Philippines Gets Another Rating Upgrade

By Kathleen A. Martin (The Philippine Star)

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has been awarded another investment grade rating, this time from Korean firm National Information and Credit Evaluation Ratings Inc. (NICE).

The credit rating raised the country’s long-term, foreign currency rating by a notch to BBB- with a positive outlook, which means further upgrade may be awarded in the short term.

“The rating upgrade reflects improved fiscal profile and growth potential, robust stability in the financial market and the external sector, and the government’s continuing efforts to improve governance and infrastructure,” NICE said in a statement.

The firm stressed that key factors considered for the rating included the strong economic growth of 7.2 percent achieved in 2013 although this is forecast to slow to six percent this year. NICE noted that the deceleration will be on the back of a “normal economic adjustment” as the growth momentum is seen being sustained.

The credit rating agency also pointed out the stability of Philippine financial markets despite global sell-offs of emerging market assets since May last year.

NICE said domestic markets are less vulnerable due to the country’s strong current account position and abundant liquidity levels.

“About the issue of real estate market overheating, which emerges due to the expansion of the construction industry and the rise in real estate prices, NICE expects it is under manageable level until now and the authorities are willing and able to contain it,” the debt watcher said.

NICE further said that the rating will be further supported if the country generates more investments as a result of improvements in its governance and infrastructure.

Rating constraints, meanwhile, include an overheating economy or when asset bubbles are formed especially in the real estate sector, NICE said.

Government officials yesterday said the credit rating upgrade reflects the economic gains the country is enjoying following structural reforms earlier put in place.

“As far as the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas) is concerned, the latest investment grade is another acknowledgement of efforts to maintain an inflation environment and a financial system conducive for business and supportive of sustainable growth,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said.

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said “this vote of confidence acknowledges efforts to ensure the country is able to sustain improvements in the economy over the long haul.”

The Philippines enjoys investment grade ratings from the three biggest global debt watchers, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings, and Standard & Poor’s.

S&P in May awarded the country a BBB rating, a notch above the minimum investment grade of BBB-, with a stable outlook. Fitch ratings, meanwhile, affirmed the country’s BBB- rating in March with a stable outlook.

Moody’s in October last year gave the country an investment grade rating of Baa3 with a positive outlook.

Advisory From the Bureau of Immigration

The ALIEN REGISTRATION DIVISION (ARD) reminds all registered aliens as follows:

1. Incomplete and/or improperty accomplished registrations forms shall be dismissed;
2. To register and secure the ACR I-Card only through authorized persons;
3. To report, in writing, changes in informations (e.g. civil status, citizenship, address and the like) IN ORDER TO AVOID SANCTIONS, INCLUDING IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX MONTHS;
4. To pay the ANNUAL RREPORT FEE within the first 60 days of each year, unless exempted by law;
5. To renew ACR I-Cards at least three months in advance of pre-schedulded travels;
6. To check printed data on the ACR I-Card and promptly report errors and/or discrepancies;
7. To avoid false statements, misrepresentation and fraud in any immigration matter under pain of VISA CANCELLATION/FORFEITURE and/or deportation;
8. To secure REGULAR/PAPER-BASED EMIGRATION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATION (ECC) 72 hours before departure for the following:

a) Holders of Temporary Visitor's/Tourist (9a) Visa, who STAYED FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS;
b) Immigrants and Non-immigrants with DOWNGRADED OR EXPIRED VISAS except (a);
c) Immigrants and Non-immigrants with valid visas, who are leaving for a good except (a);
d) PHILIPPINE BORN temporary visitors, who are leaving FOR THE FIRST TIME;
e) FOREIGN NATIONALS with ORDER TO LEAVE; and
f) FOREIGN SEAFARERS, with BI-approved discharged, who stayed for more than 30 days.
9. All ACR I-Card holders, not included above, who are TEMPORARILY leaving the country may pay ECC RP/SRC fees at airports.

For queries, please contact (632) 465 2400 local 205 (ARD), email xinfo@immigration.gov.ph and binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph or visit the socal media accounts, officialbureauofimmigration on Facebook and @immigrationPH on Twitter.

Men Don't Cry? in Cagayan de Oro Times Lifestyle Weekly

More Rain in The Philippines

MANILA, Philippines–Light to moderate rains are expected to continue Tuesday in most parts of Luzon due to the low pressure area (LPA) that developed over the weekend off Eastern Samar, the weather bureau said. 

As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spotted the LPA at 45 kilometers southwest of Daet, Camarines Norte.

Pagasa said Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region and the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Pangasinan and Romblon will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms during the day.

Pagasa moreover raised the yellow rainfall warning, or heavy rainfall warning, in Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, portions of Quezon and Nueva Ecija as of 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Classes suspended in 4 universities 
 

University of Santo Tomas, University of the East Manila, University of the East Caloocan and Perpetual Help College Manila suspended their classes due to anticipated floods.

Pagasa advised residents and local disaster councils to be alert, take all necessary precautions and monitor updates on the weather disturbance.

Senior weather forecaster Buddy Javier said the LPA was not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone.–

By Bong Lozada, INQUIRER.net; and Dona Z. Pazzibugan, PDI 

 

Philippines' Protesters

Thousands of people including activists and clergy gathered at the Philippine capital's main park on Monday (Aug 25) in a rally to denounce the "pork barrel" system which they blame for spreading corruption. 

• PHOTOS

 

Anti-corruption protesters march to Malacanang palace on the first year anniversary of anti-graft street protests in Manila, Philippines. (AFP/Noel Celis)

 

Thousands of people including activists and clergy gathered at the Philippine capital's main park on Monday (Aug 25) in a rally to denounce the "pork barrel" system which they blame for spreading corruption. Organisers said almost 20,000 people joined the rally but observers said the crowd was much smaller, with police putting it at about 5,000 at its peak.

 

The crowd, which included nuns, priests and lawyers, was significantly smaller than a similar rally over the same issue last year which observers said drew at least 250,000. That rally, called through a vigorous social media campaign, had captured the outrage following reports of a scam involving tens of millions of dollars from the "pork barrel" funds of congressmen.

Such allocations are supposed to pay for the pet projects of legislators but large amounts were allegedly syphoned off. Three powerful senators have already been jailed over the controversy.

Influential Manila archbishop Cardinal Luis Tagle praised those taking part in the "march against pork" in a statement posted on a church social media site. "I extend my greetings and solidarity. Thank you for making democracy alive and active. Thank you for advancing decency in public life," the senior church leader said.

Peachy Bretana, an official of the Scrap Pork Network which was one of the organisers, told ABS-CBN television the issue was non-partisan. "This is not about parties. This definitely is not anti-administration. This is pro-people," she said.

But many of the protesters at the rally used the issue to attack President Benigno Aquino, whom they accused of abetting the pork barrel system and of seeking a second term despite being limited by law to only one term. "No to pork barrel. No to term extension," the placards read as protesters carried effigies of Aquino.

Aquino, who was elected in 2010 on an anti-corruption platform, has seen his approval ratings dip amid accusations that his allies are among the beneficiaries of the pork barrel system. The president did not directly address his critics. But speaking at an event at the military cemetery, he called on the public "to remain vigilant against those who seek to sow doubt and lies" and spread "baseless accusations".

- AFP/ec

No Longer Worst Airport?

By: ABS-CBNnews.com

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Mania will be upgraded with better comfort room facilities and new air-conditioning units before the year ends.

An estimated P32.6 million will be spent by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for the rehabilitation of 121 toilets in Terminals 2, 3, and 4.

The project also includes the installation of major fixtures such as water closets, sensor-type urinals, lavatories, tiles, ceilings, and waterproofing works in comfort rooms.

Airport authorities said that as of August, around 15 percent of civil works had been completed.


A total of 26 toilet facilities will be fixed in Terminal 2. MIAA said 16 comfort rooms located in the passenger movement area are now undergoing repairs.

Out of 85 toilets in Terminal 3, 26 are being rehabilitated. The rehabilitation of 10 toilets in Terminal 4, on the other hand, will begin this month.

In Terminal 1, 54 toilets had been rehabilitated as early as 2010.

NEW COOLERS TOO 

The MIAA will also replace 36 air-handling units (AHUs) in Terminal 1 with newly procured units, 17 of which have been received by the airport authority for full installation by November this year.

The remaining 19 units will be installed and fully functional by March 2015.

In Terminal 2, 21 new air-conditioning units will be installed, 9 of which will already be in place within the month.

Structural retrofitting and other engineering works are also ongoing in Terminal 1. Operations are expected to normalize by March 2015.

Davao City Declares Ramon Bautista as PERSONA NON GRATA

By Chuck Smith (philstar.com) 

Ramon Bautista FILE PHOTO

Ramon Bautista has been declared as persona non grata in Davao City following a joke he made at the Kadayawan Festival on Saturday, August 16.

A resolution approved by the city council said Bautista was declared persona non grata to make him “understand that as a visitor he should be mindful of decency and propriety.”

The declaration came after Bautista, in an event during the Kadayawan Festival, joked: “Tama! Ang daming hipon dito sa Davao, alright.” He then asked the crowd to chant the word “hipon.”

Bautista later apologized for his joke during the event.

Hipon is a Filipino slang that refers to a person with a beautiful body but an unattractive face.

The comedian — who is also a TV host, radio DJ and author — apologized over the joke again on his Instagram account on Monday, August 18, saying he's ready to face the consequences of his actions.

“Unang una po, tinatanggap ko po na ako ay may nagawang pagkakamali sa event sa Kadayawan na ikina-offend ng mga taga Davao at iba pa po nating mga kababayan,” he said.

Bautista added, “Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin sa aking nagawa. Tatanggapin ko po kung anumang maging consequence o kahihinatnan ng pagkakamaling ito. Taos puso po akong nagpapakumbaba sa pagpapaumanhin at humihingi ng kapatawaran sa inyo lahat.”

On her Instagram account on Monday, August 19, former Davao City mayor Sara Duterte said: “Ramon Bautista, if I do not tell you that you are wrong, then who will?”

“I have two small children growing up in a society where abuse, parental neglect, corruption, injustice and senseless killings are as common as candies on the store shelf,” she added. “Totoo meron mga babae na hindi desirable ang mukha at napaka seksi ng katawan, pero kelangan mo ba turuan ang mga bata kung paano mangantiyaw ng 'Hipon'? Kung sa darating na panahon magkaroon ka ng babaeng anak na ganito, don't teach her to roll with the punches of bullying, teach her to stand up and fight, teach her respect.”

Duterte further said, “Comedian ka pala, the great comedians that I know use their wit and do not toilet trash women. You have the power of influence, use it positively." 

Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, in an interview with GMA-7's news program “24 Oras” aired Monday, August 18, hinted Bautista will be declared persona non grata.

“I'm trying to protect everybody here. When I protect everybody, it doesn't mean only the physical being. I protect their honor,” he said.

A Letter to Filipino Farmers

By Karyn Mae F. Azur, SUNSTAR DAVAO

THE so-called backbone of the nation produces the fruits, vegetables, and rice that are served on Filipino tables. They are the farmers. It is because of the farmers’ ceaseless efforts that we have something to eat to fill our stomach and nourish our body.

With that, I am writing this to thank and salute you for all the selfless things you do, and to express how important you are to me.

The sad thing is that most of the people you feed do not appreciate and give importance of your existence and contribution. What’s more heart-breaking is that you work harder, but earn less.

You earn less not just because of the small amount of income you gain, but because of the little value given to you. You earn less because most of Filipinos do not deeply appreciate your important role in the society as food producers.

In our dining table, we never forget to thank God for providing the food we eat. But, we don’t realize you are God’s instruments who make it possible for us to have the fruits, vegetables, and rice served on our tables.

I often reflect about your life.

You wake up before the sun rises, then sip a cup of coffee and eat four to six pieces of pandesal.

I find it heart-rending that you wake up early every morning to take care of the crops that are later cooked and served on our table, while we stay at peace on our bed, wake up late, and eat what you have produced for us.

While we’re lying with our back on a comfortable mattress, you’re working so hard with your sweat dripping and back under the torturing heat of the sun. But, you never complain. You never stop.

We don’t even think of the farmers’ hard work and hardship while we chew our food. What we have in mind is to eat to our heart’s content and start our day in a way that’s far different from theirs.

Rain or shine, you go to the fields to check on the crops, and do everything to have a good harvest to gain bigger income. You spend almost half of your day under various difficult situations, but you do not earn what you deserve.

You put in a big percentage to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and along with the fishery sector, you contribute almost 20 percent of the total GDP.

But, you receive less of government’s assistance. Your income is not enough for your basic needs and can’t even support your family. You don’t deserve to get this in return from your huge contribution in the society and economy.

It upsets me that even if you fulfill your role in the society in the best way you can, together with the fishermen, you are still the ‘poorest sectors’ and ‘most vulnerable to hunger and poverty’ according to a report by Oxfam International Philippines.

As one of the pillars of Philippine economy, you are worthy to be commended. You deserve to live in abundance. You deserve more.

I thank you because you are the reason why my mother is able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the market, which she cooks into a delicious and healthy meal for us.

I thank you for if it isn’t because of your undying efforts, my father won’t be able to purchase a sack of rice to sustain us for a month.

I thank you because we’re able to survive everyday, through the staple crops you produce, which we buy, cook, and eat.

You might not know how important you are to me and to my family that’s why I’m writing this and I hope you’ll be able to read this.

I am certain that one day will come when, like the seeds you plant, you will rise from the ground and grow abundantly. Yes, you will. 

-o0o-

Sunday Essays are articles written by Ateneo de Davao University students for their journalism subject.

Military Verifying "Proof of Life" of ASG-held Germans in Sulu

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - - Police and military intelligence  officials are verifying what could be a “proof of life” picture of two German nationals held by the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu.

The picture was posted on the internet and was discovered by authorities, officials said.

Capt. Ma. Rowena Muyuela, spokesperson of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), believes that the intelligence community has a copy of the picture that shows German nationals Dr. Stefan Viktor Okonek, 74, and Henrite Dielen, 42, seated and holding a German flag with about 10 masked gunmen believed to be Abu Sayyaf members in an unknown location.

Muyuela said government troops have been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf group to rescue hostages, including the two German nationals who were initially declared missing after sailing aboard their yacht near Rio Tubataha off Palawan toward Sabah last April.

Muyuela declined to give further comment or details, saying that any operational information leak might pre-empt the safety of the victims and the military's pursuit.

“We can only say in general that efforts have been ongoing to recover the victims,” Muyuela said.

Senior Superintendent Abraham Orbita, Sulu provincial police director, also confirmed the presence of the two German hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf group in the province and a tracking operation is underway to locate the victims.

“Intelligence operatives are working to locate the victims,” Orbita said. He did not elaborate.

The presence of the two captive Germans was initially confirmed by Octavio Dinampo, aprofessor at Mindanao State University (MSU) and an active peace advocate in Sulu,  sometime in May following tips by informants on the ground detailing how the victims were brought to the province.

Dinampo, also a former kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf, disclosed earlier that the two German captives arrived in the coastal village of Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul town with their captors led by Jihad Susukan alias Iddang  last Arpil 14 and brought to the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron.

He said  the two captives then joined the group of other captives, including  two European bird watchers -  Dutch Elwold Horn, and Swiss Lorenzo Vinceguerra, and  a Malaysian maritime police officer.-  Roel Pareño, Philippine Star

Philippine Immigration Eyes Advance Info on Philippine Visitors

By Evelyn Macairan, The Philippine Star

 

 To better screen high-risk passengers coming to the country, the Bureau of Immigration is hoping to get advance information about the passengers even before they step on Philippine soil.

 

Immigration commissioner Siegfred Mison said they are pushing for the implementation of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) to allow immigration officers to receive data about the passengers bound for the Philippines even before they arrive at international airports and seaports.

He said the government needs an APIS “so that we could channel all our resources to those passengers who are considered as high-risk and low risk. We would be able to immediately let the ‘good guys’ in and keep the ‘bad guys’ out.”

Mison said they are still in the process of getting President Aquino to sign an executive order to implement APIS.

The yearly subscription to the provider of the advance passenger database alone could amount to P16 million. Aside from the BI, the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Tourism might be asked to help shoulder the subscription cost since they would also benefit from the system.

The service also covers the training of personnel for the APIS.

There are three top APIS providers that would still have to bid for the project once the President signs the executive order.

Mison is hoping the project pushes through before the end of the year.

Two international events are scheduled next year where the APIS would prove to be useful – the five-day apostolic visit of Pope Francis from Jan. 15 to 19 next year and the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet.

The first batch of delegates for APEC is expected to arrive this December.