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Alinsunurin appointed Philippine men’s volleyball assistant coach
Seasoned mentor Dante Alinsunurin will make a comeback as one of the deputies for the national men’s team as the host Philippines pulls out all the stops to parade a competitive squad against the best of the best in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships 2025......»»
Pacatiw tries to buck cage rust in ONE Championship return
More than a year since his last ONE Championship bout, Jeremy Pacatiw acknowledged that he has a lot to work on before his comeback fight......»»
PBA All Stars hopping over to Davao next
The PBA is looking at Davao as potentially the next venue for the annual All-Star Weekend as it considers bringing the annual festivities to Mindanao after back-to-back stops in the Visayas......»»
National women s chess tilt: Frayna stops Canino to stay in title contention
Janelle Mae Frayna restored some order in the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship after she stopped wonder girl Ruelle Canino in the ninth round Friday to remain in the title race in Malolos, Bulacan......»»
Workers buck wage hike in installments
Stressing the need for a one-time significant wage increase to effectively stimulate the local economy, labor group Federation of Free Workers has rejected the proposal by some legislators and the business sector for an installment-based legislated wage increase......»»
Employers buck legislated P100 wage hike
A Senate bill seeking a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers nationwide is facing opposition from employers who say this will hurt micro and small businesses and dampen investors’ appetite......»»
Producers buck plan to allow more sugar imports
The Sugar Council, composed of three sugarcane producers’ federations in the country, has expressed its vehement opposition to the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration o address low millgate prices of sugar, by “allowing traders to import even more sugar.”.....»»
BARMM leaders buck Duterte’s secession call
Leaders of different sectors in the Bangsamoro region yesterday rejected former president Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Mindanao independence, asserting that they will never ruin the gains of their peace process with the national government......»»
'IOC executive board will take matter of five sports proposed for LA 2028 Olympics': Kit McConnell
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13 (ANI): Kit McConnell, Sports Director, International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that five games including cricket have been proposed that can be the part of Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and the executive board of IOC will take up the matter on Friday. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Thursday chaired the Executive board meeting of the IOC that was held.....»»
Business groups buck proposed hike in SEC fees
Business groups are raising concern over some provisions of the revised schedule of fees and charges being proposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, calling them unreasonable......»»
Opening Pandora’s box
Exposing the recruitment racket where Filipinos are brought to Italy using bogus work permits, Daily Tribune’s show Usapang OFW may have opened a can of worms in the country’s skewed policy of relentlessly exporting labor. In most countries, being a migrant worker is a career move, not a forced one to have a decent human existence. The diaspora now consists of more than 10 million Filipinos who are promised by their elected leaders every time they are visited that the time is coming when opportunities at home will allow them to return. Policies, however, continue to lean toward promoting overseas employment mainly due to the lure of $3 billion in remittances that shower the country like manna from heaven monthly. Filipinos are preferred first-class workers due to their proficiency in English and their famed work ethic, resilience, and cheerful nature. The demand for Filipino workers is exploited by those seeking a fast buck by recruiting them. Those seeking jobs abroad are sucked dry before they can get a contract and then squeezed of their hard-earned money again at every opportunity by vultures, including the government. Tales like the emergency repatriation fund being misused to buy overpriced sanitary napkins and similar kickback rackets abound. Some 400 workers recounted to the online program how a Filipino employment consultancy firm based in Italy, Alpha Assistenza SRL, headed by Filipino co-CEOs Krizelle Respicio and Frederick Dutaro, victimized them through a “serial scamming” where they paid substantial sums only to be issued fake Nulla Ostas or work permits. The labor trafficking the Filipino firm had been engaged in was revealed after several individuals surfaced to narrate the ordeal they experienced at the hands of Alpha Assistenza. Senator Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution to investigate the likely scam operation, but the probe’s focus should be on the officials who are complicit with the crooks. The victims recounted how the sting of bringing Filipinos to Italy with fake work permits could only be possible through the collusion of officials in the foreign diplomatic outposts. An immediate impact of the revelations of massive human trafficking may squander the country’s recently won Tier-1 ranking in the Global Trafficking in Persons report of the US State Department. As a Tier-1 country, the Philippines is considered to have fully met the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. The government was applauded for its continued demonstration of “serious and sustained efforts” to fight human smuggling and illegal labor deployment. “These efforts included investigating more trafficking crimes, convicting more traffickers, amending its anti-trafficking law, increasing funding to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and sentencing nearly all traffickers to significant prison terms,” the US State Department said. Being dropped from Tier-1 would have the effect of foreign governments tightening entry procedures for Filipino workers and the issuance of tighter rules on labor recruitment conducted by local agencies. “Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remain significant concerns, inhibiting law enforcement action during the year,” the US report said. The report continued: “Some officials in law enforcement, immigration agencies, and other government entities are allegedly complicit in trafficking or allow traffickers to operate with impunity. Some corrupt officials allegedly accept bribes to facilitate illegal departures for overseas workers, operate sex trafficking establishments, facilitate the production of fraudulent identity documents, or overlook illegal labor recruiters.” Italy could just be the tip of the iceberg of a possibly colossal syndicate tapping into the tens of millions of job-seeking Filipinos for a lucrative illegal recruitment ring. The post Opening Pandora’s box appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fools in suits
When a ranking Department of Agriculture official was asked in a recent Congress hearing what steps the agency had taken to break the rice cartel, he replied that he did not believe that a “mafia” existed. Coming from a high DA official, the statement revealed that nothing was being done to stop the syndicate that everyone in the industry knows about since, to the authorities, it does not exist. In the reenacted Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and forming cartels for agricultural and fishery products are considered economic sabotage and are non-bailable offenses for which a long jail term could be meted out. The strengthened law, however, lacks strong teeth against government officials who are in cahoots or protect the syndicates. Contained in the proposed bill is a provision indicating that any government officer or employee found to be an accomplice in the commission of the crime will “suffer the additional penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, exercising the right to vote, from participating in any public election, and forfeiture of employment monetary and financial benefits.” The bill is pending in both houses of Congress. With the slow grind of justice in the country, a public official looking for a fast buck will not hesitate to risk his job in exchange for a huge payback. The recent series of events showed the markets are being manipulated by the big players in the sugar, vegetable and rice businesses. These syndicates are known to be deeply entrenched due to their connections with government bigwigs who facilitate their domination of the markets either through edicts or the use of public resources. In the most ridiculous situation, the recent spike in onion prices was found to be artificial since farmers were even throwing away their harvests because of low farmgate prices, thus there was no reason for prices to surge. Later, it was exposed in a congressional hearing that a cartel had succeeded in manipulating the onion market to create a condition that would require its importation, from which its members would make a killing. The warehouse and storage facilities are controlled by the mafia which makes it easy to create artificial conditions to which the market reacts by raising retail prices. The ultimate goal is to coax the government to allow importation from suppliers in overseas markets that are also flooded with the commodity, The cartel rakes in profits from both the high markup and the kickbacks from the overseas suppliers desperate to sell their surplus. The woeful victims are the Filipino farmers whom the cartel boxes out of the market. In extreme cases, these farmers just throw away their harvest since they cannot afford to transport their products without the middlemen who are also in the pocket of the cartel. The same goes for the rice industry, where the market was manipulated for a different reason, which was to kill the rice tariffication law that kicked the National Food Authority out of the import business. Rice prices then surged to as high as P56 a kilo, which pushed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to impose price ceilings. The NFA used to have a monopoly on importation, but that resulted in acrimonious confrontations at the apex of government. The tariffication law, in turn, opened importation to all grain traders and relegated the NFA to buying rice from local farmers. Under the new anti-smuggling bill which has the endorsement of Mr. Marcos, an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council headed by the President or his designated permanent representative will be formed. The proposed body will have the power to investigate and file charges, as well as freeze violators’ funds, properties, bank deposits, placements, trust accounts, assets and records. The creation of the body looks good on paper but in the real world, it might just add another layer of bureaucracy and source of corruption unless the cartel, which DA officials claim does not exist, is dismantled. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has a simple solution for breaking the cartel, which is for the government to confiscate all the rice overstock and let the owners of the warehouses prove that their huge inventory is legitimate. Such a move would prompt the traders to release more rice into the market to avoid confiscation. The imposition of the price cap on rice indicated that the prices are artificial since the markets are now selling at lower than the manipulated prices despite conditions being constant. An expected bumper harvest is also prompting the prices to go back to normal, after the attempt of the cartel to create a price shock to support their effort to return to the old ways. To know the real situation, President Marcos goes out of his way to see what is on the ground. His underlings, particularly at the Department of Agriculture, should do better. The post Fools in suits appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Injuries hamper Filipino gymnasts’ Asiad bid
Miguel Besana and Ace de Leon failed to get untracked while trying to buck foot injuries sustained in training as they bowed out in the men’s vault and floor exercise in the 19th Asian Games gymnastics......»»
Lady Warriors look to buck absence of top rookie in Shakey’s Super League bid
With the injury of super rookie Jelai Gajero, the rest of the UE Lady Warriors will need to step up ahead of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL)......»»
Experience Davao’s finest at Park Inn
Davao City does not only take pride as the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area. It is also a well-known destination where you can experience the Dabawenyo lifestyle at its finest. Whether you’re in the mood to explore the city’s attractive tourist destinations or need a well-deserved break without breaking away from Davao’s vibrant culture, Park Inn by Radisson Davao is the perfect place to go. Situated in the city’s heart, Park Inn by Radisson Davao is an accessible and premium destination that will make you feel like you can do anything and be everywhere. [caption id="attachment_178451" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Standard room.[/caption] Premium services, amenities Park Inn by Radisson Davao offers premium amenities that are worth your buck. Experience maximum comfort with their three-room tiers (standard room, superior room and junior suite), each designed to elevate your hotel experience. They also boast an expansive parking lot, a fast-connecting WI-FI, six onsite meeting and conference rooms and more. Vanda is Park Inn’s new and modern dining restaurant that elevates local flavors through international cuisines. The chef’s recommendations include the grilled tongue steak, special Vanda salad and Malagos ricotta cheesecake. The Kadayawan boodle fight, Vanda’s seasonal promotion to celebrate the Kadayawan festival, has been extended until September due to its increasing demand among locals and guests. To top it all off, Dash is a 24/7 self-service counter that offers delicious rice meals, tasty desserts and snacks, and a variety of refreshments you can enjoy while socializing or getting some work done. After a productive day of exploring Davao’s tourist destinations, Park Inn also has a massive pool lounge that will showcase a picturesque view of Davao sunset while enjoying a cocktail or local brew at the side. [caption id="attachment_178454" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] JUNIOR suite.[/caption] Sustainability and comfort Comfort and sustainability make Park Inn by Radisson Davao stand out from other hotels. Since 2019, it has included environmentally friendly initiatives that minimize plastic bottle usage through water carafes and water dispensers that are convenient for everyone. Moreover, it also uses paper straws and packaging, eliminating plastic and other non-biodegradable trash. Through these conscious environmental efforts, guests experience top-notch comfort that will make them feel genuinely well-rested. The post Experience Davao’s finest at Park Inn appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sandwich chain Subway nears deal to be bought for more than $9-B
The Subway sandwich chain is near a deal to be acquired for more than $9 billion in a transaction that could be announced as soon as Wednesday, a person familiar with the matter said. Bids for the sandwich chain were due Tuesday, the person said, with competing offers from Roark Capital and a consortium that includes private equity firms TDR and Sycamore. The winner is expected to be the high bid in an all-cash deal. Originally founded in 1965 as an Italian-style submarine sandwich shop, Subway today has nearly 37,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. The fast-food chain announced in February it hired JPMorgan to advise it on a possible sale while saying it "remains committed to the future," according to a 14 February press release. A Subway spokesperson said Tuesday there would be no comment "until the transaction has been completed," according to an email to AFP. Atlanta-based Roark is well-known in the fast-food and prepared foods space, already owning Buffalo Wild Wings, Baskin-Robbins, and Seattle's Best Coffee, as well as other assets including Orange Theory gyms. Roark "has shown that it knows how to nurture restaurant brands and help them to grow, including through expansion," said Neil Saunders of GlobalData Retail. New York-based Sycamore and British firm TDR Capital also have investments in the consumer space. TDR declined to comment. Roark and Sycamore did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Subway was launched with a single sandwich shop in Connecticut by Fred DeLuca, who started with an initial $1,000 investment from family friend Peter Buck, as a way to pay his college tuition. The two men famously started the venture based only on a handshake. DeLuca died in 2015, while Buck passed away in 2021. In recent times, Subway executives have highlighted cost-cutting efforts to better compete with other restaurant chains, while focusing most growth efforts overseas. In June, Subway unveiled a franchising agreement to open some 4,000 restaurants in mainland China over the next 20 years. The post Sandwich chain Subway nears deal to be bought for more than $9-B appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippine stocks buck regional uptrend
The Philippine stock market bucked the regional uptrend yesterday, tumbling further into negative territory amid heavy foreign selling and concerns over China’s economy......»»
‘Barbie’ retains top spot at N. American box office for fourth week
Warner Bros.' hit "Barbie" dominated North American box offices for a fourth consecutive week, industry estimates showed Sunday, as director Greta Gerwig continues to bust industry records. Gerwig, who with "Barbie" had already become the first solo woman director to rake in more than $1 billion at the global box office, this week became the highest-grossing woman director of all time in the domestic market, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated this weekend's haul for "Barbie" at $33.7 million, bringing its domestic total to $526 million. Gerwig is currently vying against Jennifer Lee, who co-directed the animated sequel to Disney's "Frozen" with Chris Buck, to be the highest-grossing woman director of all time at the global box office. Starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as boyfriend Ken, "Barbie" has earned a whopping $1.2 billion worldwide. Universal's "Oppenheimer," a historical drama about the development of the atomic bomb, regained its second-place position, with the other half of the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon taking in an estimated $18.8 million over the weekend. Last week "Oppenheimer" had been beaten by the Warner Bros. monster flick "Meg 2: The Trench," which fell to fourth this week with an estimated $12.7 million. The success of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" has come amid a backdrop of turmoil in Hollywood, as a historic double strike by writers and actors has brought productions to a halt. Both unions are renegotiating their collective contracts with studios to demand better pay, guarantees to limit the use of artificial intelligence, and other working conditions. While on strike, union rules prohibit actors from promoting their films, imperiling the marketing events for upcoming releases as talks show no end in sight. Third place this weekend went to Paramount's animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," up one spot from the week before with $15.8 million. In its debut weekend, Universal's vampire film "The Last Voyage of the Demeter" took a frighteningly distant fifth place, at just $6.5 million. Based on Bram Stoker's classic "Dracula," the period film takes place on a doomed ship transporting the blood-sucker from his Eastern Europe home to England. "This is a weak opening for a horror film based on a chapter of the legendary Dracula story," said analyst David A. Gross. With poor reviews and an estimated budget of $45 million, the film is a "difficult sell under any conditions," he added. Rounding out the top 10 were: "Haunted Mansion" ($5.6 million) "Talk to Me" ($5.1 million) "Sound of Freedom" ($4.8 million) "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" ($4.7 million) "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($900,000) The post ‘Barbie’ retains top spot at N. American box office for fourth week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LVMH named as premium sponsor of 2024 Paris Olympics
French luxury brand LVMH announced on Monday it will be a "premium sponsor" of the 2024 Paris Olympics, allowing the organizers to practically reach their sponsorship target of 1.24 billion euros ($1.37 billion). LVMH becomes the sixth top-tier domestic sponsor, alongside communications company Orange, electricity provider EDF, banking group BPCE, pharmaceuticals company Sanofi, and retail giant Carrefour. "I have the honor of officially announcing that we are now committed to being a premium partner for the 2024 Paris Olympics," Antoine Arnault, one of the five children and heirs of LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, said. He made the announcement at a news conference in Paris attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, Paris 2024 chief organizer Tony Estanguet, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and France's sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera. With Wednesday marking one year to go until the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, the late completion of the deal with the world's biggest luxury group created great interest in France. "There were many wild theories about the reasons why it took so long," Antoine Arnault told AFP. "We didn't want to just be a financial partner, we wanted to have a role to play in the holding of these Olympic Games." The post LVMH named as premium sponsor of 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stajcic tells Filipinas to buck hostile crowd amid must-win match
Filipinas head coach Alen Stajcic wants his wards to thrive under the pressure of playing in front of hostile home crowd when they face co-hosts New Zealand in a virtual must-win match......»»