SC: It’s a final no to 16 new cities

By Nikko Dizon Philippine Daily Inquirer VOTING 7-6 with two justices abstaining, the Supreme Court has reversed itself anew in the controversial case of 16 cityhood laws, this time reinstating its 2008 decision that declared these laws unconstitutional. In a 16-page decision penned by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the Court said that a tie-vote on the second motion for reconsideration cannot reverse the Nov. 18, 2008, decision of the high tribunal on the case. Aside from Carpio, those who voted in favor of reinstating the 2008 decision were Justices Conchita Carpio-Morales, Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Martin Villarama Jr., Jose Mendoza and Maria Lourdes Sereno. Dissenter Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who penned the 2009 ruling that reversed the 2008 decision, wrote a dissenting opinion. He was joined by Chief Justice Renato Corona and Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Lucas Bersamin, Roberto Abad and Jose Perez. Those who took no part in the voting were Justices Antonio Nachura and Mariano del Castillo. The Nov. 18, 2008, decision declared the cityhood laws unconstitutional and denied a March 31, 2009, motion for reconsideration filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Today's activists learn lessons of failed cityhood drives.(REAL ESTATE QUARTERLY TOMORROW'S EAST L.A.): An article from: Los Angeles Business Journal “These priority majority actions of the court en banc can only be overruled by a new majority vote, not a tie-vote because a tie-vote cannot overrule a prior affirmative action,” the high court said in its latest decision, promulgated on Aug. 24. Tedious The Supreme Court, by a split-vote of 6-6, denied a second motion for reconsideration on April 28, 2009. Subsequently, the November 2008 ruling became final and executory and recorded in the Book of Entries of Judgement on May 21, 2009. “However, shortly thereafter, it was realized that there were still pending unresolved motions. Hence, in the resolution of pending motions, the court, on Dec. 21, 2009, reversed its Nov. 18, 2008, decision,” the Supreme Court said in a press statement Friday. The majority said the denial of the second motion for reconsideration by a split vote, “inevitably rendered the [Nov. 18, 2008] decision final.” Declared as unconstitutional were the city status of Baybay in Leyte, Bogo in Cebu, Catbalogan in Samar, Tandag in Surigao del Sur, Lamitan in Basilan, Borongan in Samar, Tayabas in Quezon, Tabuk in Kalinga, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Batac in Ilocos Norte, Mati in Davao Oriental, Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, El Salvador in Misamis Oriental, Carcar in Cebu and Naga in Cebu. No other interpretation In reaffirming the original decision of the Supreme Court, the justices reiterated that the Constitution “expressly provides that no city shall be created except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code.” “This provision can only be interpreted in one way,” said the latest Supreme Court decision. “Clearly, the cityhood laws contravene the letter and intent of … the Constitution,” it said. The justices also said Congress “exceeded and abused its law-making power.” In his dissenting opinion, however, Velasco said he found the decision “rather startling.” Velasco insisted that exemptions from requirements of cityhood are allowed by the Constitution. Mayors thankful Officers of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on Friday hailed the Supreme Court decision. “The League of Cities of the Philippines is thankful to the members of the Supreme Court who opted to observe the Constitution, judicial precedents and the law concerning conversion of municipalities into cities,” City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, the LCP president, said. “The last bulwark of democracy has spoken,” said Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, the LCP public relations officer. With a report from Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon

Traveling A-Z: Marinduque

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

August 12, 2010, 9:06am

Moriones Festival (http://muntingpolo.weebly.com)

Located at the geographical center of the Philippines, Marinduque is home to the Moriones Festival, a top tourist attraction wherein locals parade in costumes and masks, representative of the Roman soldiers during Biblical times. It also boasts of scenic beaches, diving sites, mystical caves, hot springs, and serene isles, making it an ideal retreat for adventurers, spelunkers, and nature lovers.

The island of Marinduque owes its origin and name to the legend of Marina and Garduke – lovers whose romance ended tragically. It’s been said that Garduke, a prince from the nearby kingdom of Balayan (now Batangas) fell in love with Marina, the daughter of a local chieftain in the kingdom of Tayabas. Their parents were opposed to their love and so they eloped by going out into the sea where they perished and eventually their remains formed the island which bears their names.

Today, Marinduque is known for farming, fishing, and tourism, the last being seen as the next catalyst for development in the province. A treasure trove of exquisite natural beauty, this island of 370 square miles is dotted with various white sand beaches, well-preserved diving sites, enchanting caves, rejuvenating hot springs and tranquil islets that provide for a perfect getaway. Being an island of volcanic origin, hot springs, are also a common feature in Marinduque.

Local Dialect: Tagalog

Must dos:

Take part in the Moriones - The Moriones Festival is an amazing spectacle that takes part all over Marinduque during Holy Week. During the Lenten season, the province comes alive with people from all over the country visiting to witness the very popular Moriones mascots, a colorful religious celebration that links the story of Longinus with Christ’s Passion and Death.

Diving - Marinduque has a lot of places to explore underwater, generally the drop-off into the reefs and marine life of the island is a few hundred meters off shore. The Tres Reyes Islands are some of the nice spots for diving or snorkeling. The islands are surrounded by abundant marine life and warm tropical waters.

Must See:
Bathala Caves - The Bathala caves are said to be mystical and the repository of psychic powers emanating from various points of the universe. It is believed that there are seven caves composing the Bathala Cave Complex. However, only four of these caves have been explored.

Paadjao Falls - A series of gently cascading falls ending in a 10-feet deep pool of crystal-clear waters, Paadjao Falls is an ideal place for family picnics and camping.

Natangco Islet - Natangco is an eight-hectare islet with a short stretch of powdery white sand beach that gradually slopes into the sea. This islet is a haven for scuba divers, its waters teeming with corals, marine life, butterfly fishes, and the occasional siganids.

Battle of Pulang Lupa Marker - A marker stands at the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought in the island between the Marinduque Revolutionary Forces and the Americans. The “Battle of Pulang Lupa” was the first known major battle won by the Filipinos over the Americans.

Boac Cathedral - This cathedral was built sometime in 1656. The architecture is Fil-Hispanic Gothic with much of the original structure faithfully preserved - the facade and main body, the belfry, and the altar. Stained glass windows, though a later addition, adorn the walls.

How to get there:

Regular flights from Manila can take you to Marinduque in about 45 minutes. You can also take a bus to Lucena City, and then hop onto a ferry for the Buyabod Port in Sta. Cruz or Balanacan Port in Morong. Other bus lines can also take you directly to Marinduque from Pasay, or Kamias, Quezon City.

Money, popularity, bailiwick won’t assure victory in elections

MONEY, popularity and bailiwick are no assurance of victory during an election, a local official said.

Yesterday, the 560 barangay councilors in Cebu City attended a seminar on “How to Win an Election” in preparation for the synchronized barangay and youth elections on Oct. 25.

Garry Matias, a training specialist and a councilor of Parañaque City, said money, popularity as well as a mass base will not ensure one’s victory during elections, contrary to common belief.

“Even if you put these all together, you still cannot have automatic victory. Although, this will give the candidate an advantage, you cannot still be assured of a sure win,” he said.

“There is no such thing as a sure formula for winning,” he added.

Speaking before the Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines (BCLP) Cebu City Chapter yesterday, Matias said one who plans to join the election fray should lay down plans for his or her campaign in order to win.

“Even if you have money, the popularity and the mass base, it will have no effect if you have no plan. Even if you have skills and knowledge, it will have no effect if you have no plans,” he said.

In launching a successful campaign, Matias said a candidate must first recruit staff, specifically whom he or she trusts.

After the recruitment, Matias said the staff should be trained, organized and structured.

The staff, he said, will draft the election campaign plan, have it critiqued, finalized, adopted, launched, evaluated and adjusted in the campaign period.

“You must be a lion king. Your campaign must roar and your followers must roar with you,” Matias said.

Amid all these, however, Matias reminded barangay officials that joining the election is all about timing.

“Because timing is knowing, knowing when to run and whom to run against. Run to win, not to lose,” he said.

Matias said waiting for the right opportunity to run is also important for a politician.

“When the incumbent is at his weakest, strike; and when you strike, strike to wipe him out from the world of politics with no return,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama told the barangay councilors not to buy votes while campaigning.

“Ayaw sugdi ang kampanya ug kwarta ug ayaw sad gyud mo pangwarta. Sugdi ang inyong hunahuna nga maayo (Don’t start the campaign with cheating. Start with good intentions),” he said

“Victory without buying is real victory that is lasting. Victory with buying is defeat and loss of your dignity,” Rama added. (PDF)

SC backs GSIS employees’ right to rally

By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court affirmed the exercise of freedom of expression and speech of employees of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) when in 2005, they wore red shirt and appeared at a hearing to show support to their union leader.

In a decision by the high court en banc, it dismissed the petition of former GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia for failure to prove that employees Dinnah Villaviz, Elizabeth Duque, Adronico Echavez, Rodel Rubio, Rowena Therese Gracia, Pilar Layco and Antonio Jose Legarda were guilty of grave misconduct and/or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service according to the rules of procedure of the GSIS.

On May 27, 2005, wearing red shirt, the said employees appeared before the GSIS Investigation Unit to support Mario Molina and their union leader Albert Velasco. They raised clenched fist in airing their grievances against Garcia’s administration.

A month later, using as basis the report of the GSIS security, Garcia suspended the employees for one year.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC), however, found the employees guilty of a lesser offence and reduced the penalty to reprimand. The CSC said wearing red to a public hearing and supporting their union leader can be considered an exercise of freedom of expression, a constitutionally guaranteed right.

Garcia elevated the case to the Court of Appeals, which sided with the CSC.

In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Garcia argued that the employees’ failure to submit their answer to the complaint is an admission that they are guilty of misconduct.

“Petitioners must remember that there remain averments that are not deemed admitted by the failure to deny the same. Thus, even if respondents failed to file their answer, it does not mean that all averments found in the complaint will be considered as true and correct in its entirety,” the high court said.

It added that it is still Garcia’s duty to present evidence to support his complaint. However, the high court noted that even Garcia was not certain if there was intent on the part of the employees to disrupt GSIS operations.

“Government workers, whatever their ranks, have as much right as any person in the land to voice out their protests against what they believe to be a violation of their rights and interests.”

“Civil Service does not deprive them of their freedom of expression. It would be unfair to hold that by joining the government service, the members thereof have renounced or waived this basic liberty. This freedom can be reasonably regulated only but can never be taken away,” the high court said.

Life goes on for bus in fatal Quezon accident

Inquirer Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines -- It was still business as usual on Monday for the bus company involved in an accident on Sunday in Pagbilao town, Quezon province, that resulted in the deaths of four persons and injuries to 32 people.

An employee of the CUL Bus Transport, who asked not be identified, said the company continued to operate and two passenger buses were scheduled to leave for Manila Monday.

The employee had no idea if the government issued an order to stop the operations of CUL bus, which has a ticketing office at the New Bus Terminal in Tacloban City.

According to the employee, the CUL Company has its own maintenance services to ensure that all its passenger buses are road-worthy. “It stops at least three times in certain areas just for check up purposes,” the employee said.
The CUL personnel said the bus company would provide free ride to the relatives of the victims who wished to talk with the bus company.

Rebecca Comandao,whose 19-year-old stepdaughter Analyn Tatoy, was among the victims, said on Monday that the bus company was providing assistance to all the victims.

“I will not file any complaint against the company. I know it was an accident. Nobody wants that to happen. At least, they are there to help the victims,” said Comandao, a resident of Barangay I of Tabon-Tabon town in Leyte.
A male passenger, who identified himself as Daniel, said he believed that Pagbilao, Quezon, accident was an “isolated” event.

“Based on the reports, it was an accident. The bus lost its brakes...I feel safe riding with the CUL,” noted Daniel, a Taclobanon bound for Manila.

Meanwhile, Representative Florencio Noel of the An Waray party list group said that he has been coordinating with Quezon Representative Wilfrido Enverga regarding the accident.

Noel added that the An Waray party list group would extend financial assistance to all the victims.
A CUL-owned passenger bus fell down into a river in Pagbilao, Quezon province, Sunday with majority of its passengers coming from various parts of Eastern Visayas region.

The passenger bus with body number 8007, which originated from Palompon, Leyte, made a stop at the Tacloban terminal on Saturday, to pick up more passengers. It was traversing the Atimonan zigzag road at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday when it fell into the Hamaw River, Pagbilao town, killing four and injuring 32.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer August 30, 2010.
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GMA 7 in its evening news Monday, August 30, 2010 reported that deaths resulting from the CUL bus accident is now five with the injured as 31. The bus originated from Palompon, Leyte yesterday Sunday August 29, 2010 and picked-up more passengers in the new Abucay Bus Terminal in Tacloban City.

A certain Atty Ruel Villanueva assured the passengers that they are doing everything to help the victims. He gave assurance that all burial and medical expenses will be shouldered by the company.

It seems that people from Palompon is not yet apprised of the bus accident that happened in Pagbilao, Quezon, since the said bus company usually leaves the town at around 3:00 AM every morning. Initial identification of the dead victims says that two came from Samar and the other two from Southern Leyte.

It was also announced in the news Monday evening August 30, 2010 that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) had issued a preventive suspension for the said bus company for 30 days, but there are reports that they are still plying their route saying they have not received yet the order from LTFRB.
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Prayer: the key to healthy family life

Research by social scientists has produced a huge mountain of data showing that families with a strong religious commitment—in particular, families that pray together—are more successful in a wide variety of measurements: staying intact, obtaining a good education, avoiding crime, escaping poverty, etc. After citing the data, Patrick Fagan recalls that at a time when New York’s new Irish-Catholic immigrants were regarded as the dregs of society, Archbishop John Joseph Hughes spurred a religious revival that helped mold these immigrants into model citizens. Using the legendary prelate’s nickname, Fagan suggests: “It is time to pray for an African-American Dagger John.” . . .

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Northern Luzon: A Photographer’s Safari

Photographer pays tribute to Northern Luzon destinations

July 28, 2010, 3:53pm

Coconut trees, blue skies, and white sandy beaches overlooking vast waters – these are the images that come to mind when speaking of the Philippines. With its picturesque landscapes and stunning seas, tropical Philippines continues to be one of the best spots to find natural idyllic scenes.

Understandably, photo enthusiasts flock the country to capture these mesmerizing images but for Philip Cruz, the thrill is much more than simply taking pictures. 

The senior medical manager for a multinational pharmaceutical company will be migrating to Belgium and wanted to explore the country before saying goodbye. While tourists and photographers are drawn to the tropical paradise of Visayas, Cruz took advantage of Northern Luzon’s accessibility.

“Luzon exudes the charm and adventure in discovering its natural resources and landscapes. History plays a major role in the region especially during World War II and this adds to the mystery and culture in its historic landmarks. 

There are lots of choices in terms of places to go and undiscovered hideaways where one could unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature,” shared Cruz.

Northern Luzon is the perfect antidote to travelers seeking new adventures and authentic experiences at affordable prices. As Cruz discovered in his voyage, it is a treasure house of tradition, history, and raw charm all wrapped with gracious people naturally inclined to peace, kindness, and a generosity of spirit. No wonder, no one feels a stranger here for long.

Topping Cruz’s list are Bataan and Zambales. “These places are a melting pot of our rich history and culture complemented by breathtaking landscapes.

In Bataan, Cruz marveled in awe at restored antique houses offered in Las Casas Filipinas. With structures that have been in place in 100 years, the houses are a throwback to the past. 

Other memorable places that he unearthed in Bataan included Tortugas (the only island barangay in the province), Morong, Bagac, and Mount Samat (the site of Shrine of Valor and served as history’s witness during the 1942 Battle of Bataan).

For postcard-perfect sceneries, Cruz headed to Pundakit in Zambales, a fishing village enveloped by mountains, hills, and other islands. He savored the tranquil and relaxed environment filled with intriguing sea creatures. 

The place also served as a jumping-off point for Cruz when he went to Camara Island and Anawangin Cove. With its crescent shape cove, Anawangin Cove reveals impressive white sands topped with tall pine trees. A few steps away from the beach, one is transported to pine forest and natural springs. In Camara Island, Cruz was able to get a magnificent view of the open.

“The Philippines is a complete tourist destination. The fun is the thrill of discovering something new and immersing yourself in the place, people and culture. There is a lot more to discover,” he added. Cruz found a perfect travelling partner in Victory Liner, the country’s largest bus company that services North Luzon.

 “The ease and comfort of travelling via Victory is the best way to go. Safety is ensured since this is always a general concern in travelling. It really is having the best value for your money,” Cruz added.

Discovering the imagery of Northern Luzon is now made easier with Victory Liner providing daily trips to Baguio, Pangasinan, Cagayan Valley, Pampanga, and Zambales. For trip schedules and booking, visit www.victoryliner.com.

Published in Manila Bulletin August 11, 2010

Foreign research firm says RP stocks still undervalued

By Doris Dumlao Philippine Daily Inquirer Most Read MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine stock market remains undervalued and should benefit more from a domestic consumption and overseas Filipino workers’ remittance play in the years ahead, according to a research by foreign stock brokerage CLSA. In a report titled “People, People and More People” dated Aug. 23 and written by CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets head of research Alfred Dy, the country’s population base is seen swelling to 147 million by 2040 based on a conservative growth rate of 1.5 percent a year. But over the past 51 years, Dy noted that population grew at a faster rate of 2.4 percent a year. Assuming such rate is sustained, he said the population could more than double to 192 million in 2040. The Philippines has a population base of 94 million, which is already the 12th biggest in the world, Dy noted, adding that 47 percent of these people were below 21 years old. “Simply put, more people in the coming years should mean more consumption,” said Dy, who heads a team that was recently ranked as the number one All-Asia Research Team for 2010 by global finance magazine Institutional Investor. Based on this strategy, CLSA recommended a “buy” on nine publicly listed companies that it considered “winners” in a domestic consumption and OFW play: SM Investments Corp., Universal Robina Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Ayala Land Inc., Megaworld Corp., Filinvest Land Inc., Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Metrobank and Banco de Oro. UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORP.: Labor Productivity Benchmarks and International Gap Analysis (Labor Productivity Series) Consumption is the biggest component of the Philippines’ $160.9-billion gross domestic product (GDP), broken down as follows: consumption (70 percent), investments (16 percent), government (10 percent) and net exports (4 percent). “It is also worthy to highlight that the country’s per capita GDP and national savings rate have been rising since 1987,” Dy said. Per capita GDP was at $1,818 from only $536 in 1986. National savings rate, on the other hand, was now estimated at 30.3 percent from only 22.7 percent in 1986. “On both counts, these figures clearly are strong foundations for higher consumption ahead. Of course, more Filipinos in the coming years mean more supply of OFWs,” Dy said. “This scenario becomes more realistic given the aging population in the developed markets. Simply put, the aging population around the globe should create gaps in the global labor market, which would be filled by the OFWs,” he said. In the stock market, Dy said the best way to play the domestic consumption theme would be through SMIC, AGI and URC, respectively led by tycoons Henry Sy, Andrew Tan and John Gokongwei Jr. “Of course, more people in the coming years would require more housing units and the best way to play this theme would be via ALI, Megaworld, Vista Land, and Filinvest Land. In fact, we consider these property companies as quasi-consumer plays,” Dy said.

Published in Phillippine Daily Inquirer August 30, 2010.

Bigger waistline, bigger risk of dying: study

August 10, 2010, 11:36am

The bigger a person's waistline, the more likely they are to die of any cause, regardless of whether they are overweight or not, a study published Monday says. (AFP)

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The bigger a person's waistline, the more likely they are to die of any cause, regardless of whether they are overweight or not, a study published Monday says.

Researchers at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta looked at the association between the waistlines of 48,500 men and 56,343 women aged 50 years and older, and death from any illness.

After adjusting for body mass index and other risk factors, the researchers found that men and women with very large waists -- 120 centimeters (47 inches) or greater in men, and 110 centimeters (42 inches) or more in women -- were around twice as likely to die of any cause as people with smaller waists.

The risk of dying was greater regardless of whether a man or woman was normal weight, overweight or obese, found the study published in the American Medical Association's Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study also found that men and women with very large waists were "more likely than those with smaller waists to be less educated, to have a high BMI (body mass index), to be physically inactive, to be former smokers, and to have a history of cardiovascular disease, cancer or respiratory disease."

Respiratory disease was the most likely cause of death among the very large-girthed, followed by cardiovascular disease and cancer, the study said.

Previous studies have associated large waistlines with heart disease, inflammatory illness, insulin resistance, high blood cholesterol and type two diabetes.

The link between waist circumference and mortality from a host of illnesses "may be because waist circumference is strongly correlated with fat tissue in the viscera — surrounding the organs in the abdomen — which is thought to be more dangerous than fat tissue under the skin," the study said.

"Our results suggest that, regardless of weight, avoiding gains in waist circumference may reduce the risk of premature mortality," the authors of the study said.

Published in Manila Bulletin August 11, 2010

Bata, Django go for 3rd World Cup title

Cedelf P. Tupas

 Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

Efren Reyes posing with fan after he won a historic US$200,000 at the 2005 IPT King of the Hill Shootout

              MANILA, Philippines—Just how comfortable is Efren “Bata” Reyes with 

              Francisco “Django” Bustamante?

              So comfortable that he can joke about his bosom buddy even without him around    If you make it to the Hall of Fame, you’re game deteriorates,” Reyes said          

              with a laugh.

              Reyes, of course, was referring to the entry of Bustamante, the reigning               

              World 9-Ball champion, in the Billiards Hall of Fame in June. “Bata” made    

              it to the  elite roster earlier in 2003.

              With a partnership built on confidence in each other’s game, the two   

              legends will defend the PartyPoker.Net World Cup of Pool crown against  

              31 other international pairs next month at Robinson’s Place Midtown in  

              Manila.

            
              Reyes and Bustamante, who also topped the maiden edition of the event 

              in 2006,   ruled the tournament last year by stunning Germany’s Thorsten            

              Hohmann and Ralf Souquet, 11-9, in an enthralling final at the SM North.

            
              Dennis Orcollo, who reached the semifinals together with Ronnie Alcano,       

              last year will have a new partner in 2007 WPC finalist Roberto Gomez in
              the other Philippine team.

            
              “We were surprised we won last year. It’s not going to be easy defending
               the title,” said Reyes during a recent press launch of the event at the
               Solar Century Tower in Makati.

               Chinese-Taipei aces Ko Pin-yi and Chang Jung-lin, Englishmen Daryl
               Peach and Karl Boyes and the German pair of Souquet and Oliver Ortmann lead the foreign charge in the $250,000 event which dangles a $60,000 purse for the champion duo.

Filipinos: One of top visitors to Singapore

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA

August 7, 2010, 9:33am

Sensational Singapore (Photo by RONALD JAYME)

Singapore, thanks to its grandiose architectures, chic shopping centers, and fascinating tourist attractions, has become a favorite travel destination for opulent Filipinos who can afford to spend some extra cash in the bustling Lion City. As a matter of fact, according to Singapore Airlines (SIA) General Manager to the Philippines, Andrew Budiman, Filipinos are one of the top visitors to Singapore.

“There’s a high demand for flights to Singapore from the Philippines. When several airlines were cutting flights last year, we were busy adding flights. There’s a significant number of business and leisure travelers flying to Singapore every day,” said Budiman.

Not only does SIA have daily flights from Manila and from Singapore, passengers from Cebu and Davao will also benefit from SilkAirs’, SIA’s regional full-service carrier, daily flights from Cebu and four weekly flights from Davao.

“We were actually the first international airline that serviced scheduled flights from Cebu back in 1989. And by October 2010, services to Cebu and Davao will be increased to eight times and five times weekly, respectively,” said SIA marketing communication and services manager Rita Dy.

Among the most visited tourist attractions for the Filipino market are: the Sentosa Island, Night Safari, the newly opened Universal Studios, as well as last year’s much talked about F1 Grand Prix. But aside from these Singapore favorites, Budiman added that Kathmandu, Nepal; Penang, Malaysia; and Chiang Mai, Thailand are also among the emerging cultural destinations for Filipinos.

“As Filipinos travelers become more affluent, they tend to be more interested in cultural tours and extreme adventure destinations around Asia,” Budiman said. Other exciting and exotic destinations in SilkAir’s regional network include: Chengdu, China; Chennai, India; Surabaya, Indonesia; and Yangon, Myanmar.

However, there’s a common notion that SIA and SilkAir are rather expensive carriers. Dy stressed that the slight price difference is negligible for the kind of service they offer. “We want to give our passengers value for their money. We have also become more competitive in terms of ticket fares and tour packages. We also make sure to advertise all inclusive fares, no hidden charges and no plus-plus, so if you look at ticket prices closely, we’re sometimes cheaper than other airlines.”

To provide more reasons to visit Singapore, SIA has teamed up with Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to offer new value-packed holiday packages. Under a just-signed Memorandum of Understanding, the three partners will be working closely on a range of advertising and other joint activities worldwide to promote tourism to Singapore.

The global tie-up will give tourists the opportunity to visit new places of interest in Singapore, and savour what the multicultural food paradise has to offer through the Singapore Stopover Holiday packages priced from as low as US$33 per person on twin-share basis for the first night.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

For more information log on to www.singaporeair.com.

California hospital bans hiring of Filipino nurses

By Emil Guillermo
INQUIRER.net

Most Read

CALIFORNIA, United States—I love Filipino nurses.

Next to cheap garments at Wal-Mart and female impersonators, I’d have to put them on the top of the list as the Philippines’ leading export.

If the country had a team mascot, it would have to be the “Fighting Nurses.” (Notre Dame has the “Fighting Irish,” why not?)

Filipino nurses frightened to speak out.(LETTERS: TELL US WHAT YOU THINK)(Letter to the Editor): An article from: Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand

So, of course, I’m alarmed by the news that a de facto ban against hiring Filipino nurses at the St. Luke’s Campus of Sutter Health’s California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) appears to be policy in San Francisco.

No Filipinos, as blatant as that. Just like the old sign that the Filipino National Historical Society displays, the one from the 1920s that reads, “Positively No Filipinos Allowed.”

You can take that sign and stick it on the door at St. Luke’s, right now, says the California Nurses Association, the nurses union.

And now it wants to do something about it.

The union wants the San Francisco Human Rights Commission to investigate the hospital. But that’s just the opening shot. The union intends to file a class action grievance against Sutter and CPMC.
The union provided compelling evidence which included signed statements by former managers and current job stats to back up the claim that Filipinos are being unfairly discriminated at St. Luke’s.
From numbers provided by CPMC, the numbers don’t lie.

Before the take-over of the hospital in 2007 the Filipino RNs at St. Luke’s were 66 percent of the nursing population.

Between 2007 and 2008, just 48 percent of new hires were Filipino.

From February 2008, when the nurses union and the community organized to stop the closure of St. Luke’s, to the present, the percentage of new RN hires who were Filipino dropped dramatically to just 10 percent.
They didn’t all just give up their RN credentials and take jobs as Wal-Mart greeters.

Nato Green, the labor representative who works at St. Luke’s said it’s no coincidence. “I believe this reflects Sutter’s decision to use race to divide workers and stop collective bargaining activity,” Green told me. “Going from 66 percent to 10 percent (of new hires) is a fairly remarkable coincidence.”

It all comes after the union forced Sutter to keep St. Luke’s open. The nurses union expected some push back, but not this.

Risks and Rewards: Stories From the Philippine Migration Trail

“CPMC and Sutter have chosen to retaliate by carrying out a punitive, illegal, and immoral campaign of discrimination,” said Zenei Cortz, the California Nurses Association president. “There is no excuse for racial or ethnic discrimination. A hospital should be a center of therapeutic healing for patients, not a model for bigotry.”

The union also produced affidavits signed under penalty of perjury. Ronald Rivera, a former nurse manager, who worked there from April 2006 to April 2010 when he resigned on good terms, provided his testimony.

“One day I spoke with Diana Karner (VP of nursing) on the phone about hiring new RNs,” he attested. “Diana said to me that we probably should not hire any more foreign graduate nurses. She explained that patients complain because ‘it is hard to understand them and be understood by them.’”

Filipino nurses among best in the world.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor): An article from: Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand

Another signed affidavit came from Ronald Villanueva, who actually was sitting in and overheard the conversation between Karner and Rivera. “I was shocked and I wondered if she knew I was a foreign graduate nurse,” he wrote.

A third declaration came from Chris Hanks, who was the Director of Critical Care from 2008 to 2009 and reported directly to Karner. Hanks was alarmed when told point blank “you are not to hire any Filipino nurses.”

Hanks challenged Karner at their weekly meetings, until Karner told him, “The Filipinos are always related, or know each other, and that’s not good. You’re not to hire them.”


Karner the VP of nursing didn’t return my telephone call.

Kevin McCormack, of CPMC’s media relations said she was out of the office and unavailable. What did he think of a ban on hiring Filipino nurses? “That would be illegal,” he said. “You can’t ban hiring specific groups.”

He called it “ridiculous” and implied it was a stunt by CNA to fan the ongoing dispute with CPMC.
But the numbers don’t lie.

The Filipino nursing staff at St. Luke’s is shrinking and it isn’t by accident.
If you’re a Filipino nurse wanting to get to San Francisco, the climate is getting ugly.

Obscene

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Most Read

THE NEWS that Malacañang has slashed the subsidies of government-owned and -controlled corporations in the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for 2011 is the first concrete response by the government to the problem of runaway salaries of GOCC officials.

From P32.3 billion this year, the proposed subsidy has been cut to P23.3 billion. The difference—as much as P16.016 billion—is a huge amount, and represents a welcome dose of fiscal sanity in a system that looks very much like institutional highway robbery.

It’s a good initial step, but Malacañang must not stop there. The revelation that executives and employees of these GOCCs are the highest-paid workers in the government payroll prompts the question: What do they need the government subsidies for?

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, for instance, must have, in Sen. Franklin Drilon’s wry formulation, run out of letters of the alphabet to call its laundry list of bonuses. The perks come with the most commonplace names, but the amounts they guarantee, and the fact that they repeat themselves in ever more desperate-sounding variations, ensures the generosity of the largesse. Just for the holiday season, the MWSS dispenses three kinds of bonuses to its board of trustees: the Traditional Corporate Christmas Package (TCCP), Traditional Christmas Bonus (TCB), and Additional Christmas Bonus (ACB).

 Pray tell, how are they different from each other? There are also bonuses for such milestone events as the “anniversary of the privatization of MWSS,” “family week celebration” (separate from the “family day” bonus) and “government corp/employees week,” on top of the “collective negotiation agreement incentive,” “rate rebasing incentive,” “educational assistance” and “additional educational assistance,” among other things.

Since the MWSS and other firms like it are swimming in so much money that they have to employ absurd nomenclature to justify giving the cash away, why do they still receive subsidies from state coffers? Ah, their executives will tell you: because their charters say so. GOCC charters not only grant these companies fiscal and administrative autonomy, they also require the government to provide automatic allocations for them in the national budget.

And there is the gaping loophole Congress and Malacañang must plug if they are serious about reining in these outrageous emoluments.

The Department of Finance has also announced it is studying the creation of a centralized body that will streamline GOCC operations. Any office established for such purpose will have its work cut out for it. Its first task is to find out whether maintaining all these corporations at crippling government expense is still worth it. Part of the 158 or so GOCCs “are no longer operating,” Finance Undersecretary Jeremias N. Paul Jr. said. Why hasn’t anyone looked into abolishing such costly deadwood?

Congress, too, must revisit the charters of these organizations, and root out esoteric provisions that, over the years, have only managed to shield these companies from the glare of public accountability and transparency. The defense that such charters exempt GOCCs from the ambit of regular governmental oversight has allowed these corporations to make short shrift of the normal rules on rational pay and auditing practices, directly giving rise to the problem of astronomical bonuses.

A memorandum order issued by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001, for example, explicitly barred any GOCC executive from receiving salaries twice the regular pay of Cabinet secretaries (about P69,000 monthly, gross). But documents submitted to the Senate show that board members of the Government Service and Insurance System were paid as much as P6 million each annually, or P500,000 every month. Their work? Attending two board meetings a month.

Officials of the Social Security System were even more handsomely rewarded for their efforts. Four of them reportedly raked in millions as designated board members of Philex Mining Corp., where the SSS holds some P14.3 billion in investments.

What happened to the GMA memorandum? Ignored just like that?

This is unacceptable—a completely anarchical state of affairs that, in time, would drive the country to penury. Obscene is the word, and that describes both the staggering amounts that have changed hands, and the people who have had no compunction receiving them.

Published in Philippine Daily Inquirer August 28, 2010.