'All is well': Britney reassures fans over mental health
'All is well': Britney reassures fans over mental healthLOS ANGELES, United States — Pop princess Britney Spears took to Instagram Wednesday amid swirling rumors she was being held against her will in a mental facility, telling her 22 million followers: "All is well." Entertainment website TMZ and industry bible "Variety" reported last month that Spears had voluntarily checked into a mental health facility as she dealt with a number of personal issues. The Mississippi native had announced earlier this year she was taking a break from her Las Vegas residency to concentrate on her father's declining health. There was even a protest on Monday outside the city hall in West Hollywood, California, where fans brandished placards bearing the hashtag and demanding her release. "My situation is unique, but I promise I'm doing what's best at this moment," she wrote, without directly addressing the mental health facility rumors.
Source:Philippine Star
April 25, 2019 00:32 UTC
Bishop to voters: Use social media to support good candidates
It is not a matter of betting on winning horses. “No matter if my candidates do not have a high rating, my vote for them is not wasted even if they lose. What is worse is that I vote for a winnable candidate who is a bad public servant … and may have contributed to the ill in society,” the prelate said. Pabillo earlier cited the 10 candidates that lay Christian leaders belonging to the People’s Choice Movement have recently selected out of the 62 senatorial aspirants, using a set of Christian criteria. Let us be wiser.”Click here for more elections stories.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 24, 2019 21:11 UTC
Cops kill suspect in ex-Negros mayor’s slay
ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A suspect in the killing of former mayor Luis Mondia of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in Dingle, Iloilo yesterday. Rammy Enojo fired at law enforcers serving an arrest warrant at his house in Barangay Tambunak at around 5:30 a.m., Maj. Jonathan Pinuela, head of the Iloilo police special operations group, said. Pinuela said Enojo was ranked sixth on the list of most wanted persons in the province. Mondia was shot dead after hearing mass at the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo City on Feb. 17, 2010.
Source:Philippine Star
April 24, 2019 21:00 UTC
Duterte has P20-B fund for quakes, calamities
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has P20 billion in the 2019 national budget to help people and communities stricken by earthquakes and other calamities or disasters. In the budget he proposed to Congress in July 2018, the President recommended a P20-billion allocation for the national disaster risk reduction and management (NDRRM) fund, formerly calamity fund. The fund amounted to P15.8 billion in 2017 and P19.6 billion in 2018. Aside from the NDRRM fund, the President could use relevant appropriations in the national budget, and in the Office of the President (OP) outlay in particular, to help calamity-hit communities. He could also tap his social fund, which holds billions in contributions from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Source:Philippine Star
April 24, 2019 20:15 UTC
Philippine hunger rate drops in Q1 2019 — SWS
According to the survey, 9.5 percent of Filipinos experienced involuntary hunger in the first quarter of 2019. The survey noted that hunger rate declined in Metro Manila from 18.3 percent to 11.7 percent — or 6.6 points. SWS said this was the first in four quarters that there was a decrease in Metro Manila’s hunger rate. The hunger rate also decreased in Mindanao but slightly increased in Balance Luzon and Visayas. The March 2019 SWS survey was conducted from March 28 to 31, 2019, using face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults, aged 18 years old and above, nationwide.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
April 24, 2019 17:48 UTC
Fitch Ratings cuts PH growth forecast
Fitch Ratings cuts PH growth forecasthome/Business/Top Business/Fitch Ratings cuts PH growth forecastFitch Ratings has slashed its 2019 Philippine growth forecast, tagging the delayed approval of the national budget and outside circumstances as reasons for the adjustment. “Fitch has revised down its GDP (gross domestic product) growth forecast for 2019 to 6.2 percent from 6.6 percent previously, as it expects the recent budget delay and external factors to weigh on growth,” the debt watcher said in a report released on Wednesday. The projection matches last year’s actual growth and falls near the lower end of the government’s downwardly-revised 6.0-7.0 percent target. The government’s decision to lower this year’s GDP growth goal to 6.0-7.0 percent, from 7.0-8.0 percent previously, was primarily based on expectations that the budget delay would extend to April. Lastly, Fitch also trimmed its 2019 government revenue-to-GDP estimate to 16.2 percent from 16.5 percent in line with the lower growth forecast.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:30 UTC
The dangers of ‘Dutertismo’
This is what is called by elite intellectuals the likes of Randy David and John Nery as “Dutertismo,” except that they deploy the label to malign an organic ideology by focusing only on its dark side. It is the same logic that makes people suspend their politics in exchange for some comfort over a President they trust will bring change. What the elite intellectuals who coined “Dutertismo” are guilty of is when they appropriated scholarly logic into what is obviously a partisan agenda. Thus, the ideology that is Duterte is sustained by a blindly loyal base of support and an equally blindly partisan base of criticism. There are very few scholars, artists and academics who can navigate the challenge of understanding Duterte as ideology from a purely academic enterprise.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:29 UTC
Lady Spikers blast through UE
Lady Spikers blast through UEhome/Sports/Top Sports/Lady Spikers blast through UEDe La Salle University was assured of at least a playoff for a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after a 25-17, 25-16, 25-19, demolition of University of the East (UE), in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. The four-peat seeking Lady Spikers banked on a balanced attack as they moved a win away from one of the semifinal incentives with an improved 10-3 record. Rookie spiker Jolina Dela Cruz and veteran hitter Aduke Ogunsanya led the Lady Spikers’ offense with 10 points apiece. Judith Abil led UE with a game-high 16 points but was the only player in double-digit scoring. The Green Spikers and the Maroon Spikers fell to 4-9 and 1-12, respectively.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Draft estate tax amnesty rules released
Draft estate tax amnesty rules releasedhome/Business/Top Business/Draft estate tax amnesty rules releasedDraft rules for an estate tax amnesty have been released by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), which expects to collect some P6.28 billion once the program is implemented. Also excluded from the estate tax amnesty are properties involved in pending cases under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Commission of Good Government, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Plunder Law, Anti-Money Laundering Act, National Internal Revenue Code and the Revised Penal Code. In general, the estate’s value will be based on the fair market rate at the time of the decedent’s death. Delinquent taxpayers who wish to avail of the amnesty will be given two years to file their applications. The estate tax amnesty was among the provisions retained by President Rodrigo Duterte when he partially vetoed Republic Act 11213 or the Tax Amnesty law earlier this year.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Another Petron-F2 Logistics finals showdown looms
Another Petron-F2 Logistics finals showdown loomsBy THE MANILA TIMEShome/Sports/Top Sports/Another Petron-F2 Logistics finals showdown loomsBitter rivals Petron and F2 Logistics seek to book another finals duel while Cignal and PLDT Home Fibr fight for survival in Game 2 of their Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix best-of-three semifinal series today at the Filoil Flying V Centre. “She got frustrated in the second set,” said F2 Logistics coach Ramil de Jesus. It woke her up and she started to play well in the third set.”But all eyes will be on Petron. After suffering their second set loss of the season, the Blaze Spikers displayed their ability to bounce back as imports Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer caught fire in the second set en route to an impressive 20-25, 25-14, 25-13, 25–18 win. The HD Spikers are also raring to stay alive and stretch the game to a rubber match on Saturday.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
‘Be attentive’ to China’s rebalancing
‘Be attentive’ to China’s rebalancingPolicymakers in the East Asia and Pacific region should be mindful of China’s bid to make its economy more dependent on consumption instead of debt-led spending, a World Bank economist said on Wednesday. “It will be important for policymakers to be attentive to China’s efforts to rebalance its economy as a related shift will present both new opportunities and challenges,” acting East Asia and Pacific chief economist Andrew Mason told reporters in a briefing. Policy reforms in the service sector are also necessary, Mason said, as it remains “remain very restrictive compared to goods sector”. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is expected to pick up to 6.5 percent next year. “Continued uncertainty stems from several factors including further deceleration in advanced economies, the possibility of a faster-than-expected slowdown in China, and unresolved trade tensions.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Trade remedies as a protective measure
Trade remedies as a protective measureBy MARK ANTHONY TAMAYOhome/Business/Business Columns/Trade remedies as a protective measure(Last of three parts)In last week’s article, we briefly discussed Republic Act (RA) No. 8751 (Countervailing Duty Act) as trade protection instruments, which can be used against unfair trade practices. Such measures are needed to protect the domestic industry, pending the final resolution of the investigation. The Bureau of Customs then takes charge of the imposition of dumping duty. The bottom lineTrade remedy measures, as a safety net to domestic industry, stemmed from the principle that free trade should be accompanied by free trade practices.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Robredo’s net satisfaction rating up 15 points
SWS POLLRobredo’s net satisfaction rating up 15 pointsBy RALPH VILLANUEVAhome/News/Top Stories/Robredo’s net satisfaction rating up 15 pointsTHE NET satisfaction rating of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo saw a significant 15-point hike in the first quarter of 2019, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. Robredo’s satisfaction rating saw significant hikes in rural and urban areas. He, however, obtained “very good” net satisfaction ratings in all basic sociodemographics. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating stayed “poor” for the first quarter of 2019 at -17, from the -21 recorded in December 2018. Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, meanwhile, had a +14 net satisfaction rating, almost identical to his +11 rating in December 2018.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Jack Ma and his inconveniently big mouth
Jack Ma and his inconveniently big mouthhome/Business/Business Columns/Jack Ma and his inconveniently big mouthJACK Ma, the unfortunate-looking tycoon behind the online commerce giant Alibaba, recently sparked an outpouring of existential angst in the social media realm by declaring that anyone not willing to work at least 72 hours a week was not welcome in his company, and would probably be a failure due to lack of commitment in any endeavor. That sort of thinking is offensive to Western sensibilities, and especially the unambitious working style that prevails in this culture. That is the thing about Jack Ma that makes others uncomfortable and defensive: He is unpleasant and says provocative things, but he cannot be simply ignored because the man is, after all, as rich as Croesus. What really gets under people’s skin is that, upon reflection, Jack Ma’s most obnoxious observations are for the most part correct. Whether or not reality is right or wrong, Jack Ma and his big mouth serve as a reminder that, if one wants to get ahead, this is the way of things.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC
Manila Water fined P1.1B
Manila Water fined P1.1Bhome/News/Headlines/Manila Water fined P1.1BTHE METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has penalized Ayala-led Manila Water Co. Inc. more than P1 billion for the water shortage its consumers experienced in March, the first time the agency fined one of its two concessionaires. The publicly listed Manila Water said it would comply with the decision, but blamed the MWSS for not ensuring adequate water supply. Velasco said the MWSS was putting together a “realistic and doable” water security roadmap to ensure enough water supply. “Our inability to provide our usual 24/7 water supply to some of our consumers is because Manila Water’s allocated water supply from Angat Dam is no longer sufficient for the total demand of the East Zone consumers,” he added. De la Cruz said Manila Water was focusing its efforts to address water supply issues of those residing in the elevated and farthest areas of its concession.
Source:Manila Times
April 24, 2019 16:18 UTC