on any working day (Monday to Friday) from January 24 (Monday) to February 17 (Thursday) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (report from Philstar.com)
Phivolcs: Mt. Bulusan spews ash anew
LEGAZPI CITY – Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province spewed ash anew and caused rumblings this morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Sorsogon City reported.
Phivolcs Bulusan resident watcher Abner Ete said that their seismographs recorded a 392-second harmonic tremor before the ash explosion at 2:58 a.m. Ashfalls were traced as far as Monbon village in the adjacent Irosin town.
Ete said they failed to observe the height of the ash due to darkness and the thick clouds around the volcano.
“In fact, our team had already started to survey ash fall traces to determine the extent of the explosion,” Ete told The STAR.
Bulusan remains under Alert Level 1 since it started spewing ash in November last year. (report from Cet Dematera, Philstar.com)
Phivolcs Bulusan resident watcher Abner Ete said that their seismographs recorded a 392-second harmonic tremor before the ash explosion at 2:58 a.m. Ashfalls were traced as far as Monbon village in the adjacent Irosin town.
Ete said they failed to observe the height of the ash due to darkness and the thick clouds around the volcano.
“In fact, our team had already started to survey ash fall traces to determine the extent of the explosion,” Ete told The STAR.
Bulusan remains under Alert Level 1 since it started spewing ash in November last year. (report from Cet Dematera, Philstar.com)
20 nations vow to stop spread of pandemic influenza
MANILA, Philippines - Representatives of more than 20 countries mostly from southeast Asia joined a 4-day senior leaders' symposium aimed at helping craft strategies and ways to stop and prevent the spread of pandemic influenza in case a crisis hits any of the participating nations.
Pandemic influenza is a generic term for any virus that spreads quickly among human beings, just like the AH1N1, bird flu virus, and swine flu virus.
According to Undersecretary Benito Ramos, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, among the objectives of the symposium are to prepare countries to better integrate their militaries into their pandemic plans, and to come up a whole nation approach in preventing the virus from spreading in case it hits the country.
The symposium was jointly organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the US Pacific Command. (report from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News)
Pandemic influenza is a generic term for any virus that spreads quickly among human beings, just like the AH1N1, bird flu virus, and swine flu virus.
According to Undersecretary Benito Ramos, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, among the objectives of the symposium are to prepare countries to better integrate their militaries into their pandemic plans, and to come up a whole nation approach in preventing the virus from spreading in case it hits the country.
The symposium was jointly organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the US Pacific Command. (report from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News)
Drilon files bill restricting carrying of firearms
MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Franklin Drilon has filed a bill authorizing only law enforcers like policeman and soldiers to carry firearms.
Under Senate Bill 129 or the Firearms Regulation Act, no permit to carry firearms shall be issued to anyone except members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police, agents or officers of the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation Service, Narcotics Command, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces, Sherriff's Offices of various courts, and regular personnel of licensed private security agencies or security forces of state agencies.
Anyone with a permit should carry the firearm only when he is in full uniform and engaged in the actual performance of his duty.
Violators shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day nor more than 10 years and a fine of not less than P20,000 nor more than P100,000. (report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News)
Under Senate Bill 129 or the Firearms Regulation Act, no permit to carry firearms shall be issued to anyone except members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the police, agents or officers of the National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation Service, Narcotics Command, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces, Sherriff's Offices of various courts, and regular personnel of licensed private security agencies or security forces of state agencies.
Anyone with a permit should carry the firearm only when he is in full uniform and engaged in the actual performance of his duty.
Violators shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than 6 years and 1 day nor more than 10 years and a fine of not less than P20,000 nor more than P100,000. (report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Aquino, Cabinet execs to discuss legislative agenda Tuesday
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III will meet his Cabinet secretaries on Tuesday morning to discuss the 25 proposed bills they want Congress to prioritize.
At a press briefing Monday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the meeting is in preparation for the convening of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) expected later this month.
“The legislative agenda will be the primary agenda [of the meeting]. We will study and firm up the legislative agenda, as discussed in the Cabinet workshops during the previous weeks, to be submitted to the LEDAC," said Lacierda.
Cabinet members held a workshop last week to integrate, review, refine and prioritize proposed legislations.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. earlier said 32 bills will be submitted to the President ahead of the LEDAC meeting. He said these measures “are consistent with the President’s social contract with the Filipino people."
He said the objectives of the priority legislative agenda are:
- addressing poverty and promoting a healthy, educated, and empowered citizenry
- promoting productivity, generating employment and promoting food sufficiency
- encouraging more public-private partnerships and promoting a competitive policy environment
- protecting the sovereignty, ensuring security and promoting the rule of law, and
- strengthening the capacity of the bureaucracy to govern.
The 32 bills have been sourced from 139 proposed bills put forward by Cabinet officials and 41 by the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines. Cabinet officials, grouped into five clusters, chose the 32 measures during last week’s workshop.
The heads of the five clusters are Vice President Jejomar Binay, Human Development; Economic Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr., Economic Development; Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Infrastructure Development; Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Rule of Law; and Ochoa, Good Governance.
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima earlier said his department is hoping to push for the passage of the fiscal responsibility bill, which will require proposed legislation to have an expenditure feature, and the bill on the rationalization of incentives.
The LEDAC was created in 1992 under Republic Act 7640 as a consultative and advisory body to help the President integrate his legislative agenda with the national development plan, among others. It is supposed to convene at least once every quarter.
The upcoming LEDAC meeting will be the first under Aquino, which has been in power since June 30, 2010.
The advisory council is composed of the President as chairman, the vice president, the Senate president, the House Speaker, seven Cabinet members, three senators, three House members, and one representative each from the local government, the youth, and the private sector. (report from Amita O. Legaspi/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV)
VP Binay admits recommending Brillantes for Comelec chief
MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday admitted that he recommended veteran election lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr. for the top Commission on Elections post.
"I was among those who strongly urged President Aquino to appoint Atty. Brillantes and I am glad that the President had considered my humble opinion in selecting the new Comelec chairman," Binay said in a statement on Monday.
Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, one of President Benigno Aquino III's political allies, had earlier speculated that two opposing factions within President Aquino's political circle may have fielded Brillantes and fellow election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Osmeña said Brillantes may have enjoyed the support of the faction that also supported Binay for vice president in the May 10 polls last year. Binay is not a member of Aquino's Liberal Party.
Aquino's running mate, former Senator Mar Roxas II, is contesting Binay's win before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.
Knowledge of election laws
But in his statement, Binay did not did not elaborate on his decision to recommend Brillantes for the top Comelec post.
He, however, noted that no one can question Brillantes' experience and knowledge of election law. "His professionalism and integrity is unassailable. These are the traits that he will bring to the Comelec," he said.
He likewise said that the new Comelec chairman can carry out the "much needed" reforms in the country's election laws and in the poll body.
"Such reforms are needed to further reinforce the people’s trust in the Comelec, in our election system, and in our democracy," he said.
Binay-Brillantes-Escudero tie-up
Binay and Brillantes were in the same camp during the failed presidential candidacy of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 polls: Binay being the campaign manager and Brillantes, the election lawyer. Another Aquino ally, Senator Francis Escudero was Poe's spokesman at the time.
GMANews.TV also tried getting a comment from Escudero, who also reportedly recommended Brillantes for the post. However, the senator hasn't obliged as of posting time.
Earlier in the day, Brillantes said Roxas also met with him last Friday to discuss his nomination. He said President Aquino suggested the meeting because Roxas seemed to have doubts regarding his leanings.
Both Roxas and Escudero are reportedly eyeing the presidential post in 2016, but Brillantes said this does not have anything to do with him because his term ends in 2015, a year before the presidential polls. (report from Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV)
"I was among those who strongly urged President Aquino to appoint Atty. Brillantes and I am glad that the President had considered my humble opinion in selecting the new Comelec chairman," Binay said in a statement on Monday.
Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, one of President Benigno Aquino III's political allies, had earlier speculated that two opposing factions within President Aquino's political circle may have fielded Brillantes and fellow election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Osmeña said Brillantes may have enjoyed the support of the faction that also supported Binay for vice president in the May 10 polls last year. Binay is not a member of Aquino's Liberal Party.
Aquino's running mate, former Senator Mar Roxas II, is contesting Binay's win before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.
Knowledge of election laws
But in his statement, Binay did not did not elaborate on his decision to recommend Brillantes for the top Comelec post.
He, however, noted that no one can question Brillantes' experience and knowledge of election law. "His professionalism and integrity is unassailable. These are the traits that he will bring to the Comelec," he said.
He likewise said that the new Comelec chairman can carry out the "much needed" reforms in the country's election laws and in the poll body.
"Such reforms are needed to further reinforce the people’s trust in the Comelec, in our election system, and in our democracy," he said.
Binay-Brillantes-Escudero tie-up
Binay and Brillantes were in the same camp during the failed presidential candidacy of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 polls: Binay being the campaign manager and Brillantes, the election lawyer. Another Aquino ally, Senator Francis Escudero was Poe's spokesman at the time.
GMANews.TV also tried getting a comment from Escudero, who also reportedly recommended Brillantes for the post. However, the senator hasn't obliged as of posting time.
Earlier in the day, Brillantes said Roxas also met with him last Friday to discuss his nomination. He said President Aquino suggested the meeting because Roxas seemed to have doubts regarding his leanings.
Both Roxas and Escudero are reportedly eyeing the presidential post in 2016, but Brillantes said this does not have anything to do with him because his term ends in 2015, a year before the presidential polls. (report from Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV)
Out-of-town contingents rule Sinulog
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The heavy downpour did not deter the more than 3.5 million crowd from watching the grand Sinulog Mardi Gras 2011 up to the last presentation Sunday night as out-of-town contingents went home with the top prizes.
It was a back-to-back victory for the Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer in Masbate, and Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City, which ruled the Free Interpretation (FI) and Sinulog-based (SB) categories in the Sinulog competition that was attended by millions of people who crowd the streets despite the bad weather.
In the FI category, Tribu Buyoganon of Albuyog, Leyte won second place while children from the Mabolo Elementary School here won third place.
The returning contingent from the northern municipality of Daanbantayan won the fourth spot in the FI category in this year’s grand parade while the fifth spot went to the Talamban Elementary School contingent.
Mabolo and Talamban contingents also won the third and first place, respectively, in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan held on January 9.
The consistent winner, Tribu Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas, failed to take the top five spot in this year’s Sinulog.
Other winners in the Sinulog-based category were Abellana National High School – 2nd place, City of Carcar – 3rd place, Bayawan City – 4th place, and City Central School – 5th place.
A total of 143 contingents – dance contingents, higantes, floats and pupetteers – competed in Sunday’s Sinulog grand parade.
The parade ended with an elaborate 30-minute production number that centered on the Chinese influences of Cebu.
Amid the backdrop of a pagoda, the finale number was impressive with dragon dances, acrobats, and Kung Fu trainees, among others.
Cebu Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, in a fuchsia satin robe with long kimono sleeves, appeared on stage as a Chinese empress.
Both the police and events organizers said last Sunday's Grand Mardi Gras was considered as one of the most successful, peaceful, and orderly celebrations in the festival's history.
Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said this year’s crowd estimate is bigger compared to the three million last year.
Buenafe said at most 3.5 million people came to watch the Sinulog this year despite the rains.
The figure includes those who watched inside the Cebu City Sports Center and those who were on the parade route.
According to Buenafe, the five additional contingents this year added to the number of the crowd by as much as 200 per contingent.
Despite the huge volume of people watching the Sinulog, Buenafe said the celebration went peacefully except for a few incidents of snatching and pick pocketing along the parade route.
A foreigner was also injured after she slipped at the grand stand. (report from Mars Mosqueda Jr., Manila Bulletin)
It was a back-to-back victory for the Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer in Masbate, and Tribu Sinanduloy of Tangub City, which ruled the Free Interpretation (FI) and Sinulog-based (SB) categories in the Sinulog competition that was attended by millions of people who crowd the streets despite the bad weather.
In the FI category, Tribu Buyoganon of Albuyog, Leyte won second place while children from the Mabolo Elementary School here won third place.
The returning contingent from the northern municipality of Daanbantayan won the fourth spot in the FI category in this year’s grand parade while the fifth spot went to the Talamban Elementary School contingent.
Mabolo and Talamban contingents also won the third and first place, respectively, in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan held on January 9.
The consistent winner, Tribu Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas, failed to take the top five spot in this year’s Sinulog.
Other winners in the Sinulog-based category were Abellana National High School – 2nd place, City of Carcar – 3rd place, Bayawan City – 4th place, and City Central School – 5th place.
A total of 143 contingents – dance contingents, higantes, floats and pupetteers – competed in Sunday’s Sinulog grand parade.
The parade ended with an elaborate 30-minute production number that centered on the Chinese influences of Cebu.
Amid the backdrop of a pagoda, the finale number was impressive with dragon dances, acrobats, and Kung Fu trainees, among others.
Cebu Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar, in a fuchsia satin robe with long kimono sleeves, appeared on stage as a Chinese empress.
Both the police and events organizers said last Sunday's Grand Mardi Gras was considered as one of the most successful, peaceful, and orderly celebrations in the festival's history.
Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said this year’s crowd estimate is bigger compared to the three million last year.
Buenafe said at most 3.5 million people came to watch the Sinulog this year despite the rains.
The figure includes those who watched inside the Cebu City Sports Center and those who were on the parade route.
According to Buenafe, the five additional contingents this year added to the number of the crowd by as much as 200 per contingent.
Despite the huge volume of people watching the Sinulog, Buenafe said the celebration went peacefully except for a few incidents of snatching and pick pocketing along the parade route.
A foreigner was also injured after she slipped at the grand stand. (report from Mars Mosqueda Jr., Manila Bulletin)
Mumbai tower to be torn down after graft scandal
MUMBAI - A new 31-storey tower block in Mumbai is to be demolished after a graft scandal in which plans for a small building to house war widows ended up as luxury flats for politicians and army officers.
The environment ministry ordered the "Adarsh" tower, in an exclusive area of the city, to be pulled down within three months as it violated coastal protection laws.
Reports that politicians and officers had been able to buy the apartments at bargain prices had sparked outrage and forced the chief minister of Maharashtra state, Ashok Chavan, to resign in November.
"I have decided on removal of the entire structure as it is unauthorised and has obtained no clearance whatsoever under the Coastal Regulation zone notifications," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a statement Sunday.
The scandal is the latest to tarnish the reputation of the national government.
A telecoms scandal involving India's ruling Congress Party led to weeks of parliamentary deadlock late last year. (report from Agence France Presse / Inquirer.net)
The environment ministry ordered the "Adarsh" tower, in an exclusive area of the city, to be pulled down within three months as it violated coastal protection laws.
Reports that politicians and officers had been able to buy the apartments at bargain prices had sparked outrage and forced the chief minister of Maharashtra state, Ashok Chavan, to resign in November.
"I have decided on removal of the entire structure as it is unauthorised and has obtained no clearance whatsoever under the Coastal Regulation zone notifications," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a statement Sunday.
The scandal is the latest to tarnish the reputation of the national government.
A telecoms scandal involving India's ruling Congress Party led to weeks of parliamentary deadlock late last year. (report from Agence France Presse / Inquirer.net)
Task group formed to probe Lozano's son's death
MANILA, Philippines – Calling it an "extraordinary" case, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday announced the creation of a special investigating task group that will look into the abduction and subsequent murder of the son of law Oliver Lozano.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the task group will be headed by Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, the deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and will be composed of members of the PNP's highway patrol group, anti-kidnapping unit, and other support units.
The charred body of Lozano's son, Emerson, was found by police last January 14 along the FVR Megadike in Porac, Pampanga. Police confirmed only on Sunday that it was indeed Lozano's missing son through verification of his dental records.
Emerson was reported missing by his wife last January 12. Later, Emerson's driver, Ernane Sensil, was found also burnt in La Paz, Tarlac.
Cruz said that so far, police are eyeing several suspects in the incident but refused to give further details so as not to compromise the investigation.
"So far, we can't say for certainty if it is a case of kidnapping or carnapping," Cruz added. (report from Abigail Kwok, Inquirer.net)
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the task group will be headed by Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona, the deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and will be composed of members of the PNP's highway patrol group, anti-kidnapping unit, and other support units.
The charred body of Lozano's son, Emerson, was found by police last January 14 along the FVR Megadike in Porac, Pampanga. Police confirmed only on Sunday that it was indeed Lozano's missing son through verification of his dental records.
Emerson was reported missing by his wife last January 12. Later, Emerson's driver, Ernane Sensil, was found also burnt in La Paz, Tarlac.
Cruz said that so far, police are eyeing several suspects in the incident but refused to give further details so as not to compromise the investigation.
"So far, we can't say for certainty if it is a case of kidnapping or carnapping," Cruz added. (report from Abigail Kwok, Inquirer.net)
Man found hanging in mental hospital
MANILA, Philippines—A man allegedly suffering from a mental disorder was found hanging from a nylon strap Monday morning at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City, police said.
Police identified the fatality Daniel Aresgado, 28, a resident of Parañaque City.
Aresgado was said to have been recently diagnosed with "undifferentiated schizophrenia."
Senior Police Officer 4 Reyminigildo Suarez, chief investigator of Mandaluyong police, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the victim was first discovered by a nurse doing the rounds at 5:15 am.
Suarez said Aresgado was seen hanging from a nylon strap, which he unfastened from the bed and then tied to the upper grill of the window.
Aresgado was still breathing when found but hospital doctors failed to revive him. He was pronounced dead around 6 a.m.
A hospital official, who refused to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the victim had been experiencing hallucinations and delusions.
The hospital official said Aresgado was an outpatient of the center but had not shown any suicidal tendencies.
The victim was admitted to the hospital only on Sunday.
Police are still trying to determine whether the man committed suicide or there was foul play. (report from Nina Calleja, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Police identified the fatality Daniel Aresgado, 28, a resident of Parañaque City.
Aresgado was said to have been recently diagnosed with "undifferentiated schizophrenia."
Senior Police Officer 4 Reyminigildo Suarez, chief investigator of Mandaluyong police, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the victim was first discovered by a nurse doing the rounds at 5:15 am.
Suarez said Aresgado was seen hanging from a nylon strap, which he unfastened from the bed and then tied to the upper grill of the window.
Aresgado was still breathing when found but hospital doctors failed to revive him. He was pronounced dead around 6 a.m.
A hospital official, who refused to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the victim had been experiencing hallucinations and delusions.
The hospital official said Aresgado was an outpatient of the center but had not shown any suicidal tendencies.
The victim was admitted to the hospital only on Sunday.
Police are still trying to determine whether the man committed suicide or there was foul play. (report from Nina Calleja, Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Charred body of Lozano's son found in Pampanga
PORAC, Pampanga – A charred body that was found last Friday near a megadike in Pampanga province was confirmed to be that of the son of Marcos lawyer Oliver Lozano, police said today.
The police said dentures from the body matched the dental records of Emerson Lozano, 44, as provided by the Quezon City Police District.
Lozano, a buy-and-sell trader of cars, and his driver Ernanie Sensil, 32, were abducted last Jan. 12 at a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, where they were supposed to meet a buyer. Both Lozano and Sensil failed to go home that night. (report from Ding Cervantes, Philstar.com)
The police said dentures from the body matched the dental records of Emerson Lozano, 44, as provided by the Quezon City Police District.
Lozano, a buy-and-sell trader of cars, and his driver Ernanie Sensil, 32, were abducted last Jan. 12 at a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, where they were supposed to meet a buyer. Both Lozano and Sensil failed to go home that night. (report from Ding Cervantes, Philstar.com)
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