June 25, 2013 Edition

The alleged sex-for-flight scheme by Philippine embassy officials in the Middle East is “just the tip of the iceberg” and must be fueled by the crackdown of host countries on undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Bayan Muna Rep Neri Colmenares said that undocumented OFWs, especially in Saudi Arabia, are “getting desperate” especially with the resumption of the crackdown efforts on July 3, the end of the 3-month grace period for illegal workers to finish their paperworks with the help of the Philippine embassy. Instead of getting help from the embassies, “the opposite is happening,” the lawmaker said. Akbayan Rep Walden Bello had divulged details of embassy officials allegedly promising distressed OFWs in the Middle East that they will be prioritized in repatriation in exchange for sexual favors.


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6-month suspension following June 2 incident in Davao City. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) put the blame squarely on the pilots of Airbus A320-200 that skidded off the airport runway amid heavy rain, resulting in the closure of the country’s 3rd busiest airport for two days and stranding thousands of passengers. CAAP also said the pilots erred in not declaring an emergency evacuation and snubbed Cebu Pacific CEO’s earlier stand that the crew followed protocol. CAAP did not sanction the airline itself.


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Philippine shares are still on track with the turbulent global markets reacting to news the US plans to reel in its stimulus program. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 181.99 points or 3.05% to 5,789.06 on June 25. With this 25.7% decline from the May 15 record high of 7,392.20, the local market has entered the “bear” category and has erased all of the gains this 2013. Global markets remained turbulent after the Federal Reserve’s announcement last week that the US economy looked in good enough shape for it to start rowing back on its $85-billion-a-month bond-buying scheme. PSE president and CEO Hans Sicat said, “There is a disconnect between good local economic fundamentals and the short term market psychology. The explanation that investors were reallocating back to developed markets is not exactly accurate, with real movements going from the equities market into cash in a period of high volatility.”

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Of the 12 administration senatorial bets in the May 2013 national elections, 11 Team PNoy candidates received a combined P894,088,297.79 in campaign contributions. Relatives, lawyers from famous law firms, family friends who are connected to government offices, and companies that need franchises and permits from government are the top donors, according to the list each candidate under the Team PNoy slate named in their respective Schedules of Contributions Received (SCRs). One Team PNoy candidate – Jamby Madrigal – did not receive contributions from other people. She reported spending only her own money for the campaign.


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WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has served the United States an ice-cold slice of revenge by aiding US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden. Wikileaks said in a statement that it had a legal adviser on the plane Snowden is believed to have taken to Moscow from his bolthole in Hong Kong, and that it helped him seek asylum in Ecuador, in whose London embassy Assange has been staying for a year. For a man like Assange who believes that US authorities are desperate to hunt him down for leaking confidential information, there will be a deep satisfaction in helping Snowden avoid the same foe. Meantime, White House warned China it has undermined efforts to rebuild trust by allowing him to leave Hong Kong.


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Around 1,000 people have been killed in flash floods and landslides in northern India, as heavy rains halted the search on June 24, for thousands of tourists still stranded in the devastated Himalayan regions, officials said. Indian priests were preparing to cremate hundreds of victims of the disaster even as 8,000 mainly pilgrims and tourists were still awaiting rescue 9 days after flash floods and landslides hit the state of Uttarakhand. Senior officials warned that the death toll could rise above 1,000 as flood waters recede and debris is cleared by emergency workers, showing the full extent of the disaster in the mountainous region, known as the “Land of the Gods” for its revered Hindu shrines. Raging rivers have swept away houses, buildings and even entire villages in the state, which was packed with travellers in what is a peak tourist season.


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South Korea has rejected the bid of Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada’s Universal Entertainment for preliminary casino licenses in a surprise move that could delay plans to put Incheon in the Asian gambling map. Citing the spokesperson of South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Reuters reported that both the requests for casino licenses of Universal Entertainment and the consortium of Caesars Entertainment Corp and Lippo Limited were rejected. No reason was given for the decision. Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a unit of Okada-led Universal, has been granted a right to operate a $2-billion integrated casino-entertainment resort — and is being investigated for alleged illegal payments to officials — in Manila. The Philippines, just like South Korea, is vying to be one of the stops for Asian VIP gamblers and high-end tourists through its Pagcor Entertainment City in a sprawling property in Pasay City.


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The Ayala group is also getting into the healthcare business, an industry where Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC) already rules. The two conglomerates have something in common: hospitals complement their current business portfolio. Ayala Land is looking at hospitals to add to its holistic offerings in mixed-use development projects, which traditionally offer residential condominiums, parks, and commercial and office establishments. The Manuel V. Pangilinan-led MPIC conglomerate, on the other hand, is into the hospital business as part of efforts to cater to everything the Filipino needs. The group already has power, water and toll roads among its business units. MPIC has the largest chain of private hospitals in the country, with over 2,000 beds total capacity.


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Phone numbers and email addresses belonging to some 6 million Facebook users have been improperly shared due to a software bug, the social network admitted. No financial or other information was revealed to others, and there was “no evidence that this bug has been exploited maliciously,” Facebook said in a security note, adding it was “upset and embarrassed” by the glitch. Affected users were being notified by email, it said, while stressing that the practical impact was likely to be “minimal,” partly because improper data sharing would only have occurred between users who already had some connection.


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Expect to see more TV personalities and celebrities in politics this year. Rappler estimates that a total of 51 celebrity candidates – including actors, singers, sports and news personalities – won various elective positions in the 2013 midterm elections in May. That’s more than the 49 celebrity candidates, based on Rappler estimates, who won in the 2010 elections. A total 84 celebrities and TV personalities joined the 2013 polls.


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