Supreme Court rules 14-0 to favor RA 9372 The controversial Anti-Terrorism Law has been declared legal and constitutional by the Supreme Court (SC). With a unanimous vote of 14-0, the High Court en banc junked all the six consolidated petitions seeking to declare as unconstitutional Republic Act (RA) 9372 or the Human Security Act of…

MANILA, Philippines – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) yesterday denied reports that four Filipino nurses were gang-raped in Saudi Arabia.

SOME 600 representatives from 53 countries gathered yesterday to discuss ways to address Asia’s water needs as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) kicked off an international conference in Manila.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Monday said the government has to step up explaining the advantages of free trade agreements or FTAs to the private sector.

Tampakan project, the largest untapped copper and gold reserves in Southeast Asia, would continue to cause harm and disunity around the mining site especially now that President Benigno Aquino III has bolstered his support for mining, an environmental group said Monday.

Thirty-seven lawmakers, most of whom are allies of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, formally opposed on Monday the allocation of P21.9 billion to the conditional cash transfer program of the administration.

Contrary to past expectations, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras on Monday said that Luzon will begin experiencing energy shortages as early as next year.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman yesterday said the government will start distribution of the P500 pension for the marginalized elderly this coming 2011.

HALF of the artificial family planning methods in the Reproductive Health Bill could be illegal, a lawmaker said Friday. Rep. Anthony Golez Jr. of the Lone District of Bacolod City noted that such figure would surface if it the state will decide to adopt the idea that life begins at fertilization, not at implantation.

For almost four centuries, Intramuros was the seat of Spanish colonial rule in the East and was the center of commerce, education, government and religion. Its decline, however, as the center of Manila resulted from World War II. The historic streets, buildings and palatial homes in Intramuros lost its old grandeur and glory—when they were…

CEBU, Philippines – Close to the 200,000 scholars have been trained while another 100,000 have been certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority within 100 days of its new leadership under director general Joel Villanueva.

MANILA, Philippines – Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday to look into the working conditions of bus drivers, saying their lack of sleep and rest between long trips could be a key factor in the rash of road accidents.

MANILA, Philippines – Migrante International called yesterday on Congress to immediately investigate the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Jordan despite the deployment ban, saying it is “state-sponsored human trafficking.”

Be late. But at the same time never be more than 30 minutes early. Do not pressure the interviewer by being someone s/he has to entertain and care for. Wear perfume or cologne, because an excess of this will be a mark against you. One tiny spray is enough, if you really must. You’re there…

Why are there job interviews? Companies need to determine who is best suited for the job opening and who is most likely to fit in with the existing team. Your attitude may matter more than your credentials at this point.

If you are like most employed people, chances are, your salary, whether high or low, never seems to be enough. There are just so many things that you can do with your hard-earned money: pay bills or for your child’s schooling; buy groceries or a new TV set; save for a rainy day or invest…

MANILA, Philippines—Without OFW remittances, it would be difficult for the Philippines to sustain the annual GDP growth of 7 percent or more. It is fortunate that the outlook for the earnings of OFWs remain bright, despite the very slow recovery of the developed countries.

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -— If there is one government agency that is feeling the impact of overpopulation, it is the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

BANGKOK—The Philippines’ “heavy reliance” on remittances of migrant workers—reaching $19 billion last year—has been crippling its domestic productivity for many years, said a regional official of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

MANILA, Philippines — Middle East countries Kuwait and Syria are not safe destinations for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly domestic helpers, a migrant workers group based in the region said.

ASEAN LABOUR CONTROLS TO EASE IN 2015 Thailand’s labour development policy is failing to equip workers with the skills they need for a free labour market in Southeast Asia over the next five years, academics say.

Nearly one in 10 credit card customers pay off only the minimum payment each month, potentially costing them a fortune in interest, according to a survey from comparison website Moneysupermarket.com.

With the International Violence Against Women Act, the U.S. is in a powerful position to make a difference, points out Ritu Sharma Violence against women is one of the greatest barriers to economic freedom for women worldwide. Every day, all over the world, women are victims of some of the worst physical atrocities, including acid…

singapore_compactBy now is it well-known that the South-East Asian countries have joined hands to launch the ASEAN CSR Network during the International Singapore Compact CSR Summit held in Sentosa recently. During the launch, Singapore Compact for CSR president Olivia Lum said that ASEAN has recognised the importance of CSR “not just to achieve the socio…

A lawmaker on Friday urged for a multi-sectoral dialogue on the reproductive health (RH) bill to help settle the controversial issue.

The Supreme Court has ordered listed Manila Mining Corp. to compensate employees who were terminated after the shutdown of mining operations in Butuan.

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has asked local government units to consider programs that will meet UN-sponsored Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in planning for their 2011 budget.

STATE ASSISTANCE to the automotive industry should be prioritized as it has the highest multiplier effect in generating jobs, an economist said yesterday.

SYDNEY, Australia — As other countries in the Asia Pacific count their gains in the war against the tobacco lobby, the Philippines remains a haven for the cigarette industry and its millions of loyal patrons.

Labor officials in Mindanao have drawn up an action plan to eliminate child labor – particularly the use of children in mining activities – there. According to Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 11 office’s plan focuses on the mines of Maragusan in Compostela Valley province.