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 …

Canadian-led group to present recommendations on Bangsamoro police

 News
Mar 192014
 
Canadian-led group to present recommendations on Bangsamoro police

Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Canadian-led Independent Commission on Policing (ICP) established to draw up a police system for the Bangsamoro juridical entity will present its recommendations after the expected signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), according to the Canadian ambassador in Manila. Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said on Wednesday that the ICP, chaired by an expert from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, has been wrapping up its report following public consultations in Mindanao in 2013. “We had an expert from the Royal Canadian Mountain police who came, and spent several months here. I think their report will be issued very soon, I think in the next couple of weeks, on the proposed policing structure of the Bangsamoro,” Reeder said. “That would include reference to all the consultations that they’ve done, as well as drawing upon experiences of other countries including Canada,” said the diplomat in an interview on Wednesday. The ICP, a panel composed of international and local experts and representatives from both the Philippine government and MILF panels, was convened in September 2013 as mandated by the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro. The commission was tasked to “recommend appropriate policing within the Bangsamoro, which is civilian in character and responsible both to the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government, and to the communities it serves.” Randall Beck, an assistant commissioner at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, chairs the 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 …

Raps filed in Taiwan fisher’s death

 News
Mar 182014
 
Raps filed in Taiwan fisher’s death

By Christine O. AvendañoPhilippine Daily Inquirer 9:23 am | Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 Taiwanese investigators look at a portion of a ship involved in the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman as they ride a rubber boat with the Philippine Coast Guard while they continue their probe in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday May 28, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—Eight officers and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will be charged with homicide for the May 2013 fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in the Balintang Channel, an incident that strained ties between Manila and Taipei. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday said a panel of Department of Justice prosecutors had found probable cause to charge the eight PCG in the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hong Shi Cheng. To be charged are PCG commanding officer Arnold Enriquez de la Cruz; Seamen 1st Class Edrando Quiapo Aguila, Mhelvin Aguilar Bendo II, Andy Gibb Ronario Golfo, Sunny Galanf Masangcay and Henry Baco Solomon; Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Renold Aurelio and Petty Officer 2 Richard Fernandez Corpuz. De la Cruz and Bendo will also be charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly falsifying the monthly gunner report dated May 11, 2013. The DOJ panel dismissed the other charge of obstruction of justice against De la Cruz, Lt. Junior Grade Martin Bernabe, Ramirez and Bendo this time for the deletion of video clips from the SD cards and compact discs submitted to the NBI as this was accidentally done. The homicide charges will 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

Solon dismayed at failure to resolve Cudia's case before PMA graduation

 News
Mar 162014
 
Solon dismayed at failure to resolve Cudia's case before PMA graduation

222 PMA Class of 2014 graduates urged to serve honestly. The graduates of the Philippine Military Academy “Siklab Diwa” Class of 2014 throw their caps in the air at the graduation rites held in Fort Gregorio Del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday March 16. Thom Picana A lawmaker expressed dismay on Sunday over the failure of the Philippine Military Academy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to resolve the case of dismissed PMA cadet Aldrin Cudia, barring him from attending graduation rites. ABS party-list Representative Catalina Leonen-Pizarro said the AFP should have acted with haste on Cudia’s appeal so he could have still marched along with the Siklab Diwa Class of 2014 if he were allowed to graduate. “[Cudia’s] case is still hanging while the graduation is ongoing. The problem now [is] if suddenly the appeal of Cudia be granted, then he would have already missed the rites. Sayang naman,” she told GMA News Online in a text message. Last week, Pizarro filed a House resolution that sought to hasten the AFP and PMA’s review of Cudia’s case and resolve it before the graduation rites. The lawmaker said her resolution might now be considered moot and academic since Cudia’s case is still unresolved although the graduation ceremonies are over. According to its website,  the ABS (Arts Business and Science Professionals) party-list was created “to protect and advance the collective interests and concerns of Filipino professionals who constitute the highly trained and skilled manpower of the country.” Defense Secretary Voltaire Read More …

Iglesia ni Cristo opens housing, livelihood projects in Yolanda-hit Leyte

 News
Mar 162014
 
Iglesia ni Cristo opens housing, livelihood projects in Yolanda-hit Leyte

As it joined in efforts for the rehabilitation of Yolanda-stricken province of Leyte, the Iglesia Ni Cristo inaugurated last Friday its Eco-farming Facility and Resettlement Area in Sitio New Era, Barangay Langit in Alang-alang town. According to INC’s events spokesman, the projects site is located 18 kilometers from Tacloban City, which was considered “ground zero” of huge storm surges spawned by super Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest cyclone ever to hit land in recorded history.  A total of 1,000 housing units will soon rise in the 3,000-hectare property for the project, the INC said, adding 100 units have already been completed. Also, the INC said the garments and dried fish factories are yet to be constructed within the property. However, it said the housing project is exclusively for INC members only, but the livelihoodprojects will eventually be open to non-members. “If and when we need more workers and INC members cannot fill up the need, we might hire non-members,” said Bro. Edwil Zabala, the events’ spokesperson. He said a variety of plants, rice, vegetables, cultured mushrooms, fruit-bearing trees and other crops will be cultivated for the Eco-Farming project. INC’s executive minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo led the ribbon-cutting for the project at the launching event that was attended by INC brethren from different provinces in the Eastern Visayas. Relief operation, and medical and dental mission followed at the Leyte National High School in Tacloban City. Record-breaking charity walk Almost a month ago, the INC made news for it’s record-breaking Worldwide Walk Read More …

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