Aquino rejects talks on fisheries pact with Taiwan

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III declined Tuesday to hold as of the moment any talks on a fisheries agreement with Taiwan.

In an interview after attending the 115th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Navy in Cavite City, Aquino said that the investigation on the killing of Hung Shi-chen, a Taiwanese fisherman, by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, should be finished first before discussing any fisheries pact with Taipei and other countries.

No Charter change: Aquino

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III rejected anew on Tuesday calls to change the 1987 Constitution, particularly the economic provisions, to attract more investors into the country.

In an ambush interview in Cavite province, the Chief Executive said that his position not to amend the Charter remains.

Aquino forms task force on ease of doing business

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has created an inter-agency task force that will implement reforms to make it easier to do business in the Philippines.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on Tuesday said Aquino signed Administrative Order 38 for the creation of Task Force on Ease of Doing Business (EODB Task Force) in order to implement an action plan, which was drafted by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC), to enhance the business competitiveness of the country.

CA stops P5-B smuggling case vs oil firm

SMUGGLING charges against the head of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. and a customs broker will not proceed in the next two months following a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals last May 9.

Acting on the petition filed by customs broker Jorlan Cabanes, the CA Special 10th Division noted Justice Secretary Leila de Lima reversed twin resolutions of prosecutors based on new issues and documents which were not presented by the Bureau of Customs in the original complaint.

Comelec, DFA told to explain low OAV turnout

MANILA – Senator Franklin Drilon called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to explain the low voter turnout for overseas absentee voting in the 2013 midterm polls.

"I hate to sound like a broken record, but I again deplore the dismal implementation of the absentee voting law in the just-concluded midterm elections," said Drilon, who was one of the principal sponsors of Republic Act 9189, or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act.

Zubiri accepts defeat

FORMER senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday accepted his defeat after he failed to make it to the so-called "Magic 12" of the May 13 senatorial race and thanked the 11.7 people who voted for him.

"Now, it is time to move on. It is with great pride that I return to private life as a civilian, knowing what I have done, and that I have given everything I can to help our beloved country," he said.

Comelec: All but six local bets proclaimed

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday that all but six local candidates have already been proclaimed by local board of canvassers.   In a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said they have received reports that almost all local winners were already proclaimed.   "It should be easily 99.99 percent tapos na (done) all over the country," said Brillantes.   He said the six un-proclaimed local candidates are from areas where special election will still have to be conducted since the remaining votes will still be material in determining the winners.

Drilon doesn’t expect reward for Team PNoy’s 9-3 win

SENATOR Franklin Drilon, who helped the Team PNoy coalition attain its nine-three victory in the senatorial race, said he does expect a reward for his hard work during the national campaign.

Drilon was the campaign manager of Team PNoy–a coalition of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), and the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Filipinos in Taiwan told to limit movement

MANILA -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) issued an advisory to Filipinos in Taiwan to avoid going out for their safety amid the anger by some Taiwanese nationals over the killing of their compatriot by the Philippine Coast Guard personnel.

In an interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Meco Executive Director Antonio Basilio has been in touch with the Filipino communities in Taiwan.

Palace hopes new senators will fulfill mandate

MALACANANG congratulated Sunday the 12 winning senatorial candidates for the 2013 midterm elections, as it hoped that they could perform well the mandate given to them by the people.

"Their mandate is a bit heavy, so let's all wish them well," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan.

Honasan to work with Gordon even after elections

IT ISN’T the end of the road for Richard Gordon, who lost the presidential and senatorial elections in a span of three years.

Gregorio Honasan II, who won a fourth term in the Senate at the expense of his friend Gordon, said he can still work with six other members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) who failed to land a spot in the top 12.

5 policemen injured in clash with NPA rebels

FIVE policemen were injured in a 20-minute clash with communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Tagbina town in Surigao del Sur on Saturday afternoon, a police official reported Sunday.

Caraga regional police spokesman Superintendent Martin Gamba said troops from the 11th Special Action Company were on patrol at the boundaries of Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz and Doña Carmen villages when they caught up with about 30 rebels around 10:25 a.m.

Pimentel wants to have lunch with ‘friend’ Zubiri

REELECTED Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III wants to have lunch with his political nemesis, former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who failed to make it to the top 12 of the 2013 senatorial race.

"Wala akong problema with Migz Zubiri and after everything has settled, I want to schedule a lunch or dinner with my friend, Migz Zubiri," Pimentel told reporters in an interview.

Team formed for 'harassed' Filipinos in Taiwan

MANILA -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) has formed a team that will handle reported cases of harassment against overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, Malacañang said Saturday.

In an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte reiterated the call to the Taiwanese people for calm and to spare from any harassment the Filipinos there who have nothing to do with the killing of 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-cheng off Batanes last May 9.

Palace to Comelec: Speed up release of teachers' honoraria

THERE is no reason for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to delay the honoraria of the teachers who served in the midterm elections last Monday as funds are already available, a Palace official said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released early this year P960 million for the poll body.

MMDA chief: Increase on net worth due to new SALN form

METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino explained Saturday the significant increase on his net worth in 2012 compared to 2011.

Tolentino was the biggest gainer among the Cabinet members of President Benigno Aquino III whose net worth climbed by over P21 million to P43.77 million last year from P22.54 million in 2011.

Senator-elect Bam promises independence from Aquino

MANILA - Don’t expect Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV to be a blind follower of cousin President Benigno Aquino III in the Senate.

Aquino said he is his own man and that he can take an objective view of Malacañang’s programs.

Gov’t looking into alternative markets for OFWs in Taiwan

THE Philippine government is eyeing alternative markets for Filipinos who could be displaced due to the sanction being imposed by Taiwan.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a news briefing, said that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has identified South Korea, Middle East and Malaysia as possible destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those in the manufacturing sector.

P25-M worth of smuggled goods from China seized

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) raided Friday two storage areas in Tondo, which yielded P25-million worth of goods and merchandise believed to be illegally imported from China.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said the raid was carried out by BOC Intelligence Group operatives virtue of a Letter of Authority he earlier issued upon the recommendation of Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim pursuant to Section 2536 of the Tariffs and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).

Poe won't take up crash course in legislation

SENATOR-ELECT Grace Poe-Llamanzares won't be taking up a crash course for neophyte legislators, saying her team of advisers would be enough to help her get through her upcoming job in the Senate.

She called herself "fortunate" for having members of the academe in her team during the campaign as well as the practical advices of veteran senators Francis Escudero and Sergio Osmeña III.

Angara: Drilon may be next Senate President

VETERAN Senator Franklin Drilon is somewhat headed for a return to the Senate presidency, said Senator-elect Juan Edgardo Angara on Thursday night.

"Most likely it will be Senator Frank Drilon," said Angara when asked who will be the administration's best bet to replace Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile at the start of the 16th Congress in late July.

Cayetano: Focus on task ahead, not politics

ELECTED for another six-year term in the Senate, Alan Peter Cayetano called for an end to political bickering so that everyone can help the Aquino administration achieve its goal of inclusive growth.

"The economy is on the upswing but many don't felt it. We really have to work together. It’s really not a time for politics. It’s really the time for performance, how do we get to work as a team and how we will work with the other team (opposition),” he said on the sidelines of his proclamation at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Thursday night.

Poe aims to focus on agriculture sector

SENATOR-elect Grace Poe-Llamanzares, the frontrunner in the official election results, will prioritize bills for the agriculture sector once she starts her legislative duties in July.

"Marami talagang mahihirap na magsasaka natin. Basta ang gabay ko lang, ang tatay ko nanindigan at tumulong kahit na siya'y pribadong mamayan (We have a lot of poor farmers. My only guide is, father stood and helped even as a private person)," Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., said in an interview.

Loren: Senate work knows no party lines

RE-ELECTIONIST Senator Loren Legarda is ready to cross party lines once the 16th Congress is convened in July despite being targeted by a smear campaign allegedly by a fellow senator.

"Patuloy po tayong magtatrabaho. We will cross party lines, Team PNoy o UNA (United Nationalist Alliance), ano mang partido, baguhan man o datihan ay patuloy na sama-sama mag-trabaho," Legarda told reporters after her proclamation as senator-elect Thursday night.

PLDT Group statement regarding ‘delayed transmissions’ of election results

WITH respect to press reports that "weak signals" had caused delays in the transmission of election returns, we wish to state that the fixed and mobile networks of PLDT, Smart and Sun Cellular were fully functional throughout the electoral exercise.

Transmissions actually sent through our networks were promptly delivered to the Comelec and PPCRV servers in Manila.

Brillantes wants to sue poll automation critics

WITH his continued appeal left unheeded, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes is now looking to shut their critics by filing legal cases against them.

In an interview, the poll chief said he is now mulling over filing cases against those that continuously criticize them and their choice of re-using the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

Catholic vote had 'no effect' on re-electionist pro-RH lawmakers

THE victory of re-electionist congressmen who voted for the passage of the reproductive health (RH) law is a testament that there is no so-called Catholic vote exercised in the country, a pro-RH group said Thursday.   The Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), one of the core organizations which pushed for the enactment of the landmark legislation in Congress, said partial election results show that 94 percent of more than a hundred pro-RH re-electionists are winning in their respective districts and party-list system.  

US, Philippines launch health projects worth P8B

HEALTH Secretary Enrique Ona and United States to the Philippines Ambassador Harry Thomas, Jr. launched 13 projects that will help enhance the overall health of Filipino families under the US-Philippines bilateral health agreement.

The 13 projects, which amount to P7.96 billion (about US$194 million), will be implemented over a five-year period and will focus on 48 provinces nationwide.

Philippines issues new apology for Taiwan death

MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III apologized anew Wednesday to Taiwan for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine Coast Guard personnel, after Taiwan rejected an earlier apology and started retaliating diplomatically.

Remittances climb to $5.6B in Q1

REMITTANCES from overseas Filipinos rose to $5.6 billion during the first quarter of this year, 6.2 percent higher compared to the same period in 2012, the central bank said Wednesday.

For March alone, personal remittances grew by 3.7 percent year-on-year to reach $1.9 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said.