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Why do some countries usually end up poor?

A hundred and ninety-six countries, 25 of which are rich - the rest are poor.

The Philippines is one of the emerging markets and is the sixth richest in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita values, after the regional countries of Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

But, poverty in the country has always remained a critical social problem that calls to be addressed, where 21.6% of the current population lives below the poverty line.

A YouTube video from the School of Life channel lays down the reasons why the poor countries stay poor and the rich countries rich.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW




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ADDA Anti-Distracted Driving Act DOTr How-To MMDA Motoring Technology

Here's a small guide to the do's and don'ts of driving via ADDA mode.

RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) makes it unlawful for drivers to use communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while their vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection.

Amid the confusion it sowed when it first came out, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) released a revised implementing rules and regulation of ADDA, with a new provision on the "safe zone," where dashcams or cellular phone placements are allowed.

This so-called "safe zone" is counting 4 inches from the vehicle dashboard into the windshield. Beyond the 4-inch safe zone will be considered part of the "line of sight," where gadgets and objects are not allowed.

But, vehicles with built-in OEM navigational systems and LCD screens, such as those found in Mazdas, Mercedes-Benzes, and other vehicles, will not be found in violation of the ADDA, even if they exceed the 4 inch limit.

Rosaries, statues of saints, car fresheners, bobble-heads and the like, will be allowed for the meantime as the focus of apprehension will initially be on cellphones and gadgets.


SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FAQ's

FAQs

1. What is RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act?
RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act is a new law that prohibits motorists from using communication devices and other electronic entertainment and computing gadgets while vehicles are in motion or temporarily stopped on a traffic light or an intersection. A motorist, as defined under this law, is a person who is driving a motor vehicle.

2. What vehicles are covered by this Act?
This act covers both public and private vehicles. It also covers wheeled agricultural machineries, construction equipment, and other forms of conveyances such as bicycles, pedicabs, trolleys, “habal-habal”, “kuligligs”, wagons, carriages, and carts that may either be human-powered or pulled by an animal as long as the same are operated or driven in public thoroughfares, highways or streets.

3. What does this law prohibit?
Prohibited acts made while driving include but not limited to: making or receiving calls, writing, sending or reading text-based communications, playing games, watching movies, performing calculations, reading e-books, composing messages, and surfing or browsing the internet.

4. What are the actions exempted from this law?
Motorists are allowed to use their devices to make or take emergency calls to authorities in cases of a crime, accidents, bomb or terrorist threat, fire or explosion, instances needing immediate medical attention, or when personal safety and security is compromised.

5. Can we use hands-free devices like microphones and earphones?
Yes. Motorists can use the aid of hands-free function and applications as long as these do not interfere with the driver’s line of sight. This means that no communication or electronic gadget should be affixed on the car’s dashboard and steering wheel. In addition, drivers are only allowed to wear earphones when making or receiving calls. Using earphones to listen to music falls under “similar acts” in Section 4B of the law, in addition to reckless driving violation penalized under other relevant laws.

6. Can we still use traffic and navigational apps like Waze and Google Maps while driving?
Yes. Although motorists are being advised to set their preferred destination on these applications prior to their departure. Gadgets with these applications may be installed in areas that will not obstruct the driver’s view. In cases when motorists need to find alternate routes while in traffic, they are advised to first pull their vehicles aside.

7. Who are authorized to apprehend violating motorists?
The DOTr - Land Transportation Office (LTO) is the lead implementing agency of the Act. The LTO also has the authority to deputize members of the PNP, MMDA, and LGUs to carry out enforcement functions and duties.

8. How will we know if drivers of private vehicles with heavily-tinted windshields are violating the law?
Aside from high-definition cameras that can monitor lights from devices inside heavily-tinted vehicles, the law will also be strictly enforced by enforcers on the ground who were well-trained to determine from the movement of the vehicle whether or not a driver commits distracted driving. A Memorandum Circular setting specifications on the regulation of tints shall be released by LTO soon, upon consultation with tint manufacturers.

9. What are the penalties?
Violators will be penalized with a fine of five thousand pesos (Php5,000) for the first offense, ten thousand pesos (Php10,000) for the second offense, and fifteen thousand pesos (Php15,000) for the third offense with a three-month suspension of driver’s license. Violations incurred beyond the third offense shall be penalized with the revocation of driver’s license and a fine of twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000).

10. Are operators of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) also liable for violations made by drivers?
Yes. Operators and owners of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) and other commercial vehicles shall both be held liable for the violations committed by their drivers.

11. When will this be implemented?
The Anti Distracted Driving Act shall be implemented nationwide fifteen days after its general publication (or sometime between June 28, 2017 to early July, 2017).


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Celebrities Entertainment FHM Lifestyle Magazines Roxanne Barcelo Sexy Showbiz

Actress-singer Roxanne Barcelo makes her first cover appearance in FHM's June 2017 issue.

Following three appearances in the inside pages of FHM since 2013, the 32-year-old former teen star metamorphosed into a more mature persona.

Also featured in the June 2017 issue are some "unorthodox" rehab methods for drug dependents, results of the 2017 National Sex IQ survey, and a few conversations with young action men of the future.

FHM June 2017 will be available in supermarkets, convenience stores, newsstands, and bookstores nationwide!


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Marawi City Martial Law Maute Group Military Mindanao

Getting the facts to explain what's going on in Marawi City.

The Battle of Marawi, is an ongoing armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur between Philippine government security forces and militants of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Islamic jihadist supremacist groups that started on 23 May 2017.

The Philippine government claims that the clashes began when they launched an offensive in the city to capture Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf group, after receiving reports that Hapilon was in the city, possibly to meet with militants of the Maute group. A deadly firefight erupted when Hapilon's forces opened fire at the combined Army and police teams and called for reinforcements from the Maute, an armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and who are believed to be responsible for the 2016 Davao City bombing, according to military spokesmen.

Maute Group militants attacked Camp Ranao and occupied several buildings in the city, including Marawi City Hall, the Mindanao State University, a hospital and the city jail. The group also occupied the main street and set fire to Saint Mary's Church, Ninoy Aquino School, and Dansalan College run by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).


Who is the Maute Group?

The Maute group, also known as the Islamic State of Lanao, is a radical Islamist group composed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and some foreign fighters led by Abdullah Maute, the alleged founder of a Dawlah Islamiya, or Islamic state based in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. The group figured in a clash with Philippine Army troops in February 2016 that ended with the capture of their headquarters in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

The group is thought to have over 100 members and were supplied with equipment by a foreign terrorist. They are said to be affiliated with Jemaah Islamiya, a Southeast Asian Islamist terrorist group.

The Maute group is regularly seen carrying black flags bearing the insignia of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Training manuals and other documents for militants under the Islamic State were recovered from their captured camp, indicating that the group may be trying to link up with ISIS.


The Marawi Siege

Firefights between government forces and militants began at approximately 2:00 in the afternoon of May 23, 2017. News reports said that the clash occurred in the Basak Malutlut area of the city as Hapilon's forces called for reinforcement from the Maute group. Maute fighters occupied the Amai Pakpak Hospital and ordered the PhilHealth employees out of the facility. The fighters allegedly replaced the Philippine flag hoisted in the hospital with the Black Standard used by the Islamic State group. A staff member of the hospital has later denied that this happened.

The 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army stationed at Camp Ranao was attacked by at least 500 Maute group militants. A number of militants were then seen waving their ISIS black flags as they roamed the streets of Marawi.

The whole city was put on lockdown as several buildings and houses were set ablaze by members of the Maute group. Dozens of gunmen occupied the Marawi City Hall as 107 inmates escaped from the Marawi City Jail and the Malabang District Jail 39 after the Maute attacks. Power and communication lines were also shut down due to the continued hostilities. Roads leading to Marawi were blocked by both government security forces and Maute militants.

Civilians were reported to have been abducted by the Maute group, including a priest and several parishioners of the Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians as the group demanded that the government stop its offensive against them.

The clashes sparked a mass evacuation of the city with residents fleeing by the thousands, causing traffic congestion on the highway to Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. At least eleven civilians have been killed in the ongoing firefight, two of which the Lanao del Sur Provincial Disaster Office identified as ambulance drivers who were stopped by Maute militants while responding to an emergency call. Nine of those civilians were on board a truck when they were stopped by Maute militants at a checkpoint and shot dead with their hands tied. A police officer was also reported to have been murdered by the militants.


May 24
Additional government forces arrived at the Laguindingan Airport as the military regained control of the Amai Pakpak Hospital. 120 civilians used as a human shield by the Maute group were rescued from the hospital. Government troops also rescued Wednesday at least 42 teachers who were trapped inside a building during an attack by Maute terrorists. The Philippine military has also recaptured the city hall and the Mindanao State University.

May 25
Fresh fighting took place near the Lanao del Sur Provincial Capitol in the Marawi city center. Black-clad Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants were still spotted in the city's major roads and bridges. The militants also reportedly took control of the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative in Gadungan village. The AFP said there were still 30 to 40 remaining members of the Maute group in the city and that Isnilon Hapilon remained in Marawi. The Philippine military launched surgical air strikes in three villages where remnants of the group have been spotted.

Reports came in that two Malaysian terrorists who were with Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi to push for the creation of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia were among those militants killed late Thursday. Intelligence sources also said that an Indonesian and a Saudi Arabian linked to ISIS were also killed in skirmishes in the city. The AFP said that 26 members of the Maute group have been killed, leaving the remaining terrorists in the area at around 25. Herrera also said 39 members of the government forces have been wounded in action.

May 26
At a press briefing in Davao City, AFP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla confirmed that foreign terrorists are fighting alongside the Maute group in Marawi. He said that of the 12 members of the Maute group killed during the latest firefight, half of them were foreigners. Padilla identified the foreign militants as Malaysians, Indonesian, Singaporean and another nationality.


Martial Law

Following the clash, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao (Proclamation No. 216) at 10:00 in the evening of 23 May 2017. As per the 1987 Constitution, the state of martial law will initially last for 60 days. President Duterte also decided to shorten his diplomatic visit to Russia. (Source: Wikipedia)


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Government Legal National ID System OFW Philippines

There might be a bit of a caveat here.

The bill seeking to establish a national identification (ID) system for all Filipinos here and abroad recently passed the first reading at the House of Representatives, making it a few steps nearer into becoming a law.

Once passed into law, the National ID System will require all Filipinos residing anywhere in the world to register their personal information into the central system to be managed by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The system, in effect, shall streamline all government transactions and unify all basic needs of the citizens.

To date, the Philippines is one of only 9 countries in the world without a national ID system. There are 196 countries in the world.


How the National ID System works

1. A registered Filipino will be issued a non-transferable national ID card with a number that shall be valid for life.
2. Filipinos residing or working overseas are to register for their IDs at the nearest Philippine embassy or consular office in the country where they are staying.
3. The national ID card would be honored in transactions concerning a person's identity, marital status, birth, and other personal circumstances. 
4. It would be the official document to be honored in transactions with national government agencies, local government units, government-owned or controlled corporations, and government financial institutions.
5. The ID may be used for applications for passport, driver's license, Social Security System, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG), and the National Bureau of Investigation.
6. The national ID card may also be used to identify voters, schools, and employees, as well as to avail of senior citizens' benefits. It may also be used for court, prosecutor, and police clearances, and in banking and financial institutions.

However, there's always a catch in every perk.

In countries where a national ID system is already in place, there are penalties for not carrying a national ID card; in some cases a person may be detained until identity is proven. This way the police can identify fugitives. In some countries, police need a reason, such as crime suspicion or security risk. In other countries, police can ask for the NID without stating a reason.

Let us compare.

The U.S. passport card is the de jure national identity card of the United States of America. The passport card is issued by the federal government via the Department of State upon voluntary request. The primary purpose of the passport card is used as a Federal issued Identity card. Passport cards are also conclusive proof of U.S. citizenship under federal law, accepted for domestic airline travel and generally proof of identity/citizenship both inside and outside the United States.

In China, the NID card is first issued at school age, it is compulsory at 16, and like most of the NID countries, must be carried at all times. Penalties of fines or up to imprisonment for those caught not possessing it.

In Germany, fines may only be applied if an identity card is not possessed at all, if the document is expired or if one explicitly refuses to show ID to the police. If one is unable to produce an ID card during a police control, one can (in theory) be brought to the next police post and detained for a maximum of 12 hours, or until positive identification is possible.

North Korea is probably the country which imposes the strongest fines for citizens not carrying NID cards. To travel North Koreans need not only an identity card, but also a "travel pass", with specified destination and written permission. Sometimes citizens may be punished with time in a labor camp for not carrying their cards, however this is often only a short sentence and people are usually released upon presentation of the card at a later date.

In Botswana, the NID card must be presented upon request by any agent of the state, and the state requires all non-state institutions to use the National ID card as the only acceptable means of identification for citizens - passports and driver's licenses should not be used.

In Bangladesh, National ID card is compulsory for all citizens at the age of 18. All Bangladeshis are issued with an NID Card which can be used to obtain a passport, Driving License, credit card, and to register land ownership.

Possession of a Polish National Identity Card is also compulsory at 18. Those who do not comply with the relevant law are subject to "restriction of freedom" (whatever that means...) for up to one month or a fine.


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