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

DOH Asec Tayag danced Gangnam Style

Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag strikes again with his dancing prowess for DOH’s campaign against firecrackers. In ABS-CBN’s “Umagang kay Ganda” morning show last December 3, Asec Tayag danced to the tune of South Korean rapper Psy’s hit song “Gangnam style” with matching background dancers for the said campaign.

Watch the video HERE.

DILG USec Rico Puno visits Robredo's condo & office

DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno has been reported visiting the condominium unit of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. Also, a visit was made in Robredo's office at the NAPOLCOM. In both visits, the undersecretary was unsuccessful to enter the condominium unit and the office.

But why USec Puno did this? Reports says that Sec. Robredo has many confidential and important documents in his possession regarding various investigations being conducted by his office and USec Puno is said to be one of the personalities being investigated too.

Such a mysterious act only USec Puno can explain...

PCSO's advertising kickbacks issue

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is being bombarded with different allegations happened during PGMA’s term. Aside from the issue on luxury cars being given to bishops, 2 advertising executives accused former PCSO manager and board member of receiving millions of pesos worth of kickbacks in exchange for approving ad contracts.

Alexander Quisumbing of Quizgem Ad Agency and Ludovico Yuseco of Crosschannel Advertising Services testified in a Senate hearing on Wednesday that Manuel Garcia, former public relations and advertising manager of the PCSO, received a 40% cut from every contract. The said 40% cut was deposited directly in Garcia's account (with copies of deposit slips as evidence) and allegedly totaled around P16 million from 2006 to 2010 from Quizgem alone.

Corruption is deeply rooted in government agencies and institutions and this hindrance the Philippines towards progress among other issues.

YouTube: Arnel Pineda sings Lupang Hinirang

Aside from waiting for the main event, Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight, people also awaits the rendition of Journey’s Filipino front man Arnel Pineda of “Lupang Hinirang.” The singing of the national anthem always creates controversy in some fights of Manny and the recent fight is one. National Historical Institute’s (NHI) Teddy Atienza, chief of NHI’s Heraldry Section, disclosed that the board was not pleased when it heard Pineda’s version.

I think NHI must make its own ruling to avoid such controversy. They always find something wrong in the renditions now and before and in that regard they must draw the line to avoid future issues.

Petitioners urged SC to stop RFID project

Various petitioners like Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, etc. urged the Supreme Court (SC) to stop RFID project and declare it unconstitutional which is set to be implemented on January 2010. Also, the groups are asking from SC to issue a TRO to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to hinder the implementation of the said project.

Stradcom Corporation will supply the RFID tag which is intended to last for 10 years and cost a one-time fee of P350. There are various violations being pointed by the petitioners aside from the fact that there is no previous approval from NEDA for the said project. Some critics are claiming that this could be a source of corruption and that the objective of the project is unrealistic.

Details of the news here.

Pag-ibig Fund offers calamity loan

Pag-ibig Fund is now accepting applications for calamity loans affected by typhoon Ondoy, as announced by Vice President Noli de Castro. Members are given 90 days from the occurrence of the calamity within which to apply for and avail of loans under the program. They can borrow up to 80% of the accumulated savings at 10.75% per annum. Below is the thread from Pag-ibig website:

Pag-IBIG Chief Executive Officer Jaime A. Fabiana said that under the Fund’s Calamity Loan Program, Pag-IBIG members can borrow up to 80% of their total accumulated savings, with an interest rate of 10.75% per annum. The loan has a five-month grace period and is payable in 24 months. The CEO added that members with existing Multi-Purpose Loans (MPLs) can still avail themselves of the assistance. However, the outstanding MPL balance will be deducted from the proceeds of their calamity loan.

To qualify, applicants must be residents of localities declared as calamity areas who have paid at least 24 monthly contributions, and are active members at the time of application. They must continue to remit their contributions during the term of the loan.

To date, Metro Manila and 25 other provinces in Luzon have been declared under a state of calamity. These include the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Isabela, the Mt. Province, Ifugao, Benquet, La Union, Batangas, Cavite, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Camarines Norte and Bataan.

For inquiries about the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Program, members in the NCR can call the HDMF Call Center at 724-4244 or the nearest branch in their area.