The Wutz Up in the Philippines!

“It is not me, Your Honor,” Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug said yesterday when asked by Senator Estrada if he was the one who was torturing the suspected robber on a video leaked by a concern citizen to the media.

The disclosed video showing a police officer cursing and whipping the suspect with a rope tied on his genitals was viewed frequently by internet users on YouTube. When finally hyped up by the media, it was detected that the torturing was done at the Asuncion community police precint in Tondo, Manila. Several witnesses pointed to Binayug and his men saying it was him who was tormenting the suspect shown on the video.

The victim’s wife, Darius Evangelista, also identified the police officer as the one torturing her husband on the video. This was constantly reminded by the deputy chief of the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office), Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, when Binayug firmly denied the accusation. Senator Estrada said, “Witnesses are pointing to you as the main culprit or the main suspect of the torture. Why don’t you tell the committee here… and I am reminding you that you are under oath,”.  At that point, Binayug then cited his right not to discuss the issue further since there is a case already filed against him in court and thus wants to wait until the hearing.

A case is filed against Binayug for violation of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

The Philippines, being one of the top most visited tourist spots in Southeast Asia, is undergoing a “black” phase in tourism industry after the bloodbath hostage crisis at Quirino Grand Stand, Manila last Monday.

The Hong Kong government heaved a black travel alert on all travel to the Philippines, affecting the Philippine goverment’s effort in achieving its tourism arrival target of 3.3 million this year, according to Tourism Secretary, Alberto Lim. Given that, he also stated that “In the short term, it (incident) will have a negative impact…It takes time to forget but the market will come back,” Philstar News.

The released senior inspector Rolando Mendoza, took over the Hong Thai Travel busload of 21 Hong Kong tourists and 4 Filipino tour guides and photographers, demanding his reinstatement in the police force. The incident lasted for about 11 hours, ending 9 lives including Mendoza who was killed by a sniper. It was said that the police force trying to capture Mendoza’s brother, Gregorio Mendoza, which was viewed by the hostage taker over the television inside the bus, triggered him to raise gun shots later that day.

Chinese newspaper People’s Daily, declared the Philippines as one of the most chaotic countries in Southeast Asia, Philstar News. This greatly affects the Philippine Tourism since almost 1.15 million tourists flies back and forth to the country, visiting popular tourists spots every year.

Philippine Government is finding ways and taking action using the media  in explaining to other countries, especially in Hong Kong and China, that the incident is an isolated case and that there is no breakdown of law and order in the Philippines, according to Lim.

President Aquino declared this day, August 25, 2010, as the National Mourning day for the hostage victims last Monday.

Serviced offices offer a much needed convenience to foreign and local companies setting up business in the Philippines. These offices usually come fully-furnished, and are equipped by a separate facility management company. The managing company purchases the individual desks, office space, and operating equipment, then rents them out to client companies. Also referred to as executive suites, managed offices, business centers, or executive centers, serviced offices boast a large number of benefits, including plug and play options, prominent business adresses, and flexible short term contracts. These types of offices often have more flexible rental terms, compared to conventional leased office space, which are subject to more restrictive leases. Additional office space is easily allocated within short notice, making it more convenient for client companies in general, should a particular business change in size. Serviced offices are also more cost-effective, owing to the fact that client companies do not require to set aside capital for start-up costs and solicitor’s fees.

Most serviced offices are equipped with the latest technology, including plug and play options, high speed internet access and state-of-the-art facilities. A large number of workstations are available to employees, and can be used by anyone. Serviced offices have become a viable alternative to conventional leased office space. They are used buy a large number of foreign and local companies in the Philippines, some of which include start-up business ventures, branch offices, expanding companies, and foreign companies in need of local representation. The accessibility of serviced offices also makes it an attractive option to many companies. Most offices are usually open on a 24 hour basis, and provide high-speed internet access to anyone, anytime. However, serviced offices have their own share of limitations. For one thing, a serviced office often gives clients a generic impression of your company. Serviced offices also have higher monthly rental rates than conventionally leased office space. Most serviced offices are usually found in Central Business Districts (CBDs) like Makati, Manila, Ortigas, and Fort Bonifacio.

Serviced offices in Manila usually range from Php 15,000-30,000 per month, depending on the type of facilities available to the renter. Office rates in Makati, on the other hand, range from Php 15,000-40,000. However, some rates are only given on application. This is usually the case for offices located in premier business areas in the city, such as Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo del Roxas.

According to Michael McCullough of Makati-based real-estate brokerage firm KMC MAG Group, “”Serviced offices offer an immediate business location solution without having to spend all the time and money building out an office. You often get a great corporate address and the facilities you need to impress clients.”

Adds Business Consultant Gregory Kittelson of Manila consulting firm Kittelson & Carpo Consulting, “Many of our smaller clients registering a business in the Philippines take advantage of serviced offices while ramping up on the initial hiring of employees. Once the the company matures and hires more employess, they then leave the serviced office option and look for leased office space throughout Metro-Manila.”

by: Kathleen Yu

MANILA, Philippines – Education Secretary Mona Valisno will lead the annual inspection of schools today when around 23 million public and private school children troop back to different learning institutions nationwide.

Valisno, with other school officials, will make the rounds around 8 a.m. at the Nangka Elementary School on Balubad St. in Marikina City.

The officials will then proceed to Don Alejandro Roces Sr. School and Technical High School on Roces Avenue, in Brgy. Obrero, Quezon City, around 9:15 a.m.

The visit to selected schools in Metro Manila is part of the activities for Department of Education’s “Oplan Balik Eskwela” with the theme “Tara Na! Balik Eskwela Na.”

Last week, the DepEd has activated a command center at its main office to receive complaints and queries from parents and guardians regarding the school opening. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)