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

Napoles charges against Luy, PDI & Atty. Baligod

Many things have been reported about this so-called PORK BARREL SCAM, the mother of all scam considering the P10B worth of funds allegedly wasted and went to the pocket of some. Napoles camp thru their lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan now files different charges against whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Merlina Sunas of perjury charges, libel against the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), estafa case against Benhur Luy, collections case against designer Eddie Badeo and disbarment case against Atty. Levito Baligod.

The P10B funds involved in this scam is super huge that our government especially the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Commission on Audit (COA) should bring the matter to the proper forum. The taxes being collected from the people should and must not just be wasted like this, going unaccounted for a long period of time and allegedly seized by some for personal gains.

Napoles camp to file raps vs journalists, whistleblowers
Jeane Napoles owns a Ritz-Carlton unit 
Jeane Napoles and gifts for the super rich 
Lawyer defends Jeane Napoles' ritzy lifestyle

Inquirer: 28 solons linked to scam

The week is being started with a big bang about 28 solons being linked to scam, according to a series of reports of Inquirer. The 4th installment reported that there were 5 senators and 23 members of the House of Representatives that were allegedly made available their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or pork barrel worth over P10 billion to dummy non-government organizations for purported ghost projects over the past decade. Said information was according to the affidavits submitted by the whistleblowers to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

28 solons linked to scam
(First of a series) NBI probes P10-B scam
(Second of a series) ‘I am not involved in any scam’
(Third of a series) How P10-B racket works

Imee Marcos, Manny Villar & JV Ejercito Offshore Accounts?

Certain politicians, business people, professionals or people who worked for certain foreign companies landed in a partial list of more than 500 mostly private Philippine residents with ties to offshore corporations. Said list was made by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists or ICIJ in Washington, D.C., after a year-long multi-country investigation. Included in the list with offshore accounts are Imee Marcos, Manny Villar and JV Ejercito Estrada.


Imee Marcos, sons tied to offshore trust in Caribbean
Manny Villar, JV Ejercito linked to offshore accounts

Cebu Governor Garcia suspended for 6 months

Suspension of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia emanated from the Office of the President. The 6 months suspension was confirmed by Malacañang and said that it has nothing to do with politics. Secretary Ricky Carandang, from the Presidential Communications Development and Srategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), cleared that the suspension was part of the process involving a case filed against the governor.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez filed a case against the lady governor for allegedly withholding the budget for his office. Governor Garcia was also allegedly did not act on a petition for the contract renewal of 57 employees in the vice-governor’s office.

It was the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo who was given order by President Aquino to conduct an investigation but the results of the probe were forwarded to Malacañang only this year.

Roxas confirms Garcia's suspension 
Cebu governor suspended 
Gwen Garcia drops Senate bid 
HDO issued vs Gwen Garcia 
Cebu gov, 6 others face graft raps 

House: RH Bill was approved on 2nd reading

With a close vote of 113-104, House Bill 4244 otherwise known as the Reproductive Health (RH) bill was approved in the House of Representatives on the second reading. The votes were tallied past 2 a.m. Thursday. 

Prior to voting pro and anti RH bill flooded in the gate of the House of Representatives to watch the scheduled voting by lawmakers. Initially they voted on the bill via viva voce but later proceeded to nominal voting and representatives were given 3 minutes each to explain their vote.

House passes RH bill on 2nd reading 
House votes on RH bill 
Pacquiao: I vote no to RH bill 
Pro-, anti-RH bill forces troop to Batasan 
Earlier Senate vote on RH bill eyed 
Lawmakers told: Give spirituality space in RH talks 
No compromises on RH bill - CBCP

Senator Chiz & Heart together???

When I learned from the news that Senator Chiz Escudero’s marriage was annulled, I was really surprised. Well I just can’t help but sadden about the annulment on the point of view of a wife. But is it true that there is something romantic going on between Senator Chiz and actress/model Heart Evangelista??? According to Senator Chiz they saw each other twice in a “meeting” but Heart said they went out twice. Hmmmmmm!!!

Mayor Lim & VM Isko Moreno on dispute

The order from the Commission on Audit or COA caused the rift between incumbents Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno. There was a memorandum issued by the city auditor stating that the city government is 45% above the employee ceiling. Lim trimmed down his employees to comply with the 3-day deadline but Moreno failed to follow the directive, Lim said. Also, there were claims of unpaid salaries due to failure of submitting their personal data sheets but alleged as “ghost employees.”

There will be a possibility of Lim vs. Estrada on the coming 2013 elections. Earlier news revealed that Moreno joined Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. It said that Estrada is eyeing Moreno to be his running mate.

Isko Moreno, 28 councilors file complaint vs Lim
Isko, Manila councilors file complaint vs Lim
Lim vs Erap poll war worries Comelec
Lim threatens to 'tell truth' about Erap

 

GMA's electoral sabotage news & updates

Last Friday, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) filed electoral sabotage charges at the Pasay City regional trial court against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the alleged massive cheating in the Maguindanao polls in 2007. Also charged with the non-bailable offense are former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and former election supervisor Lintang Bedol.

The former president underwent the booking procedures inside her hospital today, Saturday, at around 2 p.m. wearing a hospital gown and a neck brace. It was facilitated by PNP Criminial Investigation and Detection Unit Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel.

I know it’s hard for the former president’s family, her friends and loyal allies in politics to see her on that very moment but the judicial process must takes its course. Charges are filed and as such will prevent her from travelling abroad to seek medical treatment.

Different issues on the said electoral sabotage had been in the news for months and many witnesses came out to divulge their participation. The trial for sure will take longer time to resolve in consideration also of the former president’s condition, aside from gathering enough evidences and witnesses on the alleged massive cheating. But I appreciate the gestures of President Noynoy Aquino to serve justice with a heart.

I never thought that President Aquino is politicking over the former president. It must be a must to every succeeding administration to prosecute any allegations towards former government to serve justice for the Filipino people. And to my fellow Filipinos, let us all be calm amidst these political issues.

Arroyo challenges arrest: lawyer
Gloria Arroyo under arrest
Ex-COMELEC chair Abalos rushed to hospital
Interactive timeline: The life of Gloria Arroyo
Police serve arrest warrant against Arroyo

Arroyos WLO & ADO: News & Updates

I first heard the news over the radio (DZMM) about the TRO issued by the Supreme Court (SC) allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and his husband Atty. Mike Arroyo to travel abroad and seek medical treatment abroad immediately. SC Spokesman Atty. Midas Marquez said the judges ruled with 8-5 votes stating that the ban was unconstitutional due to lack of charges on any crime and its consistency with the constitutional presumption of innocence.

It is really hard to comprehend national issues like this if you do not understand the laws. If you are an ordinary Filipino thinking of what the Arroyos have been accused of, you will probably be one of those opposing the travel. On the other hand, you will allow such travel for humanitarian reason or for not believing the charges. Of course for our politicians, it depends on their political affiliations and personal stand on the matter. On the part of our government, they will exhaust all possible means to stop the Arroyos for fear of escaping from possible charges and not serving justice to the Filipino people for crimes believed to have been committed by the Arroyos.

All I know and understand right now is that as a Filipino people we must stay calm amidst this issue and let the legislative and executive resolve the issue. Let us always work hard every day, be the best we can and continue praying for our country.

Arroyos decide to leave on Thursday
SolGen files appeal on Arroyo travel ban TRO
BI: Arroyos should have asked de Lima to lift WLO
Clinton distances self from Arroyo travel woes
Topacio: I'll have my 'ball' cut off if Arroyos don't return
Lacierda tells Topacio: Have pity on your wife

DOJ rejected PGMA's ADO

A photo shows former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wearing a halo vest as part of her recuperation from surgery. The photo is part of the petition submitted by Arroyo's lawyers to the Supreme Court to allow her to travel out of the country to seek medical attention. BUT the Department of Justice (DOJ) rejected the former president’s request for an allow departure order (ADO) to seek treatment abroad. According to Elena Bautista-Horn, spokesperson of GMA, under the Section 6 of the Constitution, an ADO can only be rejected if it involves national security, public safety or public health.

Doctors of the former president at St. Luke’s Medical Center have said that a tetracycline bone biopsy is unavailable in the country and that’s the reason why the former president needs to seek medical treatment abroad. Former President Arroyo was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis and hypoparathyroidism.

• Arroyo's rights violated, spokesman says
• DOJ rejects Arroyo request for travel
• Arroyo asks SC to nullify watch list order, asks for TRO
• DOJ denies Arroyo request for travel abroad
• GMA breaks silence: I need a cure
• GMA tells de Lima: I shall return to face the charges
• Ona, Horn lock horns over GMA treatment
• GMA not in any immediate danger: DOH chief

Who will win the Speakership & Senate Presidency on Monday?

Former Quezon City Mayor now Quezon City Representative Sonny Belmonte is almost sure to assume as House Speaker. Most of the Lakas-CMD members conceded for Belmonte’s candidacy for Speakership. On the other hand, the position for Senate President still hangs as to whom among Manny Villar, Kiko Pangilinan and Juan Ponce Enrile will eventually be voted by their fellow senators on Monday hours before President Noynoy Aquino makes his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Lakas concedes defeat in battle for House Speaker

Senator Roxas files electoral protest

The running mate of President Noynoy Aquino, Senator Mar Roxas, officially filed his electoral protest today, Friday. In the petition, Senator Roxas questions the results of the May 2010 vice-presidential election. He asked the Supreme Court (SC) acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to consider the uncounted null votes of more than 2 million. Votes totaling to 727,084 is the lead of VP Jejomar Binay over Senator Roxas as compared to the number of null votes that could make a difference on the results depending on the automated election rules to be applied.

Roxas files poll protest

PGMA & celebrity solons in the Congress

The House of Representatives will be the media’s favorite venue to cover. Why not? First and foremost, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos are now both members of the said Congress. Not to mention the presence of Manny Pacquiao, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Lani Mercado.

Just look what happened at the orientation seminar of the House of Representatives held at the Plenary Hall for first-term representatives. All eyes and cameras are focus to these new members (lawmakers) that upstaged other neophytes and seasoned lawmakers during the seminar. Although despite the attention, former President Arroyo evaded any interview from the media.

LP & Roxas block Binay's Cabinet posting?

Will Vice-President elect Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay get a Cabinet post? Since the proclaimed winners for the president and vice-president positions came from different parties, rumors said that Liberal Party and Senator Mar Roxas are blocking Binay’s Cabinet posting. But the concerned parties deny the rumors and said that only president-elect Noynoy Aquino has the final say.

The Philippines is in big financial trouble. People are longing for a big change to improve lives. President-elect Aquino was right when he said that we need to work hand in hand for our dream Philippines. Looking for people to fill different Cabinet positions is indeed a tough job but emotional factors must be set aside also in doing so. Besides, Binay was elected by millions of people waiting for a kind of public service he rendered in Makati.

Noynoy & Shalani love story

I was able to watch the one-on-one interview of Kris Aquino with Senator Noynoy Aquino’s girlfriend Councilor Shalani Soledad. The interview went well and Shalani was very candid and open on their love story. Hearing it from her I guess Senator Aquino got a love at first sight on her. I really like her. She acts and talks very simple and even without make-up she really looks very pretty. She seems to be a woman deeply in love in words and in action to his man.

Transcript of Kris-Shalani interview

Noynoy Aquino over SC Chief Justice Corona's appointment

Newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Corona just took his oath taking at Malacañang despite the controversy of his appointment. Will president-elect Senator Noynoy Aquino push his plan to take his oath of office as the President of the Republic of the Philippines before a village watchman? Or will he be abided and follow the ruling made by the Supreme Court on the said issue?

No wedding bells for Noynoy & Shalani

According to Viel Aquino-Dee, one of the sisters of Senator Noynoy Aquino, the wedding is the low priority for now for his brother. Given a 5 million difference to the second in line former president Joseph Estrada, Aquino is said to be the “President in waiting.” Once Noynoy assumes office as the 15th President of the Philippines he will be busy doing his functions and so as Shalani Soledad who won again as councilor in Valenzuela.

2010 Elections: COMELEC, PPCRV & ABS-CBN latest partial official results

[Updated as of 7:25pm Philippine Standard Time, May 12, 2010]

Looking at the latest partial official results, another Aquino is likely to lead and hold the highest position of the land for six years starting June 30. Although Villar, Teodoro, Gordon and Delos Reyes already conceded to Aquino, the second in rank former president Joseph Estrada is awaiting for the Congress to officially canvass the votes and officially proclaim the winners of the 2010 Elections.

As to the Vice-Presidential race, it is really a hard fight between Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Senator Mar Roxas. With more than 800,000 votes difference these two candidates are indeed in suspense awaiting all votes to be counted and know their respective standings. Does Senator Chiz Escudero’s endorsement to Binay had to do with Binay’s outpouring of votes? Will it be BINAY or ROXAS?

Provincial & 2nd District candidates of Rodriguez, Rizal

Tomorrow is the 2010 Philippine Elections. First time in the history of Philippine Elections that lawmakers approved the automation. To be able to save time and give others time to vote I will bring the list of candidates I will vote for on election day.
I am from the 2nd district of Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal and below is the list of our provincial and 2nd district candidates:

PROVINCIAL POSITIONS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (DISTRICT 2)

CARASCO, ALBERTO PEREZ
RODRIGUEZ, ISIDRO JR. SANTOS

PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR

CUERPO, PEDRO SANGUYO
ESCOSURA, ANICIO BALDO
LACSON, ROSITA MAGSIGAY
TIONGSON, REX DARWIN ALMEDA
TORRES, WILFREDO SUMULONG
TUMIMBANG, MILAGROS RODRIGUEZ
YNARES, CASIMIRO III ALCANTARA

PROVINCIAL VICE-GOVERNOR

DIZON, FERNANDO ABANEL
SALONGA, ESTEBAN BUSUEGO
SAN JUAN, FRISCO JR. SANTOS

PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER (DISTRICT 2)

CATOLOS, LUIS CATUIRA
FERNANDEZ, AILEEN QUIEN
KARIM, NESTOR DELA CERNA
MARIANO, ARWIN ADONA
MEDINA, FRANCISCO JR BERNABE
PONCE, JUAN OCSEBIO
ROXAS, NEMESIO MANAHAN
SAN JUAN, REYNALDO JR. HENSON
SEPULVEDA, ROBERTO UMALI
SIMBULAN, SALVADOR SR. MANUYAG
TANJUATCO, EMIGDIO III PALOU
TEOPE, RODOLFO ORTIZ

LOCAL POSITIONS

MAYOR

ARCILLA, EVELYN AGUNDAY
CUERPO, MICHAEL ROY CRUZ
HERNANDEZ, CECILIO CRUZ
IGNACIO, ALEJANDRO MAÑALAC

VICE-MAYOR

CRUZ, JONAS JIMENEZ
SANGUYO, BONNA LITA AQUINO

COUNCILORS

ACEJO JR., ALBERTO ARONES
AGUSTIN, CONRADO EVANGELISTA
ANGELES, ARMAN LEO HALILI
AREVALO, CARLOS SALAS
AYUSON, ROMMEL CRUZ
BALIBALOS, SAMUEL, JR. ALINDOGAN
BUIZON, RICHARD MACUTAY
CRUZ, CARLOS CRUZ
CRUZ, MANUELITO QUINAJON
CRUZ, VICTORINO PEREZ
DEGUCENA, EDGARDO NICOLAS
DELA CRUZ, LORENZO ZONIO
DULLA, GODFREY LUNA
EVANGELISTA, GLENN SEXON
GONZALES, WALLY JORGE
INOCENTES, BONIFACIO CRUZ
LAZARTE, MARIO RODERICK CRUZ
LEYVA, KATRINA RAMOS
LIRAZAN, ANECITO GELASING
LLARENA JR., CRESENTE RENTEGRADO
MANAGUEY, DEUEL JOHN CRUZ
MANUEL, LEONILO SALVADOR
MARCELO, MARKANTHONY CAYETANO
PALUGOD, NESTOR LASQUITE
PATRICIO, CONRADO RIVERA
RUIVIVAR, RENE NAVAREZ
SAN DIEGO, JOSEPHINE RIVERA
SIMBULAN, RICHARD DOMURAN
SORONGON, PETER RIMORIN
STA. ISABEL, CARMELO DEL MUNDO
USMAN, ABDURAJAN YUSOP