balita balita balita! - Toyota Yaris Forums

markylicious · 12-07-2010, 05:59 AM

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article208985.ece

Government fees double from Tuesday

By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 5, 2010 23:37 Updated: Dec 5, 2010 23:58

JEDDAH: Fees for various government services — including those relating to the issuing and renewal of passports, driving licenses and Iqamas — will double from Tuesday as the government’s 50 percent reduction scheme comes to an end Monday.

Many people across the Kingdom hoped the government would continue its fee reduction scheme, which they said provided a welcome relief in the face of increasing costs of living and rent.

The Council of Ministers ordered fees to be reduced for a three-year period that began in Muharram 1429 (January 2008) and is to end on the last day of the current Hijri year (Dec. 6). A 10 percent increase in pensions and government subsidies for essential commodities were also announced at the same time.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who always has the welfare of the Kingdom’s citizens close to his heart, took away a lot of burden from our backs with the 50 percent reduction,” said Saudi citizen Obaidullah Al-Harbi.

“We hope the king will return in excellent health after his successful treatment in the US and continue with the scheme,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it will continue to increase the living allowance given to government employees.

xtremist · 12-07-2010, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markylicious

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article208985.ece

Government fees double from Tuesday

By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS
Published: Dec 5, 2010 23:37 Updated: Dec 5, 2010 23:58

JEDDAH: Fees for various government services — including those relating to the issuing and renewal of passports, driving licenses and Iqamas — will double from Tuesday as the government’s 50 percent reduction scheme comes to an end Monday.

Many people across the Kingdom hoped the government would continue its fee reduction scheme, which they said provided a welcome relief in the face of increasing costs of living and rent.

The Council of Ministers ordered fees to be reduced for a three-year period that began in Muharram 1429 (January 2008) and is to end on the last day of the current Hijri year (Dec. 6). A 10 percent increase in pensions and government subsidies for essential commodities were also announced at the same time.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who always has the welfare of the Kingdom’s citizens close to his heart, took away a lot of burden from our backs with the 50 percent reduction,” said Saudi citizen Obaidullah Al-Harbi.

“We hope the king will return in excellent health after his successful treatment in the US and continue with the scheme,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it will continue to increase the living allowance given to government employees.

waaaahhhhh...bad news...anyhow, 10 years p nman bgo ma exprie driving license ko, hw 'bout s mga kayaris? regarding passport renewal, i think hindi nman tyo affected d2 db? Iqama, well sgot nman ng company (cguro sa lhat din ng kayaris)...but for the others, i think magbabayad tyo ng double, hope to increase also the living allowance of non government companies...hehehe

xtremist · 12-07-2010, 06:14 AM

guys, i just want to share 1 article and it's worth reading...if you have spare time, try to read this :

EDITORIAL

for The Migrants Magazine

Last quarter 2010 edition

A CHALLENGE TO ALL OFWs, OR

ARE WE GREEDY, UNPATRIOTIC, TRAITORS & COWARD?

By Lito Nucum

The exodus of millions of Juan & Juana Dela Cruz to find a greener pasture abroad is a product of necessity and wants, and not of whims and caprices. To call the exodus a trend or “gaya-gaya puto maya” is a fallacy. The Filipino way of thinking and his survival instinct has changed dramatically. Sabel’s world now is more complicated and demanding that she is willing to bear all the hardships and sacrifices just to land a $200 monthly pay job as domestic helper in the Middle East.

What ever the reasons behind the OFW’s decision to go overseas, it is probably right to

accept our migratory nature as already being part of our Filipino attitudes & traditions. Initially and for many OFWs our temporary exile is the dictate of our economic situation. But many of us still continue to toil abroad because no one gets tired collecting and counting the pictures of Benjamin Franklin. Are we becoming so greedy?

Recently, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, during his visit to the country, made a speech before the Who’s who in the Philippines politics & society, impressing upon the OFWs to return home and help direct our focus and strength to build a better Philippines. Are we, OFWs, being unpatriotic for choosing to work abroad at the expense of the good development of our country? Is our country suffering from the brain drain? I fear not so.

This opinion of Pres. Bill Clinton promptly triggers the intellect of former NEDA Chairwoman during the Cory Aquino administration. Professor Winnie Monsod lectured her class that Filipinos who go overseas are traitors (source GMA news). Are we traitors? Or are we the victims of a fool and corrupt government who failed to provide jobs, thus poor Juan is forced to look for a job somewhere else, so far from his country.

Who could blame us for continuing our economic struggle in a far-flung domain? Good business opportunities are almost allotted to the rich and our Chinese-blood brothers. Our country is perceived as uncompetitive that fails to magnet foreign investors. The bureaucracy & corruption sipped every drops of blood from prospect investors. Our government, past and present, prove to be inutile because they were/are busy vying for the most coveted price as being the most corrupt country in the world.

So, we, the land-based and the sea based chose to remain away from home. Our gallivanting dreams direct us to look deeper, even to unchartered territories. We set our eyes to further horizon. Create a job that is moon-based or air-based, the adventurous spirit of a Filipino will try to be there too. Fact is OFWs are all over the continents of the world. Kabayans can be seen working in more than 150 countries, cruising from smallest island to the biggest island, cultivating from the coldest to the hottest countries, singing song while scrubbing floors in Europe or crying pail of tears on an empty stomach and empty pockets receiving verbal & physical abuses in the Arab lands. Can we define ourselves then as coward?

OFWs, the so-called unsung heroes remain the saving grace that keeps our economy afloat for about 4 decades now. After the semi-conductor industry, the OFWs earnings is second in infusing the mighty dollar to home. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is basking with pride for the rising dollar reserves owing to the OFWs dollar remittances. And yet until now our government considers the OFWs as her milking cows. The government cannot pride itself of taking good concerns of the OFWs because there is nothing tangible they have done to empower the OFWs.

We are wrong anyway to depend from our government for our well-being. From one flip-flops to another, I even started to feel sorry for having voted for P-noy, but I still pray for his government to succeed. Truth is, we cannot wait forever for ‘manna’ to drop from heaven. There is so much OFW can do to make a big difference, and to make a better Philippines for our children.

We remain a small voice until we empower ourselves to be heard, and we owe it to ourselves to be empowered. Is this exactly what we want? To be empowered is to gain strong voice economically and receive the warm embrace of the political field. To act as one strong and healthy body OFWs should start trusting each other. We need to unite to create our own opportunities. We continue to patronize SM and Robinson, why not our own OFW Super Malls? Our government keeps on borrowing funds from IMF or the World Bank, and OFWs made what BDO is today. Why not our own OFW Bank? We can even finance the next MRT lines or expressway if OFW savings are made to talk and walk. We keep on barking for foreign investors. Why not OFW investors? We can establish our own food chains, our own construction firms, our own industrial plants, real estate, travel agencies, manpower & recruiting agencies, our own transportation or communication companies. The opportunities are infinite when we pool our talents, savings and resources. We have the faith and we can surely do it.

Just imagine 10% of USD17 billion being sent home annually as annual OFW savings. This is equivalent to a whooping P74,8 billion at a current peso exchange rate of P44/dollar. These worth of monies magnified by 5 years savings can be a movers and shakers when put into business. We could stop further enriching the likes of Sy, Tan and many of our Chinese brothers who are ruling over us. Actually they are toying with us. OFW individual savings earned him only less than 1% interest per annum, whilst super rich Henry Sy and other banks where our savings are lodged earned them about 15%. Meaning, for every P16 interest earned, P1.00 goes to OFW, and the P15 goes to Henry Sy and the lot. No wonder, another Chinese brother started to operate his own Robinson Bank. No wonder Banco De Oro is now one of the fastest growing banks in the country.

Greedy we OFWs are not, but there is a challenge poking on our conscience to prove that we are not traitors? We can still be patriotic even if we continue working abroad. Are you brave enough to take the challenges of time and ready to unite to empower ourselves. Are the truly pusong pinoy ready to compete with our Spanish, Chinese & Korean brothers who are ruling the Philippine business spheres.

Are you ready to take the challenge?

I am……

syntax · 12-07-2010, 10:44 AM

hanep nose bleed ako dun sa article na un ahh, sumakit ulo ko wehehhehe

xtremist · 12-07-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syntax

hanep nose bleed ako dun sa article na un ahh, sumakit ulo ko wehehhehe

wahaha...knina nga hinanap ko p meaning nung ibang word eh...atleast pareng syntax, may natutunan n2man tyong bagong salita...hehehe

markylicious · 12-08-2010, 03:22 AM

Philippine high court rules against truth commission

By REUTERS
Published: Dec 7, 2010 14:05 Updated: Dec 7, 2010 14:05

MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday against President Benigno Aquino’s creation of a truth commission to look into his predecessor’s alleged wrongdoings, casting doubts over his anti-corruption campaign.

Aquino won the presidency in May on the platform of fighting poverty and corruption, but has run into obstacles in a court system and bureaucracy dominated by appointments made by former leader Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Voting 10-5, the country’s highest court declared the setting up of the truth commission as unconstitutional because it “violates the equal protection clause of the constitution,” said Gleoresty Guerra, a court spokeswoman.

“Majority ruled the executive order violates the equal protection clause of the constitution inasmuch as it singles out investigation of graft and corrupt practices in the previous administration,” Guerra told reporters.

“The justices resolved the case according to what they viewed was based on the law,” Guerra said, rejecting accusations the court, dominated by Arroyo appointees, had ruled to protect her from investigation.

Arroyo had appointed all but one of the 15-member court while in power for 9 years after an army-backed popular uprising removed former President Joseph Estrada in 2001 over allegations of taking bribes from illegal gambling operators.

But, Arroyo was also hounded by allegations of poll fraud and corruption until her term ended on June 30, surviving three attempts by rogue troops to unseat her and five impeachment motions in the lower house of Congress.

Aquino has promised to pursue Arroyo on some high profile and large-scale corruption cases, but he has yet to win a legal battle after three major setbacks, including the reinstatement of an Arroyo appointee he had removed.

In October, he criticized a court ruling, warning it “could precipitate a clash with another separate, co-equal branch of government.”

The latest ruling was described by Aquino’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, as a setback to the government’s anti-corruption drive.

“We’re disappointed by the decision on the truth commission, but it won’t keep us from pursuing cases against Arroyo and her former officials,” Lacierda told reporters.

Arroyo’s allies in the lower house of Congress celebrated the court ruling as “a triumph of the rule of law.”

“Partisan hostility and discrimination under the pretense of search for truth and closure cannot be legitimized,” said Edcel Lagman, an opposition congressman who questioned the legality of the truth commission before the high court.

12-07-2010, 05:59 AM	#1
markylicious Drives: 2010 Yaris Sedan "Abyss" Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Siteen St. Al Malaz, Riyadh. Posts: 347	balita balita balita! http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article208985.ece Government fees double from Tuesday By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI \| ARAB NEWS Published: Dec 5, 2010 23:37 Updated: Dec 5, 2010 23:58 JEDDAH: Fees for various government services — including those relating to the issuing and renewal of passports, driving licenses and Iqamas — will double from Tuesday as the government’s 50 percent reduction scheme comes to an end Monday. Many people across the Kingdom hoped the government would continue its fee reduction scheme, which they said provided a welcome relief in the face of increasing costs of living and rent. The Council of Ministers ordered fees to be reduced for a three-year period that began in Muharram 1429 (January 2008) and is to end on the last day of the current Hijri year (Dec. 6). A 10 percent increase in pensions and government subsidies for essential commodities were also announced at the same time. “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who always has the welfare of the Kingdom’s citizens close to his heart, took away a lot of burden from our backs with the 50 percent reduction,” said Saudi citizen Obaidullah Al-Harbi. “We hope the king will return in excellent health after his successful treatment in the US and continue with the scheme,” he added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has announced that it will continue to increase the living allowance given to government employees.

12-07-2010, 06:14 AM	#3
xtremist Drives: yaris Y 2010 A.K.A. "sky" Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: al khobar, KSA Posts: 2,979	guys, i just want to share 1 article and it's worth reading...if you have spare time, try to read this : EDITORIAL for The Migrants Magazine Last quarter 2010 edition A CHALLENGE TO ALL OFWs, OR ARE WE GREEDY, UNPATRIOTIC, TRAITORS & COWARD? By Lito Nucum The exodus of millions of Juan & Juana Dela Cruz to find a greener pasture abroad is a product of necessity and wants, and not of whims and caprices. To call the exodus a trend or “gaya-gaya puto maya” is a fallacy. The Filipino way of thinking and his survival instinct has changed dramatically. Sabel’s world now is more complicated and demanding that she is willing to bear all the hardships and sacrifices just to land a $200 monthly pay job as domestic helper in the Middle East. What ever the reasons behind the OFW’s decision to go overseas, it is probably right to accept our migratory nature as already being part of our Filipino attitudes & traditions. Initially and for many OFWs our temporary exile is the dictate of our economic situation. But many of us still continue to toil abroad because no one gets tired collecting and counting the pictures of Benjamin Franklin. Are we becoming so greedy? Recently, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, during his visit to the country, made a speech before the Who’s who in the Philippines politics & society, impressing upon the OFWs to return home and help direct our focus and strength to build a better Philippines. Are we, OFWs, being unpatriotic for choosing to work abroad at the expense of the good development of our country? Is our country suffering from the brain drain? I fear not so. This opinion of Pres. Bill Clinton promptly triggers the intellect of former NEDA Chairwoman during the Cory Aquino administration. Professor Winnie Monsod lectured her class that Filipinos who go overseas are traitors (source GMA news). Are we traitors? Or are we the victims of a fool and corrupt government who failed to provide jobs, thus poor Juan is forced to look for a job somewhere else, so far from his country. Who could blame us for continuing our economic struggle in a far-flung domain? Good business opportunities are almost allotted to the rich and our Chinese-blood brothers. Our country is perceived as uncompetitive that fails to magnet foreign investors. The bureaucracy & corruption sipped every drops of blood from prospect investors. Our government, past and present, prove to be inutile because they were/are busy vying for the most coveted price as being the most corrupt country in the world. So, we, the land-based and the sea based chose to remain away from home. Our gallivanting dreams direct us to look deeper, even to unchartered territories. We set our eyes to further horizon. Create a job that is moon-based or air-based, the adventurous spirit of a Filipino will try to be there too. Fact is OFWs are all over the continents of the world. Kabayans can be seen working in more than 150 countries, cruising from smallest island to the biggest island, cultivating from the coldest to the hottest countries, singing song while scrubbing floors in Europe or crying pail of tears on an empty stomach and empty pockets receiving verbal & physical abuses in the Arab lands. Can we define ourselves then as coward? OFWs, the so-called unsung heroes remain the saving grace that keeps our economy afloat for about 4 decades now. After the semi-conductor industry, the OFWs earnings is second in infusing the mighty dollar to home. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is basking with pride for the rising dollar reserves owing to the OFWs dollar remittances. And yet until now our government considers the OFWs as her milking cows. The government cannot pride itself of taking good concerns of the OFWs because there is nothing tangible they have done to empower the OFWs. We are wrong anyway to depend from our government for our well-being. From one flip-flops to another, I even started to feel sorry for having voted for P-noy, but I still pray for his government to succeed. Truth is, we cannot wait forever for ‘manna’ to drop from heaven. There is so much OFW can do to make a big difference, and to make a better Philippines for our children. We remain a small voice until we empower ourselves to be heard, and we owe it to ourselves to be empowered. Is this exactly what we want? To be empowered is to gain strong voice economically and receive the warm embrace of the political field. To act as one strong and healthy body OFWs should start trusting each other. We need to unite to create our own opportunities. We continue to patronize SM and Robinson, why not our own OFW Super Malls? Our government keeps on borrowing funds from IMF or the World Bank, and OFWs made what BDO is today. Why not our own OFW Bank? We can even finance the next MRT lines or expressway if OFW savings are made to talk and walk. We keep on barking for foreign investors. Why not OFW investors? We can establish our own food chains, our own construction firms, our own industrial plants, real estate, travel agencies, manpower & recruiting agencies, our own transportation or communication companies. The opportunities are infinite when we pool our talents, savings and resources. We have the faith and we can surely do it. Just imagine 10% of USD17 billion being sent home annually as annual OFW savings. This is equivalent to a whooping P74,8 billion at a current peso exchange rate of P44/dollar. These worth of monies magnified by 5 years savings can be a movers and shakers when put into business. We could stop further enriching the likes of Sy, Tan and many of our Chinese brothers who are ruling over us. Actually they are toying with us. OFW individual savings earned him only less than 1% interest per annum, whilst super rich Henry Sy and other banks where our savings are lodged earned them about 15%. Meaning, for every P16 interest earned, P1.00 goes to OFW, and the P15 goes to Henry Sy and the lot. No wonder, another Chinese brother started to operate his own Robinson Bank. No wonder Banco De Oro is now one of the fastest growing banks in the country. Greedy we OFWs are not, but there is a challenge poking on our conscience to prove that we are not traitors? We can still be patriotic even if we continue working abroad. Are you brave enough to take the challenges of time and ready to unite to empower ourselves. Are the truly pusong pinoy ready to compete with our Spanish, Chinese & Korean brothers who are ruling the Philippine business spheres. Are you ready to take the challenge? I am…… __________________ Ciao !!! Yaris X: The Largest Most Organized Pinoy Yaris Owners Group In The Middle East (Eastern Region Chapter) Disclaimer: Not Connected to Toyota A.Lathif Jameel ME In Any Way

12-07-2010, 10:44 AM	#4
syntax Drives: Yaris Sedan 2010 "shadow" Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Riyadh,KSA Posts: 4,514	hanep nose bleed ako dun sa article na un ahh, sumakit ulo ko wehehhehe

12-08-2010, 03:22 AM	#6
markylicious Drives: 2010 Yaris Sedan "Abyss" Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Siteen St. Al Malaz, Riyadh. Posts: 347	Philippine high court rules against truth commission By REUTERS Published: Dec 7, 2010 14:05 Updated: Dec 7, 2010 14:05 MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday against President Benigno Aquino’s creation of a truth commission to look into his predecessor’s alleged wrongdoings, casting doubts over his anti-corruption campaign. Aquino won the presidency in May on the platform of fighting poverty and corruption, but has run into obstacles in a court system and bureaucracy dominated by appointments made by former leader Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Voting 10-5, the country’s highest court declared the setting up of the truth commission as unconstitutional because it “violates the equal protection clause of the constitution,” said Gleoresty Guerra, a court spokeswoman. “Majority ruled the executive order violates the equal protection clause of the constitution inasmuch as it singles out investigation of graft and corrupt practices in the previous administration,” Guerra told reporters. “The justices resolved the case according to what they viewed was based on the law,” Guerra said, rejecting accusations the court, dominated by Arroyo appointees, had ruled to protect her from investigation. Arroyo had appointed all but one of the 15-member court while in power for 9 years after an army-backed popular uprising removed former President Joseph Estrada in 2001 over allegations of taking bribes from illegal gambling operators. But, Arroyo was also hounded by allegations of poll fraud and corruption until her term ended on June 30, surviving three attempts by rogue troops to unseat her and five impeachment motions in the lower house of Congress. Aquino has promised to pursue Arroyo on some high profile and large-scale corruption cases, but he has yet to win a legal battle after three major setbacks, including the reinstatement of an Arroyo appointee he had removed. In October, he criticized a court ruling, warning it “could precipitate a clash with another separate, co-equal branch of government.” The latest ruling was described by Aquino’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, as a setback to the government’s anti-corruption drive. “We’re disappointed by the decision on the truth commission, but it won’t keep us from pursuing cases against Arroyo and her former officials,” Lacierda told reporters. Arroyo’s allies in the lower house of Congress celebrated the court ruling as “a triumph of the rule of law.” “Partisan hostility and discrimination under the pretense of search for truth and closure cannot be legitimized,” said Edcel Lagman, an opposition congressman who questioned the legality of the truth commission before the high court.