Supreme Court: PDAF is unconstitutional

It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Supreme Court has declared the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as the “pork barrel” as unconstitutional. With a unanimous vote of 14-0 (Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. inhibited because his wife is a party-list representative), they find the system as unconstitutional for allowing legislators "to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget executions" thus violative of the principle of separation of powers. The ponencia was made by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe.

For more information on the ruling visit: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/19/13/sc-pdaf-unconstitutional

Philippine billionaires aid to Yolanda victims

Yolanda victims also received help from the richest men in the Philippines:

• Mall tycoon Henry Sy, donated P100 million for rebuilding homes, community centers, schools and churches damaged in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas.
• Lucio Tan also donated P100 million for clean water. He also provided personal jets to ferry relief goods from Manila to the affected areas.
• Andrew Tan of Megaworld, meanwhile, donated P50 million through the Red Cross, ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and UNICEF.
• ICTSI’s Enrique Razon did his part by helping rebuild the Tacloban airport.
• The Ayala group and Metrobank’s George Ty donated P10 million and P25 million, respectively.
• A number of corporations also did their share by sending cash donations and transported relief goods to the victims.

Dumaguete City's Sandurot Festival

Locals of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental annual held the SANDUROT FESTIVAL every 9th to 15th of November. It is a joyful celebration of the people of Dumaguete, their innate hospitality, friendliness, and their propensity to live harmoniously with people of different race, religion, and cultural beliefs. They have been known eversince to welcome strangers from different shores and countries, and to live with them in complete peace and understanding. “Sandurot” means a unity and genuine harmony.

Donate to Yolanda relief effort information

The Philippine government website (www.gov.ph) posted a “donate to Yolanda relief effort information” where various donors from local and international, cash and in kind, will be properly guided including the contact details.

Link:  http://www.gov.ph/2013/11/12/donate-to-yolanda-relief-effort-information/

Together we stand, divided we fall. It is another instance for Filipinos around the world to show their love and support to their fellow Filipinos badly devastated by typhoon Yolanda. We may not instantly bring back what they have lost but slowly we can help them start a new life.

Oratio Imperata for the victims of the disaster

Oratio Imperata for the victims of the disaster (Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz)

Oh, God our Father:

In faith we acknowledge your paternal care over us, your sons, daughters and children. In hope we trust in your divine providence of giving us wisdom and courage as we face the challenges in life. In love we invoke your help and guidance during these difficult days of death and destruction in our dear country.

Our is a prayer of thanksgiving for once again reminding us that ours is an imperfect world, that heaven is not on earth and that nature every now and then tells us not to abuse her. Ours too is a prayer of repentance for calling upon you when we are in need and desperation but forgetting you in favorable times and pleasing occasions. Ours as well is a prayer of petition as we say:

Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives. Embrace the children who died in their innocence. Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.

Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes and properties, and to once again stand up and rebuild their future.

Bless all those who extend their helping hands to those in need of food, shelter and clothing, who share their time, talents and resources with others.

Inspire more people to be men and women for their neighbors, convinced that the more they are for others, the taller they stand before you.

Spare us please from other natural disasters and devastation if this be according to Your will and for our own spiritual good and growth.

[Amen.]

GR 175490: SC reduced interest and penalty charges

G.R. 175490 - Macalinao vs BPI Case According to Supreme Court: The Interest Rate and Penalty Charge of 3% Per Month or 36% Per Annum Should Be Reduced to 2% Per Month or 24% Per Annum

Macalinao petition on this issue was granted by the Supreme Court. It stated that the interest rate and penalty charge of 3% per month by the Court of Appeal should be equitably reduced to 2% per month or 24% per annum. Although it is in the Terms and Conditions Governing the Issuance and Use of the BPI Credit Card, the Supreme Court declared the 3% interest rate as void and as if there was no express contract thereon. The same ruling was applied to the penalty charge, citing Article 1229 of the Civil Code in addition.

Since credit cards usually charge more than 3% interest rate per month, you can benefit from this specific ruling of the Supreme Court. When you become delinquent on your credit card, keep the communication open. Ask for a re-computation of your account/s based on this ruling. Also, it would be better if you kept your monthly statements of account so that you yourself can plot the transactions in your computer and be able to re-compute your account as how the Supreme Court did it.

Transcript of the ruling: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/september2009/175490.htm