Saturday, December 1, 2012

The perfect income for happiness? It's $161,000

CNBC's Robert Frank has the results of what people around the world say they need to make to be "happy."

By Robert Frank, CNBC

More than one study has tried to determine the financial price of happiness. Some look at wealth. Others look at income.

One well-publicized study last year put the optimal income for happiness at around $75,000. Rising income, it turns out, produces greater happiness until you get to around $75,000. After that, there are diminishing returns, with more income leading to little or no gain in real happiness.?

This is a fraught question, of course. ?Happiness? itself is not easily defined, and money?doesn't always guarantee it. And the financial requirements for happiness usually depend on geography, peer groups and other external factors.?

The latest to weigh in on the issue is Skandia International?s Wealth Sentiment Monitor. It found that the global average ?happiness income? is around $161,000 for 13 countries surveyed. The United States wasn?t specifically measured. (Read more: Why Millionaires Prefer Dogs)?

But there was a wide range of answers depending on the country. Dubai residents need the most to feel wealthy. They said the needed $276,150 to be happy. Singapore came in second place, with $227,553, followed by Hong Kong, with $197,702.?

The region with the most modest needs for happiness is Europe. Germans only need $85,781 to be happy, placing them lowest on the list. The French need $114,000, while the British need $133,000.?

The survey doesn?t ask about total wealth needed to feel happy. But it does ask about the amount of wealth needed to feel ?wealthy.? Globally, the average amount needed to feel wealthy was $1.8 million.?

Singaporeans took the lead on the ?wealth? needs, with $2.91 million needed to feel wealthy. Dubai ranked second with $2.5 million, followed by Hong Kong with $2.46 million. (Read more: Where to Live If You Want to Be a Millionaire)?

Surveys show that among Americans, most say they need $1 million or more to feel wealthy.

?All of this shows that wealth and financial happiness is not an absolute number, but is relative to your peers and surroundings. Living in Dubai, with all those oil barons and oligarchs, the needs are higher. In Germany, where wealth is more evenly distributed, the needs are not as high.

?How much wealth or income would you need to feel happy?

Follow Robert Frank on Twitter: @robtfrank

CNBC's Robert Frank looks inside one of the world's most expensive apartments.

Source: http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2012/11/30/15575275-the-perfect-income-for-happiness-its-161000?lite

padma lakshmi daughtry lakers trade ann arbor news ides of march elizabeth smart nick young

Lepiten and Bojos Law Office: RA 9646 Real Estate Service Act ...

Congress of the

Fourteenth Congress

Begun?and held in Metro Manila,?on Monday, the twenty-eighth day?of July, two thousand eight.

[?REPUBLIC ACT NO.?9646 ]

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF REAL?ESTATE SERVICE IN THE ,?CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL?REGULATORY BOARD OF REAL ESTATE SERVICE,?APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR?OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the in Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I

TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1.?Title.?? -???This Act shall be known as the. "Real Estate Service Act of the ".

SEC. 2.?Declaration of Policy. -?The State recognizes the?vital role of real estate service practitioners in the social?political, economic development and progress of the country by?promoting the real estate market, stimulating economic activity?and enhancing government income from real property-based transactions. Hence, it shall develop and nurture through proper and effective regulation and supervision a corps of?technically competent, responsible and respected professional?real estate service practitioners whose standards of practice and?service shall be globally competitive and will promote the growth of the real estate industry.

SEC. 3.?Definition of Terms. -?As used in this Act, the?following terms shall mean:

(a) "Appraiser" also known as valuer, refers to a person?who conducts valuation/appraisal; specifically, one who possesses the necessary qualifications, license, ability and?experience to execute or direct the valuation/appraisal of real?property.

(b) "Assessor" refers to an official in the local government?unit, who performs appraisal and assessment of real properties,?including plants, equipment, and machineries, essentially for?taxation purposes. This definition also includes assistant?assessors.

(c) "Real estate" refers to the land and all those items?which are attached to the land. It is the physical, tangible entity, together with all the additions or improvements on,?above or below the ground.

(d) "Real?estate?development project" means the?development of land for residential, commercial, industrial,?agricultural, institutional or recreational purposes, or any combination of such including, but not limited to, tourist resorts, reclamation projects, building or housing projects,?whether for individual or condominium ownership, memorial?parks and others of similar nature.

(e) "Real estate developer" refers to any natural or juridical person engaged in the business of developing real?estate development project for his/her or its own account and?offering them for sale or lease.

(f) "Real property" includes all the rights, interests and?benefits related to the ownership of real estate.

(g) "Real estate service practitioners" shall refer to and?consist of the following:

(1) Real estate consultant - a duly registered and licensed?-natural person who, for a professional fee, compensation or?other valuable consideration, offers or renders professional advice and judgment on: (i) the acquisition, enhancement,?preservation, utilization or disposition of lands or improvements thereon; and (ii) the conception, planning, management and?development of real estate projects.

(2) Real estate appraiser? a duly registered and licensed?natural person who, for a professional fee, compensation or?other valuable consideration, performs or renders, or offers to?perform services in estimating and arriving at an opinion of?or acts as an expert on real estate values, such services of which shall be finally rendered by the preparation of the report?in acceptable written form.

(3) Real estate assessor ? a duly registered and licensed?natural person who works in a local government unit and?performs appraisal and assessment of real properties, including?plants, equipment, and machineries, essentially for taxation?purposes.

(4) Real estate broker - a duly registered and licensed?natural person who, for a professional fee, commission or other?valuable consideration, acts as an agent of a party in a real estate transaction to offer, advertise, solicit, list, promote,?mediate, negotiate or effect the meeting of the minds on the?sale, purchase, exchange, mortgage, lease or joint venture, or?other similar transactions on real estate or any interest?therein.

(5) Real estate salesperson - a duly accredited natural?person who performs service for, and in behalf of. a real estate?broker who is registered and licensed by the Professional?Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service for or in expectation?of a share in the commission, professional fee, compensation or other valuable consideration.

ARTICLE II

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF REAL ESTATE SERVICE

SEC. 4.?Creation and Composition of the Board. -?There?is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service, hereinafter referred to as the Board, under the supervision and administrative control of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), hereinafter referred to as the?Commission, composed of a chairperson and four (4) members?who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from the three (3) recommendees chosen by the Commission from a list of five (5) nominees per position submitted by the?accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate?service practitioners:?Provided,?That two (2) of the members of the Board shall represent the government assessors and appraisers.

The first Board shall be organized within six (6) months?from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 5.?Powers and Functions of the Board. ??The Board?is hereby vested the following powers and functions:

(a) Provide comprehensive policy guidelines for the?promotion and development of the real estate industry;

(b) Conduct licensure examinations for the practice of the?real estate service profession and prescribe the appropriate,?syllabi of the subjects for examination;

(c) Issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate, after due notice?and hearing, certificates of registration or professional?identification cards for the practice of real estate service;

(d) Maintain a comprehensive and updated register of?licensed real estate service professionals;

(e) Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of real estate service and adopt such measures as may be proper for?the enhancement of the profession and/or the maintenance of?high professional, ethical and technical standards;

?(f) Adopt a national Code of Ethics and Responsibilities to be strictly observed by all licensed real estate service?practitioners;

(g) Hear or investigate any violation of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, and the Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for real estate service practitioners and?issue?subpoena?and?subpoena duces tecum?to secure the?appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in?connection therewith;

(h) Safeguard and protect legitimate and licensed real?estate service practitioners and, in coordination with the?accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate?service practitioners, monitor all forms of advertisements,?announcements, signboards, billboards, pamphlets, brochures and others of similar nature concerning real estate and, where?necessary, exercise its quasi-judicial and administrative powers?to finally and completely eradicate the pernicious practices of?unauthorized or unlicensed individuals;

(i) Prescribe, in cooperation with the Commission on?Higher Education (CHED) or the concerned state university?or college, the essential requirements as to the curricula and?facilities of schools, colleges or universities seeking permission?to open academic courses or already offering such courses in?real estate service, and to see to it that these requirements,?including the employment of qualified faculty members, are?properly complied with;

(j) Promulgate, .administer and enforce rules and?regulations necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act;

(k) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of real estate service in the ;

(1)? Assess and fix the rate of reasonable regulatory fees;

(m) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(n)? Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(o) Evaluate periodically the status of real estate service?education and profession, and recommend and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain its high standard;

(p) Prescribe guidelines and criteria for the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program for real estate service?practitioners in consultation with the accredited and integrated?professional organization of real estate service practitioners;

(q) Screen, issue and monitor permits to organizations?of real estate professionals in the conduct of seminars and?accredit such seminars pursuant to the CPE program, as well?as the instructors or lecturers therein, for the purpose of upgrading the quality and knowledge of the profession;

(r) Monitor and supervise the activities of the accredited?and integrated professional organization and other associations?of real estate service practitioners; and

(s) Discharge such other powers, duties and functions?as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the?provisions of this Act.

The policies, resolutions and rules and regulations issued?or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval by the Commission. However, the Board's decisions, resolutions or orders which are not interlocutory,?rendered in an administrative case, shall be subject to review?by the Commission only on appeal.

SEC. 6.?Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members?of the Board. -?The chairperson and the?members of the Board shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the?following qualifications:

(a)? A citizen and resident of the ;

(b)? A holder of a bachelor's degree related to real estate;

(c) An active licensed practitioner of real estate service?for at least ten (10) years prior to his/her appointment;

(d)? A?bona fide?member in good standing of the?accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners but not an officer or trustee at the time?of his/her appointment;

(e) Neither be a member of the faculty of an institute,?school, college or university, nor have any pecuniary interest,?direct or indirect, in any institution or association where review classes or lectures in preparation for the licensure examination are being offered or conducted; and

(f) ? Of good moral character, and must not have been?convicted by final judgment by a competent court of a criminal?offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 7.?Term of Office. -?The chairperson and the?members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3)?years from the date of their appointment and until their successor/s shall have been appointed:?Provided,?That the?members of the first appointed Board shall hold office for the following terms: one (1) member as chairperson, to serve for three (3) years; two (2) members, to serve for two (2) years; and two (2) members, to serve for one (1) year.

The chairperson and the members of the Board may be?reappointed for a second term but in no case shall he/she serve?continuously for more than six (6) years. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of the member who vacated the position. On the constitution of the first Board, the chairperson and the members of the Board?shall automatically be registered and issued certificates of?registration and professional identification cards. Each member?of the Board shall take the proper oath of office prior to the?assumption of duty.

SEC. 8.?Compensation and Allowances of the Chairperson?and Members of the Board. -?The chairperson and the?members of the Board shall receive compensation and?allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances?received by the chairman and the members of existing professional regulatory boards under the Commission, as?provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9.?Removal of the Chairperson and Members of the?Board. -?The chairperson or any member of the Board may be suspended or removed by the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Commission, for neglect of?duty; abuse of power; oppression; incompetence; unprofessional,?unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct; commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination or tampering of the grades therein, or for any final judgment or conviction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 10.?Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services. ??The Board shall?be under the general supervision and administrative control?of the Commission. All records of the Board, including?applications for examination, examination papers and results,?minutes of deliberations, administrative and other investigative?cases involving real estate service practitioners, shall be kept?by the Commission. The Commission shall designate the?secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and?other support services to implement the provisions of this Act?subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules?and regulations.

SEC. 11.?Annual Report. -?The Board shall, at the close?of each calendar year, submit an annual report to the?Commission, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and?accomplishments during the year and recommending measures?to be adopted with the end-in-view of upgrading and improving?the conditions affecting the practice of real estate service in?the .

ARTICLE III

LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

SEC. 12.?Licensure Examination. -?Every applicant?seeking to be registered and licensed as a real estate service practitioner, except a real estate salesperson, shall undergo an examination as provided for in this Act. Examinations for the practice of real estate service in the shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places and dates as the Commission may designate.

SEC. 13.?Scope of Examination. -?An examination shall be given to the licensure applicants for real estate brokers, real estate appraisers and real estate consultants which shall include, but not limited to, the following:

(a) For real estate consultants - fundamentals of real?estate consulting; standards and ethics; consulting tools and?techniques, which include project feasibility study and investment measurement tools; real estate finance and?economics; real estate consulting and investment analyses;?consulting for specific engagement, which includes consulting?for commercial, industrial, recreation and resort and hotel?properties, and consulting for government and corporate and?financial institutions; land management system and real property laws; and any other related subjects as may be?determined by the Board;

(b) For real estate appraisers - fundamentals of real?estate principles and practices; standards and ethics; theories?and principles in appraisal; human and physical geography;?methodology of appraisal approaches; valuation procedures and?research; appraisal of machinery and equipment; practical appraisal mathematics; appraisal report writing; real estate?finance and economics; case studies; land management system?and real property laws; and any other related subjects as may?be determined by the Board; and

(c)? For real estate brokers - fundamentals of property?ownership; code of ethics and?responsibilities;?legal?requirements for real estate service practice; real estate?brokerage practice; subdivision development; condominium?concept; real estate finance and economics; basic principles of?ecology; urban and rural land use; planning, development and?zoning; legal aspect of sale, mortgage and lease; documentation?and registration; real property laws; and any other related?subjects as may be determined by the Board.

???????

????? To conform with technological and modern developments,?the Board may recluster, rearrange, modify, add to, or exclude?any of the foregoing subjects as may be necessary.

SEC. 14.?Qualification of Applicants for Examinations.?-In order to be admitted to the licensure examination for real estate service, a candidate shall, at the time of filing his/her application, establish to the satisfaction of the Board that?he/she possesses the following qualifications:

(a) A citizen of the ;

(b) A holder of a relevant bachelor's degree from a state?university or college, or other educational institution duly?recognized by the CHED:?Provided, That as soon as a course?leading to a Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Service is?implemented by the CHED, the Board shall make this course?a requirement for taking the "licensure examination; and

(c) Of good moral character, and must not have been?convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude:?Provided,?That an applicant for the licensure examination for real estate?consultants must show proof that he/she has at least ten (10)?years experience as a licensed real estate broker or an assessor, or as a bank or institutional appraiser or an?employed person performing real property valuation, or at least?five (5) years experience as a licensed real estate appraiser.

All applications for examination shall be filed with the Board which shall assess and approve said applications and?issue to the qualified examinees the corresponding permits to?take such examination.

SEC. 15.?Ratings in the Examination. -?In order that?a candidate may be deemed to have successfully passed the examination, he/she must have obtained an average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in all subjects, with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any subject.

SEC. 16.?Release of the Results of Examination. -?The?results of the licensure examination shall be released by the Board within?ten?(10) days from the last?day of the?examination.

SEC. 17.?Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. -?A certificate of registration?shall be issued to examinees who?pass?the licensure?examination for real estate service subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. The certificate of registration?shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the Commission?and the chairperson and the members of the Board, stamped?with the official seal of the Commission, indicating that the?person named therein is entitled to practice the profession with?all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. This certificate of registration shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.

A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of issuance and expiry date, duly signed by the?chairperson of the Commission, shall likewise be issued to every?registrant upon payment of the required fees. The professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3) years and upon satisfying the requirements of the Board such as, but not limited to, attendance in the CPE program.

SEC. 18.?Refusal to Register. -?The Board shall not register and issue a certificate of registration to any successful examinee who has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or has been found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after investigation by the Board, or has been found to be?psychologically unfit.

SEC. 19.?Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and the Professional Identification Card or?Cancellation of Special/Temporary Permit. -?The Board may,?after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned,?revoke the certificate of registration and the professional identification card, or cancel the special/temporary permit of a real estate service practitioner, or suspend him/her from the practice of the profession on any of the following instances?hereunder:

(a) Procurement of a certificate of registration and/or?professional identification card, or special/temporary permit by?fraud or deceit;

(b) Allowing an unqualified person to advertise or to?practice the profession by using one's certificate of registration?or professional identification card, or special/temporary permit;

(c) Unprofessional or unethical conduct;

(d) Malpractice or violation of any of the provisions of this?Act, its implementing rules and regulations, and the Code of?Ethics and Responsibilities for real estate service practitioners;?and

(e) Engaging in the practice of the profession during the period of one's suspension.

SEC. 20.?Registration Without Examination, -?Upon?application and payment of the required fees, the following shall be registered, and shall be issued by the Board and the?Commission a certificate of registration and a professional?identification card without taking the prescribed examination:

(a) Those who, on the date of the effectivity of this Act,?are already licensed as real estate brokers, real estate appraisers or real estate consultants by the Department of?Trade and Industry (DTI) by virtue of Ministry Order No. 39, as amended:?Provided,?That they are in active practice as real?estate brokers, real estate appraisers and real estate consultants, and have undertaken relevant CPE to the?satisfaction of the Board;

(b) Assessors and appraisers who, on the date of the?effectivity of this Act, hold permanent appointments and are performing actual appraisal and assessment functions for the?last five (5) years, have passed the Real Property Assessing?Officer (RPAO) examination conducted and administered by the?Civil Service Commission (CSC) in coordination with the?Department of Finance (DOF), and have undertaken relevant?CPE to the satisfaction of the Board; and

(c) Assessors and appraisers who, on the date of the?effectivity of this Act, hold permanent appointments and have?at least ten (10) years actual experience in real property appraisal or assessment and have completed at least one hundred twenty (120) hours of accredited training on real property appraisal conducted by national or international?appraisal organizations or institutions/entities recognized by the?Board and relevant CPE to the satisfaction of the Board.

???????

????? Those falling under categories (b) and (c) shall register?with the Board after they shall have complied with the requirements for registration as real estate appraisers:?Provided,?That those seeking to be licensed to a new credential?level shall be required to take the pertinent licensure?examination.

Those so exempt under the aforementioned categories shall file their application within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act:?Provided,?That the renewal of the professional identification card is subject to the provisions of?Section 17 hereof.

SEC. 21.?Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of?Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card and?Special/Temporary Permit. -?The Board may, after the?expiration of two (2) years from the date of revocation of a?certificate of registration and/or professional identification card,?and upon application, compliance with the required CPE units,?and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate any?revoked certificate of registration and reissue a suspended?professional identification card and in so doing, may, in its?discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another?examination.

A new certificate of registration, professional identification?card or special/temporary permit may be issued to replace lost,?destroyed or mutilated ones, subject to the rules as may be?promulgated by the Board.

SEC. 22.?Roster of Real Estate Service Practitioners. -The Board, in coordination with the integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners, shall prepare,?update and maintain a roster of real estate service practitioners?which shall contain the names of all registered real estate service practitioners, their residence and office addresses,?license number, dates of registration or issuance of certificates,?and other data which.the Board may deem pertinent. Copies thereof shall be made available to the public upon request.

SEC. 23.?Issuance of Special/Temporary Permit. -?Upon?application and payment of the required fees and. subject to?the approval of the Commission, the Board may issue special/temporary permit to real estate service practitioners?from foreign countries whose services are urgently needed in?the absence or unavailability of local real estate service^ practitioners for the purpose of promoting or enhancing the?practice of the profession in the Philippines.

SEC. 24.?Foreign Reciprocity. -?No foreign real estate?service practitioner shall be admitted to the licensure examination or be given a certificate of registration or a?professional identification card, or be entitled to any of the?privileges under this Act unless the country of which he/she?is a citizen specifically allows Filipino real estate service practitioners to practice within its territorial limits on the?same basis as citizens of such foreign country.

ARTICLE IV

PRACTICE OF REAL ESTATE SERVICE

SEC. 25.?Oath. ??All successful examinees qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for registration without?examination as well as accredited salespersons shall be required to take an oath before any member of the Board or any officer of the Commission duly authorized by the Commission to administer oaths prior to entering into the practice of real estate service in the .

SEC. 26.?Professional Indemnity Insurance/Cash or?Surety Bond.?? All real estate brokers and private real estate appraisers shall, in addition to the oath referred to in the?preceding section, be required to post a professional indemnity insurance/cash or surety bond, renewable every three (3) years,?in an amount to be determined bjr?the Board, which in no case shall be less than Twenty?thousand pesos (P20,000.00), without prejudice to the additional requirement of the client.

SEC. 27.?Acts Constituting the Practice of Real Estate?Service. -?Any single act or transaction embraced within the provisions of Section 3(g) hereof, as performed by real estate service practitioners, shall constitute an act of engaging in the practice of real estate service.

SEC. 28.?Exemptions from the Acts Constituting the Practice of Real Estate Service. -?The provisions of this Act?and its rules and regulations shall not apply to the following":

(a) Any person, natural or juridical, who shall directly perform by himself/herself the acts mentioned in Section 3 hereof with reference to his/her or its own property, except real estate developers;

(b) Any receiver, trustee or assignee in bankruptcy or?insolvency proceedings;

(c) Any person acting pursuant to the order of any court?of justice;

(d) Any person who is a duly constituted attorney-in-fact for purposes of sale, mortgage, lease or exchange, or other?similar contracts of real estate, without requiring any form?of compensation or remuneration; and

(e) Public officers in the performance of their official duties and functions, except government assessors and?appraisers.

SEC. 29.?Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice?of Real Estate Service. -?No person shall practice or offer to?practice real estate service in the Philippines or offer himself/herself as real estate service practitioner, or use the title, word, letter, figure or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a real estate service practitioner, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice the profession, or be appointed as real property appraiser or assessor in any national government?entity or local government unit, unless he/she has satisfactorily?passed the licensure examination given by the Board, except?as otherwise provided in this Act, a holder of a valid certificate?of registration, and professional identification card or a valid?special/temporary permit duly issued to him/her by the Board?and the Commission, and in the case of real estate brokers and private appraisers, they have paid the required bond as?hereto provided.

SEC. 30.?Positions in Government Requiring the Services of Registered and Licensed Real Estate Service Practitioners.?-?Within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, all?existing and new positions in the national and local governments, whether career, permanent, temporary or?contractual, and primarily requiring the services of any real?estate service practitioner, shall be filled only by registered and?licensed real estate service practitioners.

All incumbent assessors holding permanent appointments?shall continue to perform their functions without need for?re appointment and without diminution of status, rank and?salary grade, and shall enjoy security of tenure. However,?they may not be promoted to a higher position until they meet the qualification requirements of that higher position as herein?prescribed. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to reduce any benefit, interest, or right enjoyed by the incumbents at?the time of the enactment of this Act. The appointing authority?shall exercise his power to appoint the assessor in accordance with the provisions of this Act only when a vacancy occurs.

SEC. 31.?Supervision of Real Estate Salespersons. -?For?real estate salespersons, no examination shall be given, but?they shall be accredited by the Board:?Provided,?That they?have completed at least two (2) years of college and have?undergone training and seminars in real estate brokerage, as?may be required by the Board. Real estate salespersons shall?be under the direct supervision and accountability of a real?estate broker. As such, they cannot by themselves be signatories to a written agreement involving a real estate transaction unless the real estate broker who has direct?supervision and accountability over them is also a signatory?thereto. No real estate salesperson, either directly or indirectly,?can negotiate, mediate or transact any real estate transaction?for and in behalf of a real estate broker without first securing?an authorized accreditation as real estate salesperson for the?real estate broker, as prescribed by the Board. A real estate?broker shall be guilty of violating this Act for employing or?utilizing the services of a real estate salesperson when he/she?has not secured the required accreditation?from the Board?prior to such employment.

No salesperson shall be entitled to receive or demand a?fee, commission or compensation of any kind from any person,?other than the duly licensed real estate broker who has direct control and supervision over him, for any service rendered or work done by such salesperson in any real estate transaction.

No violation of this provision shall be a cause for?revocation or suspension of the certificate of registration of the?real estate broker unless there was actual knowledge of such?violation or the broker retains the benefits, profits or proceeds?of a transaction wrongfully negotiated by the salesperson.17

SEC. 32.?Corporate Practice of the Real Estate Service.???

(a) No partnership or corporation shall engage in the?business of real estate service unless it is duly registered with?the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the?persons authorized to act for the partnership or corporation?are all duly registered and licensed real estate brokers,?appraisers or consultants, as the case may be. The partnership?or corporation shall regularly submit a list of its real estate?service practitioners to the Commission and to the SEC as part?of its annual reportorial requirements. There shall at least be?one (1) licensed real estate broker for every twenty (20)?accredited salespersons.

(b) Divisions or departments of partnerships and?corporations engaged in marketing or selling any real estate?development project in the regular course of business must be?headed by full-time registered and licensed real estate brokers.

(c) Branch offices of real estate brokers, appraisers or?consultants must be manned by a duly licensed real estate?broker, appraiser or consultant as the case may be.

???????

In case of resignation or termination from employment?of a real estate service practitioner, the same shall be reported?by the employer to the Board within a period not to exceed?fifteen (15) days from the date of effectivity of the resignation?or termination.

???????????????

Subject to the provisions of the Labor Code, a corporation?or partnership may hire the services of registered and licensed?real estate brokers, appraisers or consultants on commission?basis to perform real estate services and the latter shall be?deemed independent contractors and not employees of such corporations.

SEC. 33.?Display of License in the Place of Business. -Every registered and licensed real estate service practitioner?shall establish and maintain a principal place of business and?such other branch offices as may be necessary, and shall?conspicuously display therein the original and/or certified true copies of his/her certificate of registration as well as the certificates of registration of all the real estate service?practitioners employed in such office.

SEC. 34.?Accreditation and Integration of Real Estate?Service Associations. ??All real estate service associations shall?be integrated into one (1) national organization, which shall?be recognized by the Board, subject to the approval of the?Commission, as the only accredited and integrated professional?organization of real estate service practitioners.

A real estate service practitioner duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the accredited?and integrated professional organization of real estate service?practitioners, and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. Membership in the accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners shall not be a bar to membership in other?associations of real estate service practitioners.

SEC. 35.?Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for Real Estate Service Practitioners. -?The Board shall adopt and?promulgate the Code of Ethics and Responsibilities for real?estate service practitioners which shall be prescribed and issued?by the accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners.

SEC. 36.?Continuing Professional Education (CPE)?Program. -?The Board shall develop, prescribe and promulgate?guidelines on CPE upon consultation with the accredited and?integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners, affiliated association of real estate?service practitioners and other concerned sectors, and in accordance?with such policies as may have been prescribed by the Board,?subject to the approval of the Commission. The Board shall?create a CPE Council that shall be composed of a chairperson?coming from the Board, a member from the accredited and integrated professional organization of real estate service practitioners and a member from the academe.

SEC. 37.?Enforcement Assistance to the Board. ??The?Board shall be assisted by the Commission in carrying out the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and?regulations and other policies. The lawyers of the Commission?shall act as prosecutors against illegal practitioners and other violators of this Act and its rules. The duly constituted authorities of the government shall likewise assist the Board and the Commission in enforcing the provisions of this Act and its rules.

SEC. 38.?Indication of the Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card/License Number, Privilege Tax Receipt (PTR) Number and Accredited Professional?Organization () Number. -?Real?estate?service?practitioners shall be required to indicate the certificate of registration, professional identification card, PTR number, and?APO receipt number, and the date of issuance and the duration of validity on the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of his/her profession.

ARTICLE V

PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 39.?Penal Provisions, -?Any violation of this Act,?including violations of implementing rules and regulations, shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than One?hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not?less than two (2) years, or both such fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court. In case the violation is committed by an unlicensed real estate service practitioner,?the penalty shall be double the?aforesaid fine and?imprisonment.

In case the violation is committed, by a partnership, corporation, association or any other juridical person, the?partner, president, director or manager who has committed or?consented to or knowingly tolerated such violation shall be held?directly liable and responsible for the acts as principal or as a co-principal with the other participants, if any.

SEC. 40.?Appropriations. ??The chairperson of the?Professional Regulation Commission shall immediately include?in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act,?the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and thereafter.

SEC. 41,?Transitory Provision. -?Within ninety (90) days?from the effectivity of this Act, the DTI - Bureau of Trade?Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) shall transfer?all pertinent records, documents and other materials to the?Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service.

SEC. 42.?Implementing Rules and Regulations. -?Within?six (6) months after the effectivity of this Act, the Commission,?together with the Board and the accredited and integrated?professional organization of real estate service practitioners, the?Department of Finance, and the CHED, shall prepare the necessary rules and regulations, including the Code of Ethics?and Responsibilities for real estate service practitioners, needed?to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 43.?Separability Clause. ??If any clause, sentence,?paragraph or part of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional?or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair?any other part of this Act.

SEC. 44.?Repealing Clause.??

(a) Sections 3(e) and (ee) of Act No. 2728, as amended by Act No. 3715 and Act?No. 3969, Sections 472 and 473 of the Local Government Code?of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160), and pertinent provisions of the Civil Service Law are hereby modified accordingly.

(b) All laws, decrees, executive orders, department or memorandum orders and other administrative issuances or?parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 45.?Effectivity. -?This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the?Official Gazette?or in a major daily newspaper of general circulation in the?.

?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? PROSPERO C. NOGRALES?

?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???? Speaker of?the House of

?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?Representatives

Approved,

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2963?and House Bill No. 3514 was finally passed by the Senate?and the House of Representatives on May 12, 2009.

Marilyn?B. Barua-y

Secretary of the Senate?? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?Secretary General House of Representatives

?

Approved:

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

President of the

[ Approved by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last June 29, 2009 ]

Source: http://www.cebulegalblog.com/2012/12/ra-9646-real-estate-service-act-resa-law.html

stephen colbert running for president richard threlkeld moonrise kingdom coachella lineup coachella 2012 lineup school delays joran van der sloot

Lifting BP ban will be more than simple agreement: source

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials were surprised that BP Plc suggested an agreement would soon be ready to lift a suspension imposed this week on the company's obtaining new federal contracts, a government source said on Thursday.

"It caught us off guard," the source said. "It's not the case that there is an administrative agreement that is ready to go out the door right now," the source said, adding that any administrative agreement will only be part of a several-step process that could take months.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday suspended BP from obtaining new U.S. contracts over its "lack of business integrity" following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident, that killed 11 men and caused the biggest ever U.S. offshore oil spill.

BP responded with a statement indicating that the EPA had informed the company it was preparing an administrative agreement that would "effectively resolve and lift this temporary suspension," and that the EPA said the draft agreement would be available soon.

The U.S. ban does not end the company's existing contracts. But, if it lingers, it could imperil BP's position as a top U.S. offshore oil and gas producer and as the U.S. military's leading fuel supplier.

NUMBER OF STEPS

While the ban is temporary, it could be months before BP is allowed to obtain new contracts, including oil leases off the Gulf of Mexico, because an administrative agreement is just one of a number of steps BP and the U.S. government must work through, the source said.

For instance, the November 15 plea bargain agreement between BP and the U.S. government, in which the British energy giant will pay $4.5 billion in penalties, still needs to be finalized by the court. A date for that action has not been set.

Once it is, BP has 60 days to send a remedial plan to the Department of Justice and the EPA laying out how it plans to meet all of the stipulations in the plea agreement.

The agencies will review the plan and are likely to send it back to BP with proposed changes. The plan could go back and forth among all three parties before a final plan agreed to by all sides is reached.

"BP's saying there is some kind of administrative agreement to lift the suspension in the short term is not technically accurate," the source said. "They have some work to do."

Washington, is not attempting to create a long, drawn out process to lift the ban, the source said. On the other hand, it is not clear when the draft agreement will be sent to BP, the source said.

The EPA did not say how long the process would take when it announced the ban on Wednesday, but an official said government wide suspensions generally do not exceed 18 months. The official also warned they can go longer if civil cases against BP are not settled.

BP did not make any bids in a Gulf of Mexico lease sale held Wednesday. The next Gulf of Mexico lease sale is scheduled for March. BP would also have to sit that sale out if the ban is not lifted.

A spokeswoman for BP said the company had no comment.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/lifting-bp-ban-more-simple-agreement-source-202807003--finance.html

andrew luck trent richardson robert griffin iii dontari poe space shuttle nyc monkeypox nick perry

Engadget Mobile Podcast 159 - 11.29.2012

The Engadget Mobile Podcast says fuhgeddaboutit to the traditional two-hour limit on technology podcasts yet again as they sail through new operating systems and iterated operating systems, phones in high demand and phones in low demand, and cameraphones that just are breaking away from their phone roots: it's another week of cellular synergy curated precisely for your ears.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Guest: Joseph Volpe
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

00:02:05 - Nokia Lumia 822 review: the pride of Espoo returns to Verizon Wireless
00:41:18 - Jolla's Sailfish OS promises multitasking, personalization and 'effortless interaction' (updated)
01:06:40 - Microsoft pegs Windows Phone 7.8 update for early 2013 arrival
01:37:45 - Setting aside the smartphone: two weeks with Samsung's Galaxy Camera
01:50:17 - Nokia imaging head Damian Dinning makes 'personal decision' to leave the company
01:53:55 - Huzzah! Some Nexus 4 orders shipping this week, says Google

Hear the podcast

Subscribe to the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast
LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)

Contact the podcast

podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.

Follow us on Twitter
@tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile @jrvolpe

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/29/engadget-mobile-podcast-159-11-29-2012/

kenyon martin kenyon martin big miracle slab city super bowl snacks appleton super bowl recipes

Ouya dev consoles shipping to backers on December 28th, SDK available same day

Ouya dev consoles shipping to backers on December 28th, SDK available same day

Developer kits for the Ouya were given a ship date of December 28th today, alongside news that the system's software development kit ("ODK") will be available that same day. In case it wasn't already clear how small the Android-powered console is, the folks at Ouya included the picture you see above to further illustrate that point -- the thing is really small. Ouya expects the dev kits to get into backers' hands "within a couple day" of the 28th. Final units are still intended to ship some time in March 2013, though no final date is available just yet.

How different are these dev units from the final run, though? Not that different, we'd guess, considering the company's continued promise that "every Ouya will be a dev console." The only hint given of their difference is a note in today's update calling them, "pretty special." Beyond just getting a jump on game development with the Ouya in mind, dev unit buyers will also be the first to try out Jelly Bean gaming. Of course, if you're a dev unit-level backer and you'd like to share your thoughts with us, we're all ears.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Kickstarter

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/30/ouya-dev-kit-release-date/

shaun white carolina panthers kate middleton amanda bynes Revolution TV Show bankofamerica revolution

Bring Nomadic Employees Back to the Mothership - Philip Tidd ...

By 2015, 1.3 billion people worldwide will be working remotely. That's almost 40% of the entire global workforce. While we can thank technology and increasingly flexible office policies for the shift away from the office, for many companies, mobility has simply been an unintended consequence of trying to keep pace with change, as well as a calculable means to rein in real estate costs. But while the movement toward less square footage and mobile workforces will likely continue, we shouldn't discount the importance of the office.

Having consulted with scores of companies over the last twenty years, I have seen the power of physical place. A good workplace bonds employees to one another in ways that virtual communication cannot replicate. It reconnects employees to the company and offers an organization the chance to showcase its culture. A good workplace can transform a business.

But today's offices need to be reimagined ? and redesigned ? to make them more effective for a mobile workforce. Perhaps we even need to rethink the term "office" itself. I like "mother ship" and "home base." These terms reveal a yearning for the office as a place associated with comfort, security, learning, and collegiality ? even family. The office needs to be a place that calls nomadic employees back home, because it has the potential to refresh and energize them ? not stress them out with distractions and unwanted interruptions.

In a mobile world, companies need to think about what their office space is actually achieving. Does your physical space reflect what makes your company unique? Does the office inspire employees, promote camaraderie, and enhance productivity? When planning your office, it's important to consider some general trends happening in today's workplaces:

? An evolving need for collaborative and private space. The open-plan office promised increased collaboration, economies of space, and cost savings. What it's delivered is a dilemma: visually exciting offices with lots of buzz on the one hand, and on the other, a lack of privacy and quiet. Research done by Gensler (the firm where I work, sometimes remotely) bears that out. Our findings show that the most significant factor in workplace effectiveness is focus work. Employees rate it as their most critical work activity, but our research shows it as the least-supported activity in today's offices. To function well, an office must provide a healthy mix of spaces ? quiet, collaborative, and social.

Take Microsoft's new office at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam: the colorful, inspiring environment gets the mix of group space and private space right. And it helps that the Microsoft team has blended this new working environment with an open, trust- and results-based management style, allowing staff to choose how and when they go to the office ? all supported by excellent virtual collaboration tools.

? The rise of the emotionally intelligent workplace. Much has been written about the power and impact of the emotionally intelligent leader. If one of the key roles of the new generation of modern executive is to create a more emotionally open, collaborative working environment, then we should be designing physical space that supports that mandate.

To that point, organizations such Telefonica in Germany are doing away with their standard, hierarchical office layout (enclosed team spaces) and are instead creating an open, vibrant space with a variety of settings for meetings and collaborations among teams. When leaders moved out of their enclosed cellular offices and into the team space, not only did they feel more connected to their teams, but their teams felt more connected to them as leaders ? and to the whole sense of Telefonica's community.

22squared, an advertising agency in Atlanta, Georgia, is likewise fostering greater emotional/working connections at the office among previously siloed teams to bolster productivity. Conceptualizing its new workplace as a city grid with avenues, boulevards, and intersections among desks, the agency literally designed interaction into its space and increased collaboration by 20%, according to pre- and post-occupancy research done by Gensler.

? Generation whY in the workplace. More than anyone else in the workplace today, Millennials question the status quo. Why email when IM is faster? Why not form instant teams around a project when and where it works best? In response to this young workforce, a new workplace model is evolving in social media companies and other start-ups ? one built on speed, transparency, democracy, and a melding of virtual and real office spaces. In addition to a high degree of mobile technologies and channels used externally and internally, these offices are forging new ground in what I call "un-designed" space and what researchers call "empowered" space: Ultra flexible working arrangements that allow staff to team up as they like, where they want, and even take control over the design of their personal workspace.

In London's Tech City, young digital media companies are embracing self-customized office space which employees can furnish as they like. At ustwo, for example, the CEO is often found working in his off-the-shelf children's wooden garden playhouse situated inside the 10,000-square-foot open office. He typically takes his Skype calls or videoconferences from his laptop in the playhouse. Not only does it provide some privacy, but according to ustwo, it encourages creativity and is a culture-defining symbol.

There is still plenty of room and purpose for the twenty-first century office. It's one of the few tangibles that binds the nomads together and interprets for them in a very real way, how we work today. And if we design them right, our offices can be a catalyst for better business and a happier, more productive, and more connected workforce.

Source: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/11/bring_nomadic_employees_back_t.html

aj jenkins shea mcclellin nfl draft 2012 whitney mercilus 2012 nfl draft picks andrew luck andrew luck

Nexus 7 docking station coming in 'early December'

Nexus 7 dock

We asked on episode 117 of the Android Central Podcast about when we would see a docking station for the Nexus 7.  An astute listener who is also one of those "people close to the matter" decided to toss us a bone and directed us to the Japanese ASUS site which has what appears to be a landscape audio dock for the 7-inch wonder coming at the beginning of December.

There's not a lot of info, but it says we can use the USB port, and it has a 3.5mm audio output -- which can only mean it's using the pogo pins for power and audio transmission. It will sell for 3,480 Japanese Yen (about $41 USD) sometime in early December.

A quick look at my calendar tells me it's almost early December now, so I'm sharpening my credit card. You can bet we'll be trying to get at least one of these when they are available. Hit the link below to see for yourself, and follow the break for the translated version of the website entry.

Source: ASUS Japan; Thanks, Anon!

read more



Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/KT4oyNkO7Yo/story01.htm

pinterest attwireless taylor swift zac efron the scream stephen colbert new madrid fault rihanna and chris brown