Belmonte: Easter a time for renewal for Pinoys

 News
Apr 192014
 
Belmonte: Easter a time for renewal for Pinoys

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte on Saturday called on the public to embrace an attitude of renewal in anticipation of Easter Sunday, saying it will usher in a brighter future for the country. “While we look inward and celebrate this salvation we have received, let us likewise make Easter a time of renewal as one people, as well as a time of rebuilding hope for ourselves and for the bright future we aspire for the Philippines,” Belmonte said in his Easter message. “Whatever difficulties we face today are like seeds, which eventually grow into strength and evolve into the success of our pursuits,” Belmonte added. Belmonte also reminded Filipinos worldwide that Easter first and foremost is a celebration of sacrifice, both Christ’s and ours, during the observation of Holy Week. “Salvation or redemption need not be perceived as rising above dire straits or from a state of negativity. Rather it results from the assessment of our strengths, our gratitude for them, and the determination to rise above our limitations. It is honing and maximizing the many potentials for growth we are afforded,” Belmonte added. On Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III called on Filipinos to reflect on Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and related it to the challenge of the government’s Daang Matuwid (straight path) campaign against corruption in government. “Sa atin nga pong pagtahak sa tuwid na daan, humaharap tayo sa mga pagsubok. Ang panawagan po sa atin: Bilang Kanyang mga tagasunod, nawa’y maging handa rin tayong tumanggap ng sarili nating mga sakripisyo. Tiyak Read More …

Gigi Reyes' return helps afford her due process  – Palace exec

 News
Apr 192014
 
Gigi Reyes' return helps afford her due process  - Palace exec

Ex-Enrile aide Gigi Reyes comes home. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff Gigi Reyes arrives in Manila from the US early Saturday, April 19, 2014. Reyes is among those charged with plunder for the PDAF scam. Reina Anne Dimapawi A Malacañang official on Saturday said the return from the US of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes helps afford her “due process.” “[Her return] will afford her the opportunity for the full application of her right to due process,” Malacañang spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. Reyes, a key personality in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam and one of several people charged with plunder because of it, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via PR-105 from San Francisco, GMA News reported. “I’m facing the charges. I’ve always faced it,” Reyes quoted as saying upon her arrival. On April 7, Reyes’ representatives asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its decision to file plunder charges against her over the alleged P10-billion por barrel scam. Reyes claimed her constitutional right to due process was violated, and denied receiving any commission from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), popularly known as pork barrel. Last April 1, the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Reyes, Senators Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada, as well as alleged scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles, with plunder. The National Bureau of Investigation had alleged that Reyes had signed documents related to the release of Enrile’s pork barrel funds to Read More …

Philippines boosts MERS monitoring after UAE nurse scare  

 News
Apr 192014
 
Philippines boosts MERS monitoring after UAE nurse scare  

MANILA — The Philippines said Saturday it was stepping up its defenses against the deadly MERS virus, with the large numbers of Filipino workers in the Middle East seen as potential carriers. “It is important that families, friends and members of their local communities fully understand all that must be known about the MERS coronavirus,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona told a news conference. A male Filipino nurse who had tested positive for the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus in the United Arab Emirates returned to the Philippines on Tuesday, according to the health department. The man was later tracked down and quarantined, along with relatives who picked him up at Manila airport, as part of the increased monitoring procedures, but all of them were subsequently found to be free of the virus, Ona said. Health authorities were continuing to track the rest of the 418 passengers on the same Etihad Airways flight, including 45 foreigners, so they could also be tested, he added. The virus has a two-week incubation period, so all those passengers “are still deemed to be at risk”, Ona said. A total of 119 passengers had so far been contacted by the health department, and all 40 who were tested yielded negative results, Ona said. While the World Health Organization has not declared a MERS epidemic, the Philippines has stepped up monitoring as it has a large number of workers in the Middle East, many of whom work in Saudi Arabia and the UAE which have Read More …

Phivolcs: No Tsunami threat from quakes in Solomon Island and Mexico  

 News
Apr 182014
 
Phivolcs: No Tsunami threat from quakes in Solomon Island and Mexico  

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology on Saturday said there is no threat from a tsunami following a magnitude-6.9 quake that hit the Solomon Islands. In an advisory issued 9:20 a.m., Phivolcs said there is “no destructive widespread tsunami threat” based on historical and tsunami data. While it said such quakes can sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts within 100 km of the epicenter, “there is no tsunami threat to the Philippines from this earthquake.“ Citing initial information, Phivolcs said the quake at Solomon Islands occurred at 9:12 a.m. and had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9. Earlier, the Phivolcs similarly allayed fears of a tsunami from a magnitude-7.4 quake in Guerrero, Mexico. In its advisory issued 10:51 p.m. Friday, Phivolcs said the quake occurred in Guerrero, Mexico at 10:27 PM (Philippine Time) with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

Pork scam suspect and former Enrile aide Gigi Reyes back in the PHL

 News
Apr 182014
 
Pork scam suspect and former Enrile aide Gigi Reyes back in the PHL

Seen as a key personality in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam and charged with plunder because of it, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s former chief of staff, Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, returned to the Philippines early Saturday. Reyes landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 via PR-104 from San Francisco, GMA News reported. “I’m facing the charges. I’ve always faced it,” Reyes was reported to have said when she arrived.  Earlier this month, Reyes’ representatives had asked the Ombudsman to reconsider its decision to file plunder charges against her over the P10-billion scam. Reyes claimed her constitutional right to due process was violated, and denied receiving any commission from Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), the infamous pork barrel. Reyes resigned as Enrile’s chief of staff last January, amid accusations she had personally wielded power over Senate matters on behalf of Enrile, who was then the Senate President. Enrile is among the three senators charged with plunder over the pork scam. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News

Filipina accomplice arrested for fake bills in Malaysia

 News
Apr 182014
 
Filipina accomplice arrested for fake bills in Malaysia

The Star Online-Asia News Network 9:35 pm | Friday, April 18th, 2014 KUALA LUMPUR — Police have uncovered a ‘black money’ syndicate, following the arrest of an African man and a Filipino woman, and the seizure of RM3.2 million in fake currencies. Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief ACP Izany Abdul Ghany said the suspects were nabbed at two separate locations here on Tuesday. He said the 34-year-old African was nabbed at a hotel in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman after a local woman, suspicious over the man’s offer of investment opportunities, tipped off the police. “The complainant knew the suspect via Facebook before meeting him with several people who were keen on the investment. “The police raided the hotel and seized three RM50 notes and equipment to ‘clean’ money, which was believed to have been used in the scam,” ACP Izany said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters here on Thursday. Following the man’s arrest, a police team went to an apartment in Jalan Imbi here and picked up the 46-year-old Filipina. Five bundles of US$100 and three bundles of RM50, which were suspected to be fake, were seized from the apartment. Police also seized three bundles of white paper the size of RM50 and US1 dollar notes. – Bernama Follow Us Other Stories: Malaysia quarantines 64 villagers over MERS virus Abductors demand $11.3M for Chinese Abu Sayyaf-linked kidnappers trying to slip into Jolo island Abu Sayyaf kidnappers telephone Chinese victim’s family Recent Stories: Complete stories Read More …

Jinggoy lawyers not allowed access to other ‘pork’ respondents’ affidavits

 News
Apr 182014
 
Jinggoy lawyers not allowed access to other ‘pork’ respondents’ affidavits

The Office of the Ombudsman has denied the camp of Senator Jinggoy Estrada access to the affidavits of other respondents in the plunder complaint filed against him in connection with the alleged pork barrel scam. In a text message on Friday, lawyer Alexis Abastillas, Estrada’s legal spokesman, confirmed that the Ombudsman denied their request to be “furnished a copy of the affidavits of new witnesses, whose testimonies were used” in the resolution recommending plunder charges against the senator. “We have received it. It’s a real denial of due process,” Abastillas accused. He added that their camp has already appealed this decision, through the motion of reconsideration they filed last April 7. Last month, Estrada’s lawyers asked the Ombudsman for copies of sworn affidavits of government witnesses Ruby Tuason and Dennis Cunanan. On April 1, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it has decided to charge Senators Estrada, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile with plunder for allegedly pocketing millions in their pork barrel funds through a scam supposedly engineered by detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. Both Estrada and Revilla have already filed their respective motion seeking the dismissal of the plunder charges against them, claiming the accusations have no basis. On the other hand, Enrile had not given any statements to the media since the release of the Ombudsman’s recommendation.  –– KBK, GMA News

Filipinos nailed to cross in Good Friday ritual frowned on by Roman Catholic Church

 News
Apr 182014
 
Filipinos nailed to cross in Good Friday ritual frowned on by Roman Catholic Church

Pampanga penitent nailed on cross on Good Friday. An unidentified penitent is nailed to a cross during Good Friday crucifixion rites in front of the San Gabriel Church in Bacolor, Pampanga on April 18. The re-enaction of the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday is still practiced despite opposition from the Roman Catholic Church. Ruston Banal Jr. CUTUD – Nearly 20 Filipinos and a Danish filmmaker were nailed to crosses to re-enact the crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday, a practice the Roman Catholic Church frowns upon as a distortion of the Easter message. The annual Philippine ritual draws thousands of spectators to San Fernando, 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila, to see penitents flagellate themselves and a series of crucifixions in a recreation of Christ’s death on the cross. “It was a great experience between me and God,” 48-year-old Danish film director and stunt coordinator Lasse Spang Olsen, who stayed on the cross for more than 10 minutes, told Reuters before being treated for his wounds. “It was great. It was fun.” But for some in the Philippines, where about 80 percent of the population are Catholics, the re-enactments of the crucifixion are an extreme display of devotion. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross on Good Friday and rose from the dead two days later, on Easter Sunday. “I will do it as long as my body will allow me,” said Danilo Ramos, 43, who has been crucified 23 times. “I hope God will see Read More …

DoH denies Filipino nurse no longer positive for MERS virus

 News
Apr 182014
 
DoH denies Filipino nurse no longer positive for MERS virus

INQUIRER.net 5:55 pm | Friday, April 18th, 2014 Health Secretary Enrique Ona: No risk MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Health has denied reports that the Filipino quarantined for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) no longer tested positive for the virus. “No official report yet,” Secretary Enrique Ona said in a text message to INQUIRER.net on Friday. The Philippine News Agency reported that the male nurse who is suspected to be infected with the virus no longer tested positive for MERS-CoV. The report was later taken down from the agency website. The male nurse had contact with another Filipino health worker who died of the virus in United Arab Emirates. The nurse arrived in Manila on Wednesday. The nurse’s family members who fetched him at the airport were also quarantined. On Twitter, Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said that with the Filipino health workers’ case, the Philippines has become the 12th country and the first in Asia outside the Middle East with laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV. RELATED STORY WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions Follow Us Other Stories: WHO warns vs spread of MERS-Cov, urges vigilance in taking precautions Malaysia quarantines 64 villagers over MERS virus PH asks airline passengers to check for MERS No travel restrictions to Middle East amid MERS-CoV scare Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Read More …

SC upholds verdict vs. Bar watcher who brought camera during exams

 News
Apr 182014
 
SC upholds verdict vs. Bar watcher who brought camera during exams

For bringing a digital camera to the 2011 Bar examinations and taking pictures of the questionnaires, a Court of Appeals employee has been permanently disqualified from supervising the exams. In a six-page decision, the Supreme Court upheld an Office of the Bar Confidante (OBC) report finding Melchor Tiongson guilty of simple misconduct, as well as of violating the “Instructions to Head Watchers” when he brought his camera inside the Bar exam room at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila in November 2011. Tiongson brought his digital camera inside Room 314 of St. Martin De Porres Building in UST during the second Sunday of the Bar exams. According to Tiongson’s three fellow watchers, while they were counting the pages of the questionnaires after the morning examination, Tiongson took pictures of the Civil Law questionnaire using his digital camera. “Tiongson allegedly repeated the same act and took pictures of the Mercantile Law questionnaire after the afternoon examination,” said the high court in recounting the facts of the administrative case. During investigation of the OBC, Tiongson admitted bringing in his digital camera. He said he refused to surrender his camera to the badge counter personnel for fear that it will not be handled and kept properly. Following the incident, Tiongson was no longer allowed to serve as head watcher during the remaining Sundays of the examination that year. The OBC also indefinitely suspended him from becoming a head watcher for gross misconduct and dishonesty. In its own ruling, the SC affirmed the Read More …

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