Thursday, May 31, 2012
DID YOU KNOW THAT ? Can You Keep Your Spouse From Cheating
By Pierra Calasanz-Labrador for Yahoo! Southeast Asia
When the movie No Other Woman came out, it struck a chord among millions of married Pinays—what would we do if an Anne Curtis clone walked into our husband's life?
Oh, the very thought strikes panic in our hearts and opens up a Pandora's Box of questions: Would we pack our bags and leave at the first sign of his indiscretion? Would we play the role of the long-suffering wife and look the other way? Or, would we fight fire with fire, with Cristine Reyes verve in all her negligee glory and mama Carmi Martin's one-liner winners ringing in our ears? ("Panahon na para i-pack up yang si Lucy Torres mo. Ilabas mo na diyan si Gretchen Barretto!")
Hang on—why even wait for things even get to that point? The best defense is a good offense, and the key is to know what makes our hubbies happy, so he won't even consider straying. Easier said than done, right? So here are some tips from domestic goddesses (and regular men) on how to keep your man in line:
Tip#1: Be attentive and affectionate. After the passion fades, sometimes our interaction with hubby is reduced to a perfunctory good night kiss. Don't stop showing your love and affection! Shares Anna*, "I try to keep the romance alive. We go out on dinner and movie dates without the kids. We also still talk about our dreams and what we're going to do in our old age. It helps that we laugh a lot together!" You don't need to sweep each other off your feet—random cuddling, holding hands while watching a TV movie, sweet daily rituals, and the occasional 'stolen moment,' will help keep your love fresh.
Tip#2: Look your best. Yes, he vowed to love you through thick and thin, waistline notwithstanding—but that doesn't mean you should let yourself go. "Once a girl is 'off the market,' she kind of relaxes her effort to be attractive. But don't turn into a total slob!" warns Kathy*. Caring for your health and body, keeping in shape, dolling yourself up nicely can be the greatest compliment you can pay him—and yourself. Bonus to looking your best: as you "wow him everyday," you're also loving what you see in the mirror. And when you feel good about yourself, there's a tendency to make your partner feel good, too.
Tip #3: Exude confidence. Is your hubby such a Greek god or chick magnet that you're constantly on praning mode? Searching his pockets/wallet/going through his texts, bristling at the mention of any female colleagues, or stalking him without any provocation will only succeed in annoying him, and turning you into a suspicious, desperate, sorry mess. It can get really tiresome for a guy to deal with jealous rages or constantly reassure you of his love over and over again. Do listen to your woman's intuition—but before then, don't jump the gun. Treating him like you're sure he's going to cheat may actually tempt him to call your bluff!
Okay, so maybe you say you trust your guy, but you don't trust the women around him. Have a little faith in yourself. Yes, there will always be someone prettier, hotter or younger than you, but no one can ever be the YOU he fell in love with. Clinging desperately on to your man may give him illusions that he's too good for you—he should feel that he's lucky to have you, and not the other way around.
Tip #4: Don't nag, don't smother. Unless you want your guy to revert back to his rebellious teenage self, act like his hot, loving wife—not his mom or prison guard. "When a guy feels 'sakal' or stifled in a relationship, his instinct is to escape," says Tony. "And if there just happens to be someone who comes along who is sexy, fun and has no baggage or drama… patay." So go ahead, let him have his fill of computer games or basketball time with the guys—and he'll be happy to come home to his cool wife.
Tip #5: Spice things up. Says Migs*, "Guys love the thrill of the chase." It only takes a little flirtation to spur their imagination. "A husband thinks that he already has you, so he might be curious to know how it would be with someone they technically can't have. It's the 'what if' factor," continues Migs.
So how do you keep him from acting on his animal instincts? Bring out the domestic goddess in you. Spice things up with spontaneous gestures, go on "second honeymoon" trips, or (trump card) try new tricks in the bedroom. Keep things from getting stale, so that he's constantly amazed by you. Maintain the mystery, no matter how comfortable you are with each other.
Tip # 6: Show an interest in his activities. While it's important to nurture individual interests for your personal growth, find some shared activities as well so you can grow together. You don't have to be joined at the hip, but it really helps when you're supportive of his passions. Do you respond with a bored "uhm-hmmm" every time he tries to engage you in conversation about his activities? Would you rather he bond with someone else? When he spends a lot of time somewhere else (especially if it requires overnight stays and out-of-town events), there's always the temptation of falling for a colleague or teammate who "gets him." So don't belittle his hobbies.
Tip #7: Keep it special. It's easy to take things for granted after years and years of marriage, kids, and morning breath. Someone's bound to feel overworked and under-appreciated, and the danger comes when an outside force starts showing some of that attention that's sorely lacking at home.
Complacency is the devil—so make things special every day. It can be as simple as saying thank you after every meal/errand/chore, thoughtfully surprising each other with a favorite snack, or treating him to a relaxing massage after a long day. Says Andrea, "I treat him with respect; I try not to brat out and pick fights. I tell him I appreciate that he takes care of us. And on his end, I suppose he realizes that he has a partner for life, that I'm there for him no matter what. It's not a fleeting romance—it's a real relationship."
*Not their real names
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Philippine president sets historic trip to UK in June
..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday that President Benigno Aquino III will undertake an official visit to London, United Kingdom as "guest of the UK government" on June 4 to 6.
It will be Aquino's first visit to the United Kingdom as President of the Republic of the Philippines. The UK is also the only country in Europe that the President is scheduled to visit this year, the DFA said in a statement released to media.
Aquino will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street where the two leaders are expected to discuss Philippines-UK political and economic cooperation, the UK's participation in the International Contact Group, regional and international issues, and anti-corruption and good governance practices of both the Philippines and UK Governments.
While in London, the President will also meet with several top British investors, take part in the Philippine fun tourism campaign of the Department of Tourism and meet with the Filipino community in the UK, the largest in Europe.
The Philippines and the United Kingdom established formal diplomatic relations on July 4, 1946. The UK is one of the Philippines' top European investors, the 23rd trading partner, the biggest tourism market in Europe and host to the biggest number of Filipinos in Europe.
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Ecozone Rates Have Gone Higher
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MANILA, Philippines - The rate being billed to special economic zones (SEZs) have gone higher as it is reflecting the full impact of the P0.69 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) increase in the generation charge of state-run National Power Corporation (NPC).
According to Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the rate being passed on to end-users in the ecozones now hovers at P5.29 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is already inching close to the power utility firm's blended rate of P5.59 per kWh, referencing on this year's May charges.
The higher tariff for the ecozone locators is viewed to be casting away the government's intent to offer lower electricity rates to these customer segments.
If compared to the tariffs in the power supply agreements (PSAs) recently sealed by Meralco with various power producers, company officials indicated that the ecozone rate will be comparatively higher if the government will not decide to revert it to the pre-NPC adjustment level.
There is a pending plea with the NPC or its successor-company Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Company (PSALM) to consider scaling it back to P4.60 per kWh, which was the level when the Ecozone Rate Program was extended in December last year.
The assignee-supply contract for the ecozone tariff had been for the output of the Ilijan natural gas plant which is under the charge of South Premiere Power Corporation, a subsidiary of San Miguel Energy Corporation and independent power producer administrator (IPPA) of the facility.
Meralco president and chief executive officer Oscar S. Reyes said they will study first if there is a possibility to replace their ecozone-covered transition supply contract with their new PSAs "assuming the ecozone program will not be renewed when it expires December this year."
The other condition for the lapse of the ERP would be the introduction of retail competition and open access (RCOA) which is being targeted by the Department of Energy (DOE) around October 26 this year.
The expiration of Meralco's ecozone offer of preferential tariff will also coincide with the due date of its TSCs with NPC-PSALM, some of which have been assigned to IPPs when the assets were privatized.
In preparation for that eventuality, Meralco already signed up supply contracts with the IPPs to cover its requirements. These include the deals with South Premiere for Ilijan capacity; AES Corporation for its Masinloc plant; and Sem-Calaca Power for its Batangas coal plant.
The power deals' duration will be for seven years and their tariffs are expected to be lower than what Meralco is currently charging. The PSAs are pending for approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission. (MMV)
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Military: Bayanihan gains overshadowed by lapses
MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday admitted that the accomplishments of its troops have been overshadowed by some lapses in the planning of combat operations.
In its assessment of the first year of the Bayanihan security plan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the lapses have led to blunders, some of which have claimed the lives of soldiers.
“It is unfortunate that such gains were overshadowed by lapses in joint planning of combat operations, resulting (in) blunders like (the attacks) in Taganito Mining in Surigao (del Norte), Patikul, Sulu; Al-Barka (in Basilan) and in Zamboanga City,” the AFP’s assessment paper read.
Communist rebels des-troyed at least P1.2 billion worth of property when they attacked three mining firms in Surigao del Norte last October.
On the other hand, the attack in Patikul, Sulu by Abu Sayyaf terrorists left seven Marines dead in July last year.
Another military setback during the first year of Bayanihan was the killing of 19 soldiers by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Al-Barka, Basilan last Oct. 18.
The Zamboanga Sibugay attack staged by lawless elements, meanwhile, left eight soldiers dead.
“The AFP is a big organization and mistakes still happen,” the assessment paper read.
The AFP said it has made “headway” in its fight against the Abu Sayyaf but a “clear methodology” on how to isolate it from its traditional allies and mass base “is still wanting.”
The military also noted that the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the communist rebels, continues to launch violent attacks against civilians.
“We call on the government peace panel and civilian groups to continue to exert social pressure to bring the National Democratic Front to the negotiating table,” the AFP said.
Another challenge being confronted in the implementation of Bayanihan is the supposed lack of focus of some civil-military operations or development projects.
“Our timeframe is until 2016. I am very confident we should be able to win the peace within that timeframe. We can resolve the issues and our problems through a peaceful manner rather than fighting each other,” said Army chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista. - By Alexis Romero
PWD registrations in vote-rich Luzon cities generate low turnout
FOUR heavily populated cities in Luzon posted a dismal turnout during the special voters registration conducted by the Commission on Elections for persons with disability (PWDs) last week.
The four cities were Quezon City and Caloocan in Metro Manila, Urdaneta City in Pangasinan and Sorsogon City in the Bicol Region. In Caloocan and Urdaneta, not a single PWD showed up to register, in Quezon City there were four, while in Sorsogon nine PWDs registered.
In 2010, Quezon City had a total of 1,092,156 registered voters while Caloocan City had 636,255. As of the 2007 census, Quezon City had a total population of 2,679,450 while Caloocan had 1,378,856.
The special registration covering four districts of Quezon City was held at the third floor of SM North EDSA mall. In the second district of Caloocan City, more than 300 voters registered at the Barangay 63 hall, not a single one of whom was a PWD. Both registrations took place on May 26.
In northern Urdaneta City, no PWD registered at the booth set up for special registrations at the ground floor of Magic Mall, also on May 26. Urdaneta has more than 70,000 registered voters and is one of most populous areas in Pangasinan, a province that has 1,330,027 registered voters as of the last elections and a population of more than two and a half million.
Special registrations in Sorsogon City totalled nine PWD registrants—three new voters, five who validated and one who came to correct election records. The special registration was held at the Comelec office in Sorsogon City on May 18. Sorsogon City with its almost 80,000 voters has the highest total of registered voters in the province of Sorsogon, one of the six provinces in of the Bicol region that has a total of 709,673 population—almost half of it registered to vote.
At least 15 percent of the population in developing countries make up PWDs, according to World Health Organization estimates.
Aside from the high number of registered voters in the four cities, statistics from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction also count the cities of Quezon and Caloocan and the province of Pangasinan among the top 10 cities and provinces nationwide with the highest PWD population. Although the data does not identify how many percent of the PWDs are of voting age.
PWD population and registered votersComelec offices in Quezon City said they prepared for the special registrations.
District IV Election Officer Rosalinda Albia-Radin said Comelec offices announced the registration over the radio, and wrote local officials in the city council and barangays to disseminate the information. She said posters and tarpaulins were also posted at the mall.
Lawyer Ronald Allan Sindo of District I said all local government unit's multicabs were on standby to take PWDs who wanted to register to the site. He also said the mall is "accessible to PWDs" because it had ramps and an elevator.
Emerito Rojas of the PWD group New Vois Association of the Philippines Inc., however, said the PWDs were given very short notice about the registration because their group was only informed a week before.
Rojas, who is also PWD sectoral representative at the National Anti-Poverty Commission, said that as early as now, they are raising awareness for the slated registrations for the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week in July.
In Caloocan, Barangay 63 chairwoman Erlinda Gonzaga said she had no idea if there were PWDs in her barangay. Lawyer Dinah Valencia, the second district's election officer said she did not know who was in charge of information dissemination on the PWD registration and said no representative from any PWD group was coordinating with her office.
She said she only handled the satellite registrations and that the information campaign should already be carried out by a PWD group.
Although the LGU provided free shuttle service in Sorsogon City, Election Officer Ryan Filgueras cited lack of preparation as the main reason for the low turnout of PWD registrants.
He said his office only received the memorandum from the office of Commissioner Rene Sarmiento in the first week of May which gave them only a week to announce the activity.
Filgueras added that announcements were aired over the radio but it was not effective because these days, more people get their information from the television. He also said going down to the barangay level is the most effective information campaign but that the Comelec needs at least two months to coordinate with the 64 barangays of the city.
Even satellite registrations in barangays meant for PWDs and non-PWDs did not increase the number of PWDs who registered, he said.
In Urdanata City, Comelec Assistant II Rosalie Ramos said she supposed the zero turnout was because PWDs may have been "shy" to register because of their disabilities.
"Siguro yung iba po nahihiya magregister kasi may kapansanan nga po sila (Maybe they are too shy to register because of their disabilities)," Ramos said.
However, two floors above the registration booth in the same building, a visually impaired masseuse was busy attending to clients. Ana Owayet of the JRCM Blind Massage Therapy Service wanted to register in order to vote for the 2013 elections - but she wasn't informed of the registration going on downstairs.
"Wala naman pong (lumapit). Wala naman pong nagsabi (na merong registration) (Nobody came to us and informed us of the registration)," she said.
It was 3 p.m. when the Comelec registration booth packed up for the day. Owayet knew only about the registration with this interview an hour later—when she finished her 30-minute massage for a client.
But the masseuse said she could have registered even with her workload had she been informed earlier about the registration.
Gusto po namin sana lahat ng PWD makapag-register. Kulang lang po sa communication. Dapat ipaalam rin po kasi. Wala rin pong nagbabalita. Kung maari po sana may communication rin po sa amin (We want all PWDs to be able to register. The problem is the lack of communication. They should have informed us. But no one's updating us about the registration)," she said.
Twenty two of the 48 cities and municipalities of the province have shown a consistent zero turn-out in PWD registrations last year, according to the latest data from Comelec-Pangasinan.
Information dissemination has been a problem for PWD registration which may have resulted in the dismal turn-out in the province, said Maricel Zapatero, elections assistant II of Comelec Urdaneta.
Zapatero added that information dissemination has been limited to informing and coordinating with the barangay captains about the satellite registrations, posting flyers and putting up tarpaulins about the registration dates and requirements.
Atty. Jennifer Balarbar, acting provincial election supervisor of Comelec-Pangasinan, also said they posted press releases in their website for the media to report.
However, Comelec-Pangasinan has yet to tie up with any PWD group in the province for assistance, according to Balarbar.
Balarbar said the provincial election office had not tied up with any PWD group because they are not aware of any PWD organization based in Pangasinan.
"Wala namang mga specific organization especially for these people… With regards sa PWDs dito, nobody came out in the open na 'Heto kami, group kami ng PWDs (There are no specific organizations especially for these people… With regards to PWDs based here, nobody came out in the open and said 'Here we are, we are a group of PWDs),'" she said.
However, records show that a number of PWD groups in Pangasinan have registered in PWD government agencies. Two PWD groups were registered as of January 2011 under DSWD, according to its website — Adaptive Technology for the Rehabilitation, Integration and the Empowerment of the Visually Impaired in Region 1, and the Living Lights Academy
'A step toward political maturity'
MANILA, Philippines - Business leaders believe that the conclusion of the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Renato Corona is a big step toward political maturity and fighting corruption, which is considered a major hindrance to attracting investments and strengthening business confidence in the country.
In a statement issued after the handing down of the guilty verdict against Corona, the Makati Business Club (MBC) said that the five-month trial should lead to the strengthening of the administration’s commitment to “build a culture of integrity” not only in the Supreme Court, but in other branches of the government as well.
“Our country has taken another major step in the challenging road to political maturity. It is our sincere hope that this difficult process will lead to the strengthening and deepening of the commitment to build a culture of integrity not just in the Supreme Court and the judicial system but in the other branches of government-the Executive, the Senate, and the House of Representatives-and the private sector as well,” the MBC said.
The MBC said that the decision rendered by the senator-judges after the five-month trial were fair and impartial.
“While certain rules and parameters had to be defined along the way due to the, in many ways, unprecedented nature of this impeachment trial, the Makati Business Club believes that the process leading to the senator judges’ final decision against Chief Justice Renato Corona was transparent, fair, and impartial,” the group said.
MBC said Corona and his defense team were given fair opportunity to respond to the charges leveled against him.
“The bar of integrity and moral fitness for the top magistrate of our country’s judicial system must necessarily be set at the highest levels,” it said.
It views the impeachment trial as a validation that democracy is alive in the country.
“Thus, we hold the outcome of this impeachment trial as a triumph of our democracy’s system of checks and balances, and a revalidation of the fundamental principle that public office is a public trust and that all public officials are therefore accountable to the people,” MBC said.
Sergio Ortiz-Luis, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), expressed relief on the conclusion of the trial saying that now that it is concluded, Congress should now catch up with the legislative work that was stalled.
Since the beginning of the proceedings against Corona, most business leaders have supported the trial, saying businesses are largely detached to the political exercise. Business leaders also supported the conduct of the trial, no matter how laborious and lengthy, believing that it is important for the Philippines to prove that it has a functioning democracy.
Sought for comment on the conclusion of the trial during a forum held yesterday, EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the handing down of the verdict against Corona sends a good signal to the international community.
“It’s a good move, a good signal. It shows that the Philippine democracy is working. We hope that President Aquino will continue with his initiatives against corruption,” he said. - By Czeriza Valencia
Palace scouting for CJ replacement
Sen. Franklin Drilon, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares and Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza are among those President Aquino is eyeing to replace Chief Justice Renato Corona, sources said yesterday.
Justice Antonio Carpio might not be named chief justice because he does not seem to enjoy the trust and confidence of the other justices in the tribunal, sources hinted.
Sources in the legal community said Drilon wanted to follow in the footsteps of the late Marcelo Fernan – although in reverse. Fernan was the only public official to become Senate president, from 1998 to 1999, after serving as chief justice.
Drilon became Senate president sometime in 2003. He also served as justice secretary in the Ramos administration in 1992 until his election to the Senate.
Drilon placed third in the 1969 Bar examinations. His classmates included Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and former lawmaker Ronaldo Zamora.
Jardeleza was deputy ombudsman for Luzon before being named solicitor general. He was senior vice president and general counsel of San Miguel Corp.
Jardeleza graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law. He placed third in the 1974 Bar exams and completed his master of laws at Harvard University.
He was a former law partner of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in the law firm Roco, Buñag, Kapunan, Migallos & Jardeleza.
Before joining SMC in 1997, Jardeleza was a partner of the law firm ACCRA (Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices).
Henares was mentioned as a possible contender to replace Corona soon after the impeachment trial started in January, sources said.
Henares was one of the prosecution witnesses against Corona in the impeachment trial.
In her testimony, she said Corona never filed income tax returns from 2002 to 2010.
Henares also testified that Corona’s wife acquired an P11-million property in La Vista, Quezon City in 2003 despite having no reported income.
An accountant and lawyer, Henares is not new in the BIR, having served from August 2003 to November 2005as deputy commissioner of the Special Concerns Group and officer-in-charge of the Large Taxpayers Service.
She was named BIR commissioner in July 2010.
Henares finished her Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting at the De La Salle University.
She was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1981.
She graduated second honor at the Ateneo de Manila University. Her education includes a Master of Laws major in International and Comparative Law at Georgetown University in Washington, USA.
Prior to joining the BIR, Henares worked as a tax lawyer at SGV & Co., partner at the Yap, Jacinto, Jacob Law Office, vice-president for corporate and legal affairs of ING Bank, governor of the Board of Investments and senior private sector development specialist for the World Bank Group.
Henares is also an avid gun enthusiast who goes to the firing range on weekends. She occasionally shoots with Aquino, a fellow recreational sport shooter.
Catastrophe
Meanwhile, Aquino said yesterday an acquittal of Corona would have been “catastrophic” to the country.
Aquino spoke before participants of the Jesus is Lord youth summit in Quezon City.
“But with the help of your prayers, we are very much okay,” he said.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the verdict of the Senate is a step forward in terms of restoring public confidence in our courts, and trust in the members of the judiciary.
“Twenty senators voted to convict Mr. Renato C. Corona on Article 2 of the Articles of Impeachment. Our democratic institutions have been strengthened and have been proven to work,” she said.
“Mr. Corona is merely the public face of the things that ail our justice system. Let us never forget that those who come to court, be they rich or poor, must do so in the expectation of receiving impartial justice from those who uphold both the spirit and the letter of the law.”
Valte said the decision was immediately executory and that the President has 90 days to appoint a replacement.
“From what I understand, the position will be vacant because the decision of the Senate impeachment court is immediately executory,” she said.
Valte said the argument that Corona was denied due process had been rehashed over and over again, “to no avail.”
“Let us put it all to rest,” she said.
“The fact is he was given an opportunity to be heard and the Senate impeachment court went the extra mile of allowing him to declaim for three hours, a privilege unheard of in procedural rules.”
Valte said at this point it was unclear what action the defense would take as there seemed to be inconsistency in their pronouncements.
“Whatever steps the defense will take is a matter of strategy,” she said.
Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II hailed the impeachment court for the guilty verdict against Corona.
“Not since the EDSA Revolution of 1986 have I felt as proud to be a Filipino than today,” he said.
“In EDSA, we cast out a dictatorship, today we removed an unworthy Chief Justice.
“And we have done it not by a dint of that great force called people power, but by the normal, constitutional process ordained by our democratic system.
“Indeed, we have shown the world the final maturation of Philippine democracy. For decades past, we have always waited upon some accident or fortuitous event to bring about the change we wanted in our political system. Today is different, because we have proven that by the force of institutional checks and balances, we can impeach, prosecute and convict a wayward Chief Justice.
“I am proud of the House of Representatives and the Senate for their acts of courage, determination and statesmanship. Many names from both chambers shall be indelibly printed in our history books.
“But let us never forget that this event never could have come about if not for the election two years ago of a President who has led us through the straight and narrow path through which law and justice must be applied – both to the common man, and to the high and mighty.” – With Iris Gonzales, Aurea Calica, Rainier Allan Ronda
4 killed in Makati fire
MANILA, Philippines - Four persons, including an elderly couple, were reportedly killed when a fire broke out at a residential area in Makati City early yesterday morning.
City fire marshal Ric Perdigon initially identified two of the fatalities as Renato Gregorio and Miranda Veneranda Padilla.
Perdigon said Padilla was burned beyond recognition and was only identified by her husband, who managed to escape unscathed.
After putting out the blaze, firefighters discovered two charred bodies of an old man and woman believed to be that of Padilla’s parents-in-law Jose Padilla, 77, and Dolores, 75.
Initial investigation showed that the fire started in Gregorio’s house at 4041 Kalayaan Avenue, Barangay Singkamas at 5:05 a.m.
The fire quickly spread to adjoining houses in the area.
The fire razed at least 300 houses, according to Perdigon.
He said the fire reached Task Force Charlie before it was declared under control after more than two hours. - By Mike Frialde
Enrile: We're ready to defy SC
..Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday insisted that the Supreme Court cannot change Senate’s decision to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“I will say this very frankly and I hope they understand. If they will question the jurisdiction of the impeachment court and reverse our decision, we will defy them. If they want a Constitutional crisis in this country, they will have one," Enrile said in an interview with ANC.
Following the overwhelming vote against Corona, lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas said the Corona camp may resort to a petition for certiorari before the SC to review the proceedings of the impeachment court with a motion to nullify the entirety of the trial.
Cuevas, however, said it is still up to the convicted chief justice to determine their next move.
Enrile said that he has been very liberal in favor of the defense team during the course of the trial, stretching out the rules for them, so that they cannot accuse the Senate of any grave abuse of discretion.
“Where in this country could you point out a case where the witness was allowed to testify through a narrative? The defense did not ask any direct questions addressed to the chief justice. I allowed him to recite and say anything he wanted to defend himself,” he said.
But now that the impeachment trial is over, the senate president said he can no longer tolerate any action that will violate the Constitutional provision which says that the Senate has the sole power to decide and try all impeachment cases.
“In fact, I told the lawyers of the defense when the chief justice walked out, you want to create a revolution in this country, go to the streets, I will face you. A law must be enforced in this country. We cannot be lackadaisical of our laws. Otherwise, we will have anarchy,” Enrile said.
As of now, the Corona camp has yet to confirm whether they will pursue with the SC petition or accept the Senate's decision.
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Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Padaca seeks relief from SC
MANILA, Philippines - Former Isabela governor Grace Padaca sought relief from the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday against her indictment before the Sandiganbayan for alleged graft and malversation of public funds in connection with a P25-million contract for a hybrid rice program in 2006.
In a 45-page petition, Padaca specifically asked the SC to stop the anti-graft court from proceeding with the case and nullify the resolutions issued by the Office of the Ombudsman in January and February last year finding probable cause in the complaint filed against her and other provincial officials by former Isabela congressman Santiago Respicio.
“In finding probable cause against petitioner, the public respondent (Ombudsman) failed to appreciate the totality of circumstances and the unmistakable facts or record that the execution of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) is borne out of petitioner’s honest belief that she had the authorization and support of the SP (Sangguniang Panlalawigan), and that she was pursuing a program that will uplift the quality of life of Isabela’s rice farmers through the Provincial Rice Program, which is intended to increase the farmers’ earning potentials,” Padaca said.
The former governor was accused of favoring a non-government organization, the Economic Development for Western Isabela and Northern Luzon Foundation Inc. (EDWINLFI), in the award of a P25-million priority hybrid rice project.
Padaca was charged by the anti-graft office with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division.
The Ombudsman said Padaca illegally awarded the contract to EDWINLFI to manage the supervised credit and seed distribution facility for farmers as it was done without public bidding or any other legitimate procurement procedure.
But Padaca insisted that she acted in good faith and there was no intention on her part to benefit from the project.
She claimed there was no need for a public bidding and that the memorandum of agreement they entered into with EDWINLFI contained sufficient safeguards to prevent the latter from getting unwarranted benefits and to protect the provincial government from being disadvantaged.
Padaca said that under RA 3019, a public officer may be held liable for violation of this law if there is a showing that he or she acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or inexcusable negligence; his or her action caused injury to the government; and gave unwarranted benefit or preference in the discharge of his or her functions.
Padaca said she acted within the bounds of her authority and in good faith in executing a MOA with EDWINLFI considering that it had the provincial board’s approval.
Padaca added that it was her belief that her decision to enter into the MOA would not put the provincial government at a disadvantage but rather it would beneficial to her constituents who are mostly rice farmers.
Last week, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division chaired by Associate Justice Roland Jurado issued an arrest warrant for Padaca.
The court set Padaca’s bail at P40,000 for the malversation case and P30,000 for the graft case. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe - By Edu Punay
Chief Justice Renato Corona: Guilty as charged
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Senators vote on Corona verdict
Makati PWDs turn old tarps into bags
Single Ticketing For Jaywalkers Pushed
CIDG forms task force to find 'Big 4'
US Seabees Begin Partnership Projects
Government creates P25-billion infrastructure fund
Monday, May 28, 2012
Kopi Talk Decongesting airports
Thanks to a brawl at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it has come to light that the newest terminal of the country’s premier airport lacks closed-circuit television cameras. CCTVs are not the only basic equipment lacking at the NAIA Terminal 3, and in many airports outside Metro Manila.
The Department of Transportation and Communications is now planning to improve service at all three terminals of the NAIA by decongesting air traffic. Airlines could wholeheartedly cooperate, spreading their flights to late or pre-dawn hours. But this will require sufficient runway lights and night flight navigation equipment at air traffic control towers. Additional employees are also needed to handle night flights at secondary airports.
This could take time and money. The DOTC wants to fast-track decongestion by cutting the number of domestic flights at the NAIA. For one airline alone, the plan means about 100 flights fewer per day, for aircraft with a passenger capacity of 180. The DOTC move needs careful study, considering its impact on the travel industry, which the government is trying to boost. Other planned measures include phasing out private flying schools that use NAIA facilities. Corporate jets and small aircraft used by private individuals may also have to find another airport.
The problem is yet another reminder of the urgent need to upgrade the country’s airports. Philippine airports are stuck in the days when most countries were just starting to build facilities that could accommodate jet aircraft. Even at the NAIA, the runway is inadequate, and there is no more room for expansion. The tarmac gets flooded during the monsoon season, when power outages and leaking ceilings are common.
The situation is worse in secondary airports, where it’s not unusual to see cows and goats strolling along the tarmac. In Baguio City, a top tourist destination, failure to impose zoning regulations around the airport forced its closure to all but helicopters and light aircraft.
While major airports around the world operate 24 hours a day, NAIA employees still keep regular government working hours, with lunch break. Anything beyond that is overtime, and the extra pay must be shouldered by private foreign and local airlines – a practice unique to the Philippines. These woes are on top of taxes and fees that the carriers complain are imposed only in this country. With foreign airlines reducing flights in and out of Manila or pulling out altogether, there might be no need for a DOTC-sponsored decongestion program at the NAIA. -
Bill seeks motorbike lanes on toll ways
..Motorcyclists may soon have their own lanes on toll roads in and out of Metro Manila if a bill filed by Cagayan Representative Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. is passed into law.
Enrile said the measure will help workers living outside Manila save on transportation costs when commuting to and from work.
Citing data from the Land Transportation Office, Enrile said at least 46,051 new motorcycle registrations were processed in the first quarter of 2011 alone. The majority of those new registrations were by "workers residing in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna but are working in the neighboring city center which is Metro Manila," he said.
He said that with road congestion and high fuel costs, motorcycles are more fuel-efficient and easier to maneuver in traffic.
"Despite these advantages, the motorcycles are considered one of the high-risk vehicles. In 2011, motorcycle use accounted for 2,788 accidents in the country's major highways and toll roads. This is due to insufficient rules and regulations governing motorcycle use along national roads, highways and toll ways," Enrile said.
His proposal will designate a motorcycle lane on the extreme right of toll roads. The lanes will be half the width of regular car lanes and will be delineated by thick white lane markers.
"The toll gate situated at the extreme right of the toll roads is designated for the sole use of motorcycles. Motorcycle operators are prohibited from using the express lanes located on the left-most toll gates," he said.
Enrile's bill covers major toll roads to Manila from Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna and will give motorcycles with a displacement of at least 100cc access to the motorcycle lanes. Small motorcycles will have access to the lanes up to 100 kilometers from Manila. Farther than that, and the lanes will be restricted to motorcycles with displacements of at least 400cc.
According to the Toll Regulatory Board, which has jurisdiction over the Philippine toll roads, there are three toll roads in and out of Manila: the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway and the Manila-Cavite Coastal Road Expressway.
Although Enrile's bill does not have a counterpart proposal at the Senate, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has filed a related bill, which requires motorcycle lanes on all national, provincial, city and municipal roads.
..
DOTC eyes sites for transport hubs
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is eyeing a lot behind the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City and part of the reclaimed land near the Uniwide Mall in Parañaque City as the sites of the north and south intermodal transport terminals (ITT), an official said yesterday.
The terminals are where provincial buses can unload their passengers rather than go through Metro Manila’s roads in order to lessen traffic congestion in the metropolis.
DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said they were already in talks with the Ayala Land-National Housing Authority (NHA) joint venture group for the Trinoma lot and the Philippine Reclamation Authority for the south ITT along Coastal Road.
Another ITT at the Food Terminal, Inc. complex was also in the works, Roxas said, noting that the Coastal Road and FTI hubs are transactions between government agencies.
Only the Trinoma Mall lot will involve a private entity. “We have talked to the Ayalas a number of times and also with the NHA which has a joint venture with the Ayalas for the property behind Trinoma,” Roxas said.
He said the Trinoma lot was deemed the best location for the north ITT since it is the point where the EDSA-bound Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 7 to be built by San Miguel Corp., and the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway connector road will all converge.
Roxas said the DOTC is already eyeing an alternative to the Trinoma lot if talks with the Ayala-NHA group do not prosper. He said they can go to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, across North Avenue.
With the establishment of the ITTs, Roxas said they expect the number of provincial buses going through Metro Manila by around 8,000 units.
In the first week of March, Malacañang issued Executive Order 67, which calls for the establishment of ITTs outside Metro Manila, removing the need for provincial buses to get into the metropolis and adding to the daily congestion in major thoroughfares, especially EDSA.
The integrated transport system (ITS) project, ordered undertaken by EO 67, involves the setup of bus terminals near the North and South Luzon Expressways for provincial buses.
Citing figures from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Roxas said a total of 13,067 buses ply Metro Manila roads.
He said nearly 60 percent of them are provincial buses that traverse Metro Manila. Only 5,331 are city buses, 3,718 of which ply EDSA.
Apart from the reduced volume of vehicles, Roxas said the ITTs will make commuting to the provinces more convenient because the terminals will be linked to other available mass transport systems such as the LRT, MRT and Philippine National Railways. - By Rainier Allan Ronda
Tetangco nixes one currency for Asean
MANILA, Philippines - The head of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said there is no need to come up with a single currency in Southeast Asia just topursue economic integration among the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in an interview that studies have showed there is no need for a single currency just to achieve economic integration in Southeast Asia.
The statement was made amid talks that Greece would exit the euro zone amid the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.
Early this month, Asian Development Bank chief economist Changyong Rhee said Southeast Asia would have to shelve their single currency plans for a while until Europe is able to overcome its financial problems.
“Having a single currency and a large union [of economies] may create problems. Let’s see how they [Europeans] solve their problems and then let’s study whether it is still prudent to have a single currency,” Rhee said in a press conference earlier.
The ADB economist pointed out that it would be unwise for ASEAN countries to begin serious talk about having a single currency when the euro zone countries are still struggling with serious debt and economic problems.
He explained that it would be best for ASEAN members to focus on strengthening their economic ties.
The ASEAN is composed of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Burma.
Rhee said while the advantages of having a single currency include the easing of inter-regional trade, its disadvantages include problems arising from the difference in the prices of goods and services among member states.
Furthermore, he added that having a single currency and an economic union means that a member nation should be willing to share its resources with a poorer member. - By Lawrence Agcaoili
Valenzuela City Dengue Cases Down
..MANILA, Philippines --- From January 1 until mid-May of this year, the Valenzuela City Health Office reported only 14 confirmed cases of dengue or 4.5 percent of the 256 individuals classified as suspects.
According to report of City Health Office chief Dr. Jaime Exconde, the confirmed cases came from a total of 310 cases admitted from different hospitals in Valenzuela. Majority of the individuals admitted for dengue were males (164), with most cases coming from Barangay Gen. T. De Leon - the biggest barangay of the city.
But the highest incidence proportion of dengue was identified in Barangay Palasan with some 25 cases per 10,000 individuals. Only two deaths were recorded as of May 12.
Exconde said that the admitted cases for this period was lower compared to last year's 516 admitted cases during the same period. In January 2012 alone, only 90 cases were admitted compared to the 227 admittances in 2011.
Based on the records, most of the admitted patients this year were still males with 52.9 percent (164 individuals). Furthermore, the youngest suspected patient on record was around 11 months and the oldest patient was 76 years old.
Valenzuela City PIO head Ahna Mejia said continuous efforts by both residents and the local government to mitigate dengue incidents helped in lowering dengue cases in their area.
''We are not just focusing on the areas that previously had high dengue incidence. Our plea to the public is that to continue to observe cleanliness within their homes which plays a big role in disease prevention, not just dengue,'' Mejia said.
Mejia added that in coordination with the Department of Education, the city government is intensifying its dengue mitigation in schools this week prior to the opening of classes in June 4.
..
Philippine president, Obama set to meet in June
..Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is set to make his first presidential visit to Los Angeles on June 5 and 6.
The Philippine Consulate here has started preparing for the visit as well as that of Vice president Jejomar Binay a few days before, Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon told the Inquirer on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Aragon said the consulate staff would be ¿very busy the next few weeks¿ working with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and coordinating Aquino¿s meetings with the Filipino-American community and business investors here.
From Los Angeles Aquino will proceed to Washington where he will meet with President Obama.
Binay is scheduled to visit Los Angeles to lead an advance Independence Day celebration on June 2.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., who met with Fil-Ams here last week, confirmed the meeting between Aquino and President Obama in the White House.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton invited President Aquino to Washington, D.C. when she visited Manila in November last year. Obama himself extended the invitation later that month during his one-on-one meeting with President Aquino at the East Asia Summit in Indonesia.
Aquino made his first visit to the United States in 2010 for the United Nations General Assembly. He stopped in San Francisco then on his way to New York.
He visited the US again for the launch of the Open Government Partnership in September last year and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Hawaii in November.
..
SSS bares guidelines of P7B educational loan facility
MANILA, Philppines — THE Social Security System has announced the terms of its new P7 billion loan window for college education and skills training.
SSS officer-in-charge Edgar Solilapsi said members earning P10,000 or less a month can apply for the Educational Assistance Loan Program (EALP) to enable them or their dependents to defray enrolment costs for college, vocational and technical courses.
Members with at least 36 contributions ― including three monthly premiums within the past 12 months ― are eligible to borrow for educational expenses of one beneficiary. The member must also be paying premiums based on a monthly salary credit of P10,000 or lower.
Maximum loan amount per semester or trimester is P15,000 for college and P7,500 for a vocational or technical course, which must be a two-year degree program or higher. Loan releases will be made payable to the school and must be used for tuition and miscellaneous fees only. The school must be accredited by the Commission on Higher Education or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Members can have up to three years to repay the loan for tech-voc courses and up to five years for college degrees. The grace period repayment, which will start on the date of the final loan release, is 18 months for semestral courses and 15 months for trimestral programs.
To apply, members must accomplish a loan application form and submit a school-issued billing statement to their nearest SSS branch. Application forms are available at SSS branches or may be downloaded from the SSS website www.sss.gov.ph.
Ateneo holds confab on addressing armed conflicts
The Ateneo Department of Political Science-Working Group on Security Sector Reform, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, OJ3, will hold a two-day conference on May 30 and 31, at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Entitled “Addressing Armed Conflicts through Collaborative Efforts: Focus on the AFP’s IPSP (Internal Peace and Security Plan) Bayanihan,” the activity hopes to bring together national and local government units as well as civil society groups in a two-day conference to look into the efforts of the military, as well as to discuss successful political interventions, challenges, spaces of engagements, and remaining things to be done to finally convince the armed groups to abandon the violent means to institute change.
The funding of the conference is sourced from the Australian Aid and The Asia Foundation.
Speakers include LtGen Emmanuel Bautista, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, MGen Romeo Calizo, AFP-Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Cong. Mel Sarmiento of Samar, Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental, Usec Panadero of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Undersecretary Vicente Agdamag of the National Security Council, and Assistant Secretary Danilo Francia of the Department of National Defense.
Expected to grace the occasion, too, are Sec. Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and Gen. Jesse Dellosa, Chief of Staff of the AFP.
For more information you may email joreta@ateneo.edu
4 teachers among GUMIL MM officers
Retired Quezon City RTC Judge Vivencio S. Baclig, a published fictionist who teaches law at a Manila University, has been chosen president for 2012-2014 of GUMIL Metro Manila, the group of Ilocano writers in the metropolis.
Three other teachers – two of whom have recently retired – join the new set of officers following election at the Maki Haus in Quezon City on May 20. They are Eden Bulong (treasurer), Ma. Rose A. Cabie (PRO), and Joy Dilan (director).
Other elected officials are Palanca awardee Ariel Tabag, vice president and poetry editor of Manila Bulletin’s weekly sister publication Bannawag.
Other officers are Sherilyn Viloria (Cagayan, secretary); Ross Deritt (Isabela, auditor); Angelo “Eloy Padua (Pangasinan); Benn Cabacungan (Ilocos Norte); Virgilio Tabugadir (Cagayan); Staff Sgt. Leonardo Fagaragan (ret., Ilocos Norte); Martin Rochina (Ilocos Sur); and Simeon Berroy (Abra), directors.
Baclig, took his oath of office before Juan S.P. Hidalgo, Jr. of Rosales, Pangasinan, among the pillars of Iluko literature and former managing editor of Bannawag. The other officers in turn were inducted into office by Baclig, who last year retired as judge of a Regional Trial Court in Quezon City.
GUMIL Metro Manila, formally established in 1968 under its first president Dr. Hermogenes Belen of La Union, is a group of Ilocano essayists, short story writers, novelists, poets, playwrights, orthographers and other writers
Damaged dike floods 2 North Cotabato towns
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Residents of low-lying villages in towns of Magpet and President Roxas in North Cotabato blamed the latest flashfloods to a damaged dike built along Kabacan River, one of the biggest rivers in the province.
The dike, constructed in late 2009, was damaged by the strong current of water last Thursday night, according to Mario Calayco, chairman of Barangay Poblacion in President Roxas.
Evelinda Baliguat, chairman of Barangay Binay in Magpet town, said they monitored the first crack of the structure last July 2011 when flashfloods hit their village and nearby areas.
"Months after the dike was constructed, we already saw the crack. It was all the more damaged when a strong flood hit the village last Thursday.
What will happen to the dike if a stronger flood hit the village again?" Baliguat asked.
Magpet Mayor Efren Pinol believed the materials used in constructing the multi-million dike were sub-standard.
"I am not an engineer myself. But by merely looking at the dike, I can say, the materials used were not of good quality or sub-standard," Pinol said.
Data showed that in 2009, some P30 million was released to fund the construction of a concrete flood-control dike at the boundary of Barangay Tuael in President Roxas town and Barangay Binay in Magpet town where the heavy concentration of water of Kabacan River coming from the mountains is situated.
Of the P30 million, the Cotabato Provincial Government, under then the leadership of former Governor Jesus Sacdalan, released from its calamity funds some P8 million to fund the project, and the rest from the National Government, in particular from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
Pinol said even before the project was completed in 2009, he already complained before the office of then Defense Secretary Gualberto Teodoro, also former chairman of the NDCC, about the program design and the materials used.
His complaints, however, fell on deaf ears, he said.
"I questioned the amount of the project. I know this project was highly anomalous, so controversial," he said.
Pinol said he would again ask the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in North Cotabato to look into the structure.
He said the DPWH Cotabato first engineering district is headed by Engineer Mamintal Taha. However, the construction of the structure was not completed under his Taha's leadership, the mayor explained.
"We demand that the DPWH investigate on the matter, check on the materials used, and conduct profiling of the structure so that measures would be taken soonest," Pinol added. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
Philippines oil firms roll back prices of petroleum products
DOTC eyes sites for transport hubs
Study: Phl software services outsourcing up 37% in 2011
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Kopi Talk Refuge
DOJ okays murder raps vs police exec, 4 others
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