PDIC to raise P93M from e-bidding
THE government-owned Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) looks to raise P93.8 million from the sale of 45 agricultural lots located in Luzon through a public electronic bidding (e-bidding). The e-bidding will take place on January 27 this year, according to its statement released on Tuesday. Bids for these shuttered bank properties will be accepted through its e-bidding platform at https://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph, according to the state deposit insurer. PDIC said interested parties can go to the PDIC Assets for Sale website at http://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph/ to complete the mandatory one-time registration. "The disposal of these assets increases the chances of recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors of their trapped funds in the closed banks," PDIC added.
Source:Manila Times
January 05, 2022 01:13 UTC
Group alleges smuggling of farm products thriving
UNITED Nations data confirm that smuggling of agricultural commodities is thriving in the Philippines, a farmers' group claimed on Tuesday. The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) alleged that based on UN Comtrade figures, at least 300 million kilos of rice, 45.5 million kilos of pork, 76 million kilos of chicken, 23.04 million kilos of onions, 6.7 million kilos of garlic and 12 million kilos of vegetables have been smuggled into the country. Under Republic Act 10611, or the "Food Safety" law, quarantine inspection should be conducted prior to tariff collection. "We remain to be the only country that is not applying the global standard of quarantine inspection at the port of first entry of imported food, food products and agricultural commodities that would ensure food safety and public health amid the Covid-19 pandemic and avert the unrestrained smuggling of agri-food products," So pointed out. "Smugglers remain inspired and unrestrained because no one among them has been put to jail despite the clear provisions of RA 10845 (the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act)," it added.
Source:Manila Times
January 05, 2022 01:13 UTC
Unvaccinated visitors banned from dolomite beach – DENR
Unvaccinated visitors banned from dolomite beach – DENRFamilies flock at the "dolomite beach" at Manila Bay, which was opened to the public on July 18, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Only fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed to enter the dolomite beach in Manila, which reopened to the public yesterday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said. Manila Baywalk dolomite beach ground commander Reuel Sorilla said unvaccinated individuals are prohibited from entering the man-made beach. Those who want to visit the dolomite beach can register at http://denrncrsys.online. Entrance to the dolomite beach will be conducted in batches, with a maximum of 300 visitors per group.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2022 16:54 UTC
CIDG files raps vs 'Poblacion Girl,' parents, hotel personnel
Her parents and several hotel personnel who allowed her to leave quarantine will also be included in the complaint, the CIDG said. "The CIDG will be filing cases against nine persons, including Miss Chua, her father and mother and several personnel of the hotel (quarantine facility)," according to the CIDG statement. – On Dec. 25, 2021 at 9 p.m., Chua returned to the hotel assisted by her mother. CIDG records said Chua did not only skip quarantine but also went to a party and then proceeded to several restaurants. The Berjaya Hotel in Makati apologized and promised to hold the personnel accountable for Chua's leaving the quarantine area.
Source:Manila Times
January 04, 2022 16:34 UTC
Gadon doubts SC suspension order vs him: Could this be politically motivated?
MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Larry Gadon on Tuesday questioned the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) placing him on preventive suspension and ordering him to explain why he should not be disbarred. But the high court already said that it has suspended Gadon after he verbally assaulted last month journalist Raissa Robles, the Manila correspondent of the South China Morning Post. The SC motu proprio (on its own) treated the controversy as an administrative complaint for disbarment against Gadon. In 2019, the lawyer was suspended by the high court due to his “abusive and offensive” language. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: SC suspends lawyer Gadon for ‘abusive, offensive’ languageHe is also already facing a disbarment complaint for claiming that former President Benigno S. Aquino III died of HIV.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 04, 2022 14:22 UTC
Tuen Mun estate locked down as Hong Kong announces new flight bans
Residents undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing. Residents undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing. Residents undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing. Residents there must undergo compulsory testing by 12am Wednesday. So far Hong Kong reported 114 Omicron cases.
Source:The Standard
January 04, 2022 13:28 UTC
'I guess this is goodbye': Kris Aquino shows Mel Senen Sarmiento's explanation for breakup
'I guess this is goodbye': Kris Aquino shows Mel Senen Sarmiento's explanation for breakupMANILA, Philippines — "Queen of All Media" Kris Aquino confirmed her breakup with fiancé Mel Sarmiento. The confirmation came after social media users speculated that the two have broken up after Kris deleted all her Instagram posts referring to Mel. In her Instagram account, Kris posted her statement with screenshots of Mel’s last text messages to her. In the screenshot, Mel wrote that COVID-19 posed a threat to Kris' health and he being outgoing might endanger the host-actress' health. RELATED: Celebrities congratulate Kris Aquino for engagement with Mel Sarmiento
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2022 11:24 UTC
Ten-year jail for man who sexually assaulted and raped three girls 40 years ago
Justice came 40 years after a Hong Kong man sexually assaulted and raped three young relatives when they were aged between 7 and 11. The 58-year-old had earlier been charged with five counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. The defendant was accused to have sexually assaulted Y on a vessel in Hong Kong in 1982, and had twice sexually assaulted X five years later. He also allegedly raped and twice sexually assaulted Z on a vessel between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1987. The jury unanimously found the defendant guilty on three sexual assault charges, also returning a guilty verdict on another sexual assault charge and rape charge by a 6-1 majority.
Source:The Standard
January 04, 2022 10:48 UTC
BI lowers on-site work capacity in NCR
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said that it lowered its on-site work capacity in Metro Manila after it was placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 in an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 infections. “As an effect, all BI offices in NCR shall be operating during weekdays, and will observe a 60% on-site work capacity, while adopting applicable alternative work arrangements,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement. ADVERTISEMENTPrior to this announcement, the BI operated on a minimum of 50 percent to a maximum of 70 percent skeleton workforce. FEATURED STORIESUnvaccinated or partially vaccinated clients, however, remain required to set their appointments online. Other places under alert level 3 are Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 04, 2022 10:23 UTC
De Lima: Bilibid riot probe should seek cause of 'general restlessness' at prison
De Lima: Bilibid riot probe should seek cause of 'general restlessness' at prisonBureau of Corrections Director General Gerald Bantag led the authorities' Oplan Galugad in two quadrants of the New Bilibid Prison on Monday, October 12, 2021. MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila de Lima urged authorities to identify the root causes of the recent riot at the New Bilibid Prison that left three Persons Deprived of Liberty dead and injured 14 others. "More than petty skirmishes, there must be underlying causes for the general restlessness among the Bilibid PDLs that induce violent behavior. Reports reaching my office speak of rampant irregularities, including drug use," De Lima, a former justice secretary, said in a statement Tuesday. De Lima, a former justice secretary, has been in detention since 2017 on cases related to the illegal drug trade at Bilibid.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2022 09:47 UTC
Restrictions on unvaccinated OK but necessary to provide govt services: CHR - Asia News Network
“There are valid justifications in restricting rights, including freedom of movement, especially during national emergencies, such as the present pandemic. The [CHR], however, continues to stress that such policies much be based on human rights standards — that, among others, it must be legal, necessary, proportional, and non-discriminatory as detailed under the Siracusa Principles,” Jacqueline de Guia, the CHR spokesperson, said. “Despite the restrictions, unvaccinated individuals must also continue to be allowed to access essential services. However, after the holidays, more people were confirmed infected, with some experts believing that it might have been caused by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, which is believed to be more infectious than the Delta variant. On New Year’s Day, DOH said that there was a high possibility of local transmissions of the Omicron variant, although it maintained that the country was now more ready to face the Omicron variant after gaining experience from previous surges.
Source:Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 04, 2022 06:13 UTC
Stock Commentary: ACE Enexor suspended after acquiring thermal power generation assets
ACE Enexor suspended after acquiring thermal power generation assetsThe PSE suspended ACE Enexor [ACEX 39.00 susp] yesterday under the Backdoor Listings rule, after ACEX acquired stakes in 5 thermal power generation assets from AC Energy [ACEN 10.50 4.55%], ACEX’s parent company, in exchange for 339,076,058 newly-issued shares of ACEX at a value of P10/share, for a total value of P3.4 billion. The PSE determined that the transaction fell under the Backdoor Listing rule because the assets that ACEX acquired from ACEN are all power-generation assets, and ACEX itself is a gas and exploration company. The rule applies when a transaction with an unlisted company results in “a substantial change in its business upon completion of the transaction”. --Merkado Barkada is a free daily newsletter on the PSE, investing and business in the Philippines. Merkado Barkada's opinions are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any particular stock.
Source:Philippine Star
January 04, 2022 03:20 UTC
Secondary student sent to rehab center for putting out tear gas and carrying first-aid kit
A Secondary Six student was sent to a rehabilitation center for putting out tear gas canisters and possessing first-aid materials during an anti-fugitive bill protests in 2019. The 17-year-old Yau Ka-lok earlier pleaded guilty to taking part in unlawful assembly when brought before magistrate Frances Leung Nga-yan at Kowloon City Magistrates’ Court. The crowd was dispersed after police fired tear gas, and Yau, who was dressed in black with a gas mask, was arrested when trying to escape. Footage showed that Yau had put off tear gas cannisters, and he was found to have carried saline and bandages in his backpack. There were also goggles, face masks and gas masks in his backpack.
Source:The Standard
January 04, 2022 01:40 UTC
Six sought as Omicron cluster set to grow
Toriten, beside Moon Palace, is checked as a diner eats in another restaurant in the area. SING TAO Previous NextA sixth diner at Moon Palace has tested preliminary positive for Covid as six others who may have contracted the highly transmissible Omicron variant are still being sought. According to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation, a person who fails to comply with a compulsory testing order could be fined up to HK$25,000 and jailed for six months. Hong Kong yesterday recorded 29 new cases, including one possibly linked to the Moon Palace cluster and 28 imported cases. The city also recorded around 40 preliminary positive cases yesterday and most of them were imported cases, Au said.
Source:The Standard
January 04, 2022 01:18 UTC
Pet dog Hippo beaten to death by group of people in front of owner
The police have arrested a 62-year-old man after he and three others allegedly beat a pet dog named Hippo to death in front of her owner. The owner of the dog, a 38-year-old woman named Cheung, was said to have begged for mercy witnessing the shocking attack. According to Cheung, Hippo saw the flock of sheep and approached it out of curiosity, with Cheung following behind. The volunteer said Hippo has been used as a mother dog at puppy mills for years and was abandoned afterward. The volunteer added that it was only when Cheung took Hippo into her care three years ago that the dog could finally live a happy life.
Source:The Standard
January 03, 2022 21:43 UTC