Poll body lists 256 candidates with disqualification cases
At least 256 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates will not be proclaimed even if they win in the Oct. 30 elections until the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolves their pending disputes. The 256 candidates are running for either barangay captain or councilor, or SK chairperson or councilor. ADVERTISEMENTLast Tuesday, the Comelec’s seven-member policymaking body declared it would suspend the proclamation of winning barangay and SK candidates with unresolved election cases. READ: Comelec: Proclaiming BSKE winners w/ disqualification raps may be stoppedADVERTISEMENTAs of Oct. 26, the Comelec task force against premature campaigning has filed disqualification cases against 196 candidates and ordered about 6,000 others to explain the complaints against them. The Comelec task force against vote-buying and illegal campaigning has also filed disqualification cases against nine candidates and ordered around 1,500 others to explain why they should not be charged for illegal campaign activities.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 27, 2023 11:15 UTC
CCB profits rise 3pc on lower impairments
Staff reporter and BloombergChina Construction Bank (0939) saw its net profit increase by 3 percent to 255.4 billion yuan (HK$272.9 billion) in the first three quarters this year, as it managed to offset a margin slide with lower credit impairments. For the third quarter, China's second-biggest lender by assets posted a 2.6 percent year-on-year growth in net profits to 88.1 billion yuan. Meanwhile, impairment losses went down by nearly 14 percent to 124.4 billion yuan in the first three quarters from the previous year. CCB said in a briefing yesterday that its net interest margin is still under downward pressure this year, expecting that the margin will decline at a slower pace next year. For the quarter through September alone, the insurer's net profit plunged 99 percent to 53 million yuan.
Source:The Standard
October 27, 2023 07:10 UTC
Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, dies at 68
Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, died Friday of a heart attack. As the top economic official, Li promised to improve conditions for entrepreneurs who generate jobs and wealth. But the ruling party under Xi increased the dominance of state industry and tightened control over tech and other industries. Li was born July 1, 1955, in the eastern province of Anhui and by 1976 was ruling party secretary of a commune there. Li's tenure also saw China's economy begin to slow from the dizzying heights experienced in the 1990s and 2000s.
Source:The Standard
October 27, 2023 06:50 UTC
Tragedy strikes as taxis collide at roundabout near Disneyland
One taxi driver died after the smashup. SING TAOStacy ShiA taxi driver died after his cab collided with another taxi yesterday morning near the Disneyland Resort on Lantau. The woman's eight-year-old son also suffered serious injuries in the abdomen. The hybrid taxi sustained serious damages in the rear. The boy, eight, had serious abdomen injuries, and was later transferred from North Lantau Hospital to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Source:The Standard
October 27, 2023 06:24 UTC
New approaches
Chinese official development assistance loan facilities have high interest rates compared to those offered by other countries such as Japan. These days it looks like several big-ticket projects funded by Chinese ODA are being dropped by the Philippines. Other countries including the Philippines have suffered from the same Chinese economic coercion over the past years. The arbitration court in had ruled in 2016 that the Philippines has sovereign rights over Ayungin, Panganiban and Recto Bank. That ruling has been recognized by the countries that have been expressing support for the Philippines in the dispute.
Source:Philippine Star
October 27, 2023 05:04 UTC
DepEd asks RTU to submit incident report of what led to student death
DepEd asks RTU to submit incident report of what led to student deathMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education is currently investigating a public high school’s handling of a student cheating incident to determine if its personnel had violated any laws in carrying out the school’s rules against academic dishonesty. DepEd also told Philstar.com in a message that its Learner Rights and Protection Office is also looking into the incident. The university released a statement last Thursday confirming the student’s death and vowed to be transparent about its investigation into what transpired prior to the student’s death. While it runs a laboratory high school, this is considered a "non-DepEd" school and out of their jurisdiction. The guidance counselor of RTU’s high school department, Rodrigo Tomas, said that it was the class advisor administering the examination who caught the student cheating.
Source:Philippine Star
October 27, 2023 01:58 UTC
Stock market hits new 2023 low
THE stock market fell below 6,000 during intraday trade and closed at a new low for the year on Wednesday as investors anticipated an off-cycle Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) rate hike. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index, meanwhile, tumbled to as low as 5,974.17 during the day and ultimately shed 36.01 points, or 0.60 percent, to end the day 6,018.49. Managing Director Luis Limlingan said "the street widely expects that the briefing would be an announcement of an off-cycle interest rate hike." "As a result, market participation was weak, with a net value turnover of P2.90 billion, lower than the year-to-date average of P5.05 billion. Volume was thin with just over 428.33 million shares worth some P3.06 billion having changed hands.
Source:Manila Times
October 26, 2023 22:42 UTC
Mercedes profits fall due to lower sales
FRANKFURT: German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said on Thursday that its profits fell in the third quarter due to a drop in vehicle deliveries amid shortages of some parts. Net profits came in seven percent lower, at 3.7 billion euros ($3.9 billion), in the July to September period, the company said in a statement. It was slightly better than a prediction by analysts surveyed by financial data firm FactSet, who had forecast a figure of 3.4 billion euros. Revenue fell 1.4 percent to 37.2 billion euros, partly because passenger car sales were around five percent lower in the quarter due to a shortage of some parts. There was some good news, with higher prices for cars and a rise in sales of premium vans.
Source:Manila Times
October 26, 2023 16:17 UTC
Comelec precinct finder now accessible
Comelec precinct finder now accessibleVoters may scan the QR code or access the precinct finder through this link: precinctfinder.comelec.gov.phMANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Precinct Finder is now accessible to those who will be casting their votes for the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the Department of Information and Communications Technology gave its go signal for the relaunching of the Precinct Finder, which was slightly delayed because of the recent cyberattacks on government websites. Comelec has ordered the disqualification of 100 candidates in the upcoming BSKE and the approval of a resolution suspending the proclamation of 500 BSKE candidates. Garcia said the Comelec suspended the proclamation of the BSKE candidates with pending cases ranging from premature and illegal campaigning to vote buying. The order to suspend the proclamation, Garcia said, is just a “stop gap” measure in case the Comelec is unable to resolve all pending disqualification cases.
Source:Philippine Star
October 26, 2023 16:08 UTC
One dead and four injured after two-taxi collision at Hong Kong Disneyland
Five people were taken to two hospitals on Thursday morning after two taxis collided at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort located in Penny's Bay. The rear of the hybrid taxi was heavily damaged, and the front of the other taxi was also dented, with nearby road signs destroyed and the iron fences dented. The taxi driver lost consciousness inside the vehicle, while the driver of the hybrid taxi and three passengers were trapped inside the vehicle. Rescue workers were alerted to the scene and rescued the trapped passengers, taking them to North Lantau Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital separately for medical attention. The driver, who lost consciousness, was taken to North Lantau Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Source:The Standard
October 26, 2023 06:38 UTC
(Video) 16-year-old boy arrested for bashing and kicking girlfriend out in public
Police said officers arrested a 16-year-old boy on Wednesday after a video of him bashing and kicking a girl out on the streets in Tsim Sha Tsui went viral. The force said the arrest came after they noticed the undated video circulating online showing the boy assaulting a girl at 85 Kimberley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The teenage boy was arrested in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, an offense punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. As seen in the video, the boy in white clothing slapped and threw punches at the girl, before she went down to the floor on her knees. The video ended showing the girl lying on the floor.
Source:The Standard
October 26, 2023 06:06 UTC
BLAST FROM THE PAST: TODAY (OCTOBER 26) IN FILIPINO HISTORY: PRESIDENT ARROYO GRANTS EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY ON ERAP ESTRADA
Today in HistoryOn October 26, 2007, President Gloria Arroyo pardoned former President Joseph Estrada who was convicted by the Sandiganbayan antigraft court on September 12, 2007 of plunder and imposed a penalty of reclusion perpetua. He is hereby restored to his civil and political rights. The forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full, including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuance hereof, except for the bank account(s) he owned before his tenure as President. Mr. Estrada is the first former president ever convicted of any crime in Philippine history. References: Philippines News Agency archivesArroyo grants pardon to Estrada, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net(Filed By JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 26, 2023 04:12 UTC
Lenovo and Nvidia join forces for AI solutions
Himo LiuLenovo (0992) and Nvidia have announced a plan to partner for hybrid AI solutions, broadening their alliance to empower channel partners to offer AI capabilities to a more extensive range of businesses than ever before. The two firms will work closely together to provide fully integrated systems, extending artificial intelligence-powered computing from edge to cloud, making it easier for businesses to implement custom generative AI applications, fostering innovation and transformation across various industries. Lenovo chairman and chief executive Yang Yuanqing, along with Nvidia founder and chief executive Jensen Huang, introduced these offerings during the annual global Lenovo Tech World keynote, highlighting the demand of businesses for comprehensive solutions that combine accelerated systems, AI software and expert services to efficiently develop and deploy customized AI models based on their own data. With support from Lenovo's AI Professional Services Practice, these solutions enable enterprises to utilize a hybrid cloud approach, building custom AI models through Nvidia's cloud service and deploying them on on-premises Lenovo systems equipped with Nvidia's latest hardware and software for generative AI. Shares of Lenovo surged by 7.33 percent to HK$8.93 yesterday.
Source:The Standard
October 26, 2023 01:13 UTC
Women in Iceland, including PM, walk out for equal pay
REYKJAVIK — Tens of thousands of women in Iceland, including the prime minister, walked off the job on Tuesday to demand equal pay and protest violence against women. Organizers of the movement said this meant men were expected to take charge of the unpaid work that often falls to women. The average wage gap between men and women was 10.2 percent in 2021, according to Statistics Iceland. Around 90 percent of Iceland’s women took part in the first protest in 1975, “which was momentous,” Rognvaldsdottir said. Raising awarenessBut she said they would continue to protest until women enjoyed “equal rights in full.”The strikers also wanted their protest to raise awareness of gender-based violence.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
October 25, 2023 22:15 UTC
Suzuki Auto 3S Shop relocates to bigger site in Isabela
The company has recently moved its Suzuki Auto 3S (sales, spare parts and service) Shop to a more convenient and accessible location within the province. The newly relocated Suzuki Auto 3S Shop in Cordon, Isabela is larger, more accessible and customer-centric, benefiting an expanded customer base in Isabela and neighboring provinces. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOSuzuki Auto Isabela 3S Shop's previous site at Barangay Batal in Santiago City has been replaced by the new 2,000-square-meter shop in Barangay Malapat, Cordon. The new Suzuki Auto Isabela facility boasts a four-unit display area, perfect for showcasing iconic Suzuki models such as the New Ertiga Hybrid, S-Presso AGS, XL7, Jimny and other high-value Suzuki vehicles. The Suzuki Auto Isabela showroom and service shop are open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Source:Manila Times
October 25, 2023 17:47 UTC