P5.7-million cocaine, ecstasy seized from hotel safe
MANILA, Philippines — More than P5.7 million worth of ecstacy tablets and cocaine were seized from a safety deposit box rented by an arrested drug suspect at a posh hotel in Taguig City on Friday night. The safety deposit box was rented by businessman Domingo Tanyao Uy Jr., who was arrested after P8.7 million worth of illegal drugs were found in an open vault of the room he rented at the same hotel last month. His arrest came after hotel officials tipped off authorities about the presence of illegal drugs in the rented room. Weeks after his arrest, PDEA operatives opened the safety deposit box kept by Uy, which contained 2,750 ecstacy tablets and 200 grams of cocaine. Authorities sought a search warrant after getting information that Uy maintained a safety deposit box that contained illegal drugs.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Investment scam victims mull raps vs KAPA execs
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Several persons who claimed to be victims of an alleged investment scam by Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. (KAPA) are planning to file charges against its officials. The victims showed to The STAR their investment or “donation” documents, which were signed by KAPA founder Joel Apolinario. They said they are considering suing KAPA officials for syndicated estafa, but are also open to negotiations for the return of their money. On Facebook, KAPA officials appealed to their members for calm even as they gave assurance that they are taking legal action against those who raided and padlocked their offices. Malacañang had earlier appealed to KAPA members to go to court if they want their organization to continue its operations.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Barangay councilor gunned down
MANILA, Philippines — A barangay councilor was shot dead in Pasig City yesterday morning. Bobby Nazareth, 43, of Barangay Sagad, died at the scene after motorcycle-riding assailants shot him repeatedly along Mercedez Avenue in Barangay San Miguel. Nazareth and his bandmates Ramon Balbastro Jr., 61, and Anthony Salazar, 43, were on their way home after performing at a bar, said case investigator M/Sgt. They hailed tricycle driver Larry Anto, 46, and Nazareth rode behind Anto while his bandmates were in the tricycle’s cab. It was then that the assailants blocked the tricycle’s path and shot at Nazareth repeatedly.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
CITEM targets $26 M sales from Taipei food exhibit
MANILA, Philippines — The exports promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set a $26 million sales target for the country’s participation in the Taipei International Food Show (TIFS) scheduled next week. In a statement, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said Philippine firms taking part in the TIFS or Food Taipei are likely to raise $26 million from sales. CITEM, which is responsible for handling and organizing the Philippine delegation to the TIFS, seeks to focus on the country’s natural and healthy food products. TIFS is slated on June 19 to 22 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and the Taipei World Trade Center. It will be held concurrently with four other food-related shows such as Foodtech and Pharmatech Taipei, Taipei Pack, Taiwan HORECA and Halal Taiwan.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Aging Asia to need more domestic helpers
MANILA, Philippines — As Asia remains “on track to become one of the oldest regions” in the world in the next few decades, the need for domestic helpers also grows rapidly, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said yesterday. This demographic transition combined with an increase of women in the workforce increases the demand for home-based care and domestic work. However, rather than other family members sharing the care responsibilities, many aging societies will look to migrants to fill the domestic work gap,” Baruah said. It is estimated that around 67 million people work as domestic workers around the world and 10 million of them work in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Domestic workers make up nearly 20 percent of all migrant workers in the ASEAN region.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Cool Smashers crush Perlas, boost semis bid
MANILA, Philippines — Creamline pounded a skidding BanKo-Perlas team trying to feel its way with a new import, scoring a 25-12, 25-19, 25-16 victory yesterday to bolster its semifinal drive in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the University of San Agustin gym in Iloilo yesterday. The Cool Smashers banked on their cohesion with Thai reinforcement Kuttika Kaewpin and Venezuelan Ale Blanco combining well with Creamline’s locals, led by Alyssa Valdez, Michelle Gumabao, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato and ace setter Jia Morado, all throughout the match to fashion out the lopsided win, their fifth straight after dropping their opening game to the league-leading and unbeaten PetroGazz Angels. The emphatic victory likewise ended BanKo-Perlas’ 2-0 record over Creamline in their out-of-town face-offs in Tuguegarao and Cagayan de Oro in the Open Conference last year, both in five-set thrillers. This time, however, the Cool Smashers started out strong to overpower the Perlas Spikers, who showed up with new reinforcement in Thai Sutadta Chuewulim vice the power-hitting Kia Bright. But the veteran of the defunct V-League struggled and the rest of the Perlas Spikers groped in their first ball and in their attacks, enabling the Cool Smashers to ease their way to a 12-3 binge to post a 13-point romp right in the opening frame.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Step towards unity
There was a written request from the majority for POC secretary-general Patrick Gregorio to set a Board meeting on Tuesday. The By-Laws are not clear if the Board meeting is authorized in case the request of the majority is denied by the secretary-general. There are 13 Executive Board members, not 15 as previously noted. Vargas said he will work out a “mutually acceptable schedule” with the majority to set the next Board meeting. His decision to cancel tomorrow’s meeting and to join the majority of the Board on Tuesday is a step towards forging unity within the POC leadership.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Thirdy Ravena leads D-League MVP race
MANILA, Philippines — Cignal-Ateneo guard Thirdy Ravena together with the duo of RK Ilagan and Allyn Bulanadi from Valencia City Bukidnon–SSCR lead the race for the MVP award in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League. With the Blue Eagles in command of the ongoing finals against Centro Escolar University, Ravena has an inside track for the tournament’s highest individual award behind an average of 14.2 points on 41-percent clip, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals in nine games. Despite the semis exit, Valencia’s Ilagan and Bulanadai still has a strong case against Ravena with impressive averages in perfect attendance for the squad which topped the Foundation Group with an 8-1 card. Ilagan tallied 20.4 points on 39-percent three point shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.2 steals while Bulanadi normed 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks before going down with a shoulder injury in the semis against Cignal-Ateneo. Also in contention are Ravena’s teammate Isaac Go who racked up averages of 9.9 markers, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists and CEU gunner Rich Guinitaran with a 13.7-point, 3.8-rebound and 1.3-steal average.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
EDITORIAL - Cubao to Makati in 5 minutes
By the end of the year, President Duterte has vowed, the drive along EDSA between Makati and Cubao, Quezon City would be cut to just five minutes. People who grapple daily with the crippling traffic jams along the busy thoroughfare have tried numerous schemes to improve vehicular flow. Ordinary folks are burdened enough with inflation to add to the cost of their daily drive or commute. Fuel costs are high enough and there are already too many toll roads all over Metro Manila and neighboring areas, making people wonder where taxes go. Edison Nebrija, EDSA traffic zone head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, has a more realistic target of cutting down the drive between Cubao, Quezon City to Chino Roces Avenue in Makati initially to 30 minutes.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Philippine Independence Day in Washington
We commemorated the Philippine Independence Day in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with a reception for 422 confirmed guests composed of Philippine and US government officials, members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Washington, D.C., representatives of the business sector, as well as members of think-tank groups and Filipino communities. But the path towards real independence is long and difficult – and I say this because I firmly believe that the real measure of a nation’s independence is not confined to the people’s ability to exercise the right to vote, or enjoy freedom of speech and religion. International economists also see the Philippines growing into a trillion-dollar economy with a GDP per capita of $8,200 by 2032. We have also recently signed a contract for the purchase of 16 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States to beef up our Air Force capabilities. There are about 4.3 million Filipino-Americans living in the United States today, and I am proud to say that they are very much appreciated in this country.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 16:00 UTC
Mario Montenegro: Painter after Botong’s own heart
The Brown Adonis of the ‘50s, Mario Montenegro, was also an accomplished painter. A Philippine Panorama article in July 1979 was titled ‘Movie Star Mario Montenegro has a new starring role: Painter after Botong Francisco’s own heart.’ At the University of the Philippines where he took up fine arts, one of his mentors was the renowned painter from Angono, Rizal, who was much later named National Artist. ...Mario with Letty and Botong...Botong and Mario and his wife Letty Alonzo, briefly a movie actress, formed a lifelong friendship. He was then known as ‘the town painter.’…and doing the portrait of daughter MarilenEven as a top actor of LVN and other movie studios, Mario didn’t abandon painting. The Panorama article noted that Mario mounted a one-man painting in July 1979 at the Peninsula Hotel’s art gallery with the help of Botong Francisco.
Source:Philippine Star
June 15, 2019 15:56 UTC
How do we exemplify the Holy Trinity?
How do we exemplify the Holy Trinity? “Santa Trinidad.”Of course, the Virgin Mary had no sister and the amusing story only proves how difficult it is to understand the doctrine of the “Santa Trinidad.”* * *This Sunday is the feast of the Holy Triune God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit. In arithmetic we say 1+1+1 equals 3 but with the Holy Trinity it’s 1+1+1 equals 1! * * *Love is the bond that unites the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. * * *The family becomes a little Holy Trinity when family members love, care, and respect one another.
Source:Manila Bulletin
June 15, 2019 15:56 UTC
Access road to Sangley airport pushed
Access road to Sangley airport pushed 0 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy Bernie Cahiles-MagkilatThe opening of a new access road that will connect Noveleta in Cavite to NAIAX has been proposed to ensure faster travel from the NAIA airport to Sangley Point. He stressed that the access road going to Noveleta up to Cavite City is a major consideration that the government must address in the commercial operation of Sangley airport. The proposed access road is only 2 kilometers road that can be easily constructed in less than 1 year, Reyes-Chua added. Upon completion of this access road, he said, Sangley Airport can be reached in less than 1 hour from NAIA terminals in Metro Manila.
Source:Manila Bulletin
June 15, 2019 13:52 UTC
CEB supports fast-tracking Sangley Airport dev’t
CEB supports fast-tracking Sangley Airport dev’t 0 SHARES Share it! “The transfer of General Aviation — or private aircraft operations to Sangley — is a quick win and will yield immediate positive results for NAIA,” confirmed Michael Ivan Shau, CEB Chief Operations Officer. Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic destinations, including routes where jet operations are not possible such as Marinduque, Batanes, Busuanga, Camiguin and Siargao. The Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of two Airbus A321NEOs, seven A321CEOs, one A320NEO, 33 A320s, eight A330s, eight ATR 72-500 and 13 ATR 72-600s. The ATR aircraft are used by Cebgo for inter-island flights where jet operations are not possible.
Source:Manila Bulletin
June 15, 2019 13:52 UTC
DOE formally seeks Meralco’s action on CSP
DOE formally seeks Meralco’s action on CSP With no new power projects 0 SHARES Share it! “The DOE and Meralco agreed that the latter should expedite the conduct of their CSP to ensure continued power supply in Luzon,” a statement from the Secretary’s office has stipulated. If the DOE cannot expeditiously and efficiently carry out the CSP for the DUs, the Duterte administration will be leaving a legacy of power crisis. Notably, most of the plants just recently completed and under construction are still to the credit of the past administration. Previously, the DOE had aligned the 1,200-megawatt Atimonan and 600-MW coal-fired power projects of Meralco PowerGen as “committed projects,” but hopes of them reaching immediate construction phase had been dashed following the high court’s decision.
Source:Manila Bulletin
June 15, 2019 13:52 UTC