Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for August 30 , 2013 Friday , 0 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 6 Weather Watch,
1 OFW Watch, 15 Regl. Watch 2 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 5 Photonews

1. Weather Watch
2 hours ago near Quezon City DZBB: Patuloy na nagpapakawala ng tubig ang 2 pang dam sa Luzon sa layong maiwasan ang pagapaw nito. Sa huling monitoring ng PAGASA, 1m ang tubig na pinapakawalan sa binukas na gate sa Binga dam habang kalahating metro naman sa Ambuklaw dam.

2. Weather Watch

7 hours ago 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST Issued at: 5:00AM 30 August 2013 SYNOPSIS: At 4:00 am today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 1.050 km East of extreme Northern Luzon (19.4N, 133.3E). Southwest Monsoon affecting extreme Northern Luzon. FORECAST: Batanes Group of Islands and CARAGA will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the south to southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to south over Visayas and coming from east to southeast over Mindanao with slight to moderate seas. Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature : 1:50 PM Yesterday --- 33.0 C Minimum Temperature : 5:00 AM Yesterday --- 25.1 C Maximum Relative Humidity : 5:00 AM Yesterday --- 98 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 2:00 PM Yesterday --- 63 % High Tide Today : 4:24 AM ...... 1.02 Meter Low Tide Today : 2:19 PM .. 0.23 Meter Sunrise Today : 5:44 AM Sunset Today : 6:09 PM Moonset Today : 1:30 PM Moonrise Tomorrow : 1:11 AM Illumination Tomorrow : 26 % For more information and queries, log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877.

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3. Weather Watch
14 hours ago GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras Re: TS Nando -Ang probinsya ng Batanes na lang ngayon ang nakakaranas ng direktang epekto ng bagyong Nando. -Nakataas pa rin ang storm signal number 1 sa Batanes habang ibinaba na ng PAGASA ang storm signal sa ibang lugar. -Huling namataan ang sentro ng bagyong Nando sa layong 180 km sa may north, northeast ng Basco, Batanes at bahagya itong lumakas na ngayon ay nagtataglay ng 95 kph near the center at may bugsong umaabot ng 120 kph. -Kumikilos ito pa hilaga sa bilis na 15 kph. -Base sa track ng PAGASA, bukas ay inaasahan ng lalabas ito sa PAR. -Dahil papalabas na ng PAR ay hihina na rin ang epekto nito sa hanging habagat kaya asahan na ang unti-unting paganda ng panahon sa malaking bahagi ng bansa lalo na Luzon at idagdag pa natin diyan ang ridge of high pressure area na nakatutok ngayon sa Visayas at Mindanao. -Pero ayon sa PAGASA, posible pa ring makaranas ng katamtaman hanggang malakas na pag-ulan ang Babuyan at Calayan Group of Islands, Zambales, Ilocos Region at Cordillera kaya sa mga Kapuso natin diyan dapat na maging handa sa posibleng banta ng flashflood at landslides. -Sa datos naman ng Weather Central, may mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan pa rin sa Western Section ng Northern Luzon habang bahagya namang bubuti ang panahon sa natitirang bahagi. -Mahinang pag-ulan na lang din ang inaasahan sa Metro Manila lalo na pagdating ng gabi, bahagyang magiging maalinsangan rin dahil nasa 37C ang init factor. -Sa Visayas, magandang panahon din ang inaasahan lalo na sa may gitnang bahagi at sa Mindanao magiging maulap at makulimlim pa rin sa ilang bahagi lalo na sa Davao at SOCCSKSARGEN. -Posible pa rin may mabuong thunderstorm. -Nakataas pa rin ang gale warning ng PAGASA sa mga baybayin ng Northern Luzon kaya inaabisuhan muli ang mga gumagamit ng maliliit na sasakyang pandagat na iwasan muna ang pumalaot.

4. Weather Watch
17 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier on DZBB: - Kaninang 4:00 ng hapon, ang binabantayan nating LPA ay nasa layong 1,140 km East of Extreme Northern Luzon. Mayroon pa ring Southwest Monsoon o Habagat na nakakaapekto sa Extreme Northern Luzon. - Bunsod ng Habagat na ito, ang mga isla ng Batanes, Calayan at Babuyan, ang mga lalawigan ng Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao at Cagayan ay magkakaroon ng maulap na papawirin na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang mga pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. - Ang Metro Manila at ang nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay magiging bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog. For more information and queries, log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877.

5. Weather Watch

18 hours ago ABS-CBN: Tumagilid ang isang barge na may coal sa may Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro dahil sa malakas na hangin at ulan noong Martes. Nangangamba ngayon ang mga mangingisda sa magiging epekto ng natapong coal sa karagatan.

6. Weather Watch
18 hours ago GMA: Nakalabas na ng PAR kaninang umaga ang bagyong Nando habang binabantayan naman ng PAGASA ang isa LPA na namataan sa layong 1,140 km silangan ng Extreme Northern Luzon. Samantala, asahan pa rin bukas na may pag-ulan sa western section ng Northern Luzon habang ang nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon ay makakaasa ng maaliwalas na panahon. Maliit naman ang tsansang umulan sa Metro Manila bukas habang inaasahan ang mahinang pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas. Asahan naman ang mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pagulan sa Mindanao.

Weather Watch

August 29 , 2013 ( Thursday )

as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON

: : : : :

Sunny Sunny Fair Weather Sunny Sunny

PIA

Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

25 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: The National Food Authority who joined the DTI Diskwento Caravan today in the town of Rosario was able to sell Php19,000.00 worth of rice to almost 1,000 individuals most of them were affected by last week southwest monsoon and typhoon Maring. DTI Cavite reported that as of this hour (12:48 pm) sales of Alaska milk products totalled to Php 13,000.00.

2. PIA Regional Watch

26 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: Closed to one thousand individuals who were affected by last week southwest monsoon rushed to the Rosario municipal town plaza today to avail the much needed lower price of basic commodities under the DTI's Diskwento Caravan. Several multinational companies (local distributors) including the National Food Authority participated in the said event.

3. PIA Regional Watch

27 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Quezon provincial office under the leadership of PCA Quezon 1 manager Ronaldo Rosales yesterday distributed 1,008 sacks of salt fertilizer to 137 coconut farmers of Lucena City. This aims to promote coconut industry in the province.

4. PIA Regional Watch

27 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: The city government of Lucena through the city engineering office will start the rehabilitation of Pleasantville bridge at Iyam Lucena City next month. The said bridge will be temporarily closed to all public and private vehicles starting September 2-30.

5. PIA Regional Watch

28 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Libong katao ang kasalukuyang dumadalo sa pre centennial anniversary ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa Brgy. Manghinao sa bayan ng Bauan.Inaasahang magdudulot ito ng mabigat na daloy ng trapiko sa mga bayang d adaanan nito.

6. PIA Regional Watch

29 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: Over a hundred of displaced families affected by last week monsoon rains rushed to the Rosario town plaza this mid morning (Poblacion) to avail of basic commodities at much lower price of DTI' Diskwento Caravan. Various distributors of local products, among them are Unilever Phils.,Alaska milk including National Food Authority participated in this whole day event.

7. PIA Regional Watch

30 minutes ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Banos, Laguna will be holding the Bigas2 Hack for computer programmers, software or hardware developers, interface designers and others in the IT industry. The event, to be held at IRRI on August 31 to September 1, 2013, is a competition looking for software applications and devices to help improve rice farming and research.

8. PIA Regional Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Provincial Government of Laguna thru the Laguna History, Arts and Culture Office had recently conducted "Sustainable Conservation and Management of Historical and Cultural Heritage" seminar at the Cultural Center of Laguna. The seminar aims to educate the public on preservation of physical artifacts, tangible and intangible works of arts and historical buildings.

9. PIA Regional Watch

4 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Namahagi kamakailan ng binhi ng mais, niyog at iba't ibang binhi ng prutas, gamit pang-agrikultura at semilya ng isda ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Laguna upang patuloy na maitaas ang antas ng buhay ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa lalawigan.

10. PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Department of Education-Division of Quezon is extended its campaign on 'dropout reduction' program in the different towns of Quezon in order to meet the purpose of the Aquino administration to provide quality education to all. The DepEd-Quezon has introduced 'open high school' in some secondary schools in the province to cater more school drop outs, OSYs to resume their studies.

11. PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang pulong ang isinasagawa ngayon sa pagitan ng tanggapan ni 2nd Dist. Congressman Ranie Abu at mga opisyal ng barangay sa mga bayan ng ikalawang distrito sa lalawigan upang alamin ang pulso ng taumbayan kaugnay ng usapin sa pork barrel.

12. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: Ang pamahalaang panlalawigan sa pamamagitan ng Quezon provincial information office at provincial disaster risk reduction and management office ay patuloy na nangangalap ngayon ng tulong pinansiyal, materyal na bagay, gamot, damit at mga pagkain tulad ng bigas, tinapay at noodles. Ang mgamalilikom na donasyon ay ipapamahagi sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong "Maring" at habagat sa mga bayan sa karatig lalawigan na sakop ng Region 4A.

13. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/CAVITE: The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry will be conducting Diskwento Caravan tomorrow, August 30 at the municipal town plaza of Imus to help the victms of monsoon rains brought by typhoon Maring in the province.

14. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/RIZAL: PNP-Rizal PPO, AFP and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians - Rizal Chapter is currently conducting a medical mission for police officers at the Rizal PPO covered court, Taytay, Rizal. The mission themed "Serve the Saver" is also sponsored by Biomedis, LRI-Therapharma and Corbridge. Services such as urinalysis,

laboratory examinations and consultations will be available to local

15. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/RIZAL: DTI Rizal is set to conduct a Diskwento Caravan at Guitnang Bayan, San Mateo-Rizal tomorrow August 30 from 8am to 5pm. The caravan to be held at the Guitnang Bayan I Gymnasium aims to provide affordable and discounted basic goods to those affected by the recent storm and floods.

1. PIA OFW Watch

19 hours ago DZBB: Humarap sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ang isang dating OFW na nagngangalang Marvin Paraan para tumestigo hinggil sa umano'y pangmomolestiya ni dating Labor Officer to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villafuerte kay alyas "Michelle." Ayon sa dating OFW, nakita niya mula sa glass window na hinawakan ni Villafuerte ang kamay ni Michelle at ipinasok ito sa maliit na kuwarto sa opisina ng POLO sa Saudi Arabia noong Marso. Pinabulaanan naman ito ni Villafuerte.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

29 AUGUST 2013.

President Aquino sees incarceration of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind a step towards right direction of uncovering the truth President Aquino declares September 5 as special non-working day in General Santos City, South Cotabato in celebration of its 15th Tuna Festival Palace serious in unearthing pork barrel anomaly, asks press not to preempt inquiry Aquino administation welcomes reports that countrys economy grew by 7.5 percent in the second quarter of this year
President Aquino sees incarceration of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind a step towards right direction of uncovering the truth

President Benigno S. Aquino III sees the incarceration of fugitive Janet Lim-Napoles to face charges of serious illegal detention a step towards the right direction of achieving justice and finally uncovering the truth concerning the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF), Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Thursday. In a press briefing in Malacanang, Lacierda said the President expressed concern and has viewed this matter seriously. The President has stated that the presence of Ms. Napoles adds to finding out the truth. 'Yun ang mahalaga, Lacierda said. And the President views this matter very seriously and he wanted to make sure that she was safely turned over to the courts, he added. By bringing her (Napoles) to us and voluntarily surrendering to the President, now the process of finding the truth can begin in earnest, Lacierda further said. Lacierda said that it was yesterday afternoon when he was contacted by Napoles lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, to discuss Napoles terms before surrendering to the President. Kapunan wanted the assurance of the President for the safety of Napoles before surrendering herself. After agreeing to rendezvous with Kapunan in Makati, Lacierda finally met Napoles at the Heritage Park in Taguig City at a little past 9 p.m. Together with Napoles, according to Lacierda, was her brother Jimmy Lim and a househelper. They then proceeded back to Malacanang where they finally presented themselves before the President at 9:37 p.m. With the President in receiving Napoles in Malacanang were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Communications Secretary Ramon Carandang, and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino declares September 5 as special non-working day in General Santos City, South Cotabato in celebration of its 15th Tuna Festival President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 5, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of General Santos in South Cotabato in celebration of its 15th Tuna Festival. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 638 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on August 22 to give the people of General Santos City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. The Tuna Festival is an annual gathering that highlights the significant role of the tuna industry the city's primary source of income. The Tuna Festival coincides with the celebration of the Charter Day of General Santos City, now on its 45th year. On July 8, 1968, the municipality of General Santos was converted into a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 5412. The city was inaugurated on September 5 of the same year. PND (js) TOP Palace serious in unearthing pork barrel anomaly, asks press not to preempt inquiry Malacanang appealed Thursday not to preempt the ongoing investigation to the P10-billion pork barrel anomaly stressing that the inquiry will go where the evidence leads it. In a press briefing in Malacanang, reporters asked Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda if the Aquino government is still interested in running after the big fishes with regards to the pork barrel scam. Dont preempt. My request to the press is dont preempt this government. The President has already said: Where t he evidence leads, we will go there', Lacierda said. So please dont preempt our administration. The investigations are ongoing and, once charges are filed, you will know. Fugitive Janet Lim-Napoles surrendered to President Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday evening in Malacanang. Napoles is facing a serious illegal detention charge. The President sees Napoless surrender as a step towards the right direction of achieving justice and finally uncovering the truth concerning the alleged misuse of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF), Lacierda said. The camp of Napoles said it would cooperate with the ongoing investigation into the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

The anomaly stemmed from the alleged anomalous spending by some lawmakers of their pork barrel allocations through the use of bogus or non-existing foundations and other organizations. On Wednesday, the President announced a P10-million reward offer to anyone who can provide information to authorities that could lead to the arrest of Napoles. PND (as) TOP Aquino administation welcomes reports that countrys economy grew by 7.5 percent in the second quarter of this year The Aquino administration welcomed reports that the Philippine economy grew by 7.5% in the second quarter this year, making the country the best performer among emerging economies in the ASEAN region and growing at par with the Peoples Republic of China. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement on Thursday following reports that the Philippine economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), grew by 7.5 percent in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter last year. "Despite the particularly challenging climate for emerging economies, the Philippine economy has shown remarkable resilience. This is the fourth consecutive quarter that GDP has expanded above 7%, representing a continued and sustained rally for the Philippine economy," Lacierda said. "This heady growth rate, which has not dipped below 6% since the first quarter of 2012, hews closely to the GDP growth targets set by the Philippine Development Plan," he said. The Philippines economy expanded 7.5 percent in the April to June quarter following increase in investor and consumer confidence and infrastructure activities. "Notably, the Secretary for Socioeconomic Planning (Arsenio M. Balisacan) has expressed optimism that the Philippine economy continues to industrialize and with that expand its ability to provide better jobs for our countrymen," Lacierda stressed. According to National Economic Development Authority, strong growth for the quarter was buoyed by greater infrastructure activities, higher investor and consumer confidence, favorable interest rates, stable inflation, inbound tourism, and an optimistic domestic economic outlook. "Throughout the Aquino administration, we have persistently proven that good governance does result in good economics. As such, we will continue to push toward establishing an environment that underscores accountability, transparency, and that which encourages further partnerships between the public and private sectors to meet our developmental goals," Lacierda said. Lacierda said equitable and inclusive growth remain at the core of Aquino administration's initiatives as the government helps build a more robust economy for the benefit of all Filipinos. PND (js) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 29 AGOSTO 2013 Tamang hakbang para lumitaw ang katotohanan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino, ang pagkukulong sa utak umano ng pork barrel scam Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 5 sa General Santos City upang ipagdiwang 15th Tuna Festival Totohanan ang layunin ng Palasyo na bungkalin ang anomalya sa pork barrel, huwag pangunahan ang pagsisiyasat, pakiusap sa mamamahayag Tamang hakbang para lumitaw ang katotohanan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino, ang pagkukulong sa utak umano ng pork barrel scam

Naniniwala ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ang pagkukulong sa nagtagong si Janet Lim Napoles para harapin nito ang sakdal na serious illegal detention ay hakbang tungo sa tamang direksiyon na matamo ang katarungan at nang matuklasan ang katotohanan tungkol sa umano ay hindi tamang paggamit ng Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAP), sang-ayon sa Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa ginanap na pulong-balitaan Huwebes sa Malacanang, Sinabi ni Lacierda na nagpahayag ng pagkabahala ang Pangulo at itinuturing niyang seryoso ang bagay na ito. Ayon sa Pangulo, malaking bagay ang pagharap ni Gng. Napoles para malaman ang katotohanan. Iyo n ang mahalaga, wika pa ni Lacierda. Nang samahan siya (Napoles) sa amin at kusang-loob na sumuko sa Pangulo, ang proseso ng paghanap sa katotohanan ay maaari nang puspusang mapasimulan, dagdag ni Lacierda. Ayon kay Lacierda, kahapon nang hapon siya kinausap ni Lorna Kapunan, abogado ni Napoles, tungkol sa hangaring isuko ito sa Pangulo. Nais ni Kapunan na tiyakin ng Pangulo ang kaligtasan ni Napoles bago ito sumuko. Nang pumayag si Lacierda na makipagkita kay Kapunan sa Makati, sa wakas, nakita niya si Napoles sa Heritage Park sa Lungsod ng Taguig ilang minuto makaraan ang ika-8:00 ng gabi. Kasama ni Napoles, sabi ni Lacierda, ang kapatid nitong si Jimmy Lim at isang katulong. Tumuloy na sila sa Malacanang pagkatapos. Ika-9:37 ng gabi nang iharap si Napoles sa Pangulo. Kasama ng Pangulo nang harapin si Napoles sa Malacanang sina Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., Kalihim ng Gabinete Jose Rene Almendras, Kalihim Manuel Roxas II ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan, Kalihim Ramon Carandang ng Komunikasyon at Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. PND (rck/zaf) TOP Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 5 sa General Santos City upang ipagdiwang 15th Tuna Festival Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Setyembre 5, natapat sa araw ng Huwebes, bilang pista opisyal (special non-working day) sa Lungsod ng General Santos sa Timog Cotabato para sa pagdiriwang ng 15th Tuna Festival. Inilagda ng Pangulo ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 638 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Agosto 22 upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Heneral Santos na makalahok sa mga seremonya at daluhan ang lahat ng kasayahang gagawin sa nabanggit na araw. Ang Tuna Festival ay taunang pagtitipong nagtatampok sa mahalagang ginagampanan ng industriya ng tuna, ang pangunahing pinagmumulan ng kita ng lungsod. Ang Tuna Festival ay kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Charter Day ng Lungsod ng General Santos na ika-45 taon na sa Setyembre 5. Noong Hulyo 8, 1968 ginawang lungsod ang bayan ng General Santos sa pamamagitan ng Batas ng Republika Blg. 5412. Setyembre 5 ng naturan ding taon pinasinayaan ang pagiging lungsod ng General Santos. PND (js/zaf) TOP Totohanan ang layunin ng Palasyo na bungkalin ang anomalya sa pork barrel, huwag pangunahan ang pagsisiyasat, pakiusap sa mamamahayag Nakiusap ang Malacanang na huwag pangunahan ang ginagawang pagsisiyasat sa P10 bilyong anomalya umano sa pork barrel at binigyang diin na puspusng tutuklasin ang mga katibayan tungkol dito. Sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang, inusisa ng mga reporter ang Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda kung interesado pa ang administrasyong Aquino na tugisin ang malalaking isda na may kinalaman sa katiwalian sa pork barrel. Ang pakiusap lamang namin sa press ay huwag sanang pangunahan ang gobyerno Sinabi na ng Pangulo na: 'Kung saan tayo dadalhin ng mga ebidensiya, pupunta tayo roon', sabi ni Lacierda. Binigyang diin ni Lacierda na patuloy ang mga pagsisiyasat tungkol dito kaya huwag namang pangunahan ang pamahalaan sapagkat ipagbibigay-alam agad nila kapag may mga naiharap nang mga kaukulang sakdal. Sumuko ang nagtatagong si Janet Lim-Napoles sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Miyerkoles ng gabi sa Malacanang. Si Napoles ay nahaharap sa kasong serious illegal detention. Naniniwala ang Pangulo na ang pagsuko ni Napoles ay hakbang tungo sa tamang direksiyong matamo ang katarungan at matuklasan ang katotohanang may kinalaman sa umano ay tiwaling paggamit ng Priority

Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), wika ni Lacierda. Nangako ang kampo ni Napoles na puspusan silang tutulong sa pagsisiyasat na ginagawa sa multi-bilyong katiwalian sa pork barrel. Ang katiwalian ay bunga ng umano ay tiwaling paggugol ng ilang mambabatas sa kanilang pondong pork barrel sa pamamagitan ng paggamit nito sa mga hindi tunay na foundations at mga hindi tunay na organisasyon. Miyerkoles nang ihayag ng Pangulong Aquino ang paglalaan ng P10 milyong gantimpala sa sino mang makapagbibigay ng impormasyon sa maykapangyarihan upang madakip si Napoles. PND (as/zaf) TOP

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 2013 Apolinario Mabini Awarding Ceremony Heroes Hall, Malacaan Palace 28 Aug 2013

Maupo ho tayong lahat. Magandang hapon ho. Congresswoman Leni Robredo; Mrs. Milagros Drilon; Mr. Manuel Agcaoili; Ms. Marides Almendras; Mrs. Zeny Taada; officials and members of the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc.; Members of the 2013 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee; the 2013 Apolinario Mabini awardees; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal kong kababayan: Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. Yong imbitasyon ifa-follow up ko pa naman sana, dineliver [deliver] na pala ngayon. [Laughter] Palagay ko hindi ho problema iyan. Baka magulat ho kayo: Bibiyahe ho tayo next week. Mahaba hong biyahe sa China. Alis akong ala-singko ng umaga; balik ho nang ala-singko ng hapon. [Laughter] Ayaw nating ma-overstay ang welcome natin doon. Siyempre, parating na po ang ASEAN at APEC, pero hindi ho konektado dito yan. So, Im hoping in the the schedule is still vacant for that activity. Isa po sa mga itinataguyod nating kultura sa tuwid na daan ay ang pagkilala sa mabubuting ambag ng Pilipino para sa kapwa at bayan. Iniaangat natin ang bawat Juan at Juana dela Cruz, na sa pagharap sa sangandaan ay walangalinlangang pinipili ang tama at makatarungan. Ginagawa natin ito, dahil batid natin na ang pagbabagong tinatamasa ng Pilipinas ngayon, ay nagmumula sa maliliit na inisyatibat kilos ng bawat isatulad ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at pagkakawanggawana kapag nagsama-samay lumilikha ng dam buhala at malawakang transpormasyon sa bansa. Sa hapon pong ito, muli tayong nagtitipon upang kilalanin ang mga indibidwal, grupo, at institusyong naghahatid ng makabuluhang kontribusyon sa mga kababayan nating bahagi ng sektor ng Persons With Disabilities. Sila ang nagaalay ng angking-husay at wagas na malasakit upang ipalaganap ang pagkilala sa mga kababayan nating may kapansanan bilang mga produktibong miyembro ng lipunan. Sila ang mga Pilipinong naharap sa sangandaan subalit imbes na magpadala sa tukso ng kalugmukan o kawalang pag-asa, ay buong-loob na piniling iangat ang kanilang sarili, at naging bukas sa pagtulong ng iba. Ang kanilang laging tugon, Bakit ako magpapadaig sa kapansanan? Kailanman, hindi magiging balakid ang aking kalagayan para maihayag ang malasakit ko sa bayan, at makaambag sa transpormasyon ng lipunan. Sa isang tila nakapanghihinang sitwasyon, sila pa ang naging bukal ng lakas at inspirasyon. Di lamang nila nilalampasan ang kaliwat kanang pagsubokpinagsusumikapan din nilang magpakadalubhasa sa larangang kanilang napupusuan. Tunay nga po: Ang inyong mga halimbawa ang nagpapaalala sa akin na hindi ako nag-iisa sa pagpasan ng mga responsibilidad; may katuwang ako sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa. Gayundin, sinasalamin ng pagtitipong ito ang bayan nating kanlungan ng katatagan at kabutihang-loob. Isa lamang sa matitingkad na halimbawa rito ay si Ginoong Teddy M. Kahilang kauna-unahang visually impaired at rehistradong Social Worker sa bansa na nakatanggap ng Masters Degree in Social Welfare. Subalit higit pa sa kanyang pansariling tagumpay, kinikilala natin ang pagbabahagi niya ng dunong at husay sa pagsusulong ng adbokasiya para sa sektor ng PWDs. Sa kanyang mga positibong artikulot sulatin, di lamang niya naihahayag ang kanyang saloobinnaisasatinig niya rin ang boses at interes ng kanyang mga kapwa kasapi sa sektor.

Saludo rin po tayo sa mga kompanyang tulad ng JP Morgan Chase & Co., na kinikilala ang papel at kakayahan ng PWDs, at nagiging tulay sa kanilang marangal at magandang hanapbuhay. Sa kanila po kasing 12,000 empleyado sa buong bansa, 8.8 percent dito, o 984, ang kabilang sa sektor ng PWD; at 885 din sa kanilang mga manggagawa ang may anak na may kapansanan, at ngayoy nasusuportahan na ang kani-kanilang mga pangangailangan. Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa kanila, at sa bawat indibidwal at institusyong pinaparangalan natin sa araw na ito. Mula man sa pampubliko o pribadong sektor; sa larangan man ng medisina, sining, media, o paglilingkodbayandi-matatawaran ang pagsusulong ninyo sa kapakanan at karapatan ng mga kababayan nating may kapansanan. Nagpapasalamat din po ako sa Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, at sa lahat ng mga nagsusumikap upang matagumpay na maidaos ang Apolinario Mabini Awards sa taong ito. Asahan naman po ninyo: patuloy na magsusumikap at maglalatag ng mga inisyatiba ang inyong pamahalaan para sa halos isat kalahating milyong Pilipinong kabilang sa sektor ng PWD sa buong bansa. Mayroon nga po tayong natanggap na mabubuting balita: sa pagtutulungan ng ating mga pampublikong ahensiya, naipasa na natin ang ilang mahahalagang batas. Isa po rito ang Republic Act 10366 na nag-aatas sa COMELEC na magtaguyod ng mga lugar kung saan mapapadali at mapapaginhawa ang pagboto tuwing halalan ng mga kababayan nating may kapansanan. Para naman sa higit na oportunidad sa hanapbuhay, naisabatas na rin ang Republic Act 10524. Dahil dito, nakareserba na ang isang porsiyento ng mga posisyon sa gobyerno para sa mga kabilang sa sektor ng PWDs, at hinihikayat din ang mga pribadong korporasyon na may higit isandaang empleyado na gawin ito. Sa bisa naman po ng Republic Act 10070, nakapagtaguyod na rin tayo ng mga PWD Affairs Offices sa ilang mga piling lalawigan, lungsod, at munisipyo sa kalakhang bansa. Bukod pa ito sa paghahatid natin ng serbisyo at technical assistance, sa pagtatayo ng Disability Section sa tatlong pamantasan sa bansa: sa Cebu Technological University, sa Cebu Normal University, at sa West Visayas State University. Alam po nyo nang binabasa ko to, maganda mayroon na tayong tatlonapansin ko lang lahat nasa Visayas. [Laughter] Matanong ko lang ho ang CHED bakit nagkaganito. [Laughter] Ang tanda ko may Luzon at may Mindanao din pong nakahalo sa Pilipinas. [Laughter] Asahan naman po ninyo: Sa pakikipagtulungan ng ibat ibang ahensya ng ating pamahalaan, at sa pakikiisa ng lahat, higit pa nating maisusulong ang mga inisyatibang mangangalaga sa kapakanan at tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan. Muli ko pong ididiin: Itinataguyod natin ang tuwid na daan para sa isang patas na lipunan. Naglalatag tayo ng higit na pagkakataon sa kaunlaran para sa bawat isa, upang kahit ano pa man ang iyong kalagayan nakakalakad man, nakakakita, nakakarinig, nakakapagsalita, o hindiay maiaangat mo ang iyong sarili, ang iyong kapwa, at bagkus, ang buong bansa. Nandirito na po tayo sa panahon kung saan ang ambag ng bawat isa ay makabuluhan at mahalaga. Samantalahin nawa natin ang pambihirang pagkakataong ito; sama-sama tayong kumilos tungo sa malawakang pag-asenso ng nag-iisa nating bansa. Taas-noo nating ipamalas sa buong mundo ang di-matitinag na tatag at determinasyon ng lahing Pilipino. Bago po ako magtapos, mayroon tayong imbitasyon.alam ho nyo, syempre papel ho natin na marami tayong naririnig na reklamo. Mayroon ho tayong nakakausap na wala nang ginawa kundi reklamo. Wala din namang naambag na solusyon sa tatlong taon na tayong nanungkulan. At kayo naman po, na talagang nilabanan ang inyong sitwasyon, nangibabaw, nagtagumpay, ay talagang napakagandang halimbawa po. Sabi nga ho ng mga Amerikano, Success has many fathers or mothers, and failure is an orphan. Siyempre, kung ako ho ang mamimili ng pagkakataon, sino ang mga kahalubilo ko: yung puro reklamo na ayaw kumilos para sa sarili, o yung nagpapakita ng kusa na iangat ang sarili at talaga naman tulungan hindi lang ang sarili pero pati ang kapwa. Maliwanag naman po siguro kung saan tayo tutungo. [Applause] Muli po, magandang hapon po sa lahat, Maraming salamat po. [HOME]

President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 8th East Asia Conference (EAC) on Competition Law and Policy Sofitel Philippine Plaza, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City 28 Aug 2013 Thank you. Good morning. Secretary Leila de Lima; Mr. Kazuyuki Sugimoto; Dr. Yuxing Xing; Mr. Rod Sims; Mr. Muhammad Nawirmessi; Mr. Mung Van Bach; delegates from the East Asia Economies; participants from the various sector regulators, the academe, and the business community; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen:

Over the years, more than a few commentators and intellectuals have claimed that perhaps the Asian psyche is attuned to a more rigorously structured, paternal system. They have said that Western-style democracy is too messy, and that Asians thrive more when they have a strong father figure telling them what to do. In recent history, we have borne witness to this phenomenon several times. Many countries have had strongman rulers some of whom were good, and many of whom were not, which is perhaps what one could naturally expect of a system where a single person decides on anything and everything all the time. Less than thirty years ago, the Philippines was under such a system. It led to experiments like crony capitalism, which allowed monopolies to be granted to certain companies and, worse, to single families. We saw the dictator basically grab and distribute control of entire industries. We saw legal restrictions to competitions passed for no other reason than patronage, done under the guise of causes such as nationalism. As a student of economics, I know that monopolies are incredibly inefficient. It kills innovation. There is zero impetus, in a monopoly, to continually improve your product or your service, simply because you have your market cornered. True, the protected environment means the monopolizing company will flourish in the short-term; the profits may even be astronomic. But it guarantees against a level playing field, where competition can bring out the best in companies and in people. It also means that your industries will be ill-equipped when the time comes that they actually have to compete. In a world that is becoming increasingly globalized, the lack of a healthy competitive landscape is simply untenable, and could spell any countrys economic doom. This is precisely why this conference is timely. All of you are gathered here to talk about what can be done to create a fair, level playing field. All of you here are, in some way, subscribed to the idea that true, inclusive economic growth can only be achieved by pursuing a healthy competitive environment one that stokes the natural human drive to compete to work hard, to innovate, and to create something of worth. Our administration is of the same mind. And since you will be spending the next few days talking about competition law and policy, perhaps I can share some of what we have done to create a business environment conducive to competition. To begin with, we established the National Competitiveness Council, chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry, to monitor our competitiveness policies. And I am proud to say that they have been integral in our 20-place jump in the World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Indexfrom 85th place in 2010 to 65th in 2012. We also realize that whatever competition law we have must be implemented efficiently. This is why, as many of you may know, in June of 2011, I signed Executive Order 45, establishing the Department of Justices Office for Competition, which organized this event. Apart from promoting regional and international cooperation, the office is tasked specifically to investigate and prosecute all violations of competition laws, enforce competition policies and laws to protect consumers, supervise competition and promote transparency and accountability in markets, and undertake studies and reports to guide the industry and consumers. From the beginning, we have also made it easier for companies to set up shop here. After all, the success of a business should not be dictated solely by ones adeptness at navigating the bureaucratic maze. Instead, investors shou ld be able to focus on delivering a quality product or service for a reasonable price. This is why our administration has been cutting bureaucratic red tape. And this has brought us great success. Under our watch, we have reduced the time it takes to start a businessfrom 36 days to just 11 days as well as the time it takes to register propertyfrom 39 days to 23 days. We have also made the processes for paying taxes faster, reducing the time it takes from 47 days to 14 days and the work does not end here. Moving forward, we will strive to make the processes even more efficient, so we that may shorten the timeframe very much further. You may have also heard that we have liberalized aviation, allowing new local and foreign carriers such as AirAsia and Jin Air to set up shop here and compete, in turn boosting the performance of our tourism industry. We also passed the Common Carriers Tax Law, which will exempt all international air and shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers. They will also be exempted from the Gross Philippine Billings Tax derived from carrying passengers so long as their home countries grant the Philippines the same exemption. These policies, among others, makes it clear: The Philippine governmentand the Filipino peopleis fully committed to fostering a level playing field. We are doing this because it is one of the most critical pathways to economic growth; we are doing this because we know our entrepreneurs and our work force have the work ethic and the creativity to succeed in any environment. Indeed, competition is vital to the growth of any nation. In fact, it is vital to the growth of the world economy, and even to the technological breakthroughs that have, time and again, pushed human civilization into its next great age. And the discussions you will be having here will be essential in continuing that tradition of growth and innovation. I am hopeful that you will take the time to share your ideas and to listen to the ideas of others, all with the vision of how we can best improve Asiasand the worldscompetitive landscape. Thank you, and I wish all of you a pleasant stay in the Philippines. Good day. [HOME]

ONLINE NEWS
29 AUGUST 2013
Recruiters of OFWs in sex-for-flight probe suspended OWWA-PCSOs Scholarship Program helps boost countrys S&T

OWWA RWO XIIs monitoring team checks on 2B ORP beneficiaries Philippine Economy posts 7.5 percent GDP growth in 2nd quarter; 7.6 percent in first half of 2013 Submarine smuggler charged by BOC Statement of Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima on Q2 2013 GDP growth Statement by Sec. Florencio B. Abad on the 7.5% 2013 Q2 GDP growth P5-B for SUCs not 'Pork'; Abad: Fund for SUC reform roadmap ASEAN sustains community-building in Ottawa Why retire in the Philippines Forum held in New York Outstanding cooperatives shine in LANDBANKs Gawad PITAK 2013 Newest Nutritionist-Dietitians to take Oath on September 4 (Manila) New homes for informal settlers living along Estero Tripa de Galina - VP Binay Statement of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the surrender of Janet Napoles Press Statement of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on the protest action staged by certain groups at the Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT) Recruiters of OFWs in sex-for-flight probe suspended Source: http://www.poea.gov.ph POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac yesterday ordered the preventive suspension of four recruitment agencies which recruited and deployed the two female workers who testified against officials of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Saudi Arabia in the sexfor- flight investigation of the Senate. Cacdac issued the order of preventive suspension against Kozen International Inc , Azizzah International Manpower Services, Jobstar International Manpower Services, and Ideal Placement and Manpower Services, which were found to have engaged in acts of misrepresentation, contract substitution, illegal collection of placement fee, and other recruitment violations in the process of recruitment and deployment of Elena B. Beleta and Grace Victoria P. Sales. Atty. Leah T. Fortuna, Chairperson of the DOLE Investigating Team endorsed the two cases to POEA, seeking legal action on the allegations of the complainants. In her sworn statement, Beleta alleged that she applied as a beautician with Azizzah International and paid the agency Php15,000 as placement fee but her documents were submitted by Kozen International for processing as a female nurse at the POEA. Beleta left the Philippines on March 28, 2013, hoping to work as a beautician in a parlor but was instead brought directly to the house of a certain Mohammed Al Faisal. She ran away from her employer on April 18, 2013 and went directly to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Cacdac said Kozen and Azizzah, on the basis of the complainants sworn statement and informa tion sheet, committed serious violations relative to the recruitment and placement of Beleta. The evidence is strong indicating that the complainants documents were reprocessed having been deployed by a recruitment agency other than the one she originally applied with, and was made to work for a different position and employer other than what she initially applied and accepted for employment, Cacdac said. Grace Sales, the other witness presented during the Senate hearing, alleged in her complaint- affidavit that she applied as household service worker with Jobstar International on December 2011 and was required to pay a placement fee to be deducted from her salary of 800 Saudi Riyals. Upon verification of Sales records at the POEA, the investigators discovered that her documents were processed by Ideal Placement for a housekeeping position at AMI Saudi Arabia Limited/Security Forces Hospital with a monthly salary of US$314.00. Sales left for Saudi Arabia on January 27, 2012 and it was only on that day she discovered that her documents were processed for overseas employment by Ideal Placement when she opened the envelope given by her recruiter. She also checked her employment contract and was surprised that it bore a different name. Nevertheless, Sales said she took up the job taking care of the house and kids of her Arab employer who made unwanted sexual advances toward her. She left her employer on March 2012 and went to the POLOs Bahay Kalinga where she worked as janitress. In his order, Cacdac said that based on available records, the testimony of Sales, and the gravity of the allegations, he found strong evidence that Jobstar International and Ideal Placement committed serious violations of the POEA rules on recruitment and deployment of OFWs. Cacdac also ordered the suspension of AMI Saudi Arabia Limited and Samaya Advanced Dental Polyclinic -- the foreign agencies of the recruitment agencies -- and their inclusion in the POEA list of agencies and principals temporarily disqualified from recruiting Filipino workers for overseas employment. An order of preventive suspension is issued against a licensed recruitment agency or employer when there is reasonable ground to believe that its continued operation will lead to further violation and exploitation of workers being recruited. |TOP|

OWWA-PCSOs Scholarship Program helps boost countrys S&T Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has been responding to the call of the national government to advance science and technology in the country through the granting of educational assistance under the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund (CMWSF) to qualified OFWs and dependents. Since its launch in 1999, the CMWSF funded by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) already produced 213 graduates most of whom took computer-related courses, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Biochemistry/Chemical Engineering and other highly technical courses in top universities and colleges all over the country. For school year 2013-2014, 91 OFW dependents shall be granted the scholarship. Next school year, 101 slots are up for grabs. To qualify, the OFW dependent must be below 21 years old, belonging to the top 20% of the high school graduating class, and with family annual gross income of US4,800 or below. Application period for CMWSF ends on August 30, 2013. Interested applicants may coordinate with OWWA Regional Welfare Offices all over the country. |TOP| OWWA RWO XIIs monitoring team checks on 2B ORP beneficiaries Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph Koronadal City The monitoring team formed by Officer-in-Charge Marilou M. Sumalinog of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Regional Welfare Office XII conducted its first status check on July 8, 2013 on the livelihood activities undertaken by the grantees of the 2-Billion OFW Reintegration Program based in Mlang, Cotabato, and Tulunan, North Cotabato. The activity aims to identify and monitor the business ventures of the loan grantees on a regular basis. The team believes that being updated on how the businesses are faring will help avoid chances of bankruptcy as they will provide every assistance possible to sustain the business projects. Before hand, a series of interviews during the filing of application is also conducted to ensure that anomalies do not happen at OWWAs end in implementing the 2-B OFW Reintegration Program. OWWA XII monitoring team interviews Mr. and Mrs. Wenifredo Silvestre on July 8, 2013 regarding their strategies in running their business. The couple showed their rice granary to the team. The monitoring team visited the agri-businesses of Jocelyn Legislador (trading), Noemi Talde (Hog Raising), and Merly Estialbo (Hog Raising) in Mlang, Cotabato, and Confessor Jinon (Cattle Fattening), Lawrence Pogoa (Hardware/Machine Shop and Fabrication of Farm Equipment), Wenifredo Silvestre (Trading), Elizabeth Sarillo (Eatery), and Ronald Palma (Oil Palm Production) in Tulunan, North Cotabato,. The monitoring team believes that majority of the beneficiaries have the potential to sustain their financial responsibilities with the Land Bank of Philippines (LBP) although a few seemed to lack the capability of keeping up with the program. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to OWWA RWO XII and LBP in helping them realize their pursuit of becoming entrepreneurs. The next monitoring activity was done on August 20, 2013 in the municipalities of Antipas and Makilala in the province of North Cotabato and the City of Kidapawan. |TOP| Philippine Economy posts 7.5 percent GDP growth in 2nd quarter; 7.6 percent in first half of 2013 Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph The domestic economy accelerated in the second quarter of 2013 to 7.5 percent from 6.3 percent recorded the previous year boosting the 2013 first semester growth to 7.6 percent from 6.4 percent in the first half of 2012. The second quarter growth is the fourth consecutive GDP growth of more than 7.0 percent under the Aquino Administration. The resilient Services sector, which grew by 7.4 percent, remained the main driver of the countrys growth supported by the 10.3 percent and 17.4 percent growth of manufacturing and construction, respectively boosting the Industry sector to grow by 10.3 percent. On the demand side, the growth came mainly from consumer and public spending buttressed by increased investments in Fixed Capital. External trade has been lackluster.

The growth in the Net Factor Income from Abroad at 2.7 percent together with the impressive growth in the domestic economy pushed the Gross National Income (GNI) to grow by 6.8 percent from 6.5 percent 2012. For the first semester of 2013, GNI grew by 7.3 percent from 6.1 percent in the first semester of 2012. On a seasonally adjusted basis, GDP grew at 1.4 percent but this was slower than the previous quarters growth of 2.3 percent. Similarly, GNI grew by a slower pace of 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2013 compared to 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013. With projected population reaching 97.2 million, per capita GDP accelerated to 5.8 percent. Similarly, per capita GNI upped its growth by 5.0 percent while per capita Househo0ld Final Consumption Expenditure (HCFE) slowed down by 3.5 percent. |TOP| Submarine smuggler charged by BOC Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph In compliance with President Aquinos order for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to criminally charge suspected smugglers to keep them off the countrys ports, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon today (August 29, 2013), led other customs officials informally charging Caloocan City based trader Roberto M. Navarra and his licensed customs broker Lucman A. Calbe Jr. at the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their attempt to smuggle a recreational submarine worth PhP 5 million from Korea. According to Biazon, Navarra and Calbe violated Sections 2503 and 2530 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines as amended, and Article 172 , in relation to Article 171 and Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code when they tried illegally slip the recreational submarine into the country by misdeclaring it as outboard motor parts and accessories at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) last March 12, 2013 . The submarine shipment from Korea was consigned to Dionysus Trading, a company owned by Navarra. Biazon hopes that the BOCs regular filing of cases against suspected smugglers, which is done every other Thursday will bring the message to all traders that attempting to circumvent our customs laws will only get them in trouble. It wont pay to try to save on duties and taxes through smuggling as the Bureau of Customs will never allow that. Biazon said, adding that, We will prosecute and go for the maximum penalties allowed by law for all those caught attempting to violate our laws. Navarras submarine shipment arrived as a Complete Knock Down and stuffed in one (1) forty-footer container van. Todays filing of smuggling charges against Navarra and Calbe brings to 102, the total number of cases filed by the Bureau of Customs during Biazons almost two years as Customs Chief. This also brings to 146, the total number of smuggling cases filed by the BOC at the DOJ during the administration of President Simeon Benigno Aquino III. Im warning all traders to cease from attempting to smuggle goods into the country. The l ong arms of the law will eventually catch-up with your illegal activities. And when this happens, we will not hesitate to prosecute all those involved in it, no matter who their backers and connections are in the highest pillars of government. Biazon said in sending his warning to smugglers. For his part, Deputy Commissioner for Revenue Collection and Monitoring group (RCMG) and RATS Head Peter Manzano said, the BOC is tightening its cases against smugglers to ensure convictions. |TOP| Statement of Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima on Q2 2013 GDP growth Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph Amid volatility in global markets, the Philippines shone through with a GDP growth of 7.5% for the second quarter of 2013, to finish the first half of 2013 with a GDP growth of 7.6%. This performance is the best evidence that fundamentally, the Philippine economy is moving from strength to greater strength despite the volatile global environment. This 6th straight quarter of growth above 6% makes a strong case to differentiate the Philippines from other emerging market countries, which tend to be resource-driven and export-dependent. I am confident that market players will recognize the strong fundamentals of the country- including our strong external position and banking system, stable inflation, and a well managed fiscal position. All of this is topped by a reform-oriented political leadership with a very strong mandate. Going forward, we will strive to sustain our economic strengths by continuing to increase fiscal space to further accelerate infrastructure investments. We will also push for key reforms to improve the investment environment and continue the fight against corruption, revenue leakages, and vested interests that prevent the Philippines from reaching its full potential. |TOP| Statement by Sec. Florencio B. Abad on the 7.5% 2013 Q2 GDP growth

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph Even as neighboring economies slacken and the global market remains sluggish, the Philippines came out strong in the second quarter of the year with a 7.5-percent GDP growth rate. This is a full affirmation not only of our economys resilience in the face of external shocks, but also of the soundness of the Administrations fiscal management strategy, supported as it is by our inclusive growth and good governance agenda. Government spending played a defining role in boosting the countrys growth, beginning with the 17 -percent growth in Government Final Consumption Expenditure in the second quarter. This growth was supported by expenditures made for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE)which leapt by 32.4 percent due mostly to increases in the Administrations fund releases for its banner anti-poverty programsas well as Personnel Services, which expanded by 9.5 percent in the period covered. Meanwhile, robust spending tracked by public and private construction brought the subsectors growth to 17.4 percent in the same quarter. Public construction alone jumped by 31.1 percent, buoyed by construction and public works projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communications, and Department of Agriculture. The 9-percent expansion in private construction was bolstered mostly by industrial-related activities in fast-growing economic zones. The arc and reach of our growth trajectory flies in the face of market forecasts and a tepid global economy, a trend weve established since the beginning of the Aquino administration. We have no doubt that our economys performance will continue to surpass expectations, all while we work at improving our risk profile and drawing in investments that will ultimately create more jobs for the countrys growing workforce. We congratulate President Benigno S. Aquino III and his able team of economic managers for this achievement. While the statement is oft-repeated, its truth is plain and exact: good governance is good economics. Our countrys economy is sufficient proof of that. |TOP| P5-B for SUCs not 'Pork'; Abad: Fund for SUC reform roadmap Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph Responding to allegations of hidden pork in the Commission on Higher Educations (CHED) proposed 2014 budget, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Butch Abad clarified that the P5 -billion allotted to state colleges and universities (SUCs) will be distributed to state-supported higher-education institutions based on their performance in the Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform. The P5-billion is not pork. Instead, its a development fund that CHED will distribute to SUCs under the Administrations higher education reform roadmap. This aims to further improve the quality of the countrys tertiary education system through the provision of key services and facilities to our students. CHED will determine the allocations for SUCs nationwide, based on how theyve fulfilled their objectives under the roadmap, the Budget chief said. Under the Special Provisions of the 2014 National Expenditure Program, SUCs are allocated P5-billion, where P2.5-billion will be for scholarships, while another P2.5-billion will be allocated for capital outlay. Scholarships will target key growth areas aligned with the priorities of the government, such as semiconductor and electronics, business process outsourcing, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, general infrastructure, and other priority manufacturing industries. CHED, DBM, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) will develop the criteria for determining the implementation of this provision, in line with the roadmap guidelines. By defining major initiatives and tangible outputs, the roadmap will help SUCs prime their students to join the workforce and respond to the manpower demands of fast-growing industries. Developing our students skills in specific areas of expertise helps them prepare better for jobs that will be waiting for them when they graduate, Sec. Abad explained. State education reforms are part of the Aquino administrations agenda for promoting the enhancement of the countrys workforce, creating more employment opportunities for the countrys expanding pool of skilled graduates, and facilitating long-term and inclusive growth. |TOP| ASEAN sustains community-building in Ottawa Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph 29 August 2013 Consistent with ASEANs community building objective, members of ASEAN resident missions and their families trooped to the Vincent Massey Park on August 24 for the annual ASEAN picnic coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa. As event coordinator, the Philippines organized a program aimed at strengthening camaraderie among ASEAN missions by way of sports, childrens games and the sharing of representative dishes from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Philippine Ambassador to Canda Leslie Gatan welcomed nearly 200 participants in his capacity as event coordinator while Ambassador Hau Do Suan of Myanmar delivered opening remarks as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO). As in previous years, warm-up exercises put participants in the mood for the volleyball game organized by Myanmar, childrens games led by Vietnam, soccer matches introduced this year by the Philippines and the highly anticipated tug-of-war. Food was overflowing as each mission contributed more than enough sustenance for the days activities. Providing a venue for our youth to bond through games and sports brings us closer to our ideal ASEAN socio-cultural community, Ambassador Gatan remarked. The ASEAN Picnic is a yearly tradition that enables new and old members of resident missions and their families to connect, renew acquaintances and deepen friendships. |TOP| Why retire in the Philippines Forum held in New York Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph 29 August 2013 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York co-sponsored with the Philippine Department of Tourism a forum entitled Why Retire in the Philippines, which was held on July 29 at the Philippine Center. The forum featured Mr. Veredigno Atienza, General Manager and CEO of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), as guest speaker. Mr. Atienza discussed the main attractions of the Philippines as a retirement destination, the various types of Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) that foreigners can apply for when retiring in the Philippines, and the benefits that SRRV holders enjoy in the Philippines. At present, there are about 22,000 SRRV holders in the Philippines, including Americans, Koreans and Japanese. This number does not include foreigners married to Filipinos who have become permanent residents in the Philippines and Filipino dual citizens who have retired in the Philippines. The Philippines, according to Mr. Atienza, is one of the top retirement destinations in the world, ranked no. 15th overall by International Livings Global Retirement Index. He expressed optimism that the Philippines would continue to improve its ranking in the near future given the many improvements planned for the Philippine tourism industry, including infrastructure development. He urged foreigners to consider retiring in the Philippines and enjoy the countrys affordable and yet comfortable living conditions, the friendly and hospitable people, and world-class educational and medical facilities. Among the benefits and privileges that SRRV holders can enjoy in the Philippines are the following: multiple entry privileges; exemption from income tax over pension and annuities; exemption from customs duties and taxes (for importation of household goods and personal effects up to US$7,000.00); and exemption from travel tax (if ones stay in the Philippines is less than one year from the last entry date). Interested retirees may go to www.pra.gov.ph to get more information about the PRA program. |TOP| Outstanding cooperatives shine in LANDBANKs Gawad PITAK 2013 Source: https://www.landbank.com August 29, 2013 - The Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) of Batangas City bagged the Platinum Award in LANDBANKs annual Gawad sa Pinakatanging Kooperatiba (Gawad PITAK) ceremonies held last August 8 at the LANDBANK Plaza in Malate, Manila. Now on its 23rd year, the Gawad PITAK is a pioneering program that recognizes exemplary LANDBANK-assisted agri and non-agri based cooperatives. The award provides special recognition in various areas of excellence in their operations, and promotes best practices for adoption. This years award introduced the Platinum Category, the highest under the Gawad PITAK, in line with LANDBANKs 50th anniversary. With a prize of P1.5 million worth of fixed assets, the Platinum award is conferred to a cooperative which has maintained consistent growth and excellent operations for at least five years after winning the Ginintuang Gawad PITAK award. The Ginintuang Gawad PITAK award under the non-agri-based category was in turn conferred to the Dingle Government Workers Development Cooperative (DGWDC) of Dingle, Iloilo. DGWDC received P1.0 million worth of fixed assets. The Ginintuang Gawad PITAK awardee is the contender from the Hall of Fame roster that has garnered the highest score. The Hall of Fame award under the agri-based category was conferred to the Baug CARP Beneficiaries MPC of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte and Catmon MPC of Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Both received P100,000 worth of fixed assets. Meanwhile, the Non-agri-based Hall of Fame award was conferred to the Sta. Cruz Development Cooperative in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, also taking home P100,000 worth of fixed assets. A Hall of Fame awardee should have previously won two major awards, which can be a combination of 1st and 1st, 1st and 2nd, or 1st and 3rd place, and should have hurdled the required points.

Meanwhile, the Bagumbayan Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) of Llanera, Nueva Ecija was recognized as the Most Outstanding Cooperative under the Agri-Based Category. The Most Outstanding Cooperative under the Non-Agri-Based category was in turn conferred to the Barbaza MPC of Barbaza, Antique. They received P500,000 and P300,000 worth of fixed assets, respectively. Eduardo Policarpio of Cabanatuan City won the Ulirang Magsasaka Award. This special award, also introduced this year, recognizes farmer-entrepreneur members of cooperatives that exemplify in farming business operation and contribute to community development. (Photo shows Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines Inc. (AGAP) Party List Representative Rico Geron and Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) Chairman Angelito Bagui received the award from CoopNATCCO Party List Representative Cresente Paez, Finance Secretary and LANDBANK Chairman Cesar V. Purisima; Cooperative Development Authority Chairman Emmanuel Santiaguel; LANDBANK President and CEO Gilda Pico; LANDBANK Directors Crispino Aguelo, Victor Gerardo Bulatao, Tomas de Leon Jr., and Domingo Diaz; Executive Vice President Cecilia Borromeo, and other LANDBANK officials.) |TOP| Newest Nutritionist-Dietitians to take Oath on September 4 (Manila) Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph Manila, August 22, 2013 The Professional Regulatory Board for Nutrition and Dietetics announces the oath taking of the countrys newest Nutritionist-Dietitians on September 4, 2013 (1:00PM) at the Pandango Polcabal Hall of the Manila Hotel. Passers of the July 2013 licensure exam comprise the newest batch of professionals, the PRB Nutrition -Dietetics said. Tickets are available at the Don Lorenzo Building in Padre Paredes St Sampaloc Manila or at the Manila Hotel for on-site registration. For further inquiries you may contact the Secretariat at 3101018 or 7351533. |TOP| New homes for informal settlers living along Estero Tripa de Galina - VP Binay Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Thursday led the relocation of 20 informal settler families (ISFs) living along Estero Tripa De Galina in Makati to the Southville 2 Phase 3 Housing Project in Trece Martires, Cavite. Binay, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), said the 20 families represent the initial batch of the total 520 ISFs living along the Estero Tripa de Galina in Barangay Bangkal. This is a continuation of the governments relocation program for ISFs living along danger zones in Metro Manila. The Estero Tripa de Galina is included in the eight identified priority waterways that will be cleared by the National Housing Authority (NHA) of ISFs by the end of the year, the housing czar said. Under President Benigno S. Aquinos directive, the government launched in 2011 a five -year P50 billion housing program for ISFs living in danger areas in Metro Manila, particularly along waterways. The Vice President said the Southville 2 Phase 3 Housing Project is a 12-hectare resettlement site intended for ISFs living in waterways/danger areas and those who will be affected by the infrastructure projects of the government from the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Paranaque , and Pasay. A total of 1,500 units will be constructed with an average lot size of 40 square meters and an average floor area of 22 square meters. We have constructed 950 units so far, he said. The house and lot costs P240,00 P115,000 for the lot and P125,000 for the house, he added. Binay said 323 ISFs have already been relocated to the site, with 20 coming from Mandaluyong, 20 from Pasay, 61 from Paraaque, and 222 from Makati. Aside from the houses, Binay revealed a 3-storey, 15-classroom building will also be constructed, along with a covered court and multi-purpose center, health and day care center, and a production center/ material recovery facility. He added that the site is also equipped with basic utilities including water supplied by the TMC Water District and power from Meralco. The entire site is also equipped with an underground drainage system and the houses have individua l septic tanks, the Vice President further said. |TOP|

Statement of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the surrender of Janet Napoles Source: http://ovp.gov.ph Its good that she surrendered. I just hope she will tell the truth and bare everything she knows so tha t those involved in the scam would be brought to justice and be made accountable for their transgressions to the Filipino people, regardless of their political affiliations. As for the possibility that Mrs. Napoles be considered a state witness, as a lawyer, I would say its too early to tell.There are requirements before a suspect is made a state witness, among these being that the evidence against the said suspect must be weak. And that has yet to be established. |TOP| Press Statement of MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino on the protest action staged by certain groups at the Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT) Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph It is unfortunate that several misguided bus operators are resorting to unlawful actions and creating chaos to protest the operation of the Southwest Interim Provincial Terminal (SWIPT). The bus terminal was established to smoothen out the operation of legitimate public utility buses plying the CaviteBatangas-Manila route. The project was a result of years of careful study to provide commuters and the bus drivers the maximum convenience and comfort in using such a transport facility. We have received reports that several protesting bus drivers and operators have been blocking buses at Imus and Bacoor bound for the SWIPT early this morning. This is another sad incident on the penchant of certain groups for bickering where every well-meaning effort is questioned, with private agenda unknown to me and the MMDA and have fanned flames when there should be none. Since bus operations is imbued with public interest, the striking bus operators are liable to the public and to the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB). We have instituted reforms at the terminal that redound to the benefit of the commuters, bus operators and the general public. We have installed new roof canopies in place, including free water for passengers, among other necessities. No stone is left unturned to ensure the convenience of commuters and bus operators get their fair share in earnings. The use of the terminal is free of charge. Moreover, I have personally filed a petition before the LTFRB to lower the fares for buses plying the CaviteBatangas-Manila route and the bus operators are opposing it notwithstanding their savings due to zero terminal fees and higher income brought about by faster turnaround and increase in the number of trips. The Philippine National Police, through the Highway Patrol Group, should be commended likewise for assisting the passengers together with the joint task force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The MMDA will continue with the resolve we have initiated. We have to place order, sanity, and discipline in our chaotic public transport system. |TOP|

Last Updated:

29 AUGUST 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

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Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Sonny B. Coloma, Jr. greets Mr. Eufrosino Sonny Camarillo at the opening of the Laban Ni Ninoy photo exhibit held at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City on Sunday (August 25). (Photo by Quiel Supera/Malacaang Photo Bureau/PCOO) Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Sonny B. Coloma, Jr. leads the opening of the Laban Ni Ninoy photo exhibit held at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City on Sunday (August 25). The exhibit, which showcases more than 500 photographs taken by Eufrosino Sonny Camarillo since August 21, 1983 to chronicle the wake and funeral of former Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Jr., subsequent demonstrations, rallies and street parliaments; the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, commemorates the 30th death anniversary of the late former Senator. (Photo by Quiel Supera/Malacaang Photo Bureau/PCOO) Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras converse with fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and counsel Atty. Lorna Kapunan at the Presidents Hall Receiving Area of the Malacaan Palace to yield herself to President Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday night (August 28). The surrender feeler was sent by Atty. Kapunan to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda hours after President Aquino announced a P10-million reward to anyone who can give information for the immediate arrest of the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO) Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras talks with fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, husband Jimmy and lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan at the Presidents Hall Receiving Area of the Malacaan Palace Wednesday night (August 28). The surrender feeler was sent by Atty. Kapunan to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda hours after President Aquino announced a P10-million reward to anyone who can give information for the immediate arrest of the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO) Presidential Security Group (PSG) members apply strict security clearance to fugitive businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, husband Jimmy and lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan upon arrival at the Malacaan Palace to yield herself to President Benigno S. Aquino III Wednesday night (August 28). The surrender feeler was sent by Atty. Kapunan to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda hours after President Aquino announced a P10-million reward to anyone who can give information for the immediate arrest of the alleged brains behind the P10-billion pork barrel scam. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacaang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!