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by Cindy Hess Kasper, Our Daily Bread

Several years ago, my husband helped to lead a work crew of high school students on a short-term missions trip to a Christian school in an urban community. Unfortunately, Tom had broken his foot shortly before the trip and was supervising the work from a wheelchair. He was discouraged because he wasn’t able to get around as he had hoped.

While he was working on the ground floor, a few of the girls were painting on the third floor. He could hear them singing praise choruses in harmony as their voices echoed down the wide-open staircases. Song after song ministered to him. “It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard,” he told me later. “And it lifted my spirits.”

Colossians 3 reminds us, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (v.16). Not only were those teenage girls giving sweet praise to God, they were ministering to a co-worker.

Whatever you’re doing today, cultivate an attitude of praise. Whether it is through song or conversation, let your joy in the Lord reverberate to others. You never know who you might encourage.

By Dennis Fisher, Our Daily Bread

The people of Israel had backslidden, and God wanted Hosea to show them how much that hurt Him. So, in the first few chapters of Hosea, we read a bizarre story: God commanded the prophet to marry a prostitute named Gomer. Put on display as the faithful husband of an unfaithful spouse, Hosea experienced a pain similar to what God felt when Israel was spiritually unfaithful.

As Hosea wrote the ending of his book, he made it clear that despite the pain the people of Israel caused the living God, He still promised healing, forgiveness, and fruitfulness if they would return to Him: “I will heal their backsliding,” He said. “I will love them freely . . . . Those who dwell under his shadow shall return” (Hos. 14:4-7).

Life for the person who turns his back on God is often characterized by guilt and dissatisfaction. The truly born-again believer who has fallen into a lifestyle of sin knows deep down that spiritual unfaithfulness to God takes a toll.

But just as the God of grace offered Israel forgiveness and fruitfulness, even so today He offers restoration to the truly repentant (1 John 1:9). Have you made poor choices that have caused you to slip away? Come back. Repent and seek restored fellowship with the Lord today.

By David Branon, Our Daily Bread

When we think about the marvel of creationâ€"how God spoke the universe into existence and formed the earth and everything in itâ€"we think most often of Old Testament accounts.

But it is encouraging to examine the New Testament to see how that part of the Bible refers to creation. Here is a look at some key passages:

“I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 13:35). God reveals things to us that He had kept secret since before creation.

“Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). Before the earth was created, God knew each of usâ€"and He knew our future.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Before the work of creation even began, God was aware of each of His eventual children.

These New Testament verses comfort us with the truth that God’s knowledge of us and His eternal mysteries about us point toward His special creation of mankind as described in Genesis. We can do nothing but bow in awe before One whose knowledge and creative ability are eternal in nature and boundless in power. Creation: New Testament styleâ€"still another reason to give God praise!

By David McCasland
Our Daily Bread

In the New Testament, hospitality is a hallmark of Christian living. It is listed as a characteristic of church leaders (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1: and is commanded for every follower of Jesus as an expression of love (Rom. 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). But its meaning goes deeper than being a gracious host or opening our homes to guests.

The Greek word translated “hospitality” means “love of strangers.” When Paul speaks of being “given to hospitality” (Rom. 12:13), he is calling us to pursue relationships with people who are in need. It is not an easy task.

Writer Henri Nouwen likens it to reaching out to those we meet on our way through lifeâ€"people who may be estranged from their culture, country, friends, family, or even from God. Nouwen writes: “Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

Whether we inhabit a home, a college dorm, a prison cell, or a military barracks, we can welcome others as a way of showing our love for them and for Christ. Hospitality is making room for people in need.

By Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread

People around the world are familiar with Mount Rushmore, the South Dakota site where the heads of former American presidents are carved in gigantic scale on a cliff wall. Yet, while millions know of Mount Rushmore, relatively few know the name Doane Robinsonâ€"the South Dakota state historian who conceived the idea of the magnificent sculpture and managed the project. The monument is admired and appreciated, but he is the forgotten man behind the masterpiece. His name is largely unrecognized or was never even known by some.

Sometimes, in the service of the Master, we may feel that we have been forgotten or are behind the scenes and not recognized. Ministry can be a life of effort that often goes unappreciated by the very people we are seeking to serve in Jesus’ name. The good news, however, is that, while people may not know, God does. Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

What a promise! Our heavenly Father will never forget our service to Him. That is infinitely more important than being applauded by the crowds.

By Anne Cetas, Our Daily Bread

My husband and I rode the train backward from Grand Rapids to Chicago last summer. Sitting in seats that faced the rear of the train, all we could see was where we had been, not where we were going. Buildings, lakes, and trees flew by the window after we had passed them. I didn’t like it. I’d rather see where I’m going.

Sometimes we may feel that way about life tooâ€"wishing we could see ahead. We’d like to know how certain situations are going to turn out, how God is going to answer our prayers. But all we can know is where we’ve been. That is, if it were not for faith.

The “faith chapter” of the Bible, Hebrews 11, tells us about two realities that some people in Old Testament times could see by faith. It speaks of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, who all died in faith, “having seen [the promises] afar off.” They “embraced them” and looked forward to “a better . . . heavenly country” (vv.13,16). Besides the promise of heaven, verse 27 tells us that by faith Moses could also see “Him who is invisible,” meaning Christ.

While we don’t know the outcome of today’s struggles, believers in Jesus can by faith see forward to where we’re going: We will have a heavenly home where we will live with Jesus forever.

By Marvin Williams
Our Daily Bread

I read about Captain Ray Baker who flew for the Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War. The Air Force trained him, along with the other pilots, to run out of their barracks to their planes at the sound of a buzzer. Many times during dinner he had to drop his utensils and bolt to his bomber. He had been trained to respond to the call with immediate obedience. He was so well-trained that one day while on furlough, he ran out of a restaurant when he heard a buzzer.

When Jesus called His first followers, they had an immediacy in their response to His call. The call of these fishermen was abrupt. Yet “they immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Mark 1:18). The author of this account, Mark, may have wanted to impress upon his readers the authority of Jesus. When He extended the call, these men jumped to obey because helping people enter the kingdom of God was a more compelling adventure and a grander vision than catching fish.

When Jesus issues a call to follow Him, He doesn’t want us to delay. He expects immediate obedience when it comes to telling others the good news. Bring someone the story of salvation today!

Quote from: jas4 on October 03, 2010, 02:54:49 AM
asa diay source ani? ako gisearch wa man gud mogawas sa news feeds.

Jas4, sorry for the omission. here's the source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20100928-294846/Metrobriefs

As the eldest son of President Joseph Marcelo Ejercito Estrada and Senator Luisa Pimentel-Ejercito Estrada, it is not surprising that like his parents, the Filipino masses have a special place in the heart of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, along with siblings, Jacqueline Ejercito-Lopez and Jude Ejercito.

In 1989, he was married to Ma. Presentacion "Precy" Vitug-Ejercito whom he was blessed with four wonderful and beautiful children, namely, Janella Marie, Joseph Luis Manuel, Julian Emilio and baby Julienne.

Having witnessed how his famous and well-loved father, former Mayor of the historical town of San Juan has satisfactorily governed said locality over a progressive nineteen year period (1967-1986), Jinggoy knows that he is bound to follow the footsteps that his father has carved in both public service and show business arena.

In his early 20s, Jinggoy became an actor and bagged the Filipino Academy for Movie Art and Science (FAMAS) Best Supporting Actor Award for his performance in the movie entitled "Farita Punzalan Story". In 1999, he also became the host of the television public service program, SaBAYAN, which has helped a number of Filipinos through significant exposés.

Senator Jinggoy finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University and earned a degree in A.B. Economics from the University of the Philippines. He took up Bachelor of Laws for four (4) years at the Lyceum University while serving as Vice-Mayor at the Municipality of San Juan at a young age of 25. In 1992, he became the youngest ever elected-local chief executive in the entire nation at age 29. For three (3) consecutive terms, he administered the economic, social, political, and cultural affairs of the Municipality of San Juan beyond everyone's expectations. He spearheaded various projects and programs for the improvement of the said municipality in the form of - construction of modernized Barangay Halls with Day Care Centers in all Barangays, repair and renovation of the now San Juan National High School, and other public elementary schools, recreation centers like gymnasiums, basketball courts and play grounds and the creation of different livelihood centers, improvement and replacement of drainages, concreting of municipal roads and the construction of a four-storey San Juan Medical Center and the San Juan Municipal Gymnasium. During his incumbency, San Juan gained the reputation of being one of the most progressive municipalities and the Most Peaceful Municipality in the Philippines.

During his final tenure as Mayor, he was sworn into office as the National President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, where he efficiently harnessed the potential of local government units as reliable partner of the national government in nation-building through his programs on continuous empowering of the LGUs by securing and producing better service facilities to at least 1,525 municipalities during his stint.

In May 2004, the Filipino people gave the "Anak ng Masa" an official mandate to serve as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines (2004-2010). This gave him the chance to carry out his earnest desire to continue the pro-poor programs that his father has started and to pursue his commitment to address the problems besetting the country through just and meaningful legislations.

As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is presently tasked with the study and deliberations on measures relating to labor; human resources development; maintenance of industrial peace; promotion of employer-employee cooperation; labor education, standards and statistics; organization of the labor market including recruitment, training and placement of workers and exports of human resources; foreign workers in the Philippines; promotion and development of workers' organization as well as employment-intensive technology. He also chairs the Congressional Oversight Committee on Labor and Employment (COCLE).

His other committee assignments include: Accounts, Agriculture and Food, Blue Ribbon, Energy, Foreign Relations, Local Government, National Defense, Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Rules, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, Ways and Means. He is the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports and the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media. He also serves as a member of the Commission on Appointments.

The good Senator introduced two hundred eighty-nine (289) bills and resolutions, two hundred forty-nine (249) of which were primarily authored by him. His current priority bills are geared towards improving and strengthening the policies affecting our workforce and overseas foreign workers, empowering our local government units, protecting and preserving our freedom of expression and assembly, and promotion of youth welfare. At present, he ranks fourth (4th) among the list of Senators with the most number of proposed legislations filed in the Upper House.

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has actively participated in the deliberations on various measures during committee hearings and plenary sessions. He has successfully sponsored and steered the passage on Third Reading of the National Labor Relations Commission Bill which rationalizes the composition and functions of said Commission in order to improve its administrative and operational efficiency, particularly on the issue concerning the speedy disposition of labor cases filed. He contributed to the refinement of certain measures particularly that of the UP Charter, Human Rights Victims Compensation Act, Amendments to the National Internal Revenue Code on E-Vat and the Excise Tax, National Budget, Synchronized Barangay and SK Elections, Ratification of the International Labour Organization Convention on Forced Labor and the Mandatory Hepatitis-B Immunization.

Since his assumption to office, the Senator has delivered a total of seventeen (17) privilege speeches on varied issues such as the constitutionally guaranteed rights on freedom of speech, expression and right to public assembly, anomalous transactions and operations of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), wiretapping scandal, and abuses of power by the current administration.

Presently, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is very much focused in keeping his commitment to the Filipino masa to do his very best as a legislator and as a public servant in securing a future far better than what we are all made to contend with, today.

source: Philippine Senate site - senate.gov.ph

Roach wants Pacman off ropes; Manny told: Don’t get cornered

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Phil Daily Inquirer

That’s the stern warning chief trainer Freddie Roach gave pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao yesterday during their mitts session at the Cooyesan Sports Complex here.

After watching eight tapes of Antonio Margarito’s previous fights Thursday night, Roach said it would be unsafe and unwise for Pacquiao to give the taller, bigger Mexican room to let loose three- to six-punch combinations.

What Roach wants is for Pacquiao to move in and out, or side to side, and catch the slower Margarito off-guard with jabs followed by power punches.

Pacquiao, who had some measure of success fighting on the ropes against Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, initially wanted Margarito to corner him before springing the bait: a stunning torrent of punches.

But after Roach had shown Pacquiao fight clips of Margarito and explained the possibilities, the Filipino superstar heeded the Trainer of the Year’s advice.

The longtime partners put their ideas to work during a non-stop 14 rounds of punch-mitts yesterday, concentrating on how to fight Margarito in the middle of the ring and how to get out punching, if Pacquiao gets to the ropes.

There were plenty of other options, including using Pacquiao’s head to nudge Margarito’s chest, unleashing body blows before shifting to the head, or ducking, sidestepping and then throwing punches as the Mexican lunges.

Also simulated were different combinations that Pacquiao can throw if Margarito misses and leaves himself in no position to retaliate quickly.

At the end of the session, Roach’s face was a bit red from the light hits landed by the seven-time, seven division champion, who will gun for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown against Margarito on Nov. 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Roach was satisfied with the way training camp has proceeded thus far.

“I like where we are right now,” said Roach,     â€œHopefully, things turn out just as well in the coming days.”

Pacquiao, who also did the usual exercises devised by conditioning expert Alex Ariza, will continue his roadwork tomorrow morning, before sparring against light middleweight Michael Medina in the afternoon.

The Sarangani representative will drive back to Manila today to honor a commitment and to celebrate the birthday of his daughter Princess.

Already acclimatized to the thinner air of the country’s summer capital, Pacquiao shelved jogging at Burnham Park in favor of running in mountainous terrain.

Ariza said the foot sprain that has caused worry among Pacquiao followers is no longer a big problem: “At least it’s not getting worse.”
“I really intend to give him the day off [today],” said Roach. “We’re right on track.”

CNN news anchorman Rick Sanchez has left the network after making comments about top TV satirist and comedian Jon Stewart.

Sanchez called Stewart a bigot during a radio show on Thursday and abruptly left CNN on Friday.

Sanchez, a Cuban-American from a poor immigrant family in Miami, said Stewart was "upset that someone of my ilk is almost at his level".

Stewart's Daily Show on Comedy Central had frequently mocked Sanchez.

Sanchez had worked at CNN since 2004 and hosted the channel's afternoon show Rick's List, which used social media networks such as Twitter to engage viewers.

Stewart had mocked Sanchez several times, including for the mispronunciation of the word "annals". When Sanchez said House Republican leader John Boehner had sent him a tweet, Stewart referred to it as "send a twit a tweet".

In the radio interview on the Pete Dominick satellite show, Sanchez said Stewart was bigoted against "everybody else that's not like him", although he later toned down the word bigot.

He said: "I'm telling you that everyone who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart, and a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart, and to imply that somehow they, the people in this country who are Jewish, are an oppressed minority? I can't see someone not getting a job these days because they're Jewish." - BBC

 The Carmen municipal government is on a holdover capacity in managing the Chocolate Hills Complex which will soon be taken over by the provincial government.

This was the decision reached during a committee hearing where Carmen Mayor Pedro Budiongan and other Carmen officials were in attendance last Monday.

Prov'l Kagawad Amalia Tirol, chair of the committee on government properties said that the holdover management of the Carmen LGU is pending the formulation of the take-over proceedings including the putting up of works on what the province will do once the management will be under the provincial government.

Together with Tirol were Prov'l Kagawad Corazon Galbreath, chair of tourism committee, Prov'l Kagawad Dionisio Balite, committee on ways and means together with Prov'l Kagawads Concepcion Lim, Godofreda Tirol, Imboy as members.

Galbreath, for her part, said that several discrepancies on the Choco Hills management caused the proposed take-over as the complex has generated several criticisms from the public.

The financial condition as well as its physical condition are highly questionable, according to Galbreath who insisted that the Carmen LGU should respect the points stipulated in the memorandum of agreement signed by the Carmen LGU and the provincial government.

The province gets 30 percent of the gross while the bigger portion of 70 percent goes to the Carmen LGU. However, the Carmen government has violated the policy that it should shoulder the payment of wages for employees. Instead, the Carmen LGU has taken the wages from the gross before giving the province the 30 percent share.

The conditions of the complex deserve a "world class" developer and management, stressed Kagawad Lim.

An audit ordered by Gov. Erico Aumentado is being awaited by the three committees before the final takeover will take effect. - Bohol Chronicle

At least six karaoke bars in the Tagbilaran city were temporarily closed by city hall.

The closure followed after a composite team created by City Mayor Dan Lim found the bars with guest relations officers (GRO) without the necessary hygiene clearance from the city health office.

Ordered to stop operations are Solid Gold along E. Jacinto street, Ice and Teal at MH del Pilar street, TwinSis and Virgo at Gallares street, Dasoleo at Lamdagan street and Island KTV at Tamblot street.

The presence of GROs without the necessary health permits is a violation of City Ordinance 109.

Dr. Apollo John Bernaldez, chairman of the composite team, led the operation together with SPO4 Rebecca Kibir of the Women's and Children's Desk of the city PNP.

The karaoke bars will be allowed to reopen only upon complainance of the required health permits.

It maybe recalled that the city was featured in one of GMA-7's program as a city with a growing concern on prostitution.

Immediately after the TV exposé, Mayor Lim vowed to inventory the karaoke bars and other night spots in the city.

Since last Friday, October 1, until October 13, the Commission of Elections Offices all throughout the country shall be opened to accept certificates of candidacies from 8:00 to 5:00 including Saturdays and Sundays.

This as the Comelec has started receiving certificates of candidacies for barangay positions for the October 25 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (SK). 

In the next 13 days, some 17,744 persons would be preparing in flurry, activities leading to generating support through votes to launch them to the 1,109 barangay seats made available by law through the synchronized elections. 

All appointed or elected officials who decide to grab the chance to go down and get the vacant post are deemed resigned ipso-facto on the same day they file their candidacies.

And to make the job of the commission easier, the local Comelec can make outright denials of candidates if they could not prove their residence requirement or their being registered voters of the area they are interested in getting elected.

In fact, Bohol Election Supervisor, Atty. Eliseo Labaria said the resignation is effective 5:00 am of the same day they file their candidacies, over at Kapihan sa PIA September 30 and aired live over DyTR. 

By election day, October 25 after 3:00 pm, new barangay officials would have been proclaimed although the results need to be transmitted to the town halls where the municipal election offices are located.

Considering the distance and the transport of these election returns, Atty. Ricardo Villares, election officer of Bohol town with the most numerous barangays, the over-all results could be had after a day, or October 26.

Villares, who is Loon town’s election officer shall be directly responsible for the election processes of 67 barangays whom, voters would all undergo the polls through the manual system.

Instead of an automatic machine to discard or accept legitimate votes, the manual system hands to the Board of Election Tellers (BET) the responsibility to appreciate the written votes.

The BET decides whether the ballot would be counted as valid, marked as a counter-sign to assure vote buyers that the vote was indeed delivered, Atty Labaria said.

Over the possible deluge of voters on the election day, Comelec has already adopted through a resolution the clustering of precincts of less than 500 voters who will have to make their votes from 8:00 to 3:00 on October 25, according to Labaria. (rac/PIABohol)

GOVERNOR Edgar Chatto would be the only Filipino and the only local government leader and resource speaker during the webinars on World Rabies Day September 28, 2010 at 6:00 PM, said reports from the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Eradication Council (BRPEC).

A webinar is a workshop or lecture delivered over the web. They may be one-way Webcast, or there may be interaction between the audience and the presenters, almost similar to a virtual seminar, web conference and webcast, according to pcencyclopedia.

Provincial Veterinarian and BRPEC Acton Officer Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz said Chatto’s participation in the web-based seminar is a great privilege for Bohol to share its experience in rabies prevention and control to the whole world.

One of the country’s leading anti-rabies program, Bohol’s rabies prevention has even taken off ahead of the passing of the country’s anti-rabies program and its implementing rules and regulations.

With a perfect record of zero human or canine rabies cases 23 months after launching the province-wide community based anti-rabies program, authorities couldn’t hide their excitement on the success considering that Bohol used to be among the top provinces threatened by rabies.

Gov. Chatto, she said would be sharing the “Implementation of the Bohol Provincial Rabies Elimination Program: Perspective of the Chief Local Executive” as a way of input on a web seminar that top-bills the world’s leading anti-rabies advocates.

He could be seen on the web on September 28, 6:00 PM.

Home-based inter-actors who pre-register on a pre-determined link can join the webinar, co-hosted by Global Alliance for Rabies Control and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Speakers, along with governor Chatto include Manhattan-based Betsy Miranda of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control on Generating Community Support in Implementing a Rabies Elimination Program, Brenda Rivera of Puerto Rico’s Department of Health who will be speaking on Engaging school-age children in the fight against rabies: The Puerto Rico experience.

Also on the webinar is Katinka deBalogh of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations in Rome Italy, who will speak on the One Health Concept as an opportunity for Rabies Control, Todd Smith of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta with his Past, present and future rabies biogenics, G. Robert Weedon of Global Alliance for Rabies Control on Animal Population Control and Rabies Prevention. (rac/PIABohol)

WITH the project jatropha showing signs of being in jeopardy, Governor Edgar Chatto said he has commissioned a study group to review the contracts and see what the provincial government can do.

Then briskly sold by capitol through a point person, Project jatropha hopes to ignite in Bohol’s idle lands the habit of cultivating jatropha curcas, as an alternative source of livelihood and at the same time furnishing the source for the government’s bio-fuel development program.

Former governor Erico Aumentado believed that growing jatropha is a good alternative livelihood especially when the government itself is buying through the Philippine National oil Company under the Department of Energy’s alternative energy development program.

The project jatropha accordingly assures some 24,000 farmhand jobs, and the governor wasted no time in inking a memorandum of agreement with Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) that would seal the Project Jatropha here.

The initial covenant was for Bohol to convert its idle lands into productive green-fuel source with the initial 3,000 hectares of jatropha curcas plantation, the farmers themselves getting paid P1.25 per plant while eight years later still owning the fruit-bearing tuba-tuba.

That agreement signed in 2009 also allowed PNOC to put up P23,000 per hectare as mobility fund which would be used for sourcing out for planting materials, labor component and inputs.

According to sources, one of the MOA provisions, call for the PNOC to buy jatropha from Bohol farmers in the next 25 years, considering the escalation costs.

But despite a dream-come true promise for Bohol farmers, recent reports said that financiers have backed out of the agreements and the present governor is at a loss on how to manage the problem.

Left with practically a combustible investment with people already nurturing fruiting jatropha and no buyers, Governor Edgar Chatto said part of the study is to determine the content of the initial agreements, identify the sites reforested with jatropha, and what are the deliverables of each signatory. 

We need to review the agreements to that we will have an idea on how to approach the problem and craft solutions, Chatto said. (racPIABohol)   

A contestant from the University of Bohol garnered 16 points of 30 items to best other contestants in the recently conducted school-based tourism quiz held at the activity Center of the Island City Mall Sept 27.

Aimee Alegarbes, a UB BS tourism student, who also happens to be a practicing Bohol tour guide took the prize in a quiz participated in by UB, Holy Name University, Crystal E College, Bohol Island State University and Mater Dei College of Tubigon.

Participating schools are those who offer tourism and allied courses. 

Romping with the second and third places are Holy Name University’s Ronald Eric Gudito and Johanna Marie Arancon.

The tourism quiz forms part of the national celebrations of the tourism month and biodiversity. (PIA)

BOHOL is now ready to accept investors for business process out-sourcing with the new fiber-optic system in place, reports Governor Edgar Chatto during his recent weekly program.

The development effectively opens some estimated 10,500 seats for call center agents in Tagbilaran or in any part of Bohol with the connection to the information technology data superhighway.

Prospected as a good venue for business process outsourcing, Bohol has never failed to amaze information technology entrepreneurs who see the presence of competitive schools offering standard call center courses as a telltale sign of competitiveness.

The support infrastructure however was the question.

The need to put up the fiber optic cables to tap Bohol into the vast world-wide network was completed last year, sources at the Bohol Investment Promotion Center said.

The formal tapping of Bohol to the world also signaled the opening of Bohol One Stop Shop (BOSS) for investment support now located at the BIPC.  (PIABohol)

EVEN the blue guards who carry their fire-arms with them after duty could be accosted for violation of the gun-ban imposed to secure a peaceful elections, said Commission on Elections (COMELEC) provincial election supervisor Eliseo RZB Labaria.

The Comelec is the coordinating agency in the mounting of random checkpoints manned by the police and the members of the Philippine National Police in preparation for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections set October 25, 2010.

The entire country would then be electing all over the country’s barangays a barangay chairman, seven councilors, a youth chairman and seven more youth councilors on that day.

The Comelec gun-ban started to take effect last week, Labaria said. 

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA aired over DyTR Thursday, September 30, the provincial poll agency head said in the event that anybody not authorized to carry fire-arms is accosted at the joint checkpoints mounted by the Comelec, elements of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, he could get one year to six years imprisonment in violation of the gun ban. 

“This is despite documents, which these blue guards may present”, authorities pressed.

According to Atty. Labaria, the only persons authorized to carry fire-arms are members of the police and military who are on duty and these people should be identified with the proper uniform they are wearing.

The country’s poll agency implements the joint security checkpoints noting that the resounding success of the previous national elections was largely due to the mounting of checkpoints, Comelec assessments bared.

In Bohol, the checkpoints also effectively curbed criminalities despite the fact that election periods usually perk up petty crimes associated with the period.

Local police crime records however report lower than projected crimes during the poll season in May.

The joint checkpoints however, as the law requires, should be placed in a well-lit sections of highway, with men in uniform and nametags clearly identifying the checkpoint elements.

A notice announcing the check-point would also show the name of the highest ranking official of the local police as well as the election officer of the locality.  (racPIABohol)

TAIWAN mission invites the local office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to a one-on one trade meeting in Manila next week.

According to a communication furnished to this paper, Taiwan Mission brings in a bundle of more than twenty Taiwanese companies opens an opportunity to meet and explore business opportunities with local buyers, distributors and even trade experts.

These companies, who are at the forefronts of technological innovations in heavy industries would bring in products ranging from heavy equipment to machineries, hardware and tools, building and construction materials including steel, automobile parts, electric and networking products, medical equipment, health foods to teaching specimens, said DTI Bohol information Officer Lucille Autentico.

The meeting also affords the companies to demonstrate the broad range of their latest products for their future partners in the Philippine market, Autentico added.

Organized by the Taiwan external Trade Development, Taiwan Mission is aimed at exploring and developing future trade prospects in the country.

The event is also co-presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, she added.

Set in Makati on October 4, the mission allocates much time in buyer, distributor and company interaction with practical demonstrations of the capabilities of Taiwanese products.

Confirmed Taiwanese companies include a-Plus Integrated Circuits Inc., Color Value Tech. Inc., The Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China, Kunn Chuan Enterprise, Toplonk C and C Corporation, Tenshall Biotech Ltd., Hi-Heat Furnace Industrial co., Sheng Shu Metal Company.

Hou Chuia Biopharm Co. Ltd., Groovy Technology Corp., Chea Hwae Enterprise Corp. Ltd., Windfloweres Technology Co., Ginkgomed Company, Apex Precision Technology Corp, Jicond Foods Corp Ltd., Are Sheng Industry Corp. Ltd., Taiwan Am Corp., Ltd., and Conveyor Transmission System.

With Bohol still on the construction upswing, attendance to the mission would allow the local DTI to see the latest products and its capability for them to be guided in the regulatory and quality standards of the government on consumer products. (racPIABohol)

Two runners from here successfully proved that running in Bohol is first a business for Boholanos.

Making their presence felt in the recently concluded The NorthFace (TNF) Thrill of the Trail in Danao Bohol last September 12, Boholanos Reg Edsel Mortejo of DelaPaz Cortes and Archie Ecabande of the Divine Word Outdoors Club finished second and third in the 11 kilometer endurance race following the challenging trails mapped by organizers.

Mortejo clocked 1:18:17 seconds while Ecabande crossed the 11 k finish line a minute later at 1:19:50 after maneuvering the wet and slippery trails from the town hall to the eco-adventure park.

Winning the 11 k race was veteran Cebuano runner and University of Cebu athletics coach Jeppy Lumongsod at 1:13:30.

In the 22 k trail race, Charlie Berbiero clocked in at 1:49.50 seconds before Paul James Zafico, another Cebuano veteran distance runner who came second at 2:01:78. Third to cross the line after a gruelling 22K race was Marcela Merano at 2:05:32 seconds.

Participated in by some 500 professional and amateur runners from the Visayas and Luzon, Danao Trail is the last of TNF trail races that were held in Batangas, Nuvali Eco-Village in Laguna and Cagayan de Oro.

The trail presented several mad scrambles skirting the hills, past slimy rice paddies and weaving through the lush green fields after crossing rivers that made practically every runner swearing.

The NorthFace Thrill of the Trail in Bohol was the toughest, most challenging and yet the best in the series, may agreed.

With a little over 500 runners scrambling for 11 and 22 kilometer trails, the trails weaves through the rural sceneries, while the challenge was even made tougher with a rain that soaked the trail the previous night, participants admitted.

Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga said he has committed to making his town reap the premiums of eco-adventure which his team has relatively been very successful in the past.

Coming strong as a leaders in adventure tourism in the region now, Gonzaga said they would not stop making the park the best of all outdoor experiences.

Up in the next few months would be another thrill ride he calls: ex-anity.

The mayor excitedly explained that “Ex-anity” as opposed to insanity would be a very long zipline that would test one’s extreme levels of insanity.

Danao has successfully operated the sui-slide: a zipline that borders on the suicide and the Plunge, which is basically the hit adventure through canyon swing. (racPIABohol)

Cebu Pacific Air offers Malaysia, Brunei seat sale as low as P999

P499-P999 Cagayan de Oro seats also up for grabs

Your low-fare airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) joins forces with Tourism Malaysia in promoting Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu by offering a special Malaysia ‘Go Lite’ seat sale as low as P999. This offer starts now until October 3, 2010 or until seats last, for travel from November 15-January 31, 2011.

For the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale of only P999, you can travel direct from Manila to Kota Kinabalu. We are also offering P1,499 ‘Go Lite’ seats from Manila to Brunei, a low fare alternative to get to this part of the State of Sabah.

Our Manila-Kuala Lumpur seats are up for grabs for the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of P1,999.

Test the rapids of Cagayan de Oro because you can fly from Cebu for P499 ‘Go Lite’ and via Manila for only P999 ‘Go Lite’!

We've also launched our first online game, "Catch & Fly"  to promote the many ways you can pay for your flight bookings. Play the difficult level and get a chance to win a round-trip ticket to any domestic destination.

The Shanghai Expo 2010 has made history and set new standards for World Expo, said the Secretary-General of the International Expositions Bureau (BIE) on Friday.

Vicente Loscertales, Secretary-General of the BIE made the remark in his speech delivered at the ceremony for the China National Pavilion Day.

He said, "You have achieved new records: a record number of participants, a record number of visitors, and you have built the largest site ever."

Loscertales said, "China has been able to fully interpret and to put into practice the core values of education, innovation, cooperation which are the foundation on which an Expo develops its legacy."

Loscertales commended China's openness to the world and cooperation with BIE. He also said the overwhelming success of Shanghai Expo 2010 will inspire future hosts of World Expos.

Further, he applauded the "extraordinary ability" of all the municipal, provincial and governmental departments to "manage, coordinate and communicate against a backdrop of extreme complexity and permanent uncertainty."

"In this sense, Expo Shanghai 2010 is possibly the largest operation in Expo history," he added.

As the first such global event hosted by a developing country in the history of the World Expo, Shanghai Expo has enjoyed participants form 246 countries and international organizations and more than 100 foreign leaders and nearly 60 million Chinese and foreign visitors in the past five months. (PNA/Xinhua)

Japan's key consumer price index fell 1.0 percent in August from a year earlier for the 18th straight month of decline, the government said Friday, signaling that Japan remains under the pressure of deflation as it struggles to fight back the yen's rise.

But the pace of decline in the core nationwide CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, contracted from the 1.1 percent fall the previous month partly due to rise in electricity bills.

The headline reading was in line with the average market forecast in a Kyodo News survey. The index stood at 99.1 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said in a preliminary report. (PNA/Kyodo)

The price â€" "P785 net per person" â€" is not the only advantage if you stay at The Orange Place Hotel in Quezon City or San Juan. What sensible tourists will also get here are comfortable furnished rooms with useful amenities, plus the strategic location of being near major transport terminals and business districts.

The convenience is evident since The Orange Place Hotel in West Kamias, Quezon City is near the transportation terminals located in Edsa. Add to that, it is near the Quezon City business district, just 30 minutes from Makati, an hour away from the airport, 10 minutes from the bus terminals in Cubao, and a block away from the MRT-Kamuning station. The hotel is just 20 minutes away from UP Diliman, the Elliptical Road where various government offices are located, and medical centers/ hospitals such as The Lung Center, Heart Center and V. Luna.

On the other hand, The Orange Place Hotel in Santolan Road, San Juan, is very near the Greenhills Commercial Center. It is also near the "computer district" of Gilmore and the Ortigas Center which is a gateway to the north such as Antipolo, and Morong. It is also near the MRT-Gilmore station.

The Orange Place strives to provide "comfort you can afford" with excellent service and affordable rooms for as low as P785 per person per night (based on twin sharing) that comes with complimentary breakfast. This is why a steady stream of sensible businessmen, who come from the provinces or abroad, has been arriving regularly. There’s even a promo discount of 10 percent for those who will stay for seven days and 15 percent discount for a minimum of 15 days stay.

Businessmen also don’t need to look for another venue if they need to hold important meetings, seminars, or workshops. The Orange Place in Kamias offers function rooms that can accommodate a small group â€" perfect for brainstorming, reviews, or intimate gatherings.

The Orange Place Hotel provides ample parking space and 24-hour security. Amenities include fully air-conditioned rooms, cable TV, and restaurant service. A free Wi-Fi makes it very convenient for guests who want to work on their laptops.

The Orange Place Hotel is located at 26 Kamias Road, West Kamias, Quezon City and at 312 Santolan Road corner J. Abad Santos, San Juan. For more information and reservation, call 926-8985 or 425-1398 (QC) or 726-6712 to 13 (San Juan) or visit Web site at www.champhostel.com.

In Verdana, Alveo Land’s residential enclave in the south, every family can still experience the old comforts of home while maintaining an urban-like lifestyle.

In the recent "Heart at Home" event at Verdana, guests were given a day to indulge themselves in the place that spells love, beauty and happiness â€" a home.

"Coming from a very religious culture, it’s tradition for most families to go start their family day by going to church that’s why we made it a must that our guests have that option," said Glenna Galupo, senior manager for Project Development of Alveo Land. "Likewise, Verdana sits near Nuvali â€" Ayala Land’s largest, master-planned integrated community that is set to become the urban metropolis of the South, giving it close proximity to not only churches, but also to commercial establishments like Alabang Town Center and Paseo de Sta. Rosa as well."

The event also featured a cooking demonstration by chef Tricia Ignacio-Fragante of Sacocina. Guests, especially the kids, also had a chance to show their creativity through their original works of art in the Crystal Lamination Art activity.

Future Verdana residents will enjoy easy access to a range of fully completed amenities that are immediately available upon moving to its intimate neighborhood. "There is the vast two-hectare Central Park with green open spaces and pocket parks for weekend family picnics. The Central Park also features sports and recreational venues for other leisure pursuits," explained Galupo. These include the grand clubhouse, swimming pools, basketball and badminton courts, biking and jogging trails, a kiddie playground and the pavilion.

For more information, visit www.verdanamamplasan.com.ph, e-mail info@alveosales.com.ph or call 848-5100.

Moldex offers collegiates the ideal student residence at the heart of Manila with The Grand Towers. A luxury condo development, The Grand Towers offers two 47-floor skyscrapers filled with features and amenities well-suited for students at an address that is both safe and convenient.

The centrally-located property is only a stone’s throw away from premier universities like the De La Salle University, the College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica’s College. That, along with its proximity to the LRT, makes commuting to school a quick, stress-free experience.

After a long day of classes at the university, students can then relax at their plush, well-appointed rooms. The Grand Towers offers luxurious studio rooms and one to two bedroom units. Concierge and housekeeping services, 24 hour security and four whole floors dedicated for parking are also provided for the resident’s safety and convenience. The Grand Towers also provides for the student’s academic needs with a Wi-Fi equipped study room.

Recreational areas are also provided to help students achieve a balanced lifestyle. They have fully equipped fitness center, outdoor fitness station, outdoor swimming pool, lap pool, health walk, landscaped garden, spa and outdoor whirlpool.

For more information, call 528-1249 or 522-2675.

A condominium-hotel in Baguio City with 366 units of comfy studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, enough to accommodate a large number of guests now stands at the exact location where the famous 19th Tee restaurant once stood. Called the Camp John Hay Suites, it boasts of a 360 degree panoramic view of a lush mountainous pine forest and that of the Jack Niklaus designed 18-hole championship golf course with a challenging par 69 at 5001 yards from the tips.

Live your dream by having a piece of heaven on earth. The Camp John Hay Suites Condotel has leaseback units where you can enjoy 30 room nights allocation for free, at the same time generate a dividend of 100 percent share from the net income of the Hotel operations. They also have non-Leaseback units where you can just sit back, relax, and simply spoil yourself with five star-class amenities and world class services.

For more information about investment opportunities, you may call 637-6966, e-mail cjhmarketing@campjohnhay.com.ph or visit www.campjohnhay.com.ph.

Milo recently renewed its partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). For the past 23 years, Milo and the POC have enjoyed a robust and healthy partnership that continues to benefit sports in the grassroots level, helping athletes to harness their skills and realize their fullest potentials. Gracing the contract signing were (from left) Nestlé AVP and Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-ong, POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. with (standing from left) Milo sports and PR executive Lester Castillo, POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros and Milo sports executive Andrew Neri.

Sales of locally assembled vehicles declined three percent in the first half to 59,910 units from 61,632 units a year ago, Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (Campi) figures released yesterday showed.

Campi president Elizabeth Lee said despite the quarter on-year drop in sales, sales grew by 4.4 percent in June from the same period in 2008. June sales have reached 10,909 units.

"We are thankful that the local auto sales are holding up and continue to register some growth month on month, even amid the global crisis and considering the negative performance of auto sales in the west and even in Asean," Lee explained.

The on-month positive performance was mainly due to the stability of the banking sector amid the global crisis and the financing environment fairly healthy.

"Support for auto sales should continue as buyers are able to get loans to finance their purchases. Another key factor sustaining vehicle sales is the OFW remittances which managed to grow by 2.6 percent even with the global crisis," he said.

Lee added that with over $16 billion expected from remittances and the fact that two out of three households are supported by the remittances of Filipino working abroad, car sales should remain fairly stable with continued month on month growth to be seen in the next half of the year. The forecast for this year remains tempered toward at least a flat growth, Lee said.

Auto players remain optimistic on better performance in the next half of the year.

Sales are supported by sustained growth in the Pasenger car segment as well as the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, both of which continue to see growth in sales.

Total Passenger Car (PC) sales so far were 21,375 with a 1.2 percent growth for the month of May.

Commercial Vehicle (CV) sales, meanwhile, has 38,535 units sold, still taking up the bulk of total vehicles sold nationwide with a 64.3 percent market share.

LCVs which comprise the popular pick up trucks, vans, and compact wagons, continue to pull sales up with a remarkable 12.8 percent growth selling 23,298 units thus far.

Sales in this segment continue to grow due to the continued entrepreneurship trend where buyers look to invest in vehicles that give them the best value for their money, vehicles which serve a dual purpose.

New model launches and continued aggressive promotions sustained the growth in the PC segment. June sales registered a 1.2 percent growth while year to date, PC sales grew by 1.8 percent. Total PC sales are 21,375 cars sold nationwide. PC sales are seen to maintain growth in the coming months.

CV sales grew by 6.2 percent compared to May which reflects the buying public’s preference for multipurpose vehicles that offer more value for money and can be used both for personal and business purposes. - source: Philippine Tribune

PEOPLE V. SEVILLA
December 8, 1999

The accused raped his 14 yr. old daughter.  He started making sexual advances when she was
6 and finally had sexual intercourse with her 8 yrs. later.   Appellant questions the credibility of
the victim's testimony since it took 8 yrs. before she complained of his acts.

HELD:
Guilty. The fact that Myra did not complain to her mother or her aunts about the sexual abuses
committed by her father against her for eight long years, is of no moment. Myra, who was of a
very   tender   age  when   the   horrible   events   in   her   life   began   to   unfold,   could   have,  in  all probability,  been confused and bewildered by her  experience  that   for  more  than half  of  her
young life, she was shocked into utter insensibility. Furthermore, a rape victim’s testimony is entitled to greater weight when she accuses a close relative of having raped her, as in the case of a daughter against her father.

PEOPLE V. TUMARU
December 2,  1999
The accused shot and killed a municipal councilor and OIC in Kalinga Apayao. The prosecution
was based on 12-yr. old Miguel's testimony as he saw the crime occur. Found guilty of murder,
they appealed saying that the judge erred in not holding witness Miguel's testimony as biased
and imputing motive to the accused without any evidence.

HELD:
Proof of motive is not crucial where the identity of the accused has been amply established. 
Witness Miguel's testimony was sufficient to convict the accused.   The testimony of minors of
tender age will suffice  to convict a person of  a crime as  long as it  is credible.   The fact   that
Miguel eventually stayed with one of the victim's widows does not prove bias.   It is but natural
for the bereaved family to be concerned about the safety of the lone witness.  The concern for
the victim does not make him biased or unreliable.

PEOPLE V. CLEMENTE
October 13, 1999
Complainant was selling balut in front  of Lanai beerhouse when she met accused. They had sexual intercourse in friend's house.

Issue: Whether or not there was rape?

Supreme Court Decision: No.

In rape cases alleged to have been committed by force, it is imperative for the prosecution to
establish  that   the element  of  voluntariness on the part  of  the victim  to be absolutely lacking.
Testimony inexorably shows that complainant obviously consented to the sexual act which was
done not only once but twice. No woman would meekly give in to a sexual intruder where her
life is not in serious jeopardy.

NEC and TCO Certified have announced that the NEC MultiSync EA222WMe has become the first to receive the TCO Certified Edge award for groundbreaking achievements in environmental design.

The award was presented to recognize NEC’s achievement in eliminating halogens, a proven hazard to human health and the environment.

Since 1995, the worldwide TCO certification has been dedicated to reducing and eliminating the use of halogens and other hazardous substances in electronics.

Halogenated substances have been used as an inexpensive and simple fire retardant in electronics, textiles and other everyday products for many years. They are also commonly used as a “plasticizer” in many products, giving the product a softer, pliable character.

The environmental and health problems with halogens lie in their stability and persistence. They don’t degrade when disposed of but are actually shown to remain in plants, animals and humans, for example in fat and breast milk. It has also been shown to adversely affect hormonal function, potentially causing fertility problems. - source: PRWEB

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the
strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done
better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the
great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a
worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if
he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall
never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor
defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

Diwa Learning Systems opens this year’s search for young creative writers entitled "Wordworks." WordWorks 2009: The Diwa National Creative Writing Competition aims to nurture young English writers. The competition has two major categories: the Abracadabra Poetry Writing Contest for the grade school level, and the Magica Essay Writing Contest for high school students. With the theme for this year’s creative writing contest is "I Dream of a Better Philippines," contestants must write a poem or essay looking forward to a positive future in anticipation of the 2010 elections. The entries must be original and unpublished works. A letter from the teacher or class adviser must accompany the entry to certify that the works are original. The competition is open to all Diwa’s Scholastic Enhancement Material (SEM) subscribers of "Abracadabra" and "Magica." Three winners will be chosen nationwide and the works will be judged based on creativity, content and poetry or writing mechanics. All entries should be submitted to Diwa Learning Systems, 4/F Sedcco 1 Bldg., 120 Thailand corner Legaspi streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Entries may also be submitted via e-mail to wordworks@diwamail.com or through a Diwa representative servicing the school. Magica is an excellent source for learning English grammar and literary pieces for high school students. Abracadabra is the most widely read English subject magazine for grade school. For details and detailed mechanics about the contest, visit www.diwalearningtown.com.

The intensified campaign of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) against foreign fugitives netted its latest catch with the arrest of a Chinese who is wanted by the government in Beijing for fraud and swindling.

Arrested last July 3 by operatives of the BI intelligence division was Guo Zhao Fu a.k.a. Suu Zhenping, 44, who was turned over to the newly created BI Interpol unit tasked to run after foreign fugitives.

Guo was collared inside an apartment near the SM Mall in Sta. Mesa Manila and brought to the BI jail in Bicutan where he is presently detained pending deportation proceedings.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan described the fugitive’s arrest as another proof of the immigration bureau’s resolve to cleanse the country of wanted foreign criminals who have sought refuge here to evade prosecution and conviction for their crimes.

Immigration Associate Commissioner Enrique Galang Jr. disclosed the arrest of Guo was done upon the request of the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

Galang said the embassy’s police attachè informed the BI that Guo had used a tampered Chinese passport under the name of Sun Zhenping when he entered the country last February to conceal his real identity.

"His passport was already cancelled by the Chinese government, thus he is now an undocumented alien," Galang added.

According to lawyer Fraizal Hussin, BI intelligence chief, Guo was charged with fraud before the Changchun Provincial Public Security Bureau in Jilin, China in April last year.

Hussin said the fugitive gained notoriety as a professional swindler as he was able to entice many of his victims to invest their money in an enterprise that turned out to be fictitious.

Hussin also bared that Guo had traveled in and out of the Philippines at least five times since 2006 until April 2008 using his original passport and that his last arrival was last February 28 when he used his altered passport. Conrado Ching, Philippine Tribune

It seems practically common to find most auto companies to come up with their own version of eco-friendly transport alternatives for daily commuting. But an eco-friendly supercar?

Well it seems that latest car manufacturer to consider such a move is McLaren Automotive. After sighting a job posting, McLaren seems to be leaning towards developing a hybrid car of its own.

The job posting for a hybrid Senior Engineer and an electric engineer seems to have spurred the possible entry of an eco-friendly supercar from the famed supercar maker. The potential candidate will be tasked to work on a concept, design and develop the electrical package and wiring system for a new hybrid electric vehicle.

To add more fire to this rumor, Mclaren Automotive has revealed that they are no longer going to be a one-vehicle automaker. They plan to release five new vehicles over the next five years and from the looks of it, at least one will be powered by a hybrid system. - brian yalung, manila bulletin

Electric cars are making their move to provide motorists an eco-friendly means of transportation but apparently some fine-tuning is still needed. And among them include the Ford Focus which seems to be having some issues as far as the lithium-ion support it turns to for power.

However, it looks like Ford will be changing all that when the all-new Ford Focus debuts later this year in the United States. It will still be powered by a lithium-ion battery system that will now use cooled and heated liquid to regulate the battery's temperature.

This means that potential Ford Focus owners will no longer have to worry about battery life and limitations as far as their point of destination and travel time is concerned.

Thanks to a more aggressive thermal management system, Ford was able to come up with a more complex lithium-ion battery technology which should render better motoring the eco-friendly way. - manila bulletin

By Ed Mahilum

The local government of Caloocan City declared Sunday that the city is now "100 percent smoke-free" as it implemented Republic Act 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act.

To implement the program, the Caloocan City government will hold a summit conference aimed at informing the public or the city's residents how serious the government is in implementing the law, RA 9211.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri said that the summit conference will be held at the Caloocan City Hall on Sept. 7, 2010.

Among those invited to attend the conference include city council, barangay heads, department heads, school officials and members of the local tobacco control council.

The adverse effects of smoking to one’s health, and the different aspects of the local government’s anti-smoking program, will be tackled in the conference.

Echiverri expects that they would be able to reach different sectors during the summit wherein they would be able to tell them about the bad effects of the tobacco to smokers and non-smokers as well.

Aside from the mayor, speakers during the summit conference include; Dr. Raquel So-Sayo of the city health department; Atty. Rowena Daroy Morales of the UP College of Law; and other representatives from different organizations.

At the same time, the local chief executive is optimistic that the ongoing implementation of R.A. 9211 would help the city government in its campaign to soften the effect of global warming, and the Metro Manila Development Authority's campaign in keeping the air clean.

By Brian Yalung

BMW joins the elite cast of car manufacturers going green as they gear up to release their eco-friendly hybrid electric cars in Korea next year.

This will be the 320d EfficientDynamics edition which was unveiled during an event in Korea last Thursday.

Once out, the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition will be the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Korea.

The said eco-friendly vehicle emits 109 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer traveled and needs only 4.1 liters of fuel for a distance of 100 kilometers.

This means the car boasts of 24.4 kilometers per liter.

Efficient Dynamics refers to BMW’s project aimed at improving the efficiency of conventional vehicles and making them more environmentally friendly.

Hyundai continues its drive to provide eco-friendly vehicles for consumers with the unveiling of the Hyundai BlueON.

The BlueON is an electric-powered vehicle that can reach top speeds of 130 KMH and a range of 140KM which should make is suitable for use in highways.

Hyundai’s BlueON is based on the company’s small hatchback i10 which first gained attention during the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2009.

For charging, the BlueON can be juiced up using dual-recharging methods; through a 220V household power outlet or a 380V industrial-strength power.

The Hyundai BlueON can be charged inside 6 hours while the 380V quick charge method can charge the said vehicle to about 80 percent within 25 minutes.

An additional highlight for the BlueON is that it comes armed with a Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS), an artificial sound that is created to warn pedestrians when the vehicle is approaching.

Hyundai plans to manufacture about 2,500 units of this vehicle by the end of 2012.

By BRIAN YALUNG, Manila Bulletin

There are a lot of eco-friendly cars coming out in the market, the last of which was the BMW hybrid electric cars we reported some days back.

Now, it is the turn of Hyundai Motors as it announces the coming of their hydrogen-powered car set to come out by 2012.

The Hyundai vehicles are the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEV). Hyundai plans to sell around 1,000 units in 2013 and 10,000 come 2015.

Details on the technology that will power these hydrogen-powered cars are still unclear for now.

However as most companies leaning towards green transport solution, the main focus seems to be for vehicles that will make use alternative fuel sources for personal consumer or commercial use.

By Igor Serebryany

Russia's struggling car industry has been at the forefront of government thinking recently, with its future the subject of discussion by the country's leaders.

This week, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the city of Nizhni Novgorod, where one of the largest car plants is located, vowing to keep the industry afloat.

Analysts, though, warn Russia's ill-fortuned car industry cannot rely on government sponsorship indefinitely. To upgrade, or to die, that's the tough situation.

STAYING ALIVE

Experts say the car industry in Russia will go into a nose-dive the day after the government stops supporting it.

This is the why the Kremlin would not leave the battered national auto makers on their own in the foreseeable future, the editor-in-chief of Russia's oldest car magazine Za Rulem (Behind the Wheels), Igor Morgaretto, told Xinhua.

"The car industry has been a favorite child of Vladimir Putin, and so this sector enjoys favorable treatment compared to the other sectors of the Russian economy," Morgaretto said.

Putin openly demonstrated his support when he chose Avtovaz's Lada Kalina model for his widely televised journey throughout the Russian Far East last month. The bright yellow hatchback the PM drove for 2650 km has become a symbol of his trust in the industry's bright future and a hint the authorities would not abandon car makers in their miserable situation.

PR Web - Safety should always be the top priority of any car manufacturer.

That seemed to be the driving force that Hyundai Motors â€" the top selling diesel passenger vehicle manufacturer in New Zealand â€" imbibed unto its design and engineering teams when it penned the blue print for the ix35 â€" Hyundai’s 4-wheel drive compact sports-utility vehicle (SUV).

The sleek and muscular ix35 was recently given a five-star safety rating by the Euro NCAP, a known European safety tester, making it the third Hyundai brainchild to bag the said citation after the i30 hatchback and the i20 supermini.

The ix35 received a class-leading score of 88 percent for child occupants, scoring well in tests with both 18-month-old and threeâ€"year-old dummies. The test score for adult occupants was 90%, and the safety assist features earned a score of 71%.

Electronic stability control, standard on all Hyundai models in New Zealand, and a seatbelt reminder system played a key role in the ix35’s score in the safety assist category.

Hyundai’s focus on vehicle safety was highlighted with high scores in the front and rear impact tests, with a stable compartment providing good protection in the event of a crash.

In America, the ix35 previously received the highest marks on all test categories, including the new category of roof strength in a rollover, in a recent test by the highly-respected Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

“Drivers in America and particularly Europe have very high demands, of course,” commented Tom Ruddenklau.

“Hyundai’s world-leading design and engineering teams at the European R&D centre created the ix35 as a vehicle to match those expectations, and New Zealanders are enjoying the benefits.”

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
Manila Bulletin

Pokwang turned emotional during the press conference for her upcoming concert when queried about the forthcoming exit of Kris Aquino from “Pilipinas Win na Win.”

"Kung puwede nga lang, huwag nang mag-Friday," she said, pertaining to Kris’ last day on the show on Oct. 1. "Mami-miss ko siya nang bonggang-bongga. Araw-araw kong sinasabi ko sa kanya 'yan."

Pokwang and Kris have long been friends, but the comedienne said that “Win na Win” allowed them to forge a stronger bond.

"Mas lumalim ang pagmamahalan namin ngayon bilang magkaibigan. In fairness naman talaga sa kanya, siya talaga ang nag-reach out sa amin. Kasi, ‘di ba, Kris Aquino, napakalaking tao. Ayaw niya na maramdaman naming gano'n. So, siya talaga ang nag-effort na mapalapit kami sa kanya. Although alam naman niya na love na love ko siya," related Pokwang.

Prior to Kris, controversial sweethearts Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez bid the show goodbye, albeit temporarily, as they said. Kris, for her part, was “asked to leave,” as per her Twitter post.

Pokwang will continue her hosting chores on the show together with Valerie Concepcion and four new hosts: Nonoy Zuniga, Rey Valera, Marco Sison and Rico J. Punoâ€"also known as the Hitmakers. The four will begin hosting on Oct. 4 (and not on Oct. 2 as previously announced by ABS-CBN).

Although “Win na Win” has only been on the air for two months, it has undergone timeslot and staff changes. The show is also said to be suffering low ratings and is criticized for failing to be at par with its predecessor, “Wowowee.”

Pokwang pleaded with the public to give the show a chance at it is still in its initial phase.

"Ang ‘Wowowee’ noong nag-umpisa, hindi gano'n kabongga. Kahit na anong show, hindi paglabas agad niyan kumakwarenta [sa ratings]. Ang importante dito ay 'yong bigyan kami ng chance. Huwag munang husgahan, ‘di ba? Wala naman po kaming masamang hangarin. Gusto lang namin na masaya sa tanghali.

“Ang hirap kasi kapag inuunahan natin ng husga. Kapag naging okay naman, katakut-takot na papuri naman," she related.

South Korea's trade surplus reached over US$ 5 billion in September, the eighth month in a row that the balance has stayed in the black, a government report showed Friday.

Exports gained 17.2 percent from a year ago to $ 39.75 billion last month with imports rising 16.7 percent to $ 34.74 billion, the report by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said. (PNA/Yonhap)

By Angie M. Rosales

09/30/2010

The Senate uncovered what is likely another diversion scam from the Department of Agriculture (DA) budget similar to the P728-million fertilizer fund anomaly but this time by a far bigger amount of P5 billion that should have been earmarked for farm-to-market road projects but instead was suspected to have been used as campaign money during the last elections.

“These are releases which appear to be election-related, like the fertilizer scam (in 2004), the funds were released to RFUs (regional field units). This is questionable since the releases were made in only two days, Feb. 22 and March 23, 2010, over P4.86 billion spread out in 13 regional offices of DA,” Senate finance committee chairman Sen. Franklin Drilon said.

We will try to find out where these funds went, said to be for farm-to-market roads and various infrastructure projects, Drilon added.

“Sen. (Juan Miguel) Zubiri, during the hearing, did bring out the fact that there were apparently dealers and brokers who would offer these amounts to the LGUs with certain cuts and certain commissions.

According to Zubiri, he brought this to the attention of the officialdom of DA at that time but nothing was done. He brought it to the attention, according to him, of (then) Secretary (Arthur) Yap,” Drilon told reporters in a press conference after hearing the proposed 2011 budget of the DA.

Zubiri, during the said proceedings, demanded a detailed accounting of all infrastructure funding of the DA for the past three years after citing a Commission on Audit (CoA) report that for farm to market projects alone, P5.2 billion were not “efficiently and effectively implemented.”

“I would request your department to submit to this committee before plenary the complete list of farm to market roads that were given out in the last three years, the complete list, exact locations so that we can do an inventory of all these projects,” Zubiri told Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the hearing.

“The CoA cited irregularities on FMR (farm-to-market roads) worth over P37 million and there are several of them,” he added.

The senator has in his possession affidavits from several mayors of different provinces claiming that they were approached by fixers in the department to push for such projects from which the fixers want to collect 30 percent in cash from the project cost.

The DA has allotted a total of P2.5 billion for repair and rehabilitation and construction of FMR for 2011 or a 61.86 percent reduction from P6.554 billion in 2010.

“If we want to improve the performance of our agriculture sector we must weed out corruption in the implementation of infrastructure projects which has been the milking cow of unscrupulous officials of the past administrations,” Zubiri warned.

Zubiri said senators have managed to secure documents indicating the release of funds amounting to P3.6 billion last Feb. 22 to various RFUs and another P1.24 billion on March 23.

“This is a little unusual because in that short period of time, at least P4.8 billion was released to the RFUs. We will be looking closely into this and what projects were executed pursuant to this because these are very vague descriptions,” he said.

“It simply requests the issuance of advice of sub-allotments to DA-RFUs for the implementation of other infrastructure projects. I wish to emphasize that these funds were already in the DA and that is why it is now the issuance of what they call sub-allotment advice. There were already SAROs (special allotment release order) released for this previously,” he added.

The P3.6 billion was taken from the GMA Rice Program for calendar year 2010, under SARO No. 10-0000432 dated last Feb. 10.

“In other words, the amount was released to the DA by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) last Feb. 10 and again on Feb. 22, these were cascaded to the RFUs. Similarly, the amount of P1.24 billion again was under the GMA Rice Program for calendar year 2010 for capital outlay which means infrastructure, this was covered by SARO No. E-10-001302 dated March 17 2010,” he said.

“So there was apparently haste in immediately cascading these funds to the RFUs. We still have to look into this because it appears that there are very uneven distributions,” according to Zubiri.

Zubiri cited as an example, allotment for Region 6, which is a rice-producing region, of P288 million but for ARMM, P436 million was released. Similarly, on March 22, in Region 12, P267.6 million was released to the RFUs,” Drilon said. - Philippine Tribune

The wheels have started to turn for the legalization of the illegal numbers racket.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada yesterday initiated the move to legalize jueteng in the country and immediately gained the support of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Some senators are keeping an open mind on the proposition to make the illegal numbers game to be soon regulated and placed under the sole control

and supervision of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) while others have openly brooked their opposition to any move to legalize or even regulate jueteng. - Tribune

In a bid to make President Aquino bow to the Catholic bishops’ stand against the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill that will have government providing contraceptives to those who choose to utilize the artificial method in cutting down the size of their families, though “responsible parenthood,” the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag, Surigao del Sur yesterday, in an interview with Catholic radio station Veritas, threatened Aquino with a possible excommunication if he continues to be firm on his stand on family planning through choice. - Philippine Tribune

Sun Star: USA ka estudyante ang nagpakamatay pinaagi sa paghikog tungod sa kauwaw human siya gikasab-an sa ilang school principal sa alas 6:30 sa gabii niadtong Miyerkules.

Ang biktima mao si Hardie Niño Escalante, 17, 4th year student sa Mabini National High School ug nagpuyo sa Barangay Sibulan, distrito sa Toril, siyudad sa Davao.

Base sa blotter sa San Pedro Police Station, ang biktima nasiplatan sa iyang igsuon nga si Rancel Escalante nga nagbitay sa door jam sa ilang balay didto sa Monfort Avenue, Circumferential Road, Barangay 19-B Poblacion, ning siyudad.

Si Rancel nangayo dayon og police assistance aron tabangon ang iyang igsuon kinsa nagbitay gamit ang duha ka bakus nga gihigot sa iyang liog.

Nabadbaran lamang ang biktima dihang miabot ang mga sakop sa kapulisan uban sa mga paramedics sa Central 911.

A mother of a two-year-old child hanged herself to death Wednesday morning inside the house of her live-in partner in Purok 7, Barangay Gabi, this town.

The victim, identified as one Melly Duhaylungsod, 25, of Guindulman town, lived with one Francisco Ulan, 22, single, of said barangay after meeting each other only in September 2003. Her child was born by another man.

Dr. Elpidio Bonita, chief of hospital of Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital here, who conducted the post-mortem examination, theorized that the victim may have hanged herself at early dawn and died instantly.

The live-in partner Ulan told the Chronicle, that at about 5:30 p.m. the day before, they were going to see a quack therapist (manghihilot) for the victim's child's sprain. Along the way, he asked the victim if she had with her the money to pay for the said services. But the victim, accordingly, retorted and was irked when deciding to forego their purpose and immediately went back home.

Ulan said the victim locked-up the house with her child, leaving him outside.

He further recalled that everytime they had altercations, the victim had the attitude to lock the house. However, this time he did not insist of entering, accordingly, to avoid further trouble and he stayed overnight at his sister's home nearby.

Early that morning when he was beside his house he heard the child wailing loudly which prompted him to forcibly open the window. Much to his consternation, he found out his depressed live-in wife hanging by a rope tied to a wooden truss.

Meanwhile, neighbors and some relatives of the victim would describe the latter as a jolly woman and not a loner, nor had she shown any sign of desperation. - source: Bohol Chronicle

Police do not discount the possibility of an inside job following the loss of more than P200,000 of a lady overseas worker.

Julieta Cañete Baga, 22, single, of Barangay Casate this town told police probers that when she woke up early Monday dawn, the travelling bag containing her earnings abroad was nowhere to be found. Accordingly, it was placed at her bedside while asleep with some close relatives.

Lost were Philippine money worth P75,000; 31 pieces of Japanese Yen bills with exchange value about P158,000; and jewelry worth P15,000.

The victim had just arrived from Japan working accordingly as a salesgirl.

Police investigator PO2 Luis Rotol said the emptied travelling bag was later recovered early in the morning on the same day along the national highway barely 500 meters away from the victim's residence.

Rotol also said they have already established identities of some suspects now under their surveillance.

Investigation further disclosed that the suspect gained entrance at the window of the victim's bedroom. Said window, accordingly, can easily be unlocked from outside. Moreover, outside and below the window are piles of sawn lumber, Rotol said.

The day before the loss, the victim hosted a welcome party with her relatives and friends. - Bohol Chronicle

Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco), South Korea's largest power firm, is looking at possible synergies in renewable energy with First Gen Corp. even as the Lopez firm has yet to approve its entry into the 1,500 megawatt Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo natural gas projects.

Kepco on Wednesday said it agreed to buy 40 percent stake in BG Group Plc's natural gas power plants in Batangas for US$ 400 million. First Philippine Holdings Corp. and First Gen owns the remaining 60 percent stake in the gas power plants.

First Philippine Holdings and First Gen, however, informed the Philippine Stock Exchange that the sale of BG's 40 percent stake to Kepco was still subject to their approval.

"Closing of the transaction is subject to receiving necessary waivers and consents from non-recourse lenders and First Philippine Holdings Corp.," First Gen and First Philippine Holdings told the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The Lopez companies said BG informed them that the US$ 400 million net consideration offered by Kepco was "subject to standard completion adjustments, including interest to be paid to BG Group upon closing, which is expected in the first quarter."

"First Philippine Holdings and First Gen are evaluating their rights and options in respect to BG's contemplated divestment of its interests in Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo," the companies said.

Kepco said they were keen to acquire the facilities because the natural gas power plants recorded stable sales based on 25-year power purchase agreements with Manila Electric Co., the largest electricity distribution company in the Philippines.

Kepco expects to "generate synergies from new business in the Philippines, which can be created in cooperation with First Gen."

"These could cover expansion of plants and renewable energy. Kepco looks forward to forming a mutually beneficial partnership with the Lopez Group," Kepco said.

Kepco said the acquisition of a stake in the natural gas power assets would also strengthen its position in the Philippine power industry.

"This transaction would enable Kepco to maintain around 10 percent market share in the Philippine power industry after the contract for the Malaya project expires next year," it said.

ING acted as Kepco’s financial advisor for the transaction.

First Gen officials earlier said a possible partnership with Kepco was "not feasible" because it was "not legally qualified" due to "conflict of interest."

First Gen president Giles Puno said Kepco was a competitor in the natural gas business because it operated the 1,200 MW Ilijan combined cycle power plant in Batangas.

“The issue... is that [we are] in potential conflict with the likes of Kepco,” he said.

Puno said Kepco would learn more about First Gen's future plans if it became the partner of the Lopez Group in the gas business.

First Gen and Kepco are both interested in the additional supply of gas from Malampaya.

First Gen wants to use the excess gas from Malampaya for the construction of a new gas power plant in Batangas while Kepco plans to use it to expand the Ilijan power plant.

“The issue that we are looking at is, for example, we have a gas expansion, is that in potential conflict? If we feel that it is potentially conflicting or if they could be construed as competitor, then certainly from our agreement, we may have a problem with that,” Puno said.

Kepco's power facilities in the Philippines has a capacity totaling 2,218 megawatts, or 10 percent of the country’s power generating market and 12 percent of the Luzon market. Kepco operates four power plants in the Philippines --the Malaya thermal plant, Ilijan combined cycle plant and two coal plants in Cebu. - source: PNA

The Philippines’ finance officials on Thursday announced the success of the domestic economy’s debt exchange as well as the large demand for its US$ 200 million worth of 10-year bond issued for cash offering.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said US$ 4.45 billion worth of bonds were submitted for exchange while bids for the bond due 2021 offered for cash were almost 10 times over-subscribed.

Bonds offered to be swapped are those maturing in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, January 2016, October 16, and in 2017 to be exchanged for newly-issued 10-year US dollar-denominated bond or the re-opened 2034.

Also, bonds maturing in January 2019, June 2019, September 2024, October 2024 and those due in 2025, 2030, and 2031 were offered to be swapped for bonds due 2034.

The government issued a total of US$ 4.48 billion worth of newly-issued 2021 bonds during the process - US$ 2.24 billion of which was issued in line with the global bond offering, US$ 2.04 billion for the debt swap, and US$ 200 million for the cash offering.

Purisima said the new 2021 bonds were priced at 99.248 percent, had a coupon rate of four percent and yield of 4.091 percent while the re-opened 2034 bonds had a coupon rate of 6.375 percent, priced at 114.879 percent and yield of 5.276 percent.

He is “very pleased with the impressive outcome of our bond exchange exercise” pointing out that “after a very well received issuance of the Philippine Peso Global Bonds, Asia's first local currency denominated global bonds a few weeks ago, we have once again generated overwhelming support from the investor community with their active participation to exchange their existing global bonds for longer duration.”

“This is another achievement for the government as we go full speed with our plans to effectively manage the government’s financial liabilities,” he said.

The government conducts debt swap to extend maturities of its existing securities as part of its move to manage debt profile.

“The results of the recently concluded bond exchange by the Republic is another milestone in our strategy to extend duration and pro-actively take advantage of the opportunities under the prevailing constructive market environment to realize savings" National Treasurer Roberto Tan said.

Citi, HSBC and UBS were tapped as Joint Dealer Managers and Joint Bookrunners for the transaction. (PNA)

The Iloilo City Cooperative Development Council (ICCDC) here has allotted some P2 million for the cooperatives' loans this year.

City councilor Lyndon Acap, chairman of the ICCDC said that the city has allotted the amount as financial assistance to the cooperatives. This amount which will be sourced through the ICCDC. The coop council will determine the amount which will be granted to the list of qualified cooperatives based on their projects and impact to livelihood.

Councilor Acap said that the P2 million is a great help for cooperatives to boost their enterprises and marketing. He also said that this is a great chance for coops to improve their products and services.

Last year, ICCDC has granted the Federation of Iloilo City Cooperatives (FEDICCO) some P1 million worth of financial assistance. FEDICCO then released some of the amount to its member cooperatives for their respective small business enterprise.

Councilor ACAP said that ICCDC will make sure that the financial assistance will be strictly audited to make sure that the funds are used properly.

He said interested coops that wish to avail of the financial assistance may proceed to his office at the city council.

Meanwhile, ICCDC is helping coops in the city to avail of livelihood loans and grants. It also conducts trainings and seminars to coops, as well as promote cooperatives for livelihood purposes.

Iloilo City has around 83 active and functioning cooperatives registered at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

October is the Cooperative Month.

This year's Cooperative Month celebration theme is “Towards a Shared Vision, One Co-op Movement, One Vision, One Nation.” (PNA)

Church burglars strike anew

DUERO - "I never expect our church would be burglarized, having someone sleeping nightly in the sacristy, at the back of the main altar."

This was the statement of the parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish here during the program, "Ang Katilingban sa Kinatibuk-an" over radio station DYZD in Ubay recently.

Said program, aired daily except Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. is sponsored by the Talibon Social Action.

Early Friday morning last week, while about to say the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Raymund Estillore and the parishioners noticed that both side altars were already empty.

Lost at the left-wing altar were the icons of Sta. Monica and St. Agustin, mother and son, respectively, said Fr. Estillore. Also nowhere at the right side were the images of Sta. Rita and St. Nicolas de Tolentino. All were believed taken by unidentified perpetrators.

Later, the footholds of the stolen saints were recovered outside the church.

Fr. Estillore further said that the missing items were not made of ivory but carved out of antique wood.

The parish priest added that there were thunderstorms the night before when the person sleeping in the said sacristy heard unusual sounds like a falling lumber. - Bohol Chronicle

By Donabelle Gatdula, Philippine Star

It was more than a century ago when the Filipinos' quest for freedom from Spain led to the establishment of the first Philippine government, the Pamaha-laan ng Sangkatauhan. The new government which was established in April 1897 had for its first Finance Minister Baldomero Aguinaldo.

The first finance director also became the first secretary of treasury under the Constitutional Republican government otherwise known as the Biak na Bato Republic. Other finance secretaries under this republic were Mariano Frias (from 1898-1899 under the Mabini cabinet) and Hugo Ilagan (1899 under the Paterno cabinet).

During that time, Finance had a very wide scope. It used to manage and supervise the budget of the entire government, tariff, justice, and banking sector. Also, was the Bureau of Treasury under DOF that issued money.

During the time of the American colonizers in 1901, the Department of Finance and Justice was formally organized by virtue of an act passed by the Civil Service Commission headed by William Howard Taft. Gregorio Araneta was the first Filipino appointed as secretary of Justice and finance.

It was in the hands of the Americans (1901 to 1934) that the Philippines learned to engage in free trade.

Another highlight of the American period was the passage of Reorganization Act No. 2666, which divided the Department of Finance and Justice into two independent departments.

A year later, the government introduced a budget system that called for the preparation of an annual budget based on income and expenditures estimates by various government agencies. The system was developed six years before the federal government of the United States had its own. Under the scheme, the Governor General would submit the prepared budget to the Philippine Legislature for approval.

This particular system is still being practiced up to now: the Executive Department through the Department of Budget and Management submits to Congress its proposed annual budget for approval.

In 1919, another significant piece of legislation was passed. It was the Philippine Legislature Act No. 2833 otherwise known as the "Philippine Income Tax Law." This also started the raising of revenues through collection of taxes.

During the Commonwealth era the government introduced various revenue-generating measures such as percentage tax to enhance its revenue collections.

In 1936, DOF functions related to the formulation and preparation of the National Government budget were transferred to the newly created Budget Commission. The preparation of income and resource estimates remained with the department.

Through Commonwealth Act No. 466, the National Internal Revenue Code was enacted in 1939.

During the Japanese occupation in 1942, the Japanese authorities imposed various sales and luxury taxes and printed Japanese war notes to finance government operations interrupted by war.

When the Central bank of the Philippines was created in January 1949, the banking supervision of the DOF was transferred to the newly formed CBP. Then DOF Secretary Miguel Cuaderno relinquished the Finance portfolio to Pio Pedrosa to serve full time as first CB governor.

During the post-war years, the DOF had revised the tax system. The Tax Commission was created and collection of unpaid taxes was intensified. The Bureau of Customs and Internal Revenues were reorganized. Dishonest and inefficient government employees were weeded out.

The passage of new tax measures such as increased tax rates on certain commodities and corporate income, and 17 percent tax on sale of foreign exchange helped achieve a balanced budget from 1952 to 1954.

The need for close coordination between monetary and fiscal policies was addressed by designating the finance secretary as chairman of the Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Central Bank.

During President Ramon Magsaysay's term, the DOF issued bonds of up to P1 billion to finance government projects. The result was a budget deficit which caused the Central Bank and DOF to implement monetary and fiscal measures such as trimming down expenditures to stabilize the economy. This marked the start of the Philippine economic boom-bust cycle.

In 1957, a new tariff act was passed implementing the policy of protected industrialization. Tariffs of up to 1000 percent were imposed on consumer and finished goods while lower tariffs were levied on industrial raw materials.

Two years later, the government pursued an overall stabilization program to curb the growing government deficits, which resulted from massive spending on the three-year economic development program that lasted from 1955 to 1958.

The National Government succeeded in stabilizing fiscal operations in 1960 with the imposition of a margin levy of not more than 40 percent on the sale of foreign exchange.

From 1970 to 1985, government policy turned increasingly interventionist. A study shows that from the 1940s to 1985, the Philippines shifted from a basically laissez faire economy to a public sector-oriented economy.

The government undertook in 1986 a tax reform package that introduced the value-added tax (VAT) system to replace the distortionary sales tax system. The reform packages also abolished all export taxes (except on logs), withdrew unnecessary tax and duty exemptions and replaced tax exemptions with subsidies for a more transparent tax system. The DOF also introduced an import-inspection scheme at major ports of entry to speed up customs inspection.

The Ramos regime was believed to have provided one of the best times for DOF. The government was able to start net repayments of the country's foreign and domestic debts. It was during the time of Ramos that the macroeconomic environment vastly improved after the Economic Stabilization Program of 1991 and 1992. The Philippines then returned to the international voluntary markets after more than a decade.

To sustain the momentum, revenue performance was boosted by the implementation of new revenue measures in 1993. In 1994, the documentary stamp taxes and the stock transaction tax were adjusted upward. The VAT was expanded to cover services replacing the complicated system of gross receipts taxes imposed on this sector.

In addition to these reforms, anti-tax evasion laws were passed including the increase in penalties and removal of restraints on the swift disposition of smuggling cases. The import inspection scheme conducted by SGS was made comprehensive, expanding its coverage to all ports and effectively removing the minimum value of import shipments for inspection. Arrangements were made with the judiciary to assign tax courts for the speedier disposition of tax cases. The BOC also computerized its major ports resulting in faster disposition of cargoes and assessment of tax liabilities.

In 1994, the National Government posted a budget surplus of P16.3 billion, the first in 20 years. The budget surpluses were sustained for the next three succeeding years.

What lies ahead towards the new millennium?

Major reforms are expected to be carried out after the DOF spearheaded the creation of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), a tax system that is simpler, less susceptible to the tax collector's discretion, broader in coverage, more equitable to taxpayers and neutral in resource allocation.

Government hopes to improve the efficiency of tax collection by further computerizing the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs, continuing the privatization program, introducing a medium-term expenditure framework and reducing the share of the budget going to government-owned and controlled corporations.

The National Government expects that budgetary transfers to local government units (LGUs) will be improved by enhancing the Internal Revenue Allotment formula, monitoring LGU funds, and rationalizing the LGU grant system.

Analysts say the future is bright for the Philippines. "We have started reforms to enhance revenue collection," they say, noting that the government is also veering away from expenditures that can be shouldered by the private sector.

The government intends to accumulate more surpluses rather than deficits, pay more debts and push for more structural reforms in trade, power, investment and financial sector.

By Conrado Diaz, Philippine Star

The debt-saddled Uniwide Group will dispose of over 13 hectares in land and building properties, including part of the ambitious Dreamworld project in Naic, Cavite, as part of its repayment scheme to bank creditors.

Among the real estate properties that will be turned over to United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) in the dacion en pago arrangement include a 3,111-square meter land with building structures in Tambo, Baclaran; a 14,529-sqm. land area in Calaanan, Caloocan City; and a 112,865-sqm. lot that would have formed the first phase of the development of Dreamworld, a theme park with commercial and amusement centers.

Uniwide, through its 98-percent subsidiary Uniwide Sales Realty and Resources Corp., has forged an agreement with UCPB, a major creditor in its more than P11 billion debt load, to settle P1.044 billion in loan through a dacion de pago involving these properties.

The agreement followed the sale of its convenience store chain, the Uniwide Family Stores, operated by its subsidiary First Paragon Corp. to I-Mart International Corp. for P145 million. This was the first action taken by Uniwide in line with its rehabilitation program overseen by a three-man receivership committee selected by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC has given the go-signal for the sale of one of Uniwide's prime assets, which was likewise approved by other major creditors Equitable-PCI Bank and Philippine Bank of Communications.

"The interest of FPC's creditors is best served with the proposed conversion of deteriorating assets into cash," the SEC said in its order.

Uniwide investor relations manager Susan Ligerade said while the sale of the store franchise effectively reduces the franchise revenues of the company, "there still remains four Uniwide family store franchises of Uniwide Holdings Inc., which are owned and operated by third party franchisees and from which UHI collects franchise fees."

By Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star

Anthony Villanueva, the country's first Olympic silver medalist, is down and almost out. He makes a small living as a boxing trainer in Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde's stable but it hardly puts enough food on the table.

So Villanueva, 54, is selling his Olympic medal for $26,000 or roughly P1 Million. He hopes to use the money to start a new life.

Villanueva lost to Stanislav Stepashkin on a highly-disputed split decision in the featherweight finals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He went on to post a forgettable 4-3 record as a pro then migrated to the US in 1976.

Life in the US wasn't easy. Villanueva worked as a cook in a Mexican restaurant in Massachusetts, as a security guard at the St. Vincent Medical Center in Staten Island and the Philippine Embassy in New York, and taught boxing in private gyms. He returned to Manila in 1988 and was part of the Philippine coaching staff at the Seoul Olympics. But without a guaranteed steady income, he went back to the US.

Villanueva picked up a P200,000 prize from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) as a reward for his 1964 feat last year. He says it took four visits to the PSC office before his check was finally issued.

Villanueva says he's not envious of Onyok Velasco who won the country's only other Olympic silver medal in 1996 but wonders why he's not as revered. Velasco receives a P7,000 lifetime monthly pension from the PSC -- Villanueva gets nothing.

"Iba ako kay Onyok," he says. "Hindi ko pa siya natatagpuan. Bakit siya lang ang nakakuha ng malaking biyaya? Ako rin may silver medal. Hindi siya nakatikim ng dugo sa laban. Noong lumaban ako sa Tokyo, wala kaming headgear at sugat-sugat ang aking mukha. Walang comparison kami ni Onyok."

Selling dates (buying period)     :     Sep 29 to Oct 1, 2010
Sailing dates (travel period)    :    Oct 15 to Dec 15, 2010

Available online only! Book and Buy through www.SuperFerry.com.ph,
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Something's wrong with our restaurants. They are offering unlimited rice. We Filipinos should reduce our reliance on rice and start embracing camote, gabi, ubi, etc.

Thanks BNC!
Correction: It's messenger, not manager. Sorry for the lapse.

CEBU, Philippines - Usa  ka tigulang babaye nga giingong nakasinati og nervous breakdown napalgang patay sulod sa payag nga gituohang naghikog sa miaging gabii sa bukirang bahin sa sitio Tabla, barangay Sudlon I, ning siyudad.

Si Antonia Villegas, 66, dalagang-ulay, napalgang patay sa iyang pag-umangkong si Jupel, 16, nga nagluhod sulod sa iyang payag nga gihigtan ang liog gamit ang bakus sa sinina diin ang pikas tumoy niini gihigot ngadto sa kahoy sa atop sa payag. Si Villegas lumad nga taga Tabura, barangay Pardo ning dakbayan ug gikatahong managmal na sa iyang mga paryente sa Tabura human nakasinati og nervous breakdown hinungdan nga gilahi kini ug nakadesisyon ang mga kabanay nga adto ibutang sa sitio Tabla.

Gipayagan sa iyang mga kabanay si Villegas unya hatdan lang og kaon sa iyang mga pag-umangkon.

Si Villegas napalgang nagbitay sulod sa payag ug wala nay kinabuhi sa dihang gihatdan unta og pagkaon ni Jupel apan na-report sa kapolisan nianang alas 10 na sa gabii.

Ang mga sakop sa Homicide Section miadto sa lugar ug ilang nasuta nga walay foul play ang kamatayon ni Villegas apan ipailawom sa awtopsiya ang patay’ng lawas pagsigurong wala kini gipatay og laing tawo.   â€" BANAT NEWS

Ni Rey B. Pasaporte ug Verdiebon Zabala Codoy/PIT  (Banat)

CEBU, Philippines - Gisaka sa kuwarto ang usa ka babaye nga tinun-an sa kursong nursing sa nagbinugtong tulisan samtang nahinanok sa pagkatulog sa giabangang apartment kagahapon sa kaadlawon sa Aznar Road sa sitio Katangkungan, barangay Sambag I ning siyudad.

Si Relia Mae Abao, 20, dalaga ug tinun-an sa kursong nursing sa usa ka inilang unibersidad sa dakbayan, gisuwayan paglugos sa suspek nga nagtion og kutsilyo sa iyang liog apan maisugon siyang misukol.

Si Abao nag-abang og apartment sa nahisgutang lugar apan lumad nga taga lalawigan sa Camiguin anaa karon sa Sacred Heart Hospital human nakaangkon og samad sa iyang tuong kamot ug garas sa iyang liog.

Ang suspek nga nagtabon og T-shirt sa iyang nawong ug nagkalo miagi sa kisame tungod sa kuwarto sa Aquita Apartment.

Ang mga sakop sa Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) daling miresponde sa maong alarma apan napakyas pagsikop sa suspek kinsa daling misibat palayo sa lugar.

Si PO2 Jovito Labra sa Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) sa Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) nagkanayon nga si Abao nakamata sa dihang gitionan og kutsilyo tumong sa iyang liog dayong kuha sa duha ka cellphone niini.

Si PO2 Labra nagkanayon nga gilabnot pa ang habol sa biktima dayon gimanduan nga pahuboon sa sapot niini ug didto na magsugod ang komosyon sa dihang misuway ang biktima sa pagsukol ug nakig-inilogay sa kutsilyo sa suspek. Nasamad ang tuong kamot sa biktima.

Dihadiha gipatiran si Abao sa suspek hangtod natumba ug pagkahuman giparok siya sa semento kaduha ka higayon ug pagkahuman mibalik kini og saka ngadto sa kisame.

Budget airline Cebu Pacific on Tuesday said it is the country's leading carriers as it flown more passengers for its combined domestic and international operations in the first half of the year.

In a statement, the Gokongwei-led airline said it flew 5,096,887 passengers for combined domestic and international traffic from January to June, or 214,416 passengers more than Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Cebu Pacific's data was based on the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) report covering the period of January to June this year.

PAL carried 4,882,471 passengers; Air Philippines Express flew 667,686; Zest Air, formerly known as Asian Spirit had 623,529 passengers; and Se-air flew 132,638.

For international alone, PAL flown two million passengers, higher than Cebu Pacific's a million international passengers from January to June.

Cebu Pacific said it has successfully maintained its position as the country’s largest national flag carrier.

The budget carrier said it strongly dominated the domestic air travel market in the first-half of the year with a market share of 48.7 percent, and carried 1.2 million passengers more than its closest competitor Philippine Airlines.

Cebu Pacific attributed its remarkable 26 percent international passenger base growth to its robust positions in Asian destinations, such as Osaka, Seoul (Incheon), Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macau.

“Our continued expansion in Asia and in the Philippines coupled with our trademark low fares has stimulated travel and tourism. It also enabled affordable and accessible business travel opportunities for many small and medium enterprises. This is proof of our commitment to nation-building in making the Philippines a vibrant investment and tourism destination,” Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific's vice president for marketing and distribution said.

Iyog said the airline expects to further boost its combined domestic and international traffic in the last quarter of the year as it takes delivery of three brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft.

These aircraft will be used to mount additional flights to Kota Kinabalu, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Seoul (Incheon), Iyog said.

The airline currently offers the most number of flights, routes, and destinations from the Philippines to Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) region.

Cebu Pacific operates the youngest aircraft fleet in the country with 10 Airbus A319, 11 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft and will take delivery of three brand new A320 aircraft in the last quarter of 2010.

It operates the most extensive network in the country with 33 domestic and 16 international destinations.

From January to June, the airline’s net income amounted to P3.09 billion, up by 55.6 percent from the P1.99 billion in the same period last year.

Revenues reached P14.91 billion, a 30.9 percent increase over last year’s P11.39 billion brought about by an increase in number of passengers mainly as a result of additional flights. (PNA)
RMA/DGA/mec

Russia's largest car maker AvtoVAZ announced it would start mass production of the Lada Kalina Sport model, Moscow's Vedomosti business daily reported Tuesday.

This is the same model that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin drove for over 2,000 km. during his televised Far East journey last month.

The decision was made due to the high demand following Putin's tour, a maiden trip for the Lada Kalina Sport model.

Nearly all the orders AvtoVAZ received were for the cars of the same bright yellow dye of the "Putin's" hatchback, said Igor Burenkov, spokesman for the car maker.

The price for a unit will be 374,000 rubles (US$ 12,460) compared with 260,000 rubles (US$ 8,666) for "regular" Lada Kalina.

Putin's spokesman Dmitri Peskov made it clear that it was AvtoVAZ's initiative to approach the prime minister with a proposal to drive a Lada Kalina during his journey.

AvtoVAZ presented three similar cars to the government, and two of them were given back, said Peskov.

Up to now, AvtoVAZ has produced only 100 cars of that model per month, but none is in yellow color. (PNA/Xinhua)

The first coal fired power plant in this city, slated to be operational by December 2010, will lower the cost of electricity in this southern city and the rest of serviced area.

This was assured by Engr. Gil Altamira, Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) manager for commercial operations recently, saying that the power rate will be reduced by P1.85 per kilowatt hour.

“While other electric utilities will increase its power rate by more than P3 per kilowatt hour next year, PEDC will honor its social responsibility to Iloilo City by lowering its power cost sold to Panay Electric Company (PECO),” Altamira said.

PECO is the sole power distributor in the city and is under fire recently for selling electricity at P13.30 per kilowatt hour to consumers, which is regarded as the highest rate in the country if not in the entire world.

Altamira said PECO is currently buying power from Panay Power Corp., a sister company of PEDC at P6.71 per kilowatt hour including load factor.

But PECO said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has allowed PECO to sell power to its consumers at profitable rate by injecting other commercial and industrial charges.

PECO recently signed a purchase power agreement with PEDC for the utilization and distribution of power in the city that will ensure enough power supply by November or December as soon as PEDC’s coal fired power plant operates.

PEDC is operating a two coal fired power plants of 82 megawatts each and one plant was fired tested last week after its construction completion. The other plant is expected to be operational by January or February 2011. (PNA)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised the country's economic growth forecast this year due to a strong and broad-based recovery during the first six months of this year.

In its Asian Development Outlook 2010 Update, the Manila-based lender said the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 6.2 percent this year, up from a 3.8 percent forecast made in April.

The ADB said the Philippine economy is riding on the crest of a stronger-than-expected surge in domestic investment and industrial output, helped by external demand in the January to June period.

In the first six months, the country's GDP grew 7.9 percent, up from a tepid 0.9 percent in the same period last year.

The government expects GDP to grow between 5 percent to 6 percent this year and between 7 percent and 8 percent next year.

The ADB also forecasts growth of 4.6 percent in 2011, unchanged from a projection in April's ADO.

“Reduced policy stimulus at home and abroad, slower growth in world trade, and higher 2010 numbers are likely to temper the growth momentum in 2011,” Neeraj Jain, country director for ADB's Philippines Country Office said.

In 2010, the report says private consumption grew 5.1 percent largely on higher spending on food and drinks, utilities and transportation, mainly buoyed by overseas remittances.

Investment also made a significant contribution to growth, with fixed investment as a ratio to gross domestic product rising 17.2 percent during the period, the highest level in 7 years.

Exports jumped nearly 40 percent, while imports increased 28.5 percent, reflecting the stronger demand for capital equipment and consumer goods.

However, the growth momentum has started to ease in the second half of the year, mainly due to leveling off of inventory building by businesses.

Inflation is expected to average 4.5 percent this year and 4.4 percent in 2011. Slower economic momentum and reduced policy stimulus will offset moderate increases in global energy and commodity prices next year.

ADB cited two key challenges for the Philippine economy â€"improving revenue collections and the investment climate.

“The country needs to increase its revenue collection in order to support social and development spending, which have lagged for many years,” Jain said.

Enhancing tax administration remains a key focus of efforts for revenue mobilization, the report highlighted.

The Philippines also needs to upgrade its investment climate to encourage new businesses and improve employment opportunities for its people, the report said.

The relatively low level of private investment in recent years has been attributed to infrastructure deficiencies, as well as to weaknesses in governance and in the policy climate.

Downside risks to growth forecasts are from uncertainty over the strength and pace of the global economic recovery and La Niña weather disturbance that could hurt agriculture.

Despite balance-of-payments surpluses and substantial foreign reserves, financial markets could also become unsettled if fiscal slippage continues, raising the country’s risk premium, it added. (PNA)

The Contract Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) on Tuesday said that the country is now the leading and preferred destination for outsourced contact services in the world.

CCAP executive director Jojo Uligan attributes this favorable trend to the Filipino call center employees good command of English (both written and oral), a close affinity to the American culture, excellent service quality, and for being warm and friendly as a whole.

"The Filipino workforce is already known around the world as global knowledge professional. In fact, other countries are even hiring Filipinos to work in their call centers. Last year, we generated about US$ 4 billion to US$ 5 billion in revenues. This has established us one of the biggest, if not the biggest in the world, with only India as our main competitor when it comes to call center outsourcing," he stressed.

CCAP is the country's official organization of outsource and in-house contact centers in the Philippines.

Uligan added that CCAP is committed to preserving the Filipinos' call center edge by launching initiatives to develop the member-companies, and even expanding into complex business requirements.

"The move to complex tasks such as technical support, more comprehensive customer service, and higher level programs will enable companies here to compete globally in terms of higher valued services head-to-head, skills wise, and technology wise," the CCAP chief further stressed.

He also added that this reforms will enable the industry to grow by another 25 percent.

In line with this initiative, CCAP is holding a two-day (September 28-29) Contact Center Conference Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex.

The event is now on its sixth edition. Presented during the proceedings are the industry's latest solution to call center systems, software applications, telecommunication infrastructures, office space, equipment, recruitment, training and peripheral services.

Formed in 2001 by seven pioneer companies, the group now has around 70 members which represent 85 percent of the call center firms in the country.

From its infancy, the call center industry now employs 300,000 workers with about 220,000 seats nationwide, from Metro Manila as far as Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Bacolod and Davao.(PNA)

By Aurelio A. Pena

People who specialize only in searching foreign buyers for local products and matching them with suppliers and producers for export are all dying not from natural death but from deliberate “killings” by Filipino exporters and suppliers themselves.

We’re saying this because I’ve tried operating part-time for several years as an “export agent”, ”manufacturer’s representative” and “export broker” but had very little success in earning the “right” commissions for my efforts. But being “right” in computing what rightly belongs to me had been rejected time and time again by big and small exporters I’ve dealt with here in Davao over the years -- which explains why I’m still languishing here below the poverty line.

Working under my own outfit Goldelyonn Export Import several years back, I helped opened the fruit market in the Russian coastal city of Vladivostok for a global brand of fresh mango, fresh papaya and fresh bananas exported by a multinational export firm based in Davao. That Russian city was dominated then only by Del Monte and Chiquita fresh fruits before a big US-based Russian trader started flooding the market with this top global brand.

Since I was contacted directly by my Russian friends Artem and Maxim from that Russian trading firm, this was a significant development for this Davao multinational export firm who had been looking for ways to penetrate the Russian market.

For my pioneering efforts in helping this exporting firm open this market, I was paid only a one-time small fee called “marketing consultancy fee” instead of a commission rate based on the number of carton boxes which I asked from the company. The company told me it was not legal for them to deal with “export agents” like me, so they had to find a way to pay me for my efforts.

The company didn’t even tell me that they had already started the trial shipments until I found out months later. This experience highlights the kind of risks export agents like me faced in this type of export transaction with local exporters. But eventually they paid up that small fee and everything was forgotten long after that.

But it’s not only the big exporters who avoid dealing with small export agents who operate with no capital like me. Even banana cooperatives who oversee the operations of small banana growers also seek the help of export agents to find foreign buyers for them. But when the buyers are found and export deals are done, most banana coops, just like the big multinationals, also try to avoid paying the commission to export agents. I'm not sure yet whether or not this is now the prevalent trend in the entire Philippine export industry.

Killing the “middleman” in the export deals by both banana cooperatives and multinational exporters has always been the battle cry of local exporters, a trait that I find only among Filipino exporters -- not among foreign exporters that I dealt with over the years. As an export agent, I cannot succeed here in the Philippines -- exporters “kill” export agents here. That’s why I’ve accepted this “death” and has started "burying" myself.

This is a far cry from the import deals I had in the early 1990’s as an “import-export agent,” representing foreign exporters like the Taiwanese, Vietnamese and even the Chinese. The Taiwanese, for instance, respect the small percentage (5 to 10 percent) you add on top of the quoted price as “agent commission” and promptly sends the full amount to your bank account by telegraphic bank transfer after an export shipment from their country -- a standard operating procedure in international trade.

If my opinion is merely my own misconception, just let me know. But I've gone thru several export deals to convince myself that exporters are now out "killing" export agents in this country. (PNA)

China's economy is forecast to grow by 9.6 percent in 2010, said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday.

ADB's growth forecast for China in 2011 remained at 9.1 percent, said Paul Heytens, ADB's Country Director for China, at a press conference in Beijing. (PNA/Xinhua)

INSTRUCTIONS
        Please read instructions carefully. Be sure to meet the qualification requirements.  Inaccurate or incomplete information  will be a ground for disqualification. SUBMIT ONLY ONE (1) APPLICATION.

1.  Verify if you posses the following  INITIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION:  (DO NOT APPLY if you are NOT QUALIFIED)
·         A natural born Filipino citizen;
·         Of good moral character;
·         Male or female, single and with no legal obligation to support a child or children;
·         17 to 21 years old (Born between May 2, 1989 â€" May 1, 1994);
·         Height of  at least 162.5 cm (5ft 4 in)  for male, and 157.5 cm (5ft 2 in) for female;
·         Weight of not more nor less than five (5) kilograms of the standard weight measurement corresponding to height, age and sex;
·         At least high school graduate;
·         Must be able to perform the following physical fitness exercises:
ercises
   
Female
   
Male
Pull-Ups
   

   
10
Full Arms Hanging
   
40 sec
   

2 min Push-Ups
   
35
   
40
2 min Sit-Ups
   
50
   
55
100 meter dash
   
20 sec
   
17 sec
1000 meter run
   
5:30
   
4:30
·         Physically and mentally fit for cadetship training;
·         No criminal, administrative, or civil case on file before any Prosecutor’s Office or any Court of Justice and other derogatory record(s);
·          Not a former cadet of PNPA or other service academies.
2.    GROUNDS FOR MEDICAL DISQUALIFICATION:
·         Defective Visual Perception (color blindness, near sighted/far sighted with corrective eyeglasses or lens);
·         Physical Deformities Example:  bowlegged or congenital defects;
·         Perforated ear drum, chronic sinusitis, bleeding tendencies, hemorrhoids, hernia (if not treated), varicocoele; extensive skin disorders;
·         History of heart disease, hypertension, asthma, active PTB, kidney and liver diseases, epileptic seizure disorders, major operations; communicable diseases (such as AIDS, Hepatitis, VD etc.)
·         Full dentures, upper and lower, Cleft lip and palate, Malocclusion, Deformities of the face, Open bite, Tongue-tied; Missing of four anterior or front teeth & Missing of six (6) posterior/molar teeth;
·         Tattoos and other brotherhood marks, ear piercing (male only)
·         For Females:
1.        Goiter
2.        History of pregnancy
3.        Presence of breast mass
4.        Painful menstruation

3.   COVERAGE OF EXAMINATION:
·         Communication Skills
·         Math and Sciences
·         Logical and Reasoning Ability
·         General Information and Current Events
·         Values and Aptitude for the Service

4.   Submit duly accomplished application together with a self-stamped WINDOW ENVELOPE to the Office of
the   Registrar   or   mail   to:  The   Director,   (Attn: Registrar),  Philippine   National  Police  Academy,  Camp 
General   Mariano  N   Castañeda,  4129 Silang, Cavite.   

5.  DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION:  September 30, 2010       

6.  NOTICE OF EXAMINATION  shall be sent through mail. Applicants who failed to receive the notice of examination must visit the PNPA website: www.pnpa.edu.ph to check if he/she included in the List of Qualified Examinees. If found qualifed, applicants shall go directly to examination area even without notice of examination and bring the other test requirements.

APPLY NOW :  The PNPA Cadet Admission Test will be on  November 07, 2010.

Dako ug chance nga kini si So mahimong world champion like Anand, Karpov or Kasparov.

The number of dengue fever deaths in Negros Oriental has already risen to 10 as of last count, while the total number of dengue cases from January to September 23, this year, has reached 1,214, a report from the Provincial Epidemiology Survey Unit of the Provincial Health Office said.

This year’s number of dengue fever deaths has already doubled from last year’s figures with only five deaths, PESU records showed.

The fatalities include two each from Canlaon City, Vallehermoso and Pamplona, and one each from Guihulngan, Dumaguete, Sibulan and Bacong.

Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental, continues to rank first with the highest number of dengue cases at 308, followed by Sibulan, 133; Bayawan, 112; Bais, 73; Bacong and Vallehermoso, 64 each; Tanjay, 58; Canlaon, 56; Bindoy, 45; and Guihulngan, with 37 cases. (PNA)

The Philippine National Police arrested a suspect in the roadside bombing that targeted a provincial governor in southern Philippines on Tuesday, the military today said.

Mhidzfar Cutan was apprehended after police raided his home in Tuyan village in Malapatan town, in Mindanao's Sarangani province, Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, spokesperson of the military's Eastern Mindanao Command said.

Quoting a police report, Cabangbang said Cutan took hostage his two children before he surrendered to lawmen after a 30-minute negotiation.

Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez was unhurt when his convoy was almost hit by the explosion at a bridge in the same town during the campaign to the May 10 elections. The provincial official was about to meet a presidential candidate when the explosion happened.

Authorities said witnesses had positively identified Cutan as the last person seen at the vicinity shortly before the bomb, which was placed on a parked motorcycle, went off. - Philippine Star

A FASTFOOD restaurant in Manila lost more than P165,000 of its earnings to its own employee in Manila. In a complaint of qualified theft lodged before the Manila Police District (MPD) theft and robbery section, Julie Javines, 28, the manager of the Chowking Dapitan Branch in Sampaloc, Manila, said that she asked Publio Teves Jr. the branch messenger, to deposit P165,567 at a nearby bank on Monday. Teves, however, failed to return after several hours and Javines, who checked with the bank, found out that he did not deposit the money. Jeannette I. Andrade

A MAN killed himself after he found out that his wife was having an affair when he accessed her account on a social networking site. The body of Eduardo Santos 31, a delivery boy, was found hanging from the ceiling of his house in Barangay Sapimanai, East Fairview, Quezon City, at around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

PO1 Hermogenes Capili of the Quezon City Police District homicide section said that hours before he took his life, the victim had confided in a friend that his wife, who was working in Hong Kong, was having an affair with a man based in Cainta.

The victim said that he had accessed his wife’s Facebook account and as he was doing so, his wife went online and started chatting with a man from Cainta. ”Investigation showed that based on the discussion between his wife and the man, Santos suspected that there was an affair going on,” Capili said. He added that the victim’s body was found by his 10-year-old daughter. Nancy C. Carvaja

The Philippines took a stinging 1-3 defeat from Belarus despite GM Wesley So’s tough draw against GM Sergei Zhigalko in the sixth round of the 39th World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia Monday.

So, who will turn 17 on Oct. 9, made the right continuation in a complicated Pelikan and Sveshnikov variations of the Sicilian to squeeze a draw in 35 moves.

He had a queen, a rook and seven pawns against Zhilgalko’s queen, rook, knight and three pawns when the game was agreed drawn via repetition of moves.

It was actually So who veered away from the bookline of the game when he sacrificed a knight for two pawns on the 13th move. But Zhilgalko countered with precise moves and kept the pressure in a queen and rook ending.

GM John Paul Gomez also battled to a draw with GM Vitaly Teterev in 40 moves of the King’s Indian but GM Darwin Laylo lost to Evgeniy Podolchenko in 92 moves of the Queen’s Indian defense and IM Richard Bitoon bowed to IM Kiril Stupak in 58 moves of the Neo-Gruenfeld.

IS tourism really that miracle engine behind Bohol’s economic boost? Many want to know.

But absent the necessary data that would confirm or deny the claim, Capitol is now eyeing a study commissioned to do exactly that.

At the recent Kapihan sa PIA aired live over DyTR, researchers at the Holy Name University shared that Capitol is now formalizing negotiations with the local research firm to make tourism profiles of towns as a baseline data laying the substrata of the newest economic wonder engine claim.

Holy Name University’s Bohol Poll, which has established a track record of credibility after conducting almost accurate predictions in its regular annual surveys since 1998 could be Capitol’s choice of partners in the survey.

“The profile would give us an accurate picture of the tourism in the towns, its services, facilities and supports structures,” Josephine Cemine of the Holy Name University Center for Local Governance said.

Cemine also revealed that they are now studying Capitol’s request for assistance to help them put up a data base that would rightfully support Bohol’s claims.

The negotiations however are not yet final, she hinted during the weekly forum held at the PIA.

The research data gathered could actually pinpoint if Bohol’s crafted vision to pre-position the province as a prime eco-cultural tourism destination in the country has borne fruit in the last decade.

The data could also tell if eco-tourism benefits have created the “noted” economic up-liftment of communities as recorded by the United Nation’s Human Development Index.

Romeo Teruel of the Bohol Center for Development Studies said that the present Capitol Administration has put in regular employees at the Capitol research Unit because all locally funded programs and decisions from then on would be research-based.

The Kapihan sa PIA segment for the week was on the celebration of the Development Policy Research Month celebrated in September via Presidential Proclamation 247.

Taking turns in explaining the crucial role of research in policy decisions and local development, Cimene, Teruel and Holy Name University’s Research center Coordinator Ma. Paz Espiritu emphasized the crucial role of research-based development policies to help government allocate its scarce resources. (racPIABohol)

HOW do we make sports champions of Boholanos?

Definitely not with the current sports programs that engage athletes only a month before the competitions.

Apparently fed up with Bohol’s dismal showing in sports competitions as its athletes often are made to be content occupying the less loftier heights in sports dais, Governor Edgar Chatto said the new Capitol administration wants a comprehensive sports program for the youth.

Sharing his thoughts during the weekly “Kita ug ang Gobernador” at the People’s Mansion, Chatto said a year-round sports activities ending with an annual meet that enough and would want to get its money where its mouth is.

Governor Chatto revealed Friday that Capitol is now embarking on a no-nonsense sports program that would make a comprehensive province-wide sports program that is destined to bring out the champions in Bohol.

He said that aside from the regular Congressional, Provincial and the Regional Meets handled by the Department of Education, continuous sports development activities would be run.

“After the [athletic] meets, the kids will find an arena in further developing [their sports]”, he added.

“We must be able to get the most outstanding players through a sustainable sports program,” he stressed.

We have to make sure that, instead of doing drugs, we can push their energies into positive values of discipline and teamwork, by giving them alternative activities other than helping work in the family, Chatto explained.

Consistent with this and assuring that Capitol puts its money where the mouth is, the provincial government is reportedly increasing its financial assistance, along with the district representatives to the different athletic meets.

Chatto revealed that they have increased to P400,000 financial aid to district meets, P600,00 to provincial and P3,000,000 to the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meets.

In Bohol, Catigbian town embarked on a no-nonsense sports development program and the effect was a stunning show of sports prowess from trained athletes.

“How can you expect consistently winning athletes when you only train them for a week?” asked Mayor Roberto Salinas in an interview.

For his town’s sports development, Catigbian earmarks a sizable amount for trainors, equipment and training programs for the whole year, after showing a significant record of stunning successes after a year of sports development program implementation. (racPIABohol)

LIVE simple lives adhering to the norms for public officials and employees, advises Bohol Civil Service Commission director Cherith Nissi V. Asis during the recent Kapihan sa PIA.

Invited at a special Kapihan forum to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Philippine Civil Service, Asis took the occasion to urge civil servants, including elected officials and government employees to “Race to Serve”, which was also the theme for the 2010 celebration.

Asis stressed that the year’s anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service focuses on advancing Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective Public Service summarizes the whole code of conduct for public officials and employees, which every civil servant professes.

Asis was actually meaning Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Ethical standards for public officials and employees.

By living simply, the law also states that elected public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income.

This part also bans them from indulging in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.

Grounded on the time honored principle that a public office is a public trust, norms and standards of personal conduct in the discharge of duties are set by law to govern the execution of public duties, states section 4 of the republic act.

The discharge of duties and execution of tasks by public officials and employees are governed by commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, patriotism and nationalism, commitment to democracy and simple living.

Observers of government officials and employees however say that in several cases, the standards in the execution of public duties are more honored in the breach.

Section five of the same law mandates that public officials and employees are obliged to act promptly on letters and requests within 15 working days from receipt of the communication, the reply must contain the action taken on the request.
 
Paragraph c of the same section also obliges officials and employees to process documents and papers within a reasonable time from the preparation. (racPIABohol)

IS tourism really that miracle engine behind Bohol’s economic boost? Many want to know.

But absent the necessary data that would confirm or deny the claim, Capitol is now eyeing a study commissioned to do exactly that.

At the recent Kapihan sa PIA aired live over DyTR, researchers at the Holy Name University shared that Capitol is now formalizing negotiations with the local research firm to make tourism profiles of towns as a baseline data laying the substrata of the newest economic wonder engine claim.

Holy Name University’s Bohol Poll, which has established a track record of credibility after conducting almost accurate predictions in its regular annual surveys since 1998 could be Capitol’s choice of partners in the survey.

“The profile would give us an accurate picture of the tourism in the towns, its services, facilities and supports structures,” Josephine Cemine of the Holy Name University Center for Local Governance said.

Cemine also revealed that they are now studying Capitol’s request for assistance to help them put up a data base that would rightfully support Bohol’s claims.

The negotiations however are not yet final, she hinted during the weekly forum held at the PIA.

The research data gathered could actually pinpoint if Bohol’s crafted vision to pre-position the province as a prime eco-cultural tourism destination in the country has borne fruit in the last decade.

The data could also tell if eco-tourism benefits have created the “noted” economic up-liftment of communities as recorded by the United Nation’s Human Development Index.

Romeo Teruel of the Bohol Center for Development Studies said that the present Capitol Administration has put in regular employees at the Capitol research Unit because all locally funded programs and decisions from then on would be research-based.

The Kapihan sa PIA segment for the week was on the celebration of the Development Policy Research Month celebrated in September via Presidential Proclamation 247.

Taking turns in explaining the crucial role of research in policy decisions and local development, Cimene, Teruel and Holy Name University’s Research center Coordinator Ma. Paz Espiritu emphasized the crucial role of research-based development policies to help government allocate its scarce resources. (racPIABohol)

Will an ambitious 120% rice sufficiency in Bohol attainable two years from now? The Provincial Agriculture Office believes so.

Rushing to fill the empty rice bowls of rice deficient Central Visayas, Bohol farm authorities shared that attaining the 40% increase in the region’s rice production share in two years can be done as long as concerned officials and workers take on the dare.

Rice is still Bohol’s leading staple crop supplying a rice equivalent of 107,983 metric tons for the region in 2009, registering a surplus of 844 metric tons. By 2013 however, it hopes to bag 35,118 metric tons surplus, already considering consumption by increment population increase, Larry Pamugas, assistant provincial agriculturist explains.

According to a rice sufficiency plan presented by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, the ultimate goal is to increase the current 67.9% of rice Bohol supplies to the whole region’s total requirement.

The end goal however is to increase the average per hectare yield to 250,550 to 265,833 metric tones from an annual average of 229,636 this year.

This means an incremental rate of at least 2 metric tons per hectare yield from 2010-2013, increase milling recovery to 65.4% and pitch for a 70% increase in the adoption of high yielding rice varieties.

Confident it can be done, Pamugas sees a glimpse of hope, as rice is only planted in 25% of the total agricultural lands in Bohol, he showed.

Opening up a bigger share, say 40% of the total agricultural lands necessarily raise the chances of and increased produce.

Moreover, he showed mayors during a recent meeting that producing high quality whole grains, organic varieties and the world sought Japonica varieties along can already spell the difference in harvest yield per hectare.

Agricultural promotion Center authorities here, led by Engr. Eugene Cahiles since the rice crisis threatened to hit Bohol, have been convincing farmers to take the shift and see for themselves the huge difference.

Pamugas, who carries the burden of manhandling the ambition to its reality, also hinted that with the government help to ensure access of industry through, public-private sector partnerships is a huge boosting power to propel the dream.

He told mayors that private-public partnerships in financing and putting up the proper technical support can spur quality seeds production.

The same partnership can help in putting up irrigation facilities, appropriate post harvest facilities, as well as adoption of environment friendly and cost-effective technologies. (racPIABohol)

IF things run as planned, the first “international cruise ship” to call on the port of Catagbacan in Loon is a Spanish Galeon.

Governor Edgar Chatto said this, as the first phase of the cruise port project has been completed, and in no time at all, will be ready to berth a Spanish sailing galleon.

The galleon, which is set to arrive in Bohol a few days after October 8, would have students on an educational tour of the country, revealed event organizers from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

On October 8, as the country and Madrid in Spain as well as Acapulco in Mexico commemorates the Dia del Galeon to bring up the historic journey Manila-Acapulco galleon trade, which started in 1565.

The cruise ship port of Catagbacan in Loon in a natural harbor of deep waters and is seen as the most ideal port for international cruise liners as it would not hamper with the operations of a regular port serving trade and commerce, Chatto explained.

And as the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade lasted for another 250 years after 1565, history would tell that the extensive commerce brought about by the trade also gave way to cultural exchange, and became a vehicle for religious missions.

Because of the scope and historical significance of this historical episode in the country, "Dia de Galleon" was conceptualized, as Senator Edgardo Angara who initiated steering committee to forward "Dia de Galleon" was quoted in government websites.

Since the return route of the galleons from the Philippines to Mexico happened sometime November or October it was suggested that the official "Dia de Galleon" day will be on the first week of October, Angara was quoted again.

And as the Manila-Acapulco galleons served not just as carriers of trade but transmitters of culture, the commemorative run would reestablish the link it has created with Asia and the Americas, Europe and Africa, said UNESCO Jakarta director Hubert Gaijzen last July.

It may be recalled that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through Jakarta Director Gijzen launched the Dia del Galeon in Bohol last July 22.

The launching also complemented the series of activities set for the celebration of Bohol Day.

The commemorative runs by the galleon is also seen in the light of the declaration of 2010 as the “International year for the Rapprochement of Cultures”, which highlights the important links amongst and the diversity of cultures.

Meanwhile the completion of the second phase of the Catagbacan Port would surely establish Loon town as a new hub of tourism, trade and intercultural exchange activities, asserted Mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez. (racPIABohol)

Perhaps an out-building made of coconut and nipa leaves for a toilet merits no news at all.

But when it eloquently shows a community’s first tentative steps to break a habit that kept generations from learning the benefits of sanitation and hygiene, it surely gives them the print space.

In Danao, Bohol, communities have started to dig the truth behind health, sanitation and clean environment, a fact that makes Danao Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga hopeful in his drive to bring his town off the hooks of poverty.

“I believe in good health starts with a clean environment” the mayor said and adds, “education is the key to good health.”

Unsuccessful in their initial attempt to get the people digging for their own sanitary toilets despite the
town providing toilet bowls, cement and technical help, the need to get people understanding the value of
cleanliness finally got to them through the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4PS).

Implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 4Ps in Danao town also
allowed beneficiaries, whom the town granted toilet construction materials, to sit on community assemblies
and family development sessions.

It was through DSWD’s Family Development Sessions (FDS) that program partners sa Department of Health, LGU and Department of Education picked the opportunity to deal with educating the beneficiaries the importance of having toilets.

Here, what the town could not do: educating their people was unwittingly advanced by the 4Ps.

Educating the people to contribute to a cleaner environment in line with the town vision of a brisk extreme
eco-tourism activity as an engine for over-all development was then a big problem, Mayor Gonzaga admitted.

We want the communities to install sanitary toilets for health and hygiene purposes, but habit seems to get on the way, the athletic town chief executive confessed.

Adopting an approach called community driven development, communities identify their problems and map
out solutions to them, explains a municipal social welfare officer of one of the DSWD 4Ps beneficiary towns.

4P is a national government poverty alleviation program that provides social assistance in conditional cash
grants to extremely poor households to help them break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Its long-term objective is for communities to improve their health and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years old.

To continually avail of the cash grants, the government ascertains that family beneficiaries attend health and pregnancy assistance sessions, regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines for children, responsible parenthood sessions, mother’s classes, parent-effectiveness seminar and family development sessions.

To keep the children informed, children of beneficiaries must attend day-care, pre-school, elementary and
high-school at least 85% of the time. (rac/PIABohol/DSWD7)

A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CAREER SERVICE EXAMINATION (CSE)
•
   Career Service Professional and Sub-professional examinations are open to applicants regardless of educational attainment.
•
   Applicants for both levels must:
     â€"     Be Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old, and of good moral character;
     â€"     Have no criminal record or have not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude;
     â€"     Have not been dishonorably discharged from military service or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government; and
     â€"     Have not taken the same level of career service examination within three (3) months from last examination taken, or for those who have repeatedly failed, have not failed the same level of examination for four times since October 2002.

B. MODES OF TAKING THE CSE
   The Career Service Examination (Professional and Sub-Professional levels) may be taken through either of the following modes:
1.
   Paper and Pencil Test (PPT)
     The CSE-PPT is conducted nationwide thrice a year. Filing of applications for the CSE-PPT is through the CSC Regional or Field Offices.
     Applicants are advised to refer to the Examination Announcement, which the CSC officially issues for each schedule of the CSE-PPT.
2.
   Computer Assisted Test (CAT)
     The CSE-CAT is conducted in Civil Service Commission Central Office (CSCCO), IBP Road, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, and in selected CSC Regional Offices (CSCRO) such as CSC-CAR, Baguio City. For the schedule of conduct of CSE-CAT, applicants are advised to coordinate/get in touch with the CSCCO, or the concerned CSCRO. Please visit the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph for the directory of CSC Central and Regional Offices.

C.  APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1.
   Properly accomplished application form (CS Form No. 100, Revised 2008);
2.
   Four (4) copies of identical I.D. pictures with specifications, as follows:
     a.    1.5" x 2" (Passport size)
     b.    Colored or black-and-white
     c.    Printed on quality photo paper
     d.    Must show the subject applicant in standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up)
     e.    With full name tag
          â€"     The name tag must show the applicant's First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name, and Extension Name (if any).
          â€"     The name tag should not be computer-generated, meaning, the applicant should have his/her picture taken while holding his/her name tag.
     f.    Taken within the last three months prior to filing of application
          Note: The following pictures are NOT accepted:
               â€"     Scanned, computer-enhanced, photocopied, and cut-out pictures;
               â€"     Pictures showing subject applicant not in close-up shot (lower than shoulder level);
               â€"     Pictures with incomplete and/or computer-generated name tag; and
               â€"     Pictures without name tag.         
3.
   Original and photocopy of any valid I.D. card with name, picture and signature of the applicant, and name and signature of the issuing officer (i.e. Driver's License, BIR ID, GSIS/SSS ID, Postal ID, Voter's ID, current Office/School ID, or valid Passport); and
4.
   Examination fee of P350 for the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT), or P400 for Computer Assisted Test (CAT).
D. WHERE TO SECURE & FILE APPLICATION FORMS
•
   Application forms may be secured from any CSC Regional or Field Office, or downloaded from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph.
•
   For the CSE-PPT, applications must be filed at any CSC Regional or Field Office. The CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, does not accept and process applications for CSE-PPT.
     Deadline for filing of applications is usually one month before the scheduled date of examination.
•
   For the CSE-CAT, applications must be filed at the CSC Central Office, or at the concerned CSC Regional Office.
•
   As a general rule, acceptance of examination applications for both CSE-PPT and CSE-CAT is on a first-come, first-served basis. Failure to come on the scheduled examination date would mean forfeiture of examination slot and fee. No request for re-scheduling is allowed.
E. FREQUENCY OF TAKING THE CAREER SERVICE EXAMINATION
     (Based on CSC Resolution No. 021279 dated Oct. 7, 2002)
•
   Taking the Career Service Professional and Sub-professional examinations via paper and pencil test (PPT) or computer assisted test (CAT) shall be once in three months and up to four times only.
•
   An examinee failing on the 4th attempt can apply for the same level of the career service examination only after two years from the date of the 4th examination taken.
F. SCOPE OF EXAMINATION
     Professional Level
     In English and Filipino: vocabulary, grammar and correct usage, paragraph organization, reading comprehension, analogy, logic, and numerical reasoning.
     Subprofessional Level
     In English and Filipino: vocabulary, grammar and correct usage, paragraph organization, reading comprehension, clerical operations, and numerical reasoning.
     Both levels of the examination will have general information questions on Philippine Constitution; Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R. A. 6713); peace and human rights issues and concepts; and environment management and protection.
G. PASSING RATE: Eighty (80)
H. EXAMINATION RESULT
1.
   CSE-PPT
               Results of the CSE-PPT are usually released from three to four months after the examination. The names of passed examinees shall be posted at the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph.
               Those who passed the examination must personally claim their Certificates of Eligibility at the CSC Regional Office/Field Office upon presentation of required documents. On the other hand, those who failed the examination may secure a copy of their Report of Rating through the CSC website. No Report of Rating shall be mailed to those who failed. To secure a copy of the Report of Rating, an examinee must key in his/her name, date of birth, examinee number, examination date, and examination type. Thus, examinees are advised to safe keep or remember their examinee number until receipt of the examination result.
2.
   CSE-CAT
               Results of the CSE-CAT are usually released within two to three hours after the examination. Examinees are strongly advised to wait for the examination results. Those who passed shall receive their Certificate of Eligibility, while those who failed shall receive their Report of Rating. Should an examinee fail to claim/receive his/her examination result on the examination day, he/she has to personally return at a later date to claim either his/her Certificate of Eligibility or Report of Rating.
               The names of passed CSE-CAT examinees shall be posted at the CSC website.
               Meanwhile, a copy of the Report of Rating of failed examinees may also be secured through the CSC website. To secure a copy of the Report of Rating, an examinee must key in his/her name, date of birth, examinee number, examination date, and examination type.
               
WARNING:
     Any form of cheating in any civil service examination shall be considered a violation of REPUBLIC ACT (R.A.) NO. 9416, otherwise known as "An Act Declaring as Unlawful Any Form of Cheating in Civil Service Examinations, Unauthorized Use and Possession of CSC Examination Related Materials, and Granting the Commission Exclusive Jurisdiction Over These Cases Including Those Committed by Private Individuals".
     Any person found guilty of an offense under R.A. 9416 may be held administratively and criminally liable.
     Any person found ADMINISTRATIVELY LIABLE shall be imposed the following penalties: For one who is in the government service, dismissal from the service including all the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, bar from taking any civil service examination, and perpetual disqualification from re-entering the government service; and For a private individual, perpetual bar from entering the government service, and perpetual bar from taking any government examination.
     Any person found CRIMINALLY LIABLE shall be imposed the following penalties: Imprisonment of not less than six years and one day but not more than 12 years; Fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00); and the appropriate accessory penalties.

aback
n   adverb
1   archaic towards or situated to the rear.
2   Sailing with the sail pressed back against the mast by a headwind.

PHRASES
   take someone aback: shock or surprise someone.

abaxial 
n   adjective Botany facing away from the stem (in particular denoting the lower surface of a leaf). The opposite of adaxial.

aberration 
n   noun
1   an unwelcome deviation from what is normal. Øinformal a temporary mental lapse. ØBiology a characteristic that deviates from the normal type.
2   Optics the failure of rays to converge at one focus because of a defect in a lens or mirror.
3   Astronomy the apparent displacement of a celestial object from its true position, caused by the relative motion of the observer and the object.

DERIVATIVES
   aberrational adjective

ORIGIN
   C16: from Latin aberratio(n-), from aberrare 'to stray'.

thanks ihatekillers for constantly updating us about this morbid case.

By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net

A law school official cautioned police to “observe fairness” and prudence as she defended a student suspected of being behind Sunday’s blast in Manila as “innocent.”

“I went here to clarify reports branding
our student Jed Carlo Lazaga to be a suspect in last Sunday’s blast,” lawyer Elaine Bathan, assistant law dean of the Cebu-based University of San Jose Recoletos Law School.

“In fact, we believe he is innocent because during that time he was ganged up by a group of men and even robbed him of his belongings, including his wallet,” Bathan said.

Police said a witness identified Lazaga as the one who hurled the grenade near the De La Salle University along Taft Avenue in Manila, hurting 44 people, mostly law students who were in festive mood as it was the last day of their month-long Bar examinations.

Bathan said police should refrain from prematurely revealing results of their investigation.

“We had heard the explanation of the Manila Police District official that the reports came out were still premature as their investigation is still on going. Please be careful in revealing facts and observe fairness,” she told reporters.

She said Lazaga even reported the incident to the police.

Police earlier revealed that a man wearing a fraternity t-shirt of Alpha Kappa Rho (AKHRO) was seen by witnesses as the one who threw the explosive device.

Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, the MPD officer-in-charge, on Monday the grenade attack fell short of its target, the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity, and instead landed on a festive crowd of San Beda College law students, particularly members of the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity and sorority.

But Tau Gamma Phi head Corky Pallares brushed off this police theory, saying they were not at odds with any fraternity.

By Jeannette Andrade, Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Police Tuesday said they believed three people carried out Sunday’s grenade attack on a crowd of law graduates and students that wounded 44 peopleâ€"including two female students who lost their legsâ€"but that they still had no specific suspects.

Malacañang condemned those responsible for the attack, which occurred during street revelry along Taft Avenue marking the end of this year’s bar examinations at De La Salle University.

One of the victims, San Beda College law student Raissa Laurel, had both legs amputated below the knee at Philippine General Hospital, police said.

Joanna Ledda, 23, another San Beda College law student who police said was in critical condition, had one of her legs cut off because of the blast.

Investigators said they believed the attack was an offshoot of a fraternity war.

Manila Police District (MPD) spokesperson Erwin Margarejo said it was “still premature to name names” because the investigating task group called Bar Operations 2010 was still evaluating the statements of witnesses.

Not a suspect

Margarejo said at a press conference that although the name “Jed Carlo Lazaga” had surfaced in the investigation, he has not been considered a suspect.

As of Tuesday, nine of the 44 victims were still confined in three hospitals around Manilaâ€"Philippine General Hospital, Manila Adventist Medical Center and Manila Doctor’s Hospital.

The other casualties have gone home after receiving treatment. Police said they included Mohammad Ampatuan, an Arellano University law school student and a member of the Ampatuan clan. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima gave the student’s name as “Mohammad Abdul.”

Politicians belonging to the clan are undergoing trial for murder in connection with the Maguindanao massacre, in which 57 people, including 32 media workers, were brutally gunned down in November last year.

A surprise

De Lima said Mohammad Abdul was among the more than 5,000 law graduates who took the bar exams.

“It’s a surprising piece of information. We don’t know if it’s just coincidence or what,” De Lima told reporters.

She said Mohammad Abdul had just stepped out from the school premises when the explosion occurred.

Citing a report by National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula, she described Mohammad Abdul as “a nephew” of the Ampatuans.

Lazaga’s statement

De Lima said it was premature to conclude if he was a target of the blast. She said NBI agents had been sent to interview him.

“We don’t know yet if this information is actually relevant to the investigation or not. He could be just an innocent victim,” she said.

The name of Lazaga, 24, a 4th year Law student of the University of San Jose Recoletos School of Law, came up after he accused members of another fraternity of beating him up minutes after the bombing to force him to admit he was involved in the attack.

In a sworn statement he gave at MPD Station 9, Lazaga claimed that he was walking along Vito Cruz when he was choked from behind by a member of one of the fraternities, who reportedly shouted to his colleagues, “Heto AKRHO ito. Kasama ito nung nagpasabog (He is an AKRHO. He was in the group of those involved in the bombing). ”

Former Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog denied allegations that he was involved in a plot to kill President Benigno Aquino III and pointed at his political rival, Representative Loreto Leo Ocampos as the one spreading the information about him.

In a press statement sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Parojinog said he was saddened by the news linking him to the alleged plot.

“Actually, I got wind of the information about my being accused of plotting to kill President Aquino sometime June this year, prior to him being installed as the country’s chief executive,” he said, adding that the information was “leaked by friends within the Liberal Party circle, some of whom said it was partly based on an information feed of Representative (Loreto Leo) Ocampos.”

“I did not pay attention because I was confident a process to check its veracity by authorities would establish my innocence,” he added.

Parojinog said that back then, he dismissed the report as “nothing more than a cheap political intrigue.”

“I found the accusation not only baseless but malicious, meant to cast aspersion on my person,” he said, adding that he was open to an investigation that would clear his name.

“I have full confidence that any impartial probe will result in my being cleared of this unfair allegation,” he said.

He also called on authorities to be prepared to impose sanctions on whoever was responsible for spreading the report. - source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

This is the answer given by a friend.

Without new births, it means no income for the Catholic Church.

Calculation: 2,000,000 babies a year multiplied by P500 pesos for baptismal fee = 1,000 Million Pesos
If there are other fees, it means more hundreds of millions of pesos.

Therefore, zero birth = zero income for the Catholic Church. Sounds logical, isn't it?

Agree or disagree?

By Jocelyn R. Uy, Christine O. Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A network of 100 Catholic lay groups across the country Tuesday geared up for protest actions after President Benigno Aquino III signified he might support Filipino couples who want to limit the number of their children by using contraceptives.

Preliminary consultations among lay leaders, most of whom supported Mr. Aquino in the May elections, will be held in Metro Manila this week, said Fr. Melvin Castro, executive director of the Catholic bishops’ Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.

Castro said the Catholic clergy, including the bishops, would back the lay groups’ actions, but he indicated that such actions would “not be confrontational” with the President.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Mr. Aquino was willing to meet with Church leaders to explain his position on family planning.

Mr. Aquino kicked up a storm last weekend when he said in California at the close of his US visit that while he would not dictate on couples any specific birth control method, his government “might provide assistance to those who are without means if they want to employ a particular method”â€"a remark taken to mean that he was open to giving them contraceptives.

“Our lay leaders, who have their own families, see the need to be very visible in this protest and we respect their freedom,” Castro, pointman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on population matters, said on the phone.

By Sean Coughlan  BBC News education correspondent 

More than 500 medical students at the University of Leeds are being issued with iPhones which can access online text books.

The smartphones have applications providing students with reference material and prescription guidelines.

The university, claiming a first for UK medical schools, says the phones will also be used to keep in contact with students training in hospitals.

The devices will have to be returned when students graduate.

All fourth and fifth year medical students at the university are going to be given iPhones.
Mobile library

These students will be spending time away from campus, working in places such as hospital wards and GP surgeries, and the iPhones will be loaded with reference information to help their training.

The applications, supplied with the phone, will provide instant access to "key medical text books".

It will also be a mobile way of recording notes on the ward and keeping in touch with tutors.

The university says the iPhone package and connections will cost £380 per student, which it says is a fraction of the £50,000 per year which it says it costs to train a doctor.

Using the iPhones is a cost effective way of ensuring that students have the text books they need "at any time of day or night, wherever they are working", says the university.

Professor David Cottrell, dean of the medical school, says it is "putting a whole suite of training tools and educational resources in the palm of their hand".

If the phones are lost or stolen any information held on them can be wiped remotely - and they will not have access to confidential patient databases.

An Iranian court has sentenced a prominent Iranian-Canadian blogger to more than 19 years in jail, rights groups and Iranian media say.

Hossein Derakhshan was charged with "propagating against the regime" and "co-operating with hostile states".

Mr Derakhshan was arrested in 2008 during a visit to the country.

He is credited with launching Iran's blogging revolution. Originally critical of the government, he later backed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Derakhshan was also sentenced for promoting counter-revolutionary groups, insulting Islamic thought and religious figures and managing obscene websites, Mashreq news website reported.

Judicial sources said he could appeal the ruling.

After moving to Toronto, Canada, from Tehran in 2000, he posted simple instructions in Farsi on how to publish blogs - thus helping to spark an explosion of blogging in Iran. - BBC

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Define a great relationship?