Oil prices down in Asia ahead of key US, China data

Monday, 20th May 2013

Iloilo gears for APEC ‘15 pitch

By: Francis Allan L. Angelo

A MULTISECTORAL group will make a presentation before the National Organizing Council (NOC) of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) 2015 next week in its bid to host part of the meetings of the annual international gathering.

Ma. Lea Victoria Lara, Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director, said Iloilo’s pitch is scheduled next week in Metro Manila.

The presentation will feature the facilities and amenities Iloilo can offer to host some of the APEC meetings.

The annual gathering of Asia-Pacific nations will include five Senior Officials' Meetings, around eight Ministerial meetings and at least 50 smaller working group meetings in the entire 2015.

Lara said the presentation will lay down the number of hotel rooms that will accommodate APEC leaders and other visitors, the venue for the meetings and other amenities such as transportation.

“We hope to be chosen for the ministerial meetings which will benefit us not just in hosting our visitors and showcasing the city and province but also to link with businesses and leaders from other Asia-Pacific economies,” she added.

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Jun Biron willing to bridge Ferj, Art

By: Tara Yap

THE newly-elected congressman of the 4^th district of Iloilo is also willing to play the role of a peacemaker between his older brother, Rep. Ferjenel Biron and Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.

Provincial Board Member Hernan “Jun” Biron Jr. said he is willing to bridge reconciliation efforts between Defensor and Rep. Biron.

“Nothing is impossible. What is best for the province, I’d be glad to help,” the younger Biron said.

Defensor of the Liberal Party bested Rep. Biron of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the gubernatorial race last May 13.

Congressman-elect Biron said politics should not hinder goodwill and common good in the province.

“We won’t limit ourselves because of political differences,” he added.

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The HSBC flash manufacturing PMI for China will be released later Monday, and comes as data showed the world's second largest economy growing at its slowest pace for almost three years in the first quarter of 2012.

The US Federal Reserve's interest rate-setting panel was also due to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday amid a fresh bout of anxiety over the slow pace of the revival of the world's largest economy.

Analysts said the Fed meeting will decide whether more economic stimulus is warranted as high gasoline prices, slowing job growth and Europe's debt problems have raised fears of another spring stumble.(AFP)

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Danger of 'honeymoon'

May 20,2013 12:46 AM

By: Alex P. Vidal

"DEMOCRACY cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education." – Franklin D. Roosevelt

We always maintain that it is not healthy for democracy if the government's executive and legislative branches are always in honeymoon stage.

Automation 2013: A Post-Mortem

May 20,2013 12:44 AM

By: Melinda Quintos De Jesus

I WENT early on May 13 to cast my vote. The precinct was in much better state than what we found in 2010. It seemed as though the different teams, the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), the volunteers, and barangay officials had worked on a better system of time and motion which would be able to deal with the longer lines that would come later on in the day. Read more...

Santacruzan

May 20,2013 12:42 AM

By: Modesto Sa-onoy

This piece was delivered yesterday at church of the Triumph of the Holy Cruz parish of Fr. Joevic Lemoncito. However, I spoke in Hiligaynon. I am publishing this due to inquiries about this festival that falls in May and the end of summer.

The word “santacruzan” is a Filipino version of the Spanish “Fiesta de la Santa Cruz” or Feast of the Holy Cross. Read more...

Reflection after the counting

May 20,2013 12:40 AM

By: Lucell Larawan

AFTER THE election, many are either awed or dismayed by the results.

For instance, due to the majority’s veneration of “stars,” several posts in the government heap up stardust’s.

Sad to say, they are not real stars beyond their ostentatious speeches and well-rehearsed acts on screen. Read more...

True character a quality of the soul

May 20,2013 12:38 AM

By: Bonnie B. Barrientos

(The author is a Teacher III of Rizal Elementary School in Pontevedra, Capiz)

A CHARACTER formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Read more...

Jolie’s boobs she didn’t regret losing

May 20,2013 12:36 AM

By: Wenceslao E. Mateo Jr.

WHO, among men, like flat-chested women? Hollywood actor and singer Frank Sinatra, whose fame swept the 1940s, probably leads the way. His second wife Mia Farrow was a much younger and skinny girl that could not show much from the 90 degree angle off-front.