KAKAMMPI News

WASHINGTON, United States - US visa processing has returned to full strength after hardware problems, the State Department said Monday, noting that 410,000 visas were issued in a week as officials scrambled to clear a huge backlog. Deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the State Department does "regret the inconvenience to travelers who are waiting for visas as well as their families and US businesses that have been affected by this problem." He complimented the Consular Affairs Bureau's "exemplary work" in addressing the computer problems and whittling down the visa backlog. A team of about 100 computer experts had been working to resolve the hardware failure, which emerged at a State Department facility in the United States on June 9. The hardware failure had been preventing processing and transmitting the mandatory security-related biometric data checks. About 50,000 applications for visas are received daily by US embassies and consulates around the...

Filipinos in Hong Kong who want to take the licensure examinations for teachers will get their chance on September 27,   the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong said . But the consulate general said the venue is not yet determnied at this time, and will be announced later. It advised applicants to register online with the   Professional Regulation Commission . Applicants may submit the following to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at Room 1101, 11th floor, Admiralty Centre, Tower 1 at 18 Harcourt Road: - photocopy of transcript of records - photocopy of valid passport - four passport-size photos with complete name tag in white background Deadline of submission of applications is Aug. 7. Applicants were advised to bring the original copies of the documents fo r counter-checking.  — Joel Locsin /KBK, GMA News

The State Pardons Board in Selangor, Malaysia has commuted the death penalty imposed on a Filipina to life imprisonment, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said Tuesday. A statement from the embassy said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj, chairman of the State of Selangor Pardons Board, revised the sentence meted on Jacqueline Quiamno on June 15, following a request for clemency from the Philippine Embassy and her family.     Malaysian authorities arrested Quiamno in June 2005 for attempting to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, on the bidding of an African drug syndicate based in Hong Kong. In November 2010, the Shah Alam High Court found Quiamno guilty of the charge. The Federal Court then affirmed the verdict in July 2013.  The Philippine Embassy said the commutation of Quiamno's sentence should bring relief for three other Filipinos on Malaysian death row — Gerry Saavedra Quijano and couple Timhar...

Social Security System (SSS) formally opened a new branch in Tanay, Rizal on June 10, 2015. Located at Km. 54, Manila East Road, Barangay Tandang Kutyo, Tanay Rizal, SSS-Tanay Branch will serve members from seven municipalities of Rizal namely; Tanay, Morong, Cardona, Teresa, Pililia, Baras and Jala-Jala. Known for its diverse agricultural and farmland businesses, SSS-Tanay will cover 1,679 voluntary members, 763 self-employed professionals, 6,001 employees and 1,175 employers. The branch offers various services such as issuance of SS numbers, employer registration, acceptance of loans and benefit applications and UMID Data Capture. Photo shows SSS President & Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros Jr., and Tanay Mayor Rafael A. Tanjuatco during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Behind them are (L-R) SSS- Tanay Branch Head Amalia M. Catral, AVP for NCR-East/ West Division Nelson P. Ibarra, VP for General Services Division Nestor R. Sacayan, SVP for NCR-Operations ...

The Social Security System (SSS) clarified that it has no plan to increase the current contribution rate in the immediate future, contrary to recent reports. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. De Quiros, Jr. said that currently circulating stories of a planned increase could have stemmed from the results of an SSS study, which looked into the impact of a P2,000 across-the-board pension increase as provided in House Bill 5842. The SSS study revealed that adding P2,000 to existing pension payments would require corresponding adjustments in the contribution rate or a government subsidy, otherwise it will shorten the SSS’ fund life by 13 years or until 2029. The SSS' fund life today is projected to last for 27 years or until 2042. “Although a contribution hike is much needed to improve the actuarial soundness of SSS funds, we would like to assure the public, especially our members that we are not seeking for another increase in their contributions at this tim...

The Social Security System (SSS) will require structural reforms such as a contribution rate hike or an increase in the statutory cap for SSS contributions to improve its Fund life. Based on latest actuarial valuation, SSS funds regained a life of four years from the previous valuation of 2039 as a result of the increase in contribution rate and monthly salary credit ceiling that took effect in January 2014. Shortly after the new contribution rate was adopted, SSS pensions were raised by five percent in June that same year causing a one year decrease in the Fund life, which is now projected to last until 2042. “What has to be done immediately are structural reforms. Our investments have been performing remarkably well despite the low interest rate environment, but we can only invest and earn so much. If the contribution rate remains unchanged while benefit payments continue to swell, the SSS’ reserve fund will be exhausted by 2042,” SSS Chief Actuary George Ongkeko, Jr. said....

Nearly 11,000 members of 109 informal sector groups (ISGs) and associations in Western Visayas will now have social security coverage under the Social Security System's (SSS) AlkanSSSya program. SSS Senior Vice President for Visayas and Mindanao Operations Group Eddie A. Jara disclosed that the increasing number of ISGs availing the AlkanSSSya reflects its appeal to the needs of informal sector workers such as affordability and convenience, noting that many among them have busy work schedules and tight budgets. Jara noted that the ISGs enrolled in AlkanSSSya are composed of farmers; fisherfolks; ambulant vendors; tricycle drivers; caddies and umbrella girls; inmates; and members of multi-purpose cooperatives, pumpboat associations, barangay community groups, livelihood associations, and rural women associations. He explained that large metal boxes with secure individual mini-compartments are installed in accessible locations to store daily AlkanSSSya savings of members. T...

Nora while filling up her PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF). “Masaya ako nang malaman ko na lahat ng senior citizen ay awtomatikong miyembro na ng programang PhilHealth,”  says Leonora Hasabulla or Nora, a 68-year-old, Board member of the Senior Citizens Association of Barangay 184 in Caloocan City.  “Malaking tulong ito para sa aming mga senior citizen dahil kami ay masasakitin na.” Through Republic Act 10645 which was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on November 5, 2014, all Filipinos 60 years old and above, regardless of their social or economic status, are now mandatorily covered by PhilHealth. “We are very happy with this law since it will ensure that all senior citizens will be adequately protected,”  PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla said. Immediately, PhilHealth issued the guidelines to operationalize the new development through Circular No. 33, s. 2014 which was published in major newspapers on December 23, 2014. Th...

(Left to right) OFW Reintegration Fund Beneficiary Ms. Nancy R. Santos together with  Raymund Leonor of RWO-NCR holding up a finished product of her  factory, Ms. Nancy checking the work of one of her workers, Ms. Nancy R. Santos   showing another product made by her workers (inset)             OFW Benjamin R. Santos Jr. 38, has been an OFW for 10 years in United Kingdom. Due to his children’s schooling, Benjamin and his wife Nancy decided to expand their        business to help them earn more for their     family needs.             The couple first heard about the OFW  Reintegration Fund Program (ORP) through  Benjamin’s co-workers who tried to avail of the loan. After applying in October 2012, and   submitting all the requirements, the couple  received their loan which amounts to ...

BUTUAN CITY, June 29 – In its endeavor to capacitate its member OFWs with essential skills for livelihood augmentation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office Caraga in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority recently afforded the members of Bayugan City United OFWs and Family Association (BCUOFA) a two day skills training on Virgin Coconut Oil and Coco Products Processing held in Bayugan City.   Coconut Production and Regulation Officer III Ernalyn Colon and Coconut Development Officer Ronald S. Musico of PCA Caraga, facilitated the training to some twenty five (25) participants.   Among the finished products presented during the culmination activity include: Virgin Coconut Oil, Bucarillo, Bukayo, Macaroons, Buko pie and vinegar sauce, which is still on the process phase.   Henry Villamor, President of Bayugan City OFC expressed his gratitude to OWWA for providing them their first organizational devel...

Filipinos in South Korea Reminded vs. MERS-CoV With the recently diagnosed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus in South Korea, POEA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac has reiterated an earlier advisory for all Filipino workers to take the necessary precaution against the spread of MERS-CoV.  According to Administrator Cacdac, OFWs in South Korea should strictly observe the following guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippine Department of Health (DoH) in order to avoid getting infected with this new strain of corona virus: a) Practice proper hand hygiene always, by washing your hands with soap or hand rubs with alcohol before and after eating; before and after handling, cooking and preparing food; after coughing, sneezing and using the toilets; and before and after touching animals. b) Practice proper cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. Use a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing and cov...

WASHINGTON, United States - US visa processing has returned to full strength after hardware problems, the State Department said Monday, noting that 410,000 visas were issued in a week as officials scrambled to clear a huge backlog. Deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the State Department does "regret the inconvenience to travelers who are waiting for visas as well as their families and US businesses that have been affected by this problem." He complimented the Consular Affairs Bureau's "exemplary work" in addressing the computer problems and whittling down the visa backlog. A team of about 100 computer experts had been working to resolve the hardware failure, which emerged at a State Department facility in the United States on June 9. The hardware failure had been preventing processing and transmitting the mandatory security-related biometric data checks. About 50,000 applications for visas are received daily by US embassies and consulates around the world. Toner s...

Filipinos who have overstayed or are considered runaway cases in Bahrain may avail of the general amnesty offered by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) for illegal foreign workers starting July 1, Wednesday.   According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the amnesty period will run for six months until December 31.    The DFA, however, clarified that illegal or undocumented foreign workers in Bahrain who face criminal cases or travel ban cases are not eligible under the program.    Under the Amnesty Program, illegal/undocumented foreign workers in Bahrain may avail of the following options: Leave Bahrain without paying any immigration penalties/fines and with the possibility of return at any time regardless of legal status (no blacklisting); or Legalize their employment status in Bahrain with a new employer without the consent of the previous employer, and subject to certain conditions.   Qualified Filipinos wishing to a...

A Filipina fell to her death from the sixth floor of a building in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, a UAE news site reported. Sharjah police have started an investigation into the death of the woman described as 43 years old, Gulf News reported. Citing initial police information, the report said the woman fell from the balcony of an  apartment on the sixth floor of the building at Al Nabaa  area. The woman was killed on the spot, police said. Her body was taken to the Al Kuwaiti Hospital for autopsy.  —  Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of the US, will stimulate the demand for more nurses and in America that would possibly benefit Filipinos, a Philippine lawmaker said on Saturday. In a statement, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said that the  US Supreme Court's ruling  allowing the government to give tax subsidies for the healthcare of poor and middle-class Americans will create new demands for healthcare services. He said that providing US citizens with greater access to healthcare could also mean new demands for "Filipino nurses, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists, speech pathologists, and other health care workers." “A greater number of Americans will now have access to health care, especially hospitalization... Simply put, the US hospital industry is bound to boom, and so will their demand for foreign staff,” he said. Moreover, he said US health insurance companies may also expand their business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Philippines due t...

As of Saturday morning, the Philippine government has not received reports of any Filipino casualty from terrorist attacks in Kuwait, Tunisia, and France, Malacañang said. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also relayed the Philippines' condolences to the people of the three countries. "So far we have not received any reports of any Filipino casualty in those unfortunate incidents," she said on state-run dzRB radio. The Department of Foreign Affairs went overtime Friday night to check if Filipinos were among the casualties, she said. Meanwhile, Valte relayed the Philippines' condolences to the victims in the countries being hit terror attacks. "Nakikiramay tayo sa ... kaibigang bansa na nawalan ng mamamayan dahil sa pag-atakeng yan," she said. An earlier report on CNN said ISIS had claimed responsibility for the attack on a seaside resort hotel in Tunisia that killed at least 37 people and wounded at least 36 others. Also, ISIS claimed responsibi...

Starting June 29, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid will be issuing machine-readable passports instead of the newer ePassports. In an announcement, the embassy cited "technical difficulty" with passport production in Manila for the development. "The Philippine Embassy in Madrid wishes to inform applicants for Philippine passports that due to technical difficulty with passport production in Manila, Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) will be issued starting 29 June 2015 and will continue until further notice," it said. According to the embassy, the MRP is valid for five years and "meets the minimum requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)." But it added applicants will still be required to fill up an application form, make a personal appearance, and submit to electronic data capturing. "Processing time will take 8 to 10 weeks and the cost will be 45 euros," it said. "All applicants are advised to make their travel pla...

Starting June 29, the Philippine Embassy in Madrid will be issuing machine-readable passports instead of the newer ePassports. In an announcement, the embassy cited "technical difficulty" with passport production in Manila for the development. "The Philippine Embassy in Madrid wishes to inform applicants for Philippine passports that due to technical difficulty with passport production in Manila, Machine-Readable Passports (MRPs) will be issued starting 29 June 2015 and will continue until further notice," it said. According to the embassy, the MRP is valid for five years and "meets the minimum requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)." But it added applicants will still be required to fill up an application form, make a personal appearance, and submit to electronic data capturing. "Processing time will take 8 to 10 weeks and the cost will be 45 euros," it said. "All applicants are advised to make their travel pla...

SEOUL - North Korea has warned foreigners living in Pyongyang not to share outside media on memory sticks with its citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a note, cracking down on what the isolated country called "undesirable content."    The vast majority of North Koreans have no access to outside Internet or foreign media, but people regularly share films, music and literature on easily-concealed USB sticks that are passed from person to person.   The note, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, said foreigners in Pyongyang would not be allowed to import "all kinds of data media, including printed matter, mobile phones, and memory sticks" which contain "false propaganda" and "photos, movies, and literature regarding sexual relations."   Some foreigners entering the country had left printed materials and memory sticks containing "undesirable content" at tourist sites, or passed them to North Koreans, the note added...

The New York-based Filipino businessman who was recently arrested for allegedly resorting to bribes to ensure that his electrical-design company gets lucrative contracts is ready to face the charges against him. In a  statement sent to the Filipino Reporter , Rodolfo Quiambao said he posted bail on the same day he was arrested earlier this month. “I acknowledge the courtesy extended to me by the prosecution for allowing me to voluntarily submit myself to the jurisdiction of the court. I was asked to go to a government office from which I was then brought to the court where I posted my bail on the same day," he said. “My lawyers and I are fully prepared to address the allegations against me,” the 71-year-old businessman added. In a report citing a statement from Kelly Currie, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Forbes said Quiambao paid more than $6.9 million in bribes and kickbacks to Con Edison managers over the past decade in exchange for contracts. The re...

SINGAPORE - For a tiny island-nation known for importing labor to help sustain its $300 billion economy, any surprise drop in Singapore's job creation would have implications for wages, inflation and even monetary policy.   Employment unexpectedly fell by 6,100 in January-to-March, the first contraction since the second quarter of 2009, with jobs growth in the services sector down sharply and manufacturers cutting jobs against a backdrop of tepid economic growth. But wages are not falling. In fact, other data showed that the labor market remained tight, pointing to wage growth in a low inflation environment and supporting the case for steady monetary policy.   The drop in employment is probably more a reflection of the difficulties that companies face in hiring workers due to supply-side constraints such as government restrictions on the hiring of foreign workers, rather than a decline in demand for labor, said Hayato Nakamura, senior economist for Bank of Tokyo-Mitsu...

A United Arab Emirates court on Thursday sentenced a policeman to five years in jail after finding him guilty of raping a Filipina in September 2014, a UAE news site reported. The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the policeman of rape even after he pleaded not guilty,  Gulf News reported . However, the ruling is subject to appeal within 15 days, the report added. Earlier, the policeman denied before presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat the accusations that he abused the Filipina then had forced sex with her. Court records showed the policeman, 28, stopped the Filipina along a street and asked her for personal identification. He then had her ride with him in his car, and drove to a villa where he beat her and forced her to have sex with him. Prosecutors said the policeman exploited the fact that the woman was alone with him at the villa. They also said he carried out some law enforcement procedures when he was not authorized to do so, as he was off duty at the time. The policeman ...

WASHINGTON - A divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday embraced a broad interpretation of the type of civil rights allegations that can be made under the landmark Fair Housing Act by ruling that the law allows for discrimination claims based on seemingly neutral practices that may have a discriminatory effect.   On a 5-4 vote in a major civil rights case, the court handed a victory to civil rights groups and the administration of President Barack Obama, which had backed Inclusive Communities Project Inc, a nonprofit in Texas that claimed the state violated the law by disproportionately awarding low-income housing tax credits to developers who own properties in poor, minority-dominated neighborhoods.   Although a broad win for civil rights advocates on the legal theory, Justice Anthony Kennedy indicated in the ruling that the Texas plaintiffs could ultimately lose when the case returns to lower courts.   Kennedy, a conservative who often casts the deciding vote...