A Repost From GMA News.TV

DOLE assures aid for distressed Pinoy workers in Jeddah

GMANews.TV - 18 minutes ago

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The country’s labor department has assured the unpaid Filipino medical workers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that the government is pursuing conciliation efforts to address their complaints in the face of impending closure of their jobsite.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque gave the assurance, saying the government remains firm in ensuring that assistance is extended to the 200-plus affected workers, in a release posted on the website of the Department of Labor and Employment. Some 236 workers, which include nurses and clinic staff, earlier sought assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Jeddah, after their employer failed to pay them their salaries for six months and announced it will be ceasing operations. (See: Jobless in Jeddah: 200 unpaid Pinoys seek help) Their employer, Al Ansar Hospital, operates a hospital and two polyclinics. Only one polyclinic remains in operation, and is likewise set to close soon. The release said Roque has directed POLO to continue to pursue an “all-out effort to assist all affected workers in consultation with the host country."

Labor Attache to Jeddah Vicente Cabe has also been asked to fully confirm the closure of the hospital’s remaining polyclinic. Meanwhile, in a report to Roque, Cabe clarified that POLO had earlier pursued efforts to conciliate the case. “The efforts applied by the POLO are consistent with Philippine law, particularly Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant and Overseas Filipinos Act’s policies to ensure social, economic and legal services to Filipino migrant workers," the release stated, quoting Cabe. Cabe earlier told GMANews.TV that the workers’ complaints have already been forwarded to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Labor and to the Office of the Governor of Jeddah for appropriate action. He added that a case against Al Ansar regarding the workers’ unpaid salaries is also pending before the Primary Commission of the Ministry of Labor. “Although conciliation, especially in a foreign land, takes effort, time, and patience to gather the parties to sit down and negotiate, our persistence to intervene and assist the OFWs are in consonance with the mission of the POLO to ensure onsite assistance, and to promote their welfare," Roque said.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV

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A Repost From Sophie Regina M. Dedace of GMA News.TV

Bangit not resigning, hits efforts to politicize AFP

GMANews.TV - Monday, June 7

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Expressing dismay at what he said were "attempts to destroy" the military, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Delfin Bangit on Monday broke his silence and stood firm against those prodding him to relinquish his post.

At a press conference, Bangit said he could not abandon his duties and maintained he serves at the pleasure of the Armed Forces' commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Addressing Edwin Lacierda, the spokesperson of presidential frontrunner Sen. Benigno Aquino III who called on the AFP chief to step down, Bangit said those calling for his resignation do not know what they are talking about.

"They should know and understand that a soldier is either relieved, reassigned, or has to stand to his post if his superiors want him to stay. A soldier filing a resignation is abdication of duty in our Articles of War, particularly Article 58, and that [resigning] is punishable under our system," Bangit said.

"So long as I am here, I will be the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I will fight any side that drags the Armed Forces into politics," he added.

He likewise said he would remain as AFP chief "until the next Congress," citing President Arroyo's order.

Prior to Monday's press briefing, Bangit admitted he thought about resigning because the AFP leadership was being "politicized" and that some 300 military officers were supposedly denied confirmation by the Commission on Appointments because of him.

He added he was "too ashamed" that the AFP was dragged into politics after working hard to remain non-partisan in the recently concluded May 10 automated polls.

"I therefore decided that I should go if that is what will keep the Armed Forces intact. Yesterday, instead of doing that, I decided to fight for the institution because I feel that everytime they are hurting me, they are hurting our institution. I came to realize that it is no longer me, this is no longer just about General Bangit, whom they doubt despite contrary evidence," he said.

The doubts Bangit referred to concerned questions about his independence from the appointing authority, with which he shares close ties.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1978, Bangit is perceived to be close to President Arroyo. The outgoing commander-in-chief is an honorary member of Bangit's class. Bangit is scheduled to retire on July 31 next year.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is ex-officio chair of Commission on Appointments, earlier said Bangit would have to relinquish his post after the commission adjourned last Friday without confirming his appointment. — Sophie Regina M. Dedace/RJAB Jr./RSJ, GMANews.TV

Reposted From Sophie Regina M. Dedace Of GMA News.TV

A Repost From GMA News.TV

SLEx toll fees to increase up to 400%, operator says

GMANews.TV - Monday, June 7

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Motorists would pay up to P85 for driving through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) once the South Luzon Tollway Corp.’s (SLTC) request for an increase in toll fees is approved.

Speaking at the Balitaan sa Tinapayan news forum in Sampaloc, Manila on Sunday, Alma Tuazon, SLTC spokesperson, said that her company has a pending petition before the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to raise the SLEx toll rates.

“Once approved by TRB, there may be a 300-percent increase of toll fee for the motorists passing [through] the SLEx," Tuazon said.

The present toll fee from Alabang to Calamba is P22 for cars. Once the SLTC’s petition is approved, the toll fee will increase from P70 to P85.

The SLEx toll rate is 75 centavos per kilometer, according to the office of Senator Ramon “Bong" Revilla Jr. – a staunch opponent of the toll rate increase – with buses paying P43 and trucks, P65 from Alabang to Calamba.

The cost of the SLEx rehabilitation has amounted to P11 billion since the project started in 2006, Tuazon said, explaining why the SLTC has filed for the authority to increase its toll rates.

Rehabilitation of the South Luzon Tollway segment started in 2006 under the SLEx Upgrading and Rehabilitation Project to expand the Alabang Viaduct as well as the road from Alabang to Calamba, eventually connecting the expressway to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road to Batangas.

SLEx would be the Philippine's longest expressway once its 118-kilometer rehabilitation and extension to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road is complete.

If motorists feel that the proposed increase is too high or excessive, they can file a petition with the TRB, TRB spokesman Julius Corpus said.

He said the SLTC will also hold dialog with operators of provincial buses plying the SLEx. —VS. GMANews.TV

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Jobless in Jeddah: 200 unpaid Pinoys seek help

GMANews.TV - 2 hours 40 minutes ago

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Filipino medical workers in Jeddah trooped Wednesday to the Philippine Consulate General there to request action against their erring employer and on the impending closure of their workplace, six months after they sought assistance from the Philippine post. The workers, numbering over 200, are nurses and clinic staff of the Al Ansar Hospital, located at the Al Salama district of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

“They are complaining of non-payment of their salary for six months now which they would like to be released immediately amid the impending closure of the hospital, and are demanding that they all be given their release papers so that they could look for possible employment," said Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, who has been assisting the workers. The facilities of Al Ansar include a hospital and two polyclinics where about 236 Filipino workers are deployed. Only one polyclinic remains in operation. According to Monterona, only 59 workers have so far received their release papers, while all are still awaiting payment of their salaries. Labor Attache Vicente Cabe told GMANews.TV in a separate interview that the workers’ case has already been forwarded to Saudi’s Ministry of Labor and to the Office of the Governor of Jeddah for appropriate action. “A committee, composed of representatives of the Jeddah governor’s office, immigration office and labor office, has also been formed to resolve the issue," he added. According to Cabe, the committee has agreed to allow the workers to apply for employment in other hospitals even without their release papers. Those who may wish to just go back to the Philippines will also be assisted, he said. “As regards the unpaid salaries, a case against the company is already pending before the Primary Commission of the Ministry of Labor," he explained. Cabe, however, could not estimate when the case will be resolved, saying the commission is still conducting regular hearings. In a separate interview meanwhile, the recruitment agency in Manila of 55 of the workers said they have done what they can to assist the workers in the five months that they did not receive their salary. “The workers under my agency, which include nurses, housekeepers and bus drivers, have already transferred employment, some of whom started working June 1. What’s good here is that their new jobs involve higher salaries and increased benefits," Anchor Manpower Intl. Services Inc. owner Oscar Garcia told GMANews.TV. He added they are still working on the case of at least five workers, who have opted to be repatriated. According to Garcia, a possible resolution for the workers’ unpaid salaries may involve selling the properties of Al Ansar, the proceeds of which will go to the workers. The workers first came to the Consulate General December last year, according to Cabe. He said the Consulate agreed on a deadline for the company management to release the workers’ salaries, which the company failed to meet.

The workers had earlier complained they did not receive assistance from the Consulate and their Manila agency, until recently.—JV, GMANews.TV

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House fails to ratify Freedom of Information bill

GMANews.TV - Saturday, June 5

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A proposed freedom of information law that could have been reportedly ratified in two minutes was not acted upon because the House of Representatives did not have enough members to hold a session.

Only 128 of the needed 135 House lawmakers were present in the House on Friday after Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo called the rolls of the chamber’s 268 members.

Because of the absence of a quorum, the House failed to ratify the Freedom of Information bill which would have increased government transparency by enabling even ordinary citizens to access pertinent documents.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who promised the bill would be ratified Friday, said he was "at a loss on what to say."

"We cannot take up any legislative business without [a] quorum," Nograles said.

Some lawmakers and audience, including many media members and advocates of the bill, were furious.

"How can we say we are the House of the people if we cannot even do our job?" said Cibac party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva. His statement was met with applause.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, one of the primary proponents of the bill, walked out of the session hall after saying Romualdo's statements were an "insult" to the 180 sponsors of the bill.

The ratification was stalled after Romualdo made the motion questioning the quorum.

Nograles immediately suspended the session to talk to Romualdo, but Romualdo refused to withdraw his motion and reiterated that a roll call must be done.

"It pained me so much considering that you and I have been together for so long a time. Almost on your bended knees you requested me to withdraw...[but] this is a question of principle," said Romualdo. He and Nograles — who both belong to Lakas-Kampi-CMD — were both human rights lawyers in the 1970s.

Romualdo said he was ensuring that majority of lawmakers were there for the FOI’s enactment because it was an important bill that he claimed was not deliberated upon.

"The House is practically being pressured to pass this bill," said Romualdo.

The House has adjourned its session and will no longer be taking up legislative matters.

"Ang ating binuburol ngayon ang reputasyon, respeto, at isang salita ni Speaker Nograles at ng 14th Congress," said PCIJ executive director Maloou Mangahas. — RJAB Jr./RSJ, GMANews.TV

Reposted From GMA News.TV

A Repost From Thea Alberto at Yahoo News

Boy Abunda to get a Cabinet post?

By Thea Alberto – May 31st, 2010

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By Thea Alberto, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

Boy Abunda just might become part of president-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s cabinet.

This Aquino divulged in an interview with reporters, as he noted of Abunda’s expertise in marketing and his ability to communicate well.

“He’s an icon and more so for his ability to understand the audience,” Aquino said when asked about reports Abunda is open to accepting a government post.

He however clarified he has not asked Abunda yet although he already sent feelers to the host.

Aquino did not specify the post he eyes for Abunda, a popular television host and the best friend of his sister Kris, but indicated that Abunda is best fit for a “marketing” job.

He also hinted Abunda could be part of the Department of Tourism.

“Boy would be a good communicator…puwede rin siya pagkatiwalaan,” added Aquino.

He however said Abunda might not even consider the position because a cabinet post means a meager salary.

“We have to look at the compensation aspect. Gasino lang naman suweldo,” he said.

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN.com

Reposted From Thea Alberto of Yahoo! Southeast Asia

A Repost From ABS-CBN News

Gabby Lopez talks about Willie in ABS-CBN stockholders' meet

ABS-CBN - Thursday, May 27

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Gabby Lopez talks about Willie in ABS-CBN stockholders' meet

Photo courtesy of Ryan Ramos, ABS-CBN Corp. Comm.

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III discussed the recent controversy involving the network and its biggest talent, "Wowowee" host Willie Revillame, during the firm's stockholders' meeting on Thursday.

In response to a question raised during the meeting held at the Dolphy Theater, Lopez acknowledged that what happens to a star like Revillame definitely has a financial impact on the network.

"There are ongoing discussions now with Willie, and we prefer to keep these discussions at this point between ourselves and Willie. Suffice it to say that we are cognizant of the financial impact that a star like Willie brings to the network. But we are also aware that an institution like ABS-[CBN] will deal with stars all the time. And stars come and go, but the institution stays," Lopez said.

"So we will take into consideration the wide variety of factors that are involved in dealing with stars like Willie. He is not the first or the last star that will reflect this kind of behavior. It goes with the territory," he added.

"These decisions will be made in the proper time. I think the best decision we made is for both Willie and I to decide that, for the interim, we will both keep silent about what's going on, and these discussions will be made in the course of the next several months.”

Lopez talked about the controversy when one of the stockholders asked management about Revillame. The visibly irked stockholder even added that if it was up to him, he would kick Revillame out.

'Indefinite break'

On Tuesday, ABS-CBN announced that Revillame is taking an “indefinite break” from his popular noontime show, but his contract obligations with the network remain.

“ABS-CBN management and Willie Revillame pushed through with their scheduled talk yesterday afternoon. Willie has realized his mistake and apologized to ABS-CBN management for his outburst on air in 'Wowowee' on May 4, 2010, and his failure to report to work since May 5, 2010. ABS-CBN management has accepted Willie’s apology.

"ABS-CBN and Willie agreed that he takes an indefinite break effective immediately, but his contract obligations with ABS-CBN hold. This disallows him to perform similar work for any person or entity in direct competition with ABS-CBN. At some point, ABS-CBN management and Willie will discuss what will be in the best interest of the viewing public.

"Meanwhile, 'Wowowee' will continue to provide entertainment and inspiration to Filipinos worldwide,” said Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications."

The statement was released after Revillame and the big bosses of the network met Monday evening.

'Release me'

Prior to the meeting, Revillame sent management a letter dated May 12 asking that he be released from his contract.

The letter, which was addressed to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III and president Charo Santos-Concio, was written in light of the controversy involving him and entertainment journalist Jobert Sucaldito. A copy of the letter was leaked to the media.

Revillame had slammed Sucaldito for the latter’s alleged non-stop criticisms about Wowowee. Revillame, in particular, got irked after Sucaldito allegedly insulted the contestants of “Wowowee." The contestants were reportedly high school students with general averages of 75 to 79.

Sucaldito has repeatedly denied that he insulted the “Wowowee” contestants.

Revillame demanded that the network fire Sucaldito and threatened to leave the network if this was not implemented. The “Wowowee” host then went on indefinite leave.

"Wowowee" is currently being hosted by action star Robin Padilla.

Award-winning director and actor Cesar Montano has been offered to host the show for two weeks, but Montano and ABS-CBN have not made a final decision.

Reposted From ABS-CBN News