by magnolia_eic | Dec 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno Aquino III has declared December 24 and December 31 as special non-
working days, giving Filipinos two consecutive long weekends to enjoy as the two dates fall
on a Friday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. on Sunday said
December 25 is a regular holiday.
Meanwhile, the commemoration for Rizal Day, December 30, another regular holiday, will be
moved to December 27, Monday, as part of the government’s so-called holiday economics,
where a holiday is moved to the nearest Monday.
The December 2010 holidays was based on Proclamation No. 1841 s. 2009, which has been
retained as relevant for December this year after deliberation by the Office of the President.
(PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 13, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday that a Panama-flagged and Greek-
owned vessel with 24 Filipino seafarers was seized by Somali pirates on December 11.
The MV Renaur was hijacked about 1,050 nautical miles east of Somalia in the Indian
Ocean. It was enroute to Fujirah in the United Arab Emirates from Port Louis, Mauritius when
it was attacked. The vessel is now enroute to Somalia.
The DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) instructed
Philippine Liaison Officer to the Combined Maritime Forces in Manama, Captain Gaudencio
Collado, to assist in the efforts of the European Union naval forces (EU NAVFOR) to
undertake rescue operations on the vessel before it reaches Somali waters.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos also
instructed Captain Collado to convey to the EU NAVFOR that the paramount concern of the
Philippine Government is the safety of the Filipino crew.
The DFA-OUMWA also called the Philippine Embassy in Athens to convey the same
message to the vessel’s Greek-based managing owner.
To date, there are 100 Filipino seafarers onboard eight vessels held captive by pirates.
The DFA-OUMWA continues to coordinate closely with the concerned Philippine Embassies,
the vessels’ principals and the local manning agencies for the early and safe release of the
other seafarers. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 11, 2010 | Headlines, National News
ARE your teeners one of those trendy guys glinting with silver accessories? If they are, beware.
According to some sources, silver accessories made shiny by cleaning solutions flooding the market
now have alarmed authorities over reports of poisoning.
On this, the government has issued warnings against silvers being cleaned by silver cleaning
solutions that are unlabelled and thus come from unregistered sources.
The culprit, silver cyanide, an active component in the cleaning compound has been detected with
over the safe levels in these silver-cleaning products.
Cyanide is a chemical compound that can cause poisoning, especially when cyanide ions are dissolved
in water, according to the wikipedia.
At this, the Departments of Health (DOH) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have
issued a ban on selling of unlabelled silver jewelry cleaning solution.
In a joint advisory dated September 24, both agencies issued a warning on buying unregistered and
unlabelled silver jewelry cleaning solutions or agents proliferating in the market today.
The advisory states, “laboratory analysis of samples of silver cleaners solution show elevated levels of
cyanide clearly posing imminent danger or even death to humans, particularly when accidentally or
deliberately ingested.”
Both agencies said these substances pose as threat to health and safety, thus they stress their strict
prohibition and sale in the market.
The advisory also carries a warning to all commercial establishments such as jewelry shops and other
retail outlets and ambulant vendors against selling or dispensing these silver cleaners.
By Presidential Decree 881, the law has empowered the secretary of the Department of Health to
regulate the sale, labeling and distribution of hazardous substances.
The same decree defines hazardous substance as those which toxic, corrosive, irritant, strong
sensitizer, flammable or combustible and that which causes substantial injury when ingested.
The public then is enjoined to report to the DOH any information leading to the apprehension
of persons engaged in distributing these products. Any individual in possession of such banned
substances may as well surrender them to the DOH for proper disposal, the advisory said.
(racPIABohol)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 9, 2010 | Headlines, National News
GIHANGYO sa mga senador ang Malacañang niadtong Martes nga i-apil ang “Morong 43”
sa listahan sa mga beneficiaries ni Presidente Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sa iyang amnesty
proclamation.
Mao kini ang gisugyot ni Senador Joker Arroyo atol sa Senate hearing sa amnesty
proclamation ni Presidente Aquino.
Ang maong hearing na suspenso niadtong Lunes tungod sa pag-apil sa pangalan ni Senador
Gringo Honasan ug ubang miyembro sa Communist Party of the Philippines-National
Democratic Front sa listahan sa mga beneficiaries.
Gisuportahan usab ni Senador Francis “Chiz” Escudero ang sugyot ni Arroyo og niingon
nga angay hatagan usab og amnestiya ang “Morong 43” dili lamang tungod sa panahon sa
Pasko, apan alang usab sa patas nga proteksyon.
Matud pa ni Escudero nga majority sa iyang mga kauban sa Senado, apil na usab sa mga
magbabalaod sa House of Representatives, nagpaabot lamang sa desisyon ni Presidente
Aquino sa “Morong 43” kinsa gipang-aresto tungod sa giingong ilang kalambigitan sa
underground movement. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 9, 2010 | Headlines, National News
The Aquino Administration will pursue steps to make officials of the previous administration
accountable for allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, Executive Secretary Paquito N.
Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday.
Ochoa made the statement after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Executive
Order No. 1, which seeks to establish the Truth Commission whose task is to investigate
reports of graft and corruption committed by officials of the previous administration and their
cohorts from the private sector.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of Executive Order No. 1 will not
deter us from pursuing measures necessary to look into the allegations of corruption by the
previous administration,” Ochoa said.
“While this decision may hamper and perhaps delay our efforts to obtain justice for the
people, we remain steadfast in our commitment to scrutinize the numerous allegations and
accusation in our quest for truth,” he added.
According to the Executive Secretary, Malacañang will file a motion for reconsideration and
explore other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try and punish those who
may have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves while in office.
President Benigno Aquino III created the Truth Commission in response to urgent call from
the people to determine the truth behind reports of large-scale graft and corruption allegedly
perpetrated by his predecessor and her officials. (PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Dec 9, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Malacanang on Tuesday said it would seek reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision
declaring as unconstitutional Executive Order No. 1, which creates the Truth Commission,
pointing out that the verdict will set back efforts for reforms and accountability in government.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda described the decision as
unfortunate, saying it will set back the reforms the Aquino administration has implemented in
pinpointing the accountability of the previous administration. “We will not be stymied by these
decisions.”
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa meanwhile said that while a motion for reconsideration
will be filed, “we will explore other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try and
punish those who have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves in office.”
Lacierda said the government will do whatever is appropriate under the circumstances.
On the status of the Commission, Lacierda said as an independent entity, its chairman,
former Chief Justice Hilario Davide was supposed to be one of those drafting the rules.
(PCOO)
