KAKAMMPI News

The ongoing violence involving Gaza and Israel, with its toll on human life and civilian casualties is a source of great concern to the Socialist International. The Israeli government and Hamas must both recognise their share of responsibility in this new round of violence which is not only causing further suffering, but is gravely endangering the precarious situation in the region and does not serve the interests of either. In these difficult times, the Socialist International expresses its solidarity with the civilians in Gaza who are bearing the brunt of these hostilities and with the Israeli citizens who are suffering under threat from rocket attacks. Both Israel and Palestine have a right to a secure state and to live in peace within recognised and mutually accepted borders. These are the fundamentals for achieving peace. There is no other way forward for Israelis and Palestinians, and the events of recent days make peace ever more difficult and more distant. That is why the Ham...

ABS-CBNnews.com No financial benefits for relatives MANILA, Philippines -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has promised to help bring home the body of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was killed in a freak accident in Seoul, South Korea. Sonny Mansalapus, 44, was killed when the elevator he was on suddenly fell when its cable snapped on November 12. He was an employee for a thread and fabric company based in Seoul. He is the fourth among 10 siblings, and is the family’s breadwinner. In an interview with radio dzMM on Friday, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said they will help in bringing the remains of Mansalapus to Manila. She said they will then bring his body to his relatives in Pola, Oriental Mindoro. "Kung i-uwi na 'yung remains, we will assist hanggang makarating sa kanyang probinsya. 'Di po natin pababayaan 'yun," she said. However, Dimzon said that no financial benefits will be given to the relatives of the OFW, w...

ABS-CBNnews.com MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos in Gaza in Israel remain safe amid the ongoing conflict in the area, a Philippine envoy said, noting plans to evacuate are still on the table. "The Filipinos, as of yesterday, are safe. No one has been hurt," Generoso Calonge, Ambassador to Israel, told ANC's “Dateline Philippines” on Saturday. Calonge said his office in Tel Aviv is still assessing if evacuation plans should be pursued as Egypt is helping calm the situation between Israel and Gaza. "I understand the [Foreign Affairs] department is exploring the possibility of having an evacuation plan via the border in Egypt ... but as of today, there is an effort to have a truce between the two sides to be brokered by Egypt," Calonge said. "We are awaiting progress in that attempt of Egypt," he continued. There are about 120 Filipinos living in Gaza, Calonge said, noting most them are spouses of residents in the Israeli city.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Israel said Filipinos living there are safe despite the ongoing Gaza conflict. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Calonge said the Filipinos in the area are all in touch with the Embassy as the authorities continuously monitor the tension. Calonge issued this statement following another rocket attack that was launched by Hamas to Tel Aviv. Calonge said the Philippine Embassy will continue to look after the situation of Filipinos affected by the conflict. Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told radio dzRB on Sunday that the Philippine Embassy has prepared contingency plans for the 100 OFWs there in case the tension escalates. “Binabatanyan ng Embahada kung ano ang kundisyon nila at handa sila sa kung ano mang contingency plan. Awa ng Diyos, wala pang nakukuhang report na may nasaktang Pinoy,” she said.  - With reports from ABS-CBN News

ABS-CBNnews.com MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Washington has confirmed reports that the body recovered on Saturday evening (Sunday morning in Manila) near the oil rig that was hit by fire off the coast of Louisiana belongs to one of two Filipino workers missing. "We regret to announce that the body that was recovered near the accident scene a few hours ago belongs to one of our two missing kababayans," Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. said in a statement. Cuisia said the body of the Filipino was identified by Grand Isle Shipyard Inc., the employer of the victim, shortly after the body was brought to shore. The Philippine Embassy, however, did not reveal the name of the victim. The victim was identified after the US Coast Guard informed the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago that the divers hired by the owner of the oil platform recovered a body in the waters near the site a few hours after the search for the missing workers was  called off . Ex...

BY MICHAELA DEL CALLAR   On the eve of one of the tightest races for the presidency of the United States, the Philippine embassy in Washington on Tuesday called on qualified Filipino-Americans to go out and exercise their right to vote.   The US is host to the largest concentration of Filipinos outside the Philippines and Filipinos are the second largest ethnic group in America.   “Let us use these numbers and play a bigger role in shaping the political, economic and social discourse in this country,” said Ambassador Jose Cuisia, Jr. said in a statement from Washington.   Cuisia made the statement hours before Americans begin trooping to polling precincts nationwide to decide whether to keep incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama in the White House or to have him replaced by his Republican challenger, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.   Echoing Malacañang’s statement, Cuisia said the Philippines will work with whoever wins the election...

Despite the ongoing fighting in Israel, Filipinos there continue to take everything "in stride," the Philippine ambassador there said Monday.   Ambassador Generoso Calonge said that as of early Monday (in Manila), no Filipino has been reported killed or injured in the fighting.   "They are taking things in stride. Sa Gaza tinawagan namin sila sa hapon, okay sila so far," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.   So far, he said Israel's "Iron Dome" anti-missile defense has been effective., though roads leading to Gaza have been closed.   On the other hand, Calonge said daily life in Tel-Aviv goes on as usual, as if nothing happened.   "Pumunta ako sa palengke, maraming tao. Kung mas kaunti dahil sa ambon, palamig dito. Ang level of activity walang pagbabago halos sa Tel-Aviv," he said.   On Sunday, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras also said Filipinos in Israel have preferred to stay for now, amid government p...

The Philippines made another push for migrant workers' rights this month by urging fellow United Nations member states to ratify UN conventions on human trafficking, also called "modern-day slavery."   Philippine representatives made their latest pitch at the 14th session of the Human Rights Council's Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva Oct. 22 to Nov. 5.   At the session, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Evan Garcia stressed that while the Philippines continues to fight human trafficking on the domestic front, "it will continue to seek transnational cooperation to protect the rights of migrants and trafficking victims," the  Department of Foreign Affairs  (DFA) said.   During the UPR Session, the Philippines also encouraged States under review to consider ratifying the following:   Palermo Protocol on trafficking against persons International Convention on the Protection of the...

Hiniling sa pamahalaan ng isang retiradong Arsobispo ng Simbahang Katolika na magsagawa ng patas na imbestigasyon kaugnay sa reklamong pang-aabuso na isinampa ng isang kasambahay laban kay Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera. Ang panawagan ay ginawa ni Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emertitus Oscar Cruz, kasabay ng kanyang pagpuna sa mabagal na pag-usad ng imbestigasyong ng Department of Foreign Affairs laban kay Primavera. Ayon sa isang Pinay overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) na nagsilbing kasambahay ni Primavera, hinawakan siya sa maselang bahagi ng katawan at hinalikan umano ng embahador sa magkakahiwalay na insidente. Sa mga naunang panayam, mariing pinabulaanan ni Primavera ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya. Inaasahang darating sa bansa ang embahador sa Miyerkules matapos ipatawag ng DFA. Gayunpaman, hindi pa pormal na nasisimulan ng DFA ang imbestigasyon kay Primavera dahil hinihintay pa ang pahintulot ni Pangulong Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III, dahil isang poli...

Hanjin Village Groundbreaking by Elaine G. Pecson,    Dinalupihan Branch “There’s no place like home.” Thus, says Jin Kyu Ahn, Philippine president of Korean shipbuilder giant Hanjin Heavy Industries &Construction (HHIC), in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of Hanjin Village held in late July 2012.           The project will be developed in Barangay Nagbunga in Castillejos, Zambales on an almost 29-hectare property provided at no cost by Hanjin, and which will give rise to affordable and quality housing for its workers. “This is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to build a community that will promote the welfare of the efficient shipyard employees and their families in partnership with Fiesta Communities, Inc. (FCI) headed by its president, Wilfredo Tan,” Ahn added. The Hanjin official also acknowledged Pag-IBIG Fund for supporting the dream of Hanjin employees of owning propert...

ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NEWS   Three Filipina former maids of embattled Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera claimed that although they did not witness the alleged molestation of their fellow Filipina maid “Mabel,” they said it was possible.  The three maids told a DFA fact-finding team that they noticed that Mabel seemed to be the favorite of Primavera, who arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday. The Ambassador has repeatedly denied the claims. In a written testimony provided to GMA News by her lawyer, Mabel said she was molested by Primavera thrice:  (1) Third week of February 2012  (2) Second week of March 2012, and  (3) Second week of April 2012. In an interview of GMA News host Arnold Clavio for the “Unang Hirit” program, one maid alleged that Primavera asked Mabel if she already had a boyfriend. Another maid alleged that Primavera sometimes looks at Mabel with "malicious intent."  Primavera, however, denied ccusations that he molested M...

ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 11/12/2012 6:09 PM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 12:21 PM MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment says foreign recruitment agencies based in Dubai have pledged to implement the Philippines' household reform package that grants more protection to Filipino maids. This reform includes paying Filipino maids a minimum of $400 a month or at least P16,000. Dubai's move follows Saudi's which earlier yielded to the Philippine government's demand to grant those reforms. -  ANC

by Jorge Cariño, ABS-CBN News MANILA, Philippines - Vice-President Jejomar Binay on Monday said he was shocked at a report allegedly undermining the efforts of Philippine government against human trafficking. "Alam niyo, isa ako sa nagulat sa report na iyon. At kung sino man ang gumawa ng report na iyon eh, alam ninyo ang lumabas sa diyaryo. Hindi iyung mga magagandang nangyari," said Binay. He said that contrary to the report, the Aquino administration is gaining headway against human trafficking, He cited comparative results of convictions of 8 within 2 years, against 2 cases of conviction under the previous administration. "We are already being considered as a model sa tamang paglaban dito sa problema ng human trafficking. May pagkukulang pa pero hindi naman ganoon kasama," said Binay.

By Dharel Placido, ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 11/13/2012 7:34 AM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 11:24 AM MANILA, Philippines – The body of a Syrian national was mistaken for that of Florentino Santiago, the lone overseas Filipino worker reported to have been killed in the gas tanker explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last November 1, an official said on Tuesday. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Raul Hernandez said Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin Tago was informed by Riyadh officials that Santiago's brother-in-law and fellow OFW identified the wrong body. "Ang Saudi government ay gumawa ng DNA testing and matching, at nalaman na 'yung na-identify pala na cadaver o yung remains ay 'di pala ang remains ni Florentino Santiago pero remains ng isang Syrian national," Hernandez told dzMM. Santiago was supposed to be one of the 22 fatalities in the Riyadh blast which occurred after a tanker hit a bridge in eastern Riyadh, causing...

By Sheila Crisostomo, The Philippine Star Posted at 11/13/2012 7:35 AM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 10:59 AM MANILA, Philippines - Despite the existing deployment ban, the Iraqi government wants to hire Filipino doctors and nurses. Health Secretary Enrique Ona said yesterday that Iraqi Ambassador Wadee Al-Batti had paid him a visit, asking permission to hire some 1,000 to 2,000 Filipino nurses and doctors. “The opportunity of our health workers to go abroad is really big because the worldwide demand is tremendous,“ Ona said. He said Al-Batti expressed the intention of the Iraqi government to get the services of these health professionals. “They want as many nurses as we can give them. But the problem is the hostile situation there. There is a ban there and the only thing we want also to be sure of is the safety of workers. We want to make sure that they are safe,” he said. Except for the Kurdistan region, a deployment ban is in effect in Iraq. The ban was imposed fo...

by Rodney Jaleco, ABS-CBN North America Bureau Posted at 11/13/2012 11:42 AM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 11:58 AM WASHINGTON D.C. - About 300 Filipino peacekeepers could be caught in the crossfire if tensions between Israel and Syria escalate in the Golan Heights. The Filipino troops are part of the 5-nation United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, a mountainous region that Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 1973, Israel agreed to return part of the territory to Syria which now forms the demilitarized zone that is controlled by the UN. Israel has built settlements in the area where, according to reports, stray mortar shells have landed the past days. After initially responding with warning shots, Israel struck Syrian military targets on Nov. 12. Israeli tanks stand in position overlooking a Syrian village from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights November 12, 2012. / REUTERS A civil war is tearing Syria apart...

ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 11/13/2012 12:53 PM | Updated as of 11/13/2012 12:53 PM MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said foreign recruitment agencies based in Dubai have pledged to implement the Philippines' household reform package that grants more protection to Filipino maids. “I am happy to note that the new SEC (Standard Employment Contract) for HSWs (Household Service Workers) to be deployed to Saudi Arabia has motivated other Middle East countries to follow suit and also formulate their own modes of giving our HSWs the kind of protection they truly deserve," said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. The reform package includes paying Filipino maids a minimum of $400 a month or at least P16,000 and non-charging of excessive fees.. Dubai's move follows Saudi Arabia's which earlier yielded to the Philippine government's demand to grant those reforms. Meanwhile, Labor Attache Delmer Cruz added that the ...

ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NEWS   A Filipino died after he was allegedly beaten up by three fellow Filipinos in Milan, Italy last weekend. Anthony Edison Topacio, 34, was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, radio dzBB reported on Thursday. A report of GMA Network's “24 Oras” showed Topacio laying motionless on a street while a man seemed to be pinning him down. Another scene showed the same man along with another person kicking Topacio in the head while he was sprawled on the ground. The report said three persons ganged up on Topacio despite bystanders' attempts to stop them. Topacio was rushed to the Fatebenefratelli hospital but doctors failed to save him,  a report of the news site “ AkoayPilipino ” said. Italian authorities have taken custody of the three suspects, the report said. The report added that a councilor of the Comune di Milano, Marzio Ferrario, recorded a video of the fight, which he also attempted to stop. Meanwhile, a video hosting ...

ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NEWS   The Overseas Worker’s Welfare Administration (OWWA) has assisted the families of 14 Filipinos who were injured in the Riyadh tanker explosion that killed at least 23 persons — including Filipino Florentino Santiago — and injured 135 others on October 31.   In a report of Jam Sistante on GMA Network's "24 Oras" newscast on Thursday, OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said the assistance extended to the families included one-on-one counseling and stress debriefing sessions.   “Kung ano yung kailangan nila na tulong, makikinig kami,” Dimzon said.   One of those injured in the incident is Ruben Kebeng, the Filipino truck driver of the tanker that exploded. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said Kebeng  is currently being held by Saudi authorities.    "He is still under investigation. Wala pang katiyakan, he is just a mere suspect. We are preparing to provide legal...

Carpe diem ! Seize the day!             A little over three months ago, Speaker Belmonte uttered these words to summon his colleagues in the House of Representatives to work harder and faster on bills pending in the chamber, not least of them the FOI (Freedom of Information) bill. This clarion call may well be addressed not only to the House, but to the Senate, the Executive, and the public as well.             Starting Nov. 5, the FOI bill enters a most critical stage. There would only be 35 working days left before Congress again adjourns on December 21. Session will resume for only 15 working days next year from January 21 to February 8, after which legislative work virtually grinds to a halt to give way to the campaign for the May 13, 2013 elections.             While time is running out...