by aimee | Aug 5, 2013 | National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 05 (PIA)–Giseguro sa Malakanyang ang pagpakusog sa intelligence gathering ug security measures sa tibuok nasud, partikular na sa palibot sa United States Embassy, human sa hulga sa al-Qaeda sa Estados Unidos
Una nang nagpagawas og global travel alert ang Estados Unidos tungod sa giingong planong pag-atake sa international terrorist group sa Tungang Sidlakan ug amihanang bahin sa Africa karong Agosto.
Matud pa ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, nakatutok ang hulga sa mga embahada.
“We consulted the National Security Adviser, and the NSA had advised us that we are already intensifying intelligence gathering and we continue the hardening of targets, which are the focus of these alerts such as the US Embassy. Of course, we take into consideration the alert that has been issued, and then, according to the National Security Adviser, we are intensifying our intelligence gathering to address the issues that are raised in the alert,” matud pa ni Valte.
Matud pa usab sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), wala sila’y namonitor nga bisan unsang terrorist threat sa nasud human sa travel alert sa Estados Unidos.
“Locally, we have not monitored threats as high as that from al-Qaeda,” matud pa ni AFP Spokesman Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan.
Apan giseguro niya nga nakaalerto ang mga sundalo sa bisan unsang posibleng hulga sa seguridad. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by aimee | Aug 5, 2013 | Headlines, National News
MALACAÑANG said on Sunday that the government is intensifying its intelligence gathering efforts in order to address reported plans of international terrorist group al-Qaida to attack targets this month.
The United States has issued alerts to its diplomatic posts around the world warning of an al-Qaida attack on Western interests any time soon. The alert expires on August 31.
In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said efforts have also been centered at fortifying alleged targets of the terrorist group.
“We consulted the National Security Adviser and the NSA had advised us that we are already intensifying intelligence gathering, and we continue the hardening of targets which are the focus of these alerts such as the US Embassy,” Valte said.
She said the government was concerned about the terror alert and has remained in constant communication with the NSA for further updates.
“Of course, we take into consideration the alert that has been issued and then, according to the National Security Adviser, we are intensifying our intelligence gathering to address the issues that were raised in the alert,” Valte said. (PCOO)
by aimee | Aug 1, 2013 | National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 01 (PIA)–Gideklarar ni Presidente Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III ang Agosto 9 isip regular holiday sa tibuok nasud.
Kini kalabot sa pagtimaan sa Eid’l Fitr sa mga Muslim.
Nakabutang kini sa gipagawas nga Proclamation No. 629 nga gilagdaan ni Presidente Aquino.
Tuyo niining mahatagan og kahigayonan ang mga igsuon natong Muslim sa tibuok nasud nga makasaulog paghuman sa usa ka buwan nga pagtimaan sa Ramadan.
“The President issued Proclamation No. 629, declaring Friday, August 9, 2013, as a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr. So, those who have been asking us whether (August) 9 is a holiday, yes it is, by virtue of Proclamation No. 629”, matud pa ni Lacierda.
Gawas sa Agosto 9, duha pa ka holidays sa buwan sa Agosto ang paaboton sa mga Pinoy sa tibuok nasud.
Ang Agosto 21 nga gideklarar nang Special (Non-working) holiday isip Ninoy Aquino Day ug ang Agosto 26 nga usa ka regular holiday agig pagsaulog sa National Heroes Day.
Ang maong mga holidays nakalatid sa Proclamation No. 459 nga gilagdaan niadtong Agosto 16, 2012 ni Presidente Aquino. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by aimee | Aug 1, 2013 | National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 01 (PIA)–Gitino na karon sa gobyerno ang giingong mga propesyunal nga wala nagbayad og saktong buwis.
Matud pa ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, kinahanglang matumbok kun kinsa kini sila aron mapasakaan og tukmang kaso.
Nipagawas og pahayag ang Palasyo tungod sa taho nga giingong mas daku pa ang ginabayad nga buwis sa mga magtutudlo kun itandi sa mga self-employed doctors ug lawyers.
“We are identifying the professionals who are paying less than what they should pay and there will be tax evasion charges filed against them”.
Ang pagbatok sa tax evasion ang usa sa mga nag-unang gitutokan sa administrasyong Aquino.
Mahinungdanon alang sa gobyerno ang taas nga koleksyon sa buwis nga gigamit sa mga mahinungdanong programa partikular na sa pagbatok sa kakabus.
Gikan sa target nga P100 bilyon tax collection niadtong Hunyo, mikabat sa P88.76 bilyon ang nakolektang buwis sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), apan mas taas kini sa P7.42 bilyon collection o 9.12% niadtong Hunyo sa 2012.
Alang sa 2013, target sa BIR nga makakolekta og P1.2 trilyon o mas taas og 17% sa 2012 tax collection. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by aimee | Jul 30, 2013 | Headlines, National News
Despite a sudden downpour last July 24, guests from across Cebu Province witnessed the unveiling of the first publication that compiles Philippine trees in the Visayas region and aims to provide comprehensive information about these indigenous tree species.
Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) launched the Manual on Native Trees in the Visayas at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, Cebu City. The manual is a compilation of 101 Philippine native trees found in the Visayas.
The trees are grouped alphabetically according to the family classification each belongs to, and presented with descriptions that include their official names, scientific names, local names, methods of propagation and uses. Also included are practical tips on how to plant a seedling and how to nurture it to full growth. A glossary is provided to help readers in understanding technical words.
The book launching was attended by Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, mayors from different municipalities of Cebu Province, and representatives from various government agencies, civic organizations, and academic institutions all over Cebu.
Dominica Chua, RAFI chief operating officer, and Magpale formally presented Manual of Native Trees in the Visayas to the public through an unveiling of an enlarged version of the book cover.
Free copies of the book were given to identified guests and partners.
“RAFI has special preference for native trees due to their many benefits to surrounding flora and fauna,” Chua stressed.
During the program, a presentation of the results of this year’s Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines was also done by Marge Gravador, executive director of RAFI’s Integrated Development unit.
The free running and indigenous tree planting event was held simultaneously in over 40 municipalities of the Province of Cebu last June 29.
Another initiative of RAFI in promoting biodiversity conservation is the RAFI Native Trees Nursery in Barangay Busay, Cebu City. The nursery houses 200,000 seedlings of 218 native tree species.
Manual on Native Trees in the Visayas was conceptualized to contribute to the achievement of Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals, which is to ensure environmental sustainability by reversing the loss of environmental resources.
Copies of the book are sold at Php 2,500 each at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center, 35 Lopez Jaena St., Cebu City. Interested buyers may contact (6332) 418-7234 loc. 515 and look for Noel Fornolles.
To know more about the book, visit http://rafi.org.ph/publications/native-trees. (by Donna Lavares/RAFI intern)
Photo caption
RAFI Chief Operating Officer Dominica Chua emphasizes the value of native trees in biodiversity conservation during the launching of Manual of Native Trees in the Visayas last July 24 at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center.
by aimee | Jul 19, 2013 | Headlines, National News
Malacanang vowed Friday to fully investigate the alleged P10-billion scam over the past decade involving pork barrel funds of senators and congressmen spent for ghost projects.
“What we would like to emphasize is all the aspects of this travesty are being investigated fully regardless of where it leads up. This applies to both the investigation on Janet Napoles and also in the investigation on Cadavero,” Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Janet Lim-Napoles is being implicated in a P10-billion scam using mainly pork barrel funds of lawmakers for bogus projects. Napoles denied the allegations saying her company, JLN Corporation, had never transacted business with the government or any of its agencies. Napoles is the president and CEO of JLN Corporation.
In 2001, Napoles and her husband, retired Army Maj. Jaime Napoles, were among 18 personnel of the Navy Marine Corps and civilians, charged by the Office of Ombudsman in connection with the acquisition of substandard Kevlar helmets worth P3.8 million.
Napoles was also summoned by the Senate blue ribbon committee during its investigation on the P728-million fertilizer scam involving then Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante.
Napoles’s woes stemmed from the allegations of Benhur K. Luy, 31, a distant cousin and her personal assistant in JLN Corp., that she had ordered his kidnapping and illegal detention.
Luy, who was rescued by a special task force of NBI agents last March, outlined the alleged involvement of Napoles in the scam. He said Napoles purportedly used funds from the lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds (PDAF), or pork barrel, and various government entities, for ghost projects executed by several dozen bogus contractors in the past 10 years.
The Palace said it is letting the Department of Justice, through the National Bureau of Investigation to fully investigate the case. (PND)
