MNLF: Marwan still alive

Zulkifli Abdhir alias “Marwan” is still alive according to the spokesman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) spokesman. Marwan and Basit Usman, a Jemaah Islamiyah bomb-making expert, were the subjects of the bloody police operation in Tukanalipao village in Mamasapano. But MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said Marwan wasn’t even in Mamasapano but actually in Lanao.

Both Marwan and Usman are said to be top members of international terror group Jemaah Islamiyah and the United States has offered a $5 million reward for him, while a $1 million reward has been posted for Usman.

Where's Marwan's body?
No info on Marwan's whereabouts: Iqbal
Marwan alive has serious implications: Trillanes

USS Guardian @ Tubbataha Reef

What happened? What went wrong? What happened to US Navy minesweeper, the USS Guardian, and it ran aground the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the Sulu Sea of the Philippines on Thursday? It has been reported that the USS Guardian had come from a port call in Subic Bay and was on its way to Indonesia when the accident took place. At least 10 meters of the coral reef have been damaged. OMG! The US Navy blamed a faulty navigation chart data that may have misplaced the location of Tubbataha Reef for the grounding.

It is kind of confusing for a certain US ship to be involved in such kind of accident knowing the caliber of their equipment and technology and now they are blaming such for the accident. With regard to this sad news, all I want is for them to work out on the damages at Tubbataha Reef to restore and preserve again the said precious heritage site.

Tubbataha Reef damage getting worse 
Damage to Tubbataha Reef worsens
10 meters of Tubbataha Reef damaged by US ship
US Navy ship stuck in Tubbataha Reef

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...

Philex Petroleum & CNOOC on Recto Bank

Businessman Manny Pangilinan is inviting the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation or CNOOC for an exploration project in the disputed Recto Bank (Reed Bank). President Aquino sees no problem with the joint venture as long as it complies with the terms and conditions stipulated in the service contract. Pangilinan’s Philex Petroleum Corp. is conducting exploration in Recto Bank under Service Contract 72 thus CNOOC and other possible foreign partners must adhere in every aspect pertaining to the said contract.

Additional $75 million is needed to continue the exploration in Recto Bank, according to Forum Energy. Said bank has a potential of producing 16.6 trillion cubic feet of gas which exceeds the 3.4 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan.

Philex Petroleum to raise $75M for Recto Bank exploration
MVP: Philex to drill for oil at Reed Bank
Philex, Chinese firm discuss South China Sea gas project
Philex eyes Chinese partner in Recto Bank
Philex eyes partners for Recto Bank project

 

SC guidelines on release of SALNs

The high tribunal granted the pending requests made by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), media entities, and several individuals for the SALN’s of the high court’s justices as well as that of the justices of the Court of Appeals (CA) and Sandiganbayan, subject to the limitations imposed by Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the guidelines.

The Supreme Court (SC) has released the guidelines for the release of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of its magistrates and all officials, officers, and employees of the Judiciary. However, the high court granted the release only of the latest SALNs, any request for previous SALNs should be justified by the requestor.

The following are the guidelines drafted by the Supreme Court:

1. All requests shall be filed with the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Tax Appeals; for the lower courts, with the Office of the Court Administrator; and for attached agencies, with their respective heads of offices.
2. Requests shall cover only copies of the latest SALN, PDS (personal data sheet) and CV (curriculum vitae) of the members, officials and employees of the Judiciary, and may cover only previous records is so specifically requested and considered as justified, as determined by the officials mentions in par. 1. above, under the terms of these guidelines and the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA No. 6713.
3. In the case of requests for copies of SALN of the Justices of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, the Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals, the authority to disclose shall be made by the Court En Banc.
4. Every request shall explain the requesting party's specific purpose and their individual interests sought to be served; shall state the commitment that the request shall only be for the stated purpose; and shall be submitted in a duly accomplished request form secured from the SC website. The use of the information secured shall only be for the stated purpose.
5. In the case of requesting individuals other than members of the media, their interests should go beyond pure or mere curiosity.
6. In the case of the members of the media, the request shall additionally be supported by proof under oath of their media affiliation and by a similar certification of the accreditation of their respective organizations as legitimate media practitioners.
7. The requesting party, whether as individuals or as members of the media, must have no derogatory record of having misused any requested information previously furnished to them.

While the following are the regulatory mechanisms provided in Sec. 8 (c) and (d) of RA No. 6713:

(c) Accessibility of documents -
        (1) Any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours. 
        (2) Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10) working days from the time they are filed as required by law.
        (3) Any person requesting a copy of a statement shall be required to pay a reasonable fee to cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of such statement, as well as the cost of certification.
        (4) Any statement filed under this Act shall be available to the public for a period of ten (10) years after receipt of the statement. After such period, the statement may be destroyed unless needed in an ongoing investigation.
(d) Prohibited acts -- it shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use any statement filed under this Act for:
        (a) any purpose contrary to morals or public policy; or
        (b) any commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for dissemination to the general public.

 

CJ Renato Corona appears on Tuesday

And finally the good news is confirmed, Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona will testify on Tuesday, May 22 in the Impeachment Court. Presiding Officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile wanted him to appear on Monday but lead defense counsel Justice Serafin Cuevas requested Tuesday and the first approved the request.

I did monitor most of the hearings of the Impeachment Court and I am excited to see what will happen on Tuesday. Why? I want the Chief Justice himself answers directly all the allegations. I am so excited also to hear from him about his Peso accounts and the Dollar accounts divulged by Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

If there’s a need for additional evidences, for me I think the bank managers where CJ Corona kept the alleged dollar accounts must be presented and show the documents they submitted to AMLC.

There are so many things to say on this issue but I guess we all better watch the hearing on Tuesday and let we hear it straight from Chief Justice Renato Corona on what he can says on all the allegations against him and the evidences presented. The public need to know the TRUTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH Mr. Chief Justice.

Corona to testify on Tuesday 
AMLC report fabricated: CJ defense
Give CJ a chance to explain: defense 
CJ defense caught flatfooted by AMLC document
Corona testimony is 'make or break,' defense lawyer says
CJ defense: Where did Ombudsman get $10M figure? 
Ombudsman: CJ withdrew $770K after impeachment 
CJ: Ombudsman’s figures 'malicious, a hoax'

 

Updates on CJ Corona's Impeachment Trial

I always try to monitor the on-going impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in the Senate either thru DZMM or ANC. Yesterday, it was BIR Commissioner Kim Henares who authenticated the Income Tax Returns of CJ Corona and his wife from 2006 to 2010 (2002-2005 not available since BIR has no copies of SC’s alpha lists for those years).

I respect Senator Miriam Santiago’s point but I think the time given to the prosecution to question further Commissioner Henares gave expectators a much clearer picture of what the prosecution is claiming about CJ Corona. Senator Ralph Recto came to question also the witness and found out the truth about on what records did the BIR only have pertaining to CJ Corona and what they don’t have.

Will those records show betrayal of public trust and ill-gotten wealth? That will rely on the authorities who will scrutinize the documents and other supporting evidences and witnesses in the future.

Nevertheless, let us all be patient with how the impeachment is going on and give our trust and confidence to our Senate that they will make a just and wise decision over this trial. Let us all pray.

• Prosecution memo: CJ violated spirit of SALN
• Corona relatives question CJ's SALN
• INFOGRAPHIC: Missing Items in Corona's SALN
• Merely filing SALNs isn't disclosure, says Monsod
• Monsod: Filing of SALN does not constitute disclosure
• Corona's 'incomplete' SALNs violate charter?
• Corona SALN 'absolutely damning': Quimbo

2012 Philippine Holidays

Under Presidential Proclamation 295, the Philippine Holidays for the year 2012 have been declared as follows:

REGULAR HOLIDAYS

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)

Maundy Thursday- April 5

Good Friday – April 6

Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)

Labor Day -May 1 (Tuesday)

Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)

National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)

Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)

Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)

Rizal Day – December 30

SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS

Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)

Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)

All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)

Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)

Last Day of the Year- December 31 (Monday

SPECIAL HOLIDAY (for all schools)

EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)

Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha

(These are tentative only, official dates to be announced by our Muslim brethrens)

Eid-al-Fitr – August 20 (Monday)

Eid-al-Adha – October 26 (Friday)

LIST OF LONG WEEKENDS

January 21-23, 2012 (Chinese New Year)

April 5-9, 2012 (Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan)

April 28-29 (April 30) May 1, 2012 (Labor Day)

August 18-21, 2012 (Eid-al-Fitr and Ninoy Aquino Day)

August 25-27, 2012 (National Heroes Day)

October 26-28, 2012 (Eid-al-Adha)

November 1-4 (All Saints’ Day)

November 30-Dec 2 (Bonifacio Day)

December 29-Jan 1 (New Year)

Hacienda Luisita for distribution

Another big issue that rose from the backyard of the Supreme Court is regarding the Hacienda Luisita. The ruling said that 4,915.75-hectare sugar estate must be distributed to 6,296 farmers. Now the big issue lies on the compensation of the sugar estate owners who are relatives of our president.

In this issue, I have nothing against our farmers but I believed that for the benefit that they will receive from the government just compensation must be given to land owners whether it is connected to a president or a private individual. Beneficiaries must try to comprehend that land owners also have the right to negotiate regarding “just compensation” from the government in giving out their lands to help our farmers. We must help each other in a way no one will benefit more from the other, or else that’s per se is unjust.


May this issue be resolved peacefully by the parties concerned without another shed of blood.

Just compensation for HLI may reach P5 billion
EXCL: Luisita farmers seek disqualification of Cojuangco allies
Luisita farmers laud SC decision
PNoy urged to speed up Luisita distribution
Palace: Luisita not an issue between SC and executive
SC orders distribution of Hacienda Luisita

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

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

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.

Bishops amidst luxury cars issue

The Catholic Bishops of the Philippines (CBCP) is being faced to justify why certain bishops requested and eventually received luxury vehicles from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

A certain Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos asked and received funds as a birthday gift and bought a Montero but claimed he uses the vehicle to reach poor communities. Others are Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo who received undetermined vehicles for the diocese of Abra and the vicariates of Bontoc and Lagawa, Fr. Adriano Ruiz got a Toyota Grandia, Bishop Martin Jumoad of Basilan received a Mitsubishi Strada, and the Archdiocese of Caritas Nueva Segovia in Ilocos Sur an Isuzu Crosswind and Archbishop Fernando Capalla also requested an Isuzu Alterra for Fr. Roger Lood of Iligan City, but it was not released. PCSO Chief Margie Juico said a total of 5 vehicles costing P6.49 million were given to different Catholic prelates and institutions, all of which were charged to the PCSO charity fund.

My opinion on this hot issue lies on the laws that need to be followed and implemented both by the church and the state. I do understand the necessity of our catholic bishops to do charitable works in helping the government but without violating any law of the state and still showing the morals of their teachings by example. Likewise, the state must at all times show transparency and accountability in using people’s funds.

When it comes to people’s funds, the government has the sole responsibility on its usage. People, establishments, institutions and more are being obligated to pay their taxes and yet this kind of thing happened. It is very frustrating. I just still hope that the government will find a way to be aware how people’s funds are being disbursed in accordance with laws, procedures and policies of the state and prosecute those who violated it.

INC supports RH Bill

While the Catholic Church strongly opposed RH Bill, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on the other hand supports the said bill. In a letter from INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo to Congress dated October 2010, the group believed that RH Bill will help solve many problems of the country. Supporters of the said bill also have strong faith that this bill will be passed this year with the support of the president.

Iglesia ni Cristo , sumusuporta sa RH bill

ABS-CBN News 2010 Most Viewed Metro News

ABS-CBNNews.com presents the most viewed Metro news in 2010. A look back on the most popular stories that had been viewed by the public and here they are:

1. Cop torture caught on camera
2. Young, rich and dangerous' gang leader killed
3. Caught in the act
4. Bar exam bombing
5. 'Wang wang' who?
6. The president’s ex-girlfriend
7. Shantytown demolition
8. Two-part Shangri-la
9. Typhoon 'Basyang' 

Migrante International: Tanggol Migrante Online Complaint Form

An Alliance of Filipino migrant groups, Migrante International, launched a new tool for distressed OFWs to air their complaints. The groups launched last Tuesday its “TANGGOL MIGRANTE ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM” that can be accessed online through http://migranteinternational.org.

This move I think will give our beloved OFWs a way to connect and ask for help the easier way. It’s known that many OFWs are maltreated abroad and more often our embassy has no idea about it and cannot extend help immediately.

Assistance for OFWs now just a click away

Pres. Aquino over IIRC report

People and politicians had different views over the issue of furnishing the Chinese Embassy at first with the comprehensive report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) regarding the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking incident. President Noynoy Aquino clears his stand on the act in a press conference yesterday prior his departure to the USA. Also, said report will undergo a review committee again to determine what criminal and/or administrative case/s can be charged to the people and institutions found negligent that were involved in the report.

First Report of the IIRC on the Rizal Park Hostage-taking Incident
IIRC finds 12 people, 3 networks liable
IIRC cites 8 critical incidents in hostage fiasco

Bahay Pangarap awaits President Aquino

Bahay Pangarap is ready and just waiting for President Noynoy Aquino to dwell in. The one-bedroom residence, built to resemble a resort villa, was renovated to accommodate the president and his household staff. The travel time of the president will cut down significantly as Bahay Pangarap is just inside the Presidential Security Group (PSG) compound.

Alvarez as new Bureau of Customs Head

The new head of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman ANGELITO ALVAREZ. It was confirmed by Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa to GMANews.TV thru a text message. Alvarez was one of SGV & Co’s (SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co.) top accountants. He worked at SGV & Co’s for 5 years and then transferred to Lina Group of Companies. Details here.

Pictures of President Aquino's Inauguration