INDISCRIMINATE FIRING OF GUN PENALTY: 30-DAYS IMPRISONMENT or P200 FINE.

This article is filed under: Philippine Law

Under the Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code, the act of firing a gun in the air is considered a case of alarm and scandal and is only punishable by a 30-day imprisonment or a P200 fine.

Art. 155. Alarms and scandals. — The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding P200 pesos shall be imposed upon:

1. Any person who within any town or public place, shall discharge any firearm, rocket, firecracker, or other explosives calculated to cause alarm or danger.

This article is filed under: Philippine Law

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

THIS FILIPINO IS LOOKING FOR HIS SAUDI FATHER, AND HE'S ABOUT TO FIND OUT

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

We had a personal chat with the accommodating, kind and excited Mr. Elayan Allafi. ArabNews run a story of a Filipino looking for his Saudi father. 

Now, a Saudi man residing in the capital city of Riyadh has contacted the Filipino who has been searching for his father for 15 years and told him that he was ready for a DNA tests to confirm that he is indeed his son.

Elayan Allafi, married and with 2 kids did everything to find his roots, and set-up Instagram and Facebook account to trace his real father.

Allafi said: “Thanks to Allah, I am so happy the man is willing to recognize me but wants to be sure that everything goes through the legal process. He expressed his willingness to undergo DNA test.” 
According to Allafi, his mother met the Saudi man in Manila in 1983-84 through a Filipino friend who was a business partner. 
“I retained my name in my passport in the hope to see him one day, although it is something unfamiliar in the Filipino community to have such a name. However, everybody knows me there as “Arabia son”.

“I am confident about meeting my father, so that I can visit the Two Holy Mosques with my wife to perform Umrah".
“Once he recognizes me, I will perform Haj immediately,” he said.

Son and daughter of Elayan and his wife, who will soon find out who their real grandpa is.

Elayan said that his effort paid of, and he is very happy to see his father and hear his voice. He said he has peace of mind. 

He is looking forward for the DNA test anywhere, hopefully soon. It takes extra effort and sacrifices to finally find the truth. There's a saying that says, in order for you to arrive to wherever you want to go, you have to discover where you came from. Thats what exactly Elayan did, through the help of social media, and ArabNews, soon he will be able to find out his roots. His real father. 

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

Read more:

Filipino looking for his Saudi father for 15 years

Finally, Filipino gets a call from Saudi ‘dad’

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

WARNING: BE CAREFUL WITH SMALL BATTERIES, PUT THEM AWAY FROM YOUR KIDS, SWALLOWING CAN BE FATAL!

This article is filed under: Technology

A two-year-old girl from Oklahoma died a couple of days after Christmas from ingesting a battery a little larger than a medicine tablet. Brianna Florer died at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday after her parents called an ambulance when she threw up blood and she turned blue. The cause of the death is believed to be a button battery she swallowed, ingested, which released toxic chemicals inside her body. Xray showed a shiny, round button was found inside her stomach. 

While batteries often will pass through the system, they can get stuck and leak an alkaline substance which can prove to be fatally poisonous.

And this is not the first time. There were so many lives of young children was affected by this poisonous batteries that we often used in remote controls, toys, thermometers, greeting cards, pen lights, key chains and watches, among others.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission offered the following tips.

Parents and caregivers are urged to keep products containing these batteries away from children. CPSC recommends the following steps to prevent unintentional battery ingestion:

- Do not allow children to play with or be in contact with coin cell batteries.

- Caution hearing aid users to keep hearing aids and batteries out of the reach of children.

- Never put batteries in your mouth for any reason because they are easily swallowed accidentally.

- Always check medications before ingesting them. Adults have swallowed button batteries mistaking them for pills or tablets.

- Keep remotes and other electronics out of your child's reach if the battery compartments do not have a screw to secure them. Use tape to help secure the battery compartment.

- If a button battery is ingested, seek medical attention immediately. The National Battery Ingestion and Poison Help Hotlines are available 24 hours a day.

- Discard button batteries carefully.

Read more: Two-year-old girl tragically dies just two days after Christmas from eating a battery

Oklahoma toddler's death puts spotlight on battery dangers

This article is filed under: Technology
©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

SAUDI ARABIA TRANSPORT MINISTRY: TAXI DRIVERS ARE OVERCHARGING YOU, CALL AND REPORT TO THIS NUMBER, 938

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

Important info to all overseas Filipinos living or working in Saudi Arabia especially those commuting through taxi:

In a report, the Ministry of Transport of Saudi Arabia issued a call to all citizens and residents to call or report to a toll-free number 938 in cases that they have complaints regarding taxis who collect overcharge or very high fares.

The Ministry spokesman, in a report via ArabNews, Hazloul bin Hussein Al-Hazhoul, 

said that "inspectors randomly checked taxi fares at various locations in the city but found nothing irregular.
An expat who takes a taxi in going to work in the capital in the morning said that the flag down is still SR5 and the tariff per kilometer is still SR2.50"

In Riyadh, flag down is still at SR5.0 but in Jeddah and we are not sure in other cities and towns ,but in Jeddah, it is atleast SR10 or SR15.

The ministry spokesman in the said report added that if ever any passengers believes that they are being overcharged by taxi drivers, they should report it immediately to the ministry by calling the numver 938. This random checking as well as in apprehension to the fears of passengers that taxis might increase the fares or the flag down of the taxis in line with the 50% gasoline increase in Saudi Arabia last week. 

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

DTI: Hoverboards May Not Be Suitable for Kids Below 14 Years Old

DTI is contemplating to put a limit on the suitability of usage for those hoverboards that are very hot selling in the market right now. According to reports, these electronic balancing scooter are exploding most commonly during charging or due to overheating while being used.  

RECOMMENDED READING:
BE CAREFUL. SOME HOVERBOARDS EXPLODING AND CAUSING FIRE?

WARNING: HOVERBOARDS, NOT ALLOWED ONBOARD OR BAGGAGE IN AIRPLANE!

Watch the TV Patrol news here

This article is filed under: scooter, exploding scooter, Philippine news, Electronic Scooter., segway,

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

JANUARY 2016: SAR87 FOR ONE WAY AIRPORT TERMINAL FEE IN SAUDI ARABIA

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

Inbound and outbound international passengers would have to pay an SR87 fee for using airport facilities starting Jan. 1, 2016, ArabNews reported. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced that the fees would be recovered from airlines. The airlines, presumably will add up this cost to passenger’s airline tickets.

 

Originally, KSA airports are collecting SR50 for terminal fee upon purchase of tickets.

Right now, for each ticket purchased, airline company will collect additional  SR87 for terminal fee, or SR174 for round trip ticket (arrival and departure in the Kingdom).

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (Gaca) announced that they will begin to privatize the operations of its airports in the first quarter of 2016, starting with Riyadh’s King Khaled International airport (KKIA). They are planning to privatize total of 27 airports in the Kingdom, in order to lessen the expenses and deficit due to lower oil revenues because of the low oil oil price.

Source: ArabNews 

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

3 BIG ISSUES THAT PROVES THE POWER OF OFWS and SOCIAL MEDIA

This article is filed under: OFW News

This 2015, there are 3 issues that proves the power of Internet, the power of OFWs and the social media tool like Twitter and Facebook in voicing out with regards to issues that directly affects the OFWs.
1. Jane Veloso
HASHTAG #SAVEMARYJANE
'The #SaveMaryJane campaign proves that even in the darkest of hours, it is worth holding on to the tiniest inch of hope because a fight to save a person's life is always a battle worth fighting for'

"More than 200,000 signatures from 127 countries are now etched on a petition that helped spare the life of a Filipina from execution in Indonesia on April 29. The petition, now the fastest growing plea on Change.org - Philippines, reached the Indonesian State Palace through social media and a social movement that persevered to save the life of Mary Jane Veloso."  - Rappler News

RESULT: Mary Jane Veloso was spared from firing squad or execution.

2. Bukas Balikbayan Box
"President Benigno Aquino III has given instructions for the Bureau of Customs to stop the physical inspections of balikbayan boxes unless X-ray and K-9 examinations give rise to suspicions that they contain prohibited items.

The decision came after Aquino met with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina on Monday afternoon." 

"Earlier, OFWs took to social media to criticize the BOC's more stringent implementation of the balikbayan box inspections."  

One of the many viral posts

PEBA STATS FOR A WEEK! SIMULA NG UMPISAHAN NATIN ANG PAGTUTOL SA PLANO NG BOC NA BUKAS BALIKBAYAN BOX.BUONG OFW AY TUTOL... Posted by PEBA, Inc. on Sunday, August 23, 2015

3. Tanim-Laglag Bala
"The arrest of a 56-year-old OFW for allegedly carrying a bullet on her way to Hong Kong triggers public outrage against Manila airport authorities.The most recent incident that caused outrage on social media involved a 56-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) named Gloria Ortinez. She was arrested and prevented from leaving the country for Hong Kong after authorities at NAIA 2 claimed to have found a bullet wrapped in red cloth inside her bag. Ortinez has denied that the bullet was hers. Ortinez also said that she would never bring the bullet with her as she was well aware of Hong Kong's strict security laws.The arrest triggered public outrage, and netizens were quick to react on social media." - Rappler News

RESULT: PRES AQUINO NBI INVESTIGATION and A SERIES OF SENATE HEARING TO HEAR THE CASES OF THE VICTIMS. NBI FINDING SAYS, THERE ARE LAG-LAG BALA MODUS INSIDE NAIA.

Kung sakali at mabiktima kayo ng laglag bala,ganito po ang gagawin ninyo:1. Kapag pinabuksan ang bagahe, huwag pumayag.... Posted by PEBA, Inc. on Wednesday, October 28, 2015

This article is filed under: OFW News

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

HOW IS CHRISTMAS IF YOUR PARENTS ARE OFW'S?

This article is filed under: OFW News

"Christmas in the Philippines will never be complete without the 9-day simbang gabi, the scrumptious Noche Buena laid out on the dinner table, and the whole family laughing wth glee as the kids open their gifts by the tree."

But how do OFW kids celebrate Christmas?

If you're an OFW, how do your kids celebrate Christmas? 

This article is filed under: OFW News

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Links of Provinces For Provincial Nominee Application -Canada

This article is filed under: OFW News

If you are looking to apply as provincial nominee in one of the provinces in Canada, you may go to the corresponding links or contact them to apply or for inquiry. 

Provincial and Territorial Contacts

Before you can apply to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee, you must first be nominated by a province or territory. Each province or territory has its own application and nomination procedures. However CIC retains the authority to make the final decision on an application for permanent residence using existing selection and admissibility criteria, including security, criminal, and medical components for candidates who hold Provincial Nominee Certificates.

If you require further details regarding the PNC, you may contact the following provincial and territorial authorities:

Provincial and Territorial Contacts

• Alberta
  Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program 
  Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour
  9th Floor ATB Place North Tower
  10025 Jasper Avenue
  Edmonton, Alberta
  Canada  T5J 1S6
  www.albertacanada.com/ainp
• British Columbia
  Economic Immigration Programs 
  800-360 West Georgia Street 
  Vancouver, British Columbia 
  Canada  V6B 6B2
  www.WelcomeBC.ca/PNP
• Manitoba
  Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
  Manitoba Immigration and Multiculturalism
  213 Notre-Dame Avenue, 7th Floor
  Winnipeg, Manitoba 
  Canada  R3B 1N3
  www.immigratemanitoba.com
• New Brunswick 
  Population Growth Division
  Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
  500 Beaverbrook Court
  P.O.Box 6000
  Fredericton, New Brunswick
  Canada  E3B 5H1
  www.gnb.ca/immigration
• Newfoundland and Labrador
  Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism
  Human Resources, Labour and Employment
  P.O. Box 8700
  St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
  Canada  A1B 4J6
  www.nlpnp.ca
• Northwest Territories
  Education, Culture and Employment 
  P.O. Box 1320
  Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
  Canada  X1A 2L9
  www.ece.gov.nt.ca
• Nova Scotia
  Provincial Nominee Program
  Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
  1741 Brunswick Street, Suite 110A
  P.O. Box 1535
  Halifax, Nova Scotia
  Canada  B3J 2Y3
  www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
• Ontario 
  Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program
  400 University Avenue, Ground Floor
  Toronto, Ontario
  Canada  M7A 2R9
  www.ontarioimmigration.ca
• Prince Edward Island
  Office of Immigration, Settlement and Population 
  Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning 
  94 Euston Street, 2nd Floor 
  P.O. Box 1176
  Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  Canada  C1A 7M8
  E-Mail: peinominee@gov.pe.ca 
  www.opportunitiespei.ca
• Saskatchewan 
  Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
  Ministry of the Economy 
  Immigration Services 
  1945 Hamilton Street, 7th Floor 
  Regina, Saskatchewan
  Canada  S4P 2C8
  www.saskimmigrationcanada.ca
• Yukon Territory
  Advanced Education Branch
  Department of Education
  P.O. Box 2703
  Whitehorse, Yukon Territory 
  Canada  Y1A 2C6 
  E-Mail: yukon.nominee@gov.yk.ca 
  www.immigration.gov.yk.ca
• Economic Development
  Business and Industry Development Branch
  P.O. Box 2703 (F-2)
  Whitehorse, Yukon Territory 
  Canada  Y1A 2C6 
  www.economicdevelopment.gov.yk.ca

This article is filed under: OFW News
©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

3 BALIKBAYAN BOX DELIVERED ALMOST HALF EMPTY

This article is filed under: OFW News

A family who is a recipient of 3 balikbayan boxes from the USA are complaining that almost all boxes was delivered half empty.

Watch the video via GMA News below.

LBC express this advisory after the incident. Screenshots via GMA News Video

Recommended:

This article is filed under: OFW News

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO