Peace Update: Peace process between Philippine gov't and NDF

"On Thursday, Luis Jalandoni, chief negotiator of the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political front of the communist rebels, called for the postponement of the scheduled resumption this month of formal peace talks until his jailed comrades are freed.

In a letter dated June 2 to Health Undersecretary Alex Padilla, head of the government panel negotiating with the NDF, Jalandoni said that the talks should be suspended until such time that the Aquino government would release 17 of their jailed NDF consultants in compliance with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG).

The JASIG, signed in 1995 by the government and communist peace panels, guarantees immunity from arrest to NDF members, consultants and staff who are part of the negotiating team.

Jalandoni warned that the continuing failure of the Aquino government to stand by its commitment for the immediate release of jailed rebel consultants in compliance with the JASIG 'seriously prejudices' the outcome of the peace talks.

Among the jailed communist leaders are Allan Jazmines and Tirso 'Ka Bart' Alcantara who, according to the military, are both members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)." click site for more info:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-06/03/c_13909688.htm

Peace Update: Palace prepares Spratlys incursions report - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

Palace prepares Spratlys incursions report - Nation - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News:

“We are completing the data for the report to be presented to the PROC [People’s Republic of China], then to the UN,' deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message to GMA News Online.

She said the administration intends to bring the issue to the UN attention in relation to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The Department of Foreign Affairs conveyed on Tuesday to the Chinese embassy's charge d'affaires its 'serious concerns' on the sightings of Chinese military vessels in Philippine waters.

Valte said the administration will push for a diplomatic solution to any conflict that will arise over the disputed Spratly Islands.

“We wish to stress that the way that we are approaching this incident is that we are fully committed to resolving it in the most diplomatic manner and in a peaceful manner,' she said."

Women's Causes Update: Protection of the Unborn Child Act, which seeks to ban contraceptives and provides mothers with healthcare.

Collision of RH, unborn child bills seen | Inquirer News:

Protection of the Unborn Child Act, which seeks to ban contraceptives and provides mothers with healthcare. "Enrile’s bill seeks to “extend the mantle of legal protection to the unborn child from the moment of conception.”

The proposed measure also aims to “enhance the health of the mother by avoiding any means that may adversely affect the viability of the unborn child in all stages of fetal development.”
The bill seeks to guard against abortifacients, which the bill defines as “any device, drug, formulation, substance, practice or procedure intended to damage, injure, interfere with the development, endanger or cause the death of the unborn child or otherwise induce abortion.”"

DTI Update: Groceries inspected for Taiwanese products | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

Groceries inspected for Taiwanese products | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and personnel from the Manila City government conducted inspections this morning in various groceries and supermarkets to check on products imported from Taiwan believed contaminated by Di (ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)."

The inspection and monitoring team saw boxes of Treetop 100% Apple Juice and Grape Fruit Pomelo Juice, as well as boxes of Noyu Oolong Tea and Lychee, already in the supermarkets' warehouses ready to be returned to their suppliers. Though these items are not included in the list of products contaminated by DEHP furnished by Taiwan to the FDA, they still had to be recalled following the FDA advisory recalling all Taiwanese products.

The FDA found it prudent to do this to ensure consumers' safety. They also got some samples to test them for DEHP contamination.

The supermarket's management assured the team they immediately pulled out the recalled products from their shelves as soon as they received instructions from their head office.

DTI and FDA representatives also called the attention of the management about some products from China on their shelves whose labels have no English or Filipino translations. Victorio Dimagiba, DTI director for the Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection, said this is against the Consumer Act.

Children's Causes Update: Children in China learn about PHL in 'Ni Hao' (Hello)

Children in China learn about PHL in 'Ni Hao' activity - Pinoy Abroad - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News:

"Children in China learned facts about the Philippines because of a 'Ni Hao' (Hello) activity hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the activity was held in Shenyang in Liaoning province on May 26 and 27.

Liaoning Province in Northeast China is host to hundreds of Filipino teachers, musicians and information technology specialists, the DFA said.

'Entitled 'Ni Hao, Philippines: Everything a Chinese Kid Should Know about the Philippines,' the event was attended by more than 400 students of Shenyang's No.2 Hunnanxinqu Elementary School and No.1 Chaoyang Primary School,' the DFA said in a news release posted on its website.

The activity was meant to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

The DFA said the activity aimed to teach children about the Philippines and the things that they have in common with Filipino children.

Embassy Chargé d' Affaires (CDA) Alex Chua said the event was part of the Embassy's series of people-to-people activities 'to create awareness of and appreciation for the Philippines among the Chinese public, including children.'"

Agreement signed by Phil Foreign Affairs Sec, Albert del Rosario & Princess Masna, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam, PH sign agreement on tourism cooperation | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features:

"President Benigno Aquino III and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam witnessed the signing of the agreement in a ceremony on Wednesday at the Istana Nurul Iman, here.

The areas of cooperation specified under the agreement will be on research and development, education and training, promotional programs, medical tourism, meetings and conventions, tourism investment, and aviation industry.

The agreement seeks to increase tourist arrivals for both countries, encourage wider distribution of visitors, as well as enhance visits to each other's country by their respective nationals. It also wants to encourage healthy growth of the tourism industry in both countries.

The agreement also contains protection of intellectual property rights, noting that it will not prejudice any existing or future bilateral or multilateral international agreement entered into by the two governments or their national laws relating to intellectual property rights."

DoLE Update: Livelihood aid - to provide livelihood assistance to the hundreds of distressed fishermen.

Livelihood aid | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online:

"MANILA, Philippines — Amid the recent mass fish kill in two Luzon provinces, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will deploy it quick response team (QRT) to provide livelihood assistance to the hundreds of distressed fishermen.

Labor Communication Director Nicon Fameronag said that Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz met with Department on Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala to discuss assistance for the affected fishermen in Batangas and Pangasinan through DoLE’s QRT.

“Our quick response teams are already on the alert. We are only waiting for the report from the DA in the number of displaced workers before we could start extending our livelihood assistance to the affected fishermen.” (Samuel Medenilla)"