...the PH economic freedom rank 2014

Philippines jumps 8 notches in economic freedom index

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/14/2014

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines jumped 8 spots to 89th in the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, released by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the country's 89th ranking reflects "significant improvements" it has made in seven of the 10 economic freedoms, such as investment freedom, business freedom, monetary freedom, and the control of government spending. The Philippines ranked 97th in the 2013 index.

Overall, the world average score of 60.3 is the highest average in the index's two-decade history.

There were 43 countries, including Singapore and Sweden, that notched their highest scores in this year's index.

The Heritage Foundation cited the Philippine economy's "high degree of resilience," as it was one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia last year. Also cited were legislative reforms that were undertaken to "enhance the investment environment and incentivize broader-based private-sector job growth."

However, the data used for the 2014 index were based mostly on 2012 statistics.

"We believe that there have been significant improvements since then, despite the challenges we had to overcome as one nation. The positive results of this evaluation only strengthen our administration’s resolve to continue implementing reforms founded on good governance and true public service, which are necessary prerequisites to fostering lasting and inclusive growth in the Philippines," he said.

Topping the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom was Hong Kong, followed by Singapore. Singapore has managed to close the gap with Hong Kong to only 0.7 points, the second narrowest difference in index history.

On the other hand, North Korea was the "least economically unfree" country on the index.
The United States failed to make it to the top 10, with the score falling to 12th slot as it registered declines in fiscal freedom, business freedom and property rights.

Top 10 Most Free

1. Hong Kong
2. Singapore
3. Australia
4. Switzerland
5. New Zealand
6. Canada
7. Chile
8. Mauritius
9. Ireland
10. Denmark

Ten Least Free
178. North Korea
177. Cuba
176. Zimbabwe
175. Venezuela
174. Eritrea
173. Iran
172. D.R. of Congo
171. Turkmenistan
170. Timor-Leste
169. Rep. of Congo

Launched in 1995, the Index of Economic Freedom evaluates countries in 4 broad areas of economic freedom: rule of law; regulatory efficiency; limited government; and open markets.

 

...the medalists in China boxing tilt

PHILIPPINES WIN FOUR MEDALS IN CHINA BOXING OPEN


By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Jun 2013



Petecio.
 
The Philippine boxing team sent by the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and PLDT won four medals in the highly-competitive China Open in Guiyang, China.

Nesthy Petecio saved the ABAP team from coming home without a gold. She won a convincing victory over Alexis Pritchard of New Zealand in the finals by a 3-0 verdict for a unanimous decision in the 60-kg. category.

Petecio was only 5'3" while Pritchard stood at 5'11". But the 21-year-old female boxer from Davao finally connected her punches after several misses and delivered uppercuts and hooks to the head and body of the Kiwi boxer.

World champion Josie Gabuco failed in her bid to secure a gold when the much-improved Xu Shiqui of China exacted revenge on the Filipina to win by a 3-0 verdict. The Palawan boxer defeated Xu during the world championships last year. Gabuco scored an upset over three-time world champion and 2012 London Olympics silver medalist Ren Cancan in the semi-finals but settled for a silver medal.

Junel Cantancio lost to Viacheslav Supinov of Russia 0-3 and won another silver medal. He gave several punches to his nemesis but the power-punching Russia proved to be more dominant.

Earlier in the semi-finals, London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga gave the Philippines a bronze medal. He bowed to Guiyang native Wo Zhunglin on a 0-3 decision. He injured his thumb in an uppercut during the fight and had to be taken to the hospital.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas sent a message commending the team of their achievement, saying he is “proud of our boxers’ achievements in a tough tournament such as the China Open.”

ABAP executive director Ed Picson commented after Barriga's loss that our boxers have yet to adjust to the new a scoring system. “They need to know how to adjust their game to the system. We had a lengthy meeting after the fights this afternoon with the coaches and boxers to explain to them in more detail what they need to do to take advantage of the new rule”, said Picson.

The host country China won the overall championship with seven golds, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia with two each then the Philippines and Mongolia with one apiece. New Zealand got two silvers while India had one. Only Mauritius failed to obtain a medal.

Other PLDT-ABAP team members who failed to win a medal were Roldan Boncales (flyweight), Nico Magliquian (bantamweight) and Dennis Galvan (light welterweight). The coaches were Pat Gaspi, Roel Velasco and Elias Recaido Jr.

Ed Picson was the delegation head while the women had AIBA international technical official (ITO) Karina Picson as team manager.

...the Asia's most popular destination

Philippines dubbed 'Most popular destination in Asia' in Guangzhou, China

 

 

Philippine Information Agency
15 March 2013


 

MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippines was chosen "Most Popular Destination" by Guangzhou Information Times and the Guangzhou International Tourism Fair (GITF) in separate ceremonies held on March 7 in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong in southern China.

In a press conference/awarding ceremony held at the Nanhu Travel Display Center, the Philippines was presented the "Most Popular Destination in Asia" award by Mr. Li Xinzhang, Vice President of Guangzhou Information Times, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Guangzhou Information Times is a subsidiary of Guangzhou Daily, the most influential news daily in Guangzhou.

Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Daniel G. Corpuz and Consul General to Guangzhou Raly L. Tejada received the award.

An interview by the Information Times and Guangzhou TV followed the ceremony.

The Philippines was also one of the recipients of the "Most Popular Destination" Awards during the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) Awards Night held at the China Marriott Hotel. The Philippines was the lone recipient from Southeast Asia. The other co-winners include Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Chicago (United States), Korea, Seychelles, Mauritius, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Macau, and Italy.

Consul General Tejada accepted the award on behalf of the Philippines.

The GITF is organized by the Guangdong Provincial Tourism Administration through the Tourism Administration of Guangzhou Municipality in cooperation with Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd..

Held every year in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, the GITF has been recognized as one of the most significant annual international travel fairs in the Asia-Pacific Region for its extensive influence upon the tourism industry and related industries.

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou issued a total of 59,861 visas to Southern Chinese visitors to the Philippines in 2012.

The Philippines continues to hold a strong appeal to the Chinese market as the Consulate General posted an increase of 6.45% in visa issuance for January 2013 over the same period last year. (DFA)

...the Gusi peace prize awardee

Filipino peace prize awardee

By Manila Standard Today
Nov. 26, 2012

Dr. James G. Dy, the Gusi Peace Prize winner for Social Services and Philanthropy, was the only Filipino among 20 Laureates out of 128 candidates from Canada, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Iraq, Kuwait, Serbia, Uganda, Mauritius, Argentina, USA, China, United Kingdom, Mexico, Slovenia, Finland, Ukraine, Malaysia, Peru, and Russia.

Recognition rites will be held on November 28 at the Philippine International Convention Center for the philanthropist, who has been involved in social, civic and charitable work for more than 30 years.

Dr. Dy is the President of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., which operates the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center that served as his vehicle in supporting various charitable causes, including fund-raising and livelihood projects, medical and dental missions to far flung areas, and relief operations to devastated communities in times of calamities and disasters.

In 2002, he was elected Governor of the Philippine Red Cross and Governor of the Philippine Constitution Association, positions which he holds up to this day.

He earned four honorary doctorate degrees: Doctor of Humanities, University of Pangasinan in 1999; Doctor of Business Administration, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Pangasinan, in March 2004; Doctor of Humanities, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, November 2006; and Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management, Technological University of the Philippines, March 2007.

Dr. Dy was named Outstanding Filipino Awardee for Humanitarian Service by the Philippine Jaycee Senate and Insular Life Insurance Ltd. He also received the Outstanding Manilans Award for having distinguished himself in business and industry, hospital administration and humanitarian advocacy during the 428th Founding Anniversary of Manila, and was the outstanding Chinese-Filipino to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards for Excellence. His qualities as a civic leader and as a father were recognized by the Ulirang Ama Award along with the conferment of the title Ambassador for Medical Tourism in 2001.

...the PH diplomat to WTO board

PHL envoy appointed to WTO management board

 

 

 

November 10, 2012

GMA News

 

 

A Philippine diplomat has been appointed to the Management Board of the Advisory Center on World Trade Organization Law (ACWL), the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

 

 

The DFA said Philippine permanent representative to the WTO Esteban Conejos Jr. will have a two-year term and may be reappointed for another two years.

"Conejos succeeded Ambassador Bozkurt Aran of Turkey. His term will be for two years, and he will be eligible for reappointment for a further two years," the DFA said.

ACWL aims to provide developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) with the legal capability necessary to enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the WTO.

Conejos was unanimously nominated by the ACWL's Category B member countries to be their representative to the board, the DFA said.

These countries include Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.

The Philippines has been a member of ACWL since its establishment in 2001.

It has benefited from services such as legal assistance in dispute settlement cases, legal opinions, training courses, and a secondment program for government trade lawyers.

During the past 10 years, ACWL had been involved in 21 percent of all new WTO dispute settlement proceedings.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy earlier said the ACWL helps make sure the legal benefits of the WTO are shared among all members.

Lamy added the ACWL contributes to the effectiveness of the WTO's dispute settlement procedures, and to the realization of the WTO's development objectives.

Management board

The Management Board makes decisions to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the ACWL and reports to the General Assembly.

It has six persons serving in their personal capacities who have been selected on the basis of their professional qualifications in the field of WTO law or international trade relations and development.

Three Board members are nominated by the developing country members, two by the developed country members and one by the LDCs. The Executive Director serves ex officio on the Board.

The DFA said Conejos attended his first Management Board meeting on Nov. 7, and was welcomed by other board members, including ACWL Executive Director Niall Meagher.

At the meeting, they discussed the operational and financial standing of ACWL, as well as the accession of Cuba.

G-33 meet

On behalf of Indonesia, the Philippines through Conejos chaired the G-33 Heads of Delegation meeting on November 7 – a tradition being observed every time the coordinator of the group is not available.

The G-33, previously known as the Alliance for Special Products and Special Safeguard Mechanism, is a coalition of 46 developing countries pressing for S&DT flexibility for developing countries in the agriculture Doha Round of talks for ensuring food security, livelihood security and rural development.

Its key members include Barbados, China, Dominican Republic, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, Korea, the Philippines, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

The G-33 discussed the Indian proposal entitled "Some Elements... for Early Agreement to Address Food Security Issues," which India and the Philippines are seeking for G-33 sponsorship.

The proposal under "Green Box" of the WTO Agreement of Agriculture aims to exempt developing countries from factoring in government support payments for public stock-holding for food security purposes.

It particularly focuses on the procurement from "low-income or resource poor producers" and provision of subsidized food prices for urban and rural poor in their AMS ("trade-distorting subsidy") monetary limits.

The proposal is part of the considered "80 percent agreed and stabilized areas" in the 2008 Chair's agriculture modalities text which India and the Philippines hope to be harvested early during the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December 2012, in advance of the full conclusion of the Doha Round.

The proposal may be submitted to the COA-SS Chair John Adank and circulated to all WTO members before the agriculture talks resume on 16 November 2012 in Geneva. — LBG, GMA News

...the Pinoy doc to UN post

Pinoy doctor elected to UN committee vs. torture

By Rio Rose Ribaya

26 October 2012

 

A Filipino doctor is among the 12 new members of a committee in the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, a local group disclosed on Friday.

Dr. June Pagaduan Lopez, founder of Medical Action Group (MAG), was elected as a member of UN Anti-Torture Committee’s Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT).

In a statement, MAG congratulated Lopez for bringing Pinoy honor, by serving as one of the experts who will monitor detention conditions in more than 60 countries around the world until 2016.

"This will considerably strengthen the mandate of the SPT in torture prevention particularly in the field of mental health rehabilitation of torture survivors and their families," the group said.

The SPT has a preventive mandate focused on an innovative, sustained and proactive approach to the prevention of torture and ill treatment.

Lopez was elected during the fourth meeting of Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) on Thursday.

She will be working with other experts from Switzerland, United Kingdom, Argentina, New Zealand, Lebanon, Serbia, Mauritius, Costa Rica, Brazil, Germany and Republic of Moldova.

A professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Manila, Lopez exemplified “outstanding commitment” to the promotion and defense of human rights, MAG said.

She has been using her expertise in psychiatry for the rehabilitation of torture survivors for many years, the group noted.

The Philippines became the 63rd State Party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in April.

...the PH economic freedom rank

Phl moves up to 61st in economic freedom rankings By Jose Katigbak STAR Washington Bureau (The Philippine Star)  September 20, 2012

WASHINGTON – The Philippines leapfrogged to 61st place from 77th previously in the annual rankings on economic freedom around the world.

The country’s score also jumped to 7.12 from 6.84, said the Economic Freedom of the World: 2012 annual report.

Out of 144 countries and territories surveyed for the report released by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s leading public policy think tank, Hong Kong topped the field with a score of 8.9 out of 10.

Economic freedom is measured in five different areas: size of government (big government reduces the space for free exchange), legal system and security of property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally, and regulation of credit, labor, and business.

Fred McMahon, vice-president international research of the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute, told The STAR on Tuesday that the Philippines’ big improvement came in sound money, particularly allowing people to own foreign currency bank accounts.

There were also relatively small improvements in two other variables in this area: money growth and inflation variability.

“The Philippines also saw an increased score in size of government, in other words, government got slightly less intrusive in the economy,” he said.

“Overall, these factors led to an increase in the Philippines’ score from 6.84 to 7.12 out of 10. Because nations are tightly packed around these scores, this led to a move up in the ranks from 77 to 61,” he added.

The rankings in this year’s report are based on 2010 data, the most recent year for which comprehensive figures are available.

The other top 10 nations listed in descending order after Hong Kong with their scores in brackets were: Singapore (8.69), New Zealand (8.36), Switzerland (8.24), Australia (7.97), Canada (7.97), Bahrain (7.94), Mauritius (7.90), Finland (7.88) and Chile (7.84).

Rankings (and scores) of other large economies in this year’s index included: United Kingdom, 12th (7.75); United States, 18th (7.69); Japan, 20th (7.64); Germany, 31st (7.52); Russia, 95th (6.56); China, 107th (6.35); and India, 111th (6.26).

Venezuela was in last place with a score of 4.07 among the countries surveyed.

Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Republic of the Congo and Angola rounded out the bottom five nations.

Singapore was the best performer among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries in the world rankings in 2nd place, followed by the Philippines (61st), Malaysia (71st), Indonesia (76th), Thailand (87th) and Vietnam (96th).

Following were the economic freedom scores and world rankings in brackets for the Philippines: Size of government 8.31 (9), Legal system and property rights 4.37 (110), Sound money 9.29 (39), Freedom to trade internationally 6.69 (97), and Regulation 6.92 (74).