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ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006
THE ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10-member nations of ASEAN – Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
It never left
GMA rejects FVR’s call for her to step down as president by June, 2007.
Irresistible ‘Bushisms’
WHAT President George Bush does in America is none of our business but what he does to the English language is. In the first place, as the leader of the world’s most powerful country, his words, not to mention his deeds, resonate (not "resignate" as he said in one speech) throughout the world.
Compromise agreement
A COMPROMISE agreement approved by the Sandiganbayan and by former President Fidel V. Ramos and eventually upheld by the Supreme Court was lauded and hailed by various sectors as one that is singularly protective of the interest of the government.
Moving forward as a community
(Speech delivered at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC)-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Night, January 10, 2006.)
Schwarzenegger faces budget fight
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — At the start of his budget presentation Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger discussed his weekend motorcycle accident and chose an apt metaphor for how he hopes to steer his electionyear spending plan through the Legislature.
An upbeat start for the economy
THE usual greetings for a "Prosperous New Year" have been amply fulfilled from day one as the Philippine economy started 2006 with the cheeriest of economic news. The Philippine peso strengthened to below R53 to a US dollar, besting all currencies in Asia by appreciating 6.1 percent year-on-year. The volatility rate of 1.4 percent is also the lowest in the region. Dealers attributed the peso’s strength to the perceived success of the government’s fiscal reform agenda which was significantly anchored on the implementation of the Expanded Value-Added Tax (EVAT) of 10 percent and the strong political will of the Administration to increase the rate to 12 percent by February 1, 2006. This will help raise an extra R80 billion in 2006, causing the fiscal deficit to fall to R125 billion in 2006 from R165 billion in 2005.
Migrant youth
MOST of this article is a take off from the paper of Dr. Tina Llamson on Filipino Youth in Rome Today at the Philippine Migration Research Network. She asks how "the issues and problems confronting the migrant youth currently can be better understood, analyzed, and ways can be found to more systematically and strategically respond to the problems and needs by the various stakeholders."
The healing of a paralytic
WHEN Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Child, your sins are forgiven.’’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?’’ Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, "Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth’’ – He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’’ He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this.’’
New impeach complaint
THERE is no reason for President Arroyo to agree to anyone’s proposal that she shorten her term to June next year allegedly to allow for a shift from the presidential to the parliamentary system. Up to this time, some quarters are still claiming that Gloria was not legitimately sworn to assume the presidency and take over from former President Estrada whom they claim had been illegally ousted from office all of which was allegedly in violation of the Constitution. What’s worse is that, after the outbreak of the "Garci tape" controversy, the same and other quarters have been charging her with cheating in the 2004 presidential election to win over the late FPJ. From this perspective, she would not let it be said that shortening her term would be taken as compromise for her to unduly step down.
Waiting for a golden parachute
"There is a time for preaching and praying, but there is also a time for battle, and such a time has now arrived."
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