Government: President Aquino will be bringing home nearly $2.4 billion in investments

'We had discussions with a total of 19 companies' -President Aquino said, adding that all the business entities they talked to praised the economic performance of the Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino III 'Pnoy' will be bringing home nearly $2.4 billion in investments from his 4-nation European trip.

"From our engagements in Europe alone, we are expecting around 2.3 billion dollars in investments in the sectors of manufacturing, energy, the IT-BPM sector, infrastructure, transport. Now, 'yung manufacturing, there is a -- kung pwedeng ano 'yung ating paniniwala na huwag mausog -- meron kaming tatrabahuhin bukas na talagang extra effort mag-lobby to set up manufacturing in the Philippines, really major," he said.

The investments are expected to generate more than 55,000 jobs.

The President, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the European Union for lifting the ban on Philippine carriers.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has already resumed flights to London, and is negotiating air agreements in France.

In France, the Philippine government signed a new Air Service Agreement, and the Aquino administration's steps taken for compliance to the 1978 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Aquino said the problem has been unattended since 2006, requiring a single agency to deal with SCTW in the Philippines. He said under Republic Act 10635, the agency tasked is Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

"Ang trabaho nito, now 'yung ipo-professionalize natin itong Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping monitoring system. Tapos ngayon gagawin natin 'yung conflict of interest para 'yung mga kasama sa industry sila rin ang nagsi-certify na name-meet 'yung standard. So 'yung company nila ayaw nila 'di ba may potential na conflict of interest, ngayon hiwalay na. Wala sa industriya, pinipilit nating mai-professionalize itong committee na ito," he said.

ILLEGAL FISHING

Another issue that was dealt by Aquino during his European trip was the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The Philippines was issued by EU with a yellow card, indicating a warning.

Aquino said there was a 16-item checklist of things that the Philippines has to comply with and fortunately, he said, 14 of the 16 have already been met. The remaining steps are the amendment to the Fisheries Code and the other is manning of the new inspectors.

"So, I think we managed to convey that we are striving really hard to comply with all of these requirements so that our fishing industry and the people benefiting from the fishing industry will not suffer a ban on exports from the Philippines to the EU," said the President.

Aquino said the Philippine delegation also made strides with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between École Nationale D'Administration (ENA), France's most prominent school for public service.

The MOU is between ENA and the Development Academy of the Philippines, which will open up several areas for academic exchange and collaboration, specifically for more expertise, efficiency, and professionalism for civil servants.

Philippines and Germany also inked a social security agreement, which entitles Filipinos in Germany and their dependents to the social security benefits of German nationals, and vice versa, Germans in the Philippines will also be entitled of benefits.

"Parang we recognized each other... We recognize and synchronize each other SSS coverage. It will contribute to equality of treatment and eliminate dual coverage amongst others," Aquino said.

LAGUNA DE BAY

During the trip in Brussels, Aquino said he was also able to clarify with the Belgians why his administration did away with the contract with the Belgium-based company for the dredging of Laguna Lake.

He said, during their talk with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, the topic was discussed in passing, noting that the issue was already before arbitration and the Philippine government will be bound by the result.

He said they explained to the Prime Minister the main contention that there is an 18.7-billion project, and basically, it will remove silt from one portion of the lake and move it to another portion of the lake.

"There was no belligerence because again, almost said in passing. So I think they were able to say it, we were able to respond appropriately without causing any tension and conflict."

NAIA TERMINAL 3

The issue with Fraport, which constructed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, was also discussed with the German government, said the President.

"Nabanggit rin at sinabi natin na meron tayong mga limitasyon, dalawa in particular, nasa korte natin 'yon, nasa Korte Suprema 'pag kaintindi ko, 'yung tungkol doon sa award."

He said the German government was assured that whatever the outcome of the arbitration, the Philippine government will abide by the court's decision.

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Another big achievement that Aquino considered in his European trip is the support that the Philippine government was able to receive from European allies on developments in the West Philippine Sea.

Aquino recalled that in the 2012 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, it was the European Union that supported the Philippine government's stand, which is to settle matters through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

With this trip and the discussions made with Spain, Belgium, France and Germany, he said there's a deeper appreciation of exactly what the issue is and who are involved.

"Meaning it's not just us and our big brother to the West that says them and Vietnam, but even countries outside the region," Aquino said.

The President also expressed to leaders of the countries he visited, and also to the leadership of European Union, the profound gratitude of the Filipino nation for the help extended to the Philippines when super typhoon Haiyan hit the country in November of last year.

Politics: The Anti-selfie bill gets ‘dislike’

Those who have made a habit of showing off to friends in social media like facebook, IG, and twitter where they are at the moment will then have to think about a law that may get an act of “selfie” a court case or a jail sentence.

That is, if the anti-selfie bill or House Bill No. 4807 is passed and encated into law. That bill is titled “An Act protecting against personal intrusion by any person with intent to gain or profit therefrom”, taking a “selfie” will not be an innocent and spontaneous gesture anymore.

The so-called “anti-selfie” bill hasn’t received many Likes among congressmen, with both majority and minority members disliking its potential to curtail self-expression and press freedom.

APPROVED ON SECOND READING

Principally authored by administration Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, HB No.4807 was approved on second reading in the House of Representative last August 12 and has since gained mainstream attention as the anti-selfie bill.

“We have to carefully study this proposal since some of the grounds constituting the violations are vague and too broad and may constitute prior restraint and may pose further Constitutional problems,” AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe said in reaction to HB No. 4807.

But Batocabe, a lawyer and fellow administration ally, said the measure would be more appropriately dubbed as the “anti-paparazzi bill” due to its supposed safeguard on privacy and against the gaining of profit.

INNOCENT UPLOAD

Another member of the House majority, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr., lamented that the anti-selfie bill could land unsuspecting mobile phone users in jail with an innocent upload to Facebook or Instagram.

“Just reading the provisions, being a zealous fan and recording a celebrity’s activities could land one in jail. I think regulation in social media is needed but this has to be studied cautiously and thoroughly to make sure that no basic liberties are compromised,” he said.

‘SELFIE’

The “selfie” is a social media-spawned activity where one takes his or her photo, oftentimes with the specific intention to show the background or other elements within the frame.

“I think we need more definitions and qualifications. [Provisions] could be broad but the discussions will clarify things,” said Baguilat who is the chair of the Agrarian Reforms panel.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Meanwhile, members of the House minority had far harsher things to say about HB No. 4807, which they described as a violation to freedom of expression.

“It’s a clear violation of freedom of expression. The law on “selfie” has no place in a civilized and democratic society,” reckoned 1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, who is a former solicitor general and Justice secretary.

“Cong. Rufus might as well kiss his national political ambitions goodbye if he insists on this anti-selfie bill. He should have hired good lawyers to vet the constitutionality of his bill,” said Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the Makabayan bloc that is part of the minority.

Ridon represents the youth sector, undoubtedly the most active with selfies, through his Kabataan party-list.

Other Makabayan bloc solons – Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list – didn’t only give the thumbs down on the anti-selfie bill, but said that it should simply be scrapped, at least in its current form.

“We support the position of media groups… to have this bill scrapped because it would really have a chilling effect on media and even curtail freedom of expression in the form of selfies and groupies,” Colmenares said.

On Friday, Zarate released a statement airing his apprehension over the measure which has “serious implications on freedom of expression and press freedom.”

“At first glance, the terms used in these provisions may seem harmless and well meaning. Yet, a deeper look at how they will impact in everyday lives is truly worrisome. It affects not only those in the media profession but everyone,” Zarate pointed out.

Both Colmenares and Zarate said they welcomed the openness of the bill’s authors to bring HB No. 4807 back to the committee level so that it could be carefully reviewed and scrutinized for possible amendments or revision.

Under the proposed bill, the following acts will be considered an intrusion into the personal privacy of another and at the same time presumed to have been committed with the intent to gain or profit:

“1. The capturing by a camera or sound recording instrument of any type of visual image, sound recording or other physical impression of the person

“2. Trespassing on private property in order to capture any type of visual image, sound recording or other physical impression of any person, and

“3. Capturing any type of visual image, sound recording or other physical impression of a person or family activity through the use of a visual or auditory enhancement device even when no physical trespass has occurred, when the visual image, sound recording or other physical impression could not have been captured without a trespass if no enhancement device was used.

Section 4 of the bill says any person whose personal privacy was intruded as defined, may file a civil action against the person who committed the intrusion, obtain any appropriate relief, including compensatory damages, punitive damages, and injunctive and declaratory relief.

In such cases, the plaintiff may either by the person whose visual or auditory impression has been captured or the owner of the private property that was trespassed.

Only “legitimate law enforcement activities” are exempted from the Act.

The co-authors of the bill are Pangasinan 2nd district Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza Jr., ABAMIN party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., Cebu 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica.

Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train has crashed into a barrier at the Taft Station

Manila - A defective Metro Rail Transit train has crashed into a barrier at the Taft Station Wednesday, injuring dozens of passengers, reports said.

The incident also prompted MRT to stop operations for the rest of its line, but both southbound and northbound trips resumed at around 5 p.m., its management said via Twitter.

“We are currently undergoing necessary intervention for the technical problem encountered. We apologize for the inconvenience,” the MRT management said via Twitter.

In an interview over dzBB, MRT spokesperson Hernando Cabrera said the train came to a halt at the Magallanes Station due to technical problems.

It had to be pushed by another train as it had no power, Cabrera said, adding that passengers were trapped in the troubled train as there was no safe exit for them.

“Ang naging problema po natin, nakalas po iyong coupling na nagkakabit dun sa mga tren,” Cabrera said. The uncontrolled train, he added, continued to move until it hit the barrier at Taft.

Regina Santos, one of the passengers, said passengers thought they heard a loud explosion after the south-bound train left Magallanes station.

“Sabi namin bababa na lang kami pero hindi kami pinababa. Nag stampede na sa loob,” said Santos. Passengers scrambled to the first coach, which is reserved for the elderly and pregnant women.

The train hit an electric post outside the Taft Station. Robert Granado of Pasay police said it would have been a bigger accident if the electric post wasn’t able to stop the train.

At least 20 passengers hurt in the accident have been reportedly been rushed to the Pasay City General Hospital while another 10 passengers have been brought to the San Juan De Dios Hospital.

Commuters have meanwhile been advised to avoid the area. “Derailed MRT train at Pasay-Taft Station. MMDA Rescue and enforcers on location. Expect heavy traffic,” MMDA said via Twitter.

The MRT management meanwhile vowed to assist those hurt. “The MRT regrets the unfortunate incident, the management  will extend all necessary assistance to those injured and inconvenienced,” it tweeted.

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