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UNDP chief to meet with PNoy on post-Yolanda recovery efforts

 News
Mar 212014
 
UNDP chief to meet with PNoy on post-Yolanda recovery efforts

The head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will meet with President Benigno Aquino III next week on the government’s recovery efforts, four months after super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck central Philippines. In a statement, the UNDP said its administrator, Helen Clark, will travel to Tacloban City in Leyte “to see first-hand the ongoing recovery activities in the areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.” Clark will meet with Aquino, Cabinet officials and Asian Development Bank (ADB) president Takehiko Nakao during her three-day visit to the Philippines, the statement added. During her stay in the Philippines, the UNDP chief will also sign an agreement with Japan on “increased support to Yolanda recovery work.” Clark will likewise witness the historic signing of the final peace deal between Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), scheduled on March 27. Clark’s visit to Yolanda-hit areas was announced days after Audit chief Grace Pulido Tan noted

MNLF invited to signing of Bangsamoro peace pact — Lacierda 

 News
Mar 212014
 
MNLF invited to signing of Bangsamoro peace pact — Lacierda 

Malacañang on Friday said it has invited the Moro National Liberation Front to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), even though the group is opposing the pact. “I asked Secretary Ging Deles, yes, merong invitation to the MNLF [pero] wala pa kaming final list ng kung sino [ang pupunta],” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during a press conference. Last week, Deles announced that the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will sign the final peace agreement on March 27. The MNLF, however, claims it was excluded from the talks, and that this CAB abrogates the 1996 peace agreement it signed with the government in Jakarta. The Palace has denied MNLF’s claim and asked the the group to give the framework deal a chance. Signing In a statement on Friday, government peace panel chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the CAB signing “seals the partnership for peace and prosperity between the government and the MILF.” “This partnership is based on our shared aspiration to heal the wounds of conflict, enable meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro, and nurture peace and development in Muslim Mindanao,” she said. Ferrer said the CAB “brings together” all the major agreements signed by the parties in the course of the 17-year negotiations. She said the most important parts are the framework agreement and the four Annexes, which will pave the way for the creation of the new Bangsamoro political entity.   Lacierda said they expect more than a thousand guests to Read More …

CA upholds Devanadera's misconduct conviction, orders her to pay P760,000

 News
Mar 202014
 
CA upholds Devanadera's misconduct conviction, orders her to pay P760,000

The Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of former Justice secretary Agnes Devanadera of misconduct in connection with the attorney’s fees she received from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 2007. In a 23-page decision, the CA’s Sixth Division “partially granted” a March 4, 2010 decision and a February 10, 2012 review by the Office of the Ombudsman finding Devanadera guilty of simple misconduct, simple neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of duty. The CA, in its ruling penned by Associate Justice Romeo Barza, affirmed the Ombudsman rulings but said they were “subject to modifications.” Among the modifications was the penalty imposed on Devanadera, who, aside from being a former Justice secretary, also served as Solicitor General during the Arroyo administration. “In lieu of the penalty of one year without pay, she is ordered to pay a fine equivalent to her salary as government corporate counsel for six months,” the CA said. The CA also ordered Devanadera to “restitute to the Office of Government Corporate Council trust liability account” an amount of P760,000. The Ombudsman had convicted Devanadera and her former head executive assistant Rolando Faller in connection with an agreement with the GSIS to handle the extrajudicial foreclosure of delinquent real estate loans in 2007. In exchange, the Chief Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) would get special assessment fees for its help. The two officials allegedly received various amounts from the special assessment fee that the GSIS had put up, including P500,000 for Devanadera Read More …

Napoles brought to Ospital ng Makati due to pain

 News
Mar 202014
 
Napoles brought to Ospital ng Makati due to pain

(Updated 12 :08 p.m.) Alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles was brought to Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) Friday after a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 as she was in pain. Lawyer Fay Isaguirre Singson said Napoles was to be brought to OsMak for checkup. Napoles attended the hearing of her motion to undergo medical surgery and hospital confinement at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global on Friday morning. She was wearing a blue hoodie, jeans and rubber shoes. Asked what she was feeling, she replied, “hindi po mabuti.” Napoles’ surgery should not cost govt anything Earlier during the hearing, Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 said the medical operation of Napoles, if allowed by court, should not cost the government anything. “The medical surgery of Napoles should be at no cost to the government. You will shoulder entirely the cost of your operation,” Alameda told Napoles. Napoles nodded in agreement. The accused’s motion to undergo surgery and be confined at St Luke’s Medical Center-Global has been submitted for resolution but the judge has yet to hand down his decision. During the hearing, Alameda suggested several government hospitals where Napoles could undergo operation but the latter did not agree insisting that her doctors and medical records are with St. Luke’s. Among the hospitals suggested were Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, Philippine General Hospital in Manila, East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City and Ospital ng Makati. Alameda said he wanted the operation, if ever, to be done Read More …

Tearful Napoles begs Makati court for permission to have surgery at St. Luke's 

 News
Mar 202014
 
Tearful Napoles begs Makati court for permission to have surgery at St. Luke's 

(Updated 11:12 a.m.) Insisting that she is in constant pain, Janet Lim Napoles on Friday personally appealed to a Makati court to allow her to undergo surgery at St. Luke’s Medical Center. In tears, the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind told Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Elmo Alameda that she is suffering. “Hirap na hirap na po ako, maawa po kayo sa akin. Hindi na ako tinatablan ng gamot. Ang tagal ko nang tinitiis ito. Kung wala lang akong sakit, hindi ako makikiusap nang ganito,” she said. She said she is confused about the results of her laboratory tests as the Southern Luzon Hospital said she has an ovarian tumor while the PNP General Hospital said the cyst was in her uterus. Napoles arrived at the court past 9 a.m. Napoles’ lawyers filed the motion to subpoena Napoles Thursday afternoon which Alameda granted. Alameda said he was caught by surprise with the filing of the motion. The prosecutors said they were not informed of the filing of the motion adding that it was an irregular procedure. Prosecutor Christopher Garvida moved for the removal from the court records the personal plea made by Napoles but Alameda did not grant it. The judge said he wanted all records to be included in determining the merit of the Napoles’ motion to undergo surgery. Blood test During the hearing, Diana Quintos and Romil Aguirre, medical technologist and physician, respectively, of Accucell Diagnostic Center, testified that they did not personally see Napoles when they conducted a Read More …

PNoy orders monitoring of radio stations not playing OPM songs 

 News
Mar 192014
 
PNoy orders monitoring of radio stations not playing OPM songs 

In a bid to help the local music industry, President Benigno Aquino III has ordered a stricter monitoring of radio stations not playing enough original Pilipino music songs. At the Pinoy Music Summit, Aquino said his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, signed Executive Order 255 in 1987 to give due recognition to Filipino music and artists. Under EO 255, “all radio stations shall broadcast a minimum of four original [F]ilipino musical compositions in every clockhour of a program with a musical format.” “Pinaigting naman po natin ito sa pag-aatas sa National Telecommunications Commission na bantayan ang pagsunod ng mga istasyon ng radyo sa batas na ito,” the President said on Wednesday. EO 255 states that any franchise holder or operator of a radio station who fails to broadcast the minimum number of compositions shall pay P100 per violation. It added that the NTC, after due hearing, may likewise suspend or cancel the certificate of registration and authority to operate of any radio station in the event of repeated violations. Filipino music today On Wednesday, Aquino underscored the importance of music in Filipino culture and everyday life. He also cited various Filipino achievements in the field of music. “Alam naman po natin, at ng buong mundo: hindi lang mahilig kumanta ang Pilipino – sa larangan ng musika, pinatunayan, at patuloy nating pinatutunayan na mayroon tayong binubuga,” he said. Because of this, he said the government is willing to help the industry in any way it can.  “Nandiyan po yong kagustuhan Read More …

PNoy: Plunder complaint against me baseless, extreme 

 News
Mar 192014
 
PNoy: Plunder complaint against me baseless, extreme 

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday shrugged off the plunder complaints filed against him and other government officials, saying they are baseless and extreme.   “Curious ako: Ano ho ba supposedly ang na-gain ko dito? Yung element kasi ng plunder you have to have personal gain. So what did I, Secretary Abad, or Secretary Alcala gain?” Aquino said at the sidelines of the Pinoy Music Summit in Malate, Manila. In October last year, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas filed plunder charges against Aquino, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, and Budget Sec. Florencio Abad, among others for their alleged involvement in the so-called pork barrel scam. Last January, the same group filed another plunder case against Aquino, Abad, and Agrarian Reform Sec. Virgilio Delos Reyes, among others over the alleged misuse of Malampaya funds. Aquino, however, said the claims are a little “extreme.” “Besides yung teknikal na aspect dito, siguro part of the democratic process, ay ipakita yung talagang napaka-extreme ng kanilang pananaw,” he said. But the President assured the public that no one is above the law. “Pangako ko sa sambayanan, ginagawa namin yung ebidensya ang magdadala sa atin kung saan tayo dapat pumunta,” he said. “Siguro tingnan na lang natin sinu-sino ba ang mga nakulong na rin tulad ni Mrs. Napoles,” he added. As for Alcala, he said the secretary is presumed guilty until proven otherwise. “May nagawa siyang positibo, merong akusasyon ngayon, tulad ng sinuman, palagay ko ho may karapatan siya [doon sa] presumption of innocence until proven guilty,” Read More …

Senate panel to summon Delfin Lee to housing scam probe

 News
Mar 192014
 
Senate panel to summon Delfin Lee to housing scam probe

The Senate housing committee will summon detained businessman Delfin Lee to its probe on the alleged Globe Asiatique housing scam, Senator JV Ejercito said Wednesday. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate panel, said Lee needs to face the investigation because he is the alleged mastermind of the anomaly, which reportedly defrauded thousands of Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) members. “We would like to inquire and investigate on the policies of Pag-IBIG then, how this double sale of housing units occurred, how a company like Globe Asiatique acquired a loan from Pag-IBIG using ghost housing loan applicants, and how we could protect people from this manipulative and anomalous housing loan scheme,” he said in a text message. The investigation will be set in two to three weeks, and will include victims of the supposed anomaly, he added. Lee is currently detained at the Pampanga Provincial Jail following his arrest early this month over a P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case. In 2008, Globe Asiatique entered into a Funding Commitment Agreement with Pag-IBIG for the housing project. It allegedly got at least P6.6 billion in housing loan proceeds for home buyers. (Click here to see infographic on the Globe Asiatique housing anomaly) However, an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) supposedly showed Lee made false representations and submitted fake documents to secure the loans. From the 9,951 alleged Pag-IBIG borrowers in the Globe Asiatique deals, 1,000 could not be located, 400 denied applying for housing loans, and 200 had incomplete documents for the Read More …

AFP forms panel to probe into dismissed PMA cadet's case 

 General
Mar 182014
 
AFP forms panel to probe into dismissed PMA cadet's case 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has formed a special investigation board that will look into the the case of dismissed Philippine Military Academy cadet Aldrin Jeff Cudia. “Upon the instruction of the President, the [AFP] Chief of Staff has created a special investigation board headed by Major General Crisologo Nayve,” AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala told GMA News Online in a phone interview on Wednesday. The five-member board has been formally formed on Tuesday. Nayve, who is also a PMA alumnus, is currently at the military school in Baguio City to conduct the investigation, Zagala said. The AFP public affairs chief added that Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista has yet to receive Cudia’s written appeal. On Saturday, the day before the graduation of the PMA “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014, the camp of Cudia met with President Benigno Aquino III to talk about the case. The President asked Cudia to put into writing their appeal so that the military could carry out a separate investigation into the issue. Cudia had been found guilty by the Honor Committee for lying in his explanation why he was two minutes late for a class. The former cadet said in his explanation their professor dismissed him late so he was late for his next class. However, the Honor Committee tagged this as a lie since he was technically made to wait by his professor and not dismissed late. For violatin the PMA Honor Code, Cudia was dismissed from Read More …

Catholic Church adopts 4Ps approach vs. human trafficking

 News
Mar 162014
 
Catholic Church adopts 4Ps approach vs. human trafficking

The Catholic Church is adopting a new “4 Ps” approach to strengthen its efforts against human trafficking, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said this approach involving “Prevention, prosecution, protection and partnership” should particularly protect women and children. ”We partner with all these initiatives so that all these small streams can become a river that can sweep away this evil, as all evil, human trafficking thrives in darkness,” Pabillo told Church-run Radio Veritas. Excerpts of the interview were posted on the CBCP news site. Pabillo added this approach is also in support of the United Nations’ protocol to fight the problem. Also, the CBCP noted the International Justice Mission had said at least 100,000 cases of human trafficking involving children were reported in 2013, including sex trafficking of minors. “As long as the problem is not recognized, the evil doers can continue and expand their activities. Truth is our powerful weapon,” Pabillo said. — LBG, GMA News

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