by magnolia_eic | Sep 27, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — An estimated 35 people were hurt as an explosion marred the last day of the Bar examinations at the De la Salle University (DLSU) on Taft Avenue, Manila yesterday afternoon.
The victims were taken to the different hospitals in manila. Their names were not immediately available. Manila Police District (MPD) investigator PO3 Clarmen Dimatulac said the incident created panic as hundreds of students scampered away from the scene.
Dimatulac mentioned that they were investigating whether a pillbox was thrown into the crowd by unidentified persons or fireworks that caused the explosion in front of the DLSU.
Early reports at the NCR Police Office said the incident stemmed from a conflict between the Tau Gamma Phi and the Alpha Phi Omega fraternities. Other reports said there were supporters of examinees that used fireworks.
Police have been given orders to investigate and gather evidence from the victims to determine the cause of the explosion. The incident happened at the end of the last day of Bar Examinations were 5,012 law graduates took.
Click here for full article from Philippine Star
by magnolia_eic | Sep 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The United States on Thursday granted the Philippines some $434 million to help build roads and carry out other projects aimed at reducing poverty and fighting corruption.
The money was awarded under the US-run Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) that helps developing countries reduce their levels of poverty as long as they meet performance criteria on the rule of law and democratic principles.
Present for the signing was US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.
The grant is intended to be used for a road project in Samar province, curb corruption through the modernization program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) Project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The MCC, an independent United States aid agency, gives five-year compact grants for countries that pass MCC’s eligibility criteria in poverty alleviation, and threshold grants which are smaller grants awarded to countries that come close to passing these criteria and are firmly committed to improving their policy performance.
In 2006, the MCC also awarded the Philippines a $21-million threshold grant to eradicate corruption and attract international investments through the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday assured that employment opportunities are brighter for jobseekers with the coming holiday season.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said various industries are expected to hire more workers in the last three months of the year as commercial establishments nationwide prepare for Christmas.
Even poor but deserving students who are on Christmas vacation can work temporarily in various business firms and government offices nationwide as provided under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).
Employers will pay 60 percent of the students’ minimum wage while the government would shoulder the remaining 40 percent. The working students are also entitled to other benefits and privileges under the Labor Code.
Republic Act 9547 or the SPES Amendatory Law was passed last year to encourage employers engaged in small and medium enterprises to hire poor but deserving students so they will have the opportunity to earn more during vacation. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III will go to Hanoi on Oct. 28 to 30 to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit.
But prior to his attendance at the ASEAN Summit, the Chief Executive will first make a state visit to Vietnam upon the personal invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said, in an interview in New York, that the President was originally scheduled to visit Vietnam last September 13-14 but the hostage crisis took place at the Quirino Grandstand last August 23, which forced the President to stay and attend to domestic problems.
Romulo said the two leaders talked about the ASEAN-US meeting that will take place this Friday (Sept. 24) and President Aquino, as the coordinator, just talked about their full agenda including the communiqué, which has been arranged by the senior officials.
He reported to the Vietnamese leader that President Aquino is looking forward to his visit to Hanoi in order to “deepen the relationship already existing between the two countries.”
The Vietnamese president also expressed his confidence in the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.
President Aquino said he expects to sign in Hanoi the agreements on higher education, defense, maritime issues and disaster coordination, including oil spill and natural calamities, Romulo added. (PCCO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Sep 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will conduct a “lifestyle check” on officials linked to jueteng after two whistleblowers released the names of government officials allegedly involved in the illegal numbers game.
At a news briefing, BIR commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said the investigation will begin with the list of names disclosed at the Senate this week.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz testified at a Senate hearing this week about government officials allegedly involved in jueteng.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the other hand, gave a privilege speech on Wednesday, naming persons allegedly involved in jueteng operations nationwide.
Henares said a lifestyle check could uncover information on whether the alleged government officials involved in jueteng are paying the proper taxes and where their money is coming from.
Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was present during the briefing, said she will also check whether there are high-profile jueteng cases pending before the department. (PIA)
