Philippines seeks expansion of EU GSP privileges

By Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star) 

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In a presentation at the EU Parliament and meetings with various trade institutions and parliament ministers in Brussels, the Department of Trade and Industry said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and special envoy to the EU Edgardo Angara urged the EU Parliament to further engage the Philippines through the expansion of the GSP+. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is seeking the expansion of the General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) from the European Union (EU) amid concerns the present set of privileges would be removed in protest over the alleged extrajudicial killing cases in the country.

In a presentation at the EU Parliament and meetings with various trade institutions and parliament ministers in Brussels, the Department of Trade and Industry said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and special envoy to the EU Edgardo Angara urged the EU Parliament to further engage the Philippines through the expansion of the GSP+.

“We want to follow through the dialogue on the expansion of the GSP+ and move to a long lasting trade concession via a free trade agreement,” Lopez said.

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Lopez said he and Angara assured the parliament and business institutions the Philippines is a strong economic partner and there will be continuing dialogs to ensure they get the real and more objective situation in the country.

“The Philippine delegation also assured the EU that the Philippines continues to adhere to protecting human rights and the President’s zero tolerance for abusive enforcers. There is clear rule of law and strong democracy in the country,” he said.

The Philippines was granted beneficiary country status under the EU-GSP+ in December 2014, allowing it to export 6,274 eligible products duty-free to the EU market.

The alleged cases of extrajudicial killings in the country as part of President Duterte’s drug war, however, has put at risk the country’s GSP+ privileges.

The country’s beneficiary status under the GSP+ necessitates the implementation of the 27 international treaties and conventions on human rights, labor rights, environment and governance.

Results of the latest GSP+ review is expected to come out in January next year.

UST law dean should face probe ...

... over freshman's hazing death: lawyer

Patrick Quintos, ABS-CBN News

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MANILA - The dean of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law, who is a member of the fraternity involved in the hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo III, should also be investigated, according to a lawyer assisting the student's family.

Speaking to ANC, Atty. Lorna Kapunan said Dean Nilo Divina, who earlier claimed he has been an inactive fratman of the Aegis Jvris, was the one who recruited the 22-year-old UST student to the fraternity, according to the account of the mother.

"She did not want her child to belong to a fraternity but they were assured by the dean that there was going to be no hazing," said Kapunan, who co-founded the Inang Naulila sa Anak (INA) Foundation.

In the interview, Kapunan cast doubt on claims that Castillo was the only person undergoing hazing by fratmen.

The lawyer also said the Department of Justice should verify reports that the fratmen involved in the fatal hazing of Atio, in panic, went to Divina's house after the hazing to seek help.

Even if untrue, she said Divina, as UST law dean, should have ensured that the requirements of the Anti-Hazing Law were met and that there were at least school representatives when the initiation rites for the Aegis Jvris neophytes were conducted.

"If there were two responsible adults there I don't think the murder would happen," Kapunan said.

Divina, however, denied that Aegis Jvris members went to his house after the hazing. He said he will file charges against Kapunan.

Divina earlier said he has been inactive with Aegis Jvris since he assumed deanship. He also stressed that the UST Faculty of Civil Law does not tolerate violence among fraternities, claiming that Aegis Juris did not give them notice about the initiation rites.

• UST law school dean vows to help 'Atio's' parents find justice

Kapunan, meanwhile, said it would be a good idea to turn primary suspect John Paul Solano into a state witness. She believes Solano is telling the truth, after he named names in the hazing incident during a Senate executive session.

She hopes that the truth comes out especially they already received reports that Atio was not the lone neophyte in the initiation rites, and the 18 others were told to be silent about the hazing incident.

FORUM SHOPPING

In the interview, Kapunan also denied that she is "forum shopping" after the House justice committee junked an impeachment complaint against Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista for being insufficient in forum.

Kapunan is an adviser of Mrs. Patricia Bautista, estranged wife of the Comelec chief. Mrs. Bautista earlier said she has documents that show the poll chief had P1 billion in unexplained wealth. She said her husband allegedly received "commissions" from Divina's law firm, which counts among its clients Smartmatic, Comelec's contractor in the automated elections.

Divina has denied Mrs. Bautista's claims.

• UST law dean denies payoffs to Comelec chief

Kapunan noted the impeachment complaint against the Comelec chief was filed without Mrs. Bautista's participation and before the National Bureau of Investigation could finish its own probe on the unexplained wealth.

• Comelec chief's wife shows passbooks, cash in envelopes, commission sheet

"Patricia was not the one who filed the impeachment complaint. It was filed notwithstanding our advice to wait for the NBI report," she said.

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Read More:  Horacio Castillo III   UST   Nilo Divina   Dean   Fraternity   Aegis Jvris   Hazing   Death  ANC   Early Edition   ANC Top   ANC Exclusive  

Surviving without a cell phone

September 25, 2017  Klaus Doring, Opinion

Mr. Klaus Doring

I REMEMBER the time, when one of my first Japanese friends kept on complaining, why I didn’t operate a cell phone. Believe me, during that time, sometime in 2000 or 2001, I even typed my articles on an old typewriter from Germany.
My Japanese friend then bought me a computer - and a cellphone! Some other friends congratulated me: “Welcome back to the world!” 
Last Sunday, I really got mad. Attending mass, I observed a family (father, mother, boy and girl) keeping on using their cell phones during almost the whole ongoing mass. Heaven forbid! Even, while falling in line receiving the holy communion, the father kept on texting and browsing in Facebook. Step by step. Just in front of me! Heaven forbid! Guys, why are you still attending mass? Later on, the children kept on playing video games....
Sometimes, I observed (business-)people operating with two or even more cell phones at the same time. Even while taking lunch in a restaurant. I asked them: “How did you survive doing business before without these units?” Believe me or not. The answers have been mostly: I really don’t know!
Doing business nowadays without a cell phone? Even in  very private life? Many people can’t imagine it anymore. I can! Though Philippines’ cell phone companies really provide us with the widest distribution and the broadest coverage to very affordable charges. I really enjoy, for example, the “unlimited call” experience - just to mention one. But, not at any time!
Two handsets or even three. Ok lang, as long it keeps my business running. Again, I am not available 24/7! I am sorry, I am not!
But then it happened! I thought I had lost my cell phone. I got panic, losing all my important connections. This “thing” really got a special meaning for me. And here we are: not only for business. Just even for a short 
“Hi - kumusta ka?” I really felt lonely!
A couple of hours later, I found IT. Misplaced somewhere in the bathroom under a towel in silent mode. Four miscalls (yippee!), several text messages. Not only “Hi - kumusta ka?” A special evening meeting had to be confirmed... .I only got one big problem. I need a translator, if the words of text messages indeed go weird.
Allow me to quote Philippine Star columnist Igan D’Bayan, who wrote a couple of years ago: “We don’t speak like Hamlet any more. Most of us speak Taglish and write in Filipinzed English. And while holding a mobile phone, we type ‘2b or not 2b’. And that’s supposition!”
Btw (‘by the way’), during night time, I turn off my cell phone. How about you? And, I really get mad, if my students keep on using their “machine” during class....

Comval farmers: Rice and Machineries

ComVal I-Rice bags CSC Pag-asa Awards

 The ComVal I-Rice, a joint project by the Department of Science and Technology-XI, Food and Nutrition Council and the Provincial Government of Compostela Valley won the Pag-asa Awards from the Civil Service Commission. An awarding ceremony was held at Malacanang Palace Rizal Hall last September 20, 2017 where no less than President Rodrigo Duterte extended the award to the ComVal I-Rice Team. Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy received the award along with DOST-XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales and Provincial Director Kenneth Barroga, and DOST-FNRI’s Dr. Imelda Agdeppa.

The project was created by PLGU-Compostela Valley, DOST-FNRI and DOST-XI to address the problem of iron deficiency anemia among the school-children of Compostela Valley. It was in 2013 that then Board Member Tyron Uy sponsored an ordinance in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to institutionalize the use of the iron-fortified rice. Currently, the iron-fortified rice is the official rice used for the Kusina ng Kalinga, a 120-day feeding program among wasted and severely wasted elementary school-children of Compostela Valley. The pilot use of the program showed a 93%  improvement rate in Maco South District in Maco, Compostela Valley.

 “I thank the CSC and the committee members for choosing the I-Rice Project. This is indeed a validation for the years we worked hard”, Gov. Uy said.

The Comval I-Rice Team vowed to further promote the consumption of the rice through strong promotions system, consistent information dissemination and giving of incentives through loan and credit assistance to cooperatives, as promised by the DOST-FNRI.

The governor also said that the success of the project only proves that there is indeed a need to become innovative in approaching problems in the community.

“There is a need for us to leave the traditional and start being creative in how we deal problems in the community. Comval I-Rice addresses both the hunger and the anemia problem among schoolchildren. Its new, innovative and multi-tiered,”  the young governor continues.

The panel of judges who decided the winners of the CSC award include CSC Chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, columnist Jarius Bondoc, Presidential Protocol Office Head Robert Eric Borje, Helen O. Orande of the League of Corporate Foundations, SM Foundation’s Executive Director Deborah Sy, CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, COA Chairperson Michael G. Aguinaldo, Deputy Executive Secretary Rizalina Justol and Undersecretary Maria Victoria S. Querol.  (allin joy camille, ids comval)

Gov. Uy, Dir. Oñate lead turn-over of 58 farm machineries to Comval farmers

Compostela Valley Province---The provincial government of Compostela Valley under the leadership of Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate turned-over a total of 58 different types of agricultural machineries to Comval farmers on September 25, 2017 at the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO), Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval.

According to Oñate, they are looking for another fund to provide at least one 10- wheeler hauling truck which will be used for the newly completed Rice Processing Centers of the municipalities of the province with large areas of rice production.

Among the agricultural equipment delivered through the Department of Agriculture (DA) were 10 Hand Tractors with Trailer each, 15 Open Surfaced Pumps (OSP), 18 Power Sprayers, 6 Rice Threshers, and 9 units of Corn Sheller-Husker.

 Also gracing the turn-over ceremony were Vice Governor Manuel E. Zamora, PAGRO Head Dr. Rolando Simene, Cooperative Development Division Head Manuel Buladaco, PAGRO employees, and the Barangay Agricultural Extension Workers of the province.  (R. Antibo, IDS Comval)

Photo Caption:

FARM MACHINE

Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, Vice Governor Manuel E. Zamora, together with Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Engr. Ricardo Oñate turned-over a total of 58 different types of agricultural machineries to Comval farmers on September 25, 2017 at the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO), Capitol Compound, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval. (Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

CSC Pag-asa Awards

Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy received the Pag-asa Awards from the Civil Service Commission  along with DOST-XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales and Provincial Director Kenneth Barroga, and DOST-FNRI’s Dr. Imelda Agdeppa at the Malacanang Palace Rizal Hall on September 20, 2017 where no less than President Rodrigo Duterte extended the award to the ComVal I-Rice Team. 

Adamson, NU try to clinch PVL semis spots

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Sep 25 2017 06:39 AM

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The NU Lady Bulldogs try to secure a Final 4 spot. Arvin Lim, ABS-CBN Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten teams National University (NU) and Adamson University are brimming with confidence heading into crucial showdowns against separate opponents in the 2017 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

NU takes on Jose Rizal University (JRU), while Adamson faces off against De La Salle-College of St. Benilde (CSB), with a victory assuring both squads of a spot in the Final 4.

The Lady Bulldogs (3-0) collide with the Lady Bombers at 4 p.m., seeking their fourth straight win and the first semis spot in Group A.

The Lady Falcons (3-0) then hope to match that 4-0 mark as they go up against the Lady Blazers at 6:30 p.m. in Group B.

JRU and CSB are both out of the running for semis spots with 0-3 records, although they are expected to go all out in search of their first win and thus play a spoiler role.

A victory for NU will also give them great momentum heading into a highly anticipated clash against Ateneo de Manila University (3-1) on Saturday.

"My only wish is that no player gets injured and they don't overdo things. They just have to stick to the system we're trying to do. Even with slow increments of improvement, I'll be happy," said NU coach Babes Castillo, who will again pin his hopes on Jaja Santiago, Aiko Urdas and Jasmine Nabor.

Meanwhile, senior high player Princess Robles, who sustained a left ankle sprain on a bad fall after a block in the third set of the Lady Bulldogs' four-set victory over San Sebastian College two weeks ago, is expected to suit up in their last elims assignment against Ateneo.

The Jema Galanza-led Lady Falcons are also on a roll, shocking the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons in five sets, then beating Arellano University and Technological Institute of the Philippines to move closer to a dream semis stint.

The top two teams after the single round will advance to the crossover semifinals with the winners disputing the crown in another best-of-three affair.

In men's play, second-running Far Eastern University (4-1) goes for its fifth straight triumph when it clashes with UP (1-4 at seventh) at 8 a.m.

Lowly teams San Beda College (1-3 at sixth) and CSB (0-4 at eighth) mix it up in the other match at 10 a.m.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

BGC restaurants STELLA and ROCKET ROOM are now closed

Did you know? BGC restaurants Stella, Rocket Room are now closed

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Sep 21 2017 12:10 PM

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Inside Stella restaurant. Facebook.com/stella.rocketroom

MANILA – Stella and Rocket Room, two restaurants that helped shape the food scene in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, are now closed.

“It is with a grateful heart that we say our heartfelt thanks to you all who have loved Stella Wood Fired Bistro and Rocket Room,” read a post on the restaurants’ Facebook page on Wednesday.

Located at the Bonifacio High Street Central mall, Stella and Rocket Room were known for serving wood-fired pizzas and creative cocktails. 

The two were part of the Raintree group of restaurants, which also include Museum Café + Kabila, Chelsea Kitchen, Terraz Bistro, Saboten, Simple Lang, Chotto Matte + Izakaya Sensu, Providore, and Cha Cha’s.

The space formerly occupied by Stella and Rocket Room will be taken up by two new Raintree concepts – a Filipino-style bistro called Friends & Family, and the tropical-themed cocktail bar The Coconut Club.

The new restaurants are set to open in November.

When in Baguio, walk

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By Zaldy Comanda

WALKING TOURS – Young Burnham Park visitors walk past a Walk Meter Chart, which encourages tourists and local residents to walk to nearby destinations. The project is aimed at minimizing the use of motor vehicles and promote a healthier lifestyle. (Zaldy Comanda)

Baguio City – The health benefits of walking are being promoted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Cordillera which set up walk meters in major parks in the city to encourage tourists, as well as the general public, to walk short distances instead of taking public transportation.

DOT-Cordillera regional director Venus Tan said walk meter charts encourage a car-less community, approximating the original plan of the Americans, who built the city as a rest and recreation area with narrow streets to discourage the use of motor vehicles.

“We are conditioning our locals and visitors to walk, we are reviving health and wellness in the city, encouraging them not to bring cars,” Tan said.

The  walking meters were installed at Burnham Park, Mines View Park and Wright Park, and indiactes the distance to key destinations and locations and the approximate calories spent walking.

Tags: Burnham Park, Cordillera, Department of Tourism, DOT, health benefits of walking, public transportation, Venus Tan, When in Baguio walk

German Embassy: Germany supports conservation of Philippine Biodiversity in 160 protected areas

++ Germany supports conservation of Philippine biodiversity in 160 Protected Areas ++

The German-funded Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project recently held its final event to mark the end of this successful initiative. The project aimed to preserve Philippine biodiversity and was funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) as part of its International Climate Initiative (IKI) from 2012-2017.

Through the 5-year project worth EUR 9 million (around Php 536 million) 56 new terrestrial and marine protected areas covering 170,000 hectares were established and representatives from government, communities, civil society and academe were trained in biodiversity assessment/monitoring, regulation and law enforcement, ecotourism and livelihood.

Among the sites supported were the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve, the oldest forest in Palawan, and the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a booming tourist destination in Negros Oriental.

In his keynote speech during event, Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke highlighted the project’s success as a testimony to the invaluable German-Philippine bilateral cooperation towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

++ Germany supports conservation of Philippine biodiversity in 160 Protected Areas ++

The German-funded Protected Area Management Enhancement (PAME) Project recently held its final event to mark the end of this successful initiative. The project aimed to preserve Philippine biodiversity and was funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) as part of its International Climate Initiative (IKI) from 2012-2017.

Through the 5-year project worth EUR 9 million (around Php 536 million) 56 new terrestrial and marine protected areas covering 170,000 hectares were established and representatives from government, communities, civil society and academe were trained in biodiversity assessment/monitoring, regulation and law enforcement, ecotourism and livelihood.

Among the sites supported were the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve, the oldest forest in Palawan, and the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, a booming tourist destination in Negros Oriental.

In his keynote speech during event, Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke highlighted the project’s success as a testimony to the invaluable German-Philippine bilateral cooperation towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) implemented the project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau.

GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) implemented the project in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Biodiversity Management Bureau.

A European dilemma?

FRI, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

Somehow, I really felt touched while listening. In his State of the Union speech, European Commission President Juncker has praised the bloc for “bouncing back” after 10 years of crises. He has outlined bold proposals for the Eurozone, trade and migration. Is it too late?

Well, the Commission Chief has ruled out Turkish EU membership “in the foreseeable future.” No wonder.

Then,  Juncker has called on European states to help improve the “scandalous” conditions in Libyan migrant centers to prevent people fleeing Africa to Italy by way of the Mediterranean. Longtime overdue!

Next, there were warm words for Balkan candidate countries. Sure.

Also, the future EU tax policy should be approved by a majority of member states, rather than the existing unanimity requirement, Juncker said. Is there really a chance for this. I doubt!

Of course, many Europeans call Juncker’s speech as ‘Wind back in Europe’s sails’.  Of course, in my opinion, last year, European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker had little to cheer about in his flagship address before the European Parliament. If anything, it was a call to stop the collapse of the EU.

Now, a year on from Brexit and with European economies on the upswing, Wednesday’s State of the Union speech struck a far more optimistic note, as Juncker praised the bloc’s achievements over the last 12 months and laid out his vision for its future.

“After 10 years of crises, economies are on the rise and the European Union is bouncing back” he said. “The wind is back in Europe’s sails, it now has a window of opportunity.” Oh yes – so very true!

Indeed, let’s throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the harbor. Catch the trade winds in our sails. It’s indeed high time for protecting European businesses. On strengthening Europe’s trade program, Juncker said that, “Europe has always been an attractive partner to trade with, and now countries from all over the world are knocking on our door.”

Juncker cited the bloc’s recent trade agreements with Canada and Japan, and called on a speedy conclusion to ongoing talks with Mexico and the South American trading bloc, Mercosur. Juncker also said talks should also begin with Australia and New Zealand.

Regulatory reforms aimed at protecting European businesses from undesired foreign takeovers and investment were also among the proposals made by the former Luxembourg prime minister. Europe cautious as China buys up foreign companies.

On migration, Juncker announced that the European Commission would outline a new migrant deportation policy by the end of the month. In a call for increased border security on Europe’s borders, the European Commission president emphasized the need to unburden countries, such as Greece and Italy, where many migrants have landed. “Italy saves Europe’s honor,” said Juncker, praising the Mediterranean nation for its perseverance and generosity in its handling of the crisis. I strongly agree!

Juncker’s proposal could be music to the ears of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has argued that the Euro needs its own, stronger institutions to prevent another debt crisis. However, the proposal will likely be met with tepid reactions in Germany/Berlin, which has largely dismissed reform calls for the common currency.

Juncker also endorsed an EU-wide adoption of the Euro currency. Denmark and Sweden, who in referendums both rejected the Euro, would be exempt. No doubts, when German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble welcomed Juncker’s idea for pan-EU use of the Euro, but said the same conditions must be met by all member states.

“It’s good that he’s applying some pressure and picking up the tempo,” for adoption of the Euro across the bloc, said

Strong words for Poland, Hungary and Turkey

Brussels’ recent tensions with Poland and Hungary have prompted concerns over the safe-guarding of EU values in eastern Europe. “Those states who are not capable of demo-cracy, are not worthy of Europe,” Juncker said.

The governments of both countries have taken an illiberal turn in recent years. The Polish government’s decision to push through judicial reforms allowing the government to elect Supreme Court judges has led the Commission to threaten invoking “Article 7” of the European Treaty, which would suspend Poland’s EU voting rights and even cut off EU funding. True!

That attack was also aimed at Turkey, which he accused of “creating ground for membership talks to fail” and “moving away from the European Union in leaps and bounds.” Ankara’s attitude “rules out EU membership for Turkey in the foreseeable future,” the European Commission President said.

There were, however, warm words for the western Balkan states, which Juncker said should have a realistic chance of joining the EU by 2019.

An European Dilemma? It depends ….