(UPDATED) - Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Officer-in-Charge Eliseo Rio said Monday that Malacañang has assured him that he can lead the agency until January 2019.
Rio said he was ready to step down from the post, but asked President Rodrigo Duterte to be allowed to finish the selection process for the third major telecommunications player.
"I was, more or less, given time to finish this," Rio said referring to third telco bidding during an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Rio said Duterte wanted to appoint Sen. Gregorio Honasan to head the DICT as early as September last year to replace Rodolfo Salalima who had just resigned. But Malacañang also needed Honasan to stay in the Senate, in case the impeachment case filed against then Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno went to trial.
"I serve at the pleasure of the President and I support the decision of the President," Rio said.
The DICT chief said after the selection of the third telco, he is now reviewing the common tower policy that is meant to facilitate the new player's entry into the market.
Rio is a licensed Electronics and Communications Engineer who finished 4th in the ECE Board Exams in 1971. After retiring as Brigadier General of the Philippine Army, he was appointed to the National Telecommunications Commission in 2001.
- Report from Warren De Guzman, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/13/18/rio-says-palace-assured-him-he-can-lead-dict-until-jan-2019
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Comelec asked to disqualify Cayetano couple from 2019 polls
Separate petitions to deny due course were filed on Monday against former senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not possessing the minimum residency qualification imposed by the 1987 Constitution for the members of the House of Representatives.
Petitioner and Taguig resident Leonides Buac Jr. said the couple must be disqualified from running in the forthcoming polls, adding that they cannot claim living in separate residences as indicated on their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) which is not in accordance with Article 69 of the Family Code.
He noted that the law mandates them to fix one matrimonial domicile or residence, as well as Article 68, which obliges them to live there together.
“In his COC, Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that he is a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan in the First District, while Lani Cayetano claimed that she resides in Barangay Fort Bonifacio in the Second District,” lawyer Emil Marañon III, the petitioner’s counsel, said in a statement.
“Following this rule, the spouses cannot keep separate domiciles or for one spouse to claim a separate and independent domicile from the matrimonial domicile,” he added.
Cayetano, former Foreign Affairs Secretary, is running as representative of Taguig’s first district while his wife is running in the city’s second district.
“Thus, Alan cannot claim domicile in Barangay Bagumbayan, while his wife, Lani Cayetano, in Barangay Fort Bonifacio. In other words, they cannot run in two different districts or jurisdictions at the same time,” Marañon added.
Alan’s older sister, Pia, is running again for senator while his youngest brother, Lino, is running for mayor of the city.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1053784
Petitioner and Taguig resident Leonides Buac Jr. said the couple must be disqualified from running in the forthcoming polls, adding that they cannot claim living in separate residences as indicated on their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) which is not in accordance with Article 69 of the Family Code.
He noted that the law mandates them to fix one matrimonial domicile or residence, as well as Article 68, which obliges them to live there together.
“In his COC, Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that he is a resident of Barangay Bagumbayan in the First District, while Lani Cayetano claimed that she resides in Barangay Fort Bonifacio in the Second District,” lawyer Emil Marañon III, the petitioner’s counsel, said in a statement.
“Following this rule, the spouses cannot keep separate domiciles or for one spouse to claim a separate and independent domicile from the matrimonial domicile,” he added.
Cayetano, former Foreign Affairs Secretary, is running as representative of Taguig’s first district while his wife is running in the city’s second district.
“Thus, Alan cannot claim domicile in Barangay Bagumbayan, while his wife, Lani Cayetano, in Barangay Fort Bonifacio. In other words, they cannot run in two different districts or jurisdictions at the same time,” Marañon added.
Alan’s older sister, Pia, is running again for senator while his youngest brother, Lino, is running for mayor of the city.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1053784
PAL inaugurates nonstop New York-Manila flights
The Big Apple is now closer to Manila. Philippine Airlines recently inaugurated its nonstop direct flights from John K. Kennedy Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Rated a 4-Star carrier, PAL is the only airline that flies direct from New York to Manila in 16 hours. Filipinos in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can now travel at much easier pace, avoiding the usual 22-hour long haul, and sit comfortably in a brand-new 295-seater Airbus A350-900.
PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista said, “The maiden nonstop 16- hour Manila-New York journey will usher in a long-haul travel experience marked by comfort, convenience and efficiency.” The new route offers three classes: Economy, Premium Economy and Business.
PAL VP Sales Ryan Uy noted the brisk sales: “People want to experience this much-talked about A350 aircraft. They want to sample the spacious cabin designed for rest, relaxation, fine dining and wide choices of video entertainment. Now they can enjoy the A350 on a flight that takes them directly to the U.S. East Coast, with no more time-consuming stop-overs and no inconvenient transfer connections along the route. One take-off and one landing, and you’re in the Big Apple.”
Before the new PAL service, Manila-bound passengers had to go through intermediate stop-overs in Canada, the U.S. West Coast or airports in other Asian countries, usually by connecting from one flight to another.
Northeast Fil-Ams lauded the flight’s inauguration at a community gathering headed by Consul General Claro Cristobal, who is pleased that he can now fly direct from New York to Manila.
A generous sampling of the airline menu, consisting of arroz caldo and pansit, were prepared by Tsismis NYC Chef Jappy Diago Afzelius. Two premium economy seats were raffled away.
For business class passengers, there’s a roster of delicious meals. It includes Wolfgang’s specialty steak, featuring USDA Prime Black Angus beef that is dry-aged in its own especially-designed aging room, under controlled temperature and humidity for an average of 28 days. This painstaking process enhances the tenderness of the meat and ensures a juicy, full-bodied flavor.
The Manila to New York menu onboard PAL Flight PR126 offers the complete Wolfgang’s experience: French onion soup, USDA Prime Fillet Mignon served with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes, as well as grilled salmon in tomato and olive sauce capped with New York cheesecake.
The New York to Manila menu for flight PR127 offers Beverly Hills chopped salad, mushroom soup, Wolfgang’s striploin steak, grilled Chilean seabass, and key lime pie.
The historic first-ever nonstop journey from New York to Manila flew the polar route. In command of the aircraft, the ultra-modern Airbus A350-900, were Captain Ruel Isaac and Captain Randolf Kier. Joining them at the flight deck: First Officer Philimerif Vinarao and First Officer Leo Parcon. Flight Purser Roberto Casuela led the Cabin Crew roster. New York Manager Josh Vasquez accompanied the crew.
The maiden flight left on October 30 via Airbus A350 which carried a total of 246 passengers. Flight PR 127 departed JFK New York at 2:10 a.m. (NYC Time/ Oct.30) and arrived 6:45 a.m. next day (MNL time/Oct.31).
All PAL flights to New York will depart from NAIA Terminal 2. PAL flights from New York will arrive at NAIA Terminal 1. However, PAL flights to and from Canada, i.e. Vancouver and Toronto, will use NAIA Terminal 1 as point of departure and arrival in Manila.
The new long-range A350 boasts outstanding characteristics. It can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km) and has a quieter cabin (up to 4 times less noise) making it the quietest twin-aisle aircraft to date. It has an all-new design and state of the art technology, with the aircraft’s advanced Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines producing unparalleled range and efficiency.
It has a light weight but very strong structure, which also costs significantly less to maintain: 70% of it is made of advanced material including 53% composite. It also offers Wi-Fi service for all passengers (subject to time and volume caps),with affordable renewal plans. It features special LED mood lighting, customized especially for PAL, giving passengers a more intimate in-flight experience that helps them adjust to time zone and day vs. night changes.
Meanwhile, Tourism Officer Luz Alquisola Navarro took the opportunity to promote the recently concluded Conde Nast magazine’s Best Islands in the World: Siargao, Palawan and Boracay, which recently reopened to the public after a massive clean-up.
Philippine Airlines’ Year End Seat Sale: Roundtrip promo fare from New York to Manila for only USD749. Book between November 10-25, 2018, for travel between January 16-30, 2019.
https://usa.inquirer.net/16736/pal-inaugurates-nonstop-new-york-manila-flights
Rated a 4-Star carrier, PAL is the only airline that flies direct from New York to Manila in 16 hours. Filipinos in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut can now travel at much easier pace, avoiding the usual 22-hour long haul, and sit comfortably in a brand-new 295-seater Airbus A350-900.
PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista said, “The maiden nonstop 16- hour Manila-New York journey will usher in a long-haul travel experience marked by comfort, convenience and efficiency.” The new route offers three classes: Economy, Premium Economy and Business.
PAL VP Sales Ryan Uy noted the brisk sales: “People want to experience this much-talked about A350 aircraft. They want to sample the spacious cabin designed for rest, relaxation, fine dining and wide choices of video entertainment. Now they can enjoy the A350 on a flight that takes them directly to the U.S. East Coast, with no more time-consuming stop-overs and no inconvenient transfer connections along the route. One take-off and one landing, and you’re in the Big Apple.”
Before the new PAL service, Manila-bound passengers had to go through intermediate stop-overs in Canada, the U.S. West Coast or airports in other Asian countries, usually by connecting from one flight to another.
Northeast Fil-Ams lauded the flight’s inauguration at a community gathering headed by Consul General Claro Cristobal, who is pleased that he can now fly direct from New York to Manila.
A generous sampling of the airline menu, consisting of arroz caldo and pansit, were prepared by Tsismis NYC Chef Jappy Diago Afzelius. Two premium economy seats were raffled away.
For business class passengers, there’s a roster of delicious meals. It includes Wolfgang’s specialty steak, featuring USDA Prime Black Angus beef that is dry-aged in its own especially-designed aging room, under controlled temperature and humidity for an average of 28 days. This painstaking process enhances the tenderness of the meat and ensures a juicy, full-bodied flavor.
The Manila to New York menu onboard PAL Flight PR126 offers the complete Wolfgang’s experience: French onion soup, USDA Prime Fillet Mignon served with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes, as well as grilled salmon in tomato and olive sauce capped with New York cheesecake.
The New York to Manila menu for flight PR127 offers Beverly Hills chopped salad, mushroom soup, Wolfgang’s striploin steak, grilled Chilean seabass, and key lime pie.
The historic first-ever nonstop journey from New York to Manila flew the polar route. In command of the aircraft, the ultra-modern Airbus A350-900, were Captain Ruel Isaac and Captain Randolf Kier. Joining them at the flight deck: First Officer Philimerif Vinarao and First Officer Leo Parcon. Flight Purser Roberto Casuela led the Cabin Crew roster. New York Manager Josh Vasquez accompanied the crew.
The maiden flight left on October 30 via Airbus A350 which carried a total of 246 passengers. Flight PR 127 departed JFK New York at 2:10 a.m. (NYC Time/ Oct.30) and arrived 6:45 a.m. next day (MNL time/Oct.31).
All PAL flights to New York will depart from NAIA Terminal 2. PAL flights from New York will arrive at NAIA Terminal 1. However, PAL flights to and from Canada, i.e. Vancouver and Toronto, will use NAIA Terminal 1 as point of departure and arrival in Manila.
The new long-range A350 boasts outstanding characteristics. It can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km) and has a quieter cabin (up to 4 times less noise) making it the quietest twin-aisle aircraft to date. It has an all-new design and state of the art technology, with the aircraft’s advanced Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines producing unparalleled range and efficiency.
It has a light weight but very strong structure, which also costs significantly less to maintain: 70% of it is made of advanced material including 53% composite. It also offers Wi-Fi service for all passengers (subject to time and volume caps),with affordable renewal plans. It features special LED mood lighting, customized especially for PAL, giving passengers a more intimate in-flight experience that helps them adjust to time zone and day vs. night changes.
Meanwhile, Tourism Officer Luz Alquisola Navarro took the opportunity to promote the recently concluded Conde Nast magazine’s Best Islands in the World: Siargao, Palawan and Boracay, which recently reopened to the public after a massive clean-up.
Philippine Airlines’ Year End Seat Sale: Roundtrip promo fare from New York to Manila for only USD749. Book between November 10-25, 2018, for travel between January 16-30, 2019.
https://usa.inquirer.net/16736/pal-inaugurates-nonstop-new-york-manila-flights
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