The Ilocos Times

Blind massage therapists in a spa in Taguig. Those who are members of cooperatives are seeking exemption from a DOH order imposing expensive licensing requirements. (Photo by Jake Soriano) By Jake Soriano Contributor IN December last year, blind massage therapists from Zamboanga City traveled all the way to Cagayan de Oro to undergo licensing exams. They took the nearly 500-km journey because their jobs were on the line. But typhoon “Ruby” (Hagupit) struck, and they were told to go home. No exams meant no licenses. Now they are in danger of losing their jobs because an administrative order on licensing issued by the Department of Health (DOH) way back in 2010 is now in force. DOH Administrative Order 2010-0034imposes a blanket licensing requirement for all wanting to be massage therapists, whether blind or sighted. The intentions may be good, but advocates call it a violation of the law and protest its implications for thousands who are blind and without ade

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By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas (Ilocos Norte, 1 st district) is among four people being considered for the top post in the Commission on Elections. The others are Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro, 2 nd district), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairperson Winston Gines and Joey Peñafrancia. The Comelec top post became vacant after the retirement of erstwhile chairperson Sixto Brillantes. In an interview, Mr. Fariñas said he welcomes the announcement and it would be up to Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to appoint the election body’s chairperson through an executive order. He added that he believes the Comelec top post as well as other vacant posts in the poll body should be filled immediately since the next national elections is fast approaching. Two commissioner’s posts are also vacant. As for the procedure for the appointment, Mr. Fariñas explained that whomever Preside

Supreme Court of the Philippines Judicial and Bar Council Manila ANNOUNCEMENT           Conformably with Section 1, Rule 7 of the Rules of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), as amended, the JBC will conduct public interviews in the Training Room, Ground Floor, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, of the following candidates for the positions of Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals ( vice Hon. Vicente S.E. Veloso , who compulsorily retired on 7 January 2015) and Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan ( vice Hon. Gregory S. Ong) : 27  January 2015 (Tuesday) 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 1.       CABRERA, Manuel I.** 2.       DE LA PEÑA, Gregorio III V. 3.      FAJARDO, Adolfo G.** 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. 1.       DISALO, Gamor B.** 2.      DOCENA, Zaldy B.** 28 January 2015 (Wednesday) 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 1.       FERNANDEZ, Sarah Jane T.* 2.      JUSTINIANO, Jose F.* 3.      RALAR, Aurelio Jr. R.* 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. 1.       SORIANO, Andre

Publication Notice R.A. 10172 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC CCE-0005-2015   RA 10172                                   February 11, 2o15           In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that FELY DOMINGO GALAS has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of Date of Birth from “04 MAY 1969” to “07 AUGUST 1969”, in the Certificate of Live Birth of FELY JUAN DOMINGO at Subec, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte and whose parents are Federico Domingo Sr. and Eustaquia Juan.           Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than March 2, 2015. (SGD) MAURO G. MALDA Municipal Civil Registrar Feb. 16-22, Feb. 23- March 1, 2015*IT ______________________________ REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FIRST JUDICIAL REGION MUNI