GMA News Online / News / Nation

Pag-Ibig asks CA to stop order that it keep lending to Globe Asiatique borrowers

 News
Apr 302013
 
Pag-Ibig asks CA to stop order that it keep lending to Globe Asiatique borrowers

The Home Development Mutual Fund, more commonly known as the Pag-Ibig Fund, on Tuesday asked the Court of Appeals to stop a Makati ruling ordering it to continue releasing money to borrowers of embattled Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corporation, whose president Delfin Lee is being pursued by authorities for a P6.65-billion syndicated estafa case. In an 85-page petition for special civil action for certiorari, the the HDMF contested a January 30 and December 11, 2012 ruling of Makati Judge Eugene Paras favoring Globe Asiatique. Earlier, HDMF had terminated its agreements with Globe Asiatique after a post-audit of the realty firm revealed that it “fraudulently fabricated hundreds of loan applications, using fictitious applicants/buyers and spurious loan documents.” In Paras’ rulings, however, he ordered the HDMF to enforce the terminated agreements again and release more large sums of money to Globe Asiatique. The petitioner said the judge only conducted “summary proceedings, without the benefit of a full-blown trial, all in the face of the massive and wholesale fraud perpetrated by GARHC against HDMF and its member-contributors.” The HDMF insisted that the termination of the agreements was “just and warranted” under Article 1191 of the Civil Code of the Philippines. The particular article states: “The power to rescind obligations is implied in reciprocal ones, in case one of the obligors should not comply with what is incumbent upon him.” The HDMF asked the appeals court to issue a “temporary retraining order and/or a writ of preliminary injunction enjoining Respondent Hon. Eugene S. Paras Read More …

PNP chief: Don't vote for candidates who pay protection money to NPA

 News
Apr 302013
 
PNP chief: Don't vote for candidates who pay protection money to NPA

Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisma on Tuesday cautioned voters against voting for politicians who pay rebel groups money in exchange for the right to campaign peacefully, saying that these candidates, if elected, might squander government funds. “Actually, yung politician pag alam natin na nagbibigay sa kaaway ng gobyerno, bakit natin iboboto? Baka ipamigay lahat ng resources natin. So that is a signal for us citizens na huwag natin silang iboto,” Purisima told reporters in a chance interview following a press conference at PNP headquarters in Camp Crame. The Department of Interior and Local Government also called on candidates to refrain from giving in to demands of rebel groups, particularly the National People’s Army, which has been known to extort what are called “permit to campaign” and “permit to win” fees from candidates. “Patuloy na mungkahi namin na huwag magbigay ng pera o kahit anong halaga dahil ito’y magpapalakas lang sa mga grupong ito, at maaring ipangbili pa nila ng bala ang perang makukuha para gamitin against government forces,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II said in the press conference. A Visayas-based army general on Sunday said that half of the candidates in his area have given in to the NPA’s extortion demands. Hands tied However, Purisima admitted that legally the hands of the PNP are tied, as there is no case to be filed against those who willingly give protection money to rebel groups. “Hindi kasi kaso yung pagbibigay. Ang kaso, pag magreklamo sila ng extortion,” Purisima said. Roxas Read More …

Brillantes: 29 disqualified party-list groups might be allowed to run in May 13 polls

 News
Apr 302013
 
Brillantes: 29 disqualified party-list groups might be allowed to run in May 13 polls

At least 29 party-list organizations earlier disqualified by the Commission on Elections for not representing marginalized sectors might be allowed to participate in the May 13 polls while 10 others will be cancelled, poll chairman Sixto Brillantes said Tuesday. Brillantes said since the commissioners have different positions on the matter, the en banc will put the matter to a vote by Thursday. He said they are still reviewing the case of the concerned party-list groups. “Iba-iba kami ng posisyon. Magvovoting kami sa Thursday. We are deciding already to allow approximately 29 to 30 and cancel the remaining 9 to 10. Hindi pa kami naga-agree,” he told reporters. The names of the party-list groups are included in the ballot. The Supreme Court earlier this month remanded to the Comelec the case of the party-list organizations the latter disqualified and ordered it to conduct “evidentiary hearings.” The High Tribunal adopted new parameters in the qualification of national, regional and sectoral parties under the party-list system which the Comelec used in determining which party-list organizations will be allowed or not. These are the parameters set by the SC: – Three different groups may participate in the party-list system: (1)  national parties or organizations, (2) regional parties or organizations, and (3) sectoral parties or organizations. – National parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations do not need to organize along sectoral lines and do not need to represent “any marginalized and underrepresented” sector. – Political parties can participate in party-list elections provided they Read More …

Family of murdered Pangasinan mayor clears solon, governor

 News
Apr 302013
 
Family of murdered Pangasinan mayor clears solon, governor

No less than the family of slain Infanta, Pangasinan mayor Ruperto Martinez have said that suspect Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. and Pangasinan Rep. Jesus Celeste could not have been involved in the killing. In a sworn statement submitted during Tuesday’s preliminary investigation of the murder complaint, the victim’s widow, Crisanta Martinez, admitted being “surprised” when the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) informed them that Espino and Celeste were implicated in the killing. “Pilit kaming pinapipirma ng reklamo ng NBI laban kina Governor Espino at Congressman Celeste subalit kami ay tumanggi dahil alam namin na walang katotohanan ang paratang na iyon,” Mrs. Martinez said. “Sinabi namin sa NBI na imposible ang paratang na iyon dahil sina Governor Espino at Congressman Celeste ay parehas malapit at kaalyado ng aming ama sa ilalim ng partidong Nationalist People’s Coalition,” she added. The Martinez family claimed that it was even Celeste who immediately contacted the NBI to seek help for the killing that happened last December 12, 2012 in Infanta. “Hindi kami naniniwala o sumasangayon sa pagsampa ng NBI kay Gov. Amado Espino at Congressman Jesus Celeste dahil ito ay pawang walang katotohanan,” the widow said. She said her family had already asked the NBI to instead investigate lawyer Florante Miano, who the family thinks is the man behind the killing. They said Miano was the victim’s “known political foe.” Mrs. Martinez, however, said the NBI investigators refused to heed their request. “Sa halip, isasampa daw nila ang kaso kahit ayaw namin,” she said. Read More …

Malaysian defense chief to confirm report PHL Navy killed 35 'Kiram men'

 News
Apr 252013
 
Malaysian defense chief to confirm report PHL Navy killed 35 'Kiram men'

Malaysian defense minister Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin will confer with Philippine officials on a report that 35 suspected followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III were shot dead while trying to enter Sabah earlier this week. Police Inspector General Tan Sri Ismail Omar disclosed this as he reassured the public security in Lahad Datu and the situation there is under control as polling day on May 5 nears, a report by state-run Bernama news agency late Thursday said. “Asked about a report that 35 Kiram terrorists were shot dead by Philippine security forces while trying to enter Malaysian waters, Ismail said that Zulkifeli will confirm the report with his Philippine counterpart,” the Bernama report said. Zulikfeli had been quoted in a report by Malaysia’s The Star Online indicating 35 “Sulu militants” were killed while trying to enter Sabah. He claimed the incident occurred Wednesday when Philippine Navy and Coast Guard forces fired at the 35. The Philippine Navy and Coast Guard denied monitoring such an incident. Also, the report quoted him as citing intelligence reports that the group tried to enter Sabah to disrupt the May 5 polls. Meanwhile, Ismail said Ops Daulat, the offensive operation against Kiram followers that started March 5, has not yet ended. “Operation Daulat has not ended. Apart from Sabah Police, we can dispatch men from peninsula when needed,” he said. He added security forces are stationed in certain locations to prevent “terrorists” from disrupting the elections. — LBG, GMA News

PAGASA: Rain over Cagayan Valley, hot weather anew over NCR and rest of PHL

 News
Apr 252013
 
PAGASA: Rain over Cagayan Valley, hot weather anew over NCR and rest of PHL

Satellite Image as of 7 a.m. Thursday, 25 April 2013. | Weather Central Light to moderate rain may fall over Cagayan Valley due to the diffused tail-end of a cold front, while Metro Manila and other parts of the country can expect hot weather on Friday, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran said the diffused tail-end of a cold front is affecting extreme northern Luzon while the easterlies or warm winds from the east are affecting most of the country. “[Mainit na naman sa Metro Manila] dahil umiiral pa rin ang easterlies sa halos kabuuan ng ating bansa,” Duran said in an interview on dzBB radio. Metro Manila, which experienced temperatures of as high as 36.3 degrees Celsius Thursday, may expect temperatures of 24 to 36 degrees Celsius Friday. PAGASA’s extended weather outlook indicated Metro Manila may expect temperatures of 25 to 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Tuguegarao City may experience relatively cooler weather Friday at 24 to 34 degrees Celsius, and on Saturday at 23 to 33 degrees Celsius. Angeles and Olongapo Cities may expect temperatures of 25 to 35 degrees Celsius Friday, and 25 to 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Friday outlook PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin said the diffused tail-end of a cold front is affecting extreme northern Luzon. “Cagayan Valley will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms,” it said. It added moderate Read More …

Cardinal Tagle joins calls for return of activist Jonas Burgos

 News
Apr 252013
 
Cardinal Tagle joins calls for return of activist Jonas Burgos

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Thursday joined calls to surface political activist Jonas Burgos, who has been missing since 2007. In his homily at a Mass in Manila, Tagle warned the perpetrators that if they are afraid to face a civil court, they should be more afraid of God’s judgment. “I’m calling on those holding Jonas and many others who are being searched by their mothers, fathers and siblings, you will face God. You must face God now,” he said in his homily, excerpts of which were posted Thursday night on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines news site. Tagle led a Mass in Manila’s Quiapo district to mark the sixth year of Burgos’ disappearance. Among those who attended the Mass were Burgos’ relatives, friends and colleagues. “Now in this gathering we continue to pray for our brother Jonas Burgos [because] we are one with his family, his mother and his friends,” the prelate said. Burgos was forcibly taken by armed men near a mall in Quezon City in broad daylight on April 28, 2007. His mother Edita still believes Jonas is alive. She welcomed Tagle’s support, which she said is a boost to their campaign against enforced disappearances and human rights abuses. “He’s really a big help because he took time out because I know how busy he is. He is a friend from the past but I know he will do everything just to be with us, the families of desaparecidos,” she said. — BM, Read More …

Comelec adds 7 provinces to 'areas of concern', assures smooth polls

 News
Apr 252013
 
Comelec adds 7 provinces to 'areas of concern', assures smooth polls

Following the Comelec’s decision to place Misamis Oriental on its list of areas of immediate concern, Comelec Commissioner Sixto Brillantes on Thursday revealed that at least six more provinces had also been put on the list. “Oo, may nadagdag,” Brillantes said in a joint press conference with the Philippine National Police and the National Telecommunications Commission in Camp Crame. He refused to reveal which provinces were being closely watched, but assured the public that police presence will be intensified in those areas. Earlier, Comelec declared 15 provinces were being monitored, similar to the list prepared by the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Brillantes revealed that the 15 areas were historically where election-related crimes have taken place. Misamis Oriental was elevated to an area of immediate concern last Tuesday following the ambush on Gingoong Mayor Ruth Guingona over the weekend. “Pag sabihin nating Masbate, Sulu, alam natin yan are always areas of concern. Dahil inambush yung Mayor [sa Gingoog] naging area of immediate concern, magpadala ka ng augmentation group,” Brillantes said., The New People’s Army has since claimed responsibility for the attack, an additional reason why the Comelec elevated it to an area of immediate concern. “NPA ito, proof of harm. Hindi ‘to away ng politiko. Inamin nila, eh,” Brillantes said. The Commissioner also reminded the media that the Comelec has abolished the use of the term “hotspots”.  This has been replace with the four degrees of areas of concerns: area of concern, area of immediate concern, area Read More …

DOLE: 400K jobs up for grabs in Labor Day job fairs nationwide

 News
Apr 252013
 
DOLE: 400K jobs up for grabs in Labor Day job fairs nationwide

At least 400,000 local and overseas jobs will be up for grabs in 75 job fairs that the Department of Labor and Employment will set up nationwide on May 1, Labor Day. According to DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, 16 of these 75 job fairs will be held in Metro Manila alone, offering up to 171,532 job vacancies. “These 171,532 job vacancies [in Metro Manila] as of today are part of the more than 400,000 vacancies to be offered by employers to tens of thousands of jobseekers expected to troop to the DOLE’s 75 job fairs nationwide,” Baldoz said Thursday. She said the job fairs in Metro Manila will have 726 prospective local employers and 37 licensed overseas recruitment agencies. The job vacancies are in identified key employment generator (KEG) sectors, including: – cyber services– tourism– banking and finance– hotel and restaurant– health and wellness– wholesale and retail trade– automotive– construction The Metro Manila job fairs will be held at SM malls in North EDSA, Fairview, Novaliches, Manila, Sta. Mesa, San Lazaro, Valenzuela, Megamall, Pasig, Marikina, South Mall, Las Piñas, Sucat, Bicutan, Muntinlupa, and Mall of Asia. Baldoz said this year’s Labor Day will have the theme, “Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon,” which reflects the government’s confidence on the readiness of the Filipino workforce to meet the challenges of the times. What to bring She advised prospective jobseekers to bring documents to the job fairs, such as:– resume/biodata– copy of diploma– copy of transcript of records– clearances– employment Read More …

Court orders arrest of ex-AFP comptroller Ligot

 News
Apr 252013
 
Court orders arrest of ex-AFP comptroller Ligot

The Sandiganbayan First Division on Thursday has ordered the arrest of former military comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot in connection with the 11 counts of perjury charges filed against him. The Sandiganbayan also prohibited Ligot from leaving the country without clearance from the court. “After perusing the Informations and evaluating the resolution of the prosecutor, the evidence in support thereof and the records of the preliminary investigation attached thereto, it appears that sufficient grounds exist for the finding of probable cause for the purpose of issuing a warrant of arrest against the accused charged in the instant cases,” the anti-graft court said in its resolution. Ligot’s bail bond was set at P6,000 per count, or a total of P66,000. The charges, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman last April 13, were related to a forfeiture case earlier filed against Ligot, his wife Erlinda, their children Paulo, Riza, Miguel, and relatives Edgardo Yambao and Miguela Paragas for the recovery of unexplained wealth allegedly worth at least P135.28 million. Graft investigators said the former military general concealed assets by omitting them from his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the years 1993 to 2003. Ligot, retired since 2004, served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller from July 1999 to March 2001. He and his family were accused of amassing P135,280,822.11 in unexplained wealth, including several hectares of land in Bukidnon and Rizal, posh condominium units, houses and lots in the United States, several vehicles, and millions Read More …

 Older Entries  Newer Entries