Duterte/Cayetano: Day 3 on Bank Secrecy Challenge

PRESS RELEASE

16 March 2016

"Day 3 on bank secrecy challenge"

Call to open bank accounts gains ground, Cayetano draws similarities between Binay's ill-gotten wealth and $81-M money laundering scheme

The call of vice presidential bet Senate Majority leader Alan Peter Cayetano for fellow candidates to open their bank accounts as part of their commitment to transparency continued to gain ground. This was after the administration's presidential candidate, former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas signified intention to make public his bank records.

Cayetano welcomed Roxas' statement but urged him to prove his sincerity by immediately signing the manifesto they prepared pledging to open all bank accounts in local and foreign currencies, both here and abroad. Roxas agreed to open his accounts after Duterte and Cayetano wrote a letter to them urging them to sign the waiver.

"I welcome the response of Sec. Roxas to our challenge. Since 2007, when I scrutinized the bank accounts of then first gentlemen Mike Arroyo, I already called for the lifting of the bank secrecy provisions of the Bank Secrecy Law for public officials. I'm glad that the administration is finally with me on this issue," Cayetano said.

"Extremely similar"

Meanwhile, amid the Senate Blue Ribbon investigation into the $81 million money-laundering operation involving the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Cayetano drew attention to Binay’s own “money-laundering scheme” using the same bank.

Cayetano cited an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report where Gerardo Limlingan, an alleged dummy of Binay, had transactions with the RCBC amounting to P3.1 billion. The senator said Limlingan’s transactions alone are equivalent to $68.1 million or just $12.6 million short of the $81 million allegedly withdrawn from Bangladesh’s bank account in the United States.

The one-page portion of the report Cayetano distributed to the media showed that Limlingan had one transaction of P2 Billion, and two transactions of P500 Million through the RCBC, the same bank in question in the ongoing Senate probe.

"The similarities are extreme. Like Binay's ill-gotten wealth, the same bank is involved on both cases. Both involved dummy accounts. And unscrupulous people are hiding behind the same banking law. The only difference is, Binay doesn't need hackers to amass ill-gotten wealth," Cayetano said. "I hope the government has the same enthusiasm in holding the vice presindent and his accomplices accountable for stealing from Filipinos as it now has in probing the $81-million money-laundering scheme," he added.

Day 3: Still Duterte and Cayetano

The duo signed a manifesto committing to open their bank accounts and challenged all candidates to do the same. To date, only Duterte and Cayetano are the only candidates who have actually signed the document.

Waiting for a ‘better calling’?

SAT, MARCH 12, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION
KLAUS DORING

Career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Sure! A professional conduct in life. Even a progress through life. Here we are! That means, a careerist is one, who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement as well as his (or her) own aim in life!

What can we do, if “career doubts” won’t go away? First allow me to quote my bible, especially Jude (Watching out! Sounding an alarm!), who writes in a style of a teacher who is watching a freight train bear down on his student’s driver. Yes, bells ring out: “Be merciful to those who doubt.” (Jude 2:22).

My parents always wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been much more happier in my job during those times. Maybe not? I wanted to be a journalist already at the age of 6… . Believe it or not!

The pressure “to be” (or later NOT TO BE – thank you Mr. Shakespeare!), started early in my life. Not only my parents, also my peers and teachers began to exert their influences on me. Yes, I even didn’t know yet where my inclinations lay. I only knew, I wanted to become a journalist… .

Suddenly being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine at that time. I really got very lucky becoming an editor of German law magazines during my last 18 years in Germany. But I never became a lawyer – or doctor! Now, I would ask myself – who cares?

“The way that people pick up careers is incredibly  primitive,” said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of “The Pathfinder”. Strong tobacco, indeed. That’s why so many people are indeed dissatisfied with their jobs. I wanted to be a journalist, but mass communications wasn’t my major subject yet. During the early 1970s publishing house management, German language, marketing and writing skills training. Once upon a time in Germany….

Believe me, I always thought about a true calling for myself. Sure, people, whose careers aren’t the fight fit often  feel like impostors, as Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader of this column? Are you also placing too high a value on the external rewards of job, like money, prestige and power? Of course, for many of us (most?) these things are indeed important. Hold on, please! The work you do and the skills  your opportunity  require and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paper work, or not…. You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead – but don’t expect that this is your life’s career!

I waited for my “better calling” (what a terrible term!) experiencing many even better and wonderful moments in life. I experienced also that several professional things I did in the past had been not very much compatible to me. But I stored many valuable experiences.

Today, I am what I am. And, I am proud of it. Human thinks – but our Lord leads … !

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Questions, comments or suggestions? Email me: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit one of my websites www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com.or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Going to the movies

TUE, MARCH 15, 2016 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINION

Klaus Doring

Film Review: Gods of Egypt

This week, for the first time ever, my wife took me to a cinema in Davao City.  Gods of Egypt in a 3D screening. It was my first experience with 3D seating, and was pretty fun. I hadn’t heard of Gods of Egypt, despite it having such a large budget and star crew, so I went in without expec-tation. It was so close to being so bad I loved it. Close, but no cigar.

Gods of Egypt is set in, controversially, not Egypt. In the very beautiful establishing shot at the beginning, you see this fantastical city with impressive buildings, which have been loosely based on what can be considered  Egyptian designs. This confused me, but as the film goes on, I realized that it wasn’t even earth, and I kind of wish I had known that from the start. A very minor thing, but it bugged me the entire way through the movie.

Now I really want to point out how much I wanted to enjoy this film. I loved Egyptian mythology as a child, I love fantasy as an adult. ‘Gods of Egypt’ had the concept and budget to be able to pull off something really amazing. It had elements of things I love seeing on screen. Gods transforming into beasts, rich scenery and with a diverse variety of settings – mythology. Yet despite having all the ingredients, the final dish was disappointing.

The plot is very simple. King is killed by evil brother, who takes over kingdom. Prince must go on a journey to defeat the evil new king and take his place as rightful ruler. Helped along by a mismatched sidekick. With such a classic plot line and colorful costume arrangement, I really would have expected the film to be marketed towards a family audience.

The film instead takes itself seriously to be an epic adventure, and the actors deliver the shoddy script with as much vigor as they can. Some scripts however will sound wooden no matter how much effort one puts into delivering it. The few jokes and banter that is written between the main characters Horas (Nikolaj Coster-Walda) and Bek (Brenton Thwaites) fall flat as I can only assume there is no chemistry between the two characters. That and their size difference, made by cgi, is a bit disconcerting.

Overall, I don’t really want to write much about this film. I felt like it had everything it needed to be something I really enjoyed, as a fan of Hollywood blockbuster films and Egyptian mythology. I’m still sort of dealing with the disappointment it left me in. I feel like you should see it in the cinema, simply to enjoy the beautiful scenery work, which won’t come across as well on TV.

The 3D experience was really interesting, possibly more so than the film. Going to the movies. Maybe once more. It’s something different than being a cable television subscriber. And, of course, it depends, which movie I am going to watch next time.

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Email: doringklaus @gmail.com or follow me in Facebook or Twitter or visit www.germanexpat inthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdorings classicalmusic,blogspot.com.

Cycle of Corruption Hurts Philippines' Tourism Sector

PRESS RELEASE

12 March 2016

Duterte-Cayetano: Cycle of corruption hurts PH tourism sector

If the next leaders intend to create significant improvements in the country's tourism sector, they must first address the systemic corruption in government, Vice presidential bet Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Saturday (March 12).

As part of their “Ronda-Serye” listening tour, Cayetano visited Vigan, Ilocos Sur to conduct an informal dialogue with local tour guides, kalesa drivers, and market vendors in the city. He presented to them the bold solutions that he and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, plan to implement to rid government of corruption, which he says hinders the growth of local economies.

Cayetano lamented that while billions worth of money are stolen from the nation's coffers every year, the Philippine tourism industry continues to lag behind its ASEAN counterparts. In 2014, the country only welcomed 4.8 million tourists, while Malaysia recorded 27.43 million tourist arrivals. The administration is also far from reaching its 10-million target for tourist arrivals by the end of Aquino's term, with only 5.3 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2015.

“Sobra na ang paghihirap sa bansa, nauunahan na tayo ng mga karatig bansa pagdating sa pag-unlad, pagtapos ay nanakawan pa ng mga korap na opisyal ang kaban ng bayan. Paano maaayos ang gulo,” Cayetano said.

"We all know that corruption prevents the inflow of investments and negatively affects economic growth. So if we want our tourism sector to boom, we first need to cleanse our system of dishonest officials who enrich themselves at the expense of our nation's progress," he added.

Cayetano said if elected, he and Duterte will resolve the problem by promoting transparency and accountability in government. Among these are the passage of several important measures such as the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Anti-dummy laws.

The senator also pushed for the creation of a Department of Culture and National Heritage, which will be responsible for the promotion and preservation of historical and heritage sites. The senator explained that the department will help spur region-specific tourism in different provinces and create employment and other livelihood opportunities.

"What we need is a clean and honest government that will end the disorder in the country, lure more investors, create more jobs, and generate more income for our people. With our political will and vision, Mayor Duterte and I will deliver," Cayetano ended. 

Ten Refreshing Local Summer Destinations - That Are No Beaches

There are so much more you can do in our islands other than beach-bumming!

By Mars Salazar

FHM Philippines

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A summer in the Philippines won’t be complete without a trip to at least one of the country’s numerous beaches. Here's the thing: There’s so much more to do in our islands other than beach-bumming!

While we won't stop you from going to your usual summer hangout spot, we remind you that there are plenty of other refreshing destinations within the Philippines that are not beaches. We're talking about places like...

1) La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag, Ilocos Norte 

A fun-filled day awaits you at the La Paz Sand Dunes, where you can ride an ATV and surf down sandy slopes all day long. Head there early morning or late afternoon to avoid getting a nasty sunburn!

Rates: Package 1: P2,500 for 4-5 persons (inclusive of a 4x4 ATV ride and unlimited sandboarding); Package 2: P2,000 (for a one-hour ATV ride)

2) Chico River, Kalinga 

The mighty Chico River eagerly awaits thrill seekers looking for a different kind of adventure up north. Gather the whole gang for a whitewater rafting experience you’ll never forget!

Rates: Chico River Quest offers complete whitewater rafting packages, including equipment, accommodations, and transport. Prices range from P4,000 per person for a 2D/1N trip on beginner-level rapids, to P8,500 per head for a 3D/2N adventure.

3) Minalungao National Park, General Tinio, Nueva Ecija

Looking for a sweet escape from the city’s madness? Head to Minalungao National Park, a hidden gem (that probably won’t stay secret for long) in Nueva Ecija. The park houses the Peñaranda River, a crystal-clear stretch of water bordered by towering limestone cliffs. Bask under the sun by the river, or explore the park’s sights—either way, you’ll never run out of things to do.

Rates: The park has a registration fee of P20 per person and another P20 for each vehicle, tricycle or car. Hire a local guide (prices are negotiable) to show you around the park’s sights and avoid getting lost.

4) Masungi Georeserve, Tanay, Rizal 

Just a short road trip away from Metro Manila lies the 1,500-hectare Masungi Georeserve, a haven for nature explorers. Get the whole group and climb limestone peaks, relax on a gigantic hammock, see various plant and animal species, and gain a new appreciation for the world around you along the way!

Rates: It’s P1,400 per person from April 2016 onwards for a group of seven to ten people. Slots get filled up real fast, so book early—like months before your trip!

5) Apo Reef, Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental 

This is one of the country's best dive sites, and the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Getting there is tricky, but this underwater beauty’s worth it. Needless to say, if you’re planning to take scuba diving lessons, this is a great destination!

Rates: The reef itself is a two-hour boat ride away from the town of Sablayan. Chartering a boat will cost you P7,500 for a snorkeling trip (for 10 people) and P8,000 for a diving trip (for six people, maximum of four dives).

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6) Canyoneering in Southern Cebu 

The quiet town of Alegria in Southern Cebu is the gateway to an adrenaline-packed canyoneering adventure where you’ll be leaping off waterfalls, swimming in crystal-clear waters, clambering up boulders, and basking in lagoons. You’ll eventually emerge at Kawasan Falls in the nearby town of Badian. Not for the faint-hearted, a day here will leave you in awe of Mother Nature’s beauty.

Rates: Many tour groups offer canyoneering packages, starting at around P1,200 per person. It’s cheaper if there are more of you, so get the whole barkada to join in!

7) Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park, Basey, Samar 

If caving’s more your thing, head to Sohoton National Park, where you can explore a number of magnificent caves teeming with stalactites, stalagmites, and in some cases, natural pools (cave swimming, anyone?). You can also go kayaking on the Sohoton River to see the Sohoton Natural Bridge up close!

Rates: There’s a mandated P25 entrance fee and a P50 environment fee per person, plus a P300 lighting fee (for a maximum of 10 people) so you could see inside the caves. The rest, as with several other tourist attractions in the Philippines, would depend on your haggling skills. Chartering a pumpboat to the park would cost you anywhere from P500 to P1,500, while hiring a tour guide would be P300. Kayak rental, meanwhile, costs P50, while a kayak guide would cost P150.

8) Dahilayan Adventure Park, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Channel your inner Superman at Dahilayan Adventure Park, where you can test two ziplines (including Asia’s longest dual line zipline!), a canopy glider, a zipride, a freefall ride, and a base jump ride, plus a rope course perfect for team building activities. Complete the group bonding experience by staying at the Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, which offers reasonable rates for overnight stays.

Rates: A ride on the 840-meter zipline costs P500, while the shorter zipline costs P250 (you can also ride on both ziplines for P600). Other rides range from P250 to P750. You can also avail of the park's packages, which range from P1,200 to P2,500 per person inclusive of transportation to and from Cagayan de Oro City. 

9) Aliwagwag Falls, Cateel, Davao Oriental

Avid waterfall chasers shouldn’t miss Aliwagwag Falls, the highest waterfalls in the Philippines. Towering at 1,100 feet, with 84 curtain-like cascades, it resembles a stairway to the skies when viewed from afar. You can also cross the monkey bridge over the falls and ride the zipline across the cascades.

Rates: Entrance to Aliwagwag falls costs P50 for adults and P10 for kids.

10) Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur 

Crystal-clear turquoise waters beckon visitors to take a dip in the mystical Enchanted River, which, according to local lore, is the haven of fairies and other mystical creatures. This river flows into the Pacific Ocean, but its source remains unknown until now. More mind-bogglingly, no one—not even the most skilled swimmers—have been able to reach the bottom of the river.

Rates: Entrance fee is P30 per person, and you can rent life jackets for P15 an hour.

Images via Kingscourthotel-laoag.com, Ambot-ah.com, Manongunyol.blogspot.com, Masungigeoreserve.com, Triptheislands.com, Freedomwall.net, Jontotheworld.com, Zamboanga.com, Philstar.com, Islandsofthephilippines.com

Bulawan Festival Youth Day 2016

Cong. Wes Gatchalian graces Comval youth

Compostela Valley Province---- Party list representative of “ALAY BUHAY” Wes Gatchalian who represents Hon. Win Gatchalian graced the Summer Fun sa Bulawan (Youth Day) during the 9^thBulawan Festival and 18^th Founding Anniversary celebration of Compostela Valley on March 5 at the Capitol Ground.

Governor Arturo T. Uy, gives the welcome message and thanked the young leaders present for their active participation in all of the province's undertakings and urged them to continue being helpful and active.

“When I became governor in 2007 my first priority also is education, alam ko kung gaano kahalaga ang maging edukado at edukada,” said Gov. Uy.

He added that “I am inviting our speaker because he is one of those who responded to us during Typhoon Pablo. We have the same advocacy to prioritize education.” The governor also expressed his deepest thanks for giving him the “opportunity to help and serve you.”

Congressman Gatchallian in his message, shared that he feels happy and excited for it is his first time to be in ComVal. He urged ComVal youth to get involved in activities for sports and community development being the chairman of Youth and Sports in Congress.

“Wag po kayong matatakot na tuparin ang iyong mga pangarap especially on sports dahil kayong mga kabataan ay may malaking halaga sa ating bayan,”  Gatchalian said.

He also stressed out that his brother is the author of the House bill no. 5905 or the “Free Higher Education Act”. “If we can make free for our High School and Elementary, gawin na po nating libre ang ating kolehiyo.”

Meanwhile, Ma. Lourdes Eudela- SSEYAP Facilitator gives inputs on the youth leadership in disaster preparedness and risk reduction through a power point presentation and discussion.

The Summer Fun sa Bulawan (Youth day) is an annual event for youth leaders coming from the different youth organizations in the province to honor them for their active involvement in community development. These are the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP), Prov'l Youth Development Council (PYDC), Comval Scholarship Program (CVSP)/SPES, and other youth groups. (Rey M. Antibo, PGO-IDS Comval)

 

 

Bulawan fest 2016: drumbeats “Kasikas sa Kapitolyo”  

 

Compostela Valley Province  -  Kiss the sun rays, hear the loud noise of percussions and sway with the rhythm as the 9^thBulawan Festival features “Kasikas sa Kapitolyo” 2016 at the Provincial Capitol, Cabidianan, Compostela Valley on March 6, 2016.

Kasikas sa Kapitolyo is a Drum and Bugle Competition of public and private elementary schools and high schools within Compostela Valley Province.

Prior to the competition, Miss Josie T. Bolofer, Officer-in-Charge, Assistant School Division Superintendent, ComVal shared a quote from Howard Cosell, “The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give.” And added, “Let us all remember this, because this competition is not a competition against each other.” This reminds the participants about core value of competition and winning it.

 

There are seven (7) competing entries for both Elementary and High School categories. Among the 7 competitors in Elementary, Mawab Central Elementary School bagged the first place. Cabinuangan Central Elementary School of New Bataan got the second place. And, third place went to Langtud Elementary School of Laak.

 

In addition, this year’s Kasikas sa Kapitolyo adds enthusiasm with special awards. For elementary, Best production design goes to Cabinuangan Central Elementary School; Best Majorettes to New Sibonga Elementary School of Nabunturan; Best in synchronization music & choreography goes to Mawab Central Elementary School, and; Best Band Major to Monkayo Central Elementary School.

         

On the other hand, the fiery red costumes of the Municipality of Nabunturan represented by Manat National High School made their way to earn the first place. Second place is Monkayo National High School and Assumption of Academy of the municipality of Compostela in the 3^rd place.

 

Whereas, in High School category, Manat National High School garnered the Best production design and Best in synchronization, music & choreography. Best Majorettes goes to Assumption Academy of Compostela and Best Band Major to New Bataan National High school.

 

Meanwhile, cash prizes for the first place is Php 50,000.00, second prize is Php. 40,000.00 and third is Php. 30,000.00. While, special awards for the Best production design (uniform, props, color, costume) is Php.10,000.00; Best Majorettes is Php. 5,000.00; Best in synchronization, music & choreography (Garnered the maximum total points for the criteria: On quality of music and mastery of piece) is Php. 7,000.00; Best Band Major (pupil) is 3,000.00. All these are given with plaque. Also, other competing entries receive Php. 15,000.00 as consolation prizes.

 

All awards and plaques are given by Bulawan Festival Action Officer Senior Board Member Jayvee Tyron Uy together with OIC-PHO Dr. Mary Cyrel Pasaol and the working committee.(Honeylyn T Sayson, ids comval)

 

 

Photos:

 

Elementary and secondary students vie it out in the “Kasikas sa Kapitolyo” 2016 drum and bugle competition in the continuation of the 9^th Bulawan Festival of Comval on March 6, 2016. (a. dayao/ids comval)

 

 

It’s the Compostela youth who won the Caribbean dance-inspired contest during the Youth day of the 9^th Bulawan festival of ComVal on March 5, 2016. (a. dayao, m. lasaca/ids comval)

 

"TINDOG COMVAL! WALANG IWANAN!"