Starting Tuesday, a jail term of up to one year and a fine await establishments that refuse to give senior citizens a full 20-percent discount in medicines, goods and services.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) made the reminder as it started implementing the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
"Pag di sumunod, may tinik ang batas na ito. Pwede magsampa ng kaso laban sa kanila, pwede dalhin ang kaso sa central office namin ... at kung mapatutunayan na di nagbigay ng kaukulang serbisyo sa senior citizens may parusa doon ... six months to 1 year at may fine (Establishments that do not follow the law may face charges. If found guilty, they face jail terms of six months to one year, and a fine)," DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said in an interview on dzBB radio.
On the other hand, she said other benefits for senior citizens are still in the works. These include discounts in utility bills, including electric and water services.
Soliman said the DSWD is still coordinating with service providers and cooperatives to make sure senior citizens and not their younger kin benefit from lower bills.
"Sa isang bahay maaring nakatira ang senior citizen pero di siya ang nagbabayad. Ang ganyang situation ating inaayos para siguradong yung mga senior citizen ang nakikinabang (In a household, the senior citizen may be the one listed in the bill but may not necessarily benefit from lower bills. We are trying to make sure it is the senior citizen who benefits)," she said.
Also, Soliman said the DSWD is still working out the mechanics of a monthly pension for senior citizens from poor families.
She said her department is still talking to the budget department.
"Pumasok tayo sa serbisyo publiko na malaki ang budget deficit ... Hindi pwede mangyari sinubukan ngayon, eh 2 to 3 months titigil na (We entered government with a big budget deficit. We cannot start giving the pension and stop it after two to three months)," she said.
Last month, then Social Welfare acting Secretary Celia Yangco signed implementing rules and regulations for the expanded senior citizens' act.
The act exempts senior citizens from the 12-percent value added tax (VAT), effectively allowing them full 20-percent discount on purchases.
Before the new law's implementation, senior citizens were entitled to only eight percent of the mandated 20 percent discount because of the VAT. There are around six million senior citizens in the country.
The full 20-percent discount covers purchases of medicine and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; medical, dental, and diagnostic and laboratory fees; fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, shuttle services, railways, domestic air and sea transports.
It also grants five-percent discount on consumption of no more than 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water per month, provided the individual meters for the utilities are registered in the names of the senior citizens.
But the grant of the 20-percent full discount on purchases of medicines, which account for the bulk of purchases of senior citizens, was a source of concern for drugstores and pharmacies and for small establishments.
Finance officials had estimated the law may translate to government revenue losses of up to P1.7 billion.
Source: GmaNews
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
US study shows teens benefit from later school day
CHICAGO — Giving teens 30 extra minutes to start their school day leads to more alertness in class, better moods, less tardiness, and even healthier breakfasts, a small study found.
"The results were stunning. There's no other word to use," said Patricia Moss, academic dean at the Rhode Island boarding school where the study was done. "We didn't think we'd get that much bang for the buck."
The results appear in July's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. The results mirror those at a few schools that have delayed starting times more than half an hour.
Researchers say there's a reason why even 30 minutes can make a big difference. Teens tend to be in their deepest sleep around dawn — when they typically need to get up for school. Interrupting that sleep can leave them groggy, especially since they also tend to have trouble falling asleep before 11 p.m.
"There's biological science to this that I think provides compelling evidence as to why this makes sense," said Brown University sleep researcher Dr. Judith Owens, the study's lead author and a pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
An Archives editorial said the study adds to "a growing body of evidence that changing the start time for high schools is good for adolescents."
The fact that the study was in the exclusive setting of St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, doesn't necessarily weaken the results. Owens acknowledged that there might be more hurdles to overcome at poorer, public schools, including busing schedules, parents' work hours and daycare for younger siblings.
While these issues have killed many proposals elsewhere, some public high schools including those in Minneapolis and West Des Moines have adopted later starting times.
Mel Riddile, an associate director at the National Association of Secondary School Principals, favors later class times for teens but said most districts oppose it.
"It's about adult convenience, it's not about learning," he said. "With budget cuts, it's going to make it more difficult to get this done."
Many parents and teachers at St. George's were opposed but reluctantly agreed to the study after a presentation by Owens, whose daughter was a junior there.
Overall, 201 high school students completed sleep habit surveys before and after the nine-week experiment last year. The results were so impressive that the school made the change permanent, Moss said.
Starting times were shifted from 8 to 8:30. All class times were cut 5 to 10 minutes to avoid a longer school day that would interfere with after-school activities. Moss said improvements in student alertness made up for that lost instruction time.
The portion of students reporting at least eight hours of sleep on school nights jumped from about 16 percent to almost 55 percent. Reports of daytime sleepiness dropped substantially, from 49 percent to 20 percent.
First-period tardies fell by almost half, students reported feeling less depressed or irritated during the day, health center rest visits dropped substantially; and the number of hot breakfasts served more than doubled. Moss said the healthier breakfast probably aided classtime alertness.
Recent graduate Garrett Sider, 18, used the extra time for sleep. He noticed kids took part more often in morning classes with the later start time.
"It was a positive thing for the entire school," he said.
The study was designed to look at changes in sleep habits and behavior and didn't examine academic performance. It also lacked a control group of students who didn't experience a change in school start times — another limitation. Still, the researchers said the results show delaying school starting times is worthwhile.
Source: GmaNews
"The results were stunning. There's no other word to use," said Patricia Moss, academic dean at the Rhode Island boarding school where the study was done. "We didn't think we'd get that much bang for the buck."
The results appear in July's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. The results mirror those at a few schools that have delayed starting times more than half an hour.
Researchers say there's a reason why even 30 minutes can make a big difference. Teens tend to be in their deepest sleep around dawn — when they typically need to get up for school. Interrupting that sleep can leave them groggy, especially since they also tend to have trouble falling asleep before 11 p.m.
"There's biological science to this that I think provides compelling evidence as to why this makes sense," said Brown University sleep researcher Dr. Judith Owens, the study's lead author and a pediatrician at Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
An Archives editorial said the study adds to "a growing body of evidence that changing the start time for high schools is good for adolescents."
The fact that the study was in the exclusive setting of St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island, doesn't necessarily weaken the results. Owens acknowledged that there might be more hurdles to overcome at poorer, public schools, including busing schedules, parents' work hours and daycare for younger siblings.
While these issues have killed many proposals elsewhere, some public high schools including those in Minneapolis and West Des Moines have adopted later starting times.
Mel Riddile, an associate director at the National Association of Secondary School Principals, favors later class times for teens but said most districts oppose it.
"It's about adult convenience, it's not about learning," he said. "With budget cuts, it's going to make it more difficult to get this done."
Many parents and teachers at St. George's were opposed but reluctantly agreed to the study after a presentation by Owens, whose daughter was a junior there.
Overall, 201 high school students completed sleep habit surveys before and after the nine-week experiment last year. The results were so impressive that the school made the change permanent, Moss said.
Starting times were shifted from 8 to 8:30. All class times were cut 5 to 10 minutes to avoid a longer school day that would interfere with after-school activities. Moss said improvements in student alertness made up for that lost instruction time.
The portion of students reporting at least eight hours of sleep on school nights jumped from about 16 percent to almost 55 percent. Reports of daytime sleepiness dropped substantially, from 49 percent to 20 percent.
First-period tardies fell by almost half, students reported feeling less depressed or irritated during the day, health center rest visits dropped substantially; and the number of hot breakfasts served more than doubled. Moss said the healthier breakfast probably aided classtime alertness.
Recent graduate Garrett Sider, 18, used the extra time for sleep. He noticed kids took part more often in morning classes with the later start time.
"It was a positive thing for the entire school," he said.
The study was designed to look at changes in sleep habits and behavior and didn't examine academic performance. It also lacked a control group of students who didn't experience a change in school start times — another limitation. Still, the researchers said the results show delaying school starting times is worthwhile.
Source: GmaNews
NBA: Stoudemire transferring to Knicks
NEW YORK—Amare Stoudemire is headed to the New York Knicks, and will sign later this week when the free agent signing moratorium ends, he and the team said Monday.
Stoudemire, wearing a blue Knicks hat, said he looked forward to helping rebuild the flailing franchise - perhaps alongside another marquee free agent such as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.
"I feel great about being a pioneer and showing my leadership," he said at Madison Square Garden, where signs showed the player in a Knicks uniform and read "Welcome, Amare Stoudemire."
The deal can't be signed until Thursday, after the salary cap for next season has been confirmed.
Since the free agency negotiating period opened last Thursday, the Knicks have met with a string of free agents, including superstar James - who is mulling whether to stay with Cleveland or make a move to another NBA team. Miami's Wade and Toronto's Chris Bosh face the same decision.
Stoudemire said he had spoken to the James camp and directly with Wade.
James, meanwhile, gave no indication Monday that he had made up his mind.
He put in an unexpected appearance at a basketball camp in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, working out for two hours and declining to answer any questions.
James has been wooed by the Cavaliers - who dearly want to keep their star - as well as the Knicks, Chicago and at least three other teams.
Wade has also heard pitches from several teams, including Chicago - where he has family ties - and a Miami team keen to keep him.
Source: Inquirer
Stoudemire, wearing a blue Knicks hat, said he looked forward to helping rebuild the flailing franchise - perhaps alongside another marquee free agent such as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.
"I feel great about being a pioneer and showing my leadership," he said at Madison Square Garden, where signs showed the player in a Knicks uniform and read "Welcome, Amare Stoudemire."
The deal can't be signed until Thursday, after the salary cap for next season has been confirmed.
Since the free agency negotiating period opened last Thursday, the Knicks have met with a string of free agents, including superstar James - who is mulling whether to stay with Cleveland or make a move to another NBA team. Miami's Wade and Toronto's Chris Bosh face the same decision.
Stoudemire said he had spoken to the James camp and directly with Wade.
James, meanwhile, gave no indication Monday that he had made up his mind.
He put in an unexpected appearance at a basketball camp in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, working out for two hours and declining to answer any questions.
James has been wooed by the Cavaliers - who dearly want to keep their star - as well as the Knicks, Chicago and at least three other teams.
Wade has also heard pitches from several teams, including Chicago - where he has family ties - and a Miami team keen to keep him.
Source: Inquirer
KSA limits Pinoy pilgrims’ visas for umrah to 500
The Kingdom of Suadi Arabia (KSA) will limit the number of Filipino pilgrim visas this year to 500, to prevent illegal migrant workers exploiting pilgrimages and festivals to enter the country.
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said the visas are for prospective participants of umrah, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that can be done throughout the year.
An article posted Monday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website quoted NCMF Secretary and CEO Bai Omerah Dianalan-Lucman as saying pilgrims will have to apply at special registration centers in Manila and around the country before July 9.
Lucman thanked the KSA embassy for its “prompt" allocation of the 500 visas for umrah pilgrims despite the problems with job seekers.
Figures from the NCMF’s Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE) showed this year’s umrah will peak in August and September, when Muslims observe Ramadan, their holy month of fasting and prayer.
Eid al Fitr, the Islamic “feast of sacrifice" marking the end Ramadan, falls around Sept. 9 and has been declared a national holiday.
On the other hand, UCAN quoted Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. as saying almost 300 Filipinos without valid documents who had formed a community under Khandara Bridge in Jeddah were deported during Ramadan last year.
A number of Muslim holders of special pilgrimage visas who overstayed were also deported last year.
The National Statistics Office says there are roughly two million Muslims in the Philippines.
Source @ GmaNews
The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) said the visas are for prospective participants of umrah, a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that can be done throughout the year.
An article posted Monday night on the Union of Catholic Asian News website quoted NCMF Secretary and CEO Bai Omerah Dianalan-Lucman as saying pilgrims will have to apply at special registration centers in Manila and around the country before July 9.
Lucman thanked the KSA embassy for its “prompt" allocation of the 500 visas for umrah pilgrims despite the problems with job seekers.
Figures from the NCMF’s Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (BPE) showed this year’s umrah will peak in August and September, when Muslims observe Ramadan, their holy month of fasting and prayer.
Eid al Fitr, the Islamic “feast of sacrifice" marking the end Ramadan, falls around Sept. 9 and has been declared a national holiday.
On the other hand, UCAN quoted Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. as saying almost 300 Filipinos without valid documents who had formed a community under Khandara Bridge in Jeddah were deported during Ramadan last year.
A number of Muslim holders of special pilgrimage visas who overstayed were also deported last year.
The National Statistics Office says there are roughly two million Muslims in the Philippines.
Source @ GmaNews
Aquino arrives early for flag ceremony in Malacañang
Three days after arriving late for an official function due to his refusal to use "wang-wang" (blinkers and sirens), President Benigno Simeon Aquino III arrived early for a flag ceremony in Malacañang Monday — still without using the controversial gadgets.
A report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus said Aquino left his house in Times Street in Quezon City at 7 a.m., an hour before the scheduled flag ceremony.
He and his convoy arrived at the Palace grounds at 7:44 a.m., about 16 minutes before the morning ceremony.
The flag ceremony was among Aquino's public engagements for the day, which kicks off his first full working week as the country's 15th President.
President Aquino was to preside over the anniversary of the Philippine Air Force later in the day.
Since being inaugurated last June 30, Aquino had refused to use the wang-wang, which he lambasted in his inaugural address as a symbol of inequality.
Last week, Aquino arrived late at the turnover ceremonies for the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff after he refused to use the "wang-wang" to cut through traffic. (See: David assumes top AFP post; Noynoy arrives late)
Source: GmaNews
A report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus said Aquino left his house in Times Street in Quezon City at 7 a.m., an hour before the scheduled flag ceremony.
He and his convoy arrived at the Palace grounds at 7:44 a.m., about 16 minutes before the morning ceremony.
The flag ceremony was among Aquino's public engagements for the day, which kicks off his first full working week as the country's 15th President.
President Aquino was to preside over the anniversary of the Philippine Air Force later in the day.
Since being inaugurated last June 30, Aquino had refused to use the wang-wang, which he lambasted in his inaugural address as a symbol of inequality.
Last week, Aquino arrived late at the turnover ceremonies for the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff after he refused to use the "wang-wang" to cut through traffic. (See: David assumes top AFP post; Noynoy arrives late)
Source: GmaNews
First activist killed under Aquino condemned
MANILA, Philippines—Militant group Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) on Monday condemned the killing of a Bayan Muna coordinator in Aklan province and called on President Benigno Aquino III to act swiftly on the killing of activists.
In a text message, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said Fernando Baldomero was shot dead early Monday as the victim was getting ready to bring his child to school.
Baldomero, Reyes said, was the first activist killed under the Aquino administration.
"We call on Mr. Aquino to condemn the killing and to use the full force of the law to arrest the perpetrators," Reyes said.
He added, "Mr. Aquino must send a clear message to state security forces that these killings have to end and perpetrators will be prosecuted. Heads must roll in the AFP, otherwise, the climate of impunity will continue."
Source: Inquirer
In a text message, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said Fernando Baldomero was shot dead early Monday as the victim was getting ready to bring his child to school.
Baldomero, Reyes said, was the first activist killed under the Aquino administration.
"We call on Mr. Aquino to condemn the killing and to use the full force of the law to arrest the perpetrators," Reyes said.
He added, "Mr. Aquino must send a clear message to state security forces that these killings have to end and perpetrators will be prosecuted. Heads must roll in the AFP, otherwise, the climate of impunity will continue."
Source: Inquirer
Nutrition Month 2010 Theme
DepEd Celebrates Nutrition Month
The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month this July. Pegged on the theme, "Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan, Landas sa Kinabukasan," the celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino adolescents and children. Its particular focus is on the consumption of nutritious food to prepare them for adulthood and instill in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Source: DepEd
Update : i found out that the correct Nutrition Theme 2010 is "Sa Pagkaing Tama at Sapat Wastong Timbang Ni Baby Ang Katapat"
The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month this July. Pegged on the theme, "Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan, Landas sa Kinabukasan," the celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino adolescents and children. Its particular focus is on the consumption of nutritious food to prepare them for adulthood and instill in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Source: DepEd
Update : i found out that the correct Nutrition Theme 2010 is "Sa Pagkaing Tama at Sapat Wastong Timbang Ni Baby Ang Katapat"
Phil Jackson returning to coach Lakers next season
LOS ANGELES – After just one relaxing week in Montana, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson decided he can handle another season of the NBA grind.
The two-time defending champions locked up their most important free agent of the summer Thursday when Jackson announced he'll return next season, putting off retirement for at least another year to chase his 12th NBA title.
Jackson said last week he was worn out and leaning toward retirement after the Lakers' third straight long season culminating in the NBA finals. He changed his mind after a week of rest and health evaluation at his offseason home, signing up for the unprecedented chance to win three consecutive NBA championships for the fourth time in his career.
"Count me in," Jackson said. "After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season. It'll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one."
Jackson, who will turn 65 later this year, is the winningest coach in playoff history and the most successful coach in NBA history by almost any measure.
He has a league-best .705 regular-season winning percentage, a record 225 postseason victories and two more titles than Boston's Red Auerbach, winning five championships with Kobe Bryant's Lakers and six with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. His 1,098 regular-season victories are fifth-most in league history.
The Lakers beat the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA finals last month to claim their second straight title, wrapping up a season in which Jackson navigated Bryant, Pau Gasol and wild-card newcomer Ron Artest through numerous injuries to win the franchise's 16th title.
Los Angeles has made the finals in seven of Jackson's 10 seasons with the club, and they'll be among the early favorites to win it all again in 2011. The Lakers have surrounded Bryant with a core in its prime and signed to long-term contracts.
"We're extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA."
Jackson's health has been a constant concern in recent years, but he apparently feels strong enough for at least another year. The former New York Knicks player sometimes has difficulty getting up and down from the bench while living with two replaced hips, a sore knee requiring a brace under his suit, and a previous heart problem.
The Lakers released no immediate details about Jackson's new contract. Owner Jerry Buss was widely thought to want Jackson to take a pay cut from the $14 million he earned last season, including a $2 million bonus for winning the title, but Jackson always claimed money wouldn't be an issue, even if his proclaimed interest in retirement last week could have been interpreted as a negotiating ploy.
Brian Shaw, the former Lakers guard and Jackson's assistant coach, is thought to be Jackson's preferred successor. Shaw nearly landed the top job in Cleveland earlier this week after an impressive two-day meeting with the Cavaliers' brass, but the club abruptly hired former Lakers guard Byron Scott on Thursday — perhaps indicating Shaw is willing to wait in Los Angeles.
After last week's parade through downtown Los Angeles without Jackson, who was getting medical tests, the Lakers uniformly said they wanted Jackson with them next season. Bryant said the team would be "drastically different" without Jackson's steady, cerebral presence on the sideline.
Yet his players all had little idea what Jackson planned to do — no surprise, since the coach himself apparently wasn't sure. Kupchak knew the difficulties of replacing a coach with Jackson's singular accomplishments, saying he would be willing to wait until late July for Jackson to decide.
After winning two rings in a Knicks uniform and coaching in the CBA, Jackson won his first NBA title in his second season running the Bulls, who eventually won three straight titles from 1991-93 and again from 1996-98.
After a year off, he immediately led the underachieving Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-02, meshing the egos and talents of Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to re-establish the team as an NBA power. Los Angeles also made the NBA finals in 2004, but lost to Detroit. Jackson then took another year off before returning to the Lakers' bench.
The Lakers have reached the last three NBA finals, losing to Boston in 2008 before routing the Orlando Magic last year for their 15th title. Jackson also became the winningest coach in Lakers history in early February, surpassing Pat Riley with his 534th victory.
With Jackson back in the fold, the Lakers will work on supplementing their depth and sorting out their situation at point guard, where veteran and playoff star Derek Fisher is an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers reached out to Fisher in the opening hours of free agency, but could have difficulty re-signing the veteran if he gets a lucrative offer from another team. Los Angeles already is well over the projected salary cap for next season even before filling out its roster.
Source: GmaNews
The two-time defending champions locked up their most important free agent of the summer Thursday when Jackson announced he'll return next season, putting off retirement for at least another year to chase his 12th NBA title.
Jackson said last week he was worn out and leaning toward retirement after the Lakers' third straight long season culminating in the NBA finals. He changed his mind after a week of rest and health evaluation at his offseason home, signing up for the unprecedented chance to win three consecutive NBA championships for the fourth time in his career.
"Count me in," Jackson said. "After a couple weeks of deliberation, it is time to get back to the challenge of putting together a team that can defend its title in the 2010-11 season. It'll be the last stand for me, and I hope a grand one."
Jackson, who will turn 65 later this year, is the winningest coach in playoff history and the most successful coach in NBA history by almost any measure.
He has a league-best .705 regular-season winning percentage, a record 225 postseason victories and two more titles than Boston's Red Auerbach, winning five championships with Kobe Bryant's Lakers and six with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. His 1,098 regular-season victories are fifth-most in league history.
The Lakers beat the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA finals last month to claim their second straight title, wrapping up a season in which Jackson navigated Bryant, Pau Gasol and wild-card newcomer Ron Artest through numerous injuries to win the franchise's 16th title.
Los Angeles has made the finals in seven of Jackson's 10 seasons with the club, and they'll be among the early favorites to win it all again in 2011. The Lakers have surrounded Bryant with a core in its prime and signed to long-term contracts.
"We're extremely pleased that Phil has decided to return," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "He's not only the best coach for this team, but quite simply the best coach in the history of the NBA."
Jackson's health has been a constant concern in recent years, but he apparently feels strong enough for at least another year. The former New York Knicks player sometimes has difficulty getting up and down from the bench while living with two replaced hips, a sore knee requiring a brace under his suit, and a previous heart problem.
The Lakers released no immediate details about Jackson's new contract. Owner Jerry Buss was widely thought to want Jackson to take a pay cut from the $14 million he earned last season, including a $2 million bonus for winning the title, but Jackson always claimed money wouldn't be an issue, even if his proclaimed interest in retirement last week could have been interpreted as a negotiating ploy.
Brian Shaw, the former Lakers guard and Jackson's assistant coach, is thought to be Jackson's preferred successor. Shaw nearly landed the top job in Cleveland earlier this week after an impressive two-day meeting with the Cavaliers' brass, but the club abruptly hired former Lakers guard Byron Scott on Thursday — perhaps indicating Shaw is willing to wait in Los Angeles.
After last week's parade through downtown Los Angeles without Jackson, who was getting medical tests, the Lakers uniformly said they wanted Jackson with them next season. Bryant said the team would be "drastically different" without Jackson's steady, cerebral presence on the sideline.
Yet his players all had little idea what Jackson planned to do — no surprise, since the coach himself apparently wasn't sure. Kupchak knew the difficulties of replacing a coach with Jackson's singular accomplishments, saying he would be willing to wait until late July for Jackson to decide.
After winning two rings in a Knicks uniform and coaching in the CBA, Jackson won his first NBA title in his second season running the Bulls, who eventually won three straight titles from 1991-93 and again from 1996-98.
After a year off, he immediately led the underachieving Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-02, meshing the egos and talents of Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal to re-establish the team as an NBA power. Los Angeles also made the NBA finals in 2004, but lost to Detroit. Jackson then took another year off before returning to the Lakers' bench.
The Lakers have reached the last three NBA finals, losing to Boston in 2008 before routing the Orlando Magic last year for their 15th title. Jackson also became the winningest coach in Lakers history in early February, surpassing Pat Riley with his 534th victory.
With Jackson back in the fold, the Lakers will work on supplementing their depth and sorting out their situation at point guard, where veteran and playoff star Derek Fisher is an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers reached out to Fisher in the opening hours of free agency, but could have difficulty re-signing the veteran if he gets a lucrative offer from another team. Los Angeles already is well over the projected salary cap for next season even before filling out its roster.
Source: GmaNews
Noynoy appoints new PAGCOR chairman
President Benigno Simeon Aquino III has appointed his old friend, Bong Naguiat, as the new chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
Naguiat, a former classmate of Aquino at the Ateneo de Manila University, will replace Efraim Genuino who recently retired from the helms of the state-run gaming agency.
Naguiat, who previously served as director at Pagcor, is expected to take his oath before President Aquino on Friday afternoon in Malacañang.
Also scheduled to take their oaths are newly elected Secretary Teofisto Guingona III and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares at the Palace.
Henares, former BIR Deputy Commissioner, replaces Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres at the revenue generating agency.
Source: MB
Naguiat, a former classmate of Aquino at the Ateneo de Manila University, will replace Efraim Genuino who recently retired from the helms of the state-run gaming agency.
Naguiat, who previously served as director at Pagcor, is expected to take his oath before President Aquino on Friday afternoon in Malacañang.
Also scheduled to take their oaths are newly elected Secretary Teofisto Guingona III and Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares at the Palace.
Henares, former BIR Deputy Commissioner, replaces Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres at the revenue generating agency.
Source: MB
Binay briefs new staff, scraps ‘flexi-time’
MANILA, Philippines – On his first day in a new office, Vice President Jejomar Binay assembled his new staff and immediately ordered a house cleanup and scrapped the system of flexible work hours to synchronize work time.
Binay hit the ground running and told his staff of his management style – running a government office as if he were in the private sector.
In an exchange filled with both light banter and serious talk, the former Makati City mayor also told his new staff of moving on from the mentality that the Vice President was a spare tire.
“I'm the number two man in the executive department. Our only difference with the President is that he has regular departments. That's the only thing we don't have but we are in an executive position,” Binay said.
Binay also asked his staff to start going to work at the usual government time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He was surprised to learn that the roughly 100-member staff went to work at different times under a so-called "flexi-time" arrangement where some employees come in at 7 a.m., others at 8 a.m. and the rest at 9 a.m.
Source: Inquirer
Binay hit the ground running and told his staff of his management style – running a government office as if he were in the private sector.
In an exchange filled with both light banter and serious talk, the former Makati City mayor also told his new staff of moving on from the mentality that the Vice President was a spare tire.
“I'm the number two man in the executive department. Our only difference with the President is that he has regular departments. That's the only thing we don't have but we are in an executive position,” Binay said.
Binay also asked his staff to start going to work at the usual government time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. He was surprised to learn that the roughly 100-member staff went to work at different times under a so-called "flexi-time" arrangement where some employees come in at 7 a.m., others at 8 a.m. and the rest at 9 a.m.
Source: Inquirer
Mongolia coal railway to connect with Russia
ULAN BATOR, Mongolia (AP) – Mongolian lawmakers have approved plans for a rail line linking with Russia to help tap large coal deposits in the south, the latest move in the long-delayed project that could make the poor but mineral-rich nation less dependent on exporting to China.
The landlocked country of 2.7 million people is trying to retain more of its natural wealth from its huge mineral deposits, including copper, gold and coal. Plans to expand output and open new mines have stalled as the government struggles to re-negotiate terms on mining concessions with big foreign companies.
The huge Tavan Tolgoi coking coal deposit in the south Gobi region, estimated to have more than 6 billion tons of coal, has attracted interest from 10 international mining companies including China's Shenhua Energy, a Russian consortium led by Gazprom, and Australia's BHP Billiton.
Lawmakers on Thursday voted nearly unanimously in favor of building the line and making it broad gauge, refering to the distance between the rails, so it could link up with Russia's rail network. There were concerns that if the rail were standard gauge like China's rail system, too much of the commodity would end up flowing to coal-hungry China at bargain prices. China currently takes about two thirds of Mongolia's exports.
The deposits are located only about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Chinese border but Transportation Minister Battulga Khaltmaa said Mongolia would rather sell processed coal to Japan and South Korea. "The policy will greatly boost the economic development of Mongolia. Instead of shipping raw materials directly to one market, jobs and value-added production will be created in Mongolia,'' he said.
The 1,100 kilometer (683.54 mile) railway will connect Tavan Tolgoi to the Russian border, the minister said. The country will invite international bidding for the railway's construction, which is expected to be completed in two years.
Tavan Tolgoi was discovered in the 1950s, when Mongolia was a Soviet satellite. The country made a peaceful transition to democracy in the early 1990s.
Source: MB
The landlocked country of 2.7 million people is trying to retain more of its natural wealth from its huge mineral deposits, including copper, gold and coal. Plans to expand output and open new mines have stalled as the government struggles to re-negotiate terms on mining concessions with big foreign companies.
The huge Tavan Tolgoi coking coal deposit in the south Gobi region, estimated to have more than 6 billion tons of coal, has attracted interest from 10 international mining companies including China's Shenhua Energy, a Russian consortium led by Gazprom, and Australia's BHP Billiton.
Lawmakers on Thursday voted nearly unanimously in favor of building the line and making it broad gauge, refering to the distance between the rails, so it could link up with Russia's rail network. There were concerns that if the rail were standard gauge like China's rail system, too much of the commodity would end up flowing to coal-hungry China at bargain prices. China currently takes about two thirds of Mongolia's exports.
The deposits are located only about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the Chinese border but Transportation Minister Battulga Khaltmaa said Mongolia would rather sell processed coal to Japan and South Korea. "The policy will greatly boost the economic development of Mongolia. Instead of shipping raw materials directly to one market, jobs and value-added production will be created in Mongolia,'' he said.
The 1,100 kilometer (683.54 mile) railway will connect Tavan Tolgoi to the Russian border, the minister said. The country will invite international bidding for the railway's construction, which is expected to be completed in two years.
Tavan Tolgoi was discovered in the 1950s, when Mongolia was a Soviet satellite. The country made a peaceful transition to democracy in the early 1990s.
Source: MB
3G wireless technology enables more responsive health care systems
The Philippine Department of Health, Tarlac Provincial Health Office and Qualcomm Incorporated, through its Wireless Reach initiative, announced the successful completion of the Wireless Access for Health project’s pilot phase.
The project participants leveraged their expertise and resources in public health, medical care, technology and training to create an electronic health record system that meets the needs of health care decision makers on varying levels, ranging from midwives to doctors to policy makers.
Results at the conclusion of the pilot phase, which recorded over 12,000 patient consultations, indicate that such a system is not only feasible and improves patient care in rural health clinics, but also has a real impact for decision makers.
Wireless Access for Health utilizes 3G wireless technology to enable a locally developed electronic health record system. In the Philippines, local health care providers compile and report public health data to the Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS), which is the major source of data used for policy analysis and planning.
The Wireless Access for Health project aims to streamline this reporting process by building on and strengthening the existing Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS), an electronic medical record system developed by the University of the Philippines Manila. CHITS improves patient care and access to public health information by consolidating data captured during patient visits into reports for health care workers in four health units in the Tarlac region of the Philippines.
“The Wireless Access for Health project’s electronic health record system is the appropriate response to the DOH’s need for finding innovative ways of transmitting reliable health data to allow for speedier decision making and action,” said Dr. Esperanza Cabral, secretary of the Department of Health in the Philippines.
The pilot project’s results have been positive at the rural health units in Gerona, Moncada, Paniqui and Victoria.
A process that previously took hours to complete, CHITS now can instantly generate all 23 of the DOH’s FHSIS reports, allowing for improved patient care and more efficient patient visits, as the time needed to search for records is reduced to just seconds.
The ability to easily view, record and share patient information simultaneously across multiple computers within a health clinic allows clinicians to complete patient consultations earlier, resulting in increased capacity to provide further support to community health workers.
“Wireless Access for Health is truly beneficial for the entire public health system, from patients to doctors to health care authorities at the local, regional and national level,” stated Dr. Ricardo P. Ramos, chief of Tarlac provincial health unit.
“The system’s accurate and timely submission of health data is important in helping the government to identify and prevent disease outbreaks across the Philippines.”
Source @ MB
The project participants leveraged their expertise and resources in public health, medical care, technology and training to create an electronic health record system that meets the needs of health care decision makers on varying levels, ranging from midwives to doctors to policy makers.
Results at the conclusion of the pilot phase, which recorded over 12,000 patient consultations, indicate that such a system is not only feasible and improves patient care in rural health clinics, but also has a real impact for decision makers.
Wireless Access for Health utilizes 3G wireless technology to enable a locally developed electronic health record system. In the Philippines, local health care providers compile and report public health data to the Field Health Service Information System (FHSIS), which is the major source of data used for policy analysis and planning.
The Wireless Access for Health project aims to streamline this reporting process by building on and strengthening the existing Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS), an electronic medical record system developed by the University of the Philippines Manila. CHITS improves patient care and access to public health information by consolidating data captured during patient visits into reports for health care workers in four health units in the Tarlac region of the Philippines.
“The Wireless Access for Health project’s electronic health record system is the appropriate response to the DOH’s need for finding innovative ways of transmitting reliable health data to allow for speedier decision making and action,” said Dr. Esperanza Cabral, secretary of the Department of Health in the Philippines.
The pilot project’s results have been positive at the rural health units in Gerona, Moncada, Paniqui and Victoria.
A process that previously took hours to complete, CHITS now can instantly generate all 23 of the DOH’s FHSIS reports, allowing for improved patient care and more efficient patient visits, as the time needed to search for records is reduced to just seconds.
The ability to easily view, record and share patient information simultaneously across multiple computers within a health clinic allows clinicians to complete patient consultations earlier, resulting in increased capacity to provide further support to community health workers.
“Wireless Access for Health is truly beneficial for the entire public health system, from patients to doctors to health care authorities at the local, regional and national level,” stated Dr. Ricardo P. Ramos, chief of Tarlac provincial health unit.
“The system’s accurate and timely submission of health data is important in helping the government to identify and prevent disease outbreaks across the Philippines.”
Source @ MB
Aquino statement to bolster LTO campaign vs 'wang-wangs'
Presidential Decree 96 was issued 37 years ago to limit the use of sirens — colloquially called "wang-wang" — on the roads. However, high-ranking politicians intimidate law enforcers who prevent the unauthorized use of the devices.
On Thursday, outgoing Land Transportation Office head Alberto Suansing said President Benigno Aquino III's statement's about the abuse of the devices may hopefully give teeth to the enforcement of the law.
"Mabuti naman at inanunsyo ang bagay na iyan. Ang mga enforcers natin, di na maa-andap (It's a good thing he announced that matter. Our law enforcers would no longer be intimidated)," Suansing said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit.
He added the public could send a text message to 09189447951 to report violators.
PD 96, issued in 1973 by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, regulates the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices.
"The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," a portion of the law said.
For government officials, only the following are entitled to use vehicles with these devices: President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Read more @ GmaNews
On Thursday, outgoing Land Transportation Office head Alberto Suansing said President Benigno Aquino III's statement's about the abuse of the devices may hopefully give teeth to the enforcement of the law.
"Mabuti naman at inanunsyo ang bagay na iyan. Ang mga enforcers natin, di na maa-andap (It's a good thing he announced that matter. Our law enforcers would no longer be intimidated)," Suansing said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit.
He added the public could send a text message to 09189447951 to report violators.
PD 96, issued in 1973 by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, regulates the use of sirens, bells, whistles, horns and other similar devices.
"The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances," a portion of the law said.
For government officials, only the following are entitled to use vehicles with these devices: President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Read more @ GmaNews
Celtics coach Doc Rivers will return for 2010-11
BOSTON – Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers will return for another season, staying with the team he led to the NBA finals twice in three years for a run at another championship.
"Doc is a fantastic coach and leader and I am thrilled he is coming back for the upcoming season," Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca said Wednesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Rivers' decision was first reported in the Boston Herald. Four hours later, the Celtics released a statement confirming Rivers would return.
"Doc is re-energized and enthusiastic about coming back to make another run at winning a championship with the Celtics," general manager Danny Ainge said in the two-sentence statement.
Rivers did not immediately return a message left at his hotel in San Antonio, where he was watching his son, Austin, play in an international under-18 tournament.
The inability to watch his four children play in sports was one of the major things pulling Rivers toward taking time off from coaching. He said at last week's NBA draft that he was hoping there would be some compromise that would allow him to give both his personal and professional lives proper attention.
Rivers lives in the Orlando area in the offseason, and his family remains there.
Rivers' decision does not mean that the nucleus of the Celtics team that won the franchise's unprecedented 17th NBA title in 2008 will be back for a run in 2010-11. Paul Pierce has reportedly said he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent, and Ray Allen is also due to become a free agent on Thursday.
Without them, the Celtics would need to make a big splash in free agency to contend.
Kevin Garnett is under contract for two more years and point guard Rajon Rondo signed an extension last fall that would keep him in Boston through the 2014-15 season. Kendrick Perkins, who could miss six months or more with torn knee ligaments, has one year left on his deal.
Rivers has a career coaching record of 451-380, with a 46-40 playoff mark. With the Celtics, he is 280-212 with a 41-30 postseason record.
He guided Boston to a 66-16 record and the Celtics' record 17th NBA title two years ago. This season, the Celtics returned to the NBA finals before losing in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rivers said last week that it was a difficult decision between two families: While he has missed the opportunity to watch his four children — all athletes — compete, he has grown close to the Celtics' players. He called Ainge "one of my best friends."
"You look around the league, and you don't see that," Rivers said after the NBA draft, adding that both players and management have lobbied him to stay. "They've been doing their jobs, I'll put it that way. So have the players. They've been very vocal in their support. But that's good. We're very close."
Source: GmaNews
"Doc is a fantastic coach and leader and I am thrilled he is coming back for the upcoming season," Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca said Wednesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Rivers' decision was first reported in the Boston Herald. Four hours later, the Celtics released a statement confirming Rivers would return.
"Doc is re-energized and enthusiastic about coming back to make another run at winning a championship with the Celtics," general manager Danny Ainge said in the two-sentence statement.
Rivers did not immediately return a message left at his hotel in San Antonio, where he was watching his son, Austin, play in an international under-18 tournament.
The inability to watch his four children play in sports was one of the major things pulling Rivers toward taking time off from coaching. He said at last week's NBA draft that he was hoping there would be some compromise that would allow him to give both his personal and professional lives proper attention.
Rivers lives in the Orlando area in the offseason, and his family remains there.
Rivers' decision does not mean that the nucleus of the Celtics team that won the franchise's unprecedented 17th NBA title in 2008 will be back for a run in 2010-11. Paul Pierce has reportedly said he will opt out of his contract and become a free agent, and Ray Allen is also due to become a free agent on Thursday.
Without them, the Celtics would need to make a big splash in free agency to contend.
Kevin Garnett is under contract for two more years and point guard Rajon Rondo signed an extension last fall that would keep him in Boston through the 2014-15 season. Kendrick Perkins, who could miss six months or more with torn knee ligaments, has one year left on his deal.
Rivers has a career coaching record of 451-380, with a 46-40 playoff mark. With the Celtics, he is 280-212 with a 41-30 postseason record.
He guided Boston to a 66-16 record and the Celtics' record 17th NBA title two years ago. This season, the Celtics returned to the NBA finals before losing in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rivers said last week that it was a difficult decision between two families: While he has missed the opportunity to watch his four children — all athletes — compete, he has grown close to the Celtics' players. He called Ainge "one of my best friends."
"You look around the league, and you don't see that," Rivers said after the NBA draft, adding that both players and management have lobbied him to stay. "They've been doing their jobs, I'll put it that way. So have the players. They've been very vocal in their support. But that's good. We're very close."
Source: GmaNews
Geena Davis vs negative media images of women
NEW YORK, United States—With her ground-breaking roles in such films as Thelma and Louise and A League of Their Own, Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis is no stranger to playing strong women on the silver screen.
Off-camera, she is fighting passionately to ensure that women and girls are accurately depicted in the media, warning that they hyper-sexualization and other negative portrayals could roll back hard-won progress in achieving the United Nations-backed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.
Acknowledging the hard work of the UN and other organizations aimed at promoting economic development and curbing violence against women, “we don’t want to see it undermined by a culture of hyper-sexualization or stereotyping of women in the media because it will… start to take away some of the progress if we’re not taking care of the image of women,” she told the UN News Center.
“As an actor, I had the good fortune of being in a few movies that resonated particularly with women, and it really was a lesson for me in the power of media images,” said Ms. Davis, who early this week addressed the opening of the annual high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), focusing this year on the empowerment of women and girls.
Some six years ago, while watching television programming and movies targeted at children with her then two-year-old daughter, she noticed a marked disparity in the portrayal of men and women.
“I find that to be disturbing because it means that we’re raising generation after generation of boys and girls to become used to the idea that girls hold a lesser position in our society, that they’re less important, their stories are less interesting,” she stressed.
For more than half a century, the ratio of female to male characters has held constant at 1:3, Ms. Davis said, resulting in many people not noticing or questioning the paucity of women in movies and TV shows.
Her research organization, See Jane, has carried out a large-scale analysis of movies and TV shows aimed at children under the age of 11, finding that between 1990 and 2005, there was no improvement in the ratio of female to male characters.
“So it’s not something that’s getting better or improving,” Ms. Davis said, in spite of isolated cases of popular female characters, such as Dora the Explorer. “The general trend is for things to stay where they are.”
Also the mother of two boys, she said that she calls attention to how women and girls are portrayed in programming, asking her children why they think certain characters are girls and not boys.
“It’s getting to the point now where occasionally I’ll lean over to say, ‘Hey did you notice?’” Ms. Davis said, recalling conversations with her now eight-year-old daughter while watching TV and movies.
“Yeah, there’s not enough girls,” her daughter responds. “She’s been very well educated,” Ms. Davis pointed out, laughing.
Source: Inquirer
Off-camera, she is fighting passionately to ensure that women and girls are accurately depicted in the media, warning that they hyper-sexualization and other negative portrayals could roll back hard-won progress in achieving the United Nations-backed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.
Acknowledging the hard work of the UN and other organizations aimed at promoting economic development and curbing violence against women, “we don’t want to see it undermined by a culture of hyper-sexualization or stereotyping of women in the media because it will… start to take away some of the progress if we’re not taking care of the image of women,” she told the UN News Center.
“As an actor, I had the good fortune of being in a few movies that resonated particularly with women, and it really was a lesson for me in the power of media images,” said Ms. Davis, who early this week addressed the opening of the annual high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc), focusing this year on the empowerment of women and girls.
Some six years ago, while watching television programming and movies targeted at children with her then two-year-old daughter, she noticed a marked disparity in the portrayal of men and women.
“I find that to be disturbing because it means that we’re raising generation after generation of boys and girls to become used to the idea that girls hold a lesser position in our society, that they’re less important, their stories are less interesting,” she stressed.
For more than half a century, the ratio of female to male characters has held constant at 1:3, Ms. Davis said, resulting in many people not noticing or questioning the paucity of women in movies and TV shows.
Her research organization, See Jane, has carried out a large-scale analysis of movies and TV shows aimed at children under the age of 11, finding that between 1990 and 2005, there was no improvement in the ratio of female to male characters.
“So it’s not something that’s getting better or improving,” Ms. Davis said, in spite of isolated cases of popular female characters, such as Dora the Explorer. “The general trend is for things to stay where they are.”
Also the mother of two boys, she said that she calls attention to how women and girls are portrayed in programming, asking her children why they think certain characters are girls and not boys.
“It’s getting to the point now where occasionally I’ll lean over to say, ‘Hey did you notice?’” Ms. Davis said, recalling conversations with her now eight-year-old daughter while watching TV and movies.
“Yeah, there’s not enough girls,” her daughter responds. “She’s been very well educated,” Ms. Davis pointed out, laughing.
Source: Inquirer
'Old school' Montreal gangster gunned down
MONTREAL—A reputed Montreal gangster with ties to the Rizzuto crime family was gunned down in a brazen daylight shooting, police said Wednesday.
Agostino Cuntrera, 66, and his 48-year-old bodyguard were shot Tuesday afternoon outside an east-end Montreal restaurant said to be owned by Cuntrera.
Two men in a black Chevrolet Impala similar to one spotted leaving the scene were arrested shortly after the slayings. One of them was released while the other is still being held on unrelated charges, police told AFP.
Cuntrera was believed to have taken over the helm of the Rizzuto clan after the 2006 extradition to the United States of crime boss Vito Rizzuto on murder charges, according to public broadcaster CBC.
Cuntrera was described by local media as being "old school," low-key and shy of the limelight. He is the third high-profile Mafioso to be murdered since Rizzuto's arrest in 2004.
Vito Rizzuto is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Colorado for racketeering, related to three underworld murders in Brooklyn in 1981.
In December, Rizzuto's son Nick Rizzuto Jr. was gunned down in broad daylight in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace district.
An elderly man associated with the powerful Rizzuto mafia was also reported missing in May.
Paolo Renda, 70, had been recently released from prison after a serving a sentence for criminal association among other charges, but did not arrive home one night, police sources said.
His wife -- sister of Vito Rizzuto -- found his car near their home and alerted police, who found the car doors open and keys on the dashboard.
Montreal's Sicilian Mafia is facing new competition for criminal spoils from a Calabrese clan, street gangs, and even Haitian groups, according to crime experts.
Each wants a piece of Rizzuto territory, possibly with the backing of the New York Mafia which cut ties to the Rizzuto family after a falling out over the Brooklyn murders.
Born in Sicily in 1944, Cuntrera moved to Canada in 1965 and helped establish the Rizzuto clan's criminal reign in Montreal. He served five years in prison for conspiracy in the 1978 murder of then crime boss Paolo Violli, who headed a rival Calabrese clan.
Upon his release, Cuntrera started several small businesses in Montreal, including restaurants.
Source: Inquirer
Agostino Cuntrera, 66, and his 48-year-old bodyguard were shot Tuesday afternoon outside an east-end Montreal restaurant said to be owned by Cuntrera.
Two men in a black Chevrolet Impala similar to one spotted leaving the scene were arrested shortly after the slayings. One of them was released while the other is still being held on unrelated charges, police told AFP.
Cuntrera was believed to have taken over the helm of the Rizzuto clan after the 2006 extradition to the United States of crime boss Vito Rizzuto on murder charges, according to public broadcaster CBC.
Cuntrera was described by local media as being "old school," low-key and shy of the limelight. He is the third high-profile Mafioso to be murdered since Rizzuto's arrest in 2004.
Vito Rizzuto is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Colorado for racketeering, related to three underworld murders in Brooklyn in 1981.
In December, Rizzuto's son Nick Rizzuto Jr. was gunned down in broad daylight in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace district.
An elderly man associated with the powerful Rizzuto mafia was also reported missing in May.
Paolo Renda, 70, had been recently released from prison after a serving a sentence for criminal association among other charges, but did not arrive home one night, police sources said.
His wife -- sister of Vito Rizzuto -- found his car near their home and alerted police, who found the car doors open and keys on the dashboard.
Montreal's Sicilian Mafia is facing new competition for criminal spoils from a Calabrese clan, street gangs, and even Haitian groups, according to crime experts.
Each wants a piece of Rizzuto territory, possibly with the backing of the New York Mafia which cut ties to the Rizzuto family after a falling out over the Brooklyn murders.
Born in Sicily in 1944, Cuntrera moved to Canada in 1965 and helped establish the Rizzuto clan's criminal reign in Montreal. He served five years in prison for conspiracy in the 1978 murder of then crime boss Paolo Violli, who headed a rival Calabrese clan.
Upon his release, Cuntrera started several small businesses in Montreal, including restaurants.
Source: Inquirer
All set for June 30 inauguration
PRESIDENT-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s transition team has already smoothed out kinks in the inauguration on June 30, an event that will be made meaningful by several traditions shelved during the Martial Law years.
The inauguration, which will revolve around the theme “Tagumpay ng Taumbayan, Panata sa Pagbabago,” is expected to be observed by millions around the world.
According to Aquino’s camp, there will be a prayer services at 6 in the morning at the Aquino home in Times Street. At 9:45 a.m., Aquino will depart for Malacañang to fetch Arroyo. Arroyo and Aquino’s arrival at Quirino Grandstand will be at 10:45 a.m. Arroyo will be honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon arriving at the venue. She will then exit “gracefully” while her successor moves up the stage.
The formal inaugural ceremony is expected to start at exactly 11:00 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem. At around 1:00 p.m., Aquino will finally head to Malacañang.
Inauguration spokesman Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III earlier said “the president-elect is not much of a traditionalist, but you realize that these rituals exist to make the transition more dignified for all concerned and you’re dealing with an office larger than any person.”
The inauguration will be a symbol of sorts, as this would be peppered with traditions that were abolished or replaced during former President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ time. The Aquino family was instrumental in overthrowing the dictatorship.
Source: BoholNewsDaily
The inauguration, which will revolve around the theme “Tagumpay ng Taumbayan, Panata sa Pagbabago,” is expected to be observed by millions around the world.
According to Aquino’s camp, there will be a prayer services at 6 in the morning at the Aquino home in Times Street. At 9:45 a.m., Aquino will depart for Malacañang to fetch Arroyo. Arroyo and Aquino’s arrival at Quirino Grandstand will be at 10:45 a.m. Arroyo will be honored by the Armed Forces of the Philippines upon arriving at the venue. She will then exit “gracefully” while her successor moves up the stage.
The formal inaugural ceremony is expected to start at exactly 11:00 a.m. with the singing of the national anthem. At around 1:00 p.m., Aquino will finally head to Malacañang.
Inauguration spokesman Manuel “Manolo” L. Quezon III earlier said “the president-elect is not much of a traditionalist, but you realize that these rituals exist to make the transition more dignified for all concerned and you’re dealing with an office larger than any person.”
The inauguration will be a symbol of sorts, as this would be peppered with traditions that were abolished or replaced during former President Ferdinand E. Marcos’ time. The Aquino family was instrumental in overthrowing the dictatorship.
Source: BoholNewsDaily
Cops ready for Aquino inaugural
Cops ready for Aquino inauguralThe Philippine National Police (PNP) has finalized the security and public safety plan for the inaugural ceremony of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the 15th Philippine president on June 30, an event that thousands are expected to attend, an official said on Thursday.
The center of activity will be at the Quirino Grandstand, where Aquino will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has approved an elaborate security and public safety plan in and around the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
Verzosa said the PNP has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) declaring the airspace over the grandstand as a no-fly zone for the duration of the inaugural ceremony, except for television helicopters that were given special permission to take aerial footage.
The PNP will also issue a similar notice to Mariners to prohibit seacraft from coming too near the shoreline in the vicinity of the grandstand and the Ocean Park area.
PNP Task Force “Panunumpa,” head Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano said that the NCRPO will deploy at least 5,500 personnel for the inauguration.
Source: BoholNewsDaily
The center of activity will be at the Quirino Grandstand, where Aquino will take his oath of office before Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.
PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has approved an elaborate security and public safety plan in and around the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
Verzosa said the PNP has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) declaring the airspace over the grandstand as a no-fly zone for the duration of the inaugural ceremony, except for television helicopters that were given special permission to take aerial footage.
The PNP will also issue a similar notice to Mariners to prohibit seacraft from coming too near the shoreline in the vicinity of the grandstand and the Ocean Park area.
PNP Task Force “Panunumpa,” head Deputy Director General Jefferson Soriano said that the NCRPO will deploy at least 5,500 personnel for the inauguration.
Source: BoholNewsDaily
Sony Ericsson's Vivaz turns Pro
Sounds and looks familiar? Yes it does because just a few months back I gave you a glimpse of its sleek and stylish precursor “Vivaz”. Join me as I take another look at Vivaz as it goes “pro”.
Glancing at the new Vivaz pro seems like “deja vu”. It does look the same as its older version. It still is a stunner with that smooth and shiny high quality plastic, its 3.2” resistive touchscreen display with resolution of 360 x 640 pixels supporting 16M colors, its camera that captures HD videos and of course the sexy curved back that makes it fit like a glove when held is still apparent. Most of Vivaz pro’s specifications are mirror images of the older Vivaz and so to avoid repetition and redundancy, let’s venture on what is different.
Holding on to Vivaz pro, you will notice that it is a bit heavier and thicker. This holds true and actually is quite understandable because Vivaz is now equipped with a side sliding QWERTY keyboard. Although it is thicker (well, of only about 2 mm), the difference in weight and height can be insignificant. Even with its QWERTY keyboard Vivaz pro is still lightweight, slim and compact.
The QWERTY keyboard slides smoothly sideways and at the end of which a distinct reassuring stable click. The keys are square-shaped and made of rubber giving just the right amount of contact between the keys and the thumb for easy typing. I guess to maintain Vivaz’s slim and svelte profile, the keys had to be set a bit shallow and not much elevated. Good thing each key is soft to touch and keying in does not require extra pressure.
It is quite noticeable though that even the 4-row QWERTY keyboard is solid stable and evenly spaced, it seems however to be crowding on to the center of the slider. Hence for some, it may just be too cramped. Surrounding the keyboard, I noticed that there is still a considerable amount of space especially on the left and right side. Had they used this space as part of the keyboard then mispresses especially for those with fat and stubby thumbs will be avoided.
Nevertheless, the QWERTY keyboard is comfortable to use and it did deliver what it was specifically made for and that is for a quicker and more efficient way to communicate whether it be SMS or e-mail or even for social network sites (it is loaded with apps like Facebook and You Tube). I must admit, even though Vivaz pro is equipped with a responsive resistive touchscreen, I still tend to key in with the QWERTY keyboard.
What made the original Vivaz different from other smart cameraphones are its camera features. Compared to its contemporaries, Vivaz can take really good quality still photos and shoot 720p HD video and with the “pro”, expect the same. Even though Pro’s camera is now at 5 megapixels, its ability to capture high definition video remains the same (still at 720p HD video).
Besides the minor difference in the camera features, those really familiar with the original Vivaz will notice that Vivaz pro has 75MB memory where as the original has 95MB, but since “pro” can take a MicroSD card of up 16GB in size then that reduction won’t be much of an issue.
Needless to say, both may be so much alike, but still there are differences. It is not a question of which is better but rather which would you prefer. Like what they say, “to each his own.” Whether you go Vivaz or you go Pro, both are packed with powerful features. So, if you are the type who prefers to text or just be connected in the easiest and most convenient way, definitely with Vivaz Pro’s QWERTY keyboard, your need for speed, ease and accuracy will surely be met.
Source: MB
Glancing at the new Vivaz pro seems like “deja vu”. It does look the same as its older version. It still is a stunner with that smooth and shiny high quality plastic, its 3.2” resistive touchscreen display with resolution of 360 x 640 pixels supporting 16M colors, its camera that captures HD videos and of course the sexy curved back that makes it fit like a glove when held is still apparent. Most of Vivaz pro’s specifications are mirror images of the older Vivaz and so to avoid repetition and redundancy, let’s venture on what is different.
Holding on to Vivaz pro, you will notice that it is a bit heavier and thicker. This holds true and actually is quite understandable because Vivaz is now equipped with a side sliding QWERTY keyboard. Although it is thicker (well, of only about 2 mm), the difference in weight and height can be insignificant. Even with its QWERTY keyboard Vivaz pro is still lightweight, slim and compact.
The QWERTY keyboard slides smoothly sideways and at the end of which a distinct reassuring stable click. The keys are square-shaped and made of rubber giving just the right amount of contact between the keys and the thumb for easy typing. I guess to maintain Vivaz’s slim and svelte profile, the keys had to be set a bit shallow and not much elevated. Good thing each key is soft to touch and keying in does not require extra pressure.
It is quite noticeable though that even the 4-row QWERTY keyboard is solid stable and evenly spaced, it seems however to be crowding on to the center of the slider. Hence for some, it may just be too cramped. Surrounding the keyboard, I noticed that there is still a considerable amount of space especially on the left and right side. Had they used this space as part of the keyboard then mispresses especially for those with fat and stubby thumbs will be avoided.
Nevertheless, the QWERTY keyboard is comfortable to use and it did deliver what it was specifically made for and that is for a quicker and more efficient way to communicate whether it be SMS or e-mail or even for social network sites (it is loaded with apps like Facebook and You Tube). I must admit, even though Vivaz pro is equipped with a responsive resistive touchscreen, I still tend to key in with the QWERTY keyboard.
What made the original Vivaz different from other smart cameraphones are its camera features. Compared to its contemporaries, Vivaz can take really good quality still photos and shoot 720p HD video and with the “pro”, expect the same. Even though Pro’s camera is now at 5 megapixels, its ability to capture high definition video remains the same (still at 720p HD video).
Besides the minor difference in the camera features, those really familiar with the original Vivaz will notice that Vivaz pro has 75MB memory where as the original has 95MB, but since “pro” can take a MicroSD card of up 16GB in size then that reduction won’t be much of an issue.
Needless to say, both may be so much alike, but still there are differences. It is not a question of which is better but rather which would you prefer. Like what they say, “to each his own.” Whether you go Vivaz or you go Pro, both are packed with powerful features. So, if you are the type who prefers to text or just be connected in the easiest and most convenient way, definitely with Vivaz Pro’s QWERTY keyboard, your need for speed, ease and accuracy will surely be met.
Source: MB
3 outstanding Filipino seamen feted
MANILA, Philippines—Three outstanding Filipino seafarers were conferred The Outstanding Filipino Seafarers Awards (Tofsa) last week at the International Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (Imo).
They are: Demosthenes C. Quiñones, and Master Mariners Abelardo M. Pacheco, and Ricardo M. Salunar
Quiñones, who is an Electrician Officer by rank, was feted for greatly “enhancing the image of the Filipino seafarers through his consistent exemplary work performance, proving equal to the challenge of rendering services on board the Frankfurt Exchange Express, a challenging vessel which other engine ratings, officers, engineers and electricians avoided due to the high expectations [expected] from its crew.”
Pacheco, on the other hand, was cited for having “displayed bravery at sea by offering his own life for the sake of his crew during their abduction by Somali pirates in November 2008, [in which] throughout their more than five month’s ordeal, he maintained the morale of his crew and through his professionalism and strong faith in God, [went as far] as earning the trust, compassion, and cooperation of their abductors resulting ultimately in their release from captivity.”
Salunar was cited as a model par exemplar for other Filipino seafarers in “maintaining presence of mind and taking decisive action during a life-threatening calamity, successfully performing emergency un-berthing operations immediately following the Chile earthquake last February, thus safeguarding the lives of his crew, and preventing possible serious damage to his vessel and its cargo, as well as to the onshore facilities.”
Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, who with Imo Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos co-opened the Imo’s International Diplomatic Conference to Adopt Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) last week, expressed pride and pleasure at the awarding of the three Filipino seafarers.
Roque, citing the significance of the awards amidst the Imo’s global declaration of 2010 as the “Year of the Seafarers,” proudly congratulated the three.
“Filipino seafarers have consistently demonstrated competency and proficiency in the international maritime sector and for this reason, the Philippines has become the largest and most viable source of shipping crew around the world… and the most professional, reputable, adaptable, and capable individuals working in vessels of foreign flags,” he said.
Filipino seafarers account for a fourth of the entire seafarers manning the merchant shipping fleet of the world.
Source: Inquirer
They are: Demosthenes C. Quiñones, and Master Mariners Abelardo M. Pacheco, and Ricardo M. Salunar
Quiñones, who is an Electrician Officer by rank, was feted for greatly “enhancing the image of the Filipino seafarers through his consistent exemplary work performance, proving equal to the challenge of rendering services on board the Frankfurt Exchange Express, a challenging vessel which other engine ratings, officers, engineers and electricians avoided due to the high expectations [expected] from its crew.”
Pacheco, on the other hand, was cited for having “displayed bravery at sea by offering his own life for the sake of his crew during their abduction by Somali pirates in November 2008, [in which] throughout their more than five month’s ordeal, he maintained the morale of his crew and through his professionalism and strong faith in God, [went as far] as earning the trust, compassion, and cooperation of their abductors resulting ultimately in their release from captivity.”
Salunar was cited as a model par exemplar for other Filipino seafarers in “maintaining presence of mind and taking decisive action during a life-threatening calamity, successfully performing emergency un-berthing operations immediately following the Chile earthquake last February, thus safeguarding the lives of his crew, and preventing possible serious damage to his vessel and its cargo, as well as to the onshore facilities.”
Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, who with Imo Secretary General Efthimios Mitropoulos co-opened the Imo’s International Diplomatic Conference to Adopt Amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) last week, expressed pride and pleasure at the awarding of the three Filipino seafarers.
Roque, citing the significance of the awards amidst the Imo’s global declaration of 2010 as the “Year of the Seafarers,” proudly congratulated the three.
“Filipino seafarers have consistently demonstrated competency and proficiency in the international maritime sector and for this reason, the Philippines has become the largest and most viable source of shipping crew around the world… and the most professional, reputable, adaptable, and capable individuals working in vessels of foreign flags,” he said.
Filipino seafarers account for a fourth of the entire seafarers manning the merchant shipping fleet of the world.
Source: Inquirer
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