Government Archives - Page 6 of 10 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Jan112011 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero seeks relief of Cotabato police, army leadership

Cotabato, Government, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics

The rising number of abductions in Cotabato City over the past months has prompted Senator Chiz Escudero to call for the relief of the local police and armed forces chiefs in the area, saying they failed in their duties to secure and protect the people from criminals like the kidnap-for-ransom gangs. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, condemned the latest abduction in the city involving Chinese businessman Eulogio Lim Yu last Saturday. This came a month after a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped but rescued in Pigcawayan, a town adjacent to the city. The girl’s father, trader Allan Tamayo, was killed when he tried to stop the abductors. Before this, Chinese businesswoman Conchita Tan was also snatched in Cotabato City, and her driver and bod...

Jan32011 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

DTI has new business name registration fees

Announcements, Business, Consumer, Government, Mindanaoan Update

Are you thinking of going into business this year? Do you already have a great business name in mind? Here's good news! The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has now made it easier for all of us Mindanaoans to engage in business. Now you can register your business name online (more on this after the jump!). However, DTI now has revised rates for business name applications. Under Department Administrative Order No. 10-10 series of 2010, the Department of Trade and Industry will implement the revised rates for all Business Name (BN) applications effective today, January 3 (Monday). DTI will implement what they call a "territorial scheme" based on geographical divisions. Check out the corresponding payments below: (more…)

Dec162010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Mindanao congressmen who have perfect attendance

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Government, Mindanaoan Update, North Cotabato, Personalities, Politics, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City

I must say, I'm so relieved that I found several Mindanawon congressmen in the list of representatives who have perfect attendance in the first 45 days of session. These congressmen from Mindanao sure exemplified a good sense of public service. Hats off to all you, sirs! Here are the various Mindanao congressmen who have perfect attendance in Congress (at least within the first 45 days of session): Pedro Acharon Jr. (South Cotabato) Erico Basilio Fabian (Zamboanga City) Nur Jaafar (Tawi-Tawi) Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) Jesus Sacdalan (North Cotabato) Raden Sakaluran (Sultan Kudarat) Jose Ma. Zubiri III (Bukidnon) These Mindanawan congressmen, along with 36 others, received a Parker ballpen as a token. Their names were also reportedly announced in the chamber. ...

Dec142010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full text: Supreme Court decision on Hubert Webb case – Vizconde Massacre

Announcements, Blogging, Commentary, Controversial, Crime, Education, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion, Personal, Personalities, Politics

If you've been following me on Twitter today, you must have noticed some of my tweets about the acquittal of Hubert Webb et al. You may have also noticed that I tweeted about the dismissal of the case filed by actress Katrina Halili against Hayden Kho. I also mentioned that today, December 14, 2010, marks the 6th death anniversary of the King of Philippine movies - Fernando Poe, Jr. And, last but definitely not the least, ousted Philippine Football Federation President Jose Mari Martinez says he wants a revamp in the Philippine team #Azkals. Yes, today was a very heavy, full and controversial day in Philippine history. Tough week for the Philippine police and army, too. If you recall, the President himself ordered that the cases against the members of Morong 43 be dropped. Is it Acquitta...

Dec52010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Davao City’s musical fountain worth P18M is 1st in Mindanao

Announcements, Arts, Davao City, Features, Government, Leisure, Mindanaoan Update, Tourism

As you guys may or may not know, the local government unit of my hometown Davao City, Mindanao has banned the use and sale of fireworks for years now. So yes, it's been a series of pretty "quiet" Christmases and New Year's Eves in Davao for several years now. Quiet but safe. Now, because fireworks aren't permitted, the Davao City government, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, has come up with the next best thing - an P18 Million dancing, musical fountain! The grand musical fountain, which can be found at the Davao City People's Park (former PTA Grounds, along Camus Street), is said to be the first in Mindanao. The musical fountain in People's Park Davao is also a part of the yearly Pasko Fiesta, which the Davao government holds to usher in the holidays. I don't have a photo of the grand m...

Nov302010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Aquil Tamano joins the Games and Amusements Board

ARMM, Blogging, Features, Government, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, Personalities, Politics, Society, Sports

If you're a regular reader of my humble blog, you'd know that I consider Atty. Aquil Tamano a dear friend. I met him during the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, which was held in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao in 2009. His brother, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) President and former senatorial candidate Atty. Adel Tamano, accepted my invitation to grace the said event and deliver a special message. That fateful day was the beginning of what I can proudly call a good friendship. I also later on met Sir Aquil's wife, Inee, who's as equally as nice as he is. She's pregnant, by the way, and their precious one is due on February 2011! :D Anyways, fast forward to November 2010, great opportunities went Sir Aquil's way. First, I heard that he became the lawyer of some GMA 7 artists in...

Nov272010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Full text – Sen. Ping Lacson’s siblings speak out

Announcements, Blogging, Controversial, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

From my mailbox --- received this press release from the Office of Senator Ping Lacson. It's the full text of Senator Panfilo Lacson's sibling's statement "In Defense of Our Family’s Honor." I am printing this verbatim: In every Filipino family, two things are most treasured: honor and home. Our brother, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is accused of masterminding the murder of Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver. The principal evidence against him that the previous administration’s DOJ investigating panel and the court considered “probable cause” was an affidavit by a lone witness, Cesar Mancao. In that affidavit, Mancao narrated a supposed conversation inside a car between Ping and Michael Ray Aquino wherein Ping allegedly ordered Aquino to have Dacer murdered. He claimed to have ov...

Nov202010 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Mindanaoan senator Guingona et al take first step to budget reform

Advocacy, Announcements, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News

Senator Teofisto ‘TG" Guingona III, a fellow Mindanaoan, has taken his crusade for a transparent, accountable and participatory budget process a step further. The solon led the signing of the Open Budget Partnership Agreement during a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program attended by members and leaders of civil society organizations in Ortigas, Pasig City today. “Today, we are witness to a historic event, when the government and the civil society join hands in safeguarding one of the most important processes in good governance – that is, making sure that the budget process will be truly crafted in the true essence of democracy, one that will benefit the people whose taxes make this country run,” stated Guingona. The Open Budget Partnership is a collaborative initiative amon...

Nov182010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Got an invite to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program

Advocacy, Bukidnon, Controversial, Events, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Personalities, Politics

I must say that it was a surprise - a nice one at that, I suppose - to receive an invitation to attend a forum on the 2011 National Expenditure Program. I received the invite from Mindanaoan Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III's office. Guingona is the convenor of the Open Budget Partnership (OBP). As to what the Open Budget Partnership is, I seriously don't have any idea so don't ask. However, I'm hoping I will understand it better on Saturday, the day of the forum. The event will be held in Manila, by the way. Let me just say, before anything else, that I'm grateful for the invitation. This is a good step forward especially for the government to bring in not only members of the traditional media but those involved in the new media as well. Although I do have plans of writing news artic...

Nov82010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Senator Kiko Pangilinan congratulates www.Mindanaoan.com!

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Crime, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I must admit that even a few days after my humble Mindanaoan.com blog won as Best Lifestyle Blog for Mindanao in the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, I still am on cloud 9. While a lot of people have already congratulated me (and I still continue to receive several congratulatory messages until now) and even my ever-supportive Mama has already made plans to have a special tarp printed and displayed (yikes! :D), nothing prepared me for an absolutely wonderful surprise I got yesterday. November 6, 2010, the very day of a blogging 101 workshop that I organized, was made extra special when someone sent in this video message that did not only make my cheeks burn but make my heart melt as well :) No less than Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan congratulated me! Yes, THE Senator Kiko Pangili...

Oct312010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan.com wins! Best Lifestyle Blog – Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shopping, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Woke up to sweet and absolutely wonderful piece of news today! This humble blog - www.Mindanaoan.com - won as Best Lifestyle Blog in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2010 - Mindanao Division! Yebah! Woot woot! :D My warmest, sincerest gratitude to the organizers and sponsors of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010! Thank you for the recognition and may you continue to uplift the blogging community! And of course, my deepest gratitude to all of my readers and followers! Like I previously mentioned, just the thought of you guys sparing a few minutes of your time each day just to come and visit my little online home brings me so much joy and inspiration. I am humbled. Daghang salamat! And to the readers and followers of my two other blogs that were also finalists of the PB...

Oct252010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Did you vote today?

Advocacy, Blogging, Commentary, Events, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics

I did. Together with my family, this blogger from Mindanao exercised her right to suffrage today, October 25, 2010 - the day of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. Armed with my Panasonic Lumix digital camera, my Flip Mino HD, my Nikon D40, ballpen, voter's ID and ever trusty Blackberry, I went to my polling precinct at around 9:30 a.m. I looked like I was ready for war. As usual, I spotted several odd things during my trip to my polling precinct: 1. There were only a handful of voters. Ergo, low voter turnout. 2. I spotted several candidates only a few meters away from the polling centers. According to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), this should not be. Candidates must be at least 100 meters away from polling centers. 3. I didn't spot any policemen or ...

Oct192010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sen. Chiz Escudero wants to put ceiling on credit card interest rates

Consumer, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Usurious interest rates slapped by credit card companies should be regulated to protect consumers from unconscionable hidden charges, Senator Chiz Escudero said. In Senate Bill No. 166 (SBN 166), Escudero seeks to put a ceiling on interest rates and surcharges imposed by credit card companies and prohibit hidden charges that further burden plastic card holders. “While credit cards are deemed as relief for consumers during bad times, woes begin when card companies levy interests and charges which are usually unknown to the users that eventually saddle them with more debts. We want to put a stop to the hidden charges which catch consumers unaware,” Escudero explained. SBN 166 puts a cap of 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum on the interest rates that credit card companies c...

Oct72010 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Pres. Noynoy Aquino first 100 days report speech – full text Noynoy 100 days report

Announcements, Blogging, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

Full text of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III 's message on the first 100 days of his administration. President Noynoy Aquino delivered his First 100 Days Report earlier today, October 7, 2010 at La Consolacion College, Manila. Read below: Message of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines On The First Hundred Days of his Administration [October 7, 2010, La Consolacion College, Manila] Isandaang araw po ang nakalipas, nagpanata ako sa taumbayan: Hindi ko tatalikuran ang tiwalang kaloob ninyo sa akin. Ang nakalipas na isandaang araw ang magsisilbing tanda ng ating paninindigan. Malalim at malawak po ang mga problemang minana natin. Nag-ugat ito sa isang gobyernong parang tatlong matsing na nagbingi-bingihan, nagbulag-bulagan, at gumawa ng sariling ...

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Certificates of candidacy for SK Chairman and Kagawad

Advocacy, Announcements, Events, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Thanks to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, this blogger from Mindanao got a hold of the official certificates of candidacy for those interested to run for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman or SK Kagawad. Please feel free to direct anyone you know who may be interested to run this coming SK Elections to this page. The certificate of candidacy for SK Kagawad can be found after the jump... (more…)

Sep272010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Photos taken at the Senate: the day of Sen. Miriam Santiago’s jueteng expose

Controversial, Events, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Photos

Apart from attending the 17th National Public Relations Congress, another thing I did during my recent trip to Manila was visit the Senate of the Philippines. It was supposed to be a quick visit but it turned into an almost 3-hour stay. The reason: Senator Miriam Santiago's jueteng expose. The feisty Ilonggo senator, in her privilege speech, accused several persons including Chavit Singson, Bong Pineda (a known friend of former President Gloria Arroyo), Atong Ang (a known ally of former President Erap Estrada), Tony Santos and Danny Soriano as alleged jueteng lords and even went on to say that the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government are in cahoots. Leave it to Sen. Miriam Santiago to shock and awe everyone. Well, this blogger from Mindanao t...

Sep262010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Inverted Philippine flag snafu at ASEAN-US meeting

BIMP-EAGA, Broadcasting, Business, Commentary, Controversial, Government, Musings, News, Opinion, Personal, Politics, Weird

It was an honest mistake, according to Rebecca Thompson of the US Embassy. Still, the damage has been done. Now what I'm just hoping for is that the person/s responsible for this fiasco be dealt with accordingly. You see, during the recently concluded 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders' Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, USA, the Philippine flag was surprisingly inverted (!). Instead of the blue band atop the red band, the red band can be seen as the one atop the blue one --- and we all know what this means --- it suggests that we're "AT WAR." "This was an honest mistake. The U.S. treasures its close relationship and close partnership with the Philippines which were demonstrated tis past week during President Aquino's trip to the U.S., with the signing of the ...

Jul302010 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

4 very simple changes I want to see in government under PNoy’s leadership

Commentary, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Opinion

1. That government employees and officials punch their own bundy cards and that appropriate punishment be given to those who ask someone else to punch their bundy cards in their behalf. Let this be most applicable to regular government employees who have the gall to bully job order/contractual employees to doing what their apparently lazy asses don't want or can't do. I have personally seen government employees who think that just because they have tenure, they have the option to come to work after 8 in the morning. However, they don't want their salaries deducted so they bully job order employees and demand that these poor contractual workers punch their cards in. 2. That government employees and officials do not leave their offices/desks for reasons other than work-related. Exactly...

Jul262010 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Full text of President Noynoy Aquino SONA 2010 | State of the Nation Address 2010 Benigno Aquino full text

Announcements, Features, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News

Here's the full text of the SONA 2010 speech of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, which he delivered today, July 26, 2010 at the Batasang Pambansa (House of Representatives). President Noynoy Aquino cited several alleged anomalies involving the previous administration and the Aquino administration's plans and projects. President Aquino SONA 2010 full text also cited the Mindanao peace process and sent out a challenge to the CPP NPA NDF. Read the Noynoy Aquino SONA 2010 full text below: (thank you to Manolo Quezon III) State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines Session Hall of the House of Representatives July 26, 2010 [Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City] Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate...

Jul252010 by Mindanaoan Irene4 Comments

How to renew your DTI permit | Tips for an entrepreneur in Mindanao

Advocacy, Business, Corporate, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Personal

Apart from renewing my Philippine passport and applying for a new e-passport, another thing that I did this week was renew my Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) permit. I've had mine for 5 years (how fast time flies, eh?) and it's now time for me to renew it and ensure that the name of my business as well as my services are duly registered and legally recognized by the DTI. Actually, a lot of newbie or aspiring entrepreneurs I know are hesitant to get a DTI permit for fear that it'll be too time consuming or that there will be a lot of requirements. Based on what I know about getting a DTI permit and based on my own experience, it's absolutely easy to apply for one. In fact, there's now a DTI resolution that makes DTI permit applications and renewals easier for Pinoy businessmen....

Jul182010 by Mindanaoan Irene20 Comments

How to renew your Philippine passport | How to get a Philippine e-passport

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Personal

I just applied for the renewal of my Philippine passport. I used to have the regular green passport but since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has now required that all new Philippine passports and renewed ones must be e-passports, I applied for a Philippine e-passport. Before the e-passport, the DFA issued machine readable passports. That's now kaput. The e-passport accordingly is a lot more secure since it contains this special chip of sorts. The Philippine e-passport is also known as the biometric passport since you no longer need a passport photo along with your passport renewal application form. Your photo, thumbprints and digital signatures will be taken during your passport renewal appointment. See more below the steps on how to renew your Philippine passport and how to...

Jul142010 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

From Mindanao media to PNoy’s communications group – an appeal

Advocacy, Blogging, Broadcasting, Commentary, Government, Headline, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

So it's somehow final now. The Office of the Press Secretary is no longer. New Philippine President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III or PNoy will reorganize it and will rename it to the Presidential Communications Office. The latest buzz is that ANC broadcaster Ricky Carandang and "The Explainer" Manolo Quezon III will join the communications team and will play vital roles. I am, quite frankly, happy to know that Carandang and Quezon will be part of the team. For sure, these brilliant minds will bring with them their years of experience and they will definitely be fab assets to the Aquino administration. No doubt about that. My concern, therefore, is more about the treatment towards Mindanao journalists now that Aquino has made it clear that the public is his "BOSS" and now that he has tw...